The saviour in times of need: jump starters with power banks
If nothing works and you only hear the click of the starter relay instead of the powerful starter, the battery is most likely empty. Unlike before, however, you no longer need to organize jumper cables or jumper cables and a donor vehicle – just grab a mobile jump starter. Appropriate power banks are able to supply the vehicle battery or the on-board network with enough voltage to start the engine. In the Car Whiz test, we examined whether such jump starters are worth investing in.
Test winner of the Car Whiz jump starter test (2024): Dino Kraftpaket 12V-600A
The first-place mobile booster lives up to its name. A powerhouse that really is one: With over 6200mAh energy capacity, it is the strongest candidate in the test and helps even large units in transport and commercial vehicles get back on their feet. And with a weight of less than 900g when ready for use, it is incredibly light.
It impresses with good or very good performance in every test category. In the laboratory test, we measure a sustained starting current, whether at room or sub-zero temperatures. It also passes all safety tests – for spark protection, reverse polarity protection and short-circuit resistance. Only a more consistent manual mode would be desirable; with this setting, voltage is only applied to the terminals for around 30 seconds.
The excellent usability and workmanship of the device and the pole terminals leave nothing to be desired. The extensive scope of delivery with various adapters, a high-quality storage folder, charging accessories and a power adapter makes the Dino power pack the recommended test winner in the Car Whiz jump starter test.
Price-performance winner (2024): Topdon JS1200
The Jump Starter 1200 from Topdon is not only inexpensive, but a real alternative to higher-priced jump starters. With very good workmanship and usability and good results in the laboratory test, the price-performance winner achieved a grade of 2.0. The generous battery capacity of over 3200mAh is remarkable – but it is disappointing that the starting current is only available for about three and a half seconds at normal temperatures. At higher minus temperatures, it stops after just two seconds.
The manual mode reliably delivers juice for half a minute. A reliable power bank with a large battery that can jumpstart the car, act as a work lamp and charge small devices does not have to be a big investment, as Topdon proves in this test with the JS1200.
This is how Car Whiz tested the jump starters
Manufacturers advertise their jump start power banks with horrendous performance data and starting currents. In the Car Whiz test, we use various measurement and test methods to investigate which devices really help in the event of a breakdown and which cannot keep their promise.
First, the endurance was measured in the test laboratory at a starting current of 300A (based on the EN standard) and an ambient temperature of 20°C. And because the energy storage units of the four-wheelers often go into hibernation (often permanently), especially in the cold seasons, we repeated the test in a cold box at -12°C.
Image: Car Whiz/Leon Stoessinger
If the car battery is deeply discharged or broken, it can happen that it is not recognized by the microprocessor-controlled boosters. In order to be able to start the car anyway, the jump starter must have a manual mode. We have examined in detail whether and how well this is implemented in the test candidates. In the last part of the performance test, we also determined the amount of energy that can be extracted and checked the safety features.
Image: Car Whiz/Leon Stoessinger
In the practical test, we evaluated the commissioning by checking the weight (ready to start, including pole clamps), the complexity of the initial setup, and the operating instructions and safety instructions. All candidates received a “very good” rating here. We also concentrated on evaluating the usability of the jump starters. To do this, we measured the length of the pole clamps and the starting time, noted whether a carrying case was included, and evaluated the operation and workmanship of the device and pole clamps.
Everything included: Dino’s power pack comes with all possible adapters and a power plug in a high-quality storage case.
Image: Car Whiz/Leon Stoessinger
Finally, we assessed the features and functions.
Test results at a glance
With a score of 1.4 (very good), the Dino power pack has proven to be particularly useful. The largest battery capacity and the best performance values in the laboratory test, combined with the best equipment and very good usability, make the power pack – for private individuals and workshops alike – the ideal problem solver when there are bottlenecks with electrical energy in the vehicle’s electrical system. Even in sub-zero temperatures, the Dino booster reliably supplies energy-hungry starters in larger petrol and diesel engines with power.
Self-sufficient and comfortable: nothing more than the compact device is needed to bridge the gap.
Image: Car Whiz/Leon Stoessinger
A look at the other test results shows that the other models (with the exception of the Nexpow) also do their job “well”. The start-up and usability of all the jump start power banks tested is very similar. Apart from Hulkman and Nexpow, who do not supply a transport or storage bag, there are no manufacturers that have deficits in these test chapters. Incidentally, we did not notice any significant heating of the devices during the performance tests in the laboratory with any model.
A similar trend continues in the equipment and functions: All devices have an integrated charge level indicator, USB charging sockets and flashlight, are supplied with charging accessories and support any standard car battery. All also get points for the impeccable safety functions. Trucks with a 24V system or vintage cars with 6V systems cannot be supplied. Dino stands out with an included power supply and Hulkman with a very easy-to-read display.
More than just a gimmick: The integrated lamp not only helps you find the battery poles in the dark, but can also serve as a flashlight replacement.
Image: Car Whiz/Leon Stoessinger
Significant differences can be found in the results of our laboratory’s performance test. We were particularly surprised that at a normal ambient temperature of 20°C, only the power pack from Dino and the Boost Plus GB40 from Noco are able to deliver 300 amps of starting current for five seconds (over ten seconds for the Noco); the starting current for the other candidates stops after just a few seconds. At -12°C, only Dino and Osram deliver good results.
All devices are weighed ready to use. If you choose a large battery, you will have to accept an increased weight.
Image: Car Whiz/Leon Stoessinger
Last place goes to the jump start power bank from Nexpow, which is easy to use and has good features, but not great performance. At normal temperatures, the performance is poor (starting current stops after 2.5 seconds) and when measured at 20°C, the device fails after just one second. At least: With a high battery capacity and good features and workmanship, the weakest device still manages an overall score of 2.5 (satisfactory).
Conclusion of the Car Whiz jump starter test
The highly mobile jump starters are real all-rounders. They master their main task of breathing life back into tired cars – or rather their batteries – with flying colors (most of the time); independently, faster and with less stress than with jumper cables and a donor vehicle. The manufacturers Dino, Noco and Osram have particularly excelled with their long-lasting starting current performance.
Image: Car Whiz/Leon Stoessinger
But first aid in the event of a breakdown is not all that the energy bundles can do: The bright LED lamp serves as a flashlight replacement and has other functions such as an SOS or flashing mode. The USB outputs can also be used to supply cell phones and other devices with energy while on the move – because the pole terminals are removable from all devices, they can be used like a conventional, compact power bank.
The devices are not only a sensible investment for car drivers, for example to be covered on longer journeys, but also for drivers of classic cars, whose vehicles often need jump-starting after a long period of downtime, and also for boat owners.
Everything you need to know about jump starters
What is the best portable jump starter?
In the Car Whiz jump starter test, the power pack 12V-600A from Dino was the test winner due to its very good performance. The battery capacity is significantly higher than that of the other devices tested, the starting current is reliably strong in moderate and cold temperatures and the accessories supplied are very extensive.
How much can a mobile jump starter cost?
The cost of a mobile jump starter depends on the individual requirements of the device. If particularly high energy reserves are required and additional features are important, top devices such as the power pack 12V-600A from Dino will cost between €150 and €200. Cheaper but equally powerful devices such as the test winner JS1200 from Topdon are available for around €70.
Who needs a mobile jump starter?
Mobile jump starters are a sensible investment for car drivers, travelers, boaters, but also for workshops or for fleet maintenance.
