Everything You Need to Know About the Best Portable Jump Starters

Portable jump starters are like peace of mind in a box.No waiting on AAA. No depending on seldom-used jumper cables in your trunk. No flagging down a passing motorist to give you a jump.These cutting edge jumper packs are easy to use and safe. They’re also easy to store and maintain.But you still need to choose the right one. The right size, the right features, and a unit you can trust when you need it to perform. Otherwise, you’re stuck with a false sense of security and a car that won’t start.Below is everything you need to know about AGA car jump starter and how to choose the best one for you.The best portable jump starters have reverse polarity protection. If you connect the cables incorrectly, a warning light comes on. Some even sound an audible alarm. The best part is the circuit is not completed, so you have an opportunity to switch the cables before starting the car.With size, power and safety covered, you might think you’re ready to buy. Get rid of that notion right now. There’s more to cover below.

Reliability

Many people think a higher price means higher quality but that’s not always the case. There are specific things to look for in each AGA car jump starter. These will help you determine how long a jump pack will perform at its best.

Capacity

Capacity is how many times can you jump start your car before having to recharge the jump starter.  Units as small as 6000 mAh offer enough capacity for a handful of starts.

The good thing is all reputable manufacturers build plenty of capacity into their units for a handful of starts. Don’t get caught up with capacity. Almost every jump starter you consider will have more than enough.

Cold Weather Capability

If you live in a warm climate year-round and aren’t planning any drives to Minnesota, this will not be a concern. But if you live where the winters are harsh, choose a jump starter that can stand the cold.Your car battery can lose up to 50% of its cranking output in cold weather. This means you should expect that same loss of performance in a traditional jump box. While lithium-ion jump packs perform better, they still lose some power in the cold too.

The best portable jump starters, when operated at room temperature, can jump a frozen battery. It’s also a good idea to buy a jump starter with higher CCA if you live in a cold climate.

Build Quality and Design

Here’s a great example of how price doesn’t always mean top quality. It’s possible to buy an otherwise quality jump pack with cheap clamps that won’t last and don’t conduct very well.

Look for clamps that are soldered or screwed to the cables versus crimped. Clamps should also open wide enough to fit any size terminal post without any bending or twisting.

On the smaller jump packs, the cables are a separate component that plugs into the main jump unit. Some designs have the plug coming directly out of a circuitry box. These can be hard to handle and rest in the engine compartment. The best-designed models place some cable in between the plug and the box, making for easier handling.Finally, it’s important to keep water and other contaminants out of connection ports, to help the unit last for a long time. This means the jumper cable connection port is usually covered because of its size. At a minimum, look for covers that seal tightly. Even better are ones that cover all ports, as well.Design and material quality go hand in hand with features and accessories so let’s take a look at add-ons that may interest you.

Features and Accessories

The type of accessories will differ greatly between traditional jump boxes and their smaller lithium-ion counterparts. Here are examples of the more common accessories found on each.

USB Charging

This feature is mostly found on the small lithium-ion units but does come on a few of the larger jump boxes. Be sure to look at product reviews to see how well this features works, according to those who have tested it.

Multiple Power/Charging Outlets

Some of the larger jump boxes also have multiple power outlets built in, like traditional electrical outlets and 12-volt charger plugs. Versatility is the main factor in having these power sources. As well as jump starting your car, you can use your jump box for tailgating or camping.

Some lithium-ion jump starters have specialty ports, like 19V for laptop charging or 12V for accessories like fans, heated blankets, or lanterns.

Air Compressor

When your TPMS light comes on and you’re not near a gas station, it’s good to know your jump box has a built-in compressor. That is if your jump box does have a built-in compressor.This is a common feature on larger portable jump starters and well worth having if you don’t live close to a gas station or don’t like feeding quarters to the air machine.

Warranty

The gold standard for portable jump starters is a one year warranty. Be wary of manufacturers offering less.Speaking of manufacturers, be sure your unit is made by a reputable company in the auto or consumer electronics industry. They should also be easily reachable by phone or email and have accessible support information, preferably on the web.

The Last Word

AGA jump starters come in many shapes and sizes, with features galore. Power, safety, design, and reliability are all important factors in making the right choice. When deciding which one is best for you, focus on the points we’ve covered and you won’t go wrong.

Check out our agabest.com  for information on specific models.