Best Portable Jump Starter · Diesel Trucks

Best Portable Jump Starter for Diesel Trucks

For a diesel truck, buy by the brand’s diesel rating, not the peak-amp headline: our top pick is the NOCO Boost X GBX155, which NOCO rates for diesel engines up to 8.0 liters. Diesels need much more cranking power than gas engines of the same size; NAPA says their compression ratios are almost twice as high, which is why many trucks carry two batteries. All the packs here are 12V, so they suit pickups, not 24V systems such as many loaders and heavy equipment.

Open hood of a heavy-duty pickup with a portable jump starter resting on the fender at sunrise

Our top 3

Top picks at a glance

Best for heavy-duty diesel#1
NOCO Boost X GBX155 jump starter

NOCO Boost X GBX155

Premium price range

NOCO’s 4,250A pack, rated to 10.0L gas and 8.0L diesel, with a 99 Wh battery.

See details ›
Best value diesel pack#2
GOOLOO GT4000S jump starter

GOOLOO GT4000S

Mid-range price range

Outdoor Life’s best for diesel trucks; GOOLOO rates it to 10.0L diesel.

See details ›
Most headroom#3
GOOLOO GT6000 jump starter

GOOLOO GT6000

Mid-range price range

Car and Driver’s best for large engines; GOOLOO rates it for diesel up to 12.0L.

See details ›

In detail

Who each one suits

Engine ratings, amps and capacities are each brand’s own figures; third-party test results are credited by name. We did not bench-test these units.

Best for heavy-duty diesel#1

NOCO Boost X GBX155

NOCO’s GBX155 is the heavy-hitter in this list: the brand rates it for gas engines up to 10.0 liters and diesel up to 8.0 liters. Road & Track and Autoweek call it the most powerful pack they reviewed, TechGearLab names it best for big engines, and Popular Science lists it as its splurge pick.

Why it stands out

  • NOCO rates it at 4,250 peak amps for gas to 10.0L and diesel to 8.0L (brand-stated).
  • 99 Wh lithium battery with a 60W USB-C output, so it also charges a laptop.
  • IP65, with the spark-proof and reverse-polarity protection of the Boost line.
Engine ratingGas to 10.0L, diesel to 8.0L
Peak amps4,250A (brand-stated)
BatteryLithium-ion, 99 Wh
WeightAbout 5.8 lb
ExtrasIP65, 60W USB-C out, LED light

Good fit if

  • You drive a heavy-duty diesel pickup such as a 6.7L Power Stroke or Cummins.
  • You work on trucks, farm equipment or fleets and want one pack for all of them.

Skip it if

  • Your vehicles use 24V systems (common on loaders and heavy equipment) — this is a 12V pack.
  • You drive an ordinary car — you would be paying Premium prices for capacity you never use.

The GBX155 is just under the 100 Wh line that the FAA uses for spare lithium batteries in carry-on bags. That does not mean an airline will accept it; ask the airline before you fly.

Best value diesel pack#2

GOOLOO GT4000S

GOOLOO’s GT4000S is the value route to big-engine ratings. GOOLOO lists it for gas engines up to 12.0 liters and diesel up to 10.0 liters at a Mid-range price, and Outdoor Life names it best for diesel trucks. It recharges quickly over a 100W two-way USB-C port, and it has a screen that shows the remaining charge.

Why it stands out

  • GOOLOO rates it at 4,000 peak amps for gas to 12.0L and diesel to 10.0L (brand-stated).
  • 100W two-way USB-C: GOOLOO says a full recharge takes about 1.2 hours.
  • IP65, an LCD screen and GOOLOO’s warranty of up to 30 months.
Engine ratingGas to 12.0L, diesel to 10.0L
Peak amps4,000A (brand-stated)
BatteryLithium polymer
WeightNot listed by brand
ExtrasIP65, 100W two-way USB-C, LCD screen

Good fit if

  • You drive a diesel pickup and want a high rating without a Premium price.
  • You like seeing the exact charge level instead of four LEDs.

Skip it if

  • You want the longest-established brand — NOCO has the longer review history.
  • You need it to be compact — the GB40 is smaller.

Some Amazon listings for this product show the older GT4000 name. Check that the listing title says GT4000S before you buy.

Most headroom#3

GOOLOO GT6000

The GT6000 is GOOLOO’s bigger pack. GOOLOO says it covers all 12V gas engines and diesel up to 12.0 liters, and Car and Driver picks it as best for large engines. It is a good fit if you want one pack for a heavy-duty truck, a tractor and the family car.

Why it stands out

  • GOOLOO rates it at 6,000 peak amps, all 12V gas engines and diesel to 12.0L (brand-stated).
  • 27,000 mAh battery with 100W USB-C in and out; GOOLOO says 0–100% in about 1.4 hours.
  • IP65, LCD screen and a 15V DC output.
Engine ratingAll 12V gas, diesel to 12.0L
Peak amps6,000A (brand-stated)
BatteryLithium polymer, 27,000 mAh
Weight4.44 lb
ExtrasIP65, 100W two-way USB-C, LCD screen

Good fit if

  • You run several vehicles, including a big diesel.
  • You want a fast-recharging pack that also charges a laptop.

Skip it if

  • Your vehicle is a normal car — the GP2000 or GB40 is lighter and cheaper.
  • You need a 24V mode — GOOLOO says its jump starters work on 12V batteries only.
Also worth a look

NOCO Boost HD GB70

The GB70 doubles the GB40’s rating: NOCO lists it for gas engines up to 8.0 liters and diesel up to 6.0 liters. Ford offers a dealer-installed GB70 kit on its Super Duty pickups, starting with the 2026 model year. Its IP65 rating and permanently attached cables suit boats and truck beds, and TechGearLab praises NOCO’s clamps on its larger packs for outdoor use.

Why it stands out

  • NOCO rates it at 2,000 peak amps for gas to 8.0L and diesel to 6.0L, with up to 40 jumps per charge (brand figures).
  • IP65 housing (NOCO rating) with permanently attached cables.
  • A 12V in/out port in addition to USB, so it can run 12V accessories.
Engine ratingGas to 8.0L, diesel to 6.0L
Peak amps2,000A (brand-stated)
BatteryLithium-ion, 56 Wh
WeightAbout 4.2 lb
ExtrasIP65, 12V in/out port, USB out, LED light

Good fit if

  • You run a gas V8, a mid-size diesel or a boat with an inboard engine.
  • You want NOCO’s protection features with more headroom than the GB40.

Skip it if

  • Your diesel is over 6.0L (many heavy-duty pickups) — the GBX155 has a higher rating.
  • You only need to start a small car — the GB40 is lighter and cheaper.
Also worth a look

WOLFBOX MegaVolt24

TechGearLab named the Wolfbox MegaVolt24 its best overall jump starter, and Road & Track recommends it for V8s. Wolfbox rates it for gas and diesel engines up to 10 liters, with a 24,000 mAh battery and 65W USB-C, so it works as a real power bank on trips.

Why it stands out

  • Wolfbox rates it at 4,000 peak amps for gas and diesel engines up to 10L (brand-stated).
  • 24,000 mAh battery with 65W two-way USB-C.
  • Wolfbox lists its minimum operating temperature as -4°F.
Engine ratingGas and diesel to 10L
Peak amps4,000A (brand-stated)
BatteryLithium-ion, 24,000 mAh
WeightNot listed by brand
Extras65W two-way USB-C, LED light

Good fit if

  • You want one pack that handles a V8 or diesel and charges devices on trips.
  • You want a Mid-range alternative to the GBX155.

Skip it if

  • You need an IP rating — Wolfbox does not list one for this model.
  • You want the smallest possible pack.
Also worth a look

Battery Tender Jump N Start 2000

Battery Tender is best known for battery maintainers, and its Jump N Start 2000 is Road & Track’s top-pick jump starter. Battery Tender rates it for 12V gas engines up to V8 and diesel up to 8.0 liters, in a light 1.48 lb package.

Why it stands out

  • Rated at 2,000 peak amps for gas up to V8 and diesel to 8.0L (brand-stated).
  • About 1.48 lb with a 16,000 mAh battery and USB-C charging.
  • Comes from a company whose main business is battery care.
Engine rating12V gas to V8, diesel to 8.0L
Peak amps2,000A (brand-stated)
BatteryLithium, 16,000 mAh
Weight1.48 lb
ExtrasUSB-C charging, LED light

Good fit if

  • You want a light pack with a big-engine rating.
  • You already use Battery Tender maintainers.

Skip it if

  • You want a boost or manual-override button — it does not have one.
  • You need an IP rating for outdoor use.

Cranking a cold diesel?

A pack rated above your engine size gives you margin for winter mornings and older batteries.

See customer reviews ›

Tips

Three things that make the difference

01

Wait for the glow plugs or grid heater

Ram’s Cummins manual says the Wait To Start light stays on below 66°F while the grid heater works. Let it finish before cranking.

02

Respect the crank limit

The same Ram manual says not to crank for more than 15 seconds at a time, and to wait at least two minutes between attempts so the starter can cool.

03

Never use a 24V source on a 12V truck

Ram warns against any booster above 12 volts. Two batteries in a pickup are wired in parallel, per NAPA, so the system is still 12V.

Honest note

A 12V pack will not start a 24V system, and Progressive Dairy says many loaders and much heavy equipment run full 24V systems. If that is what you drive, you need a pack with a 24V mode such as NOCO’s GB500 or Clore’s ES1224, which are larger, costlier units than the picks here.

FAQ

Questions people ask

What size jump starter do I need for a diesel truck?

Use the diesel rating, and match or exceed your engine size. NOCO rates the GB70 for diesel to 6.0L and the GBX155 to 8.0L. Consumer Reports, crediting Lectron, suggests at least 3,000 peak amps for diesels. For a 6.7L engine, a pack rated to 8L or more leaves margin for cold weather.

Why do diesel trucks have two batteries?

NAPA says diesel compression ratios are almost twice those of gasoline engines, so starting takes more power. The two batteries are wired in parallel, which keeps the system at 12 volts and means you can jump the truck through the more accessible battery or the jump post.

Where do I connect a jump starter on a diesel pickup?

Follow your owner’s manual. Ram’s diesel supplement says to use the jump post rather than the fuses and to ground the negative cable on the engine block, not the battery’s negative post. For the pack’s own steps, Ram says to follow the unit maker’s instructions.

Can I jump a semi truck with a portable jump starter?

Only with a pack that has a 24V mode, if the truck runs 24V. Progressive Dairy says two 12V batteries wired in series give 24V, which is common on heavy equipment. NOCO’s GB500 and Clore’s ES1224 offer 12V and 24V modes; the packs on this page are 12V only.

Will a jump starter work on a diesel in the cold?

It can, but cold works against both the truck and the pack. AAA says a battery loses about 60% of its strength at 0°F, and AstroAI says a pack gives roughly 70% of its rating at that temperature. Keep the pack warm in the cab and choose one rated well above your engine.

Is NOCO or GOOLOO better for diesel trucks?

NOCO’s GBX155 has the stronger review record for big engines: Road & Track, Autoweek and TechGearLab single it out. GOOLOO gives higher diesel ratings per dollar, and Outdoor Life and Car and Driver pick GOOLOO packs for trucks. See our NOCO vs GOOLOO comparison.

Size the pack to the diesel, not the sticker

Want the full picture? See our best portable jump starter guide, compared by engine size and use, and the FAQ on charging, storage and safe use.