The Best Gooloo Portable Jump Starters Do More Than Just Bring an Engine Back to Life

If you’re looking for a reliable portable jump starter, Gooloo is one of the first names that comes to mind. The brand has a reputation for offering models with impressive jump-starting power and capacity, which I’ve confirmed in my testing.While Gooloo has plenty of portable jump starters in its lineup, three in particular are worth comparing for features relative to price point: the compact 3,000-amp A3, the value-packed 4,000-amp A5, and the heavy-duty 6,000-amp A7.Along with at least double the amps required to jump most vehicles, large trucks, and SUVs, Gooloo’s devices stand out for more than the ability to bring an engine back to life. Many, including the models I mention above, double as tire inflators and include advanced functions, such as automatic modes for, say, automobile and bicycle tires, and auto shutoff when a user-set pressure is reached. They’re also packed with a variety of handy features, like flashlights and USB ports.ProsExceptional power for the price2.8-inch color screen makes it easy to use ConsRelatively loud tire inflatorShortest inflation hose of the three I recommend hereKey SpecsCapacity12,000 mAh Peak Amperage3,000 ampsBoost ButtonYesPorts30-watt USB-C input/output, 5-volt/2.4-amp USB-A outputDimensions4.96 x 5.87 x 2.3 in.Weight2.2 lbThe 3,000-amp Gooloo A3 is the smallest and lightest of the three portable jump starters, but it’s mighty. The tire inflator has 1.24 cubic feet per minute (cfm) and 150 psi ratings that are impressive for the A3’s size, which means it can fill a 17-inch tire (common in most passenger vehicles) from 30 to 36 psi in under one minute. A 2.8-inch color screen simplifies stepping through five preset inflation modes: SUV, car, bike, ball, and custom.Like the Gooloo units below, the jump starter has a boost button and 10 protection features, including for short-circuit (reversing the leads when connected to a battery) and overheating. There are various nozzles for inflating tires, sports equipment such as balls, and other items.Features include a 30-watt USB-C input/output port, a USB-A output, an LED flashlight, and a USB-A to USB-C cable to charge its internal battery. For proper storage, there is a sturdy soft-sided carrying case. One downside: I found the air compressor louder than the other Gooloo units here and some of the other tire inflators I’ve tested.Gooloo A5ProsBright 3.2-inch color displaySpinning wheel animation effect verifies inflation45-watt fast-charge USB-C portKey SpecsCapacity20,000 mAh Peak Amperage4,000 ampsBoost ButtonYesPorts45-watt USB-C input/output, 5-volt/2.4-amp USB-A outputDimensions8.98 x 2.4 x 5.55 in.Weight3.2 lbThe Gooloo A5 is a little larger and heavier; however, it ups the ante with 4,000 amps of peak power and 20,000 milliampere-hours (mAh) of capacity that can crank even the largest passenger vehicles and retain a charge for more than a year. The tire inflator is rated 160 psi, and Gooloo doesn’t provide a cfm spec but says the A5 can inflate a 15-inch car tire from 30 to 36 psi in 30 seconds. In my testing, it was noticeably faster and quieter than the A3. Like the A3, though, it has five automatic inflation modes, automatically stops when a preset inflation pressure is reached, and comes with five nozzles.The A5’s 3.2-inch color display is my favorite of the three units. It’s easy to read, even in bright sunlight, and a big plus is its 45-watt USB-C charging cable. It’s attached at one corner so that you won’t lose it, plus it doubles as a carrying handle.There’s also a USB-A output port for charging devices such as a phone or tablet, a three-mode flashlight, and a USB-A to USB-C charging cable that’s used to recharge the unit from 0 to 100 percent in about six hours. It also comes with a decent storage case.Gooloo A7ProsMost powerful among the threeLongest inflation hoseBlower function for inflating and deflating large items (such as a blow-up mattress)ConsHigher price doesn’t equal more power compared to the othersCheap carrying caseKey SpecsCapacity24,000 mAh Peak Amperage6,000 ampsBoost ButtonYesPorts30-watt USB-C input/output, 5-volt/3-amp USB-A outputDimensions9.25 x 4.9 x 4.4 in.Weight3.97 lbThe Gooloo A7 is larger and heavier than the A3 and A5, and I found it slightly more stable than the A3 and A5 thanks to its square footprint.At 6,000 amps, it packs the most power and has 24,000 mAh of capacity so that it can crank larger engines and hold a charge longer. But at almost three times the price without an appreciable increase in power, the only way to justify its much higher cost is with the significantly robust tire inflator with a 5.30 cfm rating that’s more than double that of any of the portable tire inflators I’ve previously tested.It’s also the only unit here that has a very powerful 12.4-cfm “blower” function that, along with a supplied hose and four adapters, can be used to quickly inflate and deflate large items such as a blow-up mattress or stand-up paddleboard.As with the A3 and A5, it also has five inflation presets as well as automatic shutoff when the set inflation pressure is reached, a three-mode flashlight, and a boost button. It has a USB-C input/output for charging the device and powering other portable electronics, as well as a USB-A output port.The 3.7-inch display is the largest of the three units, making it quickly readable at a glance, although the display isn’t as vibrant as the A5’s color display. It’s a disappointment that the device comes with a cheap nylon carrying bag instead of the sturdier cases provided with the A3 and A5. An appreciated perk, though, is a supplied set of lightweight work gloves to protect your hands and keep them from getting dirty while using the device to jump-start an engine or inflate a tire.Which One Is Best for You?All three of these combination portable jump starters will get you out of a jam, and each has advantages and disadvantages. The A3 is a great choice for the majority of motorists. A friend of mine chose this device for his motorcycle because of its compact size. I recommend the A5 for its impressive capabilities compared to its price—and it has the best display. The higher cost of the A7 is only worth it if you own a larger vehicle or need the inflate-and-deflate blower function. But no matter which one you pick, you’ll be relieved you have it on hand the next time you’re stranded with a dead battery or deflated tire, or worse yet, both.Other Portable Jump Starter Combos We RecommendThe Noco delivers an impressive 2,000 amps of peak power and has 16,000 mAh capacity, while the tire inflator pumps out 2.3 cfm and up to 100 psi. It has auto shutoff and memory settings like other air compressors I’ve tested but adds “dwell” technology that pauses and then resumes inflation when a set pressure is reached to ensure proper inflation. Its 60-watt USB-C port recharges the device from 0 to 100 percent in about an hour.With 4,000 amps of peak current and 24,000 mAh of capacity, the Wolfbox can jump-start up to 10.0-liter gas or 6.0-liter diesel engines. It holds a charge for more than a year. The 1.5-cfm air pump takes one minute to inflate a 17-inch tire from 30 to 36 psi. It also has a 65-watt USB-C in/out port to quickly recharge the internal battery, two USB-A ports to charge other devices and includes a 400-lumen, three-mode LED flashlight.With 1,200 amps, this device cranks up to 6.0-liter gas and 3.0-liter diesel engines. Spark and reverse-polarity protection won’t send current to the battery clamps unless they’re securely and correctly connected. A built-in pump provides 140 psi and comes with adapters for bikes, balls, and other items. Included are a USB-C charging cable and port, a USB-A outlet, a clamshell carrying case, and lifetime customer service.Doug Newcomb splits his time between Hood River, Ore., and Todos Santos, Mexico. He's been writing about technology and cars for more than 30 years for Wired, Rolling Stone, Road & Track, Automobile, PCMag.com, Playboy and numerous other publications. He cofounded the C3 Group in 2013 to produce automotive industry events in New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and at SXSW in Austin. C3 Group was acquired by Informa in 2018. When he's not writing, he's riding a surfboard