Battery jump starters are nothing new, but until now, ones that worked well in our tests were sized like a hardcover dictionary powered by heavy lead-acid batteries. While great for car dealers and auto recovery services, these traditional booster packs are too bulky to carry as part of a. But the new generation of mini jump starters tested here use compact lithium-ion batteries. Most weigh around a pound and are roughly the size of a paperback novel. The 10 units we tested had an average price of about $90, making them only slightly more expensive than traditional car battery boosters—and a heck of a lot easier to carry.In addition to jump-starting, these units can also be used to recharge portable devices, such as mobile phones and tablets—a function that makes them a useful part of a home emergency kit, as well. All of the units we tested had at least one built-in USB port, as well as a flashlight, and some had connectors to charge certain types of laptops.Shop Jump Starters on Amazon. We purchased 10 mini jump starters, ranging in price from $70 to $125, and ran four separate tests on the car batteries, using different states of charge, working down to completely dead.

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In the first and second test, both the battery and the jumper packs were at room temperature. For the third test, we chilled both the weak batteries and the booster packs down to 0-degrees Fahrenheit. The fourth test had the batteries cooled to 0 degrees with the jump starters at room temperature. We also tested the units to see how long they could provide power to smaller devices such as tablets and mobile phones.When it came to jump-starting vehicles, performance between the units was nearly identical.

Among our observations:. Most battery packs could start a car battery at room temperature. It was when the temps dropped below freezing that the differences appeared. Then the Pilot InstaBoost struggled, dropping below its competitors in the ratings. With both the car battery and the jump starter at zero degrees, none of the units were able to jump start even the weak car batteries, let alone a dead battery.

When the battery packs were at room temperature, most were able to successfully jump start a frozen car battery. Price does not indicate performance.Where we did see lots of variance was in the units' abilities to charge devices, such as tablets and laptops. The best-performing unit was the Antigravity Batteries XP-10. It provided power for three times as long as the poorest performers, which came from Revo and Noco. (Interestingly, the Revo did almost as well as the Antigravity unit in our jump-start tests.) We consider this the power-source performance to be a notable factor, as these units can keep vital devices, such as mobile phones, charged up during a power outage.Incidentally, price turned out to be little indication of performance.

While the best-performing jumper pack (Antigravity Batteries XP-10, $125) was the most expensive, the weakest performer (Pilot InstaBoost) was not the least expensive—we paid $100 for it. And the second-priciest model (Noco Genius Boost GB30, $105) came in second-to-last place in our ratings.RecommendationsOf the 10 units we tested, we awarded Recommended status to five: The Antigravity Batteries XP-10, Spirit A8 Car Jump Starter, Bolt Power D28, New Brights Compact 12000mAH Mini Portable Car Jump Starter, and PowerAll PBJS12000R. These units provided strong jump-starting performance, along with good accessory charging options.

The Antigravity Batteries XP-10 was clearly the best of the bunch, with two USB ports, several laptop connection options, and best-in-test device charging capacity. Spirit and Bolt Power's booster packs have laptop adaptors and good device charging times, but only a single USB port.

The boosters from New Brights and Powerall have two USB ports, but they lack laptop connectors and ranked toward the bottom in device charging capacity.Shop Jump Starters on Amazon. All of the jump starters we tested had a maximum recommended operating/storage temperature, ranging from 120 degrees Fahrenheit for the Pilot InstaBoost up to 185 degrees for the Bolt Power D28. While some manufacturers cautioned only against operation at high temperatures (with reduced performance as a consequence), others specifically warned not to store the units at high temperatures-and that included the Pilot InstaBoost with its 120-degree rating.That's a major concern: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the temperature inside of a car parked in direct sunlight can reach between 131 and 172 degrees Fahrenheit when the temperature outside is between 80 and 100 degrees. In hot desert areas, the inside temperature can rise even higher.Unfortunately, the device manufacturers were guarded on the potential consequences of storing these units at high temperatures.

Complicating matters, it's the fact that most of the units list their temperature ranges (operating or storage) in the instructions, but not on the product packaging.The takeaway: Read the instructions carefully and check the fine print. During the hot summer months, consider storing the unit in a cool location and only taking it with you on long trips. If you are storing the unit in the car, choose a location out of direct sunlight, such as the glovebox or the trunk.

A traditional jump starter combines a pair of jumper cables and another car for the times when your vehicle’s battery dies. Compared to this old alternative, jump starters are small and portable enough to keep out of the way until those unexpected emergencies, meaning they are a smart investment to stay safe and prepared.The right jump starter depends on the type of vehicle you drive and its engine. Since smaller vehicles will require less current for a jump start, you can choose something with a lower power level and smaller footprint. SUVs and trucks, on the other hand, will require more power to get up and running.

This will increase the size and price of the jump starter depending on the battery type.Need more information to choose the best jump starters? Our jump starter guide has the important features and details you need to make a choice. Best of all, we included some top contenders to check out before making the final decision. There are three ways to get juice into a flat battery:.A battery charger that you plug into the household electrical supply. Some can give a boost in half an hour or so that might get your car started.

Generally they provide a trickle charge over 12 to 24 hours. They work fine, but they're slow.Jumper cables consist of a bunch of wires, wrapped in an insulating rubber or plastic sheath, with crocodile clips on each end. Cheap, simple and can be very effective. The drawback is that you need another vehicle to piggyback off of. Even then, starting isn't guaranteed.

If that vehicle is smaller, or its battery is not in top condition, it might not provide enough current.Jump starters, for all their apparent complexity, are basically quite simple. A powerful battery wrapped in a case, with jumper cables attached. They provide instant current, without the need for a donor vehicle. You can start your car or truck yourself, in just a few minutes. So, we know what a jump starter does, but why are there so many to choose from? In essence there are two reasons:.The smaller the vehicle, the less current the jump starter has to supply.

That leads to models with a wide variety of different power levels. Which is fine, because not everyone needs to start a V8 pickup.Manufacturers try to tempt you with a variety of extras. Shadow of rome ps2 gameplay. Control technology, built-in safety features, and a host of useful (and not so useful) options.These elements impact performance and price, so let's look at each in turn. In order to get your vehicle going, a jump starter has to supply sufficient current (measured in amps) to get the starter motor cranking over.

That, in turn, fires the engine. The jump starter feeds current through the battery – temporarily taking its place. As soon as the vehicle is running, the jump starter is disconnected and, if all is working properly, the vehicle begins charging its own battery.Inside the jump starter is one of two types of battery: lead-acid (the same kind as in your vehicle) or lithium (the kind you would usually associate with power tools).Lead acid versions have been around for decades. They are proven, effective, reliable and durable. The down-side is that they're bulky and heavy – anything from 15 to 30 pounds.Lithium versions are much more compact; many would fit in a glove box. They weigh a couple of pounds or less. They also have “smart” microprocessor control, so they not only start your car, they can charge your phone, tablet, or laptop.

The drawback with lithium models is lower performance. Though high performance models are becoming more widely available, they tend to cost more. With the exception of smaller models (used to start garden tractors and that kind of thing), the battery inside a jump starter is the same voltage as your vehicle – 12 volts. However, what's more important is the current it supplies, in amps.The motor in the average family compact needs far fewer amps to turn it over than the one in a sports car or big SUV.

If you've ever bought batteries for different vehicles, you probably know that some need a higher mp Hour (Ah) rating than others.So, if you have a small car, you don't need a big, expensive jump starter. On the other hand, if you've got a rumbling V8, then a cheap, low-output jump starter isn't going to make it hiccup, let alone run.So, the solution is easy, right? Choose a jump starter with the same amp hours as your car.Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. Amps and amp hours aren't quite the same thing.

Also, jump starter manufacturers usually report peak amps, which doesn't really mean a lot, except as a comparison. What you really want are cranking amps (CA) or cold cranking amps (CCA).No wonder choosing a jump starter is confusing! Lead-acid jump starters, being larger, have room for features that wouldn't fit in the compact case of lithium models.Compressors are popular, useful for inflating tires in an emergency.12 volt DC outlets can power suitable accessories.A 120 volt inverter might be included, feeding power to ordinary household power outlets.A worklight is common, and sometimes detachable. Very useful if you're trying to start a car in the dark.A USB port is also common.Voltmeters and charge indicators are useful additions, so you can see when your jump starter needs charging.Long cables make it easy to clamp battery terminals, while keeping the jump starter on solid ground.Strong clips help make a good connection, biting through the corrosion that often forms on battery terminals.Cases are usually robust, built to take everyday knocks and scratches.Most have overload protection that prevents damage to your vehicle. The compact size of lithium jump starters doesn't allow for 120 volt outlets. Instead, they concentrate on providing power for your electronic devices.At least one, and often two USB ports. “Smart” technology adapts current to the device being attached.12 volt DC outlet.LED worklight.

May have multiple brightness settings or emergency strobe.LCD screen giving a variety of useful info.One model we reviewed included a compass.Microprocessor control prevents overloads on vehicles and digital devices.Polarity sensors warn if you've attached jumper cables to the wrong terminals.Cables are usually shorter, though the size of case makes it easy to position in the engine bay.Regardless of type, always bear in mind that the more features you use, the faster you'll drain your jump starter. Though most provide excellent performance and multiple vehicle starts between charges, it's basically a battery in a case, not a portable generator. If you're looking for a cheap jump starter, the $80 Jump-N-Carry JNC300XL will go a long way towards satisfying your needs – as long as your vehicle is within its specified range. Many of the complaints we've seen come from people who simply didn't buy a powerful enough jump starter for their vehicle.

The Jump-N-Carry JNC300XL was not designed to start V8 engines. (Sometimes it succeeds at starting them, but this was not the manufacturer's intent.) It's a lightweight device, but it's relatively robust and powerful for the class that it's in.

There are a huge variety of jump starters available, with something to fit any budget. Of course, you usually pay more for extra bells and whistles, so it's worth considering whether you'll actually use those enticing options very often.There are some very cheap jump starters around, but durability might not be what you hope. That said, a good, basic model, capable of starting the average compact, shouldn't cost more than about $50.Something that will handle sedans, station wagons, and small trucks will be between $70 and $120. In this price range you'll find everything from lead-acid jump starters with lights and compressors, to smart lithium models that will start your car, and charge all your electronic gadgets.Many of these models claim to start powerful gas and diesel engines.

They'll certainly handle the vast majority of family vehicles. However, jump starter performance depends on the time since it was last charged, the temperature, and the state of the engine being started. If you want something you can guarantee will start your muscle car, you'll need a high-end jump starter. For one of those you'll be paying around the $200 mark.If you have several vehicles of different sizes, you need a jump starter for the most powerful.

There's no need to worry about delivering too much current for smaller vehicles; the jump starter will only provide what the motor draws from it.You might want to consider a small, lithium jump starter even if you've already got a big lead-acid one. Lithium models are great for charging your electrical gadgets, and make a very useful addition to your camping gear or RV.Many jump starters have on-board storage for cables and safe areas for clips. Use them, or disconnect cables from your jump starter after use – even when the machine is switched off. Accidental discharge can cause an extremely painful shocks. Sparks could start a fire. Q. Are lithium jump starters better than the traditional type?A. It's not really a question of which is better, it's which is most suitable for you. Lithium jump starters are small enough to keep in a glove box, but many lack the power to start big motors.

Traditional jump starters pack more punch, but are a lot larger and heavier. Our jump starter report gives a complete picture. Reading through should help you decide which is right for you.Q. Can I use my jump starter straight out of the box?A. It depends on the model. Some arrive fully charged, others need anywhere from 4 to 24 hours.

It's not difficult – they just plug into an ordinary household outlet – but you must check the manufacturer's instructions.Q. What’s the difference between peak amps, cranking amps and cold cranking amps?A. Peak amps is the maximum current available. Manufacturers love to quote it, because it's the biggest number!

Cranking amps is the current available at 32°F (0°C). It must be supplied for 30 seconds, at 7.2 volts minimum. Cold cranking amps is the current available at 0°F (-18°C). Again, it must be supplied for 30 seconds, at 7.2 volts minimum.

The cold makes engines more difficult to start, so more current is needed.There is no direct conversion, but a jump starter with peak amps of 1,500 might only produce 400 cranking amps, which is roughly 320 cold cranking amps. If you can compare CCA ratings, that's when the jump starter is working hardest, but often makers don't give figures.

Peak amps is a reasonable alternative.