Car Battery Booster Buying Guide: Features & Specifications

Battery boosters, also known as jump packs or jump starters, are an essential tool for any garage owner or DIY enthusiast, especially during winter. 

Increased load is placed on batteries during the colder months and, often, this renders them useless and unable to start the vehicle. This is where a battery booster comes to the rescue, supplying enough power to your flat battery to get the vehicle moving once more. It’s important to note that battery boosters are a quick fix. They won’t restore the health of your battery if it’s past its best. For that, you need a dedicated battery charger, or perhaps a new battery.

But, before buying one you might have questions such as ‘what size battery booster do I need’?

This buying guide has everything you need to know to make sure you pick the right one. 

How to Choose the Right Battery Booster For a Car 

Let’s take a look at the key features of a battery booster to help you work out which model is right for your requirements

What Size Booster Pack Do I Need? 

When considering what size jump starter you need, it helps to know that smaller petrol vehicles generally require less starting power, while larger diesel engines and commercial vehicles need it to be much higher. 

To give you an idea:

• Small petrol cars (4-cylinder): around 200 – 400 cranking amps 
• Larger petrol engines (6 cylinder): around 400 – 600 cranking amps 
• Diesel vehicles and SUVs: 600 – 1000+ cranking amps 
• Commercial vehicles and trucks: high-capacity 24v units with very high peak amps 

But, if you’re still not sure, it’s better to have more power than you require rather than less. 

You should also consider whether you are looking for a more compact lightweight model that’s easily portable, or a larger machine that can jump start more vehicles without needing to be recharged. Size and weight are key factors to consider, as the smaller your jump pack, the less juice it’s likely to have (although battery technology is progressing at a rapid rate). 

What Output Voltage Should I Look For?  

You also need to check the output voltage. Are you expecting to jump start 6v, 12v or 24v vehicles? The majority of vehicles use 12v batteries so, as you’d expect, most jump starters are built to work with 12v batteries too. There are options out there to suit larger commercial vehicles using 24v batteries, so make sure you choose a jump pack that’s appropriate for your needs. 

What is the Boost Peak Rate and Cranking Rate? 

The higher these numbers, the more power the battery booster has. Essentially, for smaller, 4-cylinder petrol engines, a cranking rate of around 200 amps should suffice. The larger the engine, the higher this number needs to be. 8-cylinder diesels, for instance, will demand a cranking rate of around 700 amps. 

What Battery Capacity do I Require? 

Measured in Ah, the higher this figure, the longer the jump pack’s battery is likely to last. If you’re expecting to jump start a number of vehicles each day and don’t want to have to charge the booster regularly, go for a larger battery capacity (20 Ah or higher). 

Lithium vs Lead Acid Battery Boosters 

There are both lithium and lead acid battery boosters, so which one is right for you? 

Lithium Battery Booster 

Lithium jump starters are increasingly popular because they are: 

• Lightweight and compact 
• Fast charging 
• Easy to store 
• Powerful for their size 
• Ideal for everyday drivers 

Lead Acid Battery Boosters 

• Larger and heavier 
• More affordable 
• Suitable for repeated use 
• Reliable for commercial applications 

If you’re looking for a portable battery booster then lithium is best for you. However, if you’re looking for one that is durable and can be used regularly then traditional lead acid is the better option.

Safety Features to Look For 

Modern battery boosters include a range of safety systems designed to protect both the user and the vehicle.

Look out for features such as:  These 

• Reverse polarity protection 
• Short circuit protection 
• Spark-proof clamps 
• Overheat protection 
• Automatic shut-off systems 

These features can help prevent accidental damage and make the jump-starting process much safer. 

What should I Consider About Brand and Warranty?  

This one should go without saying, but make sure you choose a product from a reliable, trusted brand – preferably one that offers a warranty as standard. Our SIP products have a 12-month warranty as standard.  Modern

Find Your Perfect Battery Booster

Find the ideal car battery booster from our expansive range online. We deliver nationwide, and your equipment could be with you in just two to three working days.