Who Makes NOCO Jump Starters? The Company, History, and Technology Behind the Brand

NOCO jump starters are made by The NOCO Company, an American family-owned business founded in 1914 in Cleveland, Ohio. The company designs and engineers its Boost jump starter line in the USA, with manufacturing facilities in Hong Kong. NOCO holds over two dozen patents and is one of the most trusted names in portable battery power today.

Your car battery dies at the worst possible moment. It’s cold, it’s dark, and you’re alone. That’s the moment NOCO was built for. I’m Alex Rahman, an automotive writer who has spent years testing portable power gear, and I can tell you — understanding who actually makes your jump starter matters just as much as the specs on the box. Let’s dig into the full story behind NOCO.

Who Exactly Makes NOCO Jump Starters?

The NOCO Company makes NOCO jump starters. It’s an American, privately held, family-owned multinational corporation. The company designs, engineers, and markets consumer electronics for automotive, marine, and recreational vehicle use.

NOCO’s full legal name is The NOCO Company. Its headquarters sits at 30339 Diamond Parkway in Glenwillow, Ohio — just outside Cleveland. The brand operates globally, with research and development in Phoenix, Arizona, distribution centers in the Netherlands, Australia, and Japan, and sales offices across Europe and Asia.

Here’s something most people don’t know: NOCO doesn’t just sell jump starters. The company makes over 1,500 battery-related products across automotive, marine, RV, heavy-duty truck, construction, and agricultural markets.

The History of The NOCO Company

The story of NOCO starts over 110 years ago. In 1914, Joseph Henry Nook Sr. — a local tire and battery distributor in Cleveland, Ohio — wanted to solve one specific problem: battery corrosion. After hundreds of different formulations, he created the world’s first battery corrosion preventative. He called it NCP2, short for “No Corrosion Product, applied in 2 Steps.”

That product made NOCO a household name in every major automotive and battery shop in the country. Nook Sr. was later inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame — a recognition of how much his work shaped the industry.

The company didn’t stop at corrosion prevention. Over the following century, NOCO expanded aggressively into battery chargers, smart chargers, and eventually — lithium jump starters. In 2009, NOCO acquired Advanced Fishing Technologies (AFT), a high-tech manufacturer of marine and industrial battery management solutions. That acquisition deepened NOCO’s expertise in portable power.

The NOCO Genius Boost family of lithium jump starters followed, and the brand never looked back.

Where Are NOCO Jump Starters Designed and Made?

NOCO’s Boost jump starters are designed and engineered in the USA. The engineering team works out of Phoenix, Arizona, where NOCO runs its design, creative, and advanced testing operations.

Manufacturing happens in Hong Kong. This is a common setup for premium consumer electronics brands — design and engineering stay domestic, while production scales offshore to meet global demand.

The phrase “engineered in the USA” appears on NOCO’s packaging and Amazon listings for the GB40, and it’s accurate. The IP, the patents, the safety systems, and the product architecture all originate from NOCO’s American engineering teams.

What Makes NOCO Jump Starters Different?

NOCO’s biggest differentiator is its UltraSafe technology. This patented system uses spark-proof clamps and reverse polarity protection. What that means in plain English: if you connect the clamps wrong, nothing bad happens. The unit won’t fire current until everything is hooked up correctly.

That matters a lot. Traditional jump starters can arc, spark, and even damage sensitive vehicle electronics if you get the cables crossed. NOCO removed that risk entirely.

Here’s where it gets interesting. NOCO doesn’t just make one type of jump starter. They have a full lineup, each built for a specific engine size and use case:

• GB20 (500A) — Motorcycles, small cars, engines up to 4.0L gas
• GB40 (1000A) — Cars, trucks, boats, engines up to 6.0L gas / 3.0L diesel
• GB50 (1500A) — Larger trucks, SUVs, engines up to 7.5L gas / 3.0L diesel
• GB70 (2000A) — Heavy trucks, diesel engines up to 8.0L gas / 6.0L diesel
• GB150 (4000A) — Commercial vehicles, large diesel engines
• GB500 (6000A) — Fleet, commercial, and construction equipment
• GBX Series (Boost X) — Next-gen models with PX Lithium Technology and 60W USB-C fast charging

Every model in the Boost lineup runs on high-discharge lithium-ion technology. That’s why they’re so much smaller and lighter than old lead-acid jump starters — and still deliver more starting power.

How Does NOCO’s Lithium Technology Work?

Traditional jump starters use lead-acid batteries. They’re heavy, bulky, and lose charge over time just sitting in your trunk. NOCO uses lithium-ion cells instead. Lithium holds a charge for months between uses and delivers bursts of energy far more efficiently.

The GB40, for example, weighs just 2.4 pounds. An equivalent lead-acid unit would weigh five times that — and still deliver less peak current. That’s the core advantage of lithium chemistry in jump starters.

NOCO’s newer GBX (Boost X) line uses what they call PX Lithium Technology. This delivers even higher peak amps, charges the unit itself faster via USB-C Power Delivery (the GBX45 fully recharges in under 50 minutes), and improves thermal management so it works better in extreme cold or heat.

Is NOCO a Trusted Brand? What Do Patents and Awards Say?

NOCO holds over two dozen patents. One of the most significant is their patent for a portable vehicle battery jump start apparatus with safety protection — the core technology behind UltraSafe clamps. Courts have upheld these patents against infringement claims, including a 2025 ruling by Australia’s Federal Court in favor of NOCO’s IP.

The GB40 is Amazon’s number-one bestselling jump starter. It’s also been ranked the number-one bestselling product in Amazon’s entire automotive category during peak periods. As of 2025, the GB40 has collected close to 100,000 five-star ratings.

NOCO’s founder, Joseph Henry Nook Sr., was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame — one of the highest recognitions in the industry. That legacy of innovation continues today.

NOCO Jump Starters vs. Traditional Booster Packs

Feature	NOCO Lithium Jump Starter	Traditional Lead-Acid Booster
Weight	2–5 lbs (compact)	10–25 lbs (bulky)
Charge Retention	Months without recharging	Loses charge in weeks
Safety	Spark-proof, reverse polarity protection	Manual — human error risk
Cold Weather Performance	Strong down to -20°F (model-dependent)	Significantly weaker in cold
Extra Features	USB power bank, LED flashlight, SOS mode	Jump start only
Design Origin	Engineered in USA	Varies by brand

Which NOCO Jump Starter Should You Choose?

The right NOCO jump starter depends on your engine size. This is the single most important factor. Get this right and everything else falls into place.

For most everyday passenger cars and light trucks, the GB40 (1000A) hits the sweet spot. It handles gas engines up to 6.0L and diesel up to 3.0L. It’s compact, proven, and affordable. The GBX45 is the upgraded alternative if you want faster self-charging and more peak amps.

If you drive a truck with a large diesel, step up to the GB70 (2000A) or GB150 (4000A). Fleet managers and commercial drivers should look at the GB500.

NOCO vs. Competitors: How Does It Stack Up?

NOCO’s closest competitors in the lithium jump starter market include Antigravity Batteries, Clore Automotive (SOLAR brand), Schumacher Electric, and DEWALT. Each has strengths in specific segments.

What sets NOCO apart is the combination of patented safety tech, engineering-in-the-USA credibility, and sheer product range. Most competitors don’t offer a lineup that scales from a 500A motorcycle starter all the way to a 6,250A commercial unit. NOCO does.

NOCO also invests heavily in research and intellectual property — over two dozen patents — which competitors simply can’t replicate without licensing or workarounds.

Does NOCO Make Any Other Products?

Yes — quite a few. NOCO’s product catalog goes well beyond jump starters. Here’s what else the brand makes:

• NOCO Genius Smart Chargers — Available in 1A, 2A, 5A, and 10A versions. Compatible with flooded, gel, AGM, and lithium batteries. Can revive batteries as low as 1 volt.
• NOCO Lithium Batteries — Drop-in replacements for standard lead-acid automotive batteries.
• NOCO Air Compressors (AL Series) — Compact portable tire inflators for on-the-go use.
• NOCO Solar Panels (XGrid Series) — Foldable, IP65-rated panels for off-grid battery maintenance.
• NOCO NCP2 — The original battery corrosion preventative product, still sold today with over one billion applications worldwide.
• NOCO Accessories — EVA protective cases, extension cables, eyelet terminals, and USB-C chargers for their device lineup.

This product depth is rare. Most jump starter brands are one-trick ponies. NOCO is a full battery ecosystem company — from preventing corrosion in 1914 to starting 45-liter diesel engines in 2025.

Is NOCO a Good Brand? The Bottom Line on Quality

NOCO is one of the most respected names in portable vehicle power. Its 110-year track record, in-house engineering team, and 24+ patent portfolio back that reputation with hard evidence — not just marketing claims.

The GB40’s 100,000+ five-star Amazon reviews don’t happen by accident. Real-world testing across extreme temperatures — from -15°F winters to 105°F summers — shows the unit delivers when it counts most.

Battery failures cause nearly 30% of all roadside assistance calls in the US annually, according to AAA’s 2024 data. A NOCO jump starter in your glovebox is one of the most practical investments you can make as a vehicle owner.

Conclusion

NOCO jump starters come from The NOCO Company — a 111-year-old American family business that started by fighting battery corrosion and now leads the portable power category worldwide. The Boost lineup is designed and engineered in the USA, backed by over two dozen patents, and trusted by millions of drivers across every type of vehicle. If you don’t already have one in your car, that’s the next step — pick the model that matches your engine size and keep it charged. You’ll thank yourself the first time you actually need it. — Alex Rahman

Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns The NOCO Company?

The NOCO Company is privately held and family-owned. It was founded in 1914 by Joseph Henry Nook Sr. in Cleveland, Ohio, and remains a family-run business to this day. It is not publicly traded and has not been acquired by any larger corporation.

Are NOCO jump starters made in the USA?

NOCO jump starters are designed and engineered in the USA, with engineering teams based in Phoenix, Arizona. Physical manufacturing takes place in Hong Kong. This is the same model used by most premium consumer electronics brands.

How long does a NOCO jump starter hold its charge?

NOCO Boost lithium jump starters typically lose only 2–3% of their charge per month when stored properly. Most models stay ready for emergency use for several months between charges without any top-up needed.

What is NOCO’s UltraSafe technology?

UltraSafe is NOCO’s patented safety system built into the Boost jump starter clamps. It uses spark-proof technology and reverse polarity protection, meaning the unit won’t deliver current unless the clamps are connected correctly. This prevents sparks, damage, and injury from incorrect connections.

What is the difference between the NOCO Boost and NOCO Genius?

The NOCO Boost is a jump starter — it delivers a fast burst of power to start a dead battery in seconds. The NOCO Genius is a smart charger that slowly restores and maintains battery health over hours. They serve different purposes and work best as a pair: Boost for roadside emergencies, Genius for ongoing battery maintenance at home.