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A dead battery always seems to happen at the worst possible time — a cold morning, an empty parking lot, no other car in sight. A portable jump starter means you don’t need one. We checked real, currently-listed lithium jump starters — reading verified owner feedback on peak-amp claims, how many times they actually hold a charge, and how they perform on larger engines — to find five worth buying, plus one we’d skip.
At a Glance
| Jump Starter | Price | Rating | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOCO Boost GB40 | $99.95 | 4.6★ (129,115) | Best overall |
| Hulkman Alpha85 | $119.99 | 4.7★ (13,401) | Best smart display & safety features |
| GOOLOO GP4000 | $79.97 | 4.6★ (8,913) | Best value for peak power |
| S ZEVZO ET03 | $59.99 | 4.6★ (6,478) | Best budget pick |
| Clore Jump-N-Carry JNC660 | $126.02 | 4.6★ (19,828) | Best heavy-duty/professional grade |
Our Featured Pick
NOCO Boost GB40 12V 1000A UltraSafe Jump Starter — $99.95
4.6★ out of 5 (129,115 ratings) — by far the largest review base of any jump starter we checked, at any price.
With over 129,000 ratings, the GB40 is the most battle-tested jump starter on the market, full stop. NOCO’s UltraSafe design adds spark-proof technology and reverse-polarity protection so a clumsy clamp connection won’t fry your car’s electronics or the unit itself, and at 1000 peak amps it’s sized right for most sedans, small SUVs, and motorcycles rather than being overkill (or underpowered) for the average driver.
Pros:
- 129,000+ ratings at 4.6 stars — the most-reviewed jump starter we found
- Spark-proof, reverse-polarity-protected clamps make it hard to use incorrectly
- Compact enough to keep in a glovebox or trunk pocket year-round
Cons:
- 1000 peak amps is plenty for most cars but underpowered for larger trucks or diesel engines
- No built-in air compressor, unlike some competitors at this price
More Picks Worth Considering
Hulkman Alpha85 Smart Jump Starter — $119.99
4.7★ out of 5 (13,401 ratings) — the highest rating of any pick in this guide.
The Alpha85 steps up to 2000 peak amps and a 74Wh battery, enough for gas engines up to 8.5L and diesels up to 6.0L, with a 3.3-inch LED display that shows battery health and voltage rather than a vague light indicator. It’s the pick for anyone who wants more headroom than a basic sedan jump starter without stepping up to a full professional unit.
Pros:
- Highest rating in this guide at 4.7 stars across 13,000+ ratings
- 2000 peak amps covers larger gas and diesel engines than most compact jump starters
- Detailed LED display shows real battery status instead of a single indicator light
Cons:
- Costs about $20 more than our featured pick for most drivers who don’t need the extra power
- Bulkier than the NOCO GB40, less pocketable for a glovebox
GOOLOO GP4000 4000A Jump Starter — $79.97
4.6★ out of 5 (8,913 ratings)
GOOLOO’s GP4000 claims 4000 peak amps for under $80, rated for gas engines up to 12L and diesels up to 10L — enough to cover most trucks and larger SUVs that would overwhelm a compact 1000-amp unit. The SuperSafe lithium cell and spark-proof clamps carry over the same safety approach as the pricier picks here.
Pros:
- 4000 peak amps and diesel-rated up to 10L for well under $80
- Nearly 9,000 ratings at 4.6 stars
- Spark-proof, SuperSafe lithium design
Cons:
- Smaller review base than the NOCO or Clore picks
- Bulkier housing than the more compact GB40
S ZEVZO ET03 Jump Starter — $59.99
4.6★ out of 5 (6,478 ratings)
If you just want a reliable backup for a gas-engine sedan or small SUV without paying for features you won’t use, the ET03 covers engines up to 8.0L gas or 7.0L diesel with an LCD display, USB charging ports for your phone, and a storage case included — for under $60.
Pros:
- Lowest price of any well-reviewed pick in this guide at 4.6 stars
- LCD display and included storage case
- Doubles as a USB power bank for phones and other devices
Cons:
- Lower peak-amp rating than the GOOLOO or Clore picks — not the choice for larger diesels
- Smaller, newer brand with less of a track record than NOCO or Clore
Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry JNC660 — $126.02
4.6★ out of 5 (19,828 ratings)
The JNC660 is the odd one out here — it’s a lead-acid, not lithium, jump starter, and it’s the choice mechanics and fleet operators actually buy. Nearly 20,000 ratings back up its reputation for shrugging off daily commercial use in a way most consumer lithium packs aren’t built for. It’s heavier and doesn’t hold a charge on the shelf as well as the lithium picks above, but if you want the unit a professional would actually own, this is it.
Pros:
- Nearly 20,000 ratings at 4.6 stars, with a long track record in professional/fleet use
- 1700 peak amps built for repeated daily use, not occasional emergencies
- Rugged build that holds up to shop and garage conditions
Cons:
- Most expensive pick in this guide
- Heavier and bulkier than any lithium option here — meant for a trunk or shop, not a glovebox
- Lead-acid battery self-discharges faster in storage than the lithium picks above
⚠ One We’d Skip
Sharmeal Car Jump Starter 7000A — $39.99
4.2★ out of 5 (629 ratings) — the lowest rating of any product in this guide, with multiple verified buyers reporting the unit fails at its one core job.
A jump starter has exactly one job, and multiple verified buyers report this one not doing it. One verified buyer, Amanda Hinton, rated it 1 star and wrote, “Will not take a charge. Only used twice.” Another verified buyer, Sam Ashley, rated it 1 star and described it as feeling cheap, writing that “at 100% battery only had a single half harted jump” before it “compleatly depleted the pack to 0%,” and recommended spending the extra $50 on a different brand. A third verified buyer, Mindyb, gave it 2 stars after finding that even fully charged, it “isn’t capable of doing even that simple task” of jump-starting a lawnmower battery.
Cons:
- Multiple verified buyers report the unit failing to hold a charge at all
- Other verified buyers report it draining to 0% after a single partial jump attempt
- Lowest rating of any jump starter in this guide, on a core-function failure rather than a minor complaint
The Bottom Line
For most drivers, the NOCO Boost GB40 is the safe, well-proven choice — 129,000+ ratings, spark-proof safety features, and enough power for the average car without paying for capacity you don’t need. If you drive something bigger than a sedan, step up to the Hulkman Alpha85 or GOOLOO GP4000 for more peak amps. If you want the unit a mechanic would actually own, the Clore Jump-N-Carry JNC660 is built for that. Whichever you choose, skip the Sharmeal 7000A — a jump starter that can’t reliably jump a car isn’t worth the $40.