Hey there my fellow fourbie enthusiasts and welcome to my post where we will check out my three best 4WD portable jump starters to kick you into gear this year. Trust me, there is nothing worse than a vehicle with a dead battery and if you are at your campgrounds there may not be anyone else there to help you out either.
Therefore, the best solution to such an annoying situation is to have a 4WD portable jump starter that can recharge your drained battery enough to get you started. So for those of you in the market for a good portable battery jump starter, I have had a good look around and come up with three decent options below.
Let’s check them out below.
My three recommended 4WD portable jump starters
I will review these in more detail below, but if you just want to get moving without all the carry-on, my recommended products are listed here for your convenience:
What are 4WD portable jump starters?
A jump starter is a portable battery device used to jump-start a car or 4×4 without the assistance of another vehicle. The device is engineered to produce a lot of electricity in a short length of time, delivering a very powerful impulse through the alligator clips to jump-start a dead automobile battery.
Traditionally, a drained automobile battery needed to be recharged using booster cables and the assistance of another vehicle. A car with a charged battery would use jump leads to transmit electricity to the dead vehicle. While this approach works and is still extensively used today, it is inconvenient since it involves using another vehicle, a human and cables – all of which are not always readily accessible.
The most significant benefit of portable jump starters is that they do not require the help of another vehicle or person. This device is capable of directing electricity from a portable battery to the vehicle’s drained battery to kick it over and get it started.
Check out these: 4wd Portable Air Compressors
What should you be looking for?
The following factors should be considered as you look for a good portable jump starter for your 4×4.
- Charging type
- Power output
- Voltage
- Size
- Battery type
- Additions
Charging type
Before purchasing a jump starter, consider which strategy is best for you and your vehicle. Each jump-starter will charge via different options such as electrical outlets, USB ports or solar panels. Consider the charging options at your disposal – especially if you are ‘off grid”.
Power output
This probably goes without saying, but of course you will need enough power from your starter to restart the engine of your vehicle – especially as many 4x4s need a fairly large ‘spark’ to kick them over. The amount of current supplied by the jump starter is referred to as its power output.
Typically, the owner’s manuals for your vehicle and batteries will tell you how much power it requires. So, you can just check them to determine how much current a jump starter will need to supply.
Power output can be shown in one of three ways, depending on the jump starter. Here is a brief description of them:
- Cranking amps (CA) are the starting power of a jump starter at 32.0 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cold-cranking amps (CCA) measure the power of a starter at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. This statistic is especially essential if you are camping in winter, where you may need to jump your automobile in freezing temperatures.
- Peak amps are the greatest amount of power that the jump starter’s battery can give to the battery in your automobile. This value is less valuable than CA or CCA, yet some jump starter manufacturers only provide it. Higher peak amps are preferable as a general rule of thumb.
In general, a normal car will need around 400 to 600 amps when cold. Commercial vehicles and larger 4x4a however may require up to 1500 to 2000 amps.
Voltage
A portable battery jump starter should be rated at 12 volts as that is the power capacity of most automobiles including 4×4.
Size
Whilst not really having any effect on the viability of the charger, size is important if you are packing it with all your other gear to take away with you – after all, we are talking about portable chargers here. Jump starters used to be big and bulky however newer designs are more streamlined and efficient. Despite their weight, they are easy to transport and keep in your trunk.
Many come with carrying cases and fit comfortably beneath your seat, under the center console or in the glove box.
Battery type
Whilst most will work on all battery types, you will need to determine whether the battery is lead-acid or lithium. Lead-acid batteries have been around for a long time and are more potent and durable than lithium batteries. They are, however, hefty, requiring a more significant jump starter.
Lithium batteries are used in smaller jump starters that weigh less than a few pounds. They are convenient to stow in your car due to their tiny size and may also be used as portable chargers for phones, computers, tablets, and other electronic devices. The disadvantage of these batteries is that they are less powerful and only compatible with the newest, modern vehicles on the market.
Additions
Other potential additions include:
- LED display: These are important because they serve as an indicator of the device’s status. Other brands convert their LEDs into usable flashlights.
- Cable length: Since the portable jump starter has an integrated battery in its system, the cable length is usually short.
- Power bank functionality: Modern 4WD portable jump starters can also be converted into a power bank that you can use to charge your mobile phones and other devices.
- Internal protection: protects against such problems as short circuits, overheating and reverse charging (i.e. when you put the clamps on the wrong side)
- Storage bag: To protect the device, this item is useful for storing the 4WD portable jump starter.
Check out these: Portable power stations
FAQ
Are portable jump starters worth it?
Absolutely they are! There is nothing worse than a vehicle with a dead battery and if you are at your campgrounds there may not be anyone else there to help you out either. Therefore, the best solution is to have a 4WD portable jump starter that can recharge your drained battery enough to get you started and on the road again.
My three recommendations broken down
So based on the information above and my own experience, I recommend the following options:
1. Imazing Portable Car Jump Starter
My first recommended portable jump starter may have an affordable price tag, yet it comes with a punch and does the job of recharging a dead battery. It also comes with a compact design that makes this product portable as well. See its specifications below:
- Brand: Imazing
- Battery cell composition: Lithium polymer
- Voltage: 12 volts
- Capacity: 2000 Amps
- Weight: 2.25 pounds
- Dimensions: 9.65 x 5.31 x 4.21 inches
Other inclusions it has:
- LED lighting mode – flashlight, strobe, and SOS.
- Reverse polarity protection
- Short circuit protection
- Overheat protection
- Over-voltage protection
- Reverse charging protection
Why have I chosen it?
My first recommended battery starter is inexpensive, powerful, and amazingly tiny, with a peak current amp rating of 2000A which will jump-start most 12V automobiles with engines up to 8.0L gas or 7.5L diesel. Furthermore, it functions as a 12V power source, making it ideal for powering air compressors, vehicle coolers and a variety of other devices via its USB 3.0 output connector.
In an emergency, you can use the LED flashlight included in the device with regular, strobe, and SOS modes. This high-quality battery starter is small enough to fit comfortably in any glove box, charges in approximately 4.5 hours and can store a charge for up to a year.
2. NOCO Boost XL GB50 1500 Amp 12-Volt UltraSafe Lithium Jump Starter Box
If you are looking for a top-notch and high-performing portable jump starter, this next recommendation is multi-functional and can give your battery its necessary boost within seconds. See its specifications below:
- Brand: NOCO
- Battery cell composition: Lithium-ion
- Voltage: 12 volts
- Capacity: 1500 Amps
- Weight: 1.65 pounds
- Dimensions: 7.7 x 3.4 x 1.9 inches
Other inclusions:
- Needle-nose battery clamps
- Micro USB charging cable
- Storage bag
- 1-year warranty
- Spark-proof protection
- Reverse polarity protection
- LED lighting mode – flashlight, strobe, and SOS.
Why have I chosen it?
When it comes to jump-starting your vehicle, safety is crucial and this equipment has a mistake-proof design with spark-proof technology and reverse polarity protection, so things won’t go wrong even if you accidentally connect it to your battery improperly.
Furthermore, you may use this jump starter as a portable battery bank regularly, charging your USB gadgets with ease with an integrated 100-lumen LED flashlight with seven settings that are all useful in an emergency. It can jump-start a car 30 times on a single charge and keep that charge for a year as well.
3. DEWALT DXAEJ14 Digital Portable Power Station Jump Starter
My final portable jump starter option is from a bestselling brand that can quickly recharge your car battery and be back on the road in no time. It is user-friendly and offers safety features that will keep accidents from happening during its charging operation. Oh, and it has an inbuilt air compressor as well/ See its specifications below:
- Brand: DeWALT
- Battery cell composition: Lithium polymer
- Voltage: 12 volts
- Capacity: 1400 Amps
- Weight: 17.5 pounds
- Dimensions: 11.75 x 6 x 13 inches
Other inclusions:
- LCD screen display
- Reverse charge protection
- AI-software protection
- Low-temp protection
- Over-load protection
- Over-voltage protection
- Short-circuit protection
- High-temp protection
- LED Work light
Why have I chosen this?
Although a little heavier than the others listed here, this option offers robust charging for most vehicle types all the way up to V8 gas or diesel. It has a quick charging time while displaying the charging status on the screen and can start your vehicle on chilly days.
It has a digital LED display that shows information like charging speed, battery power percentage, error alerts, device speed, and more. It’s inbuilt AC connector makes for simple charging and the inbuilt air compressor is great for pumping up tires and air mattresses etc. as well.
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Conclusion
There you have it, my three best 4WD portable jump starters. I would be pleased to know how this article helped you, and as usual, let me know of your experiences with them.
Also, please do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions, concerns, or corrections or would like me to check anything else out for you.
Until next time.
Have fun
Paul
