When you’ve left the lights on your van overnight and it’s refusing to start in the morning ahead of another crucial workday, a jump starter is an essential tool. I’ve been using a nice bit of kit, but it’s really little more than a car battery wrapped up in a massive plastic case, so it’s heavy, unwieldy, and loses charge quickly when not in use.
Ring Automotive has a solution for me that will likely work for countless owner-operators and small businesses. More than a simple one-shot jump starter, the Ring Jumpstart Pro 1000 Lithium Professional Jump Starter packs enough power to start a truck — over and over again.
It weighs just 0.9kg, which is about 75% lighter than the big old lead-acid jump starters I’ve been hauling around. That alone makes it feel like a bit of a game-changer for a home or small workshop.
Using it was as simple as it gets. Clip it onto the battery, and it automatically powers up, showing a handy battery health indicator. There wasn’t any fiddling with buttons or wondering if it was connected properly — it’s virtually impossible to do that, as it’s designed with multiple protections to keep both you and your vehicle safe. The unit will alert you to any mistakes you’ve made before it allows operation.
I tested it on an Isuzu D-Max — sorry Isuzu, but I had to run the battery down! — and it fired the engine up with literally no hesitation at all. It packs a serious punch for something so small, offering 1,000 starting amps and up to 1,500 peak amps. It’s designed to handle petrol engines of any size and diesel engines up to 10.0 litres, which clearly covers every van and pickup on the UK market, most vehicles you’re ever likely to encounter.
It’s more than just a jump starter though, doubling as a power bank. It has USB-A, USB-C, and DC ports, so you can charge your phone, tablet, or even a laptop if you’re camping or stuck without power — though it’s better suited for top-ups rather than full recharges. It even comes with a DC adaptor that plugs into a 12V socket, which is perfect if you’ve got older gadgets that need that connection. Plus, with its fast 60W input, recharging the unit itself doesn’t take long, which is a bonus if you use it regularly.
There’s a built-in LED work light, which is ideal for those dark, early starts or late-night breakdowns. It’s got a few different settings too, including an SOS mode and a red strobe for safety. That could come in handy if you’re stranded by the roadside and need to alert other drivers.
I’ve touched on its weight, but neat design touches make it easy to work with. A top-mounted grab handle makes it easy to pick up from a shelf, and the cables wrap around tightly before clipping onto posts on each side. Sizeable buttons and clear lights on the front make it easy to operate, even when wearing gloves.
If you’re running a small fleet, it’ll be a valuable addition to the workshop, offering more punch than the ultra-portable jump starters on the market, without sacrificing too much in size. It’s not going to be suitable for a huge fleet in the depths of winter, as the 8000mAh battery likely won’t keep up with constant use in freezing conditions, but it’ll get most users through occasional winter starts.
And because it’s so straightforward, even front-of-house staff who might be hesitant with bigger equipment should feel confident using it.
Ring Jumpstart Pro 1000 Lithium Professional Jump Starter: The verdict
If you’re tired of wrestling with heavy, cumbersome jump starters or just want something as practical as it is powerful, the Ring Jumpstart Pro 1000 is well worth a look. It’s lightweight but powerful, simple to use, and versatile enough for more than just jump-starting — just the sort of kit that earns its place in the back of the truck or the workshop.
Tested: Ring Jumpstart Pro 1000 Lithium Professional Jump Starter
Price: £300 (Available at Amazon for £230
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Professional Van rating: ★★★★☆
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