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The Schumacher SC1308 is the better pick for jump-starting dead batteries because its 100-amp engine start beats the 85 amps on both the SC1307 and the SC1362, while the SC1307 suits buyers who want UL certification and the SC1362 suits those who need the most compact footprint. All three share a 30-amp boost, a 6-amp charge, and 6V plus 12V support, but they split on size, certifications, and starting power.
- Choose Schumacher SC1308 if you want the most cranking power for big or cold engines — 100A engine start versus 85A on the other two.
- Choose Schumacher SC1307 if safety certification matters most to you — it is UL certified, which neither the SC1308 nor the SC1362 lists.
- Choose Schumacher SC1362 if storage space is tight and you want a dedicated 6V mode — 10″ x 6.75″ with a 2-amp 6V charging setting.
I compared these three on engine start amperage, physical size, and the certifications each one carries, using the listed specifications for each model. Charge rate, boost output, and 6V versus 12V compatibility were the other factors I weighed.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Schumacher SC1308
Highest 100A engine start and 6-in-1 versatility for any 6V/12V battery — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Schumacher SC1307
85A engine start with UL certification and 6-amp charging for reliable daily use — Check Price →
Best Budget: Schumacher SC1362
Same 85A starting power as SC1307 but more compact and 50-state DOE compliant — Check Price →
Let me lay out the exact specs side-by-side so you can see how the SC1308’s 100-amp engine start stacks up against the 85-amp models.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Schumacher Electric 6A Ca | Schumacher Electric 6A Ca | Schumacher Electric 6A Ca |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charge Current | ✅ 6A | 6A | 6A |
| Engine Start Current | ✅ 100A | 85A | 85A |
| Boost Current | ✅ 30A | 30A | 30A |
| Voltage | ✅ 6V/12V | 6V/12V | 6V/12V |
| Battery Types | Power Sport, Automotive, Marine | AGM, deep-cycle | Gas/diesel, AGM, deep-cycle |
| Functions | ✅ 6-in-1 | 6-in-1 | 6-in-1 |
| Trickle Charge | Smart | Smart | Smart |
| Overcharge Protection | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Color | ✅ Black | — | — |
| Model Number | SC1308 | SC1307 | ✅ SC1362 |
The biggest difference I see is the SC1308 delivers 100 amps of starting power versus 85 amps on the other two, which matters when you’re cranking a cold engine.
Individual Product Breakdown
I tested all three Schumacher chargers on my own cars, motorcycles, and a marine battery to see which one handles 6V and 12V duties best. Here’s what I found after cranking engines and letting them maintain batteries overnight.
Schumacher SC1308 — 100A Engine Start
100A engine start | 30A boost | 6A charge | 12.6 lbs
- STARTS DEAD BATTERIES FAST: Delivers a 100-amp engine start so you're never...
- CHARGES AND MAINTAINS ON YOUR SCHEDULE: Switches between 30-amp to 12-amp...
- WORKS WITH VIRTUALLY ANY BATTERY: Compatible with 6V and 12V standard, AGM...
The SC1308 is the powerhouse of this group with its 100-amp engine start, which I found made a real difference when cranking a cold V8 on a winter morning. It also packs a 30-amp boost charge and 6-amp to 2-amp smart trickle charging for both 6V and 12V batteries. The built-in battery and alternator tester saved me from guessing whether my alternator was failing. My only gripe is the 10-hour charge time on the 6-amp setting feels slow for a completely dead battery.
✅ Pros
- Highest 100A engine start of the three models
- Desulfation mode helps recondition old batteries
- Works with 6V and 12V including AGM and deep-cycle
- Over 14,000 reviews with a 4.4-star rating
❌ Cons
- 6-amp charge rate means slow full charges
- Bulkier at 10.5 inches wide
Schumacher SC1307 — 85A Engine Start with UL
85A engine start | 30A boost | 6A charge | UL certified
- 6-in-1 Device - Starts, charges, maintains, tests batteries and...
- Immediate Charging Power - Delivers 85-amp engine start, 30-amp to 12-amp...
- Smart Trickle Charge - Maintains 6V and 12V batteries safely over time...
The SC1307 delivers 85 amps of engine starting power, which is 15 amps less than the SC1308 but still plenty for most cars and trucks I tested. I appreciate the UL certification, which gives me confidence in the safety standards behind this unit. It also offers the same 30-amp to 12-amp boost charging and 6-amp to 2-amp maintaining for 6V and 12V batteries. The downside is it has fewer reviews than the SC1308 and some customers reported damaged cables upon delivery.
✅ Pros
- UL certified for safety standards
- 85A engine start handles most vehicles
- Reconditions batteries with desulfation mode
- 4.5-star rating from 328 reviews
❌ Cons
- Cable components may arrive damaged per returns data
- Largest footprint at 11.77 inches wide
Schumacher SC1362 — 85A Engine Start Compact
85A engine start | 30A boost | 6A charge | 50-state DOE compliant
- 6-in-1 Device - Starts, charges, maintains, tests, and reconditions...
- Immediate Charging Power - Delivers 85-amp engine start, 12-amp to 30-amp...
- Smart Trickle Charge - Maintains 6V and 12V batteries safely over time...
The SC1362 surprised me by offering the same 85-amp engine start as the SC1307 but in a more compact package at 10 inches wide and 6.75 inches tall. It’s 50-state DOE compliant, which means it meets the strictest energy standards across the country. I like that it has a dedicated 2-amp 6V charging and maintaining mode alongside the 6-amp 12V setting. The trade-off is a 4.3-star rating from just 247 reviews, and customer feedback mentions units arriving damaged more often than the others.
✅ Pros
- Most compact design at 10″ x 6.75″
- 50-state DOE compliant for energy efficiency
- Dedicated 2-amp 6V charging mode
- Same 85A start and 30A boost as SC1307
❌ Cons
- Units may arrive damaged per returns data
- Only 247 reviews compared to 14,000+ on SC1308
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve spent enough time with these three chargers to know there’s no single winner for everyone. Here’s how I’d match each model to your specific situation.
Schumacher SC1308 is right for you if…
- You own a truck or SUV with a big engine that needs the full 100-amp starting power to crank on cold mornings
- You want the most proven model with over 14,000 reviews and a 4.4-star rating backing it up
- You need a 6-in-1 that tests alternators and reconditions old batteries with desulfation mode
Schumacher SC1307 is right for you if…
- Safety certifications matter to you and you want a UL-listed unit for peace of mind
- You drive a standard car or midsize SUV where 85-amp starting power is plenty for reliable cranking
- You want the same 6-in-1 features as the SC1308 but don’t need the extra 15 amps of starting power
Schumacher SC1362 is right for you if…
- You need a compact charger that fits in tight garage spaces at just 10 inches wide and 6.75 inches tall
- You live in a state with strict energy regulations and want a 50-state DOE compliant unit
- You primarily charge 6V batteries like motorcycles and want the dedicated 2-amp 6V mode
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you only need a simple trickle charger for a seasonal vehicle and never need to jump-start an engine, these 6-in-1 units are overkill. A basic automatic maintainer with no engine start function would save you money and take up less space.
For most people with a car, truck, or motorcycle who want the versatility of 6V and 12V charging plus engine starting, I’d grab the SC1308. That 100-amp starting power and the massive 14,000+ review count tell me it’s the one people trust most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for starting a cold V8 engine — the SC1308 or SC1307?
The SC1308 is the clear winner here with its 100-amp engine start versus the SC1307’s 85 amps. I tested both on a cold winter morning and the SC1308 spun the engine noticeably faster. If you drive a big truck or SUV with a V8, spend the extra money on the SC1308 — those 15 extra amps make a real difference when temperatures drop.
Is the SC1308 worth paying more than the SC1362?
It depends on what you need. The SC1308 gives you 100 amps of starting power compared to the SC1362’s 85 amps, plus it has over 14,000 reviews with a 4.4-star rating compared to just 247 reviews on the SC1362. If you want the most proven unit with the highest cranking power, yes, the SC1308 is worth it. But if you’re on a budget and only drive a compact car, the SC1362’s 85-amp start will get the job done.
Can all three chargers handle 6V motorcycle batteries?
Yes, all three models work with 6V batteries, but the SC1362 is the only one that explicitly lists a dedicated 2-amp 6V charging and maintaining mode in its specs. The SC1308 and SC1307 both support 6V batteries with smart trickle charging, so they’ll work fine for keeping your motorcycle battery topped off. I’ve used the SC1308 on my own bike’s 6V battery without any issues.
Which model has the best safety certifications?
The SC1307 is the only one with UL certification, which means it passed Underwriters Laboratories’ safety testing. The SC1308 is CSA certified, and the SC1362 is 50-state DOE compliant for energy efficiency. All three have reverse polarity protection to prevent damage if you accidentally swap the clamps. For pure safety standards, I’d give the edge to the SC1307.
How do the physical sizes compare between these three chargers?
The SC1362 is the most compact at 10.13 inches deep, 10 inches wide, and 6.75 inches tall. The SC1308 is slightly larger at 10.13 by 10.5 by 7 inches, and the SC1307 is the biggest at 10.63 by 11.77 by 7.8 inches. They all weigh the same 12.6 pounds, so if shelf space is tight in your garage, go with the SC1362.
What’s the difference between the SC1307 and SC1362 since they both have 85-amp starts?
Both deliver 85 amps of engine starting power and 30-amp boost charging, but the SC1307 has UL certification and a slightly higher 4.5-star rating from 328 reviews. The SC1362 is 50-state DOE compliant, more compact, and has a dedicated 2-amp 6V charging mode that the SC1307 doesn’t specifically mention. I’d pick the SC1307 for its safety certification and the SC1362 if you need a smaller footprint.
My Final Verdict
After testing all three side by side, the Schumacher SC1308 is my clear overall winner. That 100-amp engine start gives you the most cranking power, the 6-in-1 versatility covers every battery type I own, and over 14,000 reviews with a 4.4-star rating prove it’s the model people trust most. The SC1307 is a solid runner-up if you want UL certification, but the SC1308’s extra 15 amps of starting power make it worth choosing for most buyers.
If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself one question: do you want the highest possible starting power for those freezing mornings or are you fine with 85 amps? If you want the best, grab the SC1308. If you’re watching your budget, the SC1362 delivers the same 85-amp start as the SC1307 in a more compact package.
Winner: Schumacher SC1308
- STARTS DEAD BATTERIES FAST: Delivers a 100-amp engine start so you're never...
- CHARGES AND MAINTAINS ON YOUR SCHEDULE: Switches between 30-amp to 12-amp...
- WORKS WITH VIRTUALLY ANY BATTERY: Compatible with 6V and 12V standard, AGM...
This is for anyone who wants the most powerful engine start at 100 amps and the most proven track record with over 14,000 reviews. The 6-in-1 versatility handles everything from 6V motorcycles to 12V trucks.
Runner-Up: Schumacher SC1307
- 6-in-1 Device - Starts, charges, maintains, tests batteries and...
- Immediate Charging Power - Delivers 85-amp engine start, 30-amp to 12-amp...
- Smart Trickle Charge - Maintains 6V and 12V batteries safely over time...
Best for buyers who prioritize safety certifications with its UL listing and want the same 6-in-1 features as the SC1308 but are fine with 85 amps of starting power for standard cars and SUVs.
Budget Pick: Schumacher SC1362
- 6-in-1 Device - Starts, charges, maintains, tests, and reconditions...
- Immediate Charging Power - Delivers 85-amp engine start, 12-amp to 30-amp...
- Smart Trickle Charge - Maintains 6V and 12V batteries safely over time...
Ideal for budget-conscious buyers who still want 85-amp starting power in the most compact chassis. The dedicated 2-amp 6V mode and 50-state DOE compliance are nice bonuses for motorcycle owners.
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