- Yes, it can be too cold for the full power of a jumpstarter, but with a few simple habits you'll still start just fine in freezing weather.
- The lithium cells in a jumpstarter work best between roughly 0 and 40 degrees. In severe frost they deliver less power temporarily.
- Store your jumpstarter indoors, fully charge it in autumn and warm it up briefly before use.
- Choose a model with some CCA margin, so you still have enough power left in the cold.
Your jumpstarter sits in the glove compartment all winter, and right when you need it, it feels weak. Could that be the cold? Yes. Just like your car battery, a jumpstarter suffers from frost too. In this guide you'll read what cold does to your device, down to which temperature you can still start well, and how you simply keep it at full strength.
A jumpstarter draws its power from lithium cells. They generate current through a chemical reaction, and that reaction runs slower in the cold. As a result, the available starting current drops temporarily, just like with a regular car battery. Once the cell warms back up, the power returns. Cold performance is linked to the CCA, the starting current at minus 18 degrees. You can read more about that in what CCA actually is.
What exactly does cold do to your jumpstarter?
In the cold, two things happen. The cell delivers less current, and charging slows down or even stops completely to protect the cell. In light frost you barely notice this in practice, because a quick start only takes a few seconds. In severe frost of minus 10 degrees or colder, you'll see the device has less reserve and the number of start attempts drops. The cell doesn't get damaged by the cold, it just temporarily delivers less. As soon as the device returns to room temperature, full power is back.
Down to which temperature can you jumpstart well?
For a single start, a healthy jumpstarter stays usable even in significant frost, especially if you just brought it in from indoors. The difference is in the margin. A device that's been sitting cold and half charged in the car has little reserve left. A device that's charged and at temperature starts without any trouble. The table below shows what you can expect and what's best to do, per situation.
| Situation | What you notice | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Above 0 degrees | Full power, no problem | Just use it |
| 0 to minus 10 degreesmost common | Slightly less reserve, starts fine | Device stored indoors? Ready to use right away |
| Colder than minus 10 degrees | Noticeably fewer start attempts | Warm it up briefly inside your jacket before use |
| Device was cold in the car | Little reserve, charging may stall | Bring it inside, charge it, then use it |
So the shortest route to a trouble-free winter is simple: store your jumpstarter indoors instead of in the car, and fully charge it once in autumn. Want extra peace of mind? Choose a model with some CCA margin above what your car requires. That margin covers exactly what you temporarily lose in the cold.
- 960 CCA, ample reserve in freezing weather
- Honest CCA rating, no inflated peak current
- Ordered before 5pm, shipped the same working day
"Don't leave your jumpstarter in the boot in winter, put it in a fixed spot indoors instead. Two minutes in your inside jacket pocket before use does the rest, and you'll still get full power out of it even in freezing weather."
Frequently asked questions
Does a jumpstarter break from the cold?
No, ordinary winter cold doesn't damage the lithium cell. It only delivers less current temporarily in freezing weather. As soon as the device is back at room temperature, full power returns.
Can I leave my jumpstarter in the car during winter?
You can, but it's not smart. A cold device has less reserve and charges more slowly. It's better to store it indoors, so it's always ready to start when you need it.
Does a jumpstarter still work at minus 15 degrees?
Yes, for a single start a healthy, charged device stays usable. With less margin though. Warm it up briefly inside your jacket before you start, and you'll have more power available.
Can I charge my jumpstarter when it's freezing?
Charging is slow in the cold and can even stall to protect the cell. So charge your jumpstarter indoors, at room temperature. Fully charging it once in autumn saves you hassle in winter.
How do I choose a jumpstarter that can handle cold?
Pay attention to the CCA rating and choose a model with some margin above what your car requires. That reserve covers what you temporarily lose in freezing weather. For most cars, the Boost Pro 8250 with 960 CCA is a safe choice.
