NOCO Boost GB40 review: compact jump starter with serious power for cars and vans (aff)
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The NOCO Boost GB40 is a compact jump starter with impressive cranking power and simple design tested on real vehicles
If you've ever been stranded because your car has a flat battery, there's a good chance you'll already own one of these. If you don't own one, you really should.
The trouble with cars is you never know when they're going to let you down. And these portable jump packs are a great accessory to have with you. They don't take up a lot of space, they're not very heavy, and they could get you or the next stranded motorist you pass out of a pickle.
I've tested plenty of them, from big brands to unbranded bargain versions, and the latest one I've been living with is the NOCO Boost GB40.
NOCO is a very established brand in this space, and huge in the USA. You'll find their products in most motor factors and Halfords, but the best deal I've found for the GB40 is on Amazon, which currently has it for £100.41.
That puts it at the premium end of the spectrum when it comes to quality jump packs, but it certainly has some solid credentials to back up its price.
Despite it being quite small (it weighs just over a kilo) it's capable of starting a six-litre petrol engine, or a three-litre diesel engine. That's some serious cranking power for a small unit.
It has an integrated 100-lumen torch, which is really handy, and a useful (if rather slow) USB-A output, so it can be used as a power bank.
It's also waterproof, shielded from impacts with its tough rubber mouldings, and the clamps are a decent size and spark-proof.
It's simple to use, too. There's a really neat LED indicator, and no complex settings to muck about with. Just connect it to your car, start it up, and remove it again. You don't even need to get the polarity right, it figures that out for you.
To recharge it, you connect it to a USB-C source. While it's nice to see a modern connector, it's a shame it only handles a 10 watt input. It means a full recharge takes three hours. Not a deal-breaker, but there are faster units out there.
It's hard to find other ways to pick fault with the NOCO GB40 though. It's a solid piece of kit that's wonderfully compact and easy to store away, and it works really well, even on the hefty diesel engine in my motorhome.
If you can catch Amazon's deal and get it for £100, you won't be disappointed.