It happens to the best of us sometimes. You accidentally leave your headlights on, your battery loses its charge, and you need to jumpstart your vehicle with jumper cables. Or you have a vehicle battery older than 4 years, and it’s not up to the task of holding a charge. Or, you live in a really cold place and don’t drive your vehicle enough to recharge the battery. The variables all stack up. Either way, you should carry a good set of jumper cables to safely jumpstart your car.

These cables enable you to connect your vehicle’s battery to another power source — typically another vehicle’s battery — to give it an instant power boost. By transferring electrical energy from the working battery to the dead one, jumper cables allow you to start your car and carry on with your journey without delay.

Some sets are heavy-duty, have long 20-foot cables, and have a 2-gauge wire like the VIKING 20 ft. 2 Gauge Super Heavy Duty Jumper Cables, which can be a great choice for bigger, more powerful vehicles and dynamic situations or terrain when you need to reach under the hood. Other choices — at a quarter of the price — are more basic, like the 12-foot-long PITTSBURGH AUTOMOTIVE 10 Gauge Jumper Cables, which are suitable to pair with small to midsize cars and trucks.

To learn more about jumper cables and a more in-depth analysis of how they can vary, check out our Buyer’s Guide or jump to the Price & Value summary. Still weighing your options? Consult our Comparison Chart to see how these cables stack up. Otherwise, take a look at our awarded goods for 2024.

Editor’s Note: We updated our Jumper Cables buyer’s guide on October 30, 2024, to include Price & Value and How We Tested sections.

The Best Jumper Cables of 2025

Best Overall Jumper Cables: VIKING 20 ft. 2 Gauge Super Heavy Duty Jumper Cables
Best Budget Jumper Cables: PITTSBURGH AUTOMOTIVE 12 ft. 10 Gauge Jumper Cables
Best Premium Jumper Cables: Diehard Advanced Power Booster Cable 71303
Best Practical Choice Jumper Cables: Energizer 6 Gauge Jumper Cables
Best Jumper Cables for Unplanned Emergencies: ABN Jumper Cables, 25 ft, 2 Gauge, 600 Amp

Best Overall Jumper Cables

Specifications

Size: 2 gauge
Amp rating: 420 A
Length: 20 ft.
Carrying bag included: Yes, a case

Pros

Commercial-grade suitable for cars, trucks, and marine vehicles
Tangle-free flexibility in cold and warm weather
PVC jacket water-, oil-, and chemical-resistant

Cons

Big and bulky

The VIKING 20 ft. 2 Gauge Super Heavy Duty Jumper Cables ($40) can deliver up to 420 A, allowing you to start SUVs, trucks, buses, or boats in seconds. At a generous 20 feet, these cables take away the hassle of aligning vehicles hood-to-hood. The 2-gauge stranded copper wire ensures they remain cool during operation and resist tangling.

The alligator clamps’ copper-coated jaws have a secure grip and are designed for top- and side-mounted battery terminal posts. Because of the spring’s gorilla-grip tension, you’ll need strong hand muscles to open them. We tested the booster cables with several cars and trucks and liked the clamping action, even in awkward situations.

Freezing temperatures can weaken a battery by 30% or more. If a car or truck needs a jump start during the winter, the Viking Super Heavy Duty Jumper Cables will stay flexible in cold, harsh weather. The PVC jacket makes it easier to coil up the cables for storage in the included plastic hard case and protect it against oil and corrosive chemicals.

Of course, the sum of all these quality features comes at a small cost. The first is the bulkiness of this cable set. A thick protective jacket, made of thermoplastic material and designed for extremely low temperatures, wrapped around 20 feet of 2-gauge copper-clad aluminum wire, adds up to 6.1 pounds. The second is the suggested retail price of $40, which isn’t overly expensive but definitely above average for a set of jumper cables. If you’re looking for a shorter cable and lower price, check out the PITTSBURGH AUTOMOTIVE 12 ft. 10 Gauge Jumper Cables.

These Super Heavy Duty Jumper Cables are a good choice due to their quality, efficiency, and clamp design. They have several advantages that amount to a commercial-grade product designed for many years of use and robust enough to handle the big-boy jobs. A nice extra is the included plastic hard case for convenient storage.

Best Budget Jumper Cables

Specifications

Size: 10 gauge
Amp rating: 150 amps
Length: 12 ft.
Carrying bag included: Yes

Pros

Copper-coated aluminum cable and copper-coated steel clamps
Flexible and easy to store and tuck away
Use Harbor Freight coupons for more savings

Cons

Capacity suitable primarily for small to midsize cars, trucks, and crossovers
Only 12 feet of reach
Low-quality insulation used on clamps

We’re not surprised the PITTSBURGH AUTOMOTIVE 12 ft. 10 Gauge Jumper Cables ($10) are a popular item at Harbor Freight: They are an outstanding choice for jumpstarting your car or another disabled vehicle in rare emergencies. This booster cable set has the right mix of quality, capability, and value that won’t incite a long string of swear words when used.

These 10-gauge cables will work brilliantly when jumpstarting small to midsize cars and trucks but are not ideal for bigger vehicles (e.g., buses, RVs, freight trucks) that require more starting power. Our tests showed that electrical current efficiently passes through these booster cables but slightly warms up when handling heavy loads and big engines. The insulation on the handle grips appears subpar and doesn’t exude quality.

The 12-foot length is only ideal for some situations, but it is the least expensive of our choices. Optimally, it requires that the donor vehicle and the one that needs assistance be positioned relatively close to each other. However, these are just the right size for keeping in the car and only take up minimal space when packed in the included storage bag.

Collectively, these PITTSBURGH AUTOMOTIVE cables have a price tag that will please even the most budget-conscious buyer — without compromising on quality where it counts. The price gets even better if you take advantage of a Harbor Freight coupon or promotion. But if you need a longer cable, don’t overlook the VIKING 20 ft. 2 Gauge Super Heavy Duty Jumper Cables.

Best Premium Jumper Cables

Specifications

Size: 6 gauge
Amp rating: 225 A
Length: 16 ft.
Carrying bag included: No

Pros

Electrical performance enables quick jumpstarting of vehicles
Clamp design offers the best performance and secure grip
PVC jacket oil- and chemical-resistant

Cons

Premium price point

A sturdy all-around, the Diehard Advanced Power Booster Cable 71303 ($42) set is from a highly recognized brand name at a premium price. It offers a quick fix in times of dire need and a great combination of features that most drivers need when they need a boost to get going again.

Thick, 6-gauge copper-clad aluminum wire provides excellent conductivity without overheating compared to thinner cables and is not prone to tangling. The cables remain flexible in cold weather and are rated for sub-zero temperatures. As a test, we stuffed the Diehard booster cables into a freezer for a few hours and verified that they remained pliable. The booster cable clamps are perfect for batteries with top- or side-mounted battery posts. The fully insulated clips and high-quality copper and aluminum jaws will keep your hands safe from current while connecting the cable.

Our test period was only about 3 months. Still, we didn’t see any problems, such as corrosion, weakening clamp springs over time, cables separating, or the ability to jumpstart large vehicles. Nonetheless, heavier gauge jumper cables with a higher amp rating are available at the same or lower price point.

To sum up, the Power Booster Cable 71303 offers a premium solution for drivers seeking a reliable jumpstart option. Its sturdy construction, including thick 6-gauge wire and high-quality clamps, ensures excellent conductivity and durability. The cables’ ability to remain flexible in cold weather and their resistance to tangling are significant advantages. While the price may be on the higher end, the peace of mind and performance offered by these cables make them a worthwhile investment for those needing a dependable jumper cable solution.

Best Practical Choice Jumper Cables

Specifications

Size: 6 gauge
Amp rating: N/A
Length: 16 ft.
Carrying bag included: yes

Pros

Strong alligator clamps with copper-coated teeth
Copper-clad aluminum cables
A protective, thick vinyl wire jacket stays flexible at extreme cold temperatures
Available in different gauges and lengths

Cons

6 gauge is not ideal for large engines
The thin vinyl carrying case will not last too many years

Reasonably priced, mid-range cable thickness, 16-foot length, and insulated alligator clamps with a muscular grip make the Energizer 6 Gauge Jumper Cables ($20) the Goldilocks choice. And the price makes it easy to justify having a reliable lifeline in the emergency kit — whether they get used or not.

The vinyl-coated alligator clamps have a firm grip, and the copper-coated teeth attach to a battery terminal from the side or on top. We like that the handles are long enough for ample leverage when opening and how the jaws open wide enough to grip any size battery terminal. Our one reservation is when this jumper cable needs to be vertically attached to a battery terminal. The surface area of the serrated tooth is small and does not offer much for holding onto the battery terminal when clamped vertically, so it is a little sketchy.

For those who experience cold, harsh winters, the 6-gauge copper-clad aluminum wire will remain flexible even at temperatures below freezing. Another quality is a thick jacket wrapped around the wire to protect it against chemicals, oil, and other nefarious liquids. While jumper cables are typically lightweight, their storage sometimes poses challenges. They often tangle, and the clamps may snag other items, causing an inconvenience. Fortunately, the included storage bag with these Energizer 6 cables solves that problem. If you prefer a firm case, look into the Goodyear 4 Gauge 16-foot cables instead. Likewise, the VIKING 20 ft. 2 Gauge Super Heavy Duty Jumper Cables come with a firm case.

While the convenient storage bag keeps things tidy, we believe the thin vinyl material will eventually dry and crack after baking in a hot car for a few summers. It is also a challenge to get the cables back into the bag. On a positive note, Energizer backs up its jumper cables with a 2-year hassle-free warranty.

Best Jumper Cables for Unplanned Emergencies

Specifications

Size: 2 gauge
Amp rating: 600A
Length: 25 ft.
Carrying bag included: No

Pros

Commercial grade suitable for cars, trucks, and marine vehicles
Tangle-free flexibility in cold and warm weather
PVC jacket oil- and chemical-resistant

Cons

The clamp is not fully insulated, which may be a shock and short-circuit hazard
Big and bulky

When you need to start full-size trucks, SUVs, or other large, heavy-duty vehicles, the ABN Jumper Cables, 25 ft, 2 Gauge, 600 Amp ($39) are robust enough. The 600A rating is more than enough to bring almost any size dead battery back to life. It also means they can quickly crank a powerful 3L diesel engine without needing to rev the source engine.

Along with its high current capacity, we liked how the easily bendable wire remained flexible even in cold temperatures, making it a reliable backup option year-round. A few hours in the freezer confirmed the cables remain flexible at temps cold enough to make ice cubes.

No one has ever said, “I wish these booster cables were shorter.” And sometimes, parking the donor vehicle close to the stranded one is not an option.

In those situations, the 25-foot cable length will reach pretty far and remove the limitation of having the car bumper-to-bumper or side-by-side with the car that needs the jump start. Longer jumper cables are good for situations where the donor vehicle can only pull up behind the stranded car if stuck on a busy highway or in a tight space.

While the parrot-style clamps have less gripping area than alligator-style clamps, they have more clearance in tight spaces, such as the case with smaller cars and crossovers. However, the clamps are not fully jacketed or insulated, and the exposed ends are a potential short-circuit or spark hazard.

Overall, this ABN Jumper Cables package offers consistent performance, feels extremely durable, and remains cool even during intense operation. Overall, the ABN Jumper Cables, 25 ft, 2 Gauge, 600 Amp package offers consistent performance, feels extremely durable, and remains cool even during intense operation.

Best of the Rest

Specifications

Size: 4 gauge
Amp rating: N/A
Length: 16 ft.
Carrying bag included: Yes, a hard case

Pros

Suitable for all cars and trucks
Strong solid copper parrot clamps
Tangle-free design
Cold-weather flexibility

Cons

Clamps have limited grip and opening width
The storage case is too small

Goodyear is a trusted brand for tires, but do their booster cables live up to expectations? A few months of testing convinced us that the Goodyear 4 Gauge 16-foot booster cables ($39) won’t disappoint you when called upon to jumpstart your car.

Without overheating, 4-gauge copper-coated aluminum wire can carry enough current to start most cars, light-duty trucks, crossovers, and SUVs. If you’re thinking of jumpstarting a bus or RV, we recommend using a set of 0- or 1-gauge booster cables. Their 16-foot reach will work in most emergencies. Goodyear offers these cables at a 20-foot length if you truly want to be prepared.

The freezer test proved that the Goodyear jumper cables remain flexible at frigid temperatures and can be rolled up easily for storage. These alligator clamps open wide enough to attach to various battery posts and connectors. Clamp teeth at the front and sides of the clamp will grab top-mount and side-mount battery terminals. However, the grip strength and shape of the teeth don’t grab small battery cable terminals very well. The handles have a vinyl coating to prevent rusting and unintentional arcing or sparks.

It is challenging to fit these Goodyear 4 Gauge cables back into the blue and yellow carrying case because it is about 9 inches in diameter. However, the Goodyear jumper cables include an attached cable tie to keep them tidy, and the case’s compact size makes for efficient storage.

two types of jumper cables — ABN parrot-style clamps versus Pittsburgh Automotive alligator-style clamps; (photo/Derek Mau)

Jumper Cables Comparison Chart

Jumper Cable	Price	Size	Amp rating	Length	Carrying bag included
VIKING 20 ft. 2 Gauge Super Heavy Duty Jumper Cables	$40	2 gauge	420 amps	20 ft.	Yes, a case
PITTSBURGH AUTOMOTIVE 12 ft. 10 Gauge Jumper Cables	$10	10 gauge	150 amps	12 ft.	Yes
Diehard Advanced Power Booster Cable 71303	$42	6 gauge	225 amps	16 ft.	No
Energizer 6 Gauge Jumper Cables	$20	6 gauge	NA	16 ft.	Yes
ABN Jumper Cables, 25 ft, 2 Gauge, 600 Amp	$39	2 gauge	600 amps	25 ft.	No
Goodyear 4 Gauge 16 feet	$39	4 gauge	NA	16 ft.	Yes, a hard case

long jumper cable — The 25-foot ABN jumper cables have a long reach; (photo/Derek Mau)

How We Tested Jumper Cables

Our Expert Testers

Our Testing Grounds

Our Testing Process

clamps on for jumping an engine — Testing the 25-foot-long ABN jumper cables; (photo/Derek Mau)

Buyers Guide: How to Choose the Best Jumper Cables

Wire Diameter

set of vehicle jumper cables — Testing out the Goodyear 4 Gauge 16-foot jumper cables; (photo/Derek Mau)

Terminal Clamps

bucket carrying case for long jumper cables — The Goodyear 4 Gauge 16-foot cables includes a hard carrying case; (photo/Derek Mau)

Cable Length

teeth of jumper cable on battery — Make sure the clamps of your jumper cables are firmly attached; (photo/Derek Mau)

Wire Composition

one vehicle jumping another's battery — If possible, face the vehicles toward each other for closer proximity and ease of setting up the jumper cables; (photo/Derek Mau)

Value of Jumper Cables

lineup of jumper cables for cars — Jumper cables all serve the same function of re-energizing a vehicle’s engine when the battery dies; (photo/Derek Mau)

How to Safely Jumpstart Vehicles

Position the two vehicles close enough — but not touching each other — so that the jumper cables reach from the donor battery to the one that needs help.
Look at the battery and identify the positive and negative terminal posts. The positive side typically has a red cable and a “+” symbol. The negative side has a black cable attached and is marked with a “-” symbol.
Correctly hooking up the cables will ensure a safe and steady current flow from the donor car to the weak or dead battery.
The jumper cables have four clamps — two at each end. Red clamps attach to the positive terminal, and black clamps attach to the negative post or ground point. Attach the red clamp of one end of the jumper cable to the dead battery’s positive terminal. Leave the black clamp unattached for now.
Attach the red clamp to the positive terminal at the good battery, and then connect the black clamp to the negative post.
Return to the vehicle that needs a boost and connect the black clamp to a bare metal, solid ground point in the engine bay, such as a metal bracket attached to the engine block away from a fuel line or an unpainted strut tower bolt. Using a ground point instead of the negative battery post avoids potentially dangerous sparks.
Start the vehicle with the good battery and let it run for about 2 minutes to charge the dead or weak battery.
Start the car with the dead battery and allow it to run for approximately 2 minutes to allow it to recharge.
Disconnect cables in reverse order, starting with the negative cable clamped to bare metal in the engine bay. Do not let the clamps touch metal to avoid an accidental spark or damage to the vehicle’s electrical system.
Drive the restarted vehicle for 20-30 minutes so it can recover.

side view of teeth of jumper cable — These Goodyear 4 Gauge 16-foot booster cables have an alligator-style clamp with teeth on the top and interior; (photo/Derek Mau)

When to Replace Your Jumper Cables

Price & Value

Budget

Mid-Tier

Premium

battery with jumper cable — Testing the VIKING 20 ft. 2 Gauge Super Heavy Duty Jumper Cables; (photo/Derek Mau)

Frequently Asked Questions

Jumper cables, also known as booster cables or jump leads, are crucial when your car’s battery dies or drains. Our favorite options include the VIKING 20 ft. 2 Gauge Super Heavy Duty Jumper Cables and Goodyear 4 Gauge 16-foot booster cables.

First, attach the red clamp on the jumper cable to the positive side of the working battery. Second, connect the red clamp on the other end to the positive terminal on the dead or tired battery. Third, clamp the black cable to the negative side of the working battery. Finally, clip the last black clamp to a metal part in the engine bay. Do not connect the negative side of the cable to the dead battery.

truck jumping car — You can jumpstart a car with a truck and vice versa; (photo/Derek Mau)

Jumper cables come in different gauges (cable diameter) ranging from 1 to 12. The gauge of the cable indicates the amount of power it can handle, with lower numbers indicating higher power capacity. For most standard vehicles, 4- to 6-gauge jumper cables are sufficient. However, you should use 2-gauge cables for optimal performance if you have a larger vehicle like a diesel truck. Smaller vehicles can typically use 8- to 10-gauge jumper cables.

Use a portable jumpstarter if the donor vehicle isn’t available to jumpstart the dead battery.

Sometimes, jumper cables and a boost from another vehicle aren’t enough to get your car going again. There are several reasons why you’re unable to jumpstart a car. Here are things you can check if a service technician isn’t nearby:

Inspect cables to the battery to ensure they are secure and not covered with corrosion.
Clean any corrosion off of the posts or terminals.
If you hear a clicking noise when turning on the ignition, it may indicate a broken starter.
The battery is done and may need replacement.

A dead battery can signal a bigger problem. If the battery can’t hold a charge, it may need replacement. Rather than wait for another battery-related problem to arise, take your vehicle to a service center or auto parts store. Most places will test the battery free of charge.

To ensure a safe and successful jumpstart, attach jumper cables following these steps:

Connect the red clamp to the positive terminal on the dead battery.
Connect the other end of the red clamp to the positive terminal on the donor vehicle’s working battery.
Connect the black clamp to the negative terminal on the donor vehicle’s working battery.
Finally, connect the last black clamp to an unpainted metal part of the dead car (e.g., a bolt or bracket) not next to the battery. This method will prevent any unintentional sparks.

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