The 5 Best Jump Starters For Any Kind Of Engine (Including Diesel)

When making a basic emergency preparedness kit for a car, one of the first things most people look for is a jump starter. An engine that you can’t start can entirely derail your trip and leave you stranded, but having a way to jump your car can get you going in no time. One of the most cost-effective ways to jump your car is with jumper cables. But the usefulness of jumper cables is entirely dependent upon your ability to flag down another car to give you a boost. Without another car, jumper cables are basically glorified jump ropes. For most people who travel along well-trafficked city roads and freeways, this won’t be a problem. But if you live somewhere where another motorist might not pass by for a few hours, you may need a better alternative.

One way is with a portable jump starter. They’re basically like a giant portable charger, except they can power much more than your phone (though many of them have USB ports, so they can do that, too). That means you can jump your car without anyone else’s help. Owners of diesel cars are probably well aware of the special considerations that go into a diesel engine, like the higher cranking current required to start it. Fortunately, many portable jump starters have enough power to jump a diesel engine. We’ve rounded up a few powerful and compact portable jump starters for gas and diesel cars. Many of the options on this list are small enough to fit in your glove compartment, so you won’t have to think about them until you need to use them. These are the ones to order today — after all, you never know when you’ll need it.