The battery always seems to quit when the cart is full and the ice cream is softening. NOCO Boost jump starters solve that problem by putting a 12V lithium booster in the vehicle instead of waiting for another car. After comparing 3 models, the NOCO Boost GBX55 is the strongest fit, with a 1,750-amp peak, up to 9 starts per charge, and a 3.37-pound body. The NOCO Boost GBX45 is the alternative pick, with a 1,250-amp peak and up to 6 starts per charge.
Pros
- 1,750 amps for gas up to 7.5L and diesel up to 5.0L
- Recharges in 1.2 hours via USB-C Power Delivery
- Up to 9 jump starts per charge
- 60W USB-C output charges phones, tablets, and laptops
- 200-lumen LED flashlight with 7 modes
Cons
- No air compressor listed
- Wall charger not listed in the box
- 3.37 lb weight may feel bulky in small glove boxes
Pros
- 1,250 amps for gas engines up to 6.5L, diesel up to 4.0L
- Recharges in 48 minutes via USB-C Power Delivery
- Up to 6 jump starts per charge
- 60-watt USB-C Power Delivery for devices
- 100-lumen LED flashlight with 7 modes
Cons
- USB-C cable included, wall charger not listed
- No air compressor feature listed
- Up to 6 jump starts per charge may limit repeated use
Pros
- 1000A peak lithium power
- Up to 20 starts per charge
- Rated for up to 6.0L gas and 3.0L diesel engines
- Spark proof and reverse polarity protection
- 2.4 lb compact design
Cons
- No wall charger listed in the box
- No air compressor listed
- 1 year warranty
How We Chose NOCO Boost Jump Starters for Different Vehicles
A jump starter has to match the engine before anything else. For drivers choosing inside the NOCO Boost line, the useful differences come down to engine coverage, how often the pack can start a vehicle per charge, and whether it is small enough to keep in the car.
- Engine coverage: We put gas and diesel ratings first because a booster that is too small for the engine is the wrong buy, even if it is easier to store. Among our picks, gas coverage runs up to 7.5L and diesel coverage runs up to 5.0L. The NOCO Boost GBX55 has a 1,750-amp peak and is rated for gas engines up to 7.5L and diesel engines up to 5.0L, which is why it sits above the smaller models for larger pickups and SUVs.
- Size and weight for storage in the vehicle: A jump starter only helps if it is actually in the vehicle, so weight matters for glove boxes, door bins, and emergency kits. The NOCO Boost GB40 weighs 2.4 pounds, has a 1,000-amp peak, and covers engines up to 6L gas and 3L diesel. That makes it the easiest of the main picks to justify leaving in a smaller car every day.
- Starts per charge and holding a charge: The three main picks range from up to 6 starts per charge to up to 20 starts per charge. The highest start count belongs to the smallest-output model, while the higher-output Boost X models trade some start count for stronger peak amperage. That matters if the pack is shared across more than 1 vehicle or carried on long drives away from help.
- Cold-weather operating range: Cold weather raises the stakes because the battery and engine both work harder. According to AAA Oregon/Idaho, at 32°F a car battery loses about 35 percent of its strength, and at 0°F it loses about 60 percent of its power. AAA also notes that an engine may need up to twice the normal current to start in the cold, so we favored higher amp ratings for drivers who regularly park outside.
- Safety protections in the clamps: All 3 main picks include spark-proof protection and reverse-polarity protection, which are the clamp features we consider essential on a consumer jump starter. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has reported a recall in which about 10,400 lithium jump starter units were recalled after 45 overheating and melting reports. That is a useful reminder to prioritize built-in protections and to avoid treating any lithium booster like an ordinary cable set.
- USB power bank output: A jump starter is more useful if it can also keep a phone or tablet alive during a roadside delay. Two of our picks support 60-watt USB-C Power Delivery, while the smallest main pick includes an integrated power bank for phones and tablets. The Federal Aviation Administration says lithium ion batteries are limited to 100 watt hours per battery for standard passenger airline carry, and spare lithium batteries and power banks must stay in the cabin with the passenger.
We excluded jumper cables because they need a second running vehicle, which is exactly what many drivers do not have in a parking lot or driveway. We also left out trickle chargers and maintainers because they take hours rather than seconds, and we skipped 24V semi truck boosters because they are built for commercial trucks and are much heavier than needed for typical 12V passenger vehicles.
Other Jump Starters Worth Considering
These are other jump starters we looked at but did not put on our main list.
If maximum peak output is your priority, GOOLOO GP4000 is the brawniest non-NOCO alternative here, with a 4,000-amp peak and up to 60 starts per charge. It weighs 3.94 pounds, which is 0.57 pound more than our top pick, so it asks for a bit more storage space in exchange for its larger output number.
For a lighter emergency pack, Battery Tender 1000A Jump Starter keeps the rating to a 1,000-amp peak and covers engines up to 6L gas and 3L diesel. Its 1.65-pound weight is far below the 3.37 pounds of our top pick, but the lower peak output makes it a closer match for sedans and compact SUVs than for larger engines.
Prefer the smallest carry weight in this group? AstroAI S8 is listed at 0.95 pound while still offering a 1,500-amp peak and coverage for engines up to 6L gas and 3L diesel. That is 2.42 pounds lighter than our top pick, though drivers shopping inside the NOCO Boost line may still prefer the main picks for their stated clamp protections and model-specific engine ratings.
And if the middle of the range is the whole reason you are shopping, Schumacher 1250A Jump Starter lines up closely with our alternative pick on peak output at 1,250 amps. It is rated for engines up to 6L gas and 3L diesel, and its 2.7-pound weight sits 0.67 pound below our top pick.
FAQs
Which size jump starter makes sense for a gas engine?
Start with the engine-liter rating, not only the amp number. Our main picks cover gas engines from up to 6L to up to 7.5L, so a smaller car can use less peak output than a large truck or SUV.
Do diesel engines need a stronger jump starter?
Diesel ratings are lower than gas ratings across the main picks, ranging from up to 3L to up to 5L. That means a driver with a diesel should match the stated diesel limit closely rather than assuming a gas-engine rating applies.
How much do starts per charge matter?
Starts per charge matter most if the booster may sit in the vehicle between emergencies or serve more than 1 vehicle. Our main picks range from up to 6 starts per charge to up to 20 starts per charge, so the right choice depends on whether you value higher peak output or more repeated starts.
Why does cold weather change the choice?
AAA Oregon/Idaho says a car battery loses about 35 percent of its strength at 32°F and about 60 percent at 0°F. It also says an engine may need up to twice the normal current to start in the cold, which makes amp headroom more important for outdoor winter parking.
Sources
- Winter Battery Preparation, AAA Oregon/Idaho. How cold weather drains car batteries and when to replace them.
- Whistler Recalls Jump&Go Portable Jumpstart and Power Supply Units, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Recall of a lithium jump starter that could overheat.
- PackSafe: Lithium Batteries, Federal Aviation Administration. Airline rules for carrying lithium batteries and power banks.
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