Quick answer: For most Michigan drivers, a compact lithium jump starter that claims UL 2743, such as the Clore Jump-N-Carry JNC345, fits in the car and starts engines up to 10 liters [6]. If you keep one in a garage for several vehicles or for repeated jumps on very cold days, the heavier JNC660 has the most cranking power here [5].
At a glance
- Gaylord low, winter 2024-25
- -21°F on December 22, 2024 [1]
- Houghton Lake and Sault Ste. Marie
- -14°F and -11°F in January 2025 [1]
- Cold and batteries
- Battery performance decreases in cold weather [2]
- Car emergency kit
- Ready.gov lists jumper cables, an ice scraper and a blanket [3]
- Warming up the car
- CDC: never run a vehicle in an attached garage, even with the door open [4]
Why Michigan batteries fail
Michigan winters are hard on car batteries. The National Weather Service office in Gaylord recorded -21°F on December 22, 2024. Houghton Lake fell to -14°F and Sault Ste. Marie to -11°F that January [1]. The federal fuel economy site says battery performance decreases in cold weather, making it harder for the alternator to keep the battery charged [2]. Short winter trips make it worse, because the battery never fully recharges.
A jump starter is a battery pack with clamps. It lets you start a car with a weak battery without finding a second car, which matters on an empty lot at 6 a.m. or on a rural road.
How we chose
- Ratings from the maker. We list the maker’s amp rating and the engine sizes it says the unit can start. Peak amps and “start assist” amps aren’t measured the same way across brands, so compare within a brand.
- UL 2743 where claimed. Clore describes UL 2743 as the lithium jump starter safety standard [6]. We note which makers claim it on their own pages; it covers safety, not cold-weather starting.
- Protection features. We favored units with reverse-polarity protection, so a mixed-up clamp in the dark doesn’t cause damage.
- Recall check. We searched the CPSC recall database for each brand and model on November 2, 2026. None has been recalled.
Our picks
Best for: Trucks, SUVs and the glove box
Clore Jump-N-Carry JNC345
Enough starting power for large gas and diesel engines in a 4.4 lb package, with longer cables than most compact units and a full set of protections.
- 550 start assist amps; starts up to 10L gas and 10L diesel engines [6]
- Override for totally dead (0.0V) batteries [6]
- 40 in. #6 AWG cables; reverse polarity, backfeed, over-voltage and overheat protection [6]
- Two USB outlets and a 10A DC outlet; 1-year limited warranty [6]
Safety check: Clore says it is certified to comply with UL 2743. No CPSC recall found for the JNC345 (checked 2026-11-02).
Watch out: Like any lithium pack, it loses charge sitting in a cold car. Clore doesn't list an operating temperature range on the product page, so check the manual and top it up through the winter.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: Compact cars and smaller engines
Clore Jump-N-Carry JNC325
The smaller sibling of the JNC345, with less power and shorter cables, for cars with 4- and 6-cylinder engines.
- 450 start assist amps; starts up to 8L gas and 6L diesel engines [7]
- 24 in. #6 AWG cables; override for dead batteries [7]
- Reverse polarity, backfeed, over-voltage and overheat protection [7]
- 4.3 lb; 1-year limited warranty [7]
Safety check: Clore says it is certified by SGS to comply with UL 2743. No CPSC recall found for the JNC325 (checked 2026-11-02).
Watch out: 24 in. cables are short. On some cars the battery sits far back or under a cover, and you may have to set the unit on the engine.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: A garage unit for several vehicles and repeated jumps
Clore Jump-N-Carry JNC660
The most cranking power here and heavy #2 cables. Clore describes it as built for extremely cold weather and multiple jump starts, and service garages and tow operators use it.
- 1,700 peak amps; 425 cranking amps [5]
- 46 in. #2 AWG cables; volt gauge [5]
- Automatic charger built in [5]
- 18 lb; 1-year limited warranty [5]
Safety check: Clore lists no safety certification on the product page. No CPSC recall found for the JNC660 (checked 2026-11-02).
Watch out: At 18 lb it's not something you'll keep in a small car. Clore's page doesn't list reverse-polarity protection, so connect red to positive first and double-check.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: Deeply drained batteries in hard cold
Schumacher Rugged 2000A Lithium Jump Starter (SL1612)
Schumacher's Pre-Boost mode adds a charge to a deeply discharged battery before you crank, and its Pre-Heat mode is meant for extreme cold.
- 2,000 peak amps; starts up to 10.0L gas and 8.0L diesel engines [8]
- Pre-Boost and Pre-Heat modes; low-voltage override [8]
- 44.4 Wh lithium battery; recharges in 6 to 7 hours by USB or 3.5 hours from a car charger [8]
- 3.2 lb; 2 ft cable reach; 1-year limited warranty [8]
Safety check: Schumacher lists DOE and FCC certifications; its page does not claim UL 2743. No CPSC recall found for the SL1612 (checked 2026-11-02).
Watch out: Its peak-amp rating isn't comparable to Clore's start-assist rating, so don't read 2,000 as four times the JNC345. The cables are short at 2 ft.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Buying guide
- Match the engine. Each maker lists the largest gas and diesel engine it can start. A V8 pickup needs more than a compact car.
- Keep it charged. A jump starter that has sat in a frozen car since November may be as weak as the battery you’re trying to start. Charge it monthly through the winter.
- Check the battery, too. If you need a jump more than once, have the battery and charging system tested. Ready.gov lists the battery and ignition system among the things to have a mechanic check before an emergency [3].
- Keep cables anyway. Ready.gov lists jumper cables in its car emergency kit [3].
Sources
- National Weather Service Gaylord: Winter 2024-25 Climate Summary
- U.S. Department of Energy and EPA, FuelEconomy.gov: Fuel Economy in Cold Weather
- Ready.gov: Car Safety
- CDC: About Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Clore Automotive: JNC660 1700 Peak Amp 12 Volt Jump Starter
- Clore Automotive: JNC345 Lithium Jump Starter
- Clore Automotive: JNC325 Lithium Jump Starter
- Schumacher Electric: Rugged 2000A Lithium Jump Starter and Power Pack (SL1612)
Common questions
Why do car batteries die in cold weather?
Battery performance drops in the cold, according to the federal government's fuel economy site, and that makes it harder for the alternator to keep the battery charged. A battery that started fine in October can fail on the first below-zero morning.
What is UL 2743?
Clore describes it as the safety standard for lithium jump starters. It covers safety, not starting power or cold-weather performance. Clore says its JNC345 and JNC325 conform to it; Schumacher's page for the SL1612 lists DOE and FCC instead.
Do I still need jumper cables?
Ready.gov still lists jumper cables in its car emergency kit. A jump starter does the same job without a second car, but cables cost little and never need charging.