Which NOCO Jump Starter Should You Buy? (2025 Guide)

The best NOCO jump starter for most people is the GB40. It handles gas engines up to 6.0L and diesel up to 3.0L. It’s compact, spark-proof, and fits most cars and SUVs. If you drive a truck or large diesel, step up to the GB70 or GBX55. Choose by engine size first — then worry about features.

Your battery just died. It’s cold, it’s dark, and you have no jumper cables. Sound familiar? I’m Alex Rahman, and I’ve tested portable jump starters for years — including the full NOCO lineup. The GB40 got me out of a parking garage at midnight when the temperature was 22°F. That experience taught me exactly which model to trust.

NOCO makes great products. The hard part is picking the right one. This guide breaks down every major model so you know exactly which one fits your vehicle and budget.

Why NOCO Dominates the Jump Starter Market

NOCO isn’t just another automotive brand. Founded in 1914, the company has over a century of battery expertise behind every product. That history matters when you’re trusting a device to start your engine in a parking lot at midnight.

Here’s the thing that sets NOCO apart from cheap competitors. Their patented UltraSafe Technology makes the clamps spark-proof and reverse polarity protected. Hook the positive clamp to the negative terminal by mistake? Nothing bad happens. The unit just flashes a warning light. That single feature removes the fear of jumping a battery — especially for new drivers, seniors, or anyone who isn’t a mechanic.

All NOCO Boost models are also IP65-rated for water and dust resistance. They double as USB power banks and include LED flashlights with SOS modes. These aren’t just jump starters — they’re roadside emergency tools.

How Do You Choose the Right NOCO Model?

Engine size is the first thing you check. Period. Every NOCO model is rated for specific gas and diesel engine sizes. Go too small and the unit won’t start your engine. Go too big and you’re overspending on power you’ll never use.

The second factor is climate. If you live in the Midwest, the Northeast, or anywhere with brutal winters, buy one size up from what you think you need. Cold temperatures reduce a battery’s output significantly. A unit that’s “just enough” in summer may fail at -10°F.

Third, decide if you want the classic GB series or the newer GBX series. The GBX lineup delivers more amps, faster USB-C charging, and upgraded UltraSafe 2.0 technology. It costs a bit more but gives you better value long-term.

NOCO Jump Starter Lineup: Every Model Explained

Let’s go through each major model from smallest to largest. I’ll tell you who it’s for, what it can handle, and where it falls short.

NOCO GB20 — The Glove Box Model

The GB20 delivers 500 peak amps and handles gas engines up to 4.0L. It weighs less than a pound. You can slip it into a small purse or fit it in any glove box without noticing it’s there.

It’s perfect for motorcycles, ATVs, compact cars, and city drivers who rarely face extreme cold. If you drive a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla and live in a mild climate, the GB20 works fine. But it won’t handle anything with a V6, V8, or diesel engine — don’t push it beyond its rating.

NOCO GB40 — The Best Seller for a Reason

The GB40 is the most popular NOCO model for everyday drivers. It puts out 1000 peak amps and supports gas engines up to 6.0L and diesel up to 3.0L. At 2.4 pounds, it fits in a center console or glove box easily.

It handles up to 20 jump starts on a single charge. The integrated flashlight has seven modes including SOS and emergency strobe — genuinely useful on the roadside at night. The USB-C port doubles as a power bank for your phone.

One honest note: the GB40 carries a 24 Wh internal battery. That’s fine for most starts, but in truly cold weather or with a deeply discharged battery, you may need the manual override mode to push through. Still, for the price and size, it’s hard to beat.

NOCO GB50 — The Step-Up for Larger Engines

The GB50 bumps peak power to 1500 amps and supports gas engines up to 7.0L and diesel up to 4.5L. It weighs 1.65 pounds — lighter than it sounds for what it delivers.

This is the sweet spot for full-size SUV drivers and people with larger V6 or small V8 engines. If you own a Ford Expedition, Chevy Tahoe, or similar vehicle, the GB50 gives you a meaningful safety margin over the GB40 without the bulk of the GB70.

NOCO GB70 — The Truck Owner’s Pick

The GB70 is the jump starter serious drivers keep in their truck bed. It delivers 2000 peak amps and handles gas engines up to 8.0L and diesel up to 6.0L. That covers virtually every consumer truck on the road today — F-150, Ram 1500, Silverado, all of them.

Here’s what makes it especially powerful: its internal battery holds 56 Wh — more than double the GB40’s 24 Wh. That extra energy reserve matters when you’re fighting a deeply discharged battery in freezing weather. Real-world testing shows the GB70 starting V8 engines consistently, even after sitting unused for weeks.

It weighs 5.0 pounds, so it won’t fit in a glove box. Keep it under a seat or in a cargo area. The 400-lumen flashlight is genuinely bright — one of the best integrated lights in any jump starter at this price.

NOCO GB150 — Heavy-Duty and Commercial Use

The GB150 delivers 3000 peak amps for gas engines up to 10.0L and diesel up to 8.0L. This isn’t for your daily driver. It’s built for diesel trucks, RVs, construction equipment, and fleet vehicles.

If you manage a small fleet or own a large diesel rig, the GB150 is the tool you keep in the shop. For personal vehicles — even full-size pickups — the GB70 is almost always enough.

NOCO GBX Series: What’s the Difference?

NOCO launched the Boost X (GBX) series as an upgrade to the classic GB lineup. The main differences are worth knowing before you decide which series to buy.

Feature	GB Series (Classic)	GBX Series (Boost X)
UltraSafe Version	1.0	2.0 (upgraded)
USB Charging	USB-A out / USB-C in	USB-C PD 60W in/out
Recharge Speed	Standard	~48 min via USB-C PD
Display	Basic LED indicators	Detailed LED + status icons
Thermal Management	Standard	Advanced thermal protection

GBX45 — The Upgrade Over the GB40

The GBX45 puts out 1250 peak amps and handles gas engines up to 6.5L and diesel up to 4.0L. That’s a step up from the GB40 in both power and diesel compatibility.

The big upgrade is USB-C Power Delivery. The GBX45 can recharge from 0% in about 48 minutes using a fast USB-C charger. It also pushes 60W out to charge your laptop or tablet — not just your phone. If you hate waiting for your jump starter to recharge, this solves that problem completely.

Is it worth the extra cost over the GB40? If you want modern charging, a slightly larger diesel capability, and better safety diagnostics — yes. If you just want a proven jump starter for a standard car — the GB40 still does the job.

GBX55 — The Mid-Range Boost X

The GBX55 delivers 1750 peak amps for gas engines up to 7.5L and diesel up to 5.0L. It fills the gap between the GBX45 and the more powerful GBX75.

This is the model I’d recommend for someone who drives a larger SUV or light-duty diesel truck but doesn’t want to jump to the massive GB70 size. It balances power, portability, and the full GBX feature set well.

GBX75 — The Boost X Powerhouse

The GBX75 tops the consumer GBX lineup at 2500 peak amps. It handles gas engines up to 8.5L and diesel up to 6.5L. That’s more power than even the GB70, with all the GBX upgrades — USB-C PD, UltraSafe 2.0, and the faster recharge.

If you own a heavy-duty truck and want the best features NOCO offers in a portable unit, the GBX75 is the answer.

Which NOCO Jump Starter Should You Actually Buy?

Here’s a direct answer based on your vehicle type.

Does Cold Weather Affect NOCO Jump Starters?

Yes — and this is one of the most important things people skip over. Lithium batteries lose power in cold weather. At 0°F, a lithium jump starter may deliver 30 to 40 percent less output than its rated peak amps. Your car battery also gets harder to start in cold conditions, which means you need more power — right when your jump starter has less.

The practical advice: if you live in a cold-weather state, buy one size up. Someone in Minnesota should choose the GB70 even for a standard sedan. The GB40 may work, but the GB70’s 56 Wh reserve gives you a much bigger safety margin when every amp counts.

Are NOCO Jump Starters Safe to Use on Modern Cars?

This is the question most people are afraid to ask. The short answer: yes, NOCO jump starters are safe for modern vehicles with sensitive electronics.

The UltraSafe system prevents any power from flowing until a correct connection is confirmed. There are no accidental sparks. There’s no reverse polarity surge. The device checks the connection first, then delivers power in a controlled way. It won’t damage your car’s ECU (engine control unit), anti-lock brake module, or any other computer systems.

This is a major reason NOCO became the market leader in the US. Traditional jumper cables can send voltage spikes that harm sensitive electronics. NOCO’s lithium jump starters don’t. For reference, the NOCO UltraSafe page explains the full protection system in detail.

How Long Does a NOCO Jump Starter Stay Charged?

NOCO recommends recharging every 3 to 4 months during storage. In normal conditions, a fully charged unit retains useful power for 6 months or more. However, leaving it in a hot car during summer or in a freezing garage during winter will drain the battery faster.

The GB40 and GBX45 both have LED indicators showing remaining charge levels. Check yours before a long road trip — don’t assume it’s still charged from last winter.

Can NOCO Jump Starters Charge Phones and Devices?

Yes. Every NOCO Boost model doubles as a portable USB power bank. The GB40 and similar models include a USB-A port for standard charging of phones and tablets. The GBX series adds USB-C Power Delivery, which can charge modern laptops and tablets at full speed — up to 60W output.

One thing to know: charging your phone heavily drains the jump starter’s battery. Real-world tests show that charging a phone from near-dead can use up a large portion of the GB40’s capacity. If you’re using it as a power bank regularly, recharge it more often. For authoritative guidance on lithium battery maintenance, the U.S. Department of Energy has published information on lithium battery care and best practices.

NOCO GB40 vs GBX45: Which One Should You Choose?

This is the most common comparison question, so here’s a direct breakdown.

Choose the GB40 if: You drive a car or crossover with a gas engine under 6.0L, you’re in a mild climate, and you want a proven, affordable jump starter. It’s the most popular model for good reason.

Choose the GBX45 if: You want faster USB-C recharging, a slightly higher amp rating (1250A vs 1000A), better diesel compatibility (up to 4.0L vs 3.0L), and the latest UltraSafe 2.0 protection. The GBX45 costs a bit more but is the better long-term investment.

Both are compact enough for a center console. Both are spark-proof. The GBX45 is simply the more future-proof option.

Conclusion

The right NOCO model comes down to your engine size and climate. For most cars and crossovers, the GB40 is all you need. Truck owners and anyone in a cold-weather state should go with the GB70 — that 56 Wh reserve makes a real difference when conditions are tough. And if you want the latest technology, the GBX series delivers faster charging and stronger protection at a reasonable step up in price. Pick your engine size, check your climate, and buy with confidence. — Alex Rahman

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best NOCO jump starter for a standard car?

The NOCO GB40 is the best choice for most cars and crossovers. It handles gas engines up to 6.0L, delivers 1000 peak amps, and weighs just 2.4 pounds. It’s the top-selling model in the NOCO lineup for good reason.

What is the difference between the NOCO GB series and GBX series?

The GBX series is NOCO’s newer lineup with upgraded UltraSafe 2.0 protection, USB-C Power Delivery charging, and faster recharge times — as quick as 48 minutes. The GB series is the classic lineup that’s reliable and more affordable, but lacks fast USB-C charging.

Can the NOCO GB40 jump start a truck?

The GB40 can handle trucks with gas engines up to 6.0L — but many full-size trucks have 5.0L or 6.2L engines that sit right at the limit. For heavy-duty trucks or large diesel engines, the GB70 or GBX55 is a safer choice with more reserve power.

How often should I recharge my NOCO jump starter?

Recharge your NOCO every 3 to 4 months during storage to maintain optimal battery health. Lithium batteries self-discharge slowly, and a unit stored for over a year without recharging may not start your engine in an emergency.

Does NOCO work on diesel engines?

Yes, most NOCO models support diesel engines. The GB40 handles diesel up to 3.0L, the GB70 handles up to 6.0L diesel, and the GB150 goes up to 8.0L diesel. Always check the diesel rating on your specific model before buying.