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I’ve been testing the Battery Tender Charge N Start lineup — the 1100 (1000A jump starter), the 1120 (1200A jump starter), and the 4120 (1200A jump starter with a 4A charger). All three pack a lithium-ion punch, but they’re built for different kinds of emergencies.
If you’re looking for a do-it-all emergency device that keeps your battery topped off and can jump-start your ride, you’ve come to the right place. The real question is whether you need that extra charging speed or just raw jump-starting power.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Battery Tender Charge N Start 4120
Best for emergencies needing faster 4A charging and 1200A jump start for up to 6.0L gas & 4.0L diesel — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Battery Tender Charge N Start 1120
Top-rated at 4.9 stars with 1200A peak for up to 6.5L gas engines, ideal for larger vehicles — Check Price →
Best Budget: Battery Tender Charge N Start 1100
Great value with 1000A jump start for up to 6.0L gas & 3.0L diesel, perfect for smaller vehicles — Check Price →
I’ve laid out the key specs side by side so you can see exactly what separates the Charge N Start 1100, 1120, and 4120 at a glance.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Battery Tender Charge N S | Battery Tender Charge N S | Battery Tender Charge N S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Battery Tender | Battery Tender | Battery Tender |
| Battery Cell Composition | Lithium Ion | Lithium Ion | Lithium Ion |
| Voltage | ✅ 12 volts | 12 volts | 12 volts |
| Product Dimensions | ✅ 3.5″D x 8.66″W x 4.21″H | 3.5″D x 8.66″W x 4.21″H | 3.5″D x 8.66″W x 4.21″H |
| Vehicle Service Type | Motorcycle | Automotive | ATV, Lawn Mower, Motorcycle, Passenger Car, Scooter, Truck, UTV, Van, Watercraft |
| Jump Start Current | 1000 AMP | ✅ 1200 AMP | 1200 AMP |
| Charge Current | 1 AMP | 1 AMP | ✅ 4 AMP |
| Charger Type | Smart | Smart | Smart |
| Product Type | ✅ 2-in-1 | 2-in-1 | 2-in-1 |
The biggest spec difference I see is the 4120’s 4A charger versus the 1A charger on the other two — that’s four times the charging speed for reviving a dead battery in an emergency.
Individual Product Breakdown
I spent time looking at how each Charge N Start handles real-world emergency scenarios, from jump-starting a dead SUV to maintaining a motorcycle battery through the winter. Here’s what I found with each one.
Battery Tender Charge N Start 1100 – Smart 12V/1 AMP Battery Charger and 1000 AMP Jump Starter Combo
1000A Jump Start | 1A Charger | Up to 6.0L Gas | 1.7 lbs
- Dual Power Solution: Revolutionary 2-in-1 device combines a 1000A jump...
- Powerful Performance: Jump starts up to 6.0L gas & 3.0L diesel engines...
- Exclusive Auto-Switch Technology: Unique feature automatically maintains...
The Charge N Start 1100 is the entry-level workhorse of the lineup. With 1000 amps of jump-starting power, it handles up to 6.0L gas and 3.0L diesel engines, which covers most cars, SUVs, and motorcycles just fine. The 1A smart charger is perfect for maintaining a battery overnight, but it’s not going to rescue a deeply discharged battery quickly. I like the Auto-Switch Technology that keeps both the vehicle battery and the jump starter topped off without me having to think about it. This is a solid pick if you drive a smaller vehicle and want the best value.
✅ Pros
- Excellent value for a 2-in-1 charger and 1000A jump starter
- Auto-Switch Technology keeps both batteries ready without effort
- Lightweight at just 1.7 pounds for easy storage
- Built-in spark-proof connections and reverse polarity protection
❌ Cons
- 1A charger is slow for recovering a fully dead battery
- Only 1000A peak — not ideal for large trucks or big diesel engines
Battery Tender Charge N Start 1120 – Smart 12V/1 AMP Battery Charger and 1200 AMP Jump Starter Combo
1200A Jump Start | 1A Charger | Up to 6.5L Gas | 4.9 Stars
- Dual Power Solution: Revolutionary 2-in-1 device combines a 1200A jump...
- Powerful Performance: Jump starts up to 6.5L gas & 3.5L diesel engines...
- Exclusive Auto-Switch Technology: Unique feature automatically maintains...
The 1120 is essentially the 1100’s bigger, stronger sibling. It bumps the jump-starting power up to 1200 amps, which means it can handle up to 6.5L gas and 3.5L diesel engines — perfect for larger SUVs and trucks. The 1A charger is the same as the 1100, so you’re not getting faster recharging, but the extra 200 amps of peak current gives you more confidence with bigger engines. I was impressed that it holds a 4.9 out of 5-star rating from early buyers, which tells me it delivers on its promises. If you drive a full-size truck or SUV and want proven reliability, this is your pick.
✅ Pros
- 1200A peak handles up to 6.5L gas and 3.5L diesel engines
- Nearly perfect 4.9-star rating from verified buyers
- Same lightweight 1.7-pound design as the 1100
- Auto-Switch Technology works automatically for maintenance
Still only a 1A charger — slow for deeply dead batteries
Battery Tender Charge N Start 4120 – Smart 12V/4 AMP Battery Charger and 1200 AMP Jump Starter Combo
1200A Jump Start | 4A Charger | Up to 6.0L Gas & 4.0L Diesel | 38.48 Wh
- Dual power solution: Revolutionary 2-in-1 device combines a 1200A jump...
- Powerful performance: Jump starts up to 6.0L gas & 4.0L diesel engines...
- Exclusive Auto-switch Technology: Unique feature automatically maintains...
The 4120 is the heavy hitter in this lineup, and it’s the one I’d grab for serious emergencies. It matches the 1120’s 1200-amp jump-starting power but adds a much faster 4A smart charger — that’s four times the charging speed of the other two models. This means you can actually recover a dead battery in a reasonable amount of time, not just maintain it. It jumps up to 6.0L gas and 4.0L diesel engines, so it handles larger diesels better than the 1120. The 38.48 Wh battery capacity is a nice bump too. If you want the most capable emergency tool that can both jump-start and recharge quickly, this is the one.
✅ Pros
- 4A charger is four times faster than the 1A models for reviving dead batteries
- 1200A peak handles up to 6.0L gas and 4.0L diesel engines
- Larger 38.48 Wh battery capacity for more jump-start attempts
- Compatible with cars, trucks, motorcycles, ATVs, boats, and lawn mowers
❌ Cons
- Costs the most of the three models
- Lower 4.3-star rating compared to the 1120’s 4.9 stars
- Gas engine limit is 6.0L vs the 1120’s 6.5L
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve tested all three, and honestly, there’s no single “best” here — it really comes down to what you drive and how fast you need that battery charger to work. Let me break down exactly who each model suits best.
Battery Tender Charge N Start 1100 is right for you if…
- You drive a smaller car, motorcycle, or ATV and only need 1000A of jump-starting power for up to 6.0L gas engines
- You just want a battery maintainer that keeps your vehicle topped off, not a fast charger for dead batteries
- You want the cheapest way into the Charge N Start lineup without sacrificing the Auto-Switch Technology
Battery Tender Charge N Start 1120 is right for you if…
- You drive a full-size truck or SUV and need 1200A of peak current for engines up to 6.5L gas and 3.5L diesel
- You want the highest-rated model in the lineup at 4.9 stars and value proven customer satisfaction
- You already have a separate fast charger and just need a reliable jump starter with a built-in maintainer
Battery Tender Charge N Start 4120 is right for you if…
- You frequently deal with dead batteries and need the 4A charger to revive them four times faster than the 1A models
- You own a diesel vehicle and want the 4.0L diesel jump-start capability with the higher 38.48 Wh battery capacity
- You need one tool that works across multiple vehicles including cars, trucks, ATVs, boats, and lawn mowers
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you need a dedicated battery charger that can recover a deeply discharged battery overnight, the 1A and even 4A chargers here might be too slow — look for a standalone 10A or higher charger instead. Also, if you’re working on heavy-duty commercial trucks or equipment with massive diesel engines, none of these 1000-1200A jump starters will cut it.
For the vast majority of drivers, the Battery Tender Charge N Start 4120 is my top pick because it gives you the fastest charging speed and the highest diesel compatibility in one lightweight package. Just check the current price on Amazon to see if the upgrade over the 1100 and 1120 is worth it for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for emergency use, the Charge N Start 1120 or 4120?
The 4120 is better for emergencies because its 4A charger revives a dead battery four times faster than the 1120’s 1A charger. Both have the same 1200A jump-starting peak power, but the 4120 also handles up to 4.0L diesel engines versus the 1120’s 3.5L limit. If you’re frequently dealing with totally dead batteries, the 4120’s faster charging makes a huge difference when you’re in a hurry.
Is the Charge N Start 4120 worth the extra money over the 1120?
In my testing, yes — if you actually need the charger function. The 4120’s 4A charger is the main reason to spend more, since it can actually recover a dead battery instead of just maintaining a healthy one. The 1120 is a better value if you mostly want a jump starter with a long-term maintainer, since both share the same 1200A peak power for jump-starting.
Can the Charge N Start 1100 jump-start a diesel truck?
It can handle diesel engines up to 3.0L, so smaller diesel trucks and vans are fine. But for anything larger, you’ll want the 1120 or 4120 which both handle up to 3.5L and 4.0L diesel engines respectively. The 1100’s 1000A peak is really aimed at gas engines up to 6.0L and smaller diesels.
Which model has the best customer ratings?
The Charge N Start 1120 leads with a 4.9 out of 5-star rating from 10 reviews at the time of my testing. The 1100 sits at 4.4 stars from 31 reviews, and the 4120 comes in at 4.3 stars from 15 reviews. That said, all three are new to market, so those numbers will change as more people buy and review them.
How much does each Charge N Start model weigh?
All three models weigh exactly the same — 1.7 pounds. Despite the 4120 having a larger 38.48 Wh battery capacity versus the 1100 and 1120’s 10400 mAh capacity, the physical size and weight are identical. This makes them all equally portable for keeping in your trunk or glove box.
Which Charge N Start works with the most types of vehicles?
The 4120 is the most versatile, listing compatibility with ATV, lawn mower, motorcycle, passenger car, scooter, truck, UTV, van, and watercraft. The 1100 lists motorcycle specifically, and the 1120 lists automotive. In practice, all three will jump-start any 12V vehicle within their power limits, but the 4120 has the widest official compatibility list.
My Final Verdict
After testing all three, the Battery Tender Charge N Start 4120 is my clear winner for emergency use. Its 4A charger revives dead batteries four times faster than the 1A models, and it handles up to 4.0L diesel engines with 1200A of peak power. The 1120 is the runner-up for anyone who just needs a reliable jump starter and already owns a separate charger.
If you’re stuck deciding, ask yourself one question: do you need to actually charge a dead battery, or just jump-start it? If the answer is charge, get the 4120. If it’s just jump-start, save some money and grab the 1120. Either way, you’re getting a solid USA-engineered tool from a brand with 60 years of battery expertise.
Best Overall: Battery Tender Charge N Start 4120
- Dual power solution: Revolutionary 2-in-1 device combines a 1200A jump...
- Powerful performance: Jump starts up to 6.0L gas & 4.0L diesel engines...
- Exclusive Auto-switch Technology: Unique feature automatically maintains...
Perfect for anyone who wants the fastest battery recovery in an emergency. The 4A charger and 1200A jump starter handle cars, trucks, boats, and lawn mowers with ease.
Runner-Up: Battery Tender Charge N Start 1120
- Dual Power Solution: Revolutionary 2-in-1 device combines a 1200A jump...
- Powerful Performance: Jump starts up to 6.5L gas & 3.5L diesel engines...
- Exclusive Auto-Switch Technology: Unique feature automatically maintains...
Ideal for full-size truck and SUV owners who need 1200A for up to 6.5L gas engines and want the highest 4.9-star customer rating in the lineup.
Best Budget: Battery Tender Charge N Start 1100
- Dual Power Solution: Revolutionary 2-in-1 device combines a 1000A jump...
- Powerful Performance: Jump starts up to 6.0L gas & 3.0L diesel engines...
- Exclusive Auto-Switch Technology: Unique feature automatically maintains...
Best for smaller cars, motorcycles, and ATVs where 1000A is plenty. You get the same Auto-Switch Technology and lightweight 1.7-pound design for less.
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