Best portable car jump starters

Top pick: NOCO Boost Plus GB40 — the safest bet for most drivers. It's the one with a long track record (4.6 from nearly 2,000 ratings), starts gas engines up to 6.0L and diesels to 3.0L, and holds up to 20 jumps per charge. Small enough to live in the glovebox.

Who the others suit:

• Noco Boost X GBX45 — same brand, newer and more powerful (1,250A, 6.5L petrol); pick it for a bigger engine or a newer unit.
• AstroAI S8 — light and simple for a small car or occasional use.
• Buture Beta07 / JFEGWO CS02-Plus — if you also want a built-in tire inflator, so one box does both jobs.
• Lectron 4000A — trucks, vans and big-displacement engines.
• GOOLOO A3 Lite — a compact air-compressor combo for tight storage.

Check the amp rating and engine size against your vehicle before buying; the peak-amp claims on budget units are optimistic.