Halfords Portable Power Pack 200
Cranking output Not disclosed
Size 320 x 305 x 190mm
Price £74.99
Tel 08457 626625
Web www.halfords.com
Comments When a key piece of product information, in this case the peak boost current, is not disclosed it is easy for a tester to become suspicious. So, we didn't expect this compact and feature laden booster to perform brilliantly in our 'live boost' test. The massive array of extras (among which is a very nippy, quiet, tyre compressor; two fluorescent lights; and a 300W inverter) made us wonder if there would be any space left inside for a decent-quality battery, as well… We need not have worried as boost performance is good enough, only slightly trailing the 'professional' units on test here. The only minor niggle is that there is nowhere to store the leads, or charger.
Verdict This is a good-value power pack with solid boosting power, a tyre compressor and a 300W inverter.

Rating * * * *

Polco EJS 4018
Cranking output 400A
Size 330 x 260 x 270mm
Price £69.99
Tel 01980 676400
Web www.caeurope.com
Comments While we are fans of an interesting design that lets a product stand out from the crowd, we cannot help but wonder why Polco has made this booster quite so huge? We'd like to say that it's due to the use of a hefty, super-powerful battery – but it's not. In fact, its boost performance lagged behind that of many other units on test here, despite a similarly-rated internal battery. And, although a tyre compressor is built in, there seem to be precious few other features, apart from a pop-up light and a 12V socket, to justify the bulk. One pleasing extra is an isolator to render the jump leads electrically dead when connecting up. It is just a shame that they are only 52cm long.
Verdict It looks good, but its shape and size make it cumbersome to use and store.
Rating * *

Ring Power Pack 135
Cranking output Not disclosed
Size 320 x 305 x 190mm
Price £109
Tel 0113 2137389
Web www.ringautomotive.co.uk
Comments It doesn't take a genius to realise that this booster is a close cousin of Halfords' 200 (page 98): the front panel is identical and, if you press the 'test' button, the same four LEDs light up to display the charge level; a single LED turns from red to green when mains charging is complete. This similarity continues on the side of the unit where we find two fluorescent tubes identical to those on Halfords' 200 model. And, on the other side, there's the obligatory cigarette lighter socket plus a mains socket powered by an integral 300W inverter. The built-in tyre compressor is just as quiet and enthusiastic as Halfords' 200 and, perhaps most importantly, boosting performance is excellent, too. Sadly, though, like the 200, the absence of built-in lead storage also lets this booster down.
Verdict A good all rounder, but our almost-identical Best Buy is cheaper.
Rating * * * *

Draper 40133
Cranking output 400A (900A peak)
Size 370 x 340 x 120mm
Price £64.85
Tel 02380 266355
Web www.drapertools.com
Comments This rather austere booster, from Draper, seems to be aimed at the same professional mechanics as the Megaboost MB510 (right). Extravagances common on most units such as integral tyre compressors, inverters and lights are not included, although it does have a 12V cigarette-lighter socket. The unit's clamps are pleasingly robust. The leads are a useful 1.05m long and a sturdy isolator switch controls whether they are electrically live or not, so you shouldn't get a spark show when connecting up to the battery. The only problem with this approach is that where most professional power packs provide awesome starting power, capable of reviving practically any size of dead vehicle engine, this unit's output is distinctly average.
Verdict Uninspiring. No lights, no compressors and only average boosting power.
Rating * * *

Clarke Jumpstart 900
Cranking output 400A (900A peak)
Size 340 x 370x 120mm
Price £35.23
Tel 01992 565300
Web www.clarkeinternational.com
Comments We have reviewed this unit twice before (in our Aug '06 and Mar '07 issues) and it has remained unchanged. But how does it compare to the more modern units on test here? Well, styling apart, very well indeed. The long leads and decent clamps make connection to the battery effortless, and the internal battery's boost power rivals that of Best Buy and Recommended products. The deceptively simple front panel houses a lamp and a charge indicator, and there's a cigarette lighter socket built in, too. Only the permanently live clamps give the unit's age away but we'd be amazed, at this price level, if any form of isolator was built in, especially considering the battery's obvious high quality.
Verdict This no-nonsense, budget unit may not look pretty but it delivers plenty of starting punch.

Rating * * *

Megaboost MB510
Cranking output 510A
Size 320 x 360 x 125mm
Price £145
Tel 01604 790982
Web www.hamiltonclassic.co.uk
Comments Many expensive tools and pieces of equipment try to hijack the term 'professional' but here's a product that certainly earns its stripes. The clamps are of super-high quality, with electrical braiding to make sure that both halves are electrically balanced. The jump leads are a generous 1.5m long, and despite being incredibly fat they are surprisingly supple. Naturally, there's an isolator built in, too. Its boosting performance is easily the best on test and it will start practically any 'van you can name. The only drawback to the professional approach is that, as we saw with Draper's 40133 unit (left), no extra accessories are included, other than a solitary cigarette-lighter socket.
Verdict Definitely the best of the premium boosters. It easily justifies its high price.
Rating * * * *

SIP Rescue Pac
Cranking output 400A (900A peak)
Size 330 x 340 x 170mm
Price £89
Tel 01332 290833
Web www.sip-group.com
Comments This booster has been around for some years now, which would suggest that the original design was of a high standard. SIP appeared to have an obsession with lights when it dreamt this unit up and you certainly won't have to work in the dark if your battery gives up: as well as the retractable torch, there are two fluorescent tubes, and even red and orange flashing beacons. The unit also includes an integral tyre compressor. One thing that really impressed us about the Rescue Pac was its self-contained nature and the fact that there are ample compartments for all leads and chargers. However, although this product is brimming with features and boosting power is up there with the top-scoring units, it is expensive and the booster leads are way too short.
Verdict Nice design with a good choice of lights. However, it is let down by its high price and short booster leads.
Rating * * *

Polco EJS 4012
Cranking output 400A
Size 240 x 220 x 130mm
Price £29.99
Tel 01980 676400
Web www.caeurope.com
Comments In stark contrast to Polco's other product (page 98), this is the smallest booster on test by quite some margin – it would even fit into some motorhomes' gloveboxes. Despite this, Polco has still managed to shoehorn in a fluorescent tube and a cigarette-lighter socket. Naturally, the unit's small size means that a smaller battery has been used inside. The spindly booster leads are also testament to the puny power output offered – in fact, Polco instructs users to connect the unit several minutes before attempting to start the engine, in order to build up background power in the vehicle's own battery. Output, as you have probably guessed, is the lowest of the units on test here and therefore, other than powering 12V accessories, it will not be of much use to the majority of motorcaravanners.
Verdict Okay as a remote, 12V power source, but way too small for starting the majority of motorhomes.
Rating *

Clarke Jumpstart 910
Cranking output 400A (900A peak)
Size 340 x 370 x 160mm
Price £46.98
Tel 01992 565300
Web www.clarkeinternational.com
Comments In the styling stakes, this long-in-the tooth product is now really showing its age, but don't let that put you off what is nevertheless a superb all-rounder. It's 'live boost' performance is every bit as good as that of our Best Buy (p98), and the supple 1m-long booster leads make it a doddle to connect. However, it is worth bearing in mind that the leads and clamps are permanently live, so you could end up with a bit of arcing when you connect them to your battery. Aside from reviving dead engines, the unit also has a built-in tyre compressor which is efficient though not as fast as Halford's 200 (page 98). And, as is the norm for these products, there's also a 12V cigarette-lighter socket and a lamp.
Verdict An old favourite with an excellent level of 'grunt' for starting.
Rating * * * *

SIP Pro Booster 1400
Cranking output 1400A
Size 280 x 330 x 140mm
Price £159.90
Tel 01509 500300
Web www.sip-group.com
Comments This is another 'professional' booster that is high on power and short on gadgets. But like Draper's 40133 (p98) this Swiss-made unit cannot hold a torch to Megaboost's MB510 (p99). We cannot argue with the performance of the internal battery – which almost equalled that of the MB510 – but all the other essentials that professionals demand are missing. For instance, its leads are only 36cm long, which would be laughably short for a budget unit, never mind a premium-priced booster like this. It is also the only booster in the group that doesn't come with a 12V charger. However, the leads do use electrical sensing to switch an automatic isolator, so at least you're guaranteed a spark-free connection.
Verdict Loads of starting punch but there is a lack of accessories, and the leads are too short.
Rating *