NOCO Boost GB40 Jump Starter Review
Quick Verdict
The NOCO GB40 is the jump starter we recommend to everyone. Spark-proof, foolproof, powerful enough for most gas and diesel vehicles, and doubles as a USB power bank. One of those products you hope you never need but will be incredibly grateful you have.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Spark-proof and reverse polarity protection
- Jumps 6.0L gas and 3.0L diesel engines
- USB power bank built in
- 100-lumen LED flashlight with strobe and SOS modes
- Up to 20 jump starts per charge
- Compact enough to fit in a glove box
Cons
- Premium price vs basic jump starters
- Long charge time from empty
- Short clamp cables limit reach
- Not powerful enough for large diesel trucks
Specifications
| Peak Amps | 1000A |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 12V lithium |
| Engine Capacity | Up to 6.0L gas / 3.0L diesel |
| USB Output | Yes (power bank) |
| LED Flashlight | 100 lumens |
| Jump Starts per Charge | Up to 20 |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
Full Review
Overview
NOCO has built its reputation on one thing: making jump starters that won't hurt you, your car, or themselves. The GB40 is the model that put portable jump starters into mainstream glove boxes — a pocketable lithium pack that gets a dead battery moving again without needing another vehicle, jumper cables, or a willing stranger in a parking lot.
We've kept a GB40 in our test fleet for over two years and used it on everything from a tired commuter sedan to a neighbor's 3.0L diesel pickup. The results below come from real roadside use, not bench testing.
Performance
1000 peak amps is the right number for almost every passenger vehicle on the road. In our testing the GB40 cranked a fully dead 4-cylinder back to life in 3 seconds and a tired V6 in about 5. The UltraSafe spark-proof clamps refuse to deliver current until they detect a correctly seated battery — no fireworks if you reverse the polarity, no scary arc when the clamps touch.
As a USB power bank, the GB40 will fully recharge a modern phone roughly two and a half times and outputs at standard 2.1A speeds. It won't replace a dedicated power bank, but it's a real bonus in an emergency.
Ease of Use
The clamps are color-coded, the LED status row tells you exactly what's wrong if the pack refuses to fire (low battery, bad connection, reverse polarity), and the built-in 100-lumen flashlight has a strobe and SOS mode for nighttime breakdowns. It ships in a zippered storage pouch that keeps the clamps, charging cable, and unit tidy enough to actually live in your glove box.
Value for Money
At $99–$129 the GB40 costs more than the $30 generic jump starters that flood Amazon — and it's worth every dollar of the difference. The cheap ones we've tested fail within a year, miss spark protection entirely, and rarely have enough cranking amps for cold mornings. One year of AAA membership costs about the same as the GB40 and only covers you while you're a member. The GB40 is a one-time purchase that quietly looks after every driver in your family.
DCR Score Breakdown
How we scored the NOCO GB40 across five categories.
Don't get stranded — be prepared.
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