"Seems handy, but I'm curious if they're actually reliable or just marketing hype..."
I've had a portable jump starter in my trunk for a couple of years now and honestly, it's saved my bacon more than once. They're pretty straightforward—just make sure you charge them every few months because they can drain slowly over time. Mine even has a USB port for charging phones, which was surprisingly useful during a power outage last winter.
As for tire inflators, I've been on the fence. A friend of mine swears by his and says it's gotten him through slow leaks until he could get to a service station. But I've also heard some cheaper models take forever to inflate a tire or overheat easily. So if you're thinking about one, maybe do some digging into reviews first and pick something with a decent build quality and good user ratings.
Either way, having a backup plan beyond roadside assistance is definitely smart... better safe than stranded.
I've had mixed luck with portable jump starters myself. Got one as a gift a couple years ago, and it worked great the first time I needed it. But then I forgot about it for ages (typical me...), and when I finally needed it again, it was totally dead. Lesson learned on charging them regularly, I guess. I ended up buying another one that holds a charge longer, and it's been pretty solid so far. Definitely handy to have around, especially if you drive an older car or live somewhere with harsh winters.
About tire inflators, I'm kinda skeptical too. My brother bought a cheap one online, and it was honestly hilarious watching him try to inflate a flat tire—it took forever, sounded like it was dying, and ended up overheating halfway through. Eventually, he just gave up and borrowed mine (which is a bit pricier but way sturdier). Mine's been reliable enough for topping off tires when the weather changes or dealing with slow leaks, but I wouldn't count on it to fully inflate a completely flat tire quickly. Still beats waiting hours for roadside assistance, though.
I think it mostly comes down to doing your homework and not just grabbing the cheapest thing out there. Checking reviews and maybe spending a little more upfront can save you from frustration later. And honestly, even if you rarely use them, the peace of mind alone is worth it. Nothing worse than being stuck somewhere sketchy at night waiting for help to show up... been there, done that, never again if I can help it.
Totally agree on spending a bit more upfront. Another thing I'd add is to keep a small checklist reminder in your phone every 3-4 months to recharge or test your jump starter...easy to forget otherwise, trust me.
Definitely agree with setting reminders—it's easy to overlook regular maintenance, especially when life gets busy. I'd also suggest periodically checking your tire pressure and tread depth around the same time. From my experience, tire issues are one of the most common roadside problems, and catching them early can save you from bigger headaches down the road. A little proactive care goes a long way toward peace of mind.
"From my experience, tire issues are one of the most common roadside problems, and catching them early can save you from bigger headaches down the road."
That's definitely true, but I'd argue that battery issues might be even more common—at least in my experience. Tires usually give some warning signs, but batteries can just suddenly die, especially in colder weather. I recently had mine fail without any noticeable symptoms beforehand. Investing in a portable jump starter has been a lifesaver for me, and honestly, it's pretty budget-friendly compared to towing fees or emergency services...
