Best Car Battery Charger and Jump Starter Combo
We’ve had a few requests for this article, it’s become apparent that more and more people are looking for this type of combined product.
This is the Best Car Battery Charger and Jump Starter Combo.
This kind of combined product has occasionally popped up on the market, never to the extent that made us take notice.
But in the last couple of years, we started to hear about a product that can actually fulfil your needs as both a charger and for jump starting your vehicle.
And when some very renowned charger makers get involved, that’s when you know there must be a sizeable demand for such a product, and the technology to make it work.
We found 3 models that met our requirements for both charging and starting.
We review each product in full in this article. But if you’re in a hurry, here are the results.
The Best Overall product was the Battery Tender Charge N Start (see best-priced seller on Amazon, right here).
No.2 was our Value Pick, the Lokithor JC400 (check price/specs for this model).
And in third place, the Most Flexible choice, was this version of the CTEK CS Free.
Battery Tender Charge N Start 4120/1120/1100
- Voltage: 12V
- For Maximum Car Engine Sizes: Up to 6.0L gas, 4.0L diesel
- Car Battery Types: Normal Lead-acid, AGM, Gel, Lithium
- Weight: 1.65lb (4120 model)
- Dimensions: 3.5″D x 8.66″W x 4.21″H (4120 model)
- Charging Amps: 4A (4120 model)/1A (1120 and 1100 models)
- Jump Start Amps: 1200A (4120 and 1120 models)/1000A (1100 model)
Lokithor JC400
- Voltage: 12V (and 6V Normal Lead-acid)
- For Maximum Car Engine Sizes: Up to 8.5L gas, 6.5L diesel
- Car Battery Types: Normal Lead-acid, AGM, Gel, Lithium
- Weight: 1.85lb
- Dimensions: 3.37″D x 6.44″W x 2.72″H
- Charging Amps: 0.75A/ 1A/ 2A
- Jump Start Amps: 2500A
CTEK CS Free
- Voltage: 12V
- For Maximum Car Engine Sizes: Any size
- Car Battery Types: Normal Lead-acid, AGM, Gel, Lithium
- Weight: 3.53lb
- Dimensions: 9.8″D x 3.1″W x 3.9″H
- Charging/Adaptive Boost Amps: 20A
We’ve a ton of experience with battery chargers, of all sizes and for all kinds of vehicles; we really know what people are looking for from their charger.
And ditto for jump starters, you’ll see plenty of our experience come through in the numerous jump starter reviews on the Car Battery Nerd site.
So we knew exactly what we wanted from a product of this type. We wanted to see it bring together as many of our expectations from both product types as possible.
So we evaluated these combined car charger/jump box devices for the following aspects:
- Charging power – ability to sustain the stated amperage
- Consistency of charging power over time
- Adaptiveness of the charging cycle according to the needs of the battery
- Toughness of the unit as a whole
- How well the clamps connect with a wide range of battery terminals
- Ability to reach the maximum jump start amperage stated
- How many jump starts can be achieved on one full charge
- How well the product holds onto charge over time
After analysing and reviewing each model, we came up with the list of the best charger/jump starters as follows.
After seeing the list, make sure to check out the full review of pros and cons. This will help you to pick the one that meets your particular needs.
Combined Jump Starter and Battery Charger – Category Winners
- Top Pick: Battery Tender Charge N Start
- Best Budget Choice: Lokithor JC400
- Most Flexible: CTEK CS Free
Combined Charger/Booster Reviews
Here are the reviews of each of the winning models.
Battery Tender Charge N Start
Plus points and who needs this:
Charging is as good as a typical Battery Tender charger
That means pretty darn good. Battery Tender, just in case you didn’t know, has been one of the most popular car battery charger makers for many decades in the US. Their brand is very well-renowned for quality. We found that the charging function is exactly what we’d expect from a Battery Tender charger. The Charge N Start models met their stated amperage and delivered it consistently.
Strong jump starting ability
We found that it works well to jump start the vast majority of batteries in the vast majority of conditions. Its maximum vehicle sizes of 6.0L gas and 4.0L diesel is quite accurate; the Charge N Start was able to start vehicles of that size.
Greater security that comes with buying from an established brand
Battery Tender has a good reputation for after-sales service, and customer care, in general. So, while both this model and the Lokithor JC400 have a one year warranty, we’d feel more secure with the Battery Tender one.
Great quality clamps
We like the clamps on the Charge N Start. They feel tough and able to withstand heavy usage. They’re able to provide the significant amount of contact you want with the battery terminals.
Cons and why this model may not be for you:
Not enough jump start power for large vehicles
As we said, this jump starter is able to start vehicles up to around 6.0L gas and 4.0L diesel. But note that for larger vehicle sizes, say above 4.0L gas and 3.0L diesel, if the battery is in a very poor condition, the 1200A may not be enough. And also if the weather is very cold, the 1200A of power may not be sufficient.
Fewer features
The Charge N Start doesn’t have a voltage reading display, a feature we appreciate in the Lokithor, at No.2 on this list.
Where can you get it?
You can see the lowest cost seller on Amazon here (4120 model), and same for 1120 model, and 1100 model.
Lokithor JC400
Pros and who needs this :
Superior jump starting power, and the technology and build quality to match
We found that the JC400’s stated 2500A starting power is legit. We have far too much experience with budget jump starters that can deliver the power they state, at an absolute peak, but only in the most ideal conditions. The JC400 has the internal components, wiring and clamp quality that allows it to actually deliver all that power to your battery.
Consistently highly rated products from a growing brand
Lokithor is not a very established brand, it can’t compare to Battery Tender in that respect. However, their products have been around a few years now, and the reports we get from distributors, based on feedback from their customers, have been highly positive about Lokithor’s products.
Greater flexibility of use for different batteries
We’re big fans of being able to select from a variety of charging amps. With the Lokithor JC400 you can choose between 750mA, 1A or 2A, and it gives you the ability to charge not just your car battery but for any smaller batteries you may get in the future, like a lawnmower or scooter.
Many handy features
In the last 10 years, we’ve tested plenty of jump starters that have plenty of gimmicks, that have packed in an abundance of features, but are not actually that great at the thing you bought it for: jump starting the car. Well, this Lokithor unit is in no danger of being in that category, with its excellent starting power and reliable charging, but it too boasts of a 9-in-1 product. That’s an exaggeration but it has several features that elevate it above the Battery Tender Charge N Start. Force start mode, for one, is great if you encounter a battery that is almost completely dead. That can be the difference between a successful charge and not. We like the voltage reading, so we can know very clearly the current charge of the battery. We also like the pulse repair that can recondition batteries that have become sulfated.
Outstanding value
Check out the Pros in this list to get an idea the strengths of this product, delivering solid results for both its main functions of jumping and charging. Then check out the price, it’s really excellent value considering all that you get.
Cons and why this model is not for you:
A jack of all trades…
Jack of all trades, master of none. That’s the expression, right? And the Lokithor JC400 has two key functions, doing well in both. But for the same price you could get a charger with a better cycle adaptability (such as the CTEK MXS5.0, which adjusts its charge cycle depending on the weather and the needs of the battery). And, for this price, you could get a jump starter with a higher peak amps, able to charge pretty much all vehicles, of any size. See our Gooloo review, for one example.
Better options are available for reconditioning
The JC400 has a pulse reconditioning (desulfation mode), one of its many handy features. But, if you have a heavily sulfated battery that you want to recover, or you want the best ability to keep a battery free from lead sulfate on its plates, better options are available. The NOCO Genius range for one (check out our NOCO Genius 5 and Genius 10 charger reviews)
Where to find it?
Here’s where to check it out on Amazon.
CTEK CS Free
The main advantages of this booster/charger:
Truly portable charger
The CS Free is different from the other products on this list of the best combined battery charger and jump starters. The other two products work exactly like a normal charger when you use that function (charging your battery when you plug it into the mains), and exactly like a normal jump starter when you use it for that function (giving the battery a huge boost when you break down while you’re out driving). The CS Free, however, is more like a portable battery charger that you can take with you in your car, and charge your battery as needed. And, if your car battery drops too low, the CS Free can perform what CTEK calls an “adaptive boost” – basically, it will give the battery enough charge, in around 15 minutes, so that you can start your vehicle.
Typical CTEK charging quality
CTEK have been around forever. We’ve long rated their charging cycle as the most sophisticated. That means it’s got, in our opinion, the best detection system, able to identify with great precision the current state of your battery. And then it adjusts its charging cycle to match, delivering a strong pulse when it detects very low charge and tapering off, precisely when necessary. Most quality, modern smart chargers have this kind of function but CTEK’s have the most sophistication.
Extremely easy to use
You connect the clamps to the battery and press the start button. That’s it. That’s all you ever have to do with this product. CTEK
Durable, long-lasting
This model has been around a while, and we know plenty of mechanics who swear by it, saying it’s lasted them more than 10 or even 15 years. It’s a solid, well made piece of kit.
Cons:
You won’t get an immediate boost
In the event of a breakdown, you attach the CTEK CS Free and it will take the appropriate action as necessary. So assuming it detects a very low voltage, it will pump a powerful charge into the battery, until the voltage is high enough that it can start. But it’s like a typical jump box that will give you one big boost, and then you’re able to start the car immediately. It could take around 15 minutes, or longer until the CS Free increases your battery charge enough that it can start
It’s expensive
It’s the most expensive combined booster/charger on this list. You’re paying for the superior CTEK charging, the ease of use, and the quality of components that CTEK uses.
We called it the Most Flexible choice because not only can you use it to charge when needed, and boost when needed, you can also top up your battery with charge while you’re out.
Let’s say you’re going on a long road trip. If you’re stopped somewhere for several days, and let’s say it’s during some very cold weather, you may well be worried your battery might die. You can use the CTEK CS Free to keep battery charge high, and prevent it from dying in the first place.
With all other booster/chargers apart from the CS Free, you can’t charge your battery unless you have a mains electricity supply.
Where can you get it?
You can check it out on Amazon here.
What are the advantages to a combined jump box and battery charger?
Well, it’s convenient to have both these functions within a single product. Space-saving too, since you won’t need to take up space by having two different products.
With a product like this, you probably want to stick with a company that has some history of producing good products of this type, and not a general consumer tech company that is looking to branch out.
The three brands on this list do not come into that category. Each company has excellent consumer feedback from many thousands of customers, and a strong history of sales over several years, or even decades, in the case of Battery Tender and CTEK.
Anything else we should know?
If you are looking for a jump starter or battery charger, then make sure you pay attention to the clamps.
With regards to battery boosting, don’t just look at the stated maximum peak amps. It doesn’t matter how many Amps the maker claims it can boost with, if it doesn’t have good enough quality clamps to actually deliver that power.
And the same goes with your charger choice. The clamps must be able to give you a strong connection.
FYI, having high quality clamps that maximise contact with the terminals also gives you a better reading for both a battery tester (see our 12V battery tester reviews), as well as a car battery reconditioner.
Best Car Battery Charger and Jump Starter Summary
Thanks for reading the Best Battery Charger/Jump starter Combo.
This is a quite new product type as it’s only recently that there was alignment between consumer desire for a combined product of this type with the technology to make it.
The technology and materials used to provide a consistent, sustained low level charge is quite different from what is used to provide a very large one-time boost of power.
Both Battery Tender and Lokithor have made products that are genuinely able to successfully do both.
CTEK, meanwhile, have provided another type of solution that works for both charging and boosting, and it’s the only product we’ve seen that is a portable charger (while also being able to boost dead batteries back to life).
The Best Overall was this model of the Battery Tender Charge N Start.
The Value Pick was the Lokithor JC400 (see price/specs for this model).
And the Most Flexible pick was the CTEK CS Free.
All the best with your choice.