NOCO Boost X GBX55
The clamps stay attached, so there is no separate lead assembly to find at the roadside. At 1.17 kg, it is easier to carry than the GBX155, although its short leads still need enough clearance around the vehicle's designated jump points. A suitable fast wall charger costs extra.
Specifications
| Australian configuration | GBX55 base kit: integrated clamps, USB-C cable and storage bag; no wall charger included. |
|---|---|
| Vehicle compatibility | 12 V lead-acid starting batteries; maker claims up to 7.5 L petrol / 5 L diesel. Engine size alone does not establish suitability. |
| Starting / battery figures | 1750 A advertised peak; nominal 46 Wh lithium-ion. Neither is a measured cranking-current guarantee. |
| Recharge | USB-C PD up to 60 W; maker about 1.2 hours with a suitable supply. A low-power USB source is much slower. |
| Size / weight | 194.5 × 124.5 × 63.5 mm; maker 1.17 kg. |
| Detection / protection | Normal polarity/spark protection; very low voltage may need manual override, which disables these protections. Manual threshold is 3 V. |
| Temperature / care | Operate −20 to 50 °C; charge 0–40 °C. Storage −20 to 50 °C, daily average 0–25°C; do not leave in a hot vehicle. |
| Enclosure / warranty | IP65 with ports closed; not submersible. One-year limited manufacturer warranty; Australian consumer rights remain additional. Battery replacement is manufacturer-restricted. |
Extended product analysis
Useful output, with limits
Torque Test Channel found useful output under warm simulated starting loads, followed by a substantial loss after overnight freezing. This was a load-bank test rather than a real-engine start. It supports ordinary-use capability, but offers little reassurance for a pack stored in severe cold.
Keep the working kit together
Attached clamps make the kit straightforward to retrieve and connect. The short leads can still be awkward around recessed terminals or a remote earth point. Check both connection locations before buying; the pack needs a stable position clear of moving engine parts.
Readiness is the ownership test
Some owners report units that stopped charging or failed after relatively few uses; others describe repeated successful rescues. The causes and frequency are unestablished. Check charge and condition before trips rather than assuming an unused pack is ready when needed.
Allow for charging and fault assessment
Fast USB-C charging makes a missed top-up easier to remedy, but requires a compatible supply and cable. The base kit excludes a wall adapter. Several Australian retailers provide a local seller to approach over a fault; the manufacturer's one-year warranty is relatively short.
Pros
- Useful independent warm-load test results
- Easy-to-carry size and integrated clamps
- Fast recharge with a compatible 60 W USB-C PD supply
- Several established Australian buying routes
Cons
- Noncharging and early-failure owner reports
- Very poor performance in one severe-cold test
- Fast wall charger costs extra
- Short leads and one-year limited cover
Projecta Intelli-Start IS1220C
The 0.78 kg unit comes with detachable clamps, a protective case and a vehicle USB adapter, making it easier to pack than either NOCO here. After a successful start, it can draw energy from the running vehicle to replace what it just used. That does not fully recharge an empty pack.
Specifications
| Australian model / kit | IS1220C USB-C model; detachable clamps, padded case, USB charging cable and 12 V USB vehicle adapter. No AC wall adapter. Supplied USB cable type varies; confirm with seller. |
|---|---|
| Compatibility / starting claims | 12 V lead-acid starting systems; maker claims 7 L petrol / 4.5 L diesel, 400 A clamp output and 1200 A peak. These are not guaranteed real-engine results. |
| Internal battery | LiFePO4, nominal 38.4 Wh; 3 Ah at 12.8 V (also expressed as 12 Ah at cell voltage). |
| Charging / USB | USB-C input 5 V / 2.1 A; about eight hours from suitable supply. USB-A output 5 V / 2.1 A. Not USB-C Power Delivery. |
| Recharge after starting | RRT can restore the energy used for a start in about 40 seconds on a suitable running 12 V system (maximum 14.6 V); not a full empty-to-full charge. Do not leave connected beyond ten minutes. |
| Size / connections | 197 × 98 × 52 mm; 0.78 kg unit. 8 AWG leads: positive 310 mm, negative 270 mm. Case and accessories add carried bulk. |
| Protection / use | IP53 with caps closed. Normal polarity/short-circuit protections; override disables them. Start with at least 50% charge; follow attempt and cooling limits. |
| Temperature / maintenance | Maker operation −20 to 60 °C; charging 0–45 °C. Storage: −10 to 45 °C. Recharge at least every six months and check before a trip. |
| Australian warranty | Two years for manufacturing defects. Return to seller/BWI for assessment with receipt; published process initially places return freight on the customer. Statutory fault remedies remain additional. |
Extended product analysis
Less to carry, enough for ordinary rescues
The lighter unit is easier to lift and stow. Owners describe successful Patrol, Triton, Prado and smaller-car recoveries, while an earlier 4x4 Australia report found the IS1220 useful with classic cars and newer four-wheel drives. These accounts support occasional starting use, not every advertised engine-size limit.
What the earlier model tells us
Some experience concerns the earlier IS1220, which shares documented battery capacity, rated starting output and recharge-after-start features. It is relevant to starting performance. The current IS1220C has a different USB input and housing dimensions, so earlier ownership does not establish the newer charging circuit's durability.
Replenishment after a start
Leaving the pack connected as instructed after a successful start can replace the energy just consumed. This is useful when helping another vehicle or putting the pack away afterwards. It cannot make up for arriving with an empty pack: a full USB recharge still takes about eight hours.
Check lead reach
The detachable leads pack neatly into the case, but reach is limited. Check the positive terminal and approved earth point on your vehicle before relying on it. The documents give conflicting starts-per-charge claims, so do not use those figures to plan repeated work.
Australian support
Several Australian sellers and a two-year manufacturer warranty give buyers a clear starting point for a fault claim. Claims require assessment through the seller or distributor. The recovered evidence did not establish a recurring failure pattern, but current USB-C ownership remains too limited to draw strong durability conclusions.
Pros
- Light 0.78 kg unit and included protective case
- Useful real-world starting history on the documented platform
- Can restore the energy used for a start from the running vehicle
- Two-year Australian manufacturer warranty and multiple retailers
Cons
- About eight hours for a full USB recharge; slow last-minute top-ups
- Short detachable leads require care and sufficient reach
- Limited ownership history for the USB-C version
NOCO Boost X GBX155
At 2.64 kg, this is a substantial pack to lift and position under a bonnet. The attached clamps keep the working parts together, and the Australian kits include a vehicle charging lead and storage bag. It is worth carrying when the engine's starting demand justifies the bulk; smaller-car owners may prefer either lighter pick.
Specifications
| Australian kit | GBX155 with integrated clamps, USB cable, 12 V-to-USB-C vehicle charging cable and bag. No AC adapter. |
|---|---|
| Compatibility / starting claim | 12 V lead-acid systems; maker claims up to 10 L petrol / 8 L diesel and 4250 A peak. Not a standardised sustained-current or every-engine guarantee. |
| Internal battery | Nominal 99 Wh lithium-ion. USB-delivered energy is lower and is not the same as cranking energy. |
| Charging / outputs | USB-C PD up to 60 W in/out; USB-A up to 10 W. Maker recharge about 2.7 hours at 60 W, 16 hours at 10 W or 32 hours at 5 W. |
| Handling | 305.6 × 175 × 69.1 mm; 2.64 kg unit. Bag and cables add bulk. Integrated heavy-duty clamps. |
| Protection / use | IP65 with ports closed. Normal spark/reverse-polarity protection; override disables protections. Normal starting window 60 seconds; observe the manual’s attempt and cooling limits. |
| Temperature / readiness | Operate −20 to 50 °C; charge 0–40 °C. Store −20 to 50 °C with daily average 0–25°C; avoid a hot parked vehicle. Check/recharge every four to six months and before travel. |
| Australian cover / service | One-year manufacturer warranty on the verified base kits; Australian consumer rights additional. Battery service is manufacturer-restricted. |
Extended product analysis
Starting evidence beyond the label
Project Farm demonstrated 7.4 L petrol and repeated 5.9 L diesel starts; TechGearLab also reported repeated starts of a 4 L Explorer. This is more useful evidence than a peak-current label alone. The results concern those tested vehicles and battery conditions, not a guarantee for every engine within NOCO's claims.
Cold starts still need caution
In Project Farm's severe-freeze comparison, none of the packs started the large petrol engine while fully cold. A later follow-up found the retained NOCO indicated full charge after a year and succeeded in another diesel test. That is useful longer-term experience from one unit, rather than proof that every pack will remain ready in storage.
Capacity costs space and hand effort
The large body needs more storage space and a secure position during use. Stiff clamps can be harder to squeeze and fit around awkward terminals. These are meaningful compromises for anyone with limited hand strength or difficult jump-point access, even when the pack has enough output for the engine.
Charging and depletion complaints
Owners describe units that would not recharge, stopped working after a few starts or depleted sooner than expected. One four-star reviewer could not start a 7.3 L diesel without help from other vehicles; other owners report sustained diesel and farm use. The mixed accounts make pre-trip checks important, without establishing a failure rate.
Getting fast charging
The supplied vehicle lead is useful for charging on the move. Fast wall charging requires a compatible USB-C PD supply and cable; the included USB cable varies by seller. A USB-A cable connected to an ordinary USB-A charger will not provide 60 W charging. Check the actual kit before ordering an extra charger.
Pros
- Actual large-petrol and diesel starts in original tests
- Useful reserve energy for demanding 12 V starting
- Integrated heavy clamps and vehicle fast-charging cable
- Several Australian buying options
Cons
- Bulky 2.64 kg unit with stiff clamps
- Noncharging, early-failure and rapid-depletion owner accounts
- No mains adapter; older cable bundles need attention
- One-year manufacturer warranty
Jump starter buying advice
Buying advice
Start with the vehicle, not the amp label
Check the electrical system and the vehicle maker’s jump-start procedure. Diesel compression, ambient temperature, battery state and cable contact all affect demand. A larger advertised peak number can describe different test conditions; it is not a measured continuous-output comparison.
Check both clamp positions
A remote positive terminal and an awkward earth point can defeat short leads. Check reach and clamp clearance before relying on the kit. Keep the pack clear of belts and fans, and use the specified connection sequence. Do not copy demonstrations that remove the vehicle battery.
Keep energy for the rescue
Check charge before travel and after use. USB power-bank use draws from the same reserve. A USB-C socket does not by itself mean fast charging: the pack, cable and supply must all support the required power. Allow for a suitable mains adapter if one is not included.
Respect heat, cold and attempt limits
Follow the pack’s separate storage, operating and charging limits. A frozen booster may deliver much less output even when its indicator looks healthy. Repeated unsuccessful cranking can overheat equipment. Stop if the pack is swollen, damaged or unusually hot; do not dismantle it or improvise a cell revival.
Make the support route part of the purchase
Keep your receipt and check how the seller handles faults, return freight and assessment. Manufacturer warranty periods are not service-life promises, and Australian consumer rights remain additional. No publicly priced Australian internal-battery renewal service was established for these three picks, so do not assume an ageing pack will be inexpensive to repair.
For other roadside equipment, see our portable tyre inflator guide. For running camping appliances, see portable power stations.
When a jump starter will not fix the problem
A jump starter helps a flat or weak 12V starting battery. It cannot repair a failed starter motor, seized engine, fuel fault, serious charging-system fault, broken terminal, immobiliser issue or catastrophic internal battery failure. If the vehicle repeatedly needs a jump, have the battery and charging system diagnosed.
Jump-start safety basics
Never force output into a damaged or frozen vehicle battery. Verify the vehicle voltage and follow both the vehicle owner's manual and the exact jump-starter instructions. Identify the specified battery or remote jump terminals, switch off vehicle electrical loads, connect positive and negative exactly as directed, keep clamps apart and never attach them to fuel lines. Reverse-polarity protection is an additional safeguard; it does not replace following the correct clamp connection procedure. Keep flames, smoking materials and unnecessary spark sources away from vehicle batteries. Use appropriate eye and hand protection when working around vehicle batteries, particularly conventional lead-acid batteries. Do not use a damaged or swollen pack, expose open ports to water or make repeated rapid crank attempts beyond the manufacturer's limits. After starting, disconnect in the stated sequence and recharge the pack. Manual override should be used only under the manufacturer's exact procedure.
Which jump starter should you buy?
NOCO GBX55: Choose it for an everyday car or ute backup with attached clamps and convenient fast charging. Keep it maintained and account for its charging complaints and severe-cold weakness.
Projecta IS1220C: Choose it when low carrying weight, a protective case and a two-year warranty matter most. Its recharge-after-start function is useful, but plan ahead for the slow full recharge.
NOCO GBX155: Choose it when a larger engine justifies the extra capacity, weight and cost. Its stiff clamps and bulky body make it less appealing for a small-car emergency kit.
Also considered
Other jump starters assessed
NOCO GB70
An established larger-vehicle alternative with useful Australian diesel-starting experience. Compare the exact Micro-USB kit and supplied vehicle-charging parts before buying. Short leads, bulk and charging/storage complaints remain drawbacks; it is most attractive at a worthwhile saving over the featured large-engine pick.
TOPDON JS3000
Useful petrol and diesel demonstrations, a handle and a case make this a credible lower-cost alternative. Check lead reach and weigh reported charging, depletion and cut-out concerns. Only two independent Australian sellers were verified, giving buyers less purchase choice than the featured products.
WOLFBOX JS24 / MegaVolt24
Encouraging test results make this worth comparing for value. Only one exact Australian kit seller was verified, and long-term ownership evidence is less mature. Confirm the Australian bundle: overseas pictures and accessory lists do not establish that a wall charger is included.
How we chose
Detailed methodology
We compared manufacturer documents, published tests, customer experience and Australian buying and support options. Starting usefulness, handling, readiness after storage and ownership value informed our editorial scores. WBA did not physically test these products.
Real-engine starts, simulated starting loads and USB energy tests measure different things. We keep those results separate and distinguish manufacturer engine-size and peak-current claims from tested performance.
Customer ratings remain separate by source. The NOCO samples include pre-owned purchases. Projecta's evidence includes the earlier IS1220 where documented starting features match; experience with the current USB-C version remains limited. See how customer ratings work.
Frequently asked questions
Will a jump starter charge a flat vehicle battery?
Its main job is to supply starting energy. It does not repair a failing battery or diagnose a recurring discharge. Investigate repeated flattening and use an appropriate battery charger or repair when needed.
Can I leave it in the car all year?
Only within the actual storage limits. A closed car can get too hot. Check charge and physical condition regularly and before travel; standby claims do not remove that maintenance.
Why might a fully charged pack refuse to start the car?
Poor contact, a very low battery voltage, temperature, insufficient output or a vehicle fault can prevent a start. Follow both manuals and respect attempt limits. Override is not a general fix: it removes protections and needs the exact prescribed conditions.
Does USB-C guarantee fast charging?
No. IS1220C uses ordinary 5 V USB charging. The two NOCO picks can accept much more from a compatible PD supply and cable, but none of the verified base kits includes a mains adapter.
Does Projecta recharge completely in 40 seconds?
No. RRT is intended to restore the energy consumed during a successful start from the running vehicle. It is not an empty-to-full recharge claim and does not make a damaged charging system safe.
Should I buy the largest pack I can afford?
Only if the starting need warrants it. Bigger packs add weight, cost and storage burden. Correct voltage, connection access and readiness matter for every size.
Can these start a 24 V vehicle?
No. Use a product explicitly designed for the correct voltage and follow its instructions. Do not infer voltage from the size of a truck or combine outputs.
Why not choose the highest customer average?
Ratings can follow brief ownership, and different stores attract different customers. Useful failures, longer experience, remedies and model applicability matter alongside stars.