A portable jump starter gets a flat car battery running again without needing a second car or a roadside callout — pocket-sized insurance against a cold-morning no-start.
Flat batteries spike in cold weather, when engine oil thickens and battery chemistry underperforms — exactly when you least want to be stranded. A jump starter means you're not dependent on finding another driver willing to help or waiting for a breakdown callout.
Beyond the car, most models double as a USB power bank and torch, so it earns its place in the boot even on the days the car starts fine.
Use it the moment a car won't start from a flat battery: clamp it to the terminals following the correct polarity and manual order, then start the engine. Most modern lithium units are 'UltraSafe' with reverse-polarity and spark protection built in.
Keep it charged — a jump starter with a flat internal battery is no use when you need it. Recharge it every couple of months even if it hasn't been used, and check it before a long winter journey.
Larger or diesel engines need higher peak amperage to turn over. Check the manufacturer's engine size guidance rather than assuming any unit will do.
Built-in protection prevents damage or danger if the clamps are connected the wrong way round — an important safety feature, especially for less experienced users.
A unit that also charges phones and includes an LED torch is genuinely more useful day to day, not just in a car-won't-start emergency.
A jump starter self-discharges over months. Get into a habit of topping it up periodically so it's actually ready when needed.
Follow the manual precisely — connect positive first, then negative to an earth point, and reverse the order when disconnecting, to avoid sparks near the battery.
A market-leading UltraSafe lithium jump starter with reverse-polarity and spark protection, plus USB power bank and torch functions — trusted by breakdown services and drivers alike.
A portable 12V lithium jump starter that can restart a flat car battery without a second vehicle or a set of leads to another driver. It doubles as a power bank for charging a phone, which makes it a useful thing to keep in the boot for winter breakdowns when a dead battery is most likely.
Traditional jump leads for when a flat battery leaves you stranded and there's another vehicle to hand. A cheap, compact backup to a battery jump pack that keeps working even when a powered starter is out of charge.
A compact lithium jump pack that starts a flat car battery without a second vehicle or a good Samaritan. Keep one charged in the boot for winter mornings and roadside breakdowns, and it doubles as a USB power bank and emergency torch. Sensible insurance for anyone who drives in cold or remote parts of the UK.
A 2000A lithium jump starter that restarts a flat 12V battery without a second vehicle, rated for petrol engines up to 8.0L and diesels up to 6.0L. It doubles as a USB power bank and has a built-in torch, so it earns its place in a winter car kit when cold mornings finish off a tired battery. Bulkier and pricier than a bargain pack, but built to a higher safety and output standard.
A 20,000mAh bank with a USB-C cable built into the body, so there is one less loose lead to lose in a grab bag. The capacity is enough for several phone recharges, and the higher-wattage output will also top up a tablet or small laptop. A practical middle-ground bank for a power cut or a weekend off-grid.
A 10,000mAh bank that clings magnetically to the back of a MagSafe iPhone and charges wirelessly at up to 15W, with a USB-C cable in the box for everything else. The small display showing remaining charge is genuinely useful when you are rationing power in an outage. A tidy grab-and-go option for iPhone users.
A compact 10,000mAh charger with a built-in cable so there's nothing extra to pack. The grab-and-go option for a pocket or small kit.
A slim, well-regarded 10,000mAh power bank that keeps a phone alive through a multi-day power cut. A sensible balance of capacity, size and reliability for a household emergency kit.
A high-capacity 20,000mAh pack that keeps several devices going across a long outage. The choice when you need days of backup power, not hours.
A small 288Wh LiFePO4 station that keeps phones, a router, a laptop and lights going through a short outage, then packs away in a cupboard. It recharges fast and takes a solar panel for slow top-ups, so it suits flats and smaller homes that don't want a heavy unit sitting around. Think of it as the step up from a big power bank when you need a proper 230V socket.
A portable battery pack keeps your phone, GPS, and headlamp charged when mains power is unavailable. Essential for maintaining communication, navigation, and emergency calling capability in the field.
Handheld LED flashlight providing reliable illumination. Essential for navigation, signalling, and camp tasks after dark.
When the grid goes down, a dead phone is the real emergency. Here is how to keep phones and essentials charged using power banks, your car and solar in the UK.
A calm, practical UK guide to winter driving: what to pack, how to plan around Met Office warnings, and exactly what to do if you become stranded in the cold.
Everything you need in your vehicle for roadside emergencies, breakdowns, and unexpected situations while driving.
