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For decades, if you were unfortunate enough to get a dead battery and be stranded on the side of the road, you had two options: wait for a roadside assistance service (if you were able to call them), or hope a good samaritan would give you a jump. Now, the power can be in your hands, literally. The best portable jump start batteries can be carried around in and out of your vehicle, ready to recharge everything from your ride to everyday mobile devices. Here’s what to look for in a portable jumpstart battery.
What Are the Best Portable Jump Start Batteries?
Meters: This tells you stats like voltage, and can be digital or analog. Some also add an extra alert to tell you when the connection isn’t right, and how much power remains inside. While holding a charge for up to a year is entirely possible, other units need to be recharged monthly, so if that’s going to be a pain to deal with it, stay clear of them.
Cables: If you’ll be strictly using this for a vehicle, make sure it has long enough cables, as some cars have batteries that are far back and hard to reach. Quality of cables matters too, like welding, and having angled jaws on the clamps can be helpful, which can make it way easier to hook up.
Voltage: The average is about 1,150-2,000 peak amps of output, which gets you around 20-40 jumpstarts. You’ll find some are above and some below, but it depends on what you’ll be using it for. With vehicles, one size doesn’t fit all — heavy-duty trucks will need more power than a typical car, and the type of engine also matters. There are also often 12-volt ports for plugging in devices, but not all models have this, so if it’s something you’ll need, make sure it’s included.
Weight: These vary significantly with weight, so be absolutely certain that you can lift it in an emergency. Built-in, spark-proof handles make it easier to use, but a bulky 30-pound all-in-one battery is pretty useless if the stranded driver can’t pick it up.
Durability:A hardshell casing is always good to have for inevitable drops and damage, but also a water-resistant unit that can handle extreme weather conditions and overheating is a must for any battery that’ll be sitting in a car all year. A built-in flashlight can also be a major help when you’re stranded in the darkness.
Ports: AC/DC outlets mean you can charge up pretty much any household device that needs it, but having USB ports is extra convenient that’s nice to have, too. Newer units have started building in USB-C ports, and some even include a wireless charging pad on top.
The Best Portable Jump Starters
Here are our picks for the best portable jump start batteries to stock up on before your next road trip.
