We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More \u203a<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n Is there any better feeling than seeing your vehicle through the trees after an exhausting hike? I don\u2019t think so, but that elation turns to horror in a hurry when you turn the key and nothing happens. But if you invest in a portable jump starter, this no-service nightmare wouldn\u2019t seem so scary. Soon enough that engine would shake back to life and get you headed safely home.\u00a0If you\u2019re in the market for a jump starter to keep in your car or truck, I\u2019ve narrowed the vast options to a handful of great ones. Here are my picks for the best portable jump starters.<\/p>\n I started off the quest for the best portable jump starters by consulting friends and acquaintances in the auto industry and narrowed the results to the repeated recommendations of these professionals. I took down notes on their real world experiences with each product. Then I got my hands on as many of the contenders as I could and used them to jump an intentionally drained battery in a 2015 Ford Escape for small engines and an always dying battery in a 6.0 Liter gasoline V8 in a 2006 GMC Yukon XL for larger engines. Then I tested the utility of the accessories by charging several devices, and filled up pickup and horse trailer tires with those equipped with air compressors.<\/p>\n Keeping in mind the different needs of different users and vehicles, these are my selections for the best portable jump starters.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n This is the Goldilocks option. With a powerful 2000 peak Amps and a 20,000 mAH battery, the Alpha 85 has the juice to turn over huge gasoline engines and most diesel engines to boot. Besides the usual flashlight and USB ports, there is also a DC 12v plug to power other accessories like a separate air compressor. Maybe most impressive of all is the fact that the Alpha 85 only takes an hour and a half to charge fully. The price is \u201cjust right\u201d too at around $150. This option will work for most drivers in most conditions, and industry professionals I spoke to frequently pointed to the Alpha 85 as an easy recommendation.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n This portable jump starter is not only light and compact at 2 pounds, 2 ounces and 8 inches long (without cables), but it is also IP65 water resistant and durably armored. It has a good multi-mode flashlight and a single USB port for charging a phone or other small device. I found the battery cables easy to connect, but they are short at 6 inches. You pretty much need to have the GB40 sitting on the battery to get a connection. At $99 it is a good value. While rated to start larger 6.0 liter gas and smaller 3.0 liter diesel engines, I think it is best for standard gas engines with its somewhat limited 2000 mAH capacity. The GB40 is the perfect solution for somebody with a mid size SUV that also has to get the 17-foot fishing boat started.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n You probably saw this little guy at Costco the last time you picked up toilet paper. At $69.99 it is hard to beat for value. Sure it only has 400 peak Amps available, but you can get repeated start attempts with the 8000 mAH battery. It isn\u2019t as durably built or as powerful as the Noco, but it is a great value, and at 1 pound, 10 ounces and 8.5 inches long in the case, the Type S disappears into a glove box. Unfortunately, there is no manual mode for the Type S starter. The Type S did get the 6.0 liter gas engine started, except when the battery was completely depleted. I had to go to a more powerful jump starter in those cases. The Type S is a good budget choice for those with small to midsize cars and SUVs or need to get smaller boats and ATVs started.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Diesel engines are big and heavy. They require a lot of power to get all that mass moving, especially in cold weather. Gooloo has oil-burners covered with the powerful GT4000S Jump Starter. At a whopping 4000 peak amps, and ample 26,800 mAH battery, there is enough juice to turn even the biggest diesel engines in a 3\/4 ton pickup. Diesel mechanics I spoke to didn\u2019t hesitate to recommend the GT4000s for the diesel driver\u2019s peace of mind. The GT4000S isn\u2019t just powerful, though; it also comes with a decent flashlight and two USB ports. A big, easy to read, 3.3-inch LCD display keeps you up to date on what\u2019s happening as well. At $209 retail, it is more expensive than smaller, less powerful options, but the cost will be easily worth it to the stranded diesel pickup driver.<\/p>\n
\n Published May 12, 2023 7:19 PM
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\nHow I Chose the Best Portable Jump Starters<\/h2>\n
Best Portable Jump Starters: Reviews & Recommendations\u00a0<\/h2>\n
Best Overall: Hulkman Alpha 85 2000A Jump Starter<\/a><\/h3>\n
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Best All Weather: Noco Boost Plus GB40<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/12\/NOCO.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
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![\"Author](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/12\/testing-NOCO.jpg\")
Best Value: Type S 12V 6.0L Battery Jump Starter<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/12\/Type-S-12V-6.0L-Battery-Jump-Starter.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
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![\"Author](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/12\/Type-S-12V-6.0L-Battery-Jump-Starter-testing.jpg\")
Best for Diesel Trucks: Gooloo GT4000S Jump Starter<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Gooloo](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/12\/Gooloo-GT4000S-Jump-Starter.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
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Best Jump Starter with an Air Compressor: DeWalt DXAEPS14 Power Station<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/12\/DeWalt-DXAEPS14-Power-Station.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
![\"Author](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/12\/DeWalt-testing.jpg\")
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/12\/Aircompressor-scaled.jpg\")