Power packs

Flat batteries top the list of breakdown services' most common call-outs, as we saw in our roadside repairs feature in Issue 890. But you don't have to waste hours waiting for the recovery truck to arrive, as you could have the solution in your motor's boot - if you invest in a power pack. Essentially, they are small batteries in a plastic case, with enough grunt to fire up your motor. It's like a jump-start, but without the need for another car.

Even if your battery is fine, a pack can be useful for powering just about any piece of kit that uses the cigar lighter. Some units include compressors, lights, torches and invertors converting 12V to mains power. But which puts together the best combination? We took eight into the workshop to find out.

Verdict

Halfords' Powerpack 200 does everything. It's a very able booster, plus delivers mains power, compressed air and light. Its safety features clinch top spot.Draper's 75112 finishes in second place. It is rel-atively basic, but works well and also has a com-pressor and an isolator. Just behind it is Hamilton Classic's Jump 'n' Start - a good all rounder, spoiled only by short leads.