Jumper cables or battery jump starter?

I am putting together an emergency auto kit and I am wondering if I should consider getting one of those battery jump starters instead of jumper cables?

Putting together an emergency auto kit for your car is a great idea and will pay off big time when you need it a 2am on a deserted highway. As for your question about a battery jump starter vs jumper cables. My answer is get both. Jumper cables are inexpensive and will always be there when you need them. However, a battery jump starter doesn't need another car in order to jump a battery. The jump starter is the "other car". Especially, if you are alone at night. Flagging another car down may not be a good idea. A battery jumper starter is essentially a spare car battery that has enough juice to jump a car several times depending on the size of the jump starter. Most come with extra sockets to charge a cell phone or other device. Also, we have a good informational article that tells you how to put together an emergency auto kit.