Any time you hit the road, whether you’re taking a short or long trip, it’s a good idea to have backups handy. A spare or backup tire, some anti-freeze, windshield wash fluid, a road hazard kit, and, ...

️ Editor's note: This product category requires new testing about once a year. We'll update this article with the most recent information when it's available. This article was updated in December 2025 ...

The best examples tested and rated by CAR’s product experts A jump starter is undeniably the sort of product that you hope you’ll never need but will be glad you have should the situation call for it.

You get back to your car after a "quick" errand, turn the key, and the battery gives you nothing but a lonely click. You look around for help, but the parking lot is empty already. Now it's just you, ...

A jump starter can pay for itself the first time that you use it, without waiting around for a tow truck. Between the invention of the self starter and the end of the 20th Century, the best portable ...

Jump starters typically have the same voltage as most car batteries: 12. The range of amps is much wider, though, to fit the gulf of requirements among all types of cars. For example, a small sedan ...

You're living life on the edge if you're driving around without a portable jump starter in your vehicle. Even if you've got a brand-new car and/or a battery, there's always the risk of your engine not ...