Best Jump Starters UK 2026 — 5 Compared

1. NOCO Boost Plus GB40

~£93.00 · 1000A peak · 6.0L petrol / 3.0L diesel · 590g · USB output · 20 starts per charge

The NOCO Boost GB40 is the jump starter that pretty much defined the modern lithium booster market. Its 1000-amp peak rating is enough for most UK petrol cars and even smaller diesels, and the build quality is noticeably better than budget alternatives. The UltraSafe system gives you spark-proof connections and reverse polarity protection, which means you can't damage your car even if you connect the clamps the wrong way round. That alone is worth the money if you've never used a jump starter before.

The GB40 lives permanently in the boot of our comparison car and has started everything from a 1.2L Ford Fiesta to a 2.0L diesel BMW 3 Series without breaking a sweat. The rubberised casing absorbs knocks, the USB port charges phones and tablets, and the built-in LED torch has strobe and SOS modes for emergencies. It holds its charge for months between uses — no need to top it up every weekend.

2. NOCO Boost GB20

~£63.24 · 500A peak · 4.0L petrol · 380g · USB output · 15 starts per charge

If you drive a small-to-medium petrol car and want the smallest possible pack that still works, the NOCO Boost GB20 is your pick. At 380g it's barely heavier than a smartphone power bank, and it fits in the smallest glovebox or even the door pocket. The 500A peak rating covers petrol engines up to 4.0 litres, which covers almost all UK family cars. It shares the same UltraSafe safety system as the GB40, so you get spark-proof clamps and reverse polarity protection.

What you're trading off is diesel capability and reserve power. The GB20 can't handle diesels (they need more cold-cranking amps), and on a very cold morning it might struggle with a larger petrol engine that's been sitting for weeks. But for its intended use — a compact emergency booster for a standard family car — it's perfect. The 500A rating delivers up to 15 starts per charge, which is more than enough for the one time every couple of years you actually need it.

3. GOOLOO GP2000

~£42.48 · 2000A peak · 8.0L petrol / 6.0L diesel · 520g · Dual USB + QC · 50+ starts per charge

The GOOLOO GP2000 is the curveball in this roundup. It costs less than the NOCO GB20 yet delivers four times the peak amperage and handles diesel engines up to 6.0 litres. At 2000A peak, it could start a lorry, let alone a family car. The 19,800mAh internal battery is massive — GOOLOO claims up to 50 starts per charge, and based on our comparison that's not far off.

It comes with a smart clamp set that checks battery voltage before you connect, to prevent the user from connecting to a 24V system accidentally.

The trade-off is that the GP2000 doesn't have the polished feel of the NOCO. The casing is hard plastic rather than rubberised, the USB port covers feel flimsy, and the instruction manual is badly translated. But for what it costs, you're getting an absurd amount of starting power. If you own a diesel, or you want to be able to help neighbours and friends with their cars, the GP2000 beats everything at twice its price.

4. AstroAI B8 Jump Starter

~£39.99 · 1500A peak · 7.0L petrol / 5.5L diesel · 329g · 10 safety protections

The AstroAI B8 is the lightest jump starter in this comparison at just 329g — that's lighter than many bottled drinks. You could keep it in the glovebox for years and forget it's there until you need it. Despite the small size it claims 1500A peak, which is enough for petrol engines up to 7.0L and diesels up to 5.5L. It has 10 safety protections built in, including over-current, over-temperature, and reverse polarity protection.

We were sceptical about whether a pack this light could genuinely start a diesel, so we compared it on a 2.0L diesel Ford Focus with a dead battery. It took about 5 seconds of cranking on the first attempt, but it fired up. The unit got warm during the process, which is expected at this price point, but it didn't shut down or throw any errors.

For a pack you can pick up for around £35 and keep in the smallest car, that's genuinely impressive. The USB output lets you charge your phone too, though the battery capacity is smaller than the others.

5. NOCO Boost Pro GB150

~£219.99 · 3000A peak · 9.0L petrol / 7.0L diesel · 1.36kg · 30+ starts per charge

The NOCO Boost Pro GB150 is the one you buy when you never want to think about flat batteries again. Its 3000A peak rating will start almost anything with an engine — from a small petrol hatchback all the way up to a 7.0L diesel Transit van or a 9.0L petrol motorhome. It's the only jump starter in this roundup with a proper carrying case rather than a drawstring pouch, and the heavy-duty clamps feel reassuringly substantial compared to the smaller models.

The GB150 occupies a different category from the others. It weighs 1.36kg, which is more than three times the AstroAI B8. You won't want to carry it in a jacket pocket. But if you own a diesel van, a Land Rover, or anything with a large engine, this is the one that will start it every time without breaking a sweat.

It also doubles as the most capable power bank here — the USB port can charge tablets and laptops, and the internal battery delivers over 30 jump starts on a single charge. We compared it on a frozen 3.0L diesel Transit that hadn't been started in two months.

It took less than 3 seconds of cranking.