If you require a quick answer, the best jump starter is the NOCO Boost HD GB70, which has a peak power output of 2,000 amps and is suitable for most petrol or diesel vehicles. It also has a “mistake-proof” design that’s ultra-safe and easy to use. However, if you are on a tight budget, the brand also offers less powerful models with the same features.
Alternatively, if you require a heavy-duty jump starter that’s still portable, the Clarke 4000 is the best option. It’s been built with durability in mind and has a peak power output rated at 2,000 amps.
To rate the car jump starters within our roundup, we based our recommendations on thorough testing, our experience of using multiple types, the latest research and several factors. Some of the factors that we took into consideration included the peak power rating, number of jump starts per charge, quality of the clamps and device, ease of use, safety features, warranty, additional functionality and value for money.
Best Jump Starter Overview
- Best Overall: NOCO Boost HD GB70
- Best Heavy Duty: Clarke Jump Start 4000
- Best For Performance: NOCO Boost X GBX155
- Best Budget Lithium: GOOLOO 1500
- Best Budget Booster Pack: Sealey Road Start
- Best With Air Compressor: Fifth Gear 4-in-1
Your car’s engine size and whether it has a petrol or diesel engine will determine which is the best jump starter for you. Therefore, to determine if a jump starter is suitable, all brands will state the device’s compatibility and most are suitable for jump-starting 2 to 10-litre capacity engines.
Below is a list of the best car jump starters that are suitable for all petrol and diesel powered vehicles in the UK.
The Best Jump Starters
1. Best Overall: NOCO Boost HD GB70 Portable Jump Starter
By far the most popular car jump starter in the UK is the NOCO Boost HD GB70, which is a compact yet powerful lithium jump starter. According to the brand, it’s able to perform 40 jump starts on a single charge and it’s rated for petrol engines up to 8 litres and diesel engines up to 6 litres.
The advanced design of this jump starter means that it’s ultra-safe to use, which is thanks to features such as spark-proof technology and reverse polarity protection. It also has a “mistake-proof” design that safely connects to any car battery.
- Rated at 2,000A
- Provides up to 40 jump starts per charge
- Offers fast USB charging
- Charge and error LED indicators
- 400 Lumens LED light
- Desirable 12V power port
- Ultra safe to use and ideal for beginners
- Relatively expensive when compared to other lithium jump starters
Although expensive, the NOCO Boost HD GB70 is the ultimate car jump starter that’s suitable for most cars on UK roads. It has also been designed to provide the highest degree of safety for complete peace of mind.
If you are on a tight budget but still want the features of this model, the brand also offers cheaper devices that are less powerful. For the majority of car owners, the lack of power won’t be an issue, which makes it a great option to consider.
2. Best Heavy Duty: Clarke Jump Start 4000 Booster Pack
An alternative to a lithium jump starter is a sealed battery unit such as this Clarke 4000 power pack. In terms of its power, it has a peak power rating of 1,500 amps, which is ideal for starting petrol engines up to 6 litres and diesel engines up to 4 litres. It also features heavy-duty leads and clamps which makes it ideal for tough environments such as garages.
A standout feature of this particular jump starter is the fact that it weighs 17 KG, which is a clear example of the quality battery it uses. The brand also states that the battery is maintenance-free and designed for a long service life.
- Peak power of 1,500A
- Heavy duty 1 metre long leads and clamps
- Integral work light for poor lighting conditions
- Battery condition and charge level indicator
- Recharged via the mains power or 12V adapter
- Audible alarm if incorrectly connected
- Expensive when compared to similar jump starters
- May not be suitable for extra large engine vehicles
Overall, the Clarke 4000 is a robust car jump starter with a heavy-duty design that’s ideal for storing in garage environments. It does come with a premium price tag but it’s built to last and it certainly won’t disappoint.
3. Best For Performance: NOCO Boost X GBX155 Lithium Jump Starter
The Boost X GBX155 is the new and improved portable jump starter by NOCO that’s designed for professionals or those that require maximum performance. The jump starter itself is rated at 4,250 amps and it’s capable of jump-starting all vehicle types, which includes petrol engines up to 10 litres or diesel engines up to 8 litres.
According to the brand, the “X” stands for Extreme and it’s a whole new series that’ll extend the legacy of its predecessor.
- Rated at 4,250A
- Equipped with USB-C technology
- Able to charge virtually any device via USB
- Suitable for jump starting all types of vehicles
- Supplied with a heavy duty storage bag
- Built to a high standard in the USA
- Backed by a 1 year warranty
- By far the most expensive jump starter within this article
Whether you drive a car with a large engine or you simply want to have the ability to jump start any type of vehicle on the road, the NOCO Boost X GBX155 is by far the best jump starter money can buy. The main drawback is the expensive price tag attached but when you consider its very impressive performance along with the reputable brand backing, it makes it a great investment that certainly won’t disappoint
4. Best Budget Lithium: GOOLOO 1500 Portable Car Jump Starter
If you require an affordable, compact and very portable jump starter, the GOOLOO pack is a great option to consider. It has a peak output of 1,500 amps and it’s suitable for starting petrol engines up to 8 litres and diesel engines up to 6 litres.
Although the GOOLOO brand isn’t as reputable as the popular NOCO alternative, the performance that the brand’s car jump starter offers is very impressive when you consider its budget price tag.
- Provides up to 30 jump starts per charge
- Water resistant and features 10 advanced safety protection functions
- Desirable USB ports and LED flashlight
- Backed by a 18 month warranty
- Supplied with adapters, a USB cable and a carry bag
- Not as powerful as the NOCO alternatives
To conclude, the GOOLOO jump starter is the perfect solution if you are on a tight budget and require a lithium power pack. The only drawback is that it lacks power and brand reputability but if this isn’t an issue for you, you won’t be disappointed with it.
5. Best Budget Booster Pack: Sealey Road Start Emergency Power Pack
Another heavy-duty jump starter pack that instead comes at a more affordable price is the Sealey Road Start. It’s an easy to use device that offers 900 amps of power for jump-starting petrol or diesel engines up to 2 litres in size.
A unique feature of this device is the inclusion of two 12V power sockets and two USB ports, which allows you to charge accessories such as phones or tablets.
- Peak power of 900A
- Durable composite casing
- Moulded rubber protection and carry handle
- Integral battery cable storage
- Independent on/off switch
- Built-in LED work light
- Choice of colours (red or green)
- Lacks power for large engine vehicles
The main drawback of this jump starter is the fact that it’s only suitable for small to medium-sized engines. However, apart from that, it’s an excellent option to consider that provides multiple jump starts per charge and is also capable of charging all of your gadgets via the power sockets and USB ports.
6. Best With Air Compressor: Fifth Gear 4-in-1 Jump Starter Pack
One of the cheapest jump starters that’s protected within a composite case is the Fifth Gear 4-in-1. It’s a heavy-duty 400 amp jump starter that can also be used as an air compressor, torch and charger for all your accessories too.
- Peak power of 400A
- Built-in work light
- 260 PSI air compressor
- Charging level and condition meter
- Heavy duty impact resistant case
- Extra long battery cables
- 12V DC output socket
- CE and RoHS approved
- Not suitable for large engine vehicles
Overall, the Fifth Gear 4-in-1 is an excellent all-round option that’s ideal for keeping in your garage. Whether you need to jump start a car, blow up a tyre or need a torch, it’s a versatile device that’s very useful and it won’t disappoint.
How We Rated
Whether we need to jump start our own cars or be the “hero” and jump start our family or friends’ cars, we have multiple jump starters to choose from. The NOCO Genius (which we rated as the best in this article) is our favourite to use but we also own other jump starters that all have their practical uses.
To keep up our commitment to reviewing and testing the latest jump starters (for this article), we upgrade and test multiple models each year. With regards to our testing, we test the jump starters in a range of scenarios as well as on multiple cars. For example, in the images below are two “testing” uses of the NOCO jump starter. We state “testing” because we used it to jump start (successfully) a car in the snow as well as a 6.2-litre V8 Mercedes AMG.
Below is a video that we posted on our YouTube channel that shows us testing the latest TOPDON jump starter. This involved jump-starting a completely flat (as demonstrated in the first few seconds of the video) 3-litre Mercedes diesel. As you can see in the video, upon initiating the jump start, the car fired up straight away.
As well as our testing and experience of using a range of jump starters, we also based our recommendations upon hours of research and several factors. Some of the factors that we took into consideration included the peak power rating, number of jump starts per charge, quality of the clamps and device, ease of use, safety features, warranty, additional functionality and value for money.
Conclusion
One of the best investments that you can make to get you out of a sticky situation is a car jump starter. Not only are they a lifeline if you ever have a dead battery but they also offer charging for all your accessories on a road trip. All of our recommendations are suitable for all budgets and include both lithium and sealed battery-powered options. However, we would personally recommend lithium devices because they offer more benefits than sealed alternatives.
If you require further information regarding any of the car jump starter recommendations in our roundup, feel free to get in touch and we will try to provide our assistance where possible.
