Cheap Jump Starters Can Catch Fire. Here's How to Buy One That Won't.

A dead battery at home is annoying. A dead battery at a trailhead or a freezing rest stop is the kind of problem that turns your whole day into a dumb story you never wanted. A modern jump starter fixes that, but only if you buy one that’s built like a safety device—not a cheap brick of lithium with a logo.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued multiple recall notices for portable lithium battery products that can overheat and cause fires. Extremely dangerous ones as they burn incredibly hot. If you want one link to keep in your back pocket, start with the CPSC recall notice on overheating power banks—same battery chemistry, same lesson.

What to Look For So It Starts Your Car and Stays Safe

Ignore the loudest “peak amps” number on the box. You want a jump starter with real clamps, solid cable thickness, and built-in protections like reverse polarity and short-circuit protection. You also want it to hold a charge for months, because the whole point is having it when you forgot to think ahead.

Next, shop like a safety nerd. Products tested to recognized standards tend to behave better when something goes wrong. UL Solutions (UL) doesn’t “approve” everything you see online, but it does explain what it tests for in portable packs—overcharge protection, short-circuit tests, drop resistance, and thermal safety show up in UL’s portable power pack testing overview. That’s the boring stuff that keeps exciting smoke out of your trunk.

Then treat the battery like what it is: a high-energy device. Don’t store it baking on a rear parcel shelf. Don’t charge it under a pile of clothes in the garage. Don’t keep using it if it swells, cracks, or smells weird. NFPA’s consumer guidance on lithium-ion battery safety is blunt for a reason.

Finally, buy for your engine. A four-cylinder commuter needs less than a big V8 truck. If you regularly drive in deep cold, bump up one size. If you only want a “just in case” tool, choose a reputable brand with clear specs and a manual that doesn’t look like it was machine-translated in 2007.

Buyer Tip (Compact + mainstream): If you want a small jump starter that’s still built like a safety device, the NOCO Boost Plus GB40 is an easy bet—clear specs, built-in protections, and widely available at retailers like Home Depot or AutoZone (not just marketplace listings).

Buyer Tip (Bigger + “pro” option): If you drive a truck, deal with real cold, or want thicker cables and a more traditional jump-box design, the Jump-N-Carry JNC660 is the move—look for it at NAPA (or direct from Clore Automotive) instead of rolling the dice on random off-brand lithium bricks.

Buyer Tip (Ultra-compact alternative): If you want a truly packable unit from a brand that sells direct (fewer sketchy marketplace lookalikes), the Weego 44S is a strong compact pick—buy it straight from Weego and size up if you deal with cold starts or bigger engines.

My Verdict

Buy a jump starter from a brand that clearly lists protections, storage guidance, and charging instructions, and don’t obsess over peak amps. Store it out of heat, charge it in the open, and replace it if it shows damage. The right unit turns a dead-battery panic into a 90-second inconvenience.