The jump starter, or booster pack, is a convenient device that acts like the battery of another vehicle and comes equipped with its own alligator clamps to attach to the battery in your car.

There are benefits and drawbacks associated with a jump starter. The best thing about it is it eliminates the need for another vehicle and messy jumper cables. If the battery in your car will not turn over the engine, you can hook the jump starter to the battery yourself and (hopefully) get enough peak amps out of the jump starter to “boost” your battery and turn the engine over.

Jumper packs range in quality and price ranges. The higher the price, the better the jump starter. Keep in mind that you may not need all the little gadgets that come equipped with the jump starter. Many of these accessories, like a flashlight or portable air compressor, may suck some of the charge from it if you use them.

Some jump starters can put out around 1500 peak amps to help boost your battery to turn the starter and get the engine started. The downside to jump starter packs is the fact that they will not charge your battery.

If your battery is completely dead or has very low cold cranking amps, your jump starter may not provide the power you need to boost the battery.