The best battery boosters in the UK 2023

Every motorist dreads a battery that fails in the middle of nowhere. To avoid this, the battery booster is the perfect solution. Just like a spare tire, an air compressor or a key kit, it makes it easy to deal with breakdowns on the road. But which one to choose? Follow our guide to the best battery boosters.

Noco GB40 1
9/10

Best value for money

Noco GB40

The best battery booster in 2021

Very easy to use, the Noco GB40 is perfect for those who are looking for a reliable and complete battery booster. In case of failure, it performs a fast and secure repair.

92 £ on Amazon

The GB40 is ultra portable (1.08 kg) and compact. It is intended for 12 V batteries. With its Li-ion cells and 1000A peak-to-peak current, this battery booster easily starts a 6L gasoline engine and a 3L diesel engine. It also includes a 100 lumen LED flashlight with 7 light levels and a USB output for charging tablets and smartphones.

This tool can be fully charged in 3 hours on any powered USB source. The charge is retained for a full year! The booster has special GB40 crocodile clips, a USB charging cable, a USB car charger, and a microfiber storage bag. It also has a safety system that protects it from sparks and reverse polarity, all in an IP65 waterproof case.

BuTure Booster 2
8/10

Best value for money

BuTure Booster

The best entry-level battery booster

It is possible to find an excellent battery booster for less than 50 euros like this model signed BuTure, usable on gasoline and diesel cars. Its safety clamps are a real plus.

33,99 £ on Amazon

This BuTure battery booster claims 800 A of peak current. That's enough to start vehicles with gasoline engines up to 6L and diesel engines up to 5L. With a built-in 12,800 mAh battery, you'll get up to 20 jump starts on a single charge, assuming you don't use it to charge your portable devices. It's more likely that you will though, as you won't need to start your car every day with this booster.

This battery booster has a Type-C input port, and 2 USB outputs, including one that supports Quick Charge 3.0. The heavy-duty clamps and cables have overcurrent protection, short circuit protection, overload protection, overvoltage protection, and overload protection.

Noco Boost Pro GB150 3
9/10

Best value for money

Noco Boost Pro GB150

The best high-end battery booster

With its 4,000 A peak-to-peak, the Noco Boost Pro GB150 is the most powerful booster in this comparison. More than a booster, it includes a flashlight and a power bank very practical.

256 £ on Amazon

Delivering 4,000 amps peak-to-peak, the Noco Boost Pro GB 150 can perform 40 starts of diesel engines under 10L and all types of gasoline engines in a single charge. That includes trucks and even boats! This battery booster can also hold its charge for a full year when not in use.

Using anti-spark technology, this booster has built-in reverse polarity protection and is certified IP65 waterproof. Besides its use as a booster, it is also a 500 lumen LED flashlight with various lighting modes and a power bank for charging mobile devices. It comes with battery clips, XGC male and female connectors, XGC cable, micro USB charging cable and microfiber storage bag.

Utrai Jstar5 4
8/10

Very effective

Utrai Jstar5

The leading tool for troubleshooters

The Utrai Jstar5 is a multifunctional booster. It not only allows you to start in case of emergency, but also serves as a PowerBank, flashlight and air compressor.

104 £ on Amazon

Compact and convenient to place, the Utrai Jstar5 battery booster offers a peak current of 2,000 amps. It can start a vehicle with a 12V battery, whether it's an SUV, truck, snowmobile, van or motorcycle. This model is recommended for gasoline engines up to 8 L and diesel engines up to 6.5 L. But the main advantage of this model is the possibility to use it as an air compressor.

This integrated air compressor up to 150 PSI allows to inflate various tires. It features an automatic shut-off function based on the pressure setting you set. This model also includes a very bright 5W flashlight that will be a good partner when traveling or camping. Finally, it is worth mentioning that the UTRAI Jstar 5 can also be used as a PowerBank. In particular, it has two USB ports, one standard and one Quick Charge 3.0 compatible to charge your portable devices.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best battery booster

Any specific needs?

The best battery booster in 2021

The best entry-level battery booster

The best high-end battery booster

The leading tool for troubleshooters

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best battery boosters

TOP OF THE TOP CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Noco GB40 5
9/10
BuTure Booster 6
8/10
Noco Boost Pro GB150 7
9/10
Utrai Jstar5 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Noco GB40
BuTure Booster
Noco Boost Pro GB150
Utrai Jstar5
Very easy to use, the Noco GB40 is perfect for those who are looking for a reliable and complete battery booster. In case of failure, it performs a fast and secure repair.
It is possible to find an excellent battery booster for less than 50 euros like this model signed BuTure, usable on gasoline and diesel cars. Its safety clamps are a real plus.
With its 4,000 A peak-to-peak, the Noco Boost Pro GB150 is the most powerful booster in this comparison. More than a booster, it includes a flashlight and a power bank very practical.
The Utrai Jstar5 is a multifunctional booster. It not only allows you to start in case of emergency, but also serves as a PowerBank, flashlight and air compressor.
Peak current
1,000 A
800 A
4,000 A
2,000 A
Supported displacement
6L gasoline and 3L diesel engines
6L gasoline and 5L diesel engines
Diesel engines of 10 L and less, and all gasoline engines
8L gasoline and 6.5L diesel engines
Number of starting operations that can be performed by a fully loaded booster
20 times for a completely dead battery
20 times for a completely flat battery
40 to 80 times
-
Weight
1.6 kg
1.08 kg
3.4 kg
2.4 kg
Additional feature(s)
100 lumen LED flashlight
4-mode LED light
500 lumen LED flashlight
150 PSI air compressor

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Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!

Buying guide - battery booster

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How to choose your battery booster

Find the best battery booster for your vehicle and your needs based on the following parameters.

#1 - Booster capacity

A booster has a battery whose capacity expressed in mAh indicates the amount of electricity it accumulates to start a vehicle. In this sense, choose a sufficiently powerful device with a capacity at least similar to that of your car battery. Thus, the booster will be able to perform several operations such as multiple priming of car batteries, recharging of mobile devices, etc.

The electrical charge level of the booster should not be less than 60% to guarantee its efficiency. Note the voltage required to start your car because some booster deliver a voltage of 12V while others generate 24V especially for large vehicles. Some models are even compatible with 6V.

#2 - Peak current

The peak current, generally between 200 and 2,500 A, indicates the maximum power that the booster can offer in a few seconds when starting your car. Choose a booster that delivers at least a starting current (A) or cold start current (CCA) similar to the one indicated on your vehicle's battery or recommended by the car manufacturer.

Ideally, you should have a safety margin and choose at least a booster with a peak current 20% higher than the vehicle's battery. Also consider the duration of the starting current and the consistency of it, as the ideal would be a booster that delivers a sufficiently high starting current for a maximum amount of time and does not decay too low after the peak or peak.

#3 - Vehicle displacement

Identify the displacement of your vehicle and choose the booster that matches your engine. In case you don't know the characteristics of your engine, do a search on the internet. A very compact booster of 200 A should be enough to run a city car while a booster of 400 A or more will be able to start large vehicles such as SUVs or large sedans.

#4 - Versatility

This criterion is important when you plan to take your tablet, smartphone, laptop or any other mobile device with you when you travel or move. Then turn to a multi-function battery booster that offers a wide variety of charging modes.

These multifunctional boosters usually have a USB port for standard mobile devices or a 19V output for a laptop, for example. Also choose models with a female cigarette lighter connector that could be used as a power source for a car vacuum cleaner or other such device.

#5 - Practicality

When you have limited storage space in your car, size becomes a factor to consider when choosing a battery booster. Turn to portable models that can easily fit in your glove compartment and still guarantee remarkable power despite their small size.

However, if you have a large vehicle, machine or boat, opt for a large, heavy model or a suitcase booster because it offers more power. In such a case, choose a model with a solid wrist that is convenient to use and easy to carry. Besides, these suitcase boosters often have other interesting options like an air compressor for example.

#6 - Accessories and safety system

Make sure your booster is equipped with the necessary accessories for its use. For example, it should have detachable cables, a set of clips for priming and a storage box. You should also choose a model with an intelligent safety system that protects you from short circuits, overcurrents and/or polarity reversals to prevent possible accidents. Since lead-acid batteries can explode if overcharged, you should choose a battery booster that is safe and follows the recommended safety precautions when using the device.

What precautions should I take with a battery booster?

  • Wear safety glasses when using your battery booster, and wear rubber gloves and protective clothing when working around lead acid batteries.
  • Keep the unit out of the reach of children.
  • Do not use the booster if its accessories are damaged (housing, cables or clamps).
  • Never use your booster on a frozen battery.
  • Never let the booster battery freeze.
  • Do not allow the clamps to touch each other or any conductive metal.
  • Do not immerse the device in water.
  • Do not smoke near the battery booster or expose it to flames or sparks.
  • Remove rings, bracelets, necklaces, watches, and other metal objects when handling your booster because a lead acid battery can short out enough to cause severe burns.
  • Place your booster in a safe place where objects cannot fall on it, as sparks and an explosion could result.
  • If battery acid comes into contact with your skin or clothing, wash the affected area immediately with soap and water. If the acid gets into your eyes, immediately flush them with cold water for 10 minutes and seek medical attention promptly.
  • If battery acid is swallowed, do not attempt to vomit it. Instead, contact an emergency room or the nearest poison control center.

Good to Know

The optimum operating temperature for lithium batteries is generally between 20°C and 40°C.

The different types of battery boosters

Different types of boosters are offered on the market to be used for different needs and therefore offer different power levels.

The lead booster

Older boosters have a lead-acid battery that offers good power and many features such as a power station, flashlight, battery charger and air compressor. These lead-acid boosters can handle voltages of 12V or 24V to help out light cars, gear, and boats. But like any lead-acid battery device, these models are heavy, bulky, sensitive to cold, and don't handle frequent deep discharges.

The lithium booster

Derived from newer technologies, lithium boosters have the advantage of being very compact while offering great power. A lithium battery booster is therefore very easy to carry whether in a light car, on a motorcycle or on a scooter. Light, powerful and with a low self-discharge, this model of booster is also able to troubleshoot large vehicles and offers several very practical features. However, lithium batteries present some risks in case of leakage, overheating or formation of crystalline structure between its electrodes because lithium is chemically not very stable.

The capacitor booster

The capacitor booster exploits a specific technology that makes it work without battery. It charges very quickly on the discharged battery and does not require any particular recharging. Lightweight and compact, it supports a large number of charge and discharge cycles to allow the starting of gasoline or diesel vehicles. The booster's supercapacitors are used to increase the residual voltage of your battery tenfold to provide the amount of energy needed to start the vehicle. However, the capacitor booster is only effective on vehicles with mechanics in good condition and whose battery is not very discharged.

The hybrid booster

A priming of more than 6 s is impossible for a supercapacitor booster and lithium is not really adapted for an instantaneous supply of electricity. Hybrid technology then reconciles these two techniques to provide high electrical power repeatedly while remaining compact and light. The hybrid booster is therefore recommended for frequent or professional use and is perfectly suited to vehicles or machines that require a significant amount of power when starting.

There are also hybrid models with lead and lithium but the most used are those with lithium and super-capacitors. However, the disadvantage of this type of booster always lies in the careful use of lithium which is chemically unstable.

The professional booster

As its name indicates, the professional booster is a tool formulated for professionals to troubleshoot vehicles. It is heavy and quite bulky but offers excellent performance on cars, motorcycles, heavy-duty vehicles, machinery and boats. The professional booster supports 12V or 24V voltages and some models even allow for automatic parameter backups for reliable use when assisting in starting.

Battery booster or battery charger?

Battery booster

The battery booster is a portable device that serves to give your existing battery a boost in a few minutes in order to start your vehicle's engine. It is easy to use because you just have to turn it on and connect it to the positive and negative terminals of your car battery. However, it does not allow you to recharge your battery up to 100% nor to follow the state of its charge. The booster will be of great help when your vehicle is running out of battery.

Battery charger

The battery charger works exactly like a cell phone charger except that its output voltage is around 12V DC. It must be plugged into a 220V AC source to work and will certainly not work in places without electricity. During charging, it evaluates, tests the charging time of your battery and can even diagnose the condition of your alternator. A charging management that may not be found on battery boosters. The charging speed of your battery will actually depend on the current supplied by your charger.

Verdict

If you are planning to travel to a remote location, without electricity or in very cold areas, and are worried about running out of battery power, the booster is the ideal equipment to help your vehicle get started. However, if you want to diagnose the real state of your vehicle's battery by fully charging it, use a charger that will be able to analyze the state of wear of your battery and your alternator.

Be careful!

Between about 75 and 100 °C, the battery booster releases flammable gases under pressure, and in the worst case, this can lead to a fire or an explosion.

Why buy a battery booster?

Restarting a vehicle

If your battery fails, you can restart it quickly with a booster. This device is also called a self-starter. It provides your battery with the necessary energy to restart it.

Convenience

With a battery booster, you can restart your car in minutes. Unlike a battery starter, this device does not need to be plugged into a power outlet as it is completely self-contained. This makes it extremely convenient if you break down in the middle of nowhere to get started and leave quickly. A battery charger does not function as a charger, but it can do so for mobile devices via its USB ports.

Portability

The battery booster is usually compact. So you can easily store it in the trunk of your car. This way, you will always have the assurance of getting out of it in case of a sudden breakdown. In addition, it is a space-saving device. Some models are very light and even fit in your glove compartment.

Performance

The battery booster allows you to give the electric impulse necessary to restart your car. It's especially popular because of its multiple functions. For example, it can be used as a charger for your phone or works as a power bank. More advanced models can include a battery tester or LED lighting to facilitate connection at night.

Ease of use

The battery booster is extremely easy to use. Simply turn on the device and place the red clip on the positive terminal and the black clip on the negative terminal. Once the booster has finished working, all you have to do is start your engine. There are models that are maintenance-free and do not require recharging. You just have to unpack it to use it.

The best brands of battery boosters

In our opinion, the best brands of battery boosters in 2022 are :

Noco
Utrai
trekpow
Tacklife
Yaber

Founded in 1914, NOCO Company designs and creates high-end consumer battery chargers, jump starters, solar panels and more. As well as a wide range of battery products and accessories. With these world-class offerings, NOCO® has effectively set the new standard in design, performance and safety.

Utrai is a professional brand of automotive electronics. Its main products are jump starters. The company covers more than 100 countries and regions, recognized and praised by consumers around the world. The brand is reliable.

This brand was established in 2015. It focuses on safety and efficiency in the automotive field. The brand is currently in the vast global automotive market and is committed to being the best companion on the road for its customers around the world.

Tacklife became a registered trademark in the United States in 2015. The brand aims to be seen in various items such as power tools, measuring and testing tools, hand tools, as well as automotive products in one place. This brand is reliable.

The Yaber brand is best known for its line of projectors. But thanks to an innovative product offering, the brand has expanded its business and it has also designed innovative technologies focused on automotive. This brand is reliable.

What is the price for a battery booster

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
50 £ to 100 £
Mid-range
100 £ to 150 £
High-end
more than 150 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Use your battery booster properly.

To start a vehicle with a battery booster, open the hood of the car to access its battery and then turn on the booster. Then connect the clamps of the booster to the terminals of your battery. The red and the black will be respectively connected to the + and - terminals of the battery. Let the booster work for a few minutes before starting the engine. Once behind the wheel, do not turn the car key for more than three seconds. If the vehicle does not start, repeat the operation, waiting 30 seconds after each attempt. Once your vehicle's engine is running, unplug and store your booster in a suitable place then drive for at least 20 min to fully recharge your vehicle's battery.

How to charge a battery booster

If you have just drained the last charge of your booster after priming your vehicle, you have two solutions to recharge it: either through a 230V outlet or from your car's cigarette lighter.

The storage conditions of a battery booster

The first thing to do is to charge your battery booster to 100% before storing it. After that, store it well in your car.

Use your battery booster as a 12V power source

Be aware that the current delivered will be very high (usually 6 to 8 A), so avoid powering small devices, components or low current circuits with a battery booster. This can cause small resistors and microchips to overheat. However, if your circuits are designed to handle this much power, by all means use your booster and equip yourself with shielded wires.

Never use a battery booster on a cracked or leaking battery

If the dead car battery is cracked or leaking, don't try to start the vehicle with the battery booster, as this could cause an explosion. It's probably time to replace your battery. If the terminals on any of the batteries are corroded, wipe them down (while wearing gloves to protect your hands) to make sure the clamps can make a solid connection.

FAQ

What is the best battery booster?

The best battery booster depends on your needs and budget. Read our buying guide for the best products available.

How often should I charge my battery booster?

Always recharge your portable battery booster after each use and at least once every 6 months. These starter batteries will lose their charge faster if left in the car in extreme temperatures. It is also recommended that you charge your booster before leaving on a long trip.

How long does a battery booster last?

In most cases, a battery booster will last an average of six years or a little longer. However, it all depends on how you maintain it.

How long does it take to recharge a battery booster?

The time it takes to charge your booster depends mostly on the capacity and power of the type of booster used, with a hybrid model taking only a few minutes to fully charge. On average, other types of boosters will take one to four hours to fully charge.

Is it necessary to replace the battery of my booster in case of wear?

If you know how to open and isolate the battery of your booster, it is possible to find one of the same brand on the internet or in a store, but you will quickly find that buying a new booster is less expensive than investing in a new battery.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. , distripro.net
  2. , vroomly.com
  3. , apres-vente-auto.com
  4. , planete-energies.com
  5. , regenebatt.com
  6. , bernarddebre.fr
  7. , bellengineering.net
  8. , toolnerds.com
  9. , autosimple.com
  10. , consumerreports.org
  11. , bfmtv.com
  12. , feuvert.fr
  13. , manomano.fr
  14. , amazon.co.uk
  15. , feuvert.fr
  16. , tranquille-life.fr
  17. , boosterbatterie.fr
  18. , pilesbatteries.com
  19. , cdiscount.com
  20. , leroymerlin.fr
  21. , toutpourlavoiture.fr
  22. , cdiscount.com
  23. , carter-cash.com
  24. , myadblue.fr
  25. , amazon.co.uk
  26. , castorama.fr
  27. , vroomly.com
  28. , shop.berner.eu
  29. , euro-expos.com
  30. , testeur-du-dimanche.fr
  31. , topchargeur-auto.fr
See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more
Our selection
Noco GB40 9
Noco GB40
BuTure Booster 10
BuTure Booster
Noco Boost Pro GB150 11
Noco Boost Pro GB150
Utrai Jstar5 12
Utrai Jstar5

Lecteurs

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