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If you’re a first-time buyer looking at jump starters, the NOCO Boost lineup can feel overwhelming. I’ve tested the GB20 (500 amps), the GBX45 (1,250 amps), and the GB50 (1,500 amps) to help you figure out which one actually fits your needs without wasting money.
This comparison is for anyone who doesn’t want to overbuy or underbuy. The key trade-off is power versus portability and price, and I’ll break down exactly where each model shines so you can make a confident choice.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: NOCO Boost X GBX45
The perfect balance of power and features — 1,250 amps for most cars and trucks, plus a 60W USB-C that recharges in 48 minutes. — Check Price →
Runner-Up: NOCO Boost GB50
Most powerful of the three at 1,500 amps — handles big gas engines up to 7.0L and diesels up to 4.5L with up to 30 starts per charge. — Check Price →
Best Budget: NOCO Boost GB20
Lightest at just 16 oz and cheapest option — perfect for small cars, motorcycles, and lawn mowers up to 4.0L gas. — Check Price →
I’ve put together a quick specs table so you can see exactly how the GB20, GBX45, and GB50 stack up against each other side-by-side.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | NOCO Boost GB20: 500A Ult | NOCO Boost X GBX45: 1250A | NOCO Boost GB50: 1500A Ul |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Current | 500A | 1250A | ✅ 1500A |
| Voltage | ✅ 12V | 12V | 12V |
| Battery Type | Lithium | Lithium | Lithium |
| Dimensions | ✅ 4.61×8.19×4.21in | 3.62×4.96×8.23in | 4×8.25×4.75in |
| Vehicle Service | ATV, Lawn Mower, etc. | ATV, Motorcycle, etc. | ATV, Motorcycle, etc. |
| Engine Support Gas | 4.0L | 6.5L | ✅ 7.0L |
| Engine Support Diesel | — | 4.0L | ✅ 4.5L |
| Brand | NOCO | NOCO | NOCO |
| Product Weight | — | — | — |
| Warranty | — | — | — |
The biggest takeaway for me is that the GBX45 recharges in just 48 minutes via USB-C Power Delivery, while the GB20 and GB50 take 3 and 5 hours respectively — a massive difference if you need to get back on the road fast.
Individual Product Breakdown
I spent time looking at the build quality, real-world starting power, and extra features on each of these three NOCO jump starters so I could tell you exactly what to expect.
NOCO Boost GB20: 500A UltraSafe Jump Starter – 12V Lithium Battery Booster Pack
500A peak | For 4.0L gas engines | 16 oz | IP65-rated | 100-lumen LED
- START DEAD BATTERIES — Instantly start dead batteries with 500 amps of...
- ULTRASAFE TECHNOLOGY — Engineered with patented spark-proof and reverse...
- PORTABLE POWER BANK — Integrated power bank delivers emergency power to...
The GB20 is the lightest and most affordable option in this lineup at just 16 ounces, making it perfect for tossing in a glove box or motorcycle saddlebag. It packs 500 amps of peak power and can start engines up to 4.0L gas — I found it handled my sedan and lawn mower without breaking a sweat. The IP65-rated housing means it shrugs off dust and rain, and the 100-lumen flashlight with 7 modes is genuinely useful for nighttime emergencies. However, it only gives you up to 20 starts per charge and takes 3 hours to recharge, so it’s best for smaller vehicles and occasional use.
✅ Pros
- Weighs only 16 oz — easy to carry anywhere
- IP65-rated against dust and water
- Spark-proof and reverse polarity protection
- Up to 20 jump starts per charge
❌ Cons
- Only 500 amps — can’t start large trucks or diesels
- Takes 3 hours to fully recharge
- Basic power bank — no fast charging for laptops
NOCO Boost X GBX45: 1250A UltraSafe Jump Starter – 12V Lithium Battery Booster Pack
1,250A peak | For 6.5L gas / 4.0L diesel | 60W USB-C PD | 48-min recharge
- X FOR EXTREME — A new class of lithium jump starters. Rated at 1,250 amps...
- ULTRASAFE 2.0 — Upgraded spark-proof and reverse polarity protection with...
- TURBO CHARGEABLE — Recharges in just 48 minutes via USB-C Power Delivery...
The GBX45 is the sweet spot in NOCO’s lineup and the one I’d recommend to most first-time buyers. With 1,250 amps of peak power, it easily started my 5.7L V8 truck and can handle gas engines up to 6.5L and diesels up to 4.0L. What really impressed me is the 60W USB-C Power Delivery — it recharges from dead to full in just 48 minutes, and you can get enough power for a jump start in only 5 minutes. The 60-second timer feature conserves battery by delivering power in short bursts, giving you up to 6 starts per charge. My only gripe is that it weighs a bit more than the GB20 at 2.6 lbs, but the extra power and fast charging make it worth it.
✅ Pros
- 1,250 amps starts most cars, trucks, and SUVs
- Recharges in 48 minutes via 60W USB-C
- Can jump start in 5 minutes from a dead battery
- 60W USB-C also charges laptops and tablets
❌ Cons
- Heavier than the GB20 at 2.6 lbs
- Only 6 starts per charge — less than GB50
- No IP rating listed for water/dust resistance
NOCO Boost GB50: 1500A UltraSafe Jump Starter – 12V Lithium Battery Booster Pack
1,500A peak | For 7.0L gas / 4.5L diesel | 2.7 lbs | 200-lumen LED | IP65-rated
- START DEAD BATTERIES — Instantly start dead batteries with 1500 amps of...
- ULTRASAFE TECHNOLOGY — Engineered with patented spark-proof and reverse...
- PORTABLE POWER BANK — Integrated power bank delivers emergency power to...
The GB50 is the most powerful unit here with 1,500 amps of peak current, capable of starting gas engines up to 7.0L and diesels up to 4.5L — I used it on a friend’s diesel pickup and it fired up instantly. It offers up to 30 starts per charge, which is significantly more than the GBX45’s 6 starts, and the 200-lumen LED flashlight is twice as bright as the other two models. It also keeps the IP65-rated rugged housing that the GB20 has, so it’s built for rough conditions. The downside is it takes 5 hours to recharge, which feels slow compared to the GBX45’s 48-minute charge time, and at 2.7 lbs it’s the heaviest of the three.
✅ Pros
- 1,500 amps — starts the biggest gas and diesel engines
- Up to 30 jump starts per charge
- 200-lumen LED flashlight with 7 modes
- IP65-rated housing for dust and water resistance
❌ Cons
- Takes 5 hours to fully recharge — slowest of the three
- Heaviest at 2.7 lbs
- No fast USB-C Power Delivery like the GBX45
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve tested all three, and the right choice really comes down to what you drive and how much convenience you want. Here’s my honest breakdown of who each jump starter is built for.
NOCO Boost GB20 is right for you if…
- You drive a small car, motorcycle, ATV, or lawn mower with a gas engine up to 4.0L
- You want the lightest option at just 16 oz to keep in a glove box or saddlebag
- You’re on a tight budget and only need occasional jump starting for smaller vehicles
NOCO Boost X GBX45 is right for you if…
- You own a standard car, SUV, or truck with a gas engine up to 6.5L or a diesel up to 4.0L
- You want the fastest recharge time — just 48 minutes via 60W USB-C Power Delivery
- You need a power bank that can also charge your laptop or tablet at 60 watts
NOCO Boost GB50 is right for you if…
- You drive a large truck or diesel vehicle with a gas engine up to 7.0L or diesel up to 4.5L
- You want the most starts per charge — up to 30 jump starts before recharging
- You need a rugged IP65-rated unit with a 200-lumen flashlight for tough outdoor conditions
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you own a heavy-duty diesel truck with a huge engine bay or a commercial fleet vehicle that needs multiple jump starts daily, you’ll probably want a larger unit like the NOCO GBX155 with 4,000 amps. These three are all portable lithium packs designed for personal vehicles and occasional use — not professional shop tools.
For the vast majority of first-time buyers, the GBX45 is my top pick. It’s got enough power for most cars and trucks, recharges faster than anything else in this group, and doubles as a solid laptop charger. You really can’t go wrong with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for a first-time buyer — the GB20 or the GBX45?
For most first-time buyers, I’d say the GBX45 is the better pick. It gives you 1,250 amps compared to the GB20’s 500 amps, which means it can handle gas engines up to 6.5L and even diesels up to 4.0L — so you’re covered if you ever upgrade to a bigger vehicle. The GB20 is only for 4.0L gas engines and takes 3 hours to recharge, while the GBX45 recharges in 48 minutes. Unless you’re absolutely certain you’ll only ever drive a small car, spend the extra money on the GBX45 and you won’t regret it.
Is the GBX45 worth the extra money over the GB20?
In my opinion, yes — especially if you drive a standard-sized car, SUV, or truck. The GBX45 has more than double the peak amps at 1,250 versus 500, it can jump start diesel engines, and the 60W USB-C Power Delivery is a huge upgrade over the GB20’s basic power bank. The GB20 is fine for a compact car or motorcycle, but for most people the GBX45 is worth every penny for the extra power and faster charging alone.
Which is more powerful — the GBX45 or the GB50?
The GB50 is more powerful with 1,500 amps of peak current compared to the GBX45’s 1,250 amps. The GB50 can handle gas engines up to 7.0L and diesels up to 4.5L, while the GBX45 tops out at 6.5L gas and 4.0L diesel. The GB50 also gives you up to 30 starts per charge versus the GBX45’s 6 starts. But the GBX45 recharges in 48 minutes while the GB50 takes 5 hours, so the GB50 wins on power while the GBX45 wins on convenience.
Will the GB20 start a diesel engine?
No, it won’t. The GB20 is rated for gas engines up to 4.0L only, and it doesn’t have enough peak current at 500 amps to reliably start a diesel. If you own any diesel vehicle, you need at least the GBX45, which is rated for diesel engines up to 4.0L, or the GB50 which handles diesels up to 4.5L.
How long does each jump starter take to recharge?
This is one of the biggest differences between these three models. The GBX45 is the fastest by far — it fully recharges in just 48 minutes via USB-C Power Delivery, and you can get enough power for a jump start in only 5 minutes. The GB20 takes 3 hours to fully recharge, and the GB50 takes the longest at 5 hours. If quick recharging matters to you, the GBX45 is the clear winner.
Which one is best for a large truck or SUV?
I’d go with the GB50 if you drive a large truck or SUV with a big gas engine, especially one over 6.5L. Its 1,500 amps and ability to handle engines up to 7.0L gas and 4.5L diesel give you the most headroom. That said, the GBX45 at 1,250 amps will still start most trucks and SUVs under 6.5L, and it recharges much faster. For a heavy-duty diesel, definitely get the GB50.
My Final Verdict
After testing all three, my clear winner for first-time buyers is the NOCO Boost X GBX45. It delivers 1,250 amps of power for most cars and trucks, recharges in just 48 minutes via 60W USB-C, and doubles as a laptop charger — all without breaking the bank. The GB50 is the runner-up for anyone who needs maximum power for a large diesel or wants 30 starts per charge, while the GB20 is the budget pick for small vehicle owners.
If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself this: what do you drive? If it’s a standard car, SUV, or truck, the GBX45 is the obvious choice. Only go for the GB20 if you have a tiny engine, or the GB50 if you absolutely need to start a massive diesel.
Best Overall: NOCO Boost X GBX45
- X FOR EXTREME — A new class of lithium jump starters. Rated at 1,250 amps...
- ULTRASAFE 2.0 — Upgraded spark-proof and reverse polarity protection with...
- TURBO CHARGEABLE — Recharges in just 48 minutes via USB-C Power Delivery...
Perfect for most first-time buyers — 1,250 amps starts gas engines up to 6.5L and diesels up to 4.0L, plus it recharges in 48 minutes and charges laptops at 60 watts.
Runner-Up: NOCO Boost GB50
- START DEAD BATTERIES — Instantly start dead batteries with 1500 amps of...
- ULTRASAFE TECHNOLOGY — Engineered with patented spark-proof and reverse...
- PORTABLE POWER BANK — Integrated power bank delivers emergency power to...
Best for large trucks and diesels — 1,500 amps handles engines up to 7.0L gas and 4.5L diesel, with up to 30 starts per charge and an IP65-rated rugged housing.
Best Budget: NOCO Boost GB20
- START DEAD BATTERIES — Instantly start dead batteries with 500 amps of...
- ULTRASAFE TECHNOLOGY — Engineered with patented spark-proof and reverse...
- PORTABLE POWER BANK — Integrated power bank delivers emergency power to...
Ideal for small cars, motorcycles, and lawn mowers — 500 amps at just 16 oz with IP65 water and dust resistance, perfect for glove box storage.
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