A dead car battery does not necessarily mean that you have to shell out hundreds of bucks to buy a new one. In a lot of cases, it is possible to revive a dead car battery with a compatible car battery charger. Therefore, you should always have a car battery charger present in your garage or in your car in case of emergencies. Here are some factors that you need to understand before you can buy a battery charger for your car battery.
Voltage: The voltage is one of the most important features when it comes to a charger, whether it is a small charger, or a large one used to charge car batteries. It is basically the rating that indicates the capability of the charger regarding the battery you are connecting to it. Therefore, you can determine whether the charger you are buying is capable of charging your car battery or not by comparing its voltage level to that of the battery. Amperage: The amperage rating of a car battery is as important as its voltage rating. While the voltage rating indicates the strength of the charger, the amperage rating determines whether the charger can supply the current needed to charge your battery or not. As you can imagine, a higher amperage rating on a car battery charger indicates a faster-charging performance. But, you should also consider the amperage supported by your battery instead of buying the highest amperage option. Type of Car Battery Charger: Apart from the specifications, you also need to consider the type of car battery charger you are going to need. Right now, you will find 2 types of car battery chargers on the market: automatic and manual. With the manual option, you will be spending a comparatively smaller sum, but you will have to consistently monitor the charging performance in order to prevent overcharging. The more expensive automatic car charging can do that automatically without any monitoring required.
Keeping your car’s battery is an essential part of the overall maintenance procedure for your car. And if you hadn’t done that for a long time, this is the perfect time to buy a car battery charger compatible with your car’s battery and get the battery up and running right away. You should also carry these chargers in the trunk of your car if you happen to be at a distant location and your car’s battery dies on the road. To help you with that, we are bringing the best car battery chargers available on the market right now for your convenience. We will also discuss some important parameters of a car battery charger in your Buying Guide right after our selection of products so make sure you don’t miss that.
Best Car Battery Charger 2023
Best Car Battery Charger Reviews
1. Schumacher Car Battery Charger
Schumacher is a very popular name when it comes to car accessories such as car batteries, jump starters, and even car battery chargers. Therefore, we are starting our list with the following car battery charger from Schumacher. In the 1st place, we have the Schumacher SC1280. Compared to most other budget car battery chargers on the market, this is quite a decent choice since this is a fully automatic car battery charger with support for 6 as well as 12 volts car batteries. It can charge your car battery pretty fast with 15 amp rapid charge mode. And, it can also work at 3 amps needed to maintain automotive as well as marine batteries. There is a microprocessor on the inside of the Schumacher SC1280, offering automatic adjustments for the amperage setting and supporting multi-stage charging. Thus, you can rest assured that the Schumacher SC1280 can safely charge your car’s battery whilst extending its lifespan. The Schumacher SC1280 also has a digital display on the front with LED indicators to make the device more informative. Plus, there are button controls provided on the front for ease of use. Best Features
Supports 6/12 Volts batteries Works at 15/3 Amps Backed by a 2-year warranty period Supports AGM, gel, and deep-cycle batteries
Pros
One of the best options for a budget car battery charger Digital display with microprocessor controller charging Fully automatic smart battery charger
Cons
Warranty period should have been longer
2. TowerTop Car Battery Charger
There are a lot of brands like TowerTop that offer a decent option for a car battery charger in the premium price category. But, only a few of these options are as versatile as the one present here. In the 2nd position, we are putting the TowerTop Smart Battery Charger. As we mentioned before, this is a premium-range car battery charger with many great features. For starters, it offers a multi-amp rating ranging from 2 amps to 25 amps. So, you can easily get a rapid charging performance from this battery charger if your battery supports it. And this car battery charger is suitable for all types of 12-volts lead-acid batteries, whether it is a gel, AGM, or STD battery. The TowerTop Smart Battery Charger uses a 7-step charging program to ensure the perfect safety of your battery while it is charging. On top of that, it also supports desulfation, soft starting, reconditioning, and many other similar charging modes required to charge older batteries. The engine start aid feature on the TowerTop Smart Battery Charger will make your battery from dead to ready to go within just 120 seconds. Since this is also a smart battery charger, it can detect the connected battery voltage and select the perfect charging mode for your battery. Best Features
Supports 12 Volts batteries Works at 2/10/25 Amps Backed by a 1-year warranty period Comes with an LCD display to show battery parameters
Pros
Offers a high amperage rating Detects the connected battery type automatically Engine start aid feature to start a vehicle within 120 seconds
Cons
The warranty period is only 1 year long
3. CTEK Car Battery Charger
While we are on the topic of premium car battery chargers, we must introduce you to the following option from CTEK. CTEK specializes in a lot of car accessories, especially the ones that are essential and can be handy in the event of an emergency. The CTEK – 40-206 MXS is yet another great option coming from the premium category of car battery chargers available on our list. This is a great option for standard 12 volts car batteries since it is based on the technology used by nearly 40 vehicle manufacturer’s all across the globe. The CTEK – 40-206 MXS has a built-in temperature compensator and voltage compensator that can ensure an effective charging performance in all weather conditions and prevent overheating of the battery. This charger can also determine whether your battery needs desulfation or reconditioning and apply the method to recover the battery up to its optimal state. There is a dedicated charging mode provided on the CTEK – 40-206 MXS for AGM batteries with preset float voltages and stage timings to offer an optimal charging rate for AGM batteries. From the outside, the CTEK – 40-206 MXS is completely splashing and dustproof. Plus, there are added safety features for reverse-polarity, short circuits, and sparks. Best Features
Supports 12 Volts batteries Works at 4.3 Amps Backed by a 5-year warranty period Highly safe and secure battery charger
Pros
Most reliable option for a car battery charger Comparatively most compact option for a car battery charger Can charge the battery without disconnecting it from the car
Cons
Amperage rating is too low for the price
4. SUHU Car Battery Charger
Now that you are familiar with what we have to offer in the premium category, let us take a look at some budget options for a car battery charger. For that, the most affordable option is coming from SUHU which is mentioned here. The SUHU Car Battery Charger is one of the cheapest options you can find on our list of the best car chargers today. But, this is still a fully-automatic car battery charger with smart functionality which is rare to find at this price point. It can work with a standard 12 volts battery at 8 amps whereas the amperage rating for 24 volts batteries is set to 4 amps. Compatibility is probably not an issue for the SUHU Car Battery Charger since it is designed to work with AGM, GEL, SLA, and Flooded car batteries. The SUHU Car Battery Charger also offers an automated desulfation and acid stratification detection, indicating whether your battery needs that or not. If needed, you can perform these actions with a simple press of a button and the charger will take care of the rest. As for monitoring the charging process, it is done by a built-in microprocessor on the SUHU Car Battery Charger with the help of a preset program. It can also adjust the charging current as per the necessity of the battery. Best Features
Supports 12/24 Volts batteries Works at 8/4 Amps Backed by a 1-year warranty period Built-in microprocessor for adaptive charging mode
Pros
One of the most affordable options for a car battery charger Compatible with most automotive battery-types Compact LCD display to check the status of the battery
Cons
Short warranty period
5. ABLY Car Battery Charger
ABLY is also bringing a great budget option for a car battery charger on our list. It is also a versatile option designed to work with standard automotive batteries as well as heavier batteries with high voltage requirements. The ABLY Car Battery Charger is also a similarly cheaper option on this list like the one we saw before. You will be able to use this charger for 12 volts as well as 24 volts batteries. But, the amperage rating for both of these options is 8 and 4 amps respectively. It is also controlled by an intelligent built-in CPU to automatically control and maintain the charging current and voltage. Plus, it also helps to keep the battery temperature below excessive levels for the safety of the battery. The ABLY Car Battery Charger also offers a wide range of compatibility, offering support for AGM, EFB, MF, Flooded, SLA, and even VRLA car batteries. There is a special pulse repair function available on the ABLY Car Battery Charger that can remove vulcanization and repair batteries that are slightly damaged. With that, you can expect stronger battery performance and the quicker engine starts once you start treating your battery with this charger. Best Features
Supports 12/24 Volts batteries Works at 8/4 Amps Backed by a 1-year warranty period Multiple layers of protective circuits included
Pros
One of the most affordable options for a car battery charger Fully automatic car battery charger with an LCD display Built-in pulsar repair mode to remove vulcanization
Cons
Comparatively shorter warranty period
6. NEXPEAK Car Battery Charger
NEXPEAK is bringing yet another cheaper alternative for a car battery charger that can offer great performance for most types of car batteries. In fact, it is arguably the cheapest option available on this list. The NEXPEAK Car Battery Charger is certainly a car battery charger that offers many great features at such an affordable price tag. Despite being the cheapest option on this list, the NEXPEAK Car Battery Charger still offers a fully automatic charging mode along with smart functionality and a dedicated digital display to monitor the battery parameters. On top of that, this charger supports 10 amps charging at 12 volts, offering a rapid charging mode for standard 12 volts batteries. The NEXPEAK Car Battery Charger offers 8 levels of charging protection while you are using the charger. It includes protection against a variety of electrical anomalies such as overheating, reverse-polarity, overcurrent, fire hazards, and many others. Thus, it is certainly a safer alternative for your car’s battery. It also includes the popular pulsar repair feature that can detect the battery condition and apply a desulfation method if necessary. Using this charger is also pretty simple since you won’t have to calibrate any parameters. Simply plug your battery into the unit and wait until the charger does the maintenance job for you. Best Features
Supports 12/24 Volts batteries Works at 10 Amps Backed by a 1-year warranty period High-efficiency pulsar repair
Pros
Plug-and-play type performance 8-stage charging protection Offers quick charge at 10 amps
Cons
Charging amperage is limited to 5 amps at 24 volts
7. Outerman Car Battery Charger
Our last pick for the best car battery charger is coming from Outerman. Unlike many other brands mentioned so far, Outerman is a brand that deals with a wide range of products, from car accessories to home and kitchen appliances. The Outerman Car Battery Charger is yet another versatile car charger available on our list as it can be used for both 12 volts as well as 24 volts car batteries. Apart from charging your battery, this charger can also diagnose problems with the battery and attempt to repair them automatically. And the pulsar repair functionality can offer an extended battery life for your battery, even if it is a rather older unit. This is also a fast car battery charger as it is rated for 10 amps charging current at 12 volts and 7.5 amps at 24 volts. But you won’t have to worry about the charging current as the battery can automatically select the optimal charging current suitable for your battery. And, it can also cut off the supply when the battery is fully charged, making it safer for overnight charging sessions. You will also find an LCD display on the Outerman Car Battery Charger that can show you various parameters of the battery such as display, current, voltage, and all other important details. Best Features
Supports 12/24 Volts batteries Comes with an LCD display Backed by a 1-year warranty period Offers fast charging at 12 as well as 24 volts
Pros
Offers fully automatic operation Can be used as a charger and maintainer for the battery Pulsar repair feature to extend the battery life
Cons
Short warranty period despite the price tag
Buying Guide For The Best Car Battery Charger
Nowadays, you will find batteries in almost all appliances you own, and recharging or replacing them has become a routine job for a lot of us. But, there are a lot of car owners that don’t do the same for their car batteries. In case the battery is running low on charge or has completely died, you would either have to go to a charging station and pay a small fee in order to get your car battery charged. It can be avoided if you happen to have a compatible car battery charger ready to use in your garage. All vehicles, whether it is a car, truck, ATV, boat, or motorcycle, are powered by a battery to provide the initial ignition before the combustion cycle of the engine starts. After that, the battery powers the timing valves to ensure proper fuel intake and exhaust from your engine. Therefore, you should pay attention to the maintenance of your car’s battery and buy a decent charger right now. But before you do that, make sure you read our buying guide for the best car battery charge in order to pick up the perfect option.
1. Voltage Rating
You are probably aware of your car battery’s voltage since it is one of the most important parts of its specifications sheet. Similarly, you should also check the voltage rating provided on the car battery charger to ensure you are buying the right option for your car battery. The voltage rating of a car battery charger simply tells you the capability of the charger and whether or not it can charge the battery you are going to connect to it. It is also an indication of whether the charger can charge your battery completely or partially. But, finding the right battery charger for your battery in terms of voltage rating is pretty simple. Since a lot of standard automobiles these days work on a 12-volt battery, you can simply pick up a charger that offers 12-volts output and you’re good to go. But, if you own a heavier vehicle or an RV powered by a 24 volts battery, you will need a 24-volts charger or at least the one that offers both 12 and 24 volts output. You can also find some more versatile options for a car battery charger that can be used for various different batteries. So, you can charge the batteries from all of the vehicles you own without a hitch.
2. Amperage
The amperage rating of a car battery charger is almost as important as the voltage rating itself. Similar to the voltage rating, the amperage rating also determines whether the charger you are buying is suitable for your battery or not. Unlike voltage rating, the amperage rating of a car battery charger indicates the amount of current passing through the charger while it is functional. Or to put it in simpler words, it is the amount of current the charger can handle while it is charging your car’s battery. Just like high-wattage smartphone chargers, high amperage car battery chargers indicate a rather faster-charging performance compared to those with a lower amperage rating. But along with that, you should also consider the safety rating of your battery and buy a charger that is below the maximum amperage limit supported by the battery. Some older car batteries are better off connected with a low amperage charger with a slower charging performance. There are a lot of smart car battery chargers on the market that can automatically detect the type of battery connected to it and supply the current accordingly. Such chargers ensure that your battery is safe at the time of charging and charges at the optimum speed.
3. Safety Features
Safety is one factor that you should not overlook when it comes to high-powered accessories such as car batteries or car battery chargers. Even a slight problem with the connectivity or design of the car charger can lead to disastrous results that can harm the battery, the charger, or in the worst-case scenario, you. Fortunately, a lot of car battery charger manufacturers these days implement tonnes of safety features on their products. But, you should still check the set of safety features first before checking the specifications and performance of a particular charger. The basic safety feature that should be available with any car battery charger is overcharging protection. Apart from degrading the car battery’s potential to hold current, it can also cause a fire if not monitored properly. Another important feature regarding the compatibility of the unit is automatic voltage and amperage detection. This feature can come in handy while testing whether the charger is suitable for your battery or not. But apart from that, it also prevents the battery from overheating and causing sparks while charging due to reverse-polarity. As for connectivity, there is yet another great safety feature that is the spark-resistant clamps on the charger that you should not overlook.
4. Additional Features
Apart from the features mentioned above, there are some additional features that you may find on a car battery charger. While these features may not be as important, they can certainly make the task easier and less tiresome for you. Some car chargers feature additional connectivity options so that you can connect devices like your smartphone or wireless speaker to the charger directly and charge them while the battery is kept on charge. Some car battery chargers also feature a built-in radio or music player to keep you entertained while the battery is charging. Other additional features include support for rapid charging that can get your battery ready to go within a small period of time. This feature can be a lifesaver if you were to charge your car’s battery at a distant location. A lot of car battery chargers these days feature a digital display or basic LED indicators to indicate the status of the charger as well as the battery connected to it. Lastly, there is an exterior coating provided on the car battery charger that makes the unit completely weatherproof and suitable for outdoor usage. This certainly increases the expected lifespan of the battery charger and lets you use the unit outdoors without any worries.
Conclusion:
There are a lot of reasons behind the depletion of the charge inside a car’s battery such as weather effects, battery age, or overuse of the electrical appliances in the car. In any case, it is necessary to get your car’s battery to an optimal level of charge before you decide to go on a long trip. And you do not necessarily have to visit a car maintenance station to do that. Now, you can buy a car battery charger right from your home and get the job done yourself. But, you will have to research the options available around you and pick up the one which is compatible with your car’s battery and fits your budget. For that, we have prepared this list of the best car battery chargers to help you out. These are some of the finest options on the market and you can find all the necessary details along with each of our picks. You can also seek help from our buying guide in order to pick up the right option. And if you have doubts about one or more options, check out these top recommendations for car battery chargers handpicked by us.
For a basic automobile battery, you should go with an affordable car battery charger like the NEXPEAK Car Battery Charger. Despite being the cheapest option on our list, the NEXPEAK Car Battery Charger is a smart and fully automatic car charger that can work for both 12 volts as well as 24 volts car batteries. Offering 10 amps amperage rating, this car charger can charge your car’s battery at quite a fast pace. It can also detect battery sulfation or acid stratification on your battery and repair it thanks to the pulse repair feature. On the other hand, if you are seeking a fast car battery charger, then the TowerTop Smart Battery Charger is the right choice for you. This is also a fully automatic car charger offering smart functionality and support for up to 25 amps while charging. It is backed by a 7-stage charging program to offer a safe and reliable charging performance along with additional features like desulfation, reconditioning, and floating. The advance start aid feature on the TowerTop Smart Battery Charger can also help you start your vehicle within 120 seconds. But when it comes to reliable options, CTEK is probably the most renowned brand for vehicle accessories such as car battery chargers and maintainers. The CTEK Smart Battery Charger is also one such option that offers support for standard 12-volt car batteries and operates at 4.1 amps. It has a built-in voltage compensator that makes the charging performance efficient in all weathers. It can also analyze the state of a battery and automatically switch to desulfation mode if needed. Unlike most other car charger’s on the market, the CTEK – 40-206 MXS comes with a 5-year long warranty period.
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