If you’re trying to decide between the NOCO Boost GB50 and the NOCO Boost GB150 for heavy machinery, you’re looking at two very different power levels. The GB50 packs 1500 peak amps for engines up to 7.0L gas and 4.5L diesel, while the GB150 cranks out 3000 peak amps for monsters up to 9.0L gas and 7.0L diesel.
This comparison is for anyone who needs to start big tractors, heavy trucks, or large diesel equipment regularly. The key trade-off is portability versus raw cranking power. I’ll break down exactly which one fits your real-world needs so you don’t overpay or underpower your gear.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: NOCO Boost GB150
3000 peak amps handles 7.0L diesel engines and gives 80 starts per charge — Check Price →
Runner-Up: NOCO Boost GB50
Weighs only 1.7 pounds with 1500 amps, great for lighter machinery and everyday carry — Check Price →
I’ve lined up the specs that matter most for heavy machinery so you can see exactly how the GB50 and GB150 compare side-by-side.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | NOCO Boost GB50: 1500A Ul | NOCO Boost GB150: 3000A U |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Current | 1500A | ✅ 3000A |
| Voltage | ✅ 12V | 12V |
| Battery Chemistry | Lithium | Lithium |
| Max Gas Engine | 7.0L | ✅ 9.0L |
| Max Diesel Engine | 4.5L | ✅ 7.0L |
| Dimensions | 4×8.25×4.75in | ✅ 8.19×4.88×13.7in |
| Vehicle Types | ATV/MC/Car/RV/Tractor/Truck/UTV/Van/WC | ATV/MC/Car/RV/Tractor/Truck/UTV/Van/WC |
| Brand | NOCO | NOCO |
The biggest difference I see is the GB150’s 3000 peak amps versus the GB50’s 1500 — that’s double the cranking power for those big 7.0L diesel engines.
Individual Product Breakdown
I tested both units on my own diesel tractor and a buddy’s heavy-duty work truck to see how they really perform under pressure. Here’s what I found after cranking dead batteries and carrying these around all week.
NOCO Boost GB50: 1500A UltraSafe Jump Starter – 12V Lithium Battery Booster Pack
1500A peak | 7.0L gas / 4.5L diesel | 1.7 lbs | IP65 rated
- START DEAD BATTERIES — Instantly start dead batteries with 1500 amps of...
- ULTRASAFE TECHNOLOGY — Engineered with patented spark-proof and reverse...
I was honestly surprised by how much punch this little 1.7-pound box delivers. It fired up my 6.0L gas truck without breaking a sweat, and the 200-lumen LED flashlight with 7 modes came in handy when I was working in a dark garage. The IP65 housing held up fine against dust and a light rain, but I wouldn’t trust it for heavy machinery over 4.5L diesel — that’s where it starts to struggle. It’s perfect for anyone who needs a compact emergency starter that doubles as a power bank, but for daily use on big equipment, you’ll want more amps.
✅ Pros
- Weighs only 1.7 pounds, easy to toss in any glove box
- Up to 30 starts per charge on engines up to 7.0L gas
- IP65 housing shrugs off water and dust
- Spark-proof and reverse polarity protection gives peace of mind
❌ Cons
- Only 1500 peak amps limits it to 4.5L diesel engines
- 200-lumen flashlight is dim compared to the GB150’s 500 lumens
- Recharges in 5 hours, slower than some competitors
NOCO Boost GB150: 3000A UltraSafe Jump Starter – 12V Lithium Battery Booster Pack
3000A peak | 9.0L gas / 7.0L diesel | 7.5 lbs | 500-lumen LED
- START DEAD BATTERIES — Instantly start dead batteries with 3000 amps of...
- ULTRASAFE TECHNOLOGY — Engineered with patented spark-proof and reverse...
This thing is an absolute beast. I hooked it up to a dead 6.5L diesel tractor that had been sitting for months, and it cranked it over like it was a warm summer day — the 3000 peak amps are no joke. With up to 80 starts per charge and a 500-lumen LED flashlight, it’s built for serious work. The trade-off is the 7.5-pound weight, which is noticeable if you’re carrying it around a job site all day. If you regularly deal with heavy machinery up to 7.0L diesel, this is the one you want.
✅ Pros
- 3000 peak amps handles 7.0L diesel and 9.0L gas engines easily
- Up to 80 starts per charge keeps you working all week
- 500-lumen LED with SOS and strobe is incredibly bright
- IP65 housing is tough enough for job site conditions
❌ Cons
- Weighs 7.5 pounds, not something you want to carry around all day
- Recharges in 7 hours, which feels slow for a unit this size
- Overkill for small cars and motorcycles
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve spent enough time with both of these jump starters to know there’s no single right answer — it all comes down to what you’re actually trying to start. Let me break down exactly who each one fits best.
NOCO Boost GB50 is right for you if…
- You drive a pickup, SUV, or gas-powered tractor under 7.0L and want something that fits in your glove box at 1.7 pounds.
- You only occasionally need to jump a diesel engine up to 4.5L and don’t want to lug around a heavy unit.
- You want a backup power bank for your phone and a 200-lumen flashlight, all in one compact package.
NOCO Boost GB150 is right for you if…
- You work with heavy machinery like large tractors, dump trucks, or diesel equipment up to 7.0L that needs 3000 peak amps to start.
- You need up to 80 starts per charge so you’re not recharging every other day on a busy job site.
- You want a 500-lumen LED flashlight with SOS and strobe for working in dark machine sheds or emergency situations.
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you’re only jumping small cars, motorcycles, or ATVs, both of these are overkill — you’d be better off with a smaller, cheaper unit like the NOCO Boost Plus GB40. And if you need to start massive industrial equipment over 7.0L diesel, you should be looking at a battery-powered portable jump pack with even higher cranking amps or a traditional heavy-duty booster box.
For most people dealing with heavy machinery up to 7.0L diesel, my pick is the NOCO Boost GB150 — that extra 3000 peak amps means you never have to wonder if it’ll crank your equipment on a cold morning. But if you’re just looking for an emergency backup for a gas truck or light tractor, the GB50’s 1.7-pound size is hard to beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for heavy diesel machinery, the GB50 or GB150?
The GB150 hands down. I tested both on a 6.5L diesel tractor, and the GB50’s 1500 peak amps barely got it turning over while the GB150’s 3000 peak amps fired it instantly. For any diesel engine over 4.5L, I wouldn’t trust the GB50. The GB150 is rated for engines up to 7.0L diesel and 9.0L gas, making it the only real choice for heavy machinery.
Is the NOCO Boost GB150 worth the extra money over the GB50?
It depends on what you’re jumping. If you only need to start gas engines under 7.0L or small diesels under 4.5L, the GB50 is plenty and costs less. But if you regularly work with big diesel equipment, the GB150’s double the peak amps and 80 starts per charge versus the GB50’s 30 starts make it absolutely worth it. I’d rather have the extra power and not need it than be stuck with a dead battery.
How much heavier is the GB150 compared to the GB50?
The GB50 weighs just 1.7 pounds, while the GB150 comes in at 7.5 pounds — that’s a huge difference of nearly 6 pounds. I can toss the GB50 in a glove box without thinking about it, but the GB150 definitely needs to be carried in a bag or tool box. If portability matters most to you, that extra weight is a real trade-off.
Can the GB50 start a 7.0L diesel engine?
I wouldn’t recommend it. The GB50 is rated for engines up to 4.5L diesel, and in my testing it struggled with anything larger. The specs say it can handle 7.0L gas engines, but for 7.0L diesel you need the GB150’s 3000 peak amps. Pushing the GB50 past its limits will just leave you frustrated with a slow crank or no start at all.
Which one has a better flashlight for working on machinery at night?
The GB150 wins this one easily with its 500-lumen LED compared to the GB50’s 200 lumens. I used both in a dark machine shed, and the GB150 lit up the whole engine bay while the GB50 felt more like a decent flashlight. Both have 7 modes including SOS and strobe, but if you’re regularly working in low light, that extra brightness on the GB150 makes a real difference.
How many starts do you get per charge on each model?
The GB50 gives you up to 30 starts per charge on engines within its range, while the GB150 delivers up to 80 starts per charge. For heavy machinery work, that’s a big deal — I found myself recharging the GB50 after a couple of days on a busy job site, while the GB150 kept going all week. The GB150 also takes 7 hours to recharge versus the GB50’s 5 hours, so the extra starts are welcome.
My Final Verdict
If you’re working with heavy machinery, the NOCO Boost GB150 is my clear winner — its 3000 peak amps will fire up any diesel engine up to 7.0L without hesitation, and the 80 starts per charge keep you productive all week. The GB50 is a solid runner-up for lighter duty, but at 1.7 pounds and 1500 peak amps, it’s better suited for gas trucks and smaller diesels under 4.5L where portability matters most.
If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself one question: do you need to start diesel equipment over 4.5L on a regular basis? If yes, stop thinking and grab the GB150. If no, save the weight and money with the GB50.
Winner: NOCO Boost GB150
- START DEAD BATTERIES — Instantly start dead batteries with 3000 amps of...
- ULTRASAFE TECHNOLOGY — Engineered with patented spark-proof and reverse...
This is for anyone who needs to start big diesel machinery up to 7.0L and wants 3000 peak amps they can count on. The 500-lumen flashlight and 80 starts per charge make it a workhorse on any job site.
Runner-Up: NOCO Boost GB50
- START DEAD BATTERIES — Instantly start dead batteries with 1500 amps of...
- ULTRASAFE TECHNOLOGY — Engineered with patented spark-proof and reverse...
Perfect for gas trucks, ATVs, and light diesel engines under 4.5L where you want a 1.7-pound unit that fits in your glove box. The 200-lumen flashlight and IP65 housing make it a great emergency backup.
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