Lithium-ion jump starters have made carrying a set of jumper cables and hoping for a friendly stranger almost unnecessary, condensing what used to require a bulky lead-acid battery pack into something that fits in a glove box. Safety features like spark-proof connection and reverse-polarity protection matter here more than in most car accessories, since you’re dealing with enough current to start an engine.

These eight brands are worth keeping in your trunk, whether you’re buying your first jump starter or replacing an old one that’s stopped holding a charge.

NOCO Boost

NOCO’s Boost lineup, including the GB40 and GB70 models, has become one of the most recommended lithium jump starter lines, built around the company’s UltraSafe technology, which NOCO markets around spark-proof connections and reverse-polarity protection, according to the product’s own listed safety features. NOCO has built its broader business around battery charging and jump-starting technology specifically, per the company’s own company background, rather than treating jump starters as a side product line. The Boost series spans multiple sizes rated for different engine displacements, from compact models for smaller gas engines up to larger units rated for diesel trucks, giving buyers a size that actually matches their vehicle rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

DeWalt

DeWalt’s jump starters extend the brand’s broader reputation in power tools and battery technology into the automotive jump starter category, and the brand’s name recognition for durable, job-site-rated equipment carries some weight for buyers who already trust DeWalt batteries and chargers in other contexts. DeWalt’s jump starter units typically include additional features like a built-in air compressor or USB charging ports, positioning them as a multi-function roadside kit rather than a single-purpose jump starter. For anyone who already owns DeWalt tools and batteries, sticking with the same brand for a jump starter keeps the buying decision simple, even if the core jump-starting technology isn’t meaningfully different from dedicated automotive brands.

Stanley

Stanley has a long history in the automotive tool and jump starter category specifically, predating the more recent wave of compact lithium-ion jump starters with older, bulkier lead-acid jump starter units that many drivers may still remember from a parent’s trunk. Stanley’s newer lithium models have followed the broader industry shift toward smaller, lighter jump starters, while retaining the brand’s reputation for straightforward, no-frills functionality. Stanley jump starters tend to be priced competitively at big-box retailers, making them an accessible option for buyers who recognize the name from other automotive tools and want a similarly reliable jump starter without paying for a more feature-heavy premium brand.

Schumacher

Schumacher has built a long-standing reputation specifically in battery chargers and jump starters, and the brand’s lithium jump starter lineup benefits from decades of experience in battery charging electronics more broadly. Schumacher’s jump starters are commonly sold at auto parts stores and big-box retailers, and the brand’s pricing tends to sit in the accessible-to-mid range relative to some of the more premium-positioned competitors. For drivers who want a dedicated automotive brand’s jump starter rather than a general power-tool company’s version, Schumacher’s specific focus on battery products gives it a narrower but arguably more relevant expertise than a broader tool brand.

Antigravity Batteries

Antigravity Batteries has built a strong following in the performance and off-road community for its lithium jump starter and battery products, with a reputation for higher power output relative to size that’s made it popular among owners of larger trucks, off-road vehicles, and diesel engines that need more cranking amps than a compact consumer jump starter typically provides. Antigravity’s jump starters are commonly recommended in truck and off-road enthusiast forums specifically for that higher-output positioning, though they tend to be priced at a premium reflecting the more specialized, higher-capacity design. For owners of larger vehicles who’ve found consumer-grade jump starters underpowered, Antigravity is a frequently cited step up.

Black+Decker

Black+Decker’s jump starters bring the brand’s broad consumer recognition from power tools and household products into the automotive category, and the company’s jump starter units are commonly found at big-box retailers alongside its other automotive accessories like tire inflators and battery chargers. Black+Decker’s positioning leans toward the accessible, mainstream end of the market rather than the more specialized performance positioning of a brand like Antigravity, making it a reasonable default choice for a driver who wants a recognizable, trusted brand without needing to research a more specialized automotive-only company. Pricing tends to be competitive with other mainstream jump starter brands at similar capacity ratings.

Autokraft

Autokraft has built a presence specifically in the jump starter category through wide online marketplace availability, positioned as a value option relative to more established brands like NOCO or Schumacher. Autokraft’s jump starters are commonly found bundled with additional features like built-in flashlights and USB charging ports, similar to the broader trend across budget jump starter brands of adding extra utility functions to differentiate from competitors. For buyers primarily shopping by price who still want basic safety features like reverse-polarity protection, Autokraft is one of the more commonly available budget options through online retailers.

GOOJODOQ

GOOJODOQ has built a presence in the budget lithium jump starter segment primarily through online marketplace sales, offering compact units at price points below many of the more established automotive-specific brands on this list. As with other budget-tier jump starter brands, it’s worth specifically verifying that a given model includes standard safety features like spark-proof connection and reverse-polarity protection before buying, since budget brands in this category can vary more in build quality than the more established names. For drivers who mainly want a compact backup jump starter to keep in the glovebox for occasional use rather than frequent heavy-duty jump-starting, a budget option like this can be a reasonable low-commitment purchase, provided the safety features are clearly listed.