In the Simply JS001’s large zip-up case is a bewildering array of plugs and wires to manage power in and out of the pack. The 1,000A cranking power and LCD screen meant the tests were a breeze, but the price rules the unit out of a higher score.
Ring Ultraboost 500A
- Price: around £74.99
- Size: 6Ah
- Rating: 3 stars
- Contact: screwfix.com
The battery is half the size and its claimed starting current of 200A was barely enough to turn over the diesel engine, and it has to make do with a basic battery gauge and no torch, too. We appreciated the long cables and neat case, though.
Noco GB40 Boost Plus
- Price: around £115.95
- Size: N/A
- Rating: 3 stars
- Contact: halfords.com
There’s an indestructible feel to the GB40, with rubber bungs protecting its ports and sockets, and it has the brightest torch of any pack here. The battery size isn’t stated, but it was wilting by our fifth test start. It’s pricey and a case costs an extra £20.95.
Simply JS003 1,000A Jump Starter & Powerbank
The JS003’s huge storage case seems disproportionate when the pack is the size of a smartphone. A good range of cables is supplied, but it didn’t have enough grunt to start our motor, even when the four-bar LED power gauge showed it was fully charged.
Verdict
The best all-rounder is the MSC Overland 10Ah, with a good balance of performance and features in a compact package. If you need a jumper that can start bigger engines or handle multiple flat batteries in a day, then the GOOLOO GP4000 is great value. Third place goes to the neat Nebo Assist 800, with an extra recommended rosette for the Ring Ultraboost 1,500A.
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