NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000A 12V Lithium Jump Starter Review (2026)

Who the GB40 is built for

NOCO rates the Boost Plus GB40 for gas engines up to 6.0 liters and diesel engines up to 3.0 liters, covering the great majority of passenger cars, crossovers and smaller trucks that a camper might need to jump start at a trailhead or campsite. At 8 inches long and 2.4 pounds without the clamps, it is compact enough to live permanently in a glovebox or door pocket rather than taking up trunk space, which matters for anyone who wants a jump starter on hand without planning for it. Owners of larger diesel trucks or heavy duty engines should look at a higher rated NOCO unit, since the GB40's diesel rating tops out at 3.0 liters.

Power, battery and safety features

NOCO specifies 1000 peak amps of jump starting power from a 2150mAh internal battery, enough for up to 20 separate jump starts on a single charge according to NOCO's figures, useful for a camper who might need to help more than one stalled vehicle on a trip. Safety features include spark-proof clamp connections and reverse polarity protection, so an accidental backward connection will not damage the pack or the vehicle, a meaningful safeguard for anyone jump starting an unfamiliar car in low light. The enclosure carries an IP65 rating, sealing it against water, dust and general impact, relevant for a tool that lives in a glovebox or gets tossed into a pack for a camping trip.

Extra features for camp use

Beyond jump starting, the GB40 includes a built-in 100-lumen LED flashlight with seven light modes, including SOS and emergency strobe settings that are genuinely useful if a breakdown happens after dark at a remote site. A 2.1A USB-A port lets the pack double as a phone charger between jump starts, so it earns its glovebox space even on trips where the car never needs a jump. Like any lithium pack, the GB40 self-discharges slowly over time, so NOCO recommends periodic recharging, and a pack that has sat untouched for many months without a top-up charge may not have a full 1000A ready when it is actually needed.

How it compares with other NOCO jump starters

Against the NOCO Boost Air AX65, which adds a built-in air compressor at a higher price and larger size, the GB40 stays smaller and cheaper by skipping the compressor entirely, better suited to drivers who do not air down tires. The NOCO Boost HD GB70 steps up to 2000 peak amps for larger diesel engines, a better fit for full-size trucks, while the GB40 covers the more common case of smaller gas and diesel vehicles in a lighter package. For campers who want the smallest, most pocketable jump starter that still covers most passenger vehicles, the GB40 sits in a practical middle ground within NOCO's lineup.

Verdict and who should pick something else

The Boost Plus GB40 earns our score of 8.2 out of 10 for packing genuinely useful jump starting power, a flashlight and phone charging into a compact, glovebox friendly size. It is a strong pick for campers who mainly drive gas cars, crossovers or smaller trucks and want backup power always within reach. Choose the NOCO Boost HD GB70 or Boost Air AX65 instead if you drive a larger diesel truck or regularly air down tires, since the GB40's engine size rating and lack of a compressor leave those needs uncovered.

Frequently asked questions