You love your small car like it’s your best friend. It gets you to work, helps with errands, and carries you on unforgettable road trips, whether you’re driving solo, with friends, or with family. If your car is a compact, coupe, or sedan, it faces issues like any other vehicle, especially battery problems. Yet, you can get a great small car jump starter that you can keep with you at all times on the road.
We will take a look at your best options for those jump starters shortly. In addition, we’ll discuss why having one is so important (and what the minimum amps you’ll need to start a battery are). This guide should be enough to get you prepared for what could happen to your small car’s battery, even if it’s unexpected.
Why Should Small Car Owners Have a Powerful Jump Starter?
Smaller vehicles mean lower battery demands, right? To an extent, yes. However, battery issues remain the same regardless of what the battery size might be or what car you drive. The same causes, such as freezing temperatures, infrequent driving, or a dome light you fail to shut off, can lead to a draining or dead battery.
A jump starter powerful enough to start a small car is needed. Finding the best small car jump starter is not as challenging as it needs to be. We will make sure you find the jump starter that is not your typical run-of-the-mill option, but rather something that is simple to use, has excellent safety features, and can be perfect for every drive.
What To Consider in a Small Car Jump Starter?
Before choosing a small car jump starter, it’s always important to consider a few things. What will be the best fit for your battery needs if something happens? Here are some things to mull over:
Design
A small car jump starter possesses a design that will ensure it stays with you every time you’re on the road. Consider options that allow you to fit it under a seat, glove box, or trunk. The more compact the jump starter, the easier it is to store — but it still needs to deliver the power required to safely start your battery.
Does It Support My Battery Type?
Not all jump starters will be compatible with all types of batteries. Some may support lithium-ion batteries, and others might only support an acid or AGM battery. Either way, you'll want to pay attention to which portable jump starter will fit your battery needs.
How Many Amps Do I Need?
A small car will need anywhere from 800 to 1200 peak amps in a portable jump starter. Battery Tender has plenty of options available for your battery needs. No more having to take a wild guess at whether the current jump starter you have is powerful enough to charge a battery or not. You don't have time for guesswork since you need to bring a dead car battery back to life.
What Safety Features Should I Have?
Some jump starters or jumper cables lack safety features to prevent reverse polarity, sparks, or overcharging, which can lead to unsafe situations, including fires. Choosing a Battery Tender jump starter for your small car gives you access to key safety features such as reverse polarity protection. Meaning if you incorrectly connect the cables, no charge is delivered to the battery.
Does It Have Multi-Functional Uses?
In the event of an emergency, it’s nice to have devices on hand that may indicate that you’re in trouble. This is where something like an LED flashlight comes in handy. There may be other multi-functional features that come with a jump starter, including an air compressor or a USB charger for charging your devices. Simply put, you'll have something more than just a portable jump starter.
Jump starters from Battery Tender could fulfill these considerations easily. They are designed with the user in mind, especially if they are looking for a jump starter that is safe and easy to use for small cars. That's why it is important to pay attention to things like peak amps and other relevant features before you choose the right option for a car jump starter.
Best Small Car Jump Starter Options from Battery Tender
Below are the best options for a small car jump starter from Battery Tender. Let’s take a look at each one along with the key features they have:
800 AMP Jump Starter and Tire Inflator
The first option on the list is the 800 AMP Jump Starter and Tire Inflator. This has the minimal peak amps needed to start a small car battery. It’s compatible with numerous battery types, making it a flexible option. It has alligator jumper cables for easy connectivity and two voltage output options: 12V and 5V. If you are looking for excellent 12-volt devices, this one might stand out.
One major feature that it has is a built-in tire inflator. If you are miles away from a gas station and need to add more air to your tires, there’s no denying that this device is a blessing to have on hand. Since it’s small in size, you can fit it inside your vehicle’s glove box or trunk, but be sure that you’ll have a small but powerful solution for when you're having trouble starting your small car.
Key Features:
- Features two outputs: 12V and 5V
- Built-in tire inflator
- Compatible with AGM, GEL, Lithium, Standard (Sealed or Flooded Lead Acid)
1500 AMP Jump Starter - 12000mAh Power Bank
Another option in our list of best small car jump starters is the 1500 AMP Jump Starter - 12000 mAh Power Bank. It’s small in size for portability, yet mighty when it comes to getting the job done. At 1500 AMP it’s more than enough to bring a dead battery back to life so you can get back on the road. Best of all, it can be compatible with 12 volt batteries up to 7.0L gas and 5.5L diesel engines, flexing its multi-purpose muscles as it can be used for such vehicles that have these engines in particular.
It also has different charging ports that can be useful for charging your devices, whether you are out and about and need to keep things charged in case of emergencies, or taking a break from a long drive. It also comes with smart alligator clips and safety features that ensure no sparks and protection from reverse polarity. Simple to use and easy to carry, this is a small car’s best friend, whether it’s a long trip or the usual commute.
Key features:
- Output of 1500 AMP
- Features USB Wall Plug Cube
- Compatible with AGM, GEL, Lithium, and Standard (Sealed or Flooded Lead Acid) Batteries
Two Excellent Options, All Serving One Purpose
A small car jump starter, like the two listed above, might perform the right task of giving your battery a boost. Dead batteries can lead to problems, including the inability to start your vehicle. While preventative measures, like avoiding small frequent trips or turning off your electronic components, are necessary, some battery issues happen due to things beyond your control.
If you are dealing with a dead battery, a jump starter is the best solution. Battery Tender has these options handy for your small car in the appropriate amount of AMPs you need.