It is imperative to carry a handheld jump starter with you, especially when you are going out on road trips. The ability to jump-start your car without any assistance is exceptionally valuable. It will keep you tension free and, more importantly, save you a lot of time and effort.
There are a number of portable jump starters available in the market right now that have various features along with the ability to start your vehicle, such as charging your electronic devices to inflating your tires.
To help you pick the right jump starter, we have gone through all of the available jump starters to create a list and reviewed the best five handheld jump starters.
Best Handheld Jump Starter Reviews
In this review, we have added specialized jump starters to multifunctional jump starters to cater to your specific needs. Continue reading to get to know about them.
1. Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry JNC660
We wanted to start our review by a product that we believe is one of the best out there; JNC660 by Clore. This powerful portable device has the capability to reach 1700 peak Amps. And what’s more, it can also reach an astounding 425 Cranking Amps!
With the help of this jump starter, you can not only jump-start a car, but you also have the option to use it on powerful machines featuring a 12V power outlet.
Now, if you compare this device with other popular ones, you will find it much bigger in size. That being said, it is also way more powerful and robust compared to the others.
The JNC660 comes with a variety of features such as a voltmeter that will allow you to check on the state of the battery, a 12V power outlet that can be used to power multiple different accessories at a time.
Furthermore, it comes with a built-in automatic charger that will keep the product always ready to be used.
Along with these, it also comes with jumper clamps that are made to withstand the voltage of the 12V battery without incurring any damage.
However, the highlighted feature of this thing is definitely the addition of the Clore PROFORMER battery. You can see that the batteries are created for maximum durability and power density, and that’s exactly what it delivers!
Pros
- Provides remarkable power of 1700 peak amps
- Can be used to jump-start powerful machines besides cars
- Made with an extremely efficient and durable battery
- The 12V outlet helps to protect the circuit and prevents overloads.
Cons
- It is much bigger and heavier to carry compared to smaller units
2. Schumacher DSR115 DSR ProSeries
The DSR115 from the company’s DSR ProSeries has to be one of the most impactful jump starters ever, which is probably why it is so commonly used by most professionals.
It reaches a startling 4400 Peak Amps, 475/750 Cranking Amps, and a super impressive 350/535 Cold Cranking Amps to jump-start any vehicle, whether it’s a car or a truck.
What’s even more impressive is that it supports both 12V and 24V power outlets to match the different specifications of different vehicles. It also includes a 2A external automatic charger, which is an extremely fast charger that stops once the device is fully charged.
We loved the addition of a digital display reader that is easy to read and lets the user know about the progress, so they can understand when the vehicle will be fully charged.
This DSR115 comes with a set of 22Ah high-output AGM batteries, so you have a back-up to support you in case of any emergency. The addition of two 55 inches gauge cables is also a pleasant feature that’s included with the DSR115.
The highlights of the DSR115 is that it sends a warning if there is a reserve connection and that you can use the device to charge any USB devices such as phones.
Pros
- Supports both 12V and 24V power outlets
- Comes with a digital display reader
- Extremely powerful and efficient with up to 4400 Peak Amps, 475/750 Cranking Amps and 350/525 Cold Cranking Amps
- Informs the user if there is a reserve connection
Cons
- Doesn’t work as well in 12V power outlet
3. POTEK Car Jump Starter JS87
Multifunctionality is starting to become more and more important, especially when it comes to roadside assistance kits. This is where the Potek JS87 comes in.
Now, the power of the battery is very basic, reaching only 1000 Peak Amps. However, it makes up for it by also being an electronic charger and a 150PSI air compressor.
We wanted to first talk about the design of the system. You will love how compact and lightweight the unit is, especially when you consider the fact that it is a 3-in-1 gadget.
The lightweight-ness of the unit makes it even more appealing to use as it is extremely easy to carry around and handle. It also comes with a LED status indicator that shows the battery percentage.
When used as a jump starter, it performed exceptionally well, given that it reaches only 1000 Peak Amps. It also did a good job as an air compressor, but, was more useful as an electronic charger.
We were fairly impressed by the fact that they offered a variety of different features, and all of them did a fairly good job. However, we are a bit skeptical about the system’s ability to protect the circuit.
There are multiple warnings about the clamps, the charging process, and properly switching off the device when not in use. So, it may indicate that the system may not be prepared to protect the circuit of the model.
But, that being said, it is still a very good choice for most motorists out there.
Pros
- 3-in-1 device
- Comes with a LED status indicator
- User-friendly design
Cons
- Questionable safety features
4. MICHELIN ML0728 Power Source XR1
The Power Source XR1 by Michelin took multifunctionality to a whole different level. This tool is highly likely to turn into a must-have for you, especially when going on road trips.
Not only will it come in handy when you need a jump starter of 100 Peak Amps or air compressor of 260 PSI for your vehicle and other equipment, but it also comes with an LED light to help you out during the process.
It has a 200-watt rating, which is great. And with the 400-watt surge capability, you also have the option to use it to charge your electronic gadgets such as a small fan, console, a small-sized blender.
What’s even more impressive is that it also includes two AC outlets, DC socket and it has a built-in radio to keep you and the other passengers entertained throughout the whole process.
If having a built-in radio wasn’t enough, they also added an auxiliary input along with the Bluetooth option so you can connect the gadget with your phone or other electronic devices!
One more item that they included in the package is the 40 inches long robust jumper cable that will allow you to safely connect the jumper with your vehicle.
You will appreciate how much effort they put into the design of the case as well. It is made of high-quality plastic to ensure safety and durability. In addition, it is covered by rubber-tire tread armor for extra protection!
Pros
- A highly purposeful jump starter
- Comes in a very compact design and easy to carry
- Extremely durable
- Gives good support and backup
Cons
- The compressor can be a bit slow
5. STANLEY Silver Peak FATMAX J7CS
The FATMAX J7CS by Stanley is definitely one of the most reliable jump starters to keep at the back of your car.
To start off, we would like to talk about the feature that we really appreciated, which is how simple and safe the equipment is to use. They designed the jump starter in a way that there is no wrong way to hook it to your car.
However, if you do not manage to hook it correctly, a loud alarm will set off to let you know that you have to switch the clamps.
Moving on to the specifications, you will be happy to know that this is an exceptionally well made multipurpose gadget.
As a jump starter, it gives a solid 350 instant/700 peak battery amp jump, which is great to fully charge almost any model of car.
The FATMAX can also be used as an air compressor that has a solid 120 PSI compressor, which comes with a SureFit nozzle that has a brass tip to ensure a more secure connection.
Moreover, it is also a portable power course to charge any electronic device, whether it’s your phone or laptop. Additionally, it also has an ultra-bright LED light that pivots 270 degrees to give you a little more support.
Pros
- Ultra-bright 270 degree swiveling LED light
- 3.1 USB port and a 12V power outlet
- Alarm for incorrect connection
Cons
- The compressor may start to show problems after a few uses
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the most important feature that I should look out for?
Ans: When choosing a jump starter, one of the most important features you need to look out for is its power output, such as its peak amp.
Q: How do I choose the right jump starter for my vehicle?
Ans: As most people don’t have in-depth knowledge about these, the easiest thing to do is to go through your vehicle’s owner’s manual to match the jump starter with the vehicle’s requirements.
Q: How do I take care of my jump starter?
Ans: To keep your jump starter in pristine condition, make sure that the battery terminals and the connection clamps are kept free of dust and water.
Q: How many Amps do you need to start a car?
Ans: You need around 400 Amps to sufficiently jump-start a car. However, we will recommend you get a jump starter that provides at least 1000 Amps to be on the safer side.
Q: Which one is the best brand for handheld jump starters?
Ans: It depends on personal preferences. But We prefer Clore Automotive.
Conclusion
Hopefully, we cleared up any confusion that you may have had regarding the importance of owning and carrying a handheld jump starter. We also hope we helped you to select the ideal jump starter for you.
If you ask us, our personal favorites are the JNC660 by Clore as a specialized jump starter and the XR1 by Michelin as it’s the perfect multifunctional jump starter. Good luck with your purchase!
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