Cold weather
The Best Portable Jump Starters for Cold Weather (2027)
Jump starters that work when it is freezing in 2027: low-temperature ratings and winter storage tips.
The short answer
The NOCO Boost Plus GB40 is rated to minus 22 F, making it the best cold-weather pick for most cars. In extreme cold with a big engine, the NOCO Boost HD GB70 adds the extra cranking headroom winter demands.
Our top picks at a glance
- NOCO Boost Plus GB40The benchmark 1000-amp jump starter.Best cold rating
- NOCO Boost HD GB702000 amps for trucks and diesels.Best cold power
- Hulkman Alpha852000 amps with a driver-friendly display.Best winter display
- Gooloo GT4000S4000 amps for the biggest gas and diesel engines.Best max cranking power
- AstroAI S8 Ultra3500 amps with smart-cable protection.Best value high-amp
- Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry JNC660The shop-grade lead-acid workhorse.Best shop-grade
- Schumacher SL16721000-amp lithium jump starter and power bank from a shop-trusted brand.Best all-season lithium
- NOCO Boost Pro GB150A 3000-amp lithium booster rated for big gas engines and mid-size diesels.High-output pack for cold cranks
What owners report
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- Extra cranking headroom compensates for thick oil and a cold battery drawing more at once
- Keeping the pack in the cab and checking it monthly becomes a simple winter habit for owners
Common complaints
- Even a winter capable pack performs worse after a night in an exposed truck bed
- Cold makes cables stiffer and gloves make clamp handling clumsier at the roadside
The picks, ranked
Every product in this lineup was picked for this use case, ranked with our strongest choices first. If a product from the wider category does not genuinely fit this scenario, it is not listed here.
| # | Product | Award | Peak current | Gas engines | Diesel engines | Safety | Low-temp rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NOCO Boost Plus GB40 | Best cold rating | 1000 amps | Up to 6.0L | Up to 3.0L | Spark-proof, reverse-polarity protection | Minus 22 F |
| 2 | NOCO Boost HD GB70 | Best cold power | 2000 amps | Up to 8.0L | Up to 6.0L | Spark-proof, reverse-polarity protection | - |
| 3 | Hulkman Alpha85 | Best winter display | 2000 amps | Up to 8.5L | Up to 6.0L | - | - |
| 4 | Gooloo GT4000S | Best max cranking power | 4000 amps | - | - | 10-protection smart cables | - |
| 5 | AstroAI S8 Ultra | Best value high-amp | 3500 amps | - | - | 8-protection smart cables | - |
| 6 | Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry JNC660 | Best shop-grade | 1700 amps | - | - | - | - |
| 7 | Schumacher SL1672 | Best all-season lithium | 1000 amps | - | - | - | - |
| 8 | NOCO Boost Pro GB150 | High-output pack for cold cranks | 3000A | Up to 9.0L | Up to 7.0L | - | - |
Best cold rating
NOCO Boost Plus GB40
The benchmark 1000-amp jump starter.
Rated down to minus 22 F, the GB40 is explicitly built for winter trunks and still delivers its 1000 peak amps when it counts.
Strengths
- 1000 peak amps start gas engines up to 6.0L and diesels up to 3.0L
- Spark-proof connections and reverse-polarity protection
- Doubles as a USB power bank for phones
- Rated to operate down to minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit
Limitations
- Not enough for big diesel trucks
- Single USB output is slow by modern fast-charge standards
- Premium price versus generic 1000-amp units
| Peak current | 1000 amps |
|---|---|
| Gas engines | Up to 6.0L |
| Diesel engines | Up to 3.0L |
| Safety | Spark-proof, reverse-polarity protection |
| Low-temp rating | Minus 22 F |
Best for: Most drivers with gas engines up to 6.0L who want the proven safe pick.
Skip if: You drive a large diesel or want the absolute highest peak amps.
Best cold power
NOCO Boost HD GB70
2000 amps for trucks and diesels.
2000 peak amps give the headroom that cold-thickened oil demands, in the same winter-rated NOCO platform.
Strengths
- 2000 peak amps handle gas engines up to 8.0L and diesels up to 6.0L
- Same spark-proof safety system as the GB40
- 56 watt-hours of capacity runs accessories longer
- Rugged housing built for shop and trunk abuse
Limitations
- Heavier and bulkier than compact models
- Overkill for a 4-cylinder commuter car
- Premium price
| Peak current | 2000 amps |
|---|---|
| Gas engines | Up to 8.0L |
| Diesel engines | Up to 6.0L |
| Battery capacity | 56 watt-hours |
| Safety | Spark-proof, reverse-polarity protection |
Best for: Truck, SUV, and diesel owners who need serious cranking power.
Skip if: You drive a small car and want the lightest unit possible.
Best winter display
Hulkman Alpha85
2000 amps with a driver-friendly display.
The smart display shows exactly how much charge remains before you need it, removing winter guesswork, with IP65 sealing against slush and road spray.
Strengths
- 2000 peak amps for gas engines up to 8.5L and diesels up to 6.0L
- Smart display shows battery level and status clearly
- 65W two-way fast charging for laptops and phones
- IP65-rated housing resists dust and water
Limitations
- Larger than compact 1000-amp units
- Newer brand with a shorter track record than NOCO
- Premium price
| Peak current | 2000 amps |
|---|---|
| Gas engines | Up to 8.5L |
| Diesel engines | Up to 6.0L |
| USB charging | 65W two-way fast charge |
| Ingress rating | IP65 |
Best for: Drivers who want big power plus clear status readouts and fast device charging.
Skip if: You want the longest-established brand name in the category.
Best max cranking power
Gooloo GT4000S
4000 amps for the biggest gas and diesel engines.
Cold engines need headroom, and 4000A of peak current is the most headroom here. A pack running far below its limit on a freezing morning is the one that still turns the engine over.
Strengths
- 4000A peak current handles up to 10.0L gas and 8.0L diesel
- Smart jumper cables with 10 safety protections
- 100-lumen LED with strobe and SOS modes
- USB quick-charge output for devices
Limitations
- Larger and heavier than compact starters
- Overkill for small cars
- Display is basic
| Peak current | 4000 amps |
|---|---|
| Engine rating | Up to 10.0L gas, 8.0L diesel |
| Safety | 10-protection smart cables |
| Light | 100-lumen LED with SOS |
| USB output | Quick-charge USB ports |
Best for: Truck and large SUV owners, including big diesels.
Skip if: You drive a small car and want the lightest pack.
Best value high-amp
AstroAI S8 Ultra
3500 amps with smart-cable protection.
3500A rated for engines up to 8.0L gas and 6.0L diesel leaves generous margin when oil thickens and battery output falls, which is the whole cold weather problem in one pack.
Strengths
- 3500A peak current for up to 8.0L gas and 6.0L diesel
- Smart cables with 8 safety protections
- Bright LED with steady, strobe, and SOS modes
- Doubles as a power bank for devices
Limitations
- Bulkier than compact lithium models
- No digital percentage display on the base trim
- Brand support is thinner than NOCO or Clore
| Peak current | 3500 amps |
|---|---|
| Engine rating | Up to 8.0L gas, 6.0L diesel |
| Safety | 8-protection smart cables |
| Light | LED with steady, strobe, and SOS |
| USB output | Device charging ports |
Best for: Drivers who want high peak amps without the premium price.
Skip if: You need the absolute smallest pack.
Best shop-grade
Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry JNC660
The shop-grade lead-acid workhorse.
Lead-acid stamina is a winter virtue in a garage or fleet yard: the 22Ah JNC660 keeps delivering long cranks for repeated attempts on the mornings a diesel refuses to catch.
Strengths
- 1700 peak amps from a 22Ah sealed lead-acid battery
- Sustained cranking power for repeated start attempts
- Heavy-duty clamps and cables built for shop use
- Decades-long reputation with professional mechanics
Limitations
- Much heavier than lithium models
- Lead-acid needs regular recharge maintenance
- No USB device charging
| Peak current | 1700 amps |
|---|---|
| Battery | 12V 22Ah sealed lead-acid |
| Cranking amps | 425 |
| Clamps | Heavy-duty industrial grade |
| Use case | Shop, fleet, and home garage |
Best for: Garages, fleets, and anyone who wants old-school cranking stamina.
Skip if: You want pocketable lithium portability or USB charging.
Best all-season lithium
Schumacher SL1672
1000-amp lithium jump starter and power bank from a shop-trusted brand.
Schumacher's all-season lithium pick pairs 1000A with a rugged impact resistant housing built for trunk life through winter, backed by a shop brand service network.
Strengths
- 1000A peak current for confident starts on cars, SUVs, and trucks
- Doubles as a power bank for phones and other devices
- Rugged housing survives trunk and garage life
- Schumacher service network backs the warranty
Limitations
- Lower peak output than 2000A-class rivals
- No built-in compressor
- Display is simpler than premium rivals
| Peak current | 1000 amps |
|---|---|
| Battery | Lithium-ion |
| Function | Jump starter and power bank |
| USB output | Device charging ports |
| Build | Rugged impact-resistant housing |
Best for: Drivers who want shop-grade cranking in a lithium pack.
Skip if: You need maximum peak amps for oversized diesel engines.
High-output pack for cold cranks
NOCO Boost Pro GB150
A 3000-amp lithium booster rated for big gas engines and mid-size diesels.
Cold oil and a cold battery both cut cranking power, so the GB150's 3000-amp ceiling is the point: it keeps reserve in hand on the mornings when a smaller pack would be working at its limit, and the 500-lumen light helps during dark winter breakdowns.
Strengths
- 3000 peak amps start gas engines up to 9.0 liters and diesels up to 7.0 liters
- Spark-proof connections and reverse polarity protection make a wrong hookup a non-event
- 500-lumen LED flashlight handles night breakdowns without a second tool
- Doubles as a USB power bank for phones and tablets on the road
Limitations
- Noticeably larger and heavier than compact commuter boosters
- Premium price tier compared with the rest of the NOCO Boost line
- More output than a small four-cylinder car will ever use
| Peak current | 3000A |
|---|---|
| Gas engines | Up to 9.0L |
| Diesel engines | Up to 7.0L |
| Flashlight | 500-lumen LED |
| Protection | Spark-proof, reverse polarity |
Sources: Amazon listing, CamelCamelCamel, NOCO product documentation
Best for: Truck, SUV, and diesel owners who want one booster with serious headroom for cold starts.
Skip if: You only drive a small commuter car; a compact booster covers that job at a fraction of the size.
Questions, answered
Can I leave a jump starter in a freezing car?
Winter-rated lithium units tolerate it, but all batteries perform better warm. Bring the unit inside during extreme cold snaps when possible.
Why do cars need more power to start in winter?
Engine oil thickens and battery chemistry slows in the cold, so the starter draws more current while the battery delivers less. That double penalty is why winter needs headroom.
How often should I recharge in winter?
Check monthly in winter. Cold accelerates self-discharge, and a half-charged pack may not deliver its rated amps on the coldest morning.
Will a jump starter work at minus 20?
Units rated for it, like the GB40 at minus 22 F, will. Unrated generic packs often cannot deliver their claimed amps in deep cold.