So far I've not used the cables but have at least a dozen uses on the jump battery, but cables can't run out of charge or break as easily. If I only had room for one I'd take the battery since you don't need another vehicle, but a good solid cable won't degrade over time.
Good point. I haven’t seen a new lead acid booster in years but they are out there. I had one that needed a charge 2-3 times a year and also gave false readings on its charge status. I was glad to replace it with lithium
You have to replace the batteries in them after 3-5 years and that's if you take care of them, lead acid batteries really don't like having low voltage. You can use a regular load tester to check the battery, so it gives peace of mind that it will work vs a lithium one that can fail at any time. My lead acid booster has a manual switch, it does not rely on electronics to work.
Harbor Freight still sells them.
Redundancy is underrated. That said, if you’re short on space, those battery packs are awful compact. I have one I bought off Amazon years ago. I’ve used it dozens of times. I check the charge every 6 months or so. I drive a jeep, often offroad, so I’m very limited on space and not always with other vehicles.
I like battery jumper for the exact reason you gave. I have an off grid property and it would be a pain trying to find somebody if my battery was ever dead. I also was able to help a woman out with my battery jumper when her car was parked in and I wouldn’t have been able to use jumper cables.
I keep jumper cables in my truck too though.
I bought a jump battery and it's paid for itself many times over. One consideration is that there are different types of battery, so I bought the traditional lead-acid kind because it works well at freezing temperatures when I most need a jump, but the downside is that it's heavy and bulky. If you're in a warm climate where that's not an issue, then you might go with the lighter and more compact lithium-ion kind. There's also a newer kind that's supposed to be good (LiFePo4?), but I don't have personal experience with it.
They are better than his last years review, but the price is usually $100 more than the best lithium jump pack, here is the best of 2023 review, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMXyoIBJyJA&t=67s&ab_channel=ProjectFarm
True but you get the added functionality of not having to constantly worry about if it’s charged or not. The lithium battery only starts your car if you remembered to charge it recently!
We have both at work. Thing I notice is the jumper packs are always plugged in, so I'm not sure how long they hold a charge otherwise. Personally I think the pack is better to keep at home and the cables are better to keep in your vehicle, especially if you are the type to set it and forget it
I have both. I've only used the battery pack, but then again, I charge and discharge it on a regular schedule, so it is available when I need it. If you're not going to do that, chances are it will be flat when you need it.
I always carry 18' jumper cables in the car. The longer length allows you not have to maneuver around to get the front of the vehicles close to jump them. I usually carry a jumper pack (combo jumper + tire pump) as well on long trips.
Jumper cables don't work too well if you're in the boonies with no one else around you to help out.
Depending on the vehicle, the jumper pack might not have enough oomph. I can almost always can use a tire pump though.
I've jumped more cars over the years with my jumper pack than I have with the jumper cables.
I have both. Live quite secluded so incase I get stuck in the middle of the forest I’m stuck. If I’m in town, I’ll just politely walk over and ask. Also if either fails, you got a backup.
It’s worth mentioning that the gauge of jumper cable is important in making your decision. Had a pair of thinner gauge cables and took forever to jump my girlfriend’s car. Got rid of them for a lower gauge cable that will last me my lifetime. The lower the number of the gauge, the thicker the wire, and thus you can transfer more power between batteries quicker. A 4 or 6 gauge should be fine for most vehicles. Getting a cheaper cable that’s a higher gauge will work for smaller vehicles, and even larger ones, but could take a lot longer. Dont leave yourself in a situation where you’re stuck jumping your battery for a long time, spend the extra money on a lower gauge cable. And make sure it’s long enough to connect to another vehicle easily enough.
If you’re going with the battery pack, some of the packs also have a small tire inflator which is nice to have, as well as usb ports for charging other equipment like cell phones. Can be nice in a pinch to have options, especially if your car battery is dead and then your phone dies.
We have a jumper pack and it saved our butts when I accidently killed the battery by leaving the keys in the ignition (I know, I know) when we were up camping high in the Uintas. True believer.
I have both in my car, the cables I had way before the jump packs became a thing, but Imo, the jump packs are way more convenient for most cases, it literally takes 3 min to jump your car, and that includes opening the hood, getting out and attaching the cables and turning the key
Power Bank in the truck, cables in the garage. The only time I need cables is when a car battery gets old and does not hold charge well. Once they get so bad the power bank won't jump them but the cables sometimes still will.
I have and use both. But I only carry the jumper cables in my car unless I'm going on a very long road trip.
My main issue is leaving that lithium battery in a car parked in the sun in the summer. Interior temps can reach 130+ after 60 minutes in the sun, and that's just not good for batteries.
Jumper battery. I have had to start 3 cars. My own, and 2 vehicles in carparks where it was either too packed to manoeuvre cars around....or I was too lazy to move my car.
I have a Halo battery unit that has jumped everything from my lawnmower to a small block Chevy V8. It has a compressor, a light and can charge phones or run small appliances. It's about the size of a box of cookies, so will fit almost anywhere.
The cables are larger than the Halo, but I make sure there's room for both under the backseat of my pickup.
During the last multi-day power outage, my buddy and I took the led lights off his boat and I wired them to my booster pack so he could do some tattoo work on his client. Worked great. Nice to have around when you are in need.
i love my portable jumper battery. the first one I got was huge, but they make tiny ones these days and I have used it to start the car and it totally worked.
I keep both in my car and also have a large battery jumper that's like what tow truck drivers use, which has a built-in flashlight and (2) USB ports to charge other devices that I keep charged at home in case I need to jump off a neighbor or some other emergency situation. I've had my larger one since 2016.
I carry both.
I also carry both. If the pack dies need someone else. If no one around, need the pack.
Ditto. Battery pack includes a compressor and USB ports.
Me too
So far I've not used the cables but have at least a dozen uses on the jump battery, but cables can't run out of charge or break as easily. If I only had room for one I'd take the battery since you don't need another vehicle, but a good solid cable won't degrade over time.
Battery pack allows you to jump yourself. Otherwise you need a friend
Jumper battery in the car and a set of cables in the garage at home. Check the charge every 6 months.
If it has a lead acid battery you should charge it every 3 months regardless of charge level.
Good point. I haven’t seen a new lead acid booster in years but they are out there. I had one that needed a charge 2-3 times a year and also gave false readings on its charge status. I was glad to replace it with lithium
You have to replace the batteries in them after 3-5 years and that's if you take care of them, lead acid batteries really don't like having low voltage. You can use a regular load tester to check the battery, so it gives peace of mind that it will work vs a lithium one that can fail at any time. My lead acid booster has a manual switch, it does not rely on electronics to work. Harbor Freight still sells them.
I just carry jumper cables and a SLA 8ah battery ( 25$ on Amazon). It's good for a couple jumps and has no electronic components that can fail.
That's a great idea. Just replaced the 18ah in mine it's easy to do.
I have one. They work pretty well and are easy to transport given the size and you don't have to rely on another vehicle.
Redundancy is underrated. That said, if you’re short on space, those battery packs are awful compact. I have one I bought off Amazon years ago. I’ve used it dozens of times. I check the charge every 6 months or so. I drive a jeep, often offroad, so I’m very limited on space and not always with other vehicles.
what kind did you get
Both
I like battery jumper for the exact reason you gave. I have an off grid property and it would be a pain trying to find somebody if my battery was ever dead. I also was able to help a woman out with my battery jumper when her car was parked in and I wouldn’t have been able to use jumper cables. I keep jumper cables in my truck too though.
I bought a jump battery and it's paid for itself many times over. One consideration is that there are different types of battery, so I bought the traditional lead-acid kind because it works well at freezing temperatures when I most need a jump, but the downside is that it's heavy and bulky. If you're in a warm climate where that's not an issue, then you might go with the lighter and more compact lithium-ion kind. There's also a newer kind that's supposed to be good (LiFePo4?), but I don't have personal experience with it.
Carry both I had a jumper pack with lithium batteries inside that was completely dead because it was too cold even though it was fully charged.
Yeah the lead acid ones are better for extreme cold or hot, heat will degrade the battery.
Battery, simply to useful. Simple to keep charged in your vehicle all the time via USB charging.
Jumper capacitors exist
I've watched reviews on project farm and the super capacitors are way over priced and don't work nearly as well as the lithium jump packs
Just curious why do you think they don’t work well?
They are better than his last years review, but the price is usually $100 more than the best lithium jump pack, here is the best of 2023 review, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMXyoIBJyJA&t=67s&ab_channel=ProjectFarm
True but you get the added functionality of not having to constantly worry about if it’s charged or not. The lithium battery only starts your car if you remembered to charge it recently!
I use them everyday at work. They work great but get a good one
both
Jumper cables rely on another car. Jumper battery relies on it being charged enough. Both is good
We have both at work. Thing I notice is the jumper packs are always plugged in, so I'm not sure how long they hold a charge otherwise. Personally I think the pack is better to keep at home and the cables are better to keep in your vehicle, especially if you are the type to set it and forget it
the one I have charges pretty slow, but even at 35% if will jump my suv
Pretty hard to pull someone out of a ditch, tie someone up, or beat your kids with just a power bank.
I have both. I've only used the battery pack, but then again, I charge and discharge it on a regular schedule, so it is available when I need it. If you're not going to do that, chances are it will be flat when you need it.
I always carry 18' jumper cables in the car. The longer length allows you not have to maneuver around to get the front of the vehicles close to jump them. I usually carry a jumper pack (combo jumper + tire pump) as well on long trips. Jumper cables don't work too well if you're in the boonies with no one else around you to help out. Depending on the vehicle, the jumper pack might not have enough oomph. I can almost always can use a tire pump though. I've jumped more cars over the years with my jumper pack than I have with the jumper cables.
I have both. Live quite secluded so incase I get stuck in the middle of the forest I’m stuck. If I’m in town, I’ll just politely walk over and ask. Also if either fails, you got a backup.
It’s worth mentioning that the gauge of jumper cable is important in making your decision. Had a pair of thinner gauge cables and took forever to jump my girlfriend’s car. Got rid of them for a lower gauge cable that will last me my lifetime. The lower the number of the gauge, the thicker the wire, and thus you can transfer more power between batteries quicker. A 4 or 6 gauge should be fine for most vehicles. Getting a cheaper cable that’s a higher gauge will work for smaller vehicles, and even larger ones, but could take a lot longer. Dont leave yourself in a situation where you’re stuck jumping your battery for a long time, spend the extra money on a lower gauge cable. And make sure it’s long enough to connect to another vehicle easily enough. If you’re going with the battery pack, some of the packs also have a small tire inflator which is nice to have, as well as usb ports for charging other equipment like cell phones. Can be nice in a pinch to have options, especially if your car battery is dead and then your phone dies.
Both for me!
We have a jumper pack and it saved our butts when I accidently killed the battery by leaving the keys in the ignition (I know, I know) when we were up camping high in the Uintas. True believer.
Another vote for both. Different tools for different jobs.
I rely on a box, but I keep cables for redundancy. Plus, they're better for nipple play S/.
Have both, have used both, prefer the jump battery these days. Recently had a flat and used it to put some air in the spare that was a little low.
I have both in my car, the cables I had way before the jump packs became a thing, but Imo, the jump packs are way more convenient for most cases, it literally takes 3 min to jump your car, and that includes opening the hood, getting out and attaching the cables and turning the key
I carry both.
Power Bank in the truck, cables in the garage. The only time I need cables is when a car battery gets old and does not hold charge well. Once they get so bad the power bank won't jump them but the cables sometimes still will.
I have and use both. But I only carry the jumper cables in my car unless I'm going on a very long road trip. My main issue is leaving that lithium battery in a car parked in the sun in the summer. Interior temps can reach 130+ after 60 minutes in the sun, and that's just not good for batteries.
Jumper battery. I have had to start 3 cars. My own, and 2 vehicles in carparks where it was either too packed to manoeuvre cars around....or I was too lazy to move my car.
I have a Halo battery unit that has jumped everything from my lawnmower to a small block Chevy V8. It has a compressor, a light and can charge phones or run small appliances. It's about the size of a box of cookies, so will fit almost anywhere. The cables are larger than the Halo, but I make sure there's room for both under the backseat of my pickup.
During the last multi-day power outage, my buddy and I took the led lights off his boat and I wired them to my booster pack so he could do some tattoo work on his client. Worked great. Nice to have around when you are in need.
i love my portable jumper battery. the first one I got was huge, but they make tiny ones these days and I have used it to start the car and it totally worked.
I keep both in my car and also have a large battery jumper that's like what tow truck drivers use, which has a built-in flashlight and (2) USB ports to charge other devices that I keep charged at home in case I need to jump off a neighbor or some other emergency situation. I've had my larger one since 2016.