A portable jump starter is one of those car accessories you don’t know you need, until you really do need one.  

If your battery is flat when you are away from home you can either wait on a breakdown rescue service or rely on the kindness of another vehicle owner. But there is an alternative, and it’s one that puts you in control: a portable jump starter. 

What is a portable jump starter? It’s a tool which packs enough independent electrical charge to turn over your vehicle’s engine when your battery can’t. It delivers the energy needed to start your vehicle in a safe and controlled way, so you can get on your way. 

Alongside their core mission, many portable jump starters also have additional functions such as being a power bank for portable electronic devices and even a source of light.  

Here are five reasons to get one: 

1. You are in control: equipped with a portable jump starter you can deal with a flat battery yourself. No help is required, no breakdown service that can take hours to arrive, no second vehicle with someone to aid you. Anyone can use a portable jump starter. 
2. Safety first: unlike when using jump leads and another vehicle, with a portable jump starter you limit the risk of an incorrect connection or sparks in the engine bay. Portable jump starters, also known as boosters, such as CTEK’s new RB 3000 and RB 4000 are designed with safety built in so they will tell you if the clamps are wrongly connected and feature spark-proof technology too.   
3. Hold that charge: advanced portable boosters such as the RB 3000 and RB 4000 are quicker to charge up and then hold that charge for a long time. The RB 3000 provides up to 30 jump starts on a single 2.5 hour charge, the RB 4000 up to 45 after charging up for just 3.5 hours. And they hold that power for up to six months.  
4. Compact power: modern portable jump starters are not the bulky, heavy units of older models. They are small enough and light enough to justify taking everywhere. They earn their small place in your car boot for the peace of mind they give you. 
5. You can bank on it: modern portable jump starters provide more than one way to use the power within. Models such as CTEK’s RB 3000 and RB 4000 have USB-A and USB-C ports to charge up phones, tablets and other devices. In a breakdown, access to charge for a phone can be vital. In more relaxed scenarios, such as a camping trip, charge for a tablet is a welcome luxury. 

The next time you are planning a road trip, pack a charged up portable jump starter. All being well, a starter such as CTEK’s RB 3000 and RB 4000 will charge your phone and provide some light when needed. And if you are struck down with a flat battery, you have the power at hand to safely and quickly get back on the road.