There’s a unique kind of dread that sets in when you turn the key in your ignition and are met with a dead, clicking silence. In that moment, a portable jump starter like the NOCO GB20 or GB40 feels less like a gadget and more like a guardian angel. A few years ago, I had that exact experience in a remote parking lot after a long hike. My trusty jump starter, which I’d tossed in the trunk inside its flimsy included drawstring bag, saved the day. But when I got home and inspected it, I noticed a new collection of scuffs and a small crack on the housing, likely from sliding around and bumping into a tire iron. It still worked, but it was a stark reminder: this critical piece of emergency equipment, this expensive electronic device, was living a rough life, unprotected. That’s the problem the NOCO GB20/GB40 EVA Protection Case is built to solve. It’s not just about storage; it’s about preserving the readiness and integrity of a tool you absolutely need to work when everything else has failed.
- Protect your GB20 and GB40 jump starter with a lightweight, crush-resistant, anti-shock, and weather-resistant case..Material:EVA
- Made from a rugged and durable EVA material with a soft melange velvet lining for a secure, scratch-free fit.
What to Look for in a Jump Starter Case Before You Buy
A protective case for a jump starter is more than just a box; it’s a key solution for ensuring your investment remains functional and organized for years. The main benefits are twofold: protection and organization. A quality case shields the sensitive electronics from the harsh environment of a vehicle—vibrations, impacts from loose items, dust, and minor moisture. It also turns a jumble of cables, clamps, and the main unit into a neat, grab-and-go kit. When you’re stuck on the side of the road, the last thing you want to do is untangle a rat’s nest of wires or realize a critical accessory is missing.
The ideal customer for this type of product is any owner of a compatible NOCO GB20 or GB40 jump starter. If you store your device in a car trunk, a tool chest, or even a garage shelf, you are the target audience. It’s for the person who values peace of mind and recognizes that protecting their emergency gear is as important as owning it. However, it might not be suitable for those who are extremely minimalist and prioritize saving every cubic inch of space, as the case is inherently bulkier than the cloth bag it replaces. For those individuals, simply keeping the original retail box might be a zero-cost, if less elegant, alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: A great case needs to be compact enough to fit where you need it, whether that’s a glove box, center console, or a specific trunk organizer. Measure your intended storage space beforehand. You must balance the need for robust protection with the reality of limited vehicle real estate. A case that’s too bulky will inevitably be left at home, defeating its purpose.
- Storage Capacity & Organization: Does the case have dedicated, molded compartments for the jump starter unit and its accessories? A well-designed case will have specific spots for the battery clamps, USB charging cable, and 12V adapter. This prevents components from rattling around and potentially damaging each other or accidentally activating the power unit.
- Materials & Durability: Look for a semi-rigid exterior, often made from Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA). This material offers an excellent blend of shock absorption, crush resistance, and light weight. The interior should be lined with a soft, non-abrasive fabric like velvet or felt to prevent scratches on the jump starter’s housing. Pay attention to the zipper quality, as this is a common point of failure.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: The case should be easy to open, pack, and carry. A sturdy, comfortable handle is a must. The design should allow for quick deployment of the jump starter in an emergency. For long-term care, the materials should be easy to wipe clean from dust or grease.
Keeping these factors in mind, the NOCO GB20/GB40 EVA Protection Case stands out in several areas, particularly in its material quality and custom-molded fit. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the NOCO GB20/GB40 EVA Protection Case is an excellent choice for protecting your specific device, it’s always wise to see what other all-in-one solutions are available. For a broader look at the top jump starter models themselves, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- START DEAD BATTERIES — Instantly start dead batteries with 1000 amps of peak lithium power. Up to 20 starts per charge on engines up to 6.0L gas and 3.0L diesel.
- POWERFUL CAR BATTERY JUMP STARTER: The ET03 car battery jump starter can easily jump-start all 12V common vehicles with up to 8.0L gas and 7.0L diesel engines in seconds with its peak current reaching...
- 🔋 POWERFUL & VERSATILE EMERGENCY DEVICE: Never be stranded again! The NAISIANG car jump starter combines a 2800A peak current jump starter, a high-pressure portable air compressor, a 10000mAh power...
Unboxing the GBC013: A First Look at Form and Function
Upon receiving the NOCO GBC013 case, the first impression is one of quality and purpose. It arrives with a simple cardboard tag detailing its compatibility, but the product itself does all the talking. The exterior is a sleek, black semi-hard shell made of EVA, textured for a secure grip. It feels lightweight yet incredibly rigid, a significant upgrade from the sad little cloth bag that the GB40 ships with. Running our hands over the shell, we could immediately tell it would shrug off bumps and minor impacts without issue.
The zipper, a common weak point on cheaper cases, felt surprisingly robust. While it’s not a heavy-duty YKK, as one user pointed out, its steel-rimmed design and custom over-molded pull tabs provide a smooth, snag-free operation. Opening the clamshell reveals the star of the show: the interior. The bottom half is perfectly molded to cradle the GB20 or GB40 unit. The fit is precise and snug. The lining is a soft, charcoal-gray melange velvet that promises to keep the jump starter free of scratches. The top half features a zippered mesh pocket designed to hold the battery clamps and cables. It feels thoughtfully designed and a world away from a simple, unprotected bag.
What We Like
- Superior EVA construction provides excellent shock, crush, and weather resistance.
- Plush, soft melange velvet lining prevents scratches on the jump starter.
- Custom-molded interior provides a perfect, secure fit for the main GB20/GB40 unit.
- Vastly improves organization and protection compared to the standard included bag.
Limitations
- Extremely tight fit for accessories, particularly the USB cable and charger.
- Poor interior layout can cause clamps to press the jump starter’s power button when closed.
In-Depth Analysis: How the NOCO Case Performs in the Real World
A case is more than its materials; it’s about how it integrates into your routine and performs under pressure. We spent considerable time packing, unpacking, and simulating real-world storage scenarios with the NOCO GB20/GB40 EVA Protection Case to see if its thoughtful design holds up in practice. The results were impressive, though not without a few notable quirks that require a specific packing strategy.
Built Like a Vault: The EVA Shell and Interior Protection
The primary job of this case is protection, and in this regard, it’s an unequivocal success. The EVA shell is the hero here. We performed several drop tests from waist height onto a concrete floor, and the case absorbed the impacts beautifully, leaving the jump starter inside completely unharmed. The material is what NOCO describes as “crush-resistant,” and while we didn’t drive a car over it, we found it easily withstood the weight of a heavy toolbox and being wedged tightly in a trunk packed with other gear. This is precisely the kind of durability needed for a device that lives in a vehicle.
Inside, the soft melange velvet lining is more than just a premium touch. It ensures that the constant vibrations of driving don’t slowly sand away at the plastic housing of your GB40. The jump starter unit slips into its molded compartment with a satisfying, snug fit. There is zero wiggle room, which is exactly what you want. This precise fit prevents the unit from shifting during transit and contributes significantly to the overall shock absorption. Many users echoed our findings, with one calling the high-quality case “perfect size to keep my NOCO GB40 Plus and all its accessories in one place and secure from damage or loss.” It truly transforms the jump starter from a loose item into a self-contained, protected emergency kit.
The Great Tetris Challenge: Organizing Accessories in a Compact Space
This is where our experience with the NOCO GB20/GB40 EVA Protection Case became a lesson in strategic packing. While the main unit fits flawlessly, accommodating the accessories is, as many users have discovered, a tight squeeze. The zippered mesh pocket in the lid is intended for the heavy-duty battery clamps and their cables. We found, as others did, that you must nest the clamps together perfectly and coil the cables just right to get them to lie flat enough for the case to close without a significant bulge.
The bigger issue is the lack of dedicated space for the USB charging cable and the 12V car adapter. The product’s own tag illustrates these items fitting neatly, but in our tests, this was optimistic. As one user aptly put it, “with a little judicious packing, everything fits without forcing it.” We discovered several “hacks” from our own testing and corroborated by the user community. First, coiling the USB cable tightly (some users suggest a hair tie or the original twist-tie) and tucking it into a gap beside the clamps is essential. Second, the 12V USB adapter often has to be left out or stored separately, as it creates too much bulk. For us, this wasn’t a dealbreaker, as we often have other USB chargers in the car, but it’s a design oversight.
Most critically, we confirmed a potential design flaw highlighted by several astute users. If you place the clamps in the lid pocket and the GB40 unit face-up in the bottom, the pressure from the clamps can depress the main power button when the case is closed. This could lead to a slowly drained battery, rendering your jump starter useless when you need it most. The solution is simple but non-intuitive: always place the jump starter unit face-down in its molded compartment. This ensures the flat, featureless bottom of the unit is facing the clamps, preventing any accidental activation. While it’s an easy fix, it’s something NOCO should have addressed in the design.
Ergonomics and Portability: The Little Details That Matter
Beyond protection and storage, the day-to-day usability of the case is excellent. The compact form factor is a major win. It slid easily into the glove compartment of our mid-size SUV and fit neatly into the side pocket of our sedan’s trunk. For a hard case, it adds minimal bulk while adding maximum protection. The built-in reinforced handle is sturdy and comfortable to grip, making it easy to grab the kit and go.
The zipper, as mentioned, is smooth and reliable. After dozens of opening and closing cycles, it never snagged. The custom pull tabs are a nice ergonomic touch that makes it easy to operate, even with gloves on. However, one user brought up an interesting design choice: the zippers close on the opposite side of the handle. Their concern was that if the zipper failed while carrying it, the contents could spill out. While we see the logic, we found the zipper to be secure enough that this wasn’t a major concern. In practice, the case feels solid and secure when carried by the handle.
Ultimately, the case excels at its primary mission. It takes a powerful tool and makes it portable, durable, and organized. It provides the peace of mind that when you reach for your jump starter, it will be in the same pristine, fully-charged condition as when you stored it. For any owner of a GB20 or GB40, we believe this upgrade from the cloth bag is not just a luxury, but a necessity. The confidence this level of protection provides is well worth the investment, and you can get the NOCO GBC013 case to protect your device today.
What Other Users Are Saying
Scouring feedback from other owners, a clear consensus emerges that mirrors our own findings. The overwhelming sentiment is positive, with most users deeming the NOCO GB20/GB40 EVA Protection Case a “must-have” accessory. One happy customer described it as “a thing of beauty,” praising how it neatly folds everything into a compact package, a massive improvement over the included bag. Another confirmed our assessment of its durability, stating, “This product is made with very durable material… It really serves its purpose and is much easier to utilize.”
However, the praise is consistently tempered by constructive criticism about the tight fit. This is the most common complaint. One user summed it up perfectly: “As shown in the illustration on the product tag, it fits everything snugly… This was not the case… it’s such a tight fit that I have to push down on the top of the case slightly to zip it up.” Another expressed concern that the “jumper cables have to be bent way too much to fit,” worrying about long-term damage. These comments validate our experience that while everything *can* fit, it requires a specific, careful packing method that deviates from the manufacturer’s own pictures.
How Does the NOCO Case Compare to Other Jump Starter Solutions?
While the NOCO GB20/GB40 EVA Protection Case is an accessory designed to perfect your existing NOCO jump starter, you might be in the market for an entirely new unit or a different type of all-in-one solution. It’s useful to see how the focused, protected NOCO setup compares against integrated devices that offer different features.
1. Acmount W160 Jump Starter Air Compressor
- [Powerful and Versatile]: W160 5000A car jump starter is designed for 12-volt vehicles, capable of jump-starting 9-liter gasoline and 8-liter diesel cars up to 60 times on a single charge. It...
- [Tire Inflator Portable Air Compression] Acmount portable car jump starter with air compressor featuring preset & auto off function, easy to use. Built in 150PSI air pump can quickly inflate car tires...
The Acmount W160 represents a different philosophy entirely. This is an all-in-one emergency tool, combining a powerful 5000A jump starter with a 150 PSI air compressor. If you’re starting from scratch and want to solve two common roadside problems—a dead battery and a flat tire—with a single device, this is a compelling option. Its trade-off is size and complexity. It’s significantly larger and heavier than a NOCO GB40 in its case. The person who chooses the NOCO and its dedicated case values a compact, specialized tool, whereas the Acmount W160 is for the user who prioritizes feature integration over portability.
2. BIUBLE 5000A Car Jump Starter with USB-C
- Powerful Jump Starter: Start your battery in seconds with our compact and powerful jump starter--with 5000A peak current car jump starter pack--up to 40 jump starts on a single charge and rated for...
- Portable Power Bank:Designed with 2 USB outputs (5V/3A)and (5V/2.4A), which can fully charge your cellphones, tablets, and other mobile devices at the fastest speed possible.We suggest to charge the...
The BIUBLE 5000A competes more directly with the NOCO GB40 in terms of function but offers a different take on power and charging. It boasts a high 5000A peak current and, importantly, features modern USB-C Quick Charge capabilities for both charging the unit itself and powering other devices. If you’ve standardized your personal electronics on USB-C, this could be a major convenience factor. While it likely comes with its own case, the choice here is about the ecosystem. The NOCO GB40 and its GBC013 case represent a proven, reliable system, whereas the BIUBLE appeals to those seeking the latest charging standards and higher peak power figures on paper.
3. AVAPOW 6000A Car Jump Starter with Dual USB
- Ground breaking 2-Second Start: Jump-starts your car in just 2 seconds, even with a fully drained battery. The A68 battery jumper starter portable delivers 6000A peak current, supporting all gasoline...
- Smart Safety Protection - The battery jump starter works with intelligent jumper clamps which provide 8 safety protections to ensure it's safe to use. Also, the jumper clamps indicator light will...
The AVAPOW 6000A is a powerhouse aimed at users with large vehicles, boasting an impressive 6000A peak current capable of starting all gas engines and diesel engines up to 12L. This is overkill for most passenger cars but essential for trucks, RVs, and boats. It also features a DC output, allowing it to power 12V accessories like tire inflators directly. The comparison to the NOCO GB40 in its case is one of scale. The AVAPOW is for the heavy-duty user who needs maximum power. The NOCO GB40 is a more balanced, compact solution for everyday cars and SUVs, and its custom case emphasizes protecting that smaller, more portable investment for daily readiness.
Final Verdict: Is the NOCO GB20/GB40 EVA Protection Case an Essential Upgrade?
After extensive testing and evaluation, our verdict is clear: the NOCO GB20/GB40 EVA Protection Case is an essential, if slightly flawed, accessory for any owner of a compatible NOCO jump starter. Its primary mission is to protect a vital piece of emergency equipment, and it accomplishes this with flying colors. The rigid EVA shell and soft velvet interior provide a level of security that the included cloth bag simply cannot match, giving you confidence that your jump starter is safe from the bumps, drops, and rigors of vehicle storage.
Its only significant weakness is the cramped interior space for accessories, which requires a specific, mindful packing strategy to fit everything and avoid accidentally turning the unit on. However, once you learn the “trick” to packing it (unit face-down, cables coiled tightly), this becomes a minor inconvenience that is far outweighed by the benefits of superior protection and organization. If you’ve invested in a quality NOCO jump starter, spending a little extra to properly protect it is not just a good idea—it’s a smart one.
If you’ve decided the NOCO GB20/GB40 EVA Protection Case is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API