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  3. 8 Best Jump Starters UK 2023 | RAC, NOCO and More
  • 8 Best Jump Starters UK 2023 | RAC, NOCO and More 1
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  • 8 Best Jump Starters UK 2023 | RAC, NOCO and More 3
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8 Best Jump Starters UK 2023 | RAC, NOCO and More

Picture the scene. It's early on a dark winter's morning, and you’ve got a long drive and a busy day ahead of you. You jump in your car and turn the key in the ignition, only to hear the dying throes of your car’s battery making the engine cough and sputter – and then silence.


Luckily, there's an easy way to get out of this situation that doesn’t involve waiting for breakdown services to turn up: jump starter packs. We’ve checked out Amazon, Halfords, and eBay to bring you the best portable options on the market, covering everything from the best jump starters with air compressors to the best jump starters for diesel engines. So start your engines and read on to find out more!

Last updated 02/02/2023
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Table of Contents

How to Choose a Jump Starter in the UK

Key Points to Consider
  1. Account for the Size of Your Vehicle
  2. Opt for a Jump Starter With Reverse Polarity Protection
  3. Consider the Starter's Charging Method
  4. Look Out for Extra Features Like Air Compressors
1

Make Sure There's Enough Power to Start Your Vehicle: 400-600 Amps Is Fine for the Average Car but Large Engines May Need 1000 Plus

Make Sure There's Enough Power to Start Your Vehicle: 400-600 Amps Is Fine for the Average Car but Large Engines May Need 1000 Plus

How many amps you need to jump start your car will depend on its engine size, so it’s important that you choose a jump starter that’s going to be appropriate for your make and model. If you don't know your exact engine size, check the owner's manual or simply search online for your make and model plus 'engine size'.


Many manufacturers will state the engine size their jump starters are suitable for. In general, jump starters with around 400 to 600 amps will be more than enough to jump start any normal, consumer vehicle, whereas commercial vehicles may require up to 1500 or 2000 amps and smaller, more compact vehicles can be boosted with as little as 150 amps.


It's recommended that if you want to use your starter for more than one car, you should choose one that will be able to jump the largest engine. One thing to note is that a jump starter won't be able to start a completely dead battery, so if your battery is totally flat you will need to have a new one fitted.

2

Choose Packs With Reverse Polarity Protection to Prevent Damage From Incorrectly Attached Cables

Choose Packs With Reverse Polarity Protection to Prevent Damage From Incorrectly Attached Cables

Making sure the connectors are attached to the right ports on your battery is imperative in making sure you keep both in full working order. If the cables are incorrectly connected, the polarity of the electrical system will be reversed for a few seconds which can cause irreparable damage to the sensitive electronic components in your car, such as on-board computers and electronic sensors.


Reverse polarity protection is an internal circuit that ensures that neither the jump starter nor the car will damage should you accidentally attach the connectors to the wrong ports. This will then be conveyed to you by a warning such as a light or sound indicator.

3

Find a Jump Starter That's Easy for You to Keep Fully Charged, Whether That's Via 12V Socket, USB Cable or the Mains

Find a Jump Starter That's Easy for You to Keep Fully Charged, Whether That's Via 12V Socket, USB Cable or the Mains

If you’re constantly on the go and need a jump starter that can be ready to use at a moment’s notice, the last thing you want is a unit that's going to be difficult to keep fully charged.


It is therefore important for you to check how each unit is charged – this is usually either via the mains, through a 12V socket or even via USB cable. Doing so will make it as easy as possible for you to keep your jump starter in a usable condition should you need it. 

4

Look For Useful Extra Features Such as Air Compressors and LED Work Lights

Look For Useful Extra Features Such as Air Compressors and LED Work Lights

Jump starters can come equipped with all manner of extra features and tools to aid in starting, fixing and maintaining your vehicle. These can prove extremely useful and can actually help you de-clutter what you carry with you in your car day-to-day.


Undoubtedly the most useful is an air compressor, which you can use to fix a flat tyre on your car or any other vehicle you have at home. Other handy features include LED lights to help you see what you're doing and even USB sockets that can come to the rescue when you find yourself with a dead phone or device. 


Battery trouble is among many cold weather issues. See our reviews for driving gloves and ice-scrapers.

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8 Best Jump Starters in the UK

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Key features
1

NOCO

Boost HD UltraSafe Portable Lithium Jump StarterGB70

NOCO Boost HD UltraSafe Portable Lithium Jump Starter 1枚目

An All-Round Winner With Rapid Charging and Big Power

2

Clarke

Jump Start 4000

Clarke Jump Start 4000  1枚目

A Reliable, Heavy-Duty Starter Great for Large Engines

3

Halfords

Advanced Lithium Jump Starter

Halfords Advanced Lithium Jump Starter 1枚目

Highly Compact Jump-Starter for Smaller Vehicles

4

RAC

Heavy Duty Jump Starter

RAC Heavy Duty Jump Starter 1枚目

A Light, Portable and Well-Functioning Choice From the RAC

5

Streetwize

Portable Power PackSWPP1

Streetwize Portable Power Pack 1枚目

Jump Start Most Types of Car With the Added Assurance of Reverse Polarity Protection

6

Sealey

Roadstart Emergency Power PackRS1312HV

Sealey Roadstart Emergency Power Pack 1枚目

A High-Vis Unit With Cable Storage to Keep It Tidy

7

Amtech

3-In-1 Rechargeable Portable JumpstarterJ0265

Amtech 3-In-1 Rechargeable Portable Jumpstarter 1枚目

A Useful Addition to Your Car Care Kit With Bright Lights and a Built-In Compressor

8

STW

5-in-1 Portable Car Battery Jump Starter

STW 5-in-1 Portable Car Battery Jump Starter 1枚目

A 5-in-1 Model You Can Use on the Road or as a Camping Charger

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

NOCOBoost HD UltraSafe Portable Lithium Jump StarterGB70

Boost HD UltraSafe Portable Lithium Jump Starter Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Boost HD UltraSafe Portable Lithium Jump Starter Image 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Boost HD UltraSafe Portable Lithium Jump Starter Image 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£199.95
Reference price
£199.95

An All-Round Winner With Rapid Charging and Big Power

This is the jump starter that does it all! Firstly, it features a rapid charging time that zips from empty to fully charged in just 2 hours, plus you can get up to 40 engine starts on a single charge. It has all the safety features you would expect from a high-quality piece of car kit including spark-proof technology, so you can use it with total peace of mind.


This may be a pricier starter, but its compact size belies how powerful and useful it is and it holds its charge fantastically well, making it good to use whenever you need it. This hugely popular offering from NOCO will be invaluable to any driver.

Was this Ranking helpful?
No.2

ClarkeJump Start 4000

Jump Start 4000  Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£181.27
Reference price
£181.27

A Reliable, Heavy-Duty Starter Great for Large Engines

This jump starter was selected as a “Best Buy” by Which Caravan Magazine for its reliability and functionality, and if you've got a bigger engine you need to start then this is the perfect option. The 1-metre leads have a heavy-duty isolator switch which allows you to safely connect them to the battery, which is a useful feature. 


The only areas we can fault this on is that it's quite basic and its also quite bulky and heavy, but if you have a heavy vehicle then this is a great "does what it says on the tin" option! 

No.3

HalfordsAdvanced Lithium Jump Starter

Advanced Lithium Jump Starter Image 1
Source:halfords.com
Reference price
£74.99
Reference price
£74.99

Highly Compact Jump-Starter for Smaller Vehicles

Using a lithium battery as opposed to lead-acid allows this battery to fit into a glove box, and is perfect for vehicles with a smaller engine size. With LED indicators and reverse polarity protection as a safety net, it's also easy to use the first time.


This jump-starter comes additionally with a built-in LED light and a USB port from which to charge personal electronics in a pinch. But be aware that an engine size above three litres will require more than this starter can give.

No.4

RACHeavy Duty Jump Starter

Heavy Duty Jump Starter Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Heavy Duty Jump Starter Image 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£38.72
Reference price
£38.72

A Light, Portable and Well-Functioning Choice From the RAC

It may not offer as many extra features as some, but this is a really reliable portable jump starter for those with smaller cars, not to mention an affordable one. It is compact, relatively lightweight and the battery status indicator is a really useful feature.


Keep in mind that this is only meant for smaller cars which means it isn't as versatile as other models available, and the jump leads supplied could be longer to allow you to place the unit on the ground when it's in use. You also need to give it a really long initial charge, with some people leaving it in excess of 18 hours.

No.5

StreetwizePortable Power PackSWPP1

Reference price
£70.00

Jump Start Most Types of Car With the Added Assurance of Reverse Polarity Protection

Streetwize's starter pack promises to be able to start most types of car and offers a reliable power backup for starting your vehicle when the battery is low. It also features an air compressor with a tyre adaptor kit so you can get back on the move no matter what sort of tyres you have. 


One area this unit could improve upon is that the tyre pressure gauge isn't well suited to non-commercial vehicles. If you need to be accurate when inflating your car's tyres, therefore, you may find this difficult. 

No.6

SealeyRoadstart Emergency Power PackRS1312HV

Roadstart Emergency Power Pack Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£79.40
Reference price
£79.40

A High-Vis Unit With Cable Storage to Keep It Tidy

This jump starter from Sealey has a composite hi-vis green case with moulded rubber protection as well as integral battery cable storage and a carry handle for convenience. There is an LED readout of the battery condition, and the 12V and USB sockets are handy for charging any accessories you may need on the go.


Although a charge time isn't specified, this unit can take quite a long time to fully charge and when it was charged, it doesn't offer as good a run time as some when using it as a power source. 

No.7

Amtech3-In-1 Rechargeable Portable JumpstarterJ0265

3-In-1 Rechargeable Portable Jumpstarter Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
3-In-1 Rechargeable Portable Jumpstarter Image 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£47.11
Reference price
£47.11

A Useful Addition to Your Car Care Kit With Bright Lights and a Built-In Compressor

Amtech's 3-in-1 starter is a useful piece of kit for any car owner. The sealed battery can easily jump-start a 12-volt car battery and the booster cables feature heavy-duty alligator clips that will remain durable after lots of use. It also features LED lights and both a mains and a 12V adaptor for power.


This jump starter does have some power retention issues, with it giving out less power than expected even after it's been fully charged. It can also take a long time to fully charge and it doesn't give specific information on what sized engines it works best for. 

No.8

STW5-in-1 Portable Car Battery Jump Starter

5-in-1 Portable Car Battery Jump Starter Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
5-in-1 Portable Car Battery Jump Starter Image 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
5-in-1 Portable Car Battery Jump Starter Image 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£152.90
Reference price
£152.90

A 5-in-1 Model You Can Use on the Road or as a Camping Charger

This jump starter from STW is full of useful features such as USB sockets for charging your gadgets, an air compressor for your tyres and tools to check your car's battery health and get it going again. It is robust in design and can even power up electronic items if you go camping.


In some cases, the amount this jump starter holds is variable, with it running out sooner than expected. The inbuilt cooling fan is also very noisy, which isn't an issue for jump-starting your car, but it could be if you want to use it for other purposes. 

How to Jump Start a Car With a Battery Pack

How to Jump Start a Car With a Battery Pack

Although it's always best to read and follow the instructions of the particular jump starter you have purchased, here's a guide from the RAC on how to use a battery pack. 


  1. First check that the battery pack is fully charged.
  2. Locate the vehicle battery – usually situated in the engine bay under the bonnet, but sometimes located in the boot. Unclip any plastic covering and you should see the battery with its two terminals.
  3. Connect the positive (red) lead from the battery pack to the positive (+) terminal of the battery. Connect the negative (black) lead to a good earth point on the casualty vehicle – a solid metal part of the engine is usually best.
  4. Stand the battery pack on the ground next to the vehicle, the leads are usually long enough to reach the battery. Avoid placing it on the engine as it might fall off when the engine starts.
  5. Once the battery pack is connected, switch on the pack and attempt to start the vehicle as you normally would. If it doesn’t start after a few attempts, it might be more serious than a flat battery. In this event, seek professional help by calling the RAC on 0330 159 1111.
  6. If the vehicle does start, keep the engine running for about 5 minutes. Switch off the engine, then switch off the battery pack and remove the leads from the battery pack. Now restart the engine again.
  7. The vehicle's battery will need to recharge fully for it to be fully serviceable, which is best achieved using a quality battery charger for several hours. In the meantime, if possible, drive the vehicle normally (not heavy traffic) for around 30 mins to try to put some charge back into the battery.

Written and researched by Catherine Torrance

Top 5 Jump Starters

No. 1: NOCOBoost HD UltraSafe Portable Lithium Jump StarterGB70

No. 2: ClarkeJump Start 4000

No. 3: HalfordsAdvanced Lithium Jump Starter

No. 4: RACHeavy Duty Jump Starter

No. 5: StreetwizePortable Power PackSWPP1

View Full Ranking

When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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