

How you use a portable jump starter will depend on the model, and you should always read and follow all manufacturer instructions to start a vehicle safely and effectively. Most portable jump starters are designed to be able to easily start a drained battery in gasoline and diesel-powered passenger cars and light-duty trucks that won't start because of cold temperatures, the lights were left on, or they haven't been driven for a while. They can often jump start multiple vehicles on one charge and some models can even act as a portable power bank to charge and power your devices like smartphones or tablets. These batteries are rechargeable, and newer products should be able to not need a recharge for over a year (unless they’ve been used multiple times). Jump starters work by using a special high current Lithium-Ion battery to provide enough power to start your engine. They allow you to start your vehicle without having to call and wait for roadside assistance to come to you or ask a passerby to help jump start your vehicle. Carrying a portable jump starter, like the Cobra Jump Starter 800A or 1000A, can get you back on the road quickly and safely. Automotive safety experts recommend always carrying jumper cables in your car, but that doesn't do you much good if there isn't another person around to give you a jump. Whether it's an old battery or you accidentally left the lights on while you were away, a dead battery can ruin your day. You climb into the driver's seat and try to start the engine – only to find that it won’t turn over.

Some cables, however, are better than others.You've probably been there: finally done after a few hours of errands or just getting back from a long trip, you find your vehicle in the parking lot. You might think that jumper cables are all the same, and to an extent, that’s true-they’re copper wires that deliver power. Jumper cables are a vital part of any jump starter. A battery charger is better if you have access to a power outlet and have enough time to charge the battery, while a jump starter is better in a pinch for those who need to get on the road right away. Our recommendation? Having both a jump starter and a battery charger can be helpful. Plus, they can come to the rescue if you have a faulty alternator, as they can allow you to get your car up and running without having to worry about your alternator recharging your battery. They also have to plug into a power outlet, which is less portable. Battery chargers take at least a few hours to recharge a car battery, which is not ideal for those needing to get on the road quickly. Unlike a jump starter, a charger recharges your car's battery, which is handy in some situations. Lifewire / Tony Mitera What About a Battery Charger?

The portability outweighs the downside of having to keep the device charged up. We generally recommend buying a portable jump starter over a plug-in one.

Instead of having a decent-sized battery built-in, you have to connect them to a power outlet-meaning that if you’re in a parking lot with a dead battery, you’re out of luck. Plug-in chargers, on the other hand, are much less portable.The only downside is that you must charge them after use, which can take several hours. Portable jump starters have a built-in battery, meaning they can be used on the go whenever you need them.Jump starters come in both portable and plug-in varieties: Do you have a big truck or a smaller car? Do you have a fleet of vehicles to maintain? Do you have storage in the car or your garage? Where will you most likely need the jump starter: At your home base or on the road? How much space do you have to dedicate to a device you hopefully will never need? There are a few factors to consider when picking the right jump starter. Lifewire / Tony Mitera What to Look For in a Portable Jump Starter
