The Best Jumper Cables

Buying Guide

A vehicle’s trunk isn’t just for carting groceries and luggage back and forth. It can also serve as storage for some safety essentials. If you’re ever stranded roadside, you can simply pop the trunk and access items that will either get you back on the road again or help keep you safe and comfortable until help arrives.

In addition to a spare tire, flashlight, a blanket and a first-aid kit, a set of jumper cables can help get you moving. Even if you don’t know how to use them, the person who comes to your aid might not have their own. But the right jumper cables will not only ensure they’re effective. They’ll also keep you safe.

There’s a right and a wrong way to attach jumper cables, and mixing them up can be dangerous. Each year, people are injured due to incorrectly connected jumper cables. Choosing a set that includes image-based directions, imprinted directly on the cables, can be a big help. When you’re stressed and rushing to hook things up, that picture can serve as a good reminder.

Jumper cables are essentially electrical cables. They’re designed to transmit the current from an active battery to one that has stalled. You park the two cars close together, opening the hood to access the batteries. Following the instructions on the cables, you’ll then connect the clamps to both the functional battery and the malfunctioning one, then start the car with the good battery first, letting it idle for several minutes before disconnecting the cables.

Here are some features to look for in jumper cables:

• Cable thickness: This is expressed in gauges, numbered 1 to 12. The lower the number, the thicker the cables are. A 6-gauge or 4-gauge battery should work for most vehicles.
• Insulation: Thicker cables have more insulation, which helps protect you and your vehicle.
• Length: The longer the cables are, the more easily you’ll be able to reach each car’s battery. You might not always be able to park both vehicles where batteries can reach each other with a 10-foot cable, so one that’s 20 feet or more will likely be the most useful.
• Amps: The more amps, the more power will move from the working vehicle to the car that won’t start. Typically, 400 amps suffice, but larger vehicles might need 800 or 1000 amps.

• Jumper cables are designed to get your battery started so that you can move it. However, you’ll need to check your battery’s voltage to make sure it doesn’t need replacing. Many auto parts shops can test your battery for free in a matter of minutes.
• Once you’ve jumpstarted your vehicle, let it run for at least a half hour before cutting your car off again. This will help charge your battery and give you a better chance of it starting again once you cut the engine.
• Jumpstarting a car can be dangerous, so if you feel uncomfortable with the instructions, it might be worth it to wait for roadside assistance.
• Over time, jumper cables can wear out. The more you invest in quality cables now, the more likely you’ll be able to hang onto them for years.
• Store your jumper cables in an area of your vehicle where they won’t face damage or exposure to moisture. Coil your cables in a loop to avoid damaging bends and kinks.
• Some jumper cables come with a storage bag that helps you keep them safe and out of the way when not in use.
• If you live in an area prone to extreme weather conditions, consider that while shopping for jumper cables. Some can tolerate extra-chilly temperatures without the performance degrading, and this will come in handy if you’re ever stranded in the dead of winter.