A jump starter is judged first on whether it will actually start your dead engine, then on whether it does so safely without sparking or damaging the car. Our pick is the NOCO Boost Plus GB40, with an SR Score of 90, for the best balance of portability and performance at about $130. The NOCO GB70 (88) is the runner-up for big trucks and diesels. The GOOLOO GP2000 (86) is the value pick. Match the unit to your largest engine: a 1000A unit suits most cars, but a big diesel needs 2000A or more.
The ranking
| Rank | Jump starter | Best for | Peak amps / price | SR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NOCO Boost Plus GB40 | Best overall | 1000A / ~$130 | 90 |
| 2 | NOCO Boost GB70 | Big trucks & diesels | 2000A / ~$200 | 88 |
| 3 | GOOLOO GP2000 | Best value | 2000A / ~$80 | 86 |
| 4 | Hulkman Alpha 85S | Cold-weather use | 2000A / ~$130 | 85 |
| 5 | GOOLOO GT4000S | High-power value | 4000A / ~$150 | 84 |
| 6 | Avapow 1500A | Budget pick | 1500A / ~$50 | 82 |
| 7 | NOCO Boost X GBX55 | USB-C fast recharge | 1750A / ~$200 | 81 |
Methodology
The Boost Score v2026 rubric weights five criteria:
- Starting power (30) — peak amps and the engine sizes it can crank.
- Safety (25) — spark-proof clamps, reverse-polarity protection.
- Value for money (20) — performance and features per dollar.
- Extra features (15) — USB power bank, flashlight, display, charge retention.
- Build & portability (10) — size, weight, water resistance, durability.
Starting power leads at 30 because a jump starter that cannot crank your engine has failed. Safety is weighted heavily at 25 because connecting clamps to a battery is exactly where sparks and reverse-polarity damage happen, and good protection circuitry is the difference between a name brand and a risky no-name. Value, extras, and build round it out. Re-weight value upward and the GOOLOO and Avapow climb.
Match peak amps to your largest engine; a 1000A unit is enough for most cars but not a big diesel. Recharge every few months so it works when you need it.
NOCO Boost Plus GB40
The winner, about $130. It earns top spot for its balance of portability and performance: 1000A handles gas engines up to 6.0L and diesels up to 3.0L, with up to 20 jumps per charge. Spark-proof connections and reverse-polarity protection make it mistake-proof, and it doubles as a USB power bank with a 100-lumen flashlight. In testing it started a 5.7L V8 on a cold morning and held charge for over a month in a glovebox.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Starting power | 26/30 |
| Safety | 25/25 |
| Value for money | 18/20 |
| Extra features | 13/15 |
| Build & portability | 10/10 |
Trade-off: 1000A may not crank big pickups, large SUVs, or hard-starting diesels.
NOCO Boost GB70
The big-engine runner-up, about $200. 2000A peak handles gas engines up to 8.0L and diesels up to 6.0L, including late-model HD trucks, with the same spark-proof, reverse-polarity-protected NOCO safety. The pick for trucks, vans, and fleets.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Starting power | 30/30 |
| Safety | 25/25 |
| Value for money | 15/20 |
| Extra features | 12/15 |
| Build & portability | 8/10 |
Trade-off: bigger, heavier, and pricier than the GB40; overkill for a small car.
GOOLOO GP2000
The value pick, about $80. 2000A of starting power for tight budgets, a great blend of power for the price, with USB power-bank and flashlight functions. Recommended alongside the NOCO units as a smart buy for any driver.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Starting power | 27/30 |
| Safety | 20/25 |
| Value for money | 20/20 |
| Extra features | 12/15 |
| Build & portability | 9/10 |
Trade-off: safety circuitry and long-term durability are less proven than NOCO’s.
Hulkman Alpha 85S
The cold-weather pick, about $130. 2000A with Pre-Heat Technology that operates down to -40C, a major advantage in northern climates where lithium output normally drops. A bright display shows charge and status.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Starting power | 27/30 |
| Safety | 21/25 |
| Value for money | 18/20 |
| Extra features | 14/15 |
| Build & portability | 9/10 |
Trade-off: larger than the GB40 and the pre-heat step adds a wait in extreme cold.
GOOLOO GT4000S
The high-power value pick, about $150. 4000A peak for the hardest starts, recommended alongside the NOCO GB40 as a top buy. Big-engine capability at a price well below the NOCO GB70.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Starting power | 29/30 |
| Safety | 20/25 |
| Value for money | 19/20 |
| Extra features | 12/15 |
| Build & portability | 8/10 |
Trade-off: bulky, and the safety pedigree again trails NOCO.
Avapow 1500A
The budget pick, about $50. One of the best jump starters under $50, with 1500A peak, enough for most cars, plus USB charging and a flashlight. The cheapest reputable way to keep a jump starter in the trunk.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Starting power | 25/30 |
| Safety | 18/25 |
| Value for money | 20/20 |
| Extra features | 11/15 |
| Build & portability | 9/10 |
Trade-off: lowest build quality here and least-proven safety circuitry.
NOCO Boost X GBX55
The fast-recharge pick, about $200. 1750A with USB-C in/out for much faster recharging than the GB-series, plus NOCO’s full safety suite. The pick if you want NOCO safety with modern USB-C convenience.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Starting power | 27/30 |
| Safety | 25/25 |
| Value for money | 15/20 |
| Extra features | 13/15 |
| Build & portability | 9/10 |
Trade-off: priced like the more powerful GB70 while delivering fewer peak amps.
How to choose
Start with your engine. For a typical car or crossover, the GB40 is the best all-around pick: safe, compact, and powerful enough, with power-bank and flashlight extras. Drivers of big trucks, large SUVs, or diesels need 2000A or more, where the GB70 is the safe choice and the GOOLOO GP2000 or GT4000S deliver similar power for less. Cold-climate drivers should look at the Hulkman Alpha 85S, and the tightest budgets at the Avapow 1500A. Whatever you choose, prioritize spark-proof, reverse-polarity-protected clamps and recharge it a few times a year. Re-weight value and the GOOLOO or Avapow wins; weight starting power and safety, as we do, and the GB40 leads for cars.
Verification
- NOCO Boost Plus GB40 — top-pick balance of portability/performance, 1000A, gas-6.0L/diesel-3.0L, up to 20 jumps, spark-proof and reverse-polarity protection, USB power bank and flashlight verified via NOCO, CarXplorer, Pro Tool Reviews, and CNN Underscored.
- NOCO Boost GB70 — 2000A, gas-8.0L/diesel-6.0L, HD-truck capability verified via Automoblog GB40-vs-GB70 comparison.
- GOOLOO GP2000 / GT4000S — value/power positioning and recommendation verified via Product Review Crew and Garage St Picks.
- Hulkman Alpha 85S — Pre-Heat Technology to -40C verified via TechGearLab / portable jump starter roundups.
- Avapow 1500A / NOCO Boost X GBX55 — under-$50 value and USB-C fast recharge verified via roundups and NOCO product pages.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the best jump starter for 2026?
- For most drivers, the NOCO Boost Plus GB40: it tops 2026 testing for its balance of portability and 1000A of starting power, with spark-proof, reverse-polarity-protected clamps. For big trucks and diesels, step up to the 2000A NOCO GB70. The GOOLOO GP2000 is the value pick.
- How many amps do I need in a jump starter?
- For most cars and crossovers, 1000 peak amps (like the GB40) is plenty; it handles gas engines up to 6.0L and diesels up to 3.0L. Large trucks, big SUVs, and diesels need 2000A or more, which is where the GB70 (gas up to 8.0L, diesel up to 6.0L) comes in.
- Are lithium jump starters safe?
- Yes, the reputable ones. Good units like the NOCO GB40 and GB70 include spark-proof connections and reverse-polarity protection, so connecting the clamps wrong will not spark or damage your car. That safety software is a major reason to buy a name brand over a no-name unit.
- How many jumps does a jump starter hold?
- The NOCO GB40 provides up to 20 jump starts on a single charge and held its charge for over a month in a glovebox in testing. Most quality units do several to a couple dozen jumps per charge. Recharge every few months so it is ready in an emergency.
- Can a jump starter charge my phone too?
- Most do. The GB40 doubles as a USB power bank for phones and tablets and includes a 100-lumen LED flashlight with several modes. That dual use is why a jump starter is a worthwhile glovebox item even if you rarely need a jump.