Vantrue JS1 Jump Starter Power Bank in Test

The Vantrue JS1 power bank can jump start cars – and of course also power smartphones, tablets and notebooks. We tested whether the promise would be kept.

Anyone who drives an old car or motorcycle may be familiar with this game: Sometimes the starter battery is simply empty and then you need either a second, charged battery or a friendly person who will jump on your car. Can start immediately. This doesn’t have to be the case if you carry a small jump starter with batteries. That’s exactly what Vantrue JS1 is for 100 eurosIt is a large-sized power bank that has a jumper cable connection with a distinctive alligator clip, which is connected to the positive terminal of the car battery as well as to the ground point or engine.

The Vantrue JS1 is equipped with a red side panel with good grip, but the surface is all high-gloss black, which is easily scratched. At 235 × 90 × 42 mm, the battery is much larger than typical power banks (best of lists) with this capacity and also very heavy: it weighs 992 grams.

At the top of the battery there is an LED indicator for battery charge percentage and an icon that appears when the device is able to start the car. There is also a push button on the top that can be used to switch on the device and control the LED, which is located on the front. A second button for preparing for auto-start is also located on the top of the body of the Vantrue JS1. This button is slightly recessed so that it cannot be pressed accidentally.

The delivery includes a car starter cable, which is plugged into a special socket in the Vantrue JS1. It is designed to be protected against reverse polarity. The socket is hidden behind a rubber cover to prevent rain or snow from getting inside. However, it only offers protection against low-pressure water jets as per IP65, so the battery cannot be completely immersed in water or left in the rain for a long period of time. A 30-watt USB-C power adapter is also included.

The LED can be operated continuously in several brightness levels, optionally, SOS flashing can also be activated or the red light can be switched on. The lighting is good, so that the user has good orientation when opening the hood or in the engine compartment, even in complete darkness. Unfortunately, the LED only lights up on the front, so the warning function in case of breakage is limited. Here we would love a lamp that shines all around.

The scope of delivery also includes a neatly translated printed operating manual, which is available in several languages, including German. There is also a sturdy bag that can hold the battery and cables. The battery, bag and cable leave a high-quality impression.

The Vantrue JS1 is also a power bank with two USB-A ports. One of them supports Quick Charge 3.0 and supports 12V with 3A, the USB-C port can also output 65W and thus can charge even a large notebook. All connections are protected from dust or moisture and water splashes by rubber protective caps.

The battery is charged via USB-C or alternatively via a 12-volt connection in the car. Unfortunately, the corresponding cable is only available as an accessory and is not included.

Charging can be done at up to 65W, but with the 20,000mAh battery it still takes 1.3 hours. If you try to charge the Vantrue JS1 with a 20-watt power supply, you’ll have to wait 4.3 hours. But in case of doubt, the battery is charged in the car anyway – and then only has to be used in case of emergency. The manufacturer says the charge level is enough to keep the car running for about 6 to 12 months, but it recommends charging the device every 3 months. According to the manufacturer, the battery level of the Vantrue JS1 should not be less than 60 percent to start the car.

To charge the battery or connected small electronics, the battery simply needs to be equipped with the appropriate USB cable. To do this, it must first be turned on, which activates the charge level indicator.

Before starting the car, the starting cable must be connected to the battery, which is easily done through a socket. Then the battery, still switched off, is connected to the positive pole of the car and a conductive metal part on the engine or the so-called ground point (follow the operating instructions), the battery is turned on and slightly recessed “Car Start button” is pressed. After a few seconds, an indicator lights up on the display indicating that the car can now be started with the key or button. After a hopefully successful initialization procedure, the device is turned off and the terminals are removed. The manufacturer strongly recommends that the Vantrue JS1 should not be used as a permanent replacement for a car battery.

When charging small devices, we noticed a peculiarity of the battery: when the battery is empty, it emits a fairly loud beep, which we initially confused with a smoke detector in the room. If you want to stop the noise, you have to turn off the battery.

Also interesting: the battery should work even at minus 20 degrees Celsius. For this purpose, we stored the Vantrue JS1 in the freezer at this temperature for one night and started the car with a 1.8 liter gasoline engine the next day without any problems. We also conducted a reverse test at high temperatures by exposing the battery to sunlight during summer. Even after that, the starting worked without any problems, even though the battery certainly did not heat up to 60 degrees, which the manufacturer states as the maximum, but the temperature measured on the surface of the housing reached only 45 degrees.

The RRP for the Vantrue JS1 is 150 euros – which is relatively high compared to the competition. You can currently get the Jump Starter Power Bank from Amazon 100 euros,

The Vantrue JS1 impresses as a versatile jump starter and power bank that works reliably even in extreme temperatures and, thanks to its 65 Watt output, can even charge powerful devices like notebooks. What should be positively highlighted are the sturdy workmanship, easy handling when starting the cars and the well-thought-out scope of delivery with a bag and operating instructions. The Vantrue JS1 is specifically for owners of older vehicles with weak starter batteries, which often have problems in the winter. In such cases, JS1 is a reliable emergency aid to avoid starting difficulties and prevent breakdown.

The delicate, glossy surface, the missing 12-volt charging cable included in the scope of delivery and the limited warning function of the LED are made up for. Weighing just under a kilogram and with its size, it’s not exactly utilitarian, but ideal as an emergency solution for drivers or campers who rely on a reliable energy source. As a pure power bank for charging small devices, it’s too big, too expensive, and too heavy.