When your battery goes flat in the middle of nowhere, a portable jump starter can get you off the side of the road without the need for a second car to give you a lift. My favorite is the DBPOWER DJS50. It's a durable little charger with a high enough power output to handle gas and diesel engines while being small enough to fit in your glove box. It can also charge your iPhone and other portables. No matter what size vehicle you drive, we can help. These are the best portable jump starters out this year.
Best Overall: DBPOWER DJS50
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This tiny powerhouse from DBPOWER weighs just over one pound and can fire up gas and diesel engines with 800 amps of peak current. And it can do that over and over again— up to 20 times, in fact — before needing a recharge. This model also has a smart charging port and a smart USB port to top off laptops, smartphones, tablets, and other devices.
The LCD is a nice touch in this unit. It's there to keep you abreast of the DBPOWER's remaining battery life. However, it's so small that it can be hard to read, especially in the sunlight. That's really my only gripe with this handy charger.
I love the onboard LED lights! There are three modes, including high, strobe, and SOS, so you can seek help or shine a light on your problem car battery in the event of an emergency. There's also a compass on this model to help you find your way home. When car trouble hits, this carryable jump starter will save the day.
A compact charger with 800 amps will get your gas or diesel vehicle back in service and on the road in a hurry.
Best Value: GOOLOO GT1500
When you want the most bang for your buck, reach for the GOOLOO GT1500. It's a powerful, compact car jump starter that works with gas and diesel engines, supplying 1500A of peak current. That means you can use this on a car, truck, ATV, UTV, lawnmower, and even your snowblower.
As a bonus, the GOOLOO supplies power to USB devices like your smartphone, GPS, camera, and other electronics. The built-in 15W USB-C and USB-A ports charge your stuff fast without completely draining the GOOLOO's battery. This portable jump starter is water-resistant, splash-proof, and has an onboard LED flashlight. It's a steal at any price.
If you need to fire up a dead battery on a small car, light truck, or ATV, this is the best bang for our buck.
Best in Bad Weather: BEATIT G18
When you need a jump starter that works in any situation, this is the one you can't live without. With 2,000 amps in your corner, you can jump-start dead batteries up to 30 times per charge. The G18 works on cars, SUVs, vans, trucks, motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATVs, boats, lawnmowers, and anything else with a 12-volt battery.
Weather is never a problem for this bad boy. The G18 can withstand challenging steamy summer days and frigid winter nights while safely getting you back in business with its spark-proof design that's resistant to rain, snow, and wind. This high-performance jump starter has a built-in voltmeter, LCD, wall charger, Type-C quick charger, wireless charger, and a heavy-duty carry case.
The G18 consistently performs well no matter what the weather, and it comes with a few extras like a USB-C charger.
Best Do-It-All: Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry JNCAIR
When you need a high-performance jump starter that you can keep in the trunk, the JNCAIR is just the ticket. The JNCAIR is designed for extended cranking durations and long service life. In other words, when other just starters fail, this is the one you'll turn to. With 1,700 peak amps, this model has superpowers you'll trust to resuscitate any battery.
This full-service jump starter comes equipped with a 12-foot air hose that can fill a 15-inch tire in under seven minutes, plus a tire gauge, 12-volt power output, carry handle, and a durable rubber boot that makes this machine stable no matter where you put it down.
This heavy-duty model breathes life into nearly any battery, plus it will air up your tires so you can home safely.
Best Lightweight Power: TACKLIFE T6
When you crave serious power and small-scale size, the best portable jumpstarter is from TACKLIFE. The T6 delivers with 600 amps of juice, and the whole package is lightweight and easy to use. Great for small cars, light-duty trucks, ATVs, boats, and mowers, this 2.5-pound portable charger includes quick charging dual USB ports, 12-volt output, and a two-year warranty.
Not only is this starter beefy enough to get you home again, but it also comes with safety features like spark-proof cables and protection against reverse polarity, overcharging, and high temperatures. Toss this in its own foam-padded neoprene case, throw it in the glove box or your laptop bag, and you're good to go.
This affordable little number will start your vehicle, charge your devices, and shine a light on your car while you work
Bottom line
Today's best portable battery chargers come with impressive feature sets and doable price tags. The DBPOWER DJS50 has earned its place at the top of this list of outstanding products because it combines new technology with the diehard reliability you need in a starter.
The 800 amps in this tiny package are enough to power a vehicle 20 times without needing a recharge, so you can charge it once, put it in your car, and know that help is there if you need it. Combine power with protection, and you've got a winner. Intelligent jump clamps on the DB Power protect against short circuits, overload, and overcharging.
And DBPOWER isn't shy about integrating newer technology. This portable jump starter has an LCD, compass, 8-in-1 laptop adapters, a smart USB port, and a 12-volt wall charger. Throw in the standard three-year guarantee, and we think this is one charger that you can count on when it matters most.
