Best NOCO Boost Jump Starters: 5 Models Compared

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If you have ever turned the key to nothing but a click, you already know why a portable jump starter belongs in your glove box. The tricky part with NOCO's Boost line is not quality, it is picking the right size. Buy too small and it may not crank your engine; buy too big and you pay for power you will rarely touch. NOCO rates each Boost model by peak amps and by the engine displacement it is designed to handle, so the smartest way to choose is to start from your engine size and work up.

To build this roundup we compared the five classic Boost models by their published specifications, manufacturer ratings, and what retailers and reviewers report. The order below reflects how well each unit balances power, portability, and everyday value for a typical driver. According to NOCO's own guidance, Boost models are based on the vehicle engine size, so you look up the engine size of the vehicle to find the Boost model that best fits your needs. Prices move constantly on Amazon, so we do not list them here; check the current price on Amazon before you buy.

#1 NOCO Boost GB50

★★★★½ 4.7/5 Best overall

The GB50 sits in the sweet spot of the lineup, and that is exactly why it takes our top slot. According to NOCO, the Boost GB50 is a compact yet powerful 1500-amp lithium jump starter designed to safely jump start a dead car battery in seconds, rated for gasoline engines up to 7.0 liters and diesel engines up to 4.5 liters, and delivering up to 30 jump starts on a single charge. That covers the vast majority of cars, SUVs, vans, boats and smaller diesels without jumping to a heavier unit.

On paper it is well-rounded: it carries a 35 Watt-hour lithium-ion internal battery, a 200-lumen LED flashlight, an IP65 rating, and weighs about 2.71 pounds. NOCO positions it as their advanced XL booster with a rugged rubberized over-molded casing and an IP65-rated enclosure sealed against water, dust and impact. It is not the pick if you drive a large diesel truck; for engines beyond its rating you will want the GB70 or GB150 instead.

#2 NOCO Boost GB20

★★★★½ 4.5/5 Best compact

The GB20 is the entry point to the Boost family and the one to grab if your priority is a unit that disappears into a glove box. According to NOCO, the Boost Sport GB20 delivers 500A of starting power, provides up to 20 jump starts on a single charge, and supports gasoline engines up to 4.0 liters. It is positioned for compact cars, motorcycles, ATVs and lawn equipment rather than big engines.

Reviewers describe it as the smallest model in the line, and NOCO's guidance is clear about its limit: it is not recommended for diesel engines at all, and diesel owners should skip straight to the GB40 or higher. One retailer notes the practical upside of that small battery, reporting that the GB20 functions as a portable power bank with quick USB-C recharge in about 3 hours, with a rugged IP65-rated housing and an integrated 100-lumen LED flashlight with seven modes. Buy it for what it is: a light, affordable backup for smaller gas engines, not a truck tool.

#3 NOCO Boost GB40

★★★★½ 4.6/5 Best value

The GB40 is the model many guides point to as the default choice, and it earns that reputation on paper. According to NOCO, the Boost Plus GB40 delivers 1000A of starting power, provides up to 20 jump starts on a single charge, and supports gas engines up to 6.0 liters and diesel engines up to 3.0 liters. One buying guide calls it out directly, noting that the GB40 at 1000A is the best all-around pick for most cars, SUVs, and light trucks.

Independent testers frame its power realistically. TechGearLab observes that well-maintained vehicles usually do not require massive amps to start, so the 1000-amp GB40 has more than enough kick for most small-to-midsize jump-starting situations, while also flagging that NOCO limits diesel engines to 3 liters for effective starts. Its specs are lean and portable: a 24 Watt-hour lithium-ion battery, a 100-lumen LED, an IP65 rating, and a weight around 2.45 pounds. It is a great everyday pick, but heavier diesels will outrun its rating.

#4 NOCO Boost GB70

★★★★½ 4.6/5 Best for trucks and diesel

When your engine gets serious, so does the GB70. According to NOCO, the Boost GB70 is a 2000-amp lithium jump starter that delivers up to 40 jump starts on a single charge and is rated for gasoline engines up to 8.0 liters and diesel engines up to 6.0 liters. That is a meaningful jump in both cranking power and diesel capability over the smaller models, which is why it is the pick for full-size trucks, RVs and diesel owners.

It also adds capability the compact units lack. Per NOCO's specifications, the GB70 carries a 56 Watt-hour lithium-ion battery, a 400-lumen LED flashlight, and a 12V XGC input and output, and one retailer notes that the 12-volt auxiliary port can power tire pumps, inverters, lights and more. The trade-off is size: at roughly 4.18 pounds it is noticeably heavier than the GB40 or GB50, so if your vehicle is a compact car it is more unit than you need.

#5 NOCO Boost GB150

★★★★½ 4.5/5 Best maximum power

The GB150 is the heavyweight of the classic Boost line, built for the biggest engines and the heaviest-duty use. According to NOCO, the Boost PRO GB150 delivers 3000A of starting power, provides up to 80 jump starts on a single charge, and supports gas engines up to 9.0 liters and diesel engines up to 7.0 liters. If you run fleet vehicles, large diesels or an RV, this is the model with headroom to spare.

Its published specs back up the pro positioning: the GB150 carries an 88 Watt-hour lithium-ion battery, a 500-lumen LED flashlight, a 12V XGC output rated at 15 amps, and an IP65 rating. NOCO also notes that it weighs about 7.5 pounds. That weight and its position as the most powerful unit make it overkill for an average sedan; most drivers will be better served by the GB50 or GB40 and can save both money and bulk.

How to choose a NOCO Boost

The single most important factor is engine size. NOCO builds the Boost line around displacement, so start there and match the model to your largest vehicle. As a general map based on the manufacturer's ratings:

• Gas up to 4.0L, no diesel: the GB20 (500A) is the compact entry point, and NOCO advises against using it on diesel.
• Most cars, SUVs and light trucks: the GB40 (1000A) covers gas up to 6.0L and diesel up to 3.0L and is widely recommended as the all-around size.
• Larger gas engines and small diesels: the GB50 (1500A) stretches to 7.0L gas and 4.5L diesel.
• Full-size trucks and bigger diesels: the GB70 (2000A) reaches 8.0L gas and 6.0L diesel and adds a 12V accessory port.
• Maximum power and heavy-duty use: the GB150 (3000A) tops out at 9.0L gas and 7.0L diesel.

A few more criteria matter. Check your battery's Cold Cranking Amps: one guide advises that if your battery says CCA 600, you should choose a NOCO jump starter rated above 600 amps. Climate counts too, since cold weather reduces lithium battery output, so size up if you live in a cold climate. When you are genuinely between two sizes, the common advice is that it is always better to have more power than you need, so go one size up when in doubt. Finally, if you want to run a tire inflator or inverter off the unit, note that the 12V XGC output appears on the GB70 and GB150, not the smaller models. Prices change often, so confirm the current price on Amazon before deciding.

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Leandro Marcon

Article author

I run this site and choose what gets reviewed. I dig into how each product actually works, weigh the maker's claims against real owner feedback, and write it up plainly: what is good, what is not, and who it is for. No hype, just an honest take before you buy.