The best car jump starters

NOCO started in Ohio in 1914 as Nook & O’Neill, and the GB40 is its glovebox-sized pack: spark-proof clamps, up to 20 starts per charge and a tough, water-resistant case.

• 1000A peak
• Up to 6.0L petrol, 3.0L diesel
• Up to 20 starts per charge
• Spark-proof and reverse-polarity safe
• USB power bank and 100-lumen torch

What owners say: Owners call it a brilliant bit of kit with lots of power for its size and easier than jump leads, though a few say theirs wouldn’t hold a charge.

Heads up: It’s rated for diesels only up to 3.0 litres.

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A closer look: The clamps are protected against sparks and being connected the wrong way round, so a mix-up does no harm. Top it up every few months, as a flat jump pack is no use in an emergency. The torch has an SOS mode for a roadside breakdown at night.

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A pocket-sized 329g pack that handles engines up to 7-litre petrol and 5.5-litre diesel, with ten built-in protections.

• Up to 7.0L petrol, 5.5L diesel
• Works from -20°C to 50°C
• 10 safety protections
• 329g
• Smart clamps

What owners say: Owners say it starts cars first time, works straight out of the box and is small enough to keep in the car, though a few had one that wouldn’t charge.

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A closer look: Push the smart clamps fully into the pack before connecting to the battery, red clamp first. It’s light enough for a motorbike pannier or a caravan locker. A sensible present for a new driver.

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A phone-sized jump pack with a big 16,800mAh battery, so it keeps phones charged on road trips as well as starting the car.

• Up to 9.0L petrol, 8.5L diesel
• 16,800mAh power bank
• 300-lumen torch, 4 modes
• 300g
• Arrives 50% charged

What owners say: Owners say it’s well worth the money, compact enough for the glovebox and powerful, and one says it saved them calling out roadside assistance.

Heads up: A few owners say theirs failed after one use.

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A closer look: Charge it fully before putting it in the car, as it arrives half full. The strobe and SOS torch modes make it useful at the roadside at night. The maker describes it as fine to fly with as a power bank, but check your airline’s rules first.

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Covers engines up to 9-litre petrol and 8.5-litre diesel, has an IP67 waterproof case and a 12V socket for running a tyre inflator.

• Up to 9.0L petrol, 8.5L diesel
• 20–25 starts per charge
• IP67 waterproof
• 13,200mAh power bank
• 12V EC5 socket adapter

What owners say: Owners say it starts cars in seconds, works straight out of the box, fits the glovebox and is a lifesaver in emergencies, though a few say it didn’t hold a charge.

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A closer look: The Boost button starts a car even when its battery is completely dead. The 12V adapter runs small accessories like a tyre inflator or car vacuum. A good match for a van, pickup or big diesel.

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Rated for engines up to 10-litre petrol and 8-litre diesel, with up to 40 starts on one charge and a carry case.

• Up to 10L petrol, 8L diesel
• Up to 40 starts per charge
• Spark-proof, reverse-polarity leads
• 2 USB ports
• LED torch and carry case

What owners say: Owners say it works reliably, is compact and powerful, comes with a case and is worth the price, though some found it lost charge within days.

Heads up: Some owners say it drains within a few days, so check it before relying on it.

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A closer look: Press the RST button on the clamp adapter if the car battery is so flat the pack won’t detect it. Keep it in its case in the boot with the leads attached. Recharge it every couple of months.

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