As a driver, there will be times where you are confronted with the need to jump-start the battery of your car. The good news is that there is a myriad of different solutions out there to get your car back running again.
So many people jump out of their dead vehicle and try to flag down a passing driver, but if you’re in the middle of nowhere and there haven’t been any passing motorists for a while, you are going to be stuck.
The best solution that you could opt for is to find the best lithium-ion jump starter on the market. These are compact battery solutions that you can either keep in the trunk or glove compartment of your car, ready in a moment in case your vehicle breaks down at the most inconvenient times.
The one time you will need one of these lithium ion jump starters, you want to have one, and it’s essential to know about the products on the market so that you can make an informed choice.
We review each of the units in our roundup of the best lithium ion jump starters below, but for those of you in a hurry here is a comparison chart of all them:
Best Compact Model
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Types of Car Battery Starters
When it comes to jump starters for your battery, there are three popular variants available on the market today.
Here is everything you need to know to identify which one is more suitable for your needs:
Lithium Ion Jump Starters Compared
Preview | Product | Peak Capacity | Cranking Capacity | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOCO Boost Plus GB40 | 1000 Amp | N/A | |
| DBPOWER 800A | 800 Amp | N/A | |
No products found. | TACKLIFE T6 | 600 Amp | N/A | |
No products found. | Audew 1500A | 1500 Amp | 500A | |
No products found. | Rugged Geek RG1000 INTELLIBOOST | 1000 Amp | N/A |
How Lithium-Ion Jump Starters Work
Lithium Ion jump starters are different from the conventional options; the battery inside is bare, with nothing between it and your battery when connected. This type of connection is only possible with Lithium-Ion due to its unique design and integrated power.
When turned on, the peak amperage from the jump starter is transferred to the cranking amps of the battery to start the car.
Choosing a Quality Lithium-Ion Jump Starter
Lithium Ion jump starters come in different models with varying features like the number of ports, peak power, safety features, ease of use, etc.
If you want to buy a good Lithium-Ion jump starter, you will need to consider all of the following factors:
Durability & Safety
No one would like to get a jump starter that is not reliable – the last thing you need when you have a dead battery is a dead jump starter. For this, it's vital to ensure that the Lithium-Ion option you go for is powerfully built and strong enough to resist environmental damage from things like frosting.
Another important thing to consider is the safety aspect; reverse polarity or overloading are some common issues that can occur with a jump starter that is not equipped with the appropriate safety features.
Modern-day Lithium-Ion jump starters usually come with onboard microprocessors to mitigate the impact of such hazards.
Starting Power
To revive your battery, your jump starter needs to supply it with adequate power.
But this is often not as simple as it sounds; the process is subject to a variety of factors like ambient atmosphere, the battery’s size, etc. So always check for things like peak amp ratings, cranking amp rating, etc. and compare it with your battery’s power.
Ease of Use
Most importantly, the jump starter you opt for should be easy to understand and use. In other words, it’s usually not a good idea to buy an extremely complex jump starter that requires too much technical knowledge to operate.
As a pro-tip, keep the safety and instruction manual with the jump starter so that the driver can read it before attempting to use it.
Built-in Charger & USB Outputs
Smaller Lithium Ion jump starters only come with a single USB port, but their larger counterparts are much more versatile in this regard.
If you want to buy one that can double up as a charging and power port, go for the larger ones. Some models even have specialty ports meant for powering specific devices ranging from PCs to small lights.
Price & Build Quality
The clamps, body, or internal components of a Lithium-Ion jump starter have to be sturdy enough to withstand issues like accidental bending, cold weather, sudden impact, etc.
If the build quality is not good, the body can become loose, or the clamps can stop working – so you should only opt for models that have positive reviews online, especially concerning their durability.
Price is also a significant factor, but don’t make it the primary factor on which you acquire your jump starter. In other words, don’t opt for a type, brand or model just because it’s cheaper – consider all your needs first, set a budget and then start exploring the various options in the market.
Warranty
Usually, good Lithium-Ion jump starters come with a one year warranty – but don’t just make your decision based on that.
Make sure that this warranty is backed by a reputable brand that's been in the industry for years. Also, check if the manufacturer can be easily contacted in case of a problem via email or phone.
5 Best Lithium Ion Jump Starters Reviewed
1. NOCO Boost Plus GB40
Our Top Pick
Peak Capacity | 1000 Amp |
Cranking Capacity | N/A |
Weight | 3.1 Pounds |
Warranty | 1 Year |
This portable lithium-ion battery jump start pack is one that delivers 1,000 amps to help a battery be jump-started in seconds. There is safety technology that has been patented to proved connections that have been spark-proof, with reverse polarity protection. This makes it safe and secure for anyone to use it.
When your car is stuck, and the battery is dead, you need a reliable jump start to get it moving again, and the NOCO Black Genius Boost Plus GB40 is a powerful battery booster. Not only will it jump start your dead car battery, you’ll be able to use it as a power source to recharge USB devices. This can include smartphones and tablets, and it’s designed for cars, boats, RVs, trucks and more vehicles with gas engines up to 6 liters.
It’s been designed to be simple and easy to understand. There are LED status indicators that will display the internal lithium batteries charge level as well as the charging status.
Pros
Cons
2. DBPOWER 800A
Runner Up
Peak Capacity | 800 Amp |
Cranking Capacity | N/A |
Weight | 1.1 Pounds |
Warranty | 1 Year |
It’s listed as one of the most powerful battery jump starters by DBPOWER, and the DBPOWER 800A 18000mAh Portable Car Jump Starter can jump start engines of up to 7.2L if they are gas, and up to 5.5L for diesel. When it comes to it, this battery jump starter also works up to 30 times on one charge. It’s compact, lightweight and sturdy, small enough to secure right in the glovebox of the car.
Pros
Cons
3. TACKLIFE T6
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Best Compact Lithium-Ion Jump Starter
Peak Capacity | 600 Amp |
Cranking Capacity | N/A |
Weight | 1.16 Pounds |
Warranty | 1 Year |
When you’re in a situation where the accumulator on your car died, and you needed to ask for help, you could feel quite stuck. Sometimes, people won’t slow to stop and speak to you, which can elay you further. If this has happened to you, then you may well be interested in looking at a new TACKLIFE T6 Car Jump Starter for your car.
It’s a device that comes neatly packaged in its own case, keeping all the attachments in one place so that you keep your new jump starter secure. As this product is so compact, it’s perfect for throwing in the glove compartment of the car in case the main car battery runs out of juice.
Pros
Cons
4. Audew 1500A
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Best Lithium Ion Jump Starter for Diesel
Peak Capacity | 1500 Amp |
Cranking Capacity | 500A |
Weight | 3.13 Pounds |
Warranty | 1 Year |
When you’re looking for a car gadget that will be an essential addition to the emergency pack that you keep in the car, the Audew 1500A Peak 20000 mAh Car Jump Starter is the purchase that you need to make. It does so much more than jump your battery back to life, and you get the following in the one box:
Everything can be kept together in a canvas zip case that, conveniently, also comes with the product. Being able to hold everything together is great in times of an emergency. This device can jump up to 6.0L petrol cars and 4.0L diesel cars, which means that there is more than enough power for a motorbike or boat if you need it!
It can be used as a quick-charge for other USB devices, and with the LED flashlight on the end of the battery pack, you can switch between consistent light, strobe light and SOS light – perfect in an emergency. There are eight separate safety protections which include:
This is a jump starter you need for your car in a pinch!
Pros
Cons
5. Rugged Geek RG1000 INTELLIBOOST
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Great Portable Model
Peak Capacity | 1000 Amp |
Cranking Capacity | N/A |
Weight | 15.8 oz (Without Cables) |
Warranty | 1 Year |
One of the most intelligent jump starter designs in the market, the RG1000 INTELLIBOOST by Rugged Geek is sleek, compact, and highly durable. Carrying a peak current rating of 1000 Amps, it is good enough to power your dead battery back to life in both gas (7L) and diesel engines (3.5 L).
It’s also coated with copper, and the clamps have metal inside to ensure durability. But its best part is the new LED display that relays every single bit of relevant information, even in pitch-black darkness. What's more, is that the flashlight can toggle between steady, SOS and strobe modes; this comes in really handy if your car breaks down in an isolated area.
The RG1000 also has one laptop port and 2 USB ports that are adequate for meeting your requirements on most journeys. We have rated it the best portable lithium-ion car jump starter for this reason.
At over $150, it's a bit expensive. Still, considering the impressive list of features and a full year warranty, you can definitely consider this modern Lithium-Ion jump starter as a good option.
Pros
Cons
Benefits Of A Lithium Ion Jump Starter
Most people like to pick the cheapest option out there, but that doesn’t mean that it’s the way to go. You should be looking at the reviews of products you are interested in, along with the technical specs of the products. Some of the benefits of investing in a good lithium ion jump starter include:
Common Car Battery Problems
Like every other mechanical part in your car, batteries are also prone to multiple issues.
If your car doesn’t start because the battery is dead, check for these common problems before you jumpstart it:
Jumper Cables vs Lithium-Ion Starters
Advancements in technology have eliminated many problems that were commonly found in older devices – and that’s also the case when you compare jumper cables with the new Li-ion starters.
Let’s look at the differences in detail:
Li-ion Jump Starters Don’t Require a Donor Vehicle
Jumper cables are required to be patched up with a good battery of a donor vehicle to get the dead battery to start. This practice required motorists to stand on the road and ask people for help. And understandably, not a lot of people were willing to do this since there are high chances that if something went wrong, the donor battery and computer system could suffer severe damage. Simply put, Li-ion jump starters don’t have this issue because they have the power of their own and don't require a donor cable. Pretty neat, right?
Li-ion Jump Starters Can Give Up To 30 Starts on a Single Charge
With conventional jump starters, you would always be looking for a donor vehicle to give even a single jumpstart. And even if they are connected to a lead-acid auto battery, the number of jumpstarts on a single charge would be restricted to 4-6 attempts. Li-ion jump starters raise this bar higher by allowing you to get up to 30 jumpstarts; this is probably enough to last you for months on end.
Jumper Cables Have No Safety Features
These are just cables after all, with no safety features.
Lit-ion jump starters, on the other hand, come equipped with microprocessors that can handle voltage discrepancies and other such issues. This increase in safety is one of the primary reasons that even amateurs can use Li-ion models.
Lithium-Ion Vs Lead Acid Battery Starters
Lead Acid Battery Starters were your go-to tool when you wanted to have an in-car power supply to jumpstart a dead battery. However, they have some major problems that make their use dangerous and inconvenient.
For instance, they are very heavy and balancing them on your car's hood while jumpstarting your vehicle can be very difficult. There is always the danger of it falling off and damaging your vehicle or even hurting yourself.
Lithium Ion jump starters are much more compact and small in size, which makes them much more suitable for safe on-road operation. On top of this, they have features being able to charge other devices, automatic safety features, etc.
To put it into perspective, consider the Lithium-ion battery starter as the new and improved version of its bulky, basic predecessor.
Here is a good YouTube video showing the difference between lithium ion jump starters and lead acid battery starters:
Safety Tips to Jumpstart a Car
When you are stranded in the middle of nowhere with a dead car battery, you need to be very careful when attempting to jumpstart.
That’s because, firstly, you could be far away from a medical facility so any mishap could land you in a lot of trouble. Secondly, the car or the battery has several dangerous and flammable components that can result in an incident, if not handled with care.
To ensure your safety while jumpstarting a vehicle, follow these tips:
People Also Ask (FAQs)
How do I know when my car battery needs replacing?
When the battery starts frequently dying with no apparent reason like loose cables or alternator issues, then it’s time to replace it.
Also, do check with your manufacturer on how long the battery is meant to last and replace it when recommended.
How many amps do I need to start a car?
This depends on the size of your car; typically, 1000 amp is good enough for medium-sized vehicles, but for larger vehicles, you will have to crank things up.
Can I use a jump starter on any vehicle?
Yes, you can use a jump starter on any vehicle – but one starter won’t work on all types of cars because of various factors like engine capacity, battery requirements, etc.
How do I charge my jump starter?
If you have a Lithium-ion jump starter, you just need to plug it into any power socket and it will start charging.
How long should I jump a car for?
Usually, no more than 20 seconds; while some jump starters can deliver peak crank power for up to 30 seconds, it’s advised not to use them for so long as this can damage your battery.
Can my jump starter charge other devices?
Yes, modern-day Lithium-Ion models come with this incredible option of allowing you to charge other devices when not in use.
Can a jump starter damage my car?
Yes, it can, if not handled carefully. Common issues that lead to your car getting damaged are putting cables on wrong terminal signs, allowing the clamps to touch other metal areas apart from the terminal, not turning your car off properly, etc.
Conclusion
Wrapping things up, we would like to reiterate the qualities of Lithium Ion jump starters over conventional models. They are compact, easy to carry around, suit various battery requirements, and have different safety features. Additionally, these jump starters are convenient enough to be put in the dock of every single car.
The Rugged Geek RG1000 INTELLIBOOST is our top pick for a Lithium-Ion jump starter; this model has an LED screen, convenient light toggles for safety and security, durable body and a powerful 1000 amp battery power. Other Lithium Ion starters simply don’t offer all these features in a single model like this one does.
If you have used any Lithium Ion jump starters from our list, feel free to describe your experience below or ask any questions about the products mentioned in this guide – we’re here to help.