Noco Boost Plus GB40 - My Testing Results (2024 Update)

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Last Updated: August 30, 2023

I have been using Noco Boost Plus GB40 for over a year now. I initially purchased it when planning on going out of town for a few months and my car was going to be sitting outside. I got the GB40 for my 3.0L inline six gasoline powered engine, just in case the battery ends up drained while I'm gone. This has happened before with my car when I left my radar detector plugged in overnight and it was cold outside. While I only got to use it once to jump the car, I can attest that it worked very well. Since that one time, I have been using it for various other reasons, such as powering my mobile devices or using it as a flash light when power goes out.

Why Did I Choose To Purchase Noco Boost Plus GB40?

The answer is pretty simple. I used to have one of those large box looking chargers that I purchased from Autozone at some point in my life. I couldn't stand how bulky that thing was, and to be completely honest, it didn't work very well. Last time I used it, I couldn't even jump my Honda Ridgeline's 3.5L V6 engine after charging the jump-starter for 4 hours. The advertisement said that it was for V6 motors as well.

Either way, I wanted something compact, that has great reviews, doesn't take the whole day to charge and can be used for more than one purpose. Noco Boost Plus GB40 seemed to have everything I needed. It does come in with a bunch of warnings on the outside packaging since it is a fairly powerful but tiny lithium battery.

When Can You Use Noco Boost Plus GB40

As someone who has used the Noco Boost Plus GB40 device, it has many use-case scenarios that make it a valuable addition to any toolkit. Since this week Michigan's power grid got hit with an ice storm and my house was without power for a week, I seriously tested the limits of this device, and definitely used it for much more than a car jump-starter kit. It was my main source of the light, as well as main source to keep my phone charged. I kind of did a reversal of the roles here since I took it to the car to get it charged and then brought it back inside, as you can see in the picture below.

Here are some of the ways I have used this device during my overall experience with it (not just over this bad weather period):

Jumpstarting a car: One of the most common uses for the Noco Boost Plus GB40 is jumpstarting a car. Whether stranded in a parking lot or your car won't start in your driveway, this device can give your battery the boost it needs to get back on the road. I've used it multiple times to jumpstart my car and help friends who needed a jumpstart.

Powering devices on the go: Another great feature of the Noco Boost Plus GB40 is its ability to power devices on the go. With USB ports and a 12-volt output, you can charge your phone, tablet, or other small devices while out and about. For example, I've used it to keep my phone charged while camping and power a small fan on a hot day.

When camping or hiking: Speaking of camping, the Noco Boost Plus GB40 is also a great tool when you're out in the wilderness. Its compact size and ability to charge small devices make it perfect for powering lights, GPS units, and other gadgets you might need on a camping or hiking trip. For example, I've used it to power a small camping lantern, which worked perfectly.

Light source if the power goes out: Finally, the Noco Boost Plus GB40 can also serve as a light source in the event of a power outage. It has a built-in LED flashlight that can illuminate your surroundings when the power goes out. I've used it during a blackout at my house, providing enough light to navigate my way around the house.

Overall, the Noco Boost Plus GB40 is a versatile and reliable device that can be used in various situations. So whether you need to jumpstart your car, power your devices on the go, or light your way during a power outage, this device has you covered.

Noco Boost Plus GB40 Unboxing

The packaging is very well done. The only thing that might be a tad bit annoying is the amount of un-wrapping or un-boxing that you need to do. You open the bag, and the bag has a box in it, then you open the box, and there is another box in it, and only then you get to the device and accessories. However, once you are in, you realize that this product looks like quality. I'm not sure how exactly to explain it, but when you touch the Noco Boost Plus GB40 as well as it's attachments, immediately you can tell that this is no flimsy poorly built device.

What's in the box:

• Noco Boost Plus GB40 Device
• User Guide & Warranty Information Book
• Car adapter to charge the device
• USB charging cable
• Jump-starting battery clamps
• Black Noco bag to conveniently store your Noco accessories

Noco Boost Plus GB40 Device

Here is the break down of each indicator or a button on the outside of the Noco Boost Plus device:

• Internal Battery Level - shows you the level at which the internal battery is currently charged.
• Error LED - this indicator light blinks if internal battery temperature is too hot; it also illuminates red if reverse polarity is detected.
• Power Button - you need to press this button to power the device "On" or "Off."
• Boost LED - shines white when Boost is active which happens automatically when the device detects proper connection to the battery. This light blinks white when manual override feature is active.
• Manual Override Button - this button should be used with caution, only when the battery charge is too low to be detected. Once this button is pressed and held for three seconds, the Boost mode is manually activated.
• Light mode button - LED light control button that turns the light "On" or "Off" and can activate 7 different light modes.

One thing to note, if your battery is not being recognized by Noco Boost Plus GB40 device and manual override doesn't do much, you might need to either recondition your car's battery or purchase a new one.

Noco Boost Plus GB40 Charging

Since the jump-starter was delivered with a dead battery, I needed to get it charged. This was a great opportunity to see how quickly the battery goes from being completely dead to fully charged. In order to do this, I took the USB cord, plugged one end into the jump starter and another one into the wall power outlet.

As you can see from the images above and below, I started charging the device at 12:10PM and it was fully charged by 2:57PM, which means that the device can be fully charged in around 2 hours and 45 minutes. This alone seem very promising to me since the older jump starter devices that I had used to charge for half a day or more.

Noco Boost Plus Features

The Noco Boost Plus Jump Starter was cleverly designed in the USA and had many useful features. For example, it can recharge smartphones, tablets, and other devices with a USB port. This makes it even more useful. In addition, the Noco Boost can also be charged via USB, thanks to a combination port on the body.

The jump starter body also includes a 100-lumens LED flashlight. This is a great feature if you are ever left at the highway's edge during an emergency. You can even set the flash to flash or strobe in SOS mode if necessary. starter, heavy-duty clamps, a 100cm long micro USB cable, and a microfiber storage case. This bag is great for keeping everything together and dust and dirt-free. The warranty leaflet is also included.

As mentioned previously, this device comes with a built in LED flash light. The flash light itself has 7 different modes:

• 100%
• 50%
• 10%
• SOS
• Blink
• Strobe
• Off

To get to these different modes you need to keep pressing the button until you get to the desired light mode. The not so convenient part is that you need to keep clicking through all of the modes to shut the light off.

This model comes with a Noco 1-year warranty. It shouldn't be necessary to use this warranty due to the strong reputation of Noco, but it is nice to know that it's included in the package. The casing is IP65-rated and water-resistant.

You get everything you need for jumpstarting. The box contains a GB40 lithium starter, heavy-duty clamps, a 100cm long micro USB cable, and a microfiber storage case. This bag is great for keeping everything together and dust and dirt-free.

How to use Noco Boost Plus GB40 Device

Charge the Noco Boost Plus GB40

First step is to make sure that the device is fully charged. You should connect the GB40 jump-starter device to a power outlet via the USB cable provided and let it charge to full. While charging the LED battery will pulsate "On" and "Off" and become solid green color once the battery is fully charged. Due to the FCC regulations, the company recommends that you never charge the device at the same time as discharging it.

Connect GB40 to the battery

Read and comprehend the vehicle owner's manual to learn about specific precautions and the recommended methods of jumping and starting your vehicle. In addition, it would help if you determined the vehicle's manufacturer.

Before using this product, ensure you know your battery's voltage and chemical composition. Only the GB40 can be used to jumpstart a 12-volt lead-acid battery.

Before connecting to the battery, make sure it is a 12-volt lead acid battery. The GB40 battery is not compatible with any other type of battery. Next, find the correct polarity for the battery.

The battery's terminals. These letters or symbols identify the positive battery terminal (POS, P .+).). These letters or symbols are used to identify the negative battery terminal.

Symbol (NEG, .-). You should not connect the fuel lines, carburetor, or thin sheet metal parts. These instructions apply to a most common negative ground system.

If your vehicle has a positive ground system (very rare), please follow the instructions below in reverse order.

1. Connect the battery clamps and GB40 to the 12V OUT port.

2. Connect the positive (red) HD battery clamp to a positive (POS.P.+) terminal.

3. Connect the negative (black) HD battery clamp to either the negative (NEG or N.-), battery terminal, or the vehicle chassis.

4. Disconnect in reverse order, first taking out the negative (or positive).

Jump start

1. Before attempting to jumpstart the vehicle, ensure all power loads (headlights and radio, air conditioner, etc.) are turned off. Before attempting to jumpstart the vehicle, ensure all power loads (headlights, radio, air conditioning, etc.) are off.

2. To jumpstart, press the Power Button. All LEDs functioning properly will flash AI LEDs. If you have properly connected the tater

The White Boost LED will illuminate. The Red Error LED will illuminate if the battery clamps have been connected in reverse. So to ensure you don't get a bad connection, reverse the connections. The White Boost LED will then illuminate. When the White Boost LED is illuminated, your vehicle is ready to jumpstart.

3. Start the car. Most vehicles will start immediately. Some vehicles may need to be connected to the GBA0 for up to 30 seconds before they start to turn on, if your vehicle doesn't start immediately, wait between 20-30 seconds before trying again. Five (5) jump starts in succession within a fifteen (15) minute window is not recommended. Let the GB40 rest for 15 minutes before you attempt to jumpstart the vehicle again.

4. After you have started the vehicle, disconnect the battery clamps and take out the GB40.

Why you should choose a Noco Boost Plus GB40 jump-starter?

Genius Boost's line of jump starters is well known for its great performance and value among customers worldwide. NOCO is a manufacturer specializing in energy storage products, including jump starters, solar panels, battery chargers, and more. Noco was founded in 1914 and is one of the oldest tool companies in the world. This fact assures their experience and quality regarding product design and performance.

Noco is our top recommendation due to the safety and reliability of its products. Each of their jumpstart series devices comes with spark-proof tech and reverse-polarity protection. These features make it impossible for components or users to misuse, malfunction, or cause damage during use. Safety is the most important thing when using any tool or purpose. We appreciate that NOCO designed its products to make them safe for customers and equipment.



Their devices also have a strong reputation for their great features and high performance without being too expensive. NOCO tools offer more functionality and flexibility than other manufacturers. All accessories are included in every retail packaging. Although the 1-year hassle-free warranty is standard, it is backed by NOCO's high-quality components. Long-term reliability is assured.

Noco Boost Plus GB40 Reviews Online

Noco Boost Plus Reviews on Amazon

The device has over 70K reviews on Amazon alone with an average rating of 4.7/5.0 stars. Only 3% of all of the customers gave the device 1 star rating. When I was making my decision to purchase this device, I read the negative reviews first. By doing so, I quickly realized that most unsatisfied customers either received a faulty unit, device was damaged during transit, or they tried to start big trucks. While the product details say that it can jump up to 6-Liter engines, it seemed that quite a few people even had issues with jumping 4-Liter vehicles. Since my car is just an inline 6 cylinder, I didn't expect any of these issues to be relevant to me.

My Final Words on Noco Boost Plus GB40

My overall experience with the device was very pleasant. While I didn't get a chance to jump my own car (thankfully), I got a chance to jump start my friend's Ford Fusion. While Fusion doesn't need as much "juice" to start up, the device didn't even lose much charge (if any).

I recommend that you select the model that best suits your needs. If you have a V8 or a larger engine, you might want to look into slightly more powerful Noco models. However, if your car's engine is V6 or smaller, the NOCOGB40 is recommended. It can handle most scenarios and should provide adequate performance in most cases. In addition, one charge can be used for up to 20 consecutive use before it runs out, which is sufficient for most people.

I found the product very well designed and thought out, it has simple-to-use and understandable safety features that prevent damaging equipment. It can also charge other devices and has a good LED flashlight. All this in a light and compact size. This model is lightweight and portable, making it a good choice amongst the 3 Genius Boost models by NOCO. GB40 is an excellent choice, considering its excellent price-to-performance ratio compared to jump starters made by other manufacturers.