Supercapacitor vs Lithium Jump Starter: Which One Should You Buy?

Side by side

Figures below come from the 4 listings we reviewed, collected 18 October 2026.

Supercapacitor vs lithium jump starter: how each type starts your car

Both sides use stored electrical energy to crank an engine, but the storage differs. The ANCEL BS200 and BS300 use supercapacitors. The BS300 delivers up to 1000A of starting assist, and the BS200 adds up to 700A of assist current to the vehicle’s cranking power, starting dead batteries up to 3.0L/2.5T on its own. Supercapacitors charge and discharge extremely quickly, per the BS300 listing, which suits engine starting, cold-weather operation and repeated assist; the listing states up to 500,000 assist cycles with minimal performance degradation.

The NOCO GB20 and GB150 use lithium batteries. The GB20 delivers 500A peak with up to 20 starts per charge on engines up to 4.0L gas, and the GB150 delivers 3000A peak with up to 80 starts per charge on engines up to 9.0L gas and 7.0L diesel. Note the units differ: the ANCEL listings quote assist current added to the vehicle’s own cranking, while the NOCO listings quote peak output. Treat the amp figures as a rough ordering of the 4 listings, not a lab result.

The assist-versus-peak distinction is worth a pause. The ANCEL listings quote assist current: extra cranking amps added on top of what the vehicle’s battery already delivers. The BS200 adds up to 700A to the cranking power, and it can start dead batteries up to 3.0L/2.5T on its own. The BS300 offers up to 1000A of starting assist. The NOCO listings quote peak output from the pack itself: 500A for the GB20, 3000A for the GB150, with the engine doing the rest once the vehicle battery recovers. Because the numbers measure different things, a direct cross-side amp comparison would mislead; the honest read is that the GB150 example is the strongest portable pack here, and the BS300 example is the strongest assist unit here.

Engine coverage: what each example is rated for

Three of the 4 examples state engine coverage, and the fourth does not. The GB150 example is rated for engines up to 9.0L gas and 7.0L diesel, the widest stated coverage here, which suits trucks and large SUVs. The GB20 example is rated up to 4.0L gas, which covers most passenger cars. The BS200 example states it starts dead batteries up to 3.0L/2.5T on its own. The BS300 example states no engine displacement at all, only its 1000A assist figure, so its coverage is unclear from the listing. If you drive a diesel, the GB150 example is the only one of the 4 with a stated diesel rating.

Permanent install or portable pack

This is the biggest practical split. The ANCEL examples install under the hood permanently. The BS300 wakes automatically at each start, supports it, recharges from the vehicle battery when needed, then sleeps. The BS200 works as part of the vehicle after installation, automatically assisting every engine start. Neither needs repeated charging, and both listings call the supercapacitors maintenance-free. The trade-off is installation: the boxes include alligator clamps for temporary installation and cable ties for the long-term fit, and ANCEL offers support for installation, connection or starting issues.

The NOCO examples are portable. The GB20 example weighs 2.4 pounds per its bullets and is sized for glove boxes and emergency kits; the GB150 example weighs 7.5 pounds. They move between vehicles, double as power banks for phones and tablets, and carry LED flashlights: 100 lumens on the GB20 example, 500 on the GB150, each with 7 modes including SOS and strobe. The trade-off is charge management. The GB20 example recharges in 3 hours and the GB150 in 7, and those 20 and 80 starts per charge only happen if the pack is kept charged.

Cold weather and daily driving

Both ANCEL examples state an operating range of -40°F to 176°F, and the BS300 listing calls supercapacitors ideal for cold-weather operation. The NOCO examples state no temperature range at all, so their cold-weather behavior is unclear from the listings; on this spec, only the supercapacitor side gives a stated figure. For daily driving, the split is about routine: the ANCEL examples fold into the car’s routine automatically, while the NOCO examples fold into yours. The BS200 listing names short-trip commuters, drivers with parasitic drain, and owners of seasonal vehicles or spare vehicles as its audience, which fits the permanent-install concept: the unit is there on the cold morning when the seasonal car has sat for a month.

Warranty and certifications

Both ANCEL examples state a 36-month manufacturer warranty; both NOCO examples state a 1-year limited warranty. On stated warranty terms, the ANCEL examples lead. For certifications, the BS200 example lists CE and FCC, and both NOCO examples list UL; the BS300 listing states no certification, so that comparison stays incomplete. Safety features are stated on all 4 listings: the ANCEL examples cite flame-retardant materials with no swelling, leakage or thermal runaway risk, and the BS200 adds 10 built-in safety protections; the NOCO examples cite spark-proof and reverse polarity protection.

What the listings leave unclear

Operating temperature is stated on one side only: the ANCEL examples claim -40°F to 176°F, while the NOCO examples state nothing, so no comparison is possible there. Engine coverage is uneven too: the NOCO examples state displacement clearly, while the BS200 example states 3.0L/2.5T for its own starting ability and the BS300 example states none. The BS200’s claim of extending battery service life by up to 300% is a maker claim, not a measured result. And the GB20 example contradicts itself on weight: its spec table says 16 ounces while its bullets say 2.4 lb; we used the bullets’ figure, which the listing emphasizes. An odd or missing figure is a gap in the listing, not a win for either side.

Example jump starters

The 4 examples below are ranked by their Shop Scores, which weigh performance, build, value, safety and warranty from what each listing states. 2 are supercapacitor units and 2 are lithium packs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a supercapacitor jump starter replace a portable pack?

The listings position them for different roles. The ANCEL examples install permanently and assist every start automatically; the NOCO examples are portable packs for emergencies across vehicles. One stays with the car, the other goes where you carry it.

Do supercapacitor jump starters need charging?

Per the listings, no. The BS300 example says never charge it after installation; it recharges from the vehicle battery when needed. The BS200 example says no repeated charging.

How long do the lithium examples hold a charge?

Not stated. The GB20 example offers up to 20 starts per charge and recharges in 3 hours; the GB150 example offers up to 80 starts per charge and recharges in 7 hours. Keep them charged to have those starts available.

Which side is safer, supercapacitor or lithium?

Both sides state safety features rather than one winning. The ANCEL examples cite flame-retardant materials with no swelling, leakage or thermal runaway risk, plus 10 built-in protections on the BS200. The NOCO examples cite spark-proof and reverse polarity protection. The NOCO examples state UL; the BS200 states CE and FCC.

Which example suits a diesel truck?

Of the 4 examples, only the GB150 states a diesel rating: up to 7.0L diesel alongside 9.0L gas. The other 3 examples state no diesel coverage, so the GB150 is the only stated answer here.

Do the lithium examples work in winter?

The listings do not say. Neither NOCO example states an operating temperature range, while both ANCEL examples state -40°F to 176°F. For a stated cold-weather figure, only the supercapacitor side provides one.

Related: the best portable jump starter brands, jump starter vs jumper cables, and what size jump starter you need.