When the world slowed down in 2020, portable jump starters suddenly became essential gear. Cars sat for days or weeks, and plenty of us learned the hard way that a battery can give up if it is not maintained on a charger. Getting rolling again often meant a jump-start, which is why these packs exploded in popularity.
That momentum never really faded. Even now, with normal driving back, the case for owning a jump starter is simple: you do not have to flag someone down or dig out cables if your battery dies. You pop the hood, hook up your pack, and you are back on the road.
There are a lot of choices out there, with peak amp ratings that cover everything from compact cars to heavy-duty trucks. Engine size is the main factor, but more headroom is rarely a bad thing. A higher amp rating is just the ceiling the pack can deliver; your car only draws what it needs. Even EV owners should keep one around, since the 12-volt auxiliary battery can still fail.
I have kept a jump starter in my glove box since 2020. Even if you only ever need it once, it is worth the space. Recently, GooLoo asked if I would test the GT6000, a 6,000A pack aimed at serious power demands. For most drivers, that is more than necessary, but GooLoo says it can start anything up to a 12.0-liter diesel and any gasoline engine in seconds. I do not have a monster diesel to verify the upper limit, but I did put it through practical tests.
Before the jump test, a few features stand out. The GT6000 supports 100W fast charging, which matters more than you might think. Some packs lose charge while sitting, and waiting for them to top up can be frustrating. Here, a full charge from empty takes about 1.4 hours, and roughly seven minutes is enough to get you going for a jump.
Like most modern packs, it doubles as a power bank. It is chunky, so you would not carry it as an everyday battery, but if your laptop is dying in the car, it is handy. The size comes with a reason: capacity is 27,000 mAh (99.9 Wh).
Connectivity is solid. You get three USB ports and an accessory lead that can power 15V or 12V DC devices such as tire inflators or small inverters. A 3.2-inch LED display on top shows status and remaining charge in large, clear characters. It can wash out in direct sun, although most of the time you will be working under the hood where there is shade. On one end, a 400-lumen LED light offers flashlight, SOS, and strobe modes.
GooLoo estimates more than 70 jump-starts per full charge and claims a 24-month standby window. I am not burning through 70 starts to confirm that, but over two weeks I did not see any meaningful drop. I still suggest checking the level every few months so you are not surprised when you need it.
If you have never used a jump pack, the GT6000 is straightforward. Plug the clamp cable into the booster, attach the clamps to the battery, and you are ready. The included clamps strike a nice balance between size and grip. Cable length is similar to competing units. It is not long, yet usually sufficient.
Functionally, jump starters are a binary test: did it fire the car. The GT6000 did, without drama. I appreciate that there is no menu maze. Power it on, connect the lead, clip the clamps, start the car. The display confirms status so you know when to turn the key. Do most people need a 6,000A pack? Probably not, which is why GooLoo sells lower-output models for smaller budgets and engines.
If you plan to lean on it as a power bank for camping or road trips, the larger battery pays off. The GT4000 costs less by about twenty dollars, but it drops capacity to 24,000 mAh (88.8 Wh). The GT6000’s bigger pack means more jumps per charge and better cold-weather performance thanks to the extra headroom. Where you live and how you plan to use it should guide that decision.
Overall, the GT6000 is more capability than I personally need, yet it is reassuring to have it in the glove box. If the price or size gives you pause, GooLoo’s smaller units deliver the same core experience with less output and smaller batteries. Pick the one that matches your engine and how you intend to use the pack.
Disclaimer: GooLoo provided the GT6000 in this review for evaluation. The company did not see this article before publication and had no input on the conclusions.
