The Best Jumper Cables
Being stuck with a dead car battery can be a miserable experience. And unless someone has a pair of jumper cables, that car isn't going anywhere any time soon. That's why keeping a pair in your car can be a great way to quickly get out of a jam without the headache of having to call a tow truck. Check out our list of the best jumper cables below and find the ones that are right for you.
What to Look For
When choosing our favorite jumper cables, we looked for ones that suit various car batteries, are well made, and have convenient features for easy operation. For example, Thikpo’s G130 cables are extremely thick and durable, allowing them to jump even the largest engines. NoOne’s Smart-7 Protector jumper cables, on the other hand, feature a nifty LCD screen that monitors battery voltage during jumping. Keep on reading to learn more about our favorite jumper cables.
Thikpo G130 Jumper Cables
Durable meets dependable
Powerful cars need more electricity to get them started, and Thikpo’s G130 jumper cables can provide just that. Made with thick, 1-gauge wires, they support a 1,000-amp peak current that will start large vans, SUVs, and diesel engines. They’re covered in double-deck rubber that gives them solid weatherproofing and durability. Best yet, these jumper cables are 30 feet long, giving you plenty of wire to connect the two car batteries.
Pros:
- We love the extra length of these jumper cables, allowing you to reach cars that would otherwise be inaccessible.
- They’re beefy and durable, giving you confidence that they’ll hold up to the job and won’t fall apart.
Cons:
- These cables are on the pricier side due to the extra heavy-duty design.
NoOne Smart-6 Protector Jumper Cables
Green means great
NoOne’s cables make it easy to tell if you’re jumping your car correctly. With their Smart-6 Protector, these cables have a green LED that lights up when everything is hooked up properly (and a red LED for when they’re not). The cables themselves are wrapped in premium PVC that resists the cold, meaning resists cracking through all types of weather. And to ensure your safety, the four clamps have been coated with rubber to insulate them and prevent accidental electrocution.
Pros:
- The teeth on each of the four clamps are jagged and durable to help them stay in place once they’ve been connected.
- The Smart-6 Protector feature is fantastic for those who are less familiar with using jumper cables.
Cons:
- The thick PVC coating does a great job at protecting the cables but also makes them a bit stiffer than we’d prefer.
Energizer Jumper Cables
Ready for the road
If you need dependable jumper cables that are capable of withstanding even the freezing cold, this set from Energizer has you covered. Protected by a thick vinyl coating, they are flexible and reliable in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius. Their 16-foot length makes it easier to reach from one car to another without having to turn them face to face. And to help you store them, these cables come with a convenient carry case that fits easily under the seat.
Pros:
- The round carrying case perfectly fits these cables and makes storage extremely easy.
- We love that these cables are designed to be reliable in extremely cold weather.
Cons:
- The clamps on these cables may be a bit finicky when putting them on the connectors, but they’ll hold once put in the right position.
Amazon Basics Jumper Cables
Small vehicle approved
Amazon Basics’ jumper cables get the job done without the need for extra frills. Their 10-gauge wires make them suitable for small cars that don’t need nearly as much amperage to get started. Their alligator clamps have strong springs to help them stay in place once connected, and they have grooves in the handles for easier gripping. And because they’re designed with smaller cars in mind, these cables are much lighter weight and extremely affordable.
Pros:
- We love how affordable these cables are, especially when considering how well they’ve been designed.
- They are clearly labeled and have directions included in the packaging to help ensure you connect them in the appropriate order.
Cons:
- Because these cables are lightweight, they’re not designed to jump larger vans or SUVs.
NoOne Smart-7 Protector Jumper Cables
Stay informed
More information can help ensure things are working properly, and NoOne’s Smart-7 Protector jumper cables have a voltmeter to give you just that. With a built-in LCD screen, it can help you monitor the voltage running across the cables and even alert you if there are any issues with the connection. The cables are made with thick, 4-gauge wires that can provide a higher and more stable current than others so you can jump SUVs and full-sized cars with confidence.
Pros:
- The 20-foot length gives you a little more playing room than other cables and may provide you with the few extra feet you need in a jam.
- The thicker and heavier gauge wire is reliable and provides a consistent current, allowing you to jump larger cars more easily.
Cons:
- While these cables are super durable, the red and black cables shouldn’t be pulled apart or they may not work properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do gauge sizes affect jumper cables’ capabilities?
Jumper cables come in a variety of gauges from 1 to 12. One-gauge cables are thicker and heavier duty, capable of passing high currents across them safely. On the other end of the spectrum, 12-gauge cables are the lightest, having much thinner wires that are only suited for small vehicles that require less electricity. It is extremely important to use the appropriate cable for your car or things won’t work as expected.
What is the appropriate order to attach jumper cables?
Improperly attaching jumper cables can be hazardous and lead to a flurry of sparks flying in your face. To safely do so, you should first connect one of the red clamps to the positive side of the dead battery. Next, attach the other red clamp to the positive side of the working battery. Finally, connect a black clamp to the negative side of the working battery and the other to a stationary, unpainted piece of metal on the car to ground it.
About the Author
Why Trust Us
With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.