Most of us have been in an awed situation when turning the ignition key results in an unresponsive engine or maybe a few clicks. There are two options for reviving a car with a dead battery: the battery charger or the jump starter. Both devices work suitably for various vehicles, but which one provides an instant fix?
If you often face flat batteries, you can click here to view and purchase some high-quality jump starters. However, before purchasing, you must know the ins and outs of each product to make an accurate decision. The below comparison will ease your efforts.
Car Battery Charger and Jump Starter – How do They Differ?
Before diving into other aspects, let’s understand how the products differ. A jump starter boosts your car battery and doesn’t recharge it. They are independent units with integrated batteries and don’t require a power supply to function. Jump starters output a high voltage to revive a dead battery within seconds.
In contrast, a car battery charger is much similar to the electronic chargers at your home. It connects to a wall outlet and charges the car’s battery. Although the very definition clarifies which product is more flexible, let’s consider some pros and cons to make things more straightforward.
Advantages And Disadvantages of a Jump Starter
Firstly, a jump starter doesn’t need a wall or an external outlet as it has an integrated battery. They are convenient when you face a flat battery on the road. Next, they provide high amps that can kick-start a dead battery within seconds.
Modern jump starters have a compact size and come with different ports and accessories like mobile charging ports, flashlights and LED indicators, etc. The most distinguishing thing about a jump starter is that it provides an instant power kick that saves time. However, jump starters are more expensive than car battery chargers as they have more power and features. Also, a jump charger cannot recharge your battery. It will only provide the necessary push to get the engine going.
Advantages And Disadvantages of a Car Battery Charger
Now comes the car battery charger. Conventionally, a battery’s size determines its charging time. The same convention follows when you use a car battery charger. Larger batteries require more charging time. A battery charger plugs into a wall socket and transfers the energy to the dead car battery. Depending upon the battery size, it may take 10 hours or more. However, for empty batteries, you may have to wait for 24 hours.
Since electric outlets are not available everywhere, therefore, car battery chargers are not workable independently. Also, chargers with higher output voltages are bulky and cost more. On the bright side, they charge your car’s battery reliably, which lasts longer than a jump starter’s kick.
The Bottom Line
Car battery chargers and jump starters are two different ways of dealing with flat or dead car batteries. Jump starters provide a more instant solution as they can start your car within seconds and are conveniently portable. Moreover, they operate independently due to integrated batteries.
In contrast, a car battery charger takes longer but charges the battery reliably. However, heavy-duty battery chargers are more expensive, heftier, and not easily portable. Also, they require a wall outlet to transfer the current to the car battery. Therefore, they are not ideal for emergencies.
