Clore Automotive JNC660 1700 Amp Jump Starter Review: The Unbeatable Workhorse of Jump Starters

There are few sounds more disheartening to a driver than the weak, defeated click-click-click of a dead battery. I remember one particular winter evening, stranded in a nearly empty office park parking lot hours from home. The temperature was dropping fast, my phone was low on battery, and my trusty sedan had decided its battery had simply had enough. The feeling of isolation and helplessness was immediate and intense. In that moment, I would have paid almost anything for a reliable solution that didn’t involve waiting for an expensive tow truck or flagging down a stranger for a jump. That experience taught me a valuable lesson: a high-quality jump starter isn’t a luxury; it’s an essential piece of safety equipment, a get-out-of-jail-free card for your vehicle. It’s the difference between a minor inconvenience and a full-blown emergency.

What to Consider Before Buying a Jump Starter

A jump starter is more than just a portable battery; it’s a key solution for peace of mind and self-reliance on the road. Its primary benefit is obvious: the ability to resurrect a dead vehicle battery without needing another car. This is crucial not only for personal vehicles but for anyone managing boats, RVs, tractors, or classic cars that sit for extended periods. Beyond the emergency start, many units offer secondary benefits like powering 12V accessories or, in the case of modern lithium units, charging personal electronics. It transforms you from a potential victim of circumstance into your own roadside assistance, capable of handling one of the most common automotive failures with confidence and ease.

The ideal customer for a robust, professional-grade unit like the Clore Automotive JNC660 1700 Amp Jump Starter is someone who prioritizes raw power and long-term reliability over portability and modern frills. This includes auto repair professionals, tow truck operators, farmers, multi-vehicle homeowners, and anyone with a large-displacement truck, SUV, or diesel engine. It’s also perfect for those living in cold climates where battery performance plummets. Conversely, it might not be the best fit for someone with a small compact car who values space above all else and wants a device that can fit in a glovebox and also charge their phone. For that user, a smaller, lithium-ion power bank-style jump starter might be a more suitable alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Consider the unit’s physical footprint and weight. The Clore JNC660 is a substantial piece of equipment at 18 pounds. It’s designed to live in a trunk, a truck bed, or a garage, not a glove compartment. Ensure you have the dedicated space to store it securely.
• Capacity/Performance: Don’t be solely swayed by “Peak Amps,” which is a momentary burst. The more critical number is “Cranking Amps” (or Cold Cranking Amps), which indicates the actual power delivered to turn over a cold engine. The JNC660’s 425 cranking amps, backed by a large 22Ah lead-acid battery, provide the sustained power needed for stubborn engines or multiple jump starts before needing a recharge.
• Materials & Durability: The construction quality dictates the lifespan of your investment. Look for a tough, impact-resistant case and, most importantly, heavy-gauge cables and industrial-grade clamps. The JNC660’s #2 AWG cables and solid clamps are designed for repeated, heavy use, unlike the thinner cables and flimsy clamps found on many budget units.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A jump starter should be simple to operate in a stressful situation. The JNC660 excels with its straightforward analog voltmeter and simple connection process. For maintenance, lead-acid batteries like this require periodic charging (typically every 30-90 days) to maintain their health and longevity, a small price to pay for its reliability.

While the Clore Automotive JNC660 1700 Amp Jump Starter is an excellent choice for raw power, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition, especially those with different features. For a broader look at models that include additional utilities, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Purpose-Built Powerhouse

Unboxing the Clore Automotive JNC660 1700 Amp Jump Starter is a refreshingly straightforward experience. There’s no complex packaging or array of tiny accessories. What you get is a solid, hefty unit that immediately communicates its purpose. At 18 pounds, it has a reassuring density that lighter, consumer-grade lithium packs lack. The iconic blue housing is made of a tough, impact-resistant polyethylene that feels like it could survive being knocked around in the back of a work truck—and based on our experience, it can. The integrated handle is robust and makes carrying the unit manageable despite its weight.

The first things that stand out are the cables and clamps. The 46-inch #2 AWG cables are thick, flexible, and clearly built for high current flow, instilling confidence before you even connect them. The industrial-grade “Hot Jaw” clamps are equally impressive, with a powerful spring action and solid copper jaws that bite onto battery terminals securely. This is a stark contrast to the small, often flimsy clamps on cheaper units. The front panel is pure utility: a simple analog voltmeter, a red button to test the internal battery’s charge, a 12V DC outlet, and the port for recharging the unit. It’s a design that has remained largely unchanged for years, precisely because it is proven, reliable, and just plain works. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a better sense of this classic design.

In-Depth Performance Analysis: Does It Live Up to the Legend?

A jump starter’s reputation is forged in the coldest mornings and on the most stubborn engines. It’s one thing to look tough on a shelf, but another entirely to deliver the goods when you need it most. We put the Clore Automotive JNC660 1700 Amp Jump Starter through a series of real-world tests to see if its performance matches its legendary status. From dead-cold V8s to agricultural equipment that had been sitting idle, our goal was to push this unit to its limits.

The Heart of the Beast: Unrelenting Cranking Power

The headline feature of the JNC660 is its power, derived from its purpose-built 22Ah Clore PROFORMER lead-acid (AGM) battery. While the “1700 Peak Amps” figure is impressive for marketing, the number that truly matters to us is the 425 Cranking Amps. This is the sustained electrical muscle that actually turns an engine over, and it’s where the JNC660 mercilessly outperforms most smaller lithium packs. Our primary test subject was a full-size pickup truck with a 5.7L V8, whose battery was intentionally drained completely overnight in 20°F (-6°C) weather. The battery read a paltry 4.5 volts—it was well and truly dead.

Connecting the JNC660’s beefy clamps, we turned the key. There was no hesitation, no groan, no struggle. The engine roared to life on the very first crank, as if it were connected to a brand-new, fully charged battery. We repeated this test three more times, and the jump starter didn’t break a sweat, with the onboard voltmeter still showing plenty of charge. This is the JNC660’s core strength. This finding is echoed countless times by professional users, with one auto shop technician noting, “this gets used almost every day… It will start 98% on all cars/trucks. When it will not jump start a car, nothing will.” Another user confirmed its versatility, stating, “I have an older tractor that I left the lights on… this jump box cranked it NO problem.” It has the deep power reserves to not just jump a car, but to keep cranking a difficult engine until it finally starts, a scenario where smaller units would quickly tap out. For anyone dealing with large vehicles or extreme cold, this raw, dependable power is non-negotiable.

Built to Last: A Masterclass in Durability and Design

In an era of disposable electronics, the Clore Automotive JNC660 1700 Amp Jump Starter is an anomaly. Its design philosophy is rooted in longevity and serviceability. The rugged polyethylene case isn’t just for show; it protects the internal components from drops, spills, and the general abuse of a workshop environment. The #2 AWG welding cables are not only efficient at transferring power but are also highly resistant to abrasion and cracking in cold weather. This commitment to quality components is why it’s not uncommon to hear from users who have owned the same unit for over a decade. As one satisfied customer simply put it, “I just bought this replacement of the exact same one from almost 15 years ago.”

This long-term reliability is the true value proposition. While some users have noted potential weak points, such as the plastic pivot on the clamps failing after years of heavy use, the fact that these units are often repairable speaks volumes. One user who experienced this issue simply “drilled a small hole in the plastic and put a washer and a screw in,” effectively fixing the problem. This contrasts sharply with many modern electronics that are sealed and impossible to service. The JNC660 is a tool, not a gadget. It’s designed with the understanding that parts can wear out and should be replaceable. When you invest in a jump starter built for the long haul, you are buying a piece of equipment that is expected to provide years, if not decades, of faithful service, a claim few products in this category can genuinely make.

User Experience: Old-School Simplicity and Maintenance

Using the JNC660 is refreshingly simple. There are no screens to navigate, no modes to select, and no complicated safety sequences. To check the internal battery, you press and hold the red button on the front, and the needle on the analog voltmeter points to its status in a simple red-yellow-green range. To jump a vehicle, you connect the clamps—red to positive, black to a ground point on the chassis—and turn the key. That’s it. This simplicity is a massive advantage in a stressful, dark, or cold situation where you don’t want to be fumbling with menus or buttons.

One of the most common points of confusion for new owners, frequently mentioned in user feedback, is the charging method. The JNC660 does not come with a dedicated charging cord. Instead, it features a built-in charger with a male plug receptacle, designed to be charged with a standard household extension cord. While this is common for shop tools, it can be an unexpected “gotcha” for consumers who expect an AC adapter in the box. However, it’s also a benefit; you’ll never lose a proprietary charger, as extension cords are ubiquitous and cheap. Once plugged in, the unit’s automatic charger brings the battery to full capacity and then switches to a maintenance mode, preventing overcharging. As one user discovered after reading the manual closely, “you can leave the jump-starter plugged…”. Keeping it topped up is key to its longevity, and its straightforward design makes that an easy chore.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our positive experience with the Clore Automotive JNC660 1700 Amp Jump Starter is overwhelmingly validated by a chorus of long-time users. The dominant themes are raw power and incredible longevity. One owner, reflecting a common sentiment, stated, “I bought mine in 2017 and it’s still going strong. Best purchase I’ve ever made.” Another user, who uses it professionally, praised its brute force: “Starts the vehicle with dead battery or even with no battery… keep cranking the engine for like 4 minutes until it starts, the jumper still have power.” This highlights the deep energy reserves of its lead-acid battery, a key differentiator from smaller lithium packs.

However, the feedback isn’t universally perfect, and the criticisms are important to consider. The most frequent complaint centers on the fact that it doesn’t ship with a charging cord. “My only gripe is for the amount of money for this product it was incomplete without a power cord,” one user wrote, a frustration shared by several others unfamiliar with this style of shop equipment. Another point of critique, though less common, involves the durability of the plastic clamp housing. One user reported that the “cable clamp fell apart second time using it,” indicating that while rare, manufacturing defects or weak points can exist. These critiques provide a balanced view, highlighting that while the JNC660 is a legendary workhorse, its old-school design comes with quirks that might surprise some modern consumers.

How Does the Clore JNC660 Compare to the Alternatives?

The Clore Automotive JNC660 1700 Amp Jump Starter exists in a class of its own, but the market is filled with modern, lithium-based competitors that prioritize different features. Here’s how it stacks up against three popular alternatives.

1. HALO Bolt 58830 Portable Car Jump Starter

The HALO Bolt represents the “Swiss Army knife” approach to portable power. Its primary appeal is its incredible versatility. It’s not just a jump starter; it’s a comprehensive power bank with two USB ports for charging phones and tablets, and even a 120V AC outlet capable of powering a laptop. It’s compact, lightweight, and easily stored in a backpack or center console. Someone who wants a single device for all their portable power needs, from emergency jumps for their sedan to charging their computer at a coffee shop, would prefer the HALO Bolt. However, it cannot compete with the JNC660’s raw cranking power or its ability to perform multiple jumps on large, dead batteries without faltering.

2. NOCO Boost GB40 1000A Jump Starter

The NOCO Boost GB40 is a direct, modern competitor focused on safety and portability. It’s incredibly small and light, making it a true glovebox solution. Its key advantages are its advanced safety features, including spark-proof technology and reverse polarity protection, which can prevent catastrophic user error. It’s ideal for the average driver of a 4- or 6-cylinder car who values safety and convenience above all else. While its 1000 peak amps are sufficient for most everyday cars, it lacks the deep battery capacity and brute force of the JNC660, making it less suitable for large trucks, diesel engines, or situations requiring repeated cranking.

3. NOCO Boost X GBX55 Jump Starter

The NOCO Boost X GBX55 is a significant step up in power from the GB40, attempting to bridge the gap between compact lithium units and old-school powerhouses like the JNC660. With 1750 peak amps and modern features like fast USB-C charging, it offers a compelling blend of power and technology. It can start larger gas and diesel engines, making it a viable alternative for many truck and SUV owners. The choice between the GBX55 and the JNC660 comes down to priorities. If you want modern tech, fast recharging, and USB power delivery in a smaller package, the GBX55 is an excellent choice. If you prioritize proven, decade-plus longevity, extreme cold-weather performance, and the sheer grunt of a lead-acid battery, the JNC660 retains its edge as the ultimate reliable workhorse.

The Final Verdict: A Timeless Tool for Serious Demands

After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the Clore Automotive JNC660 1700 Amp Jump Starter is a specialized tool that remains gloriously unapologetic about what it is. It makes no concessions to the modern trend of multi-function gadgets. It won’t charge your iPhone, it doesn’t have a flashy LED screen, and it certainly won’t fit in your glovebox. Instead, it does one job—starting dead vehicles—with a level of authority and reliability that very few products on the market can still claim. Its heavy-duty construction, immense power reserves, and proven track record of longevity make it the undisputed choice for professionals and serious vehicle owners who demand performance above all else.

If you are a mechanic, a farmer, or the owner of a V8 truck, an RV, or a boat, this isn’t just a good choice; it’s the benchmark. It is a long-term investment in self-sufficiency and peace of mind. For those who need a jump starter that simply works, every single time, under the toughest conditions, the Clore Automotive JNC660 1700 Amp Jump Starter is a legendary tool that has earned its reputation ten times over. You can check the latest price and add this essential piece of equipment to your arsenal today.