The Best Budget Jump Starter
Above-average ratings, below-average prices, no fake reviews.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I might earn a referral fee (at no expense to you) when you click a link.
Even with a roadside assistance plan, being stranded in bad weather (or in a bad neighborhood) is a stressful situation. That’s why many drivers opt to keep a portable jump starter in their trunk.
A portable jump starter is just a rechargeable battery with cables and clamps attached. Some all-in-one kits include an air compressor and various charging ports, but the heart of any jump starter is a battery. (Lithium-ion cells are gradually replacing lead acid batteries.)
There are two fundamental reasons to avoid the cheapest jump starters:
- Many jump kits can charge a phone or a laptop via USB. As a result, thousands of happy customers have never used their jump box in an emergency, making bad products look good; and
- A portable jump starter is a battery and batteries can explode. The best jump starters use batteries that are certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing lab like UL.
To be reliable, even the best jump starter must be recharged regularly. Recharging a jump box each time the seasons change — winter, spring, summer and fall — is a simple way to remember. Not all jump starters pack enough power for every vehicle, so research what your engine requires.
How Much Does a Good Jump Starter Cost?
A good portable jump starter (with verified, above-average reviews) costs approximately $93, according to a 12-month analysis of price trends. Those same jump boxes cost around $65 while on sale: an average discount of 30%. Here are the best inexpensive portable jump starters for the money.
Methodology for Selecting Products
I use data science to discover above-average products that are selling for below-average prices. To find jump starters with below-average prices, I first assemble a list of candidates, then organize those products by their 12-month average sale price, determine the median value and then exclude any jump box with a price above the mid-point.
To find portable jump starters with above-average reviews, I measure the relationship between 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 star ratings and flag outliers that fall outside of a normal statistical distribution. I also discount paid, sponsored and unverified reviews as well as unhelpful review behaviors from verified customers. Models with an average adjusted rating of less than 3.9 out of 5 are excluded; in the end, fewer than 5% of the analyzed products remain.
Nekteck D35 Multifunctional Car Jump Starter
Good Value: $65 | Great Deal: $50
Cell Type: Li-Polymer
Peak: 600 Amps
Nekteck’s portable jump starter is effective at jumping cars, trucks and SUVs, according to several online customers, many of whom also praise the built-in flashlight and included carrying case. Some reviewers warn that the cables are short; others say that this unit isn’t a good choice for charging gadgets via USB.
Scosche PBJ700–1 Portable Car Jump Starter
Good Value: $120 | Great Deal: $100
Check Current Price on Scosche | Check Current Price on Amazon | Check Current Price on Best Buy
Cell Type: Lithium-Ion
Peak: 700 Amps
Scosche’s affordable jump pack is compact, reliable and powerful, according to several customers. Some reviewers say the clamps are cheaply made; others warn that this unit doesn’t work in extreme cold.
Schumacher DSR119 DSR Pro Series 1800 Peak Amp Jump Starter
Good Value: $110 | Great Deal: $88
Check Current Price on Amazon | Check Current Price on Home Depot | Check Current Price on Walmart
Cell Type: Sealed AGM (Lead Acid)
Peak: 1,800 Amps
This jump box has successfully started vehicles, tractors and boats, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say the clamps aren’t durable; others say their unit eventually stopped keeping a charge.
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday.
Anker Roav Jump Starter Pro 1000A
Good Value: $97 | Great Deal: $70
Check Current Price on Amazon | Check Current Price on Best Buy | Check Current Price on Home Depot
Cell Type: Lithium-Ion
Peak: 1,000 Amps
Several online customers successfully jump started their car (or truck) using this Roav starter pack. Some reviewers wish that the jumper didn’t use a USB-C charger; others say the instructions are poor.
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day.
Noco Genius Boost Plus GB40 1000 Amp 12V Lithium Jump Starter
Good Value: $93 | Great Deal: $63
Check Current Price on Amazon | Check Current Price on B&H
Cell Type: Lithium-Ion
Peak: 1,000 Amps
Several online customers say the 1,000 amp Noco Genius Boost Pro is capable of jumping a V8 engine. Some reviewers (even happy ones) wish the jump box had a better carrying case and longer cables.
Clore (JNC660) Jump-N-Carry 1700 Peak Amp 12V Jump Starter
Good Value: $125 | Great Deal: $80
Check Current Price on Amazon | Check Current Price on Walmart
Cell Type: Sealed AGM (Lead Acid)
Peak: 1,700 Amps
Clore Automotive’s jump pack is big, heavy and awkward to connect because it has short cables, according to several online customers. Nevertheless, many of these same reviewers love their Clore jump box because of how effective and reliable it is (having used it multiple times over many years).
Beatit G18 PRO QDSP 2000A 12V Portable Car Jump Starter
Good Value: $100 | Great Deal: $70
Cell Type: Lithium-Ion
Peak: 2,000 Amps
Beatit’s portable jump starter is conveniently-sized and successfully jumped various cars and trucks with dead batteries, according to online customers. Some reviewers wished the the jumper’s clamps were larger.
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday.
Tacklife T8 Mix Jump Starter
Good Value: $54 | Great Deal: $38
Cell Type: Lithium-Ion
Peak: 500 Amps
Tacklife’s affordable jump starter is lightweight, effective and easy to store according to several online customers. Many reviewers say that pressing the “Boost” button was necessary in order to turn over the engine. One customer with large hands warns that this button is small and inset, making it hard to press.
Smartech Products JS-8000N Jump Starter and Power Bank
Good Value: $80 | Great Deal: $50
Check Current Price on Home Depot | Check Current Price on Walmart
Cell Type: Lithium-Ion
Peak: 400 Amps
Smartech’s portable jump starter is easy to use, compact and reliable, according to several online customers. One disappointed reviewer said that this unit wasn’t capable of jump starting his lawnmower.
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
About the Author: John DeFeo is a data scientist who specializes in the analysis of online customer reviews. He is also the moderator of “Black Friday Today,” a sub-Reddit that lists daily Amazon deals that support charity.
