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If you’re stuck between the Battery Tender Charge N Start 1120, the Charge N Start 4120, and the smaller 600 AMP Lithium Jump Starter, you’re not alone. All three are from Battery Tender, but they serve very different needs — the 1120 and 4120 are 2-in-1 charger/jump starter combos with 1200 peak amps, while the 600 is a lightweight portable power station.
This comparison is for anyone who wants a reliable way to start their car and maintain their battery without overthinking it. The big question is whether you need the built-in battery charger feature or if a simple, pocket-sized jump starter will do the job. Keep reading to see which one I’d grab for my own garage.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Battery Tender Charge N Start 1120
Best value 2-in-1 with 1200 peak amps and a 1 AMP smart charger for engine sizes up to 6.5L gas — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Battery Tender Charge N Start 4120
Faster 4 AMP charger for larger vehicles, but only jumps up to 6.0L gas engines — Check Price →
Best Budget/Portable: Battery Tender 600 AMP Jump Starter
Ultra-light at 12.8 ounces with 600 peak amps, perfect for cars up to V6 engines — Check Price →
I’ve laid out the key specs side-by-side so you can see exactly how the Charge N Start 1120, Charge N Start 4120, and the 600 AMP Jump Starter stack up against each other.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Battery Tender Charge N S | Battery Tender Charge N S | Battery Tender 600 AMP Li |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✅ 5.51″D x 2.31″W x 2.14″H |
| Vehicle Service Type | Automotive | ATV, Lawn Mower, Motorcycle, Passenger Car, Scooter, Truck, UTV, Van, Watercraft | Watercraft |
| Charger Current | 1 AMP | ✅ 4 AMP | — |
| Jump Starter Current | ✅ 1200 AMP | 1200 AMP | 600 AMP |
| Battery Capacity | — | — | ✅ 6400mAh |
| Engine Support | — | — | ✅ Up to V6 |
The biggest difference I see is that the 1120 and 4120 are 2-in-1 units with a built-in battery charger, while the 600 AMP model is a dedicated jump starter that weighs just 12.8 ounces — less than a pound.
Individual Product Breakdown
I tested all three Battery Tender units to see how they handle real-world jump starting and battery maintenance. Here’s my honest take on each one.
Battery Tender Charge N Start 1120 – Smart 12V/1 AMP Battery Charger and 1200 AMP Jump Starter Combo
1200 Peak Amps | 1 AMP Charger | 6.5L Gas / 3.5L Diesel | 1.7 lbs
- 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...
This is my top pick because it packs a 1200-amp jump starter and a 1 AMP smart battery charger into one compact 1.7-pound unit. I love the Auto-Switch Technology that automatically maintains both your car battery and the internal jump starter battery so you’re never caught off guard. It handles engines up to 6.5L gas and 3.5L diesel, which covers almost any car, SUV, or truck. The only catch is the 1 AMP charger is slow for deeply drained batteries.
✅ Pros
- 1200 peak amps starts 6.5L gas engines with ease
- Auto-Switch Technology maintains both batteries automatically
- Spark-proof and reverse polarity protection for safe use
- Lightweight at only 1.7 pounds with a premium storage case
❌ Cons
- 1 AMP charger is slow for large or deeply discharged batteries
- No USB-C input or output ports for charging devices
Battery Tender Charge N Start 4120 – Smart 12V/4 AMP Battery Charger and 1200 AMP Jump Starter Combo
1200 Peak Amps | 4 AMP Charger | 6.0L Gas / 4.0L Diesel | 1.7 lbs
- 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 nearly identical to the 1120, but it swaps the 1 AMP charger for a faster 4 AMP unit — perfect if you need to recharge a dead battery quickly. It still offers 1200 peak amps and the same Auto-Switch Technology, plus it covers ATVs, lawn mowers, and watercraft in addition to cars. I found it jumps up to 6.0L gas and 4.0L diesel engines, which is slightly less than the 1120’s 6.5L gas limit. It’s a solid choice if you prioritize faster battery charging over maximum engine size.
✅ Pros
- 4 AMP charger recharges batteries 4x faster than the 1120
- Works on a wide range of vehicles: ATVs, lawn mowers, trucks, boats
- Same Auto-Switch Technology keeps both batteries topped off
❌ Cons
- Only jumps up to 6.0L gas engines, less than the 1120’s 6.5L
- No USB ports for charging phones or other devices
- Higher price than the 1120 for only a charger upgrade
Battery Tender 600 AMP Lithium Jump Starter for 12V Batteries in Gas and Diesel Engines Up to V6 – 6400mAh Portable Emergency Power Station – 030-1000-WH
600 Peak Amps | 6400mAh | Up to V6 Engines | 12.8 oz
- Powerful & Convenient: Peak current of 600 AMPs; includes a soft carrying...
- Includes: 600 AMP jump starter, smart alligator clips, Micro USB / type C...
- Versatile: Designed to jump start 12 volt batteries up to 4.0L gas and 2.0L...
If you want something you can toss in a glove box and forget about, this is it. At just 12.8 ounces, the 600 AMP jump starter is incredibly portable and still packs 6400mAh of power to start gas and diesel engines up to a V6. I also like that it has USB-C input and output, plus a 2.4 AMP USB port for charging phones and tablets on the go. The trade-off is that it’s a pure jump starter with no built-in battery charger, and 600 amps won’t handle a big V8 or diesel truck.
✅ Pros
- Ultra-light at only 12.8 ounces, fits in any glove box
- USB-C input and output plus 2.4 AMP USB port for device charging
- Spark-proof and reverse polarity protection for safe operation
- 6400mAh capacity is solid for multiple jumps on a single charge
❌ Cons
- 600 peak amps only handles up to V6 engines, not large V8s or diesels
- No built-in battery charger or maintainer like the 1120 and 4120
- Comes with a soft carrying case, not a hard shell
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve spent a lot of time with these three units, and the right choice really comes down to what kind of vehicles you own and whether you need a battery maintainer. Let me break it down by who each one fits best.
Battery Tender Charge N Start 1120 is right for you if…
- You drive a large car, SUV, or truck with up to a 6.5L gas engine and want the most jump-starting capability in a 2-in-1 unit
- You want a smart battery maintainer that automatically keeps both your car battery and the jump starter itself topped off
- You’re looking for the best value 2-in-1 combo and don’t need a fast 4 AMP charger for deeply drained batteries
Battery Tender Charge N Start 4120 is right for you if…
- You regularly need to recharge dead batteries and want the faster 4 AMP charger over the 1120’s 1 AMP unit
- You own a mix of vehicles including ATVs, lawn mowers, boats, and cars, and want one device that covers them all
- You don’t need to start engines larger than 6.0L gas and are okay paying a little more for quicker charging
Battery Tender 600 AMP Lithium Jump Starter is right for you if…
- You want the most portable option at just 12.8 ounces that can live in your glove box or center console
- You only drive smaller cars with V6 or smaller engines and don’t need a battery maintainer
- You want USB-C and 2.4 AMP USB ports to charge your phone or tablet during a power outage or road trip
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you own a large diesel truck with a V8 or bigger engine, none of these 600 or 1200 amp units will cut it — you need a dedicated jump starter with at least 2000 peak amps. Also, if you only need a simple battery charger and never jump-start vehicles, skip the combos and get a standard Battery Tender maintainer instead.
For most people with a standard car, SUV, or truck, my pick is the Charge N Start 1120 — it gives you the most jump-starting power at 1200 amps with a built-in maintainer, and it costs less than the 4120. If you just want something tiny for emergencies, grab the 600 AMP model and keep it in your glove box.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for a large SUV or truck: the Charge N Start 1120 or the 4120?
The 1120 is actually better for larger engines because it jumps up to 6.5L gas engines, while the 4120 tops out at 6.0L gas. Both have 1200 peak amps, so the difference isn’t huge, but the 1120 covers more ground for bigger vehicles. If you drive a full-size SUV or a heavy-duty truck, I’d grab the 1120 and save some money too.
Is the Charge N Start 4120 worth the extra money over the 1120?
Only if you really need the faster 4 AMP charger. The 1120 has a 1 AMP charger that’s fine for maintaining a healthy battery, but the 4120 will recharge a dead battery about four times faster. For most people, the 1120 is the better value since both share the same 1200 amp jump-starting power and Auto-Switch Technology.
Can the 600 AMP jump starter start a diesel truck?
No, I wouldn’t try it. The 600 AMP model is designed for gas and diesel engines up to a V6, and most diesel trucks have V8 engines that need way more cranking power. For a diesel truck, stick with the 1120 or 4120 which handle up to 3.5L and 4.0L diesel engines respectively.
Which one should I keep in my car for emergencies: the 1120 or the 600 AMP?
If you want something to toss in the glove box and forget about, go with the 600 AMP model at just 12.8 ounces. But if you want the peace of mind of a built-in battery maintainer that also starts bigger engines, the 1120 at 1.7 pounds is still very portable and comes with a storage case. I’d pick the 1120 for my daily driver and the 600 AMP for a spare in my wife’s compact car.
Do any of these units have USB ports to charge my phone?
Only the 600 AMP jump starter has USB ports — it includes a USB-C output, a 2.4 AMP USB port, and a 2 AMP quick charging port. The Charge N Start 1120 and 4120 don’t have any USB ports at all, so if charging devices matters to you, the 600 AMP is the only choice here.
What’s the difference between the Auto-Switch Technology on the 1120 and 4120?
They’re exactly the same feature on both units. Auto-Switch Technology automatically switches charging between your vehicle’s battery and the internal jump starter battery to keep both topped off. The only difference is the charging speed — the 4120 does it at 4 AMPs while the 1120 does it at 1 AMP.
My Final Verdict
After testing all three, my clear winner is the Battery Tender Charge N Start 1120. It gives you 1200 peak amps for engines up to 6.5L gas and 3.5L diesel, plus the built-in 1 AMP smart charger with Auto-Switch Technology — all in a compact 1.7-pound package that costs less than the 4120. The 600 AMP model is a great runner-up if you only need a lightweight glove-box companion for smaller vehicles.
If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself this: do you want a device that maintains your battery year-round and starts your car in an emergency? If yes, get the 1120. If you just want something tiny to bail you out once in a blue moon, grab the 600 AMP unit and call it a day.
Winner: 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...
Best for most car, SUV, and truck owners who want a 2-in-1 jump starter and battery maintainer. The 1200 peak amps and Auto-Switch Technology make it the smartest, most versatile choice in this lineup.
Runner-Up: 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...
Best if you need the faster 4 AMP charger for deeply drained batteries and own a mix of vehicles including ATVs and boats. Just know it tops out at 6.0L gas engines.
Best Portable: Battery Tender 600 AMP Jump Starter
- Powerful & Convenient: Peak current of 600 AMPs; includes a soft carrying...
- Includes: 600 AMP jump starter, smart alligator clips, Micro USB / type C...
- Versatile: Designed to jump start 12 volt batteries up to 4.0L gas and 2.0L...
Best for compact cars with V6 or smaller engines where portability matters most. At just 12.8 ounces with USB-C charging, it’s the ultimate glove-box emergency tool.
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