You get what you pay for with jumper cables, so it's worth spending a little extra for a good set.
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It really doesn’t take a lot to wind up with a dead battery: a dome light accidentally left on overnight or an Arctic blast can do it. That’s why you want to keep a set of jumper cables in your car, so you don’t wind up stuck in an empty parking lot or sitting in the driveway late for work.
“Having some cables at the ready to get you back on the road and to the car parts store for a possible battery test or replacement is a good idea,” says Chris Pyle, certified mechanic and JustAnswer Auto Expert. “You never know when you may accidentally leave a light on or come out to a weak battery that cannot start your car.” While jumper cables seem pretty straight forward, not all sets are created equal. Here are the best jumper cables to keep in your car.
On Sale
Best Overall
Energizer Jumper Cables
Like the rabbit, these Energizer cables juts keep going and going, even when the mercury dips down to 40 below. The 1-gauge, 25-ft. cables can jump just about any type of vehicle and still reach between two even in the most awkward parking situations. Thick vinyl coating on the cables and the handles makes them safe and comfortable to use. They’re also tangle-free, which comes in really handy in extremely cold temperatures. There’s a carrying case included, and the cables come with a two-year warranty.
“The only jumper cables you will ever need,” says Amazon verified purchaser Cress. “The clamps are top grade and have a SUPER GRIP. The coating on the cables is the best I have ever seen! They are a lifesaver being 25 ft! Thankfully you will be able to reach pretty much anywhere. The Case that comes with the cables seems to be pretty sturdy too.”
Length: 25-feet | Cable Gauge: 1-guage | Accessories Included: Carry bag
Best Budget Heavy Duty
CARTMAN Jumper Cables
The 1-gauge, 20-ft. heavy duty booster cables from Cartman are not light, weighing more than nine pounds. But they can handle just about any vehicle on the road. If you drive a pickup to a job site in the winter, you’ll be glad you have a pair of these on hand for emergencies. These cables are made from copper coated aluminum wire and feature thick insulation that means they’ll work when when the temperature dips below zero. The jagged teeth on the clamps can latch onto terminals on the top or side of a battery. And with nearly 12,000 Amazon reviews, they’ve earned a 4.8 stars.
“These are the highest-quality jumper cables I’ve ever owned,” said Ken, a verified purchaser on Amazon. “There’s no doubting the connection to whatever it’s attached to. What’s very important to me is the quality of the cables themselves. They are not stiff; they don’t get tangled every time you go to use them, yet they are resilient and tough.”
Length: 20-feet | Cable Gauge: 1-guage | Accessories Included: Carry bag
On Sale
Best Budget
TOPDC Jumper Cables
These 16-ft., 6-gauge jumper cables from TOPDC are heavy duty enough for most cars and SUVs. Sturdy springs in the clamps mean you don’t have to worry about them slipping off a battery terminal either. The cables and the clamps are vinyl coated, and they’re flexible enough to work in seriously cold weather too, just in case you leave the lights on after packing up the tailgate party and heading into the game. Best of all, you can get them for less than $20, so there’s no excuse not have a good pair in your car at all times.
Length: 16-feet | Cable Gauge: 6-guage | Accessories Included: Carry bag
Best Warranty
Iron Forge Jumper Cables
Iron Forge Tools sets itself apart from the others with its offer of a lifetime warranty for its products. The cables will work great in any weather and they come with a handy carrying case.
Length: 20-feet | Cable Gauge: 2-guage | Accessories Included: Carry bag
best splurge
Juice Performance Jumper Cables
A bit on the expensive side, Juice Performance cables a professional quality cables with a thick gauge (available in 4- or 6-gauge.) These cables even boast a special technology that helps to cinch to battery terminals with a more powerful clamping force. They’re also 20-ft. long, which comes in handy.
Length: 20-feet | Cable Gauge: 4-guage | Accessories Included: Carry bag, cleaning tool
What to Know about Jumper Cables
There are a few things to consider before buying some jumper cables to stash in the trunk. “It comes down to the length, the quality of the connectors or clamps, and the wire gauge,” Pyle explains.
Wire gauge and rating: That refers to how thick the cables are. The lower the number, the thicker the cable. You want heavier cables because they can handle more power passing through and get a battery started fast. That also means they’ll work for a wider variety of vehicles, from sub compact cars to one-ton pickup trucks. A 6-gauge set is recommended for most cars, trucks and SUVs. “I would suggest at least 4-gauge wire and at least 12 feet long with copper teeth in the clamps. There are thicker wiring gauge cables and longer ones if needed,” says Pyle.
Cables are rated for a certain number of amps. A set rated for 800 to 1,000 amps are recommended as they can handle the power needed to start larger vehicles. “If you own or will be jumping off a diesel truck. You will need cables that can carry a higher amperage load than a small gas engine car,” he adds.
Insulation: As a general rule, thicker is better. Insulation protects the cables from overheating when there’s electricity running through them, which protects the vehicle and the person handling the cables. It also protects the wires from cold weather.
Clamps and length: Solid, heavy-duty clamps with grippy teeth are a must. Weak clamps can slip off the battery terminal when you’re trying to jump the car. Solid copper clamps work best. Make sure the clamps are insulated too, covered with thick rubber, to protect you when you’re using them. The minimum length for cables is 12 feet, but you can easily find a longer pair which gives you more flexibility in lining up with the other vehicle required for a jump. A set of 25-ft. cables will take up more room in your trunk, but you’ll be glad to have the additional length when you need it. And yes, you should keep jumper cables in your vehicle. “Cables are not useful when left in the garage and you are broken down not near your garage,” Pyle emphasizes.
How We Found the Best Jumper Cables
Let’s face it. Scrolling through a seemingly endless selection of jumper cables probably isn’t how you want to spend your free time. There are tons of options and after a while, we wouldn’t blame you if started thinking that they all look the same. That’s where we come in. In order to curate this list, we asked the experts what to look for when shopping for jumper cables. With his recommendations in mind, we combed through the most highly rated jumper cables on the market and carefully examined their specifications including length and cable gauge. We also took into consideration what accessories, if any, are included with the cables.
FAQ
How do you jump start a car?
Because it’s not something most of us do on a regular basis, take some time to review how to jump start a car. It’s a process that some people can find intimidating, but once you get the hang of it, it’s easy.
After lining up the two vehicles a best you can, it’s time to connect the cables. When connecting the cables, remember to start by connected the red clamp to the positive terminal of the dead battery, setting aside the black clamp, and then connecting the red clamp on the other side of the cables to the positive terminal of the good batter. After that, connect the black clamp to the negative terminal of the good battery. Then, on the side with the dead battery, attach the black clamp to a clean piece of metal to ground it. Do not connect the black clamp to the negative terminal of the dead battery.
Once the cables are connected, start the car with the good battery and let it run for a few minutes. Then, go to the car with the dead battery and turn the key until the engine starts. After the car starts, wait half a minute or so before disconnecting the cables to make sure it doesn’t stall. If it doesn’t start, turn off both vehicles and check the jumper cable connections.
With both cars running, disconnect the jumper cables in reverse order.
Why You Should Trust Us
At Family Handyman, we know that your time is valuable. And we know that spending hours shopping online isn’t the best way to spend your time. That’s where we come in. We’ve done the hard work for you in order to bring you the best jumper cables. To compile this list, we looked for jumper cables at various lengths and price points with outstanding user reviews. We also spoke to Chris Pyle, certified mechanic and JustAnswer Auto Expert.
