Your Guide In Buying The Best Jumper Cables
When buying jumper cables, also called booster cables by some, you will most probably be confronted with tons of alternatives. One of the mistakes that you should avoid is to assume that each and every product are the same. The truth is that they all differ from one another.
The best jumper cables are the ones that can handle bigger batteries, offer high-quality insulation, provide surge protection, and must have a decent length. Here are a few things you need to look for while buying the best jumper cables:
- Wire Gauge
- Thickness
- Clamps
- Length
- Insulation
- Price
If you are looking for jumper cables that can provide the best value for the money, you do not have to search far. Keep on reading the rest of this post, and in the end, it will be a lot easier for you to make the right decision.
Choosing the Best Jumper Cables
In a market that is teeming in terms of alternatives, how can you make the right choice? The most important is to be responsible enough to evaluate the possibilities. With this, make sure that the factors mentioned below will be taken into consideration.
- Wire Gauge: This refers to the thickness of the wires, which can be indicative of the overall quality and durability of the jumper cables. It is expressed in numbers. Do not make the mistake of choosing a higher number. 4 is probably too much for you unless you are going to jump-start a truck. In most cases, 8 is enough, while 6 is better.
- Forget about 10. As many people say, they are garbage. As a rule of thumb, the lower number will be the better option. This is basically because it will charge faster. Consequently, more power will also be passing through the cable.
- Thickness: A better choice would be a thicker cable, which also means that it is going to be more durable. Some manufacturers label their products as “heavy-duty.” Do not believe these labels. Instead, take a look at the thickness or the wire gauge before making a choice.
- Clamps: When using the jumper cables, you have to clamp them on the dead battery and the one that will be used for boosting. With this, it is essential to have heavy-duty clamps. The teeth of the clamp must be able to stick well on the battery terminal and must not fall off easily.
- In the same way, it is also important that they are wrapped with rubber, which will make them comfortable and easy to hold. This will also prevent the possibility of shock.
- Length: The jumper cables must have a length that will be generous enough to allow you to easily connect them from one car’s battery to the other. The minimum length must be 12 feet, but it will be better if you can choose one that is longer.
- Insulation: If you are buying jumper cables from a trusted brand, chances are, they will exhibit heavy-duty insulation, which is one thing that separates the good ones from those with inferior quality. Heavier insulation is generally recommended, which is basically because it reduces the heat that passes through the cable.
- Price: This is an important consideration for many people. However, personally, I won’t recommend that you decide on the basis of price. It does not mean that a cheap product will be an excellent choice. At the end of the day, it would be good to have it considered as an investment, and hence, you should not hesitate to spend for it if it means that you will enjoy jumper cables with superior quality.
Using Jumper Cables
Now that you know some of the most important considerations that will have an impact on your choice of the best jumper cables, the next thing that you should know is how to use them properly. Follow the easy steps that will be mentioned below:
- The first thing that you have to do is to look for a car that can be used for boosting the battery of the car with a problematic battery.
- Park the two cars next to each other. Maintain proper distance based on the length of the jumper cables that will be used, making sure that the cars are not touching each other. See to it as well that both of their engines are turned off.
- Using the red or positive jumper cable, have it clamped to the positive battery terminal of the dead car. This should be marked with a “+” sign. The other end of the same cable should be clamped on the positive terminal of the booster car’s battery.
- Next, proceed with the black cable. Has it clamped on the negative terminal of the booster car’s battery? The other end, on the other hand, should be clamped to a bare space on the engine of the car with a dead battery, usually a screw or a bolt. This will provide the grounding that will be necessary for jumpstarting. Make sure that it is firmly clamped in place.
- You have to make sure that the jumper cables will not be touching any other part of the engine aside from what has been mentioned above.
- Start the engine of the booster car and leave it idle for quite some time. Now, start the engine of the car with the dead battery and leave it idle as well for some time.
- Have the black jumper cable disconnected from the car with the problematic battery earlier and disconnect it from the booster battery as well. Remove the red cable as well. By now, your battery must be fine, and your car is ready to go!
Top Picks for the Best Jumper Cables
If you are on the lookout for the best jumper cables, in this section, we will identify five of the best options that can be taken into account, making it easier for you to evaluate the possibilities.
1. Cartman Booster Cables in Carry Bag
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This is a 6 gauge jumper cable with a length of 16 feet. This is longer than the standard length of 12 feet. It is a 4 gauge wire. It can be good because it can easily jump-start cars even if they are not too close to each other.
It is made with a T-prene coating, which is perhaps one of the best things about the jumper cables. This contributes to its durability. In the same way, it also makes sure that it will be tangle-free. It can resist external elements, hence, prolonging its functional life.
The design of the cables has also been given words of praise by many people. It is a good thing that it is made with shielded teeth, which can offer the benefit of safety.
Lastly, it comes with a carrying bag, which will make it easy to store the cables and keep them handy in situations where they are needed. However, it is important to make sure that the cables are placed in the bag properly in order to protect it from damage.
Things We Liked:
- Durable Construction
- Can resist low temperature
2. Performance Tool W1673 20’ 4-Gauge Jumper Cable
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Among others, one of the most impressive things about this model is its length of 20 feet. This is one of the longest that you can have, making it easy to jump-start even when cars are not near each other. This, however, can also be a problem as this means that it can eat up more space in your trunk.
The rubber coating in the cable is another feature that is worth noting. The latter’s main benefit is that it ensures it won’t tangle. In addition, the material is also commendable because it is flexible and, most importantly, long-lasting.
In addition, the design of the clamps is also impressive. It is made from copper, which is known for being long-lasting. You can also be confident that it will hold strong on the battery terminal and will never fall off.
Lastly, it is equipped with 4 gauge wires. This means that you can expect its thickness to be exceptional.
Things We Liked:
- Impressive gauge
- Exceptional length
- Tangle-free construction
3. Iron Forge Tools 20-foot Jumper Cables with Carry Bag, 2 Gauge
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This jumper cable comes with a length of 20 feet, which is also one of its best assets. It is a 2 gauge wire. It means that you can use it even without having two cars placed too near each other.
The copper teeth of the cable are another good thing that makes it a notch above others within the competitive landscape. This means that it will provide an excellent grip on the terminals guaranteeing better functionality compared to those that are prone to sliding off. Another good thing about the clamps is that they do not stick, and they are easy to grip. They won’t cause any form of discomfort on your end.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, it comes with a Lifetime Replacement Warranty, which can provide you with peace of mind about its quality and functionality. If there is any problem, inform the manufacturer, and they will provide a free replacement. This is one thing that will be hard to match.
Things We Liked:
- Premium quality cables
- Comes with concise instructions
- Clamps have excellent grip
4. Unique Imports Professional Booster Cable 2 Guage 20 Feet
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Among other things, the length of the jumper cable is one of its best assets. It has a length of 20 feet, which makes it impressive. It is a 2 gauge wire. This makes it functional in a number of applications and will help you to complete jump-starting with ease.
Another feature that makes it impressive is the temperature-resistant shielding. This provides protection that is needed from the external environment, guaranteeing its benefits even in extreme cold or heat.
It also comes with heavy-duty clips, which guarantee its ability to last long. They might be a bit smaller than others within the competition, but it is a good thing that they are rust-resistant.
Lastly, the clamps are color-coded. This will make it easy for you to determine which clamps are for the positive and negative terminals. There is no need to be left guessing or to look for hard-to-see markings.
Things We Liked:
- Delivers impressive power
- Made from high-quality materials
- Easy to use
- 600 AMP
5. HORUSDY 25FT Jumper Cables, 1-Gauge 800A
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Of all of the features that are integrated into this jumper cable, one of the most impressive is the light-up correct or incorrect indicator. This thick 1 gauge cable is helpful, and the 25-foot length is impressive.
Another feature that is worth highlighting is the big alligator clamps. This is one of the reasons you can expect that it will deliver exceptional durability and performance, even in the case of extreme cold and heat.
It has a length of 25 feet, which is very helpful in situations where you can’t move your vehicle. This is one of the longest you will find within the product category and also the most versatile.
Lastly, it is also tangle free. Whether it is in the bag or in the trunk, the wires will never be a mess. This makes it easy to store and use this jumper cable.
Things We Liked:
- Comes with a travel bag
- Free LED light
- Strong Spring and Jagged Teeth
- Smart Protector
Conclusion
The best jumper cables may not necessarily be cheap. At the end of the day, we suggest that you should never make a decision solely on the basis of price. Instead, it would be best if you were able to differentiate the alternatives.
Go through the reviews that have been shared by other people. Their experiences will help you to gauge your options and, in the end, will help you to come up with a decision that is sure not to bring regrets.
