A dead car battery can be caused by several reasons, one of them being their tendency to mysteriously die at the most inconvenient times. Therefore, it is best to be prepared with a car battery charger at all times to avoid being stranded in the middle of the road.
Using a battery charger to charge your car battery is relatively inexpensive and quite convenient as compared to other alternative methods. A battery is considered to be dead or flat when it has lost its charge. A charger simply replaces that charge through positive and negative leads.
As car batteries are incapable of sustaining themselves, they need to be recharged repeatedly. It is best to purchase a battery charger to go with your battery-powered car. If you have sufficient mechanical knowledge, this won’t be a difficult task for you.
However, most people are clueless about the effect of battery chargers on a car’s battery. Let me help you in choosing the most suitable emergency equipment for your car. Here are my picks for the 10 best car battery chargers that can instantly and efficiently help you get out of stressful situations.
The Top 10 Best Car Battery Chargers Reviews
10. WBC-275 6V/12V Wheel Automotive Battery Charger | Smartech Products
With a powerful built-in microprocessor, this automotive battery charger is safe and efficient. It is the optimum choice to charge your batteries quickly and provide them with the maintenance they deserve.
The Smart WBC-275 6V/12V Battery Charger ensures extreme protection and prevents sparks and overcharging of the battery. Its Alternator Check Functions allows you to check the status of your vehicle’s alternator to detect any faults and errors. You can charge all acid-lead batteries with 6V and 12V compatibility with it.
Key Features:
• For 6V and 12V lead-acid batteries
• Integrated voltage tester
• 60 Amp boost function
• Digital readout
• Integrated wheels
• Heavy duty clamps
• Spark proof
• Reverse polarity
Specifications:
• Brand Name: Smartech Products
• Product Weight: 43 pounds
• Manufacturer Part Number: WBC-275
• Product Dimensions: 14 X 13 X 26 inches
Things I liked:
• With the integrated voltage tester, you can easily know the status of your car batteries and charge them quicker with the 60 Amp boost function available.
• The digital readout enables you to operate the charger with extreme ease.
• The integrated wheels provide easy mobility and the collapsible handle makes for easy and convenient storage.
• You don’t need sockets in extreme proximity of the car as the length of the charger cord is a total of 12 feet which makes it easily reachable to the batteries.
• You can keep this charger safely connected to your batteries for an infinite amount of time. It won’t cause any damage to it.
9. 1.5A 6V/12V Battery Trickle Charger | WonVon
With this portable battery charger you can charge your 6V and 12V lead-acid batteries with ease. The LED indicators that come with it can be used to know the state-of-charge feedback and diagnostic information.
Even if you forget to unplug the 1.5A 6V/12V Battery Charger, you don’t need to worry about overcharging as it provides safe charging and prevents accidental power outages. The float charge mode helps you to extend the life of your car battery and the 1-year quality guarantee is definitely an added bonus!
Key Features:
• 6V & 12V, 1.5 Amp Current
• 2 DC connectors
• Intuitive LED indicator
• Full automatic charging/maintenance
• Volt memory function
• Short circuit protection
Specifications:
• Brand Name: WonVon
• Product Weight: 12 ounces
• Manufacturer Part Number: AD1
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 X 0 X 0.8 inches
Things I Liked:
• With 1.5 Amp Current, this battery charger has a faster charging speed.
• You can switch from 6V to 12V mode and vice versa, according to your requirements.
• The two detachable alligator clips and O-ring connectors offer a more secure connection to battery terminals.
• With the intuitive LED indicators, you can see if the state-of-charge is 0-50% or 50-100% and also detect any battery faults.
• The high-quality ABS material and MCU control program charging it ensures a longer lifespan.
• It comes with fully automatic float charging. You can plug this slow-trickle charger and allow it to trickle charge the lead-acid batteries automatically. The float charge mode extends battery life.
8. 12V Automatic Car Battery Float Trickle Charger | MChoice
This automatic battery charger is ideal for cars, boats, motorcycles, and trucks. It prevents the battery from discharging itself and maintains the life of rechargeable 12-volt batteries. The floating circuit that comes with the charger, maintains a full charge and doesn’t let the battery overcharge, preventing it from any potential damage.
To use this MChoice 12V Automatic Car Battery Charger, all you need to do is just connect it and plug in. One perk of the battery is that it helps you avoid jump starts on vehicles that aren’t used on a regular basis by keeping them fully charged at all times.
Key Features:
• Floating circuit
• Easy to install and use
• Automatic safety shut off
• Avoids jump starts
• 12 volts
Specifications:
• Brand Name: MChoice
• Product Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Manufacturer Part Number: CJJ5690302352
Things I liked:
• It is extremely easy to use.
• It maintains batteries that are rated at 5-125 amp-hours.
• It provides maximum DC output of 13.5 volts.
• It doesn’t allow the battery to self-discharge and maintains the life of rechargeable 12V batteries
• The floating circuit maintains a full charge without overcharging the battery
• Even if you leave your vehicle sitting idle for a long period of time, it avoids jump starts by keeping your car battery fully charged at all times.
7. NDDI Automatic Battery Trickle Charger/Maintainer 6-12 volts 5000mA
With this battery charger you get to choose from either the 6V mode or the 12V mode. All you need to do is press the mode button prior to connecting it to your battery.
The NDDI Automatic Battery Charger/Maintainer 6-12 volts 5000mA is extremely easy to use and it automatically switches to floating mode once the battery is fully charged. You can check the results of this feature through the indicator lamp.
It is ideal for your cars and also provides protection from reverse polarity, over-temperature, overcharge, short circuit, and voltage fluctuation. The normally recommended battery capacities are 10 Ah – 120 Ah, up to 200 Ah for maintenance.
Key Features:
• Auto voltage detection
• Safety technology
• Suitable for various batteries
• Spark proof clamps
• Cooling fan
• Maintenance-free
Specifications:
• Brand Name: NDDI
• Product Weight: 1.19 pounds
• Manufacturer Part Number: 6857D
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 X 3 X 1.9 inches
Things I liked:
• All you need to do is select the charging voltage you require (6 or 12 volts) and the microprocessor-controlled charge will automatically do the rest until the charging cycle completes.
• This charger comes with safety technology. An LED indicator shows the status of the charging battery whether it is fully charged or the connection is faulty. This helps you in correcting any errors.
• The spectacular charger is suitable for 6V/12V lead-acid batteries, Gel, Ca-Ca, and AGM.
• It is maintenance-free.
• The battery charger comes in a complete package. Clip connectors cable, ring connectors cable, and an instruction manual are included with the charger.
6. NDDI Automatic Battery Trickle Charger/Maintainer 12V 1500mA
If you stopped using your car for a long period of time or parked your car outdoors in freezing temperatures, you need not worry. You can get your car running in no time if you have this portable battery trickle charger with you.
This smart NDDI Automatic Battery Trickle Battery Charger/Maintainer 12V 1500mA is compatible with all types of 12-volt lead-acid batteries as well as Wet, Gel, AGME and any other common automotive, deep-cycle, marine, or maintenance-free battery. Its usage is extremely easy. All you need to do is connect the automatic charger to battery clips or o-ring charge wire.
It comes with the following 6 protection features: reverse polarity protection, over-temperature protection, overcharge protection, short-circuit protection, and voltage fluctuation protection.
Key Features:
• LED indicator lights
• Spark-proof clamps
• Cooling fans
Specifications:
• Brand Name: NDDI
• Product Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Manufacturer Part Number: 6853D
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 X 3 X 1.9 inches
Things I liked:
• One amazing aspect of this battery is that it is safe and durable. The 2 insulation clips ensure enhanced safety and the internal copper wires are durable and prevent the charger from heating up during long-time charging.
• This charger comes with a safety technology. An LED indicator shows the status of the charging battery whether it is fully charged or the connection is faulty. This helps you in correcting any errors.
• It can be used to charge maintenance-free batteries as well as lead-acid batteries, Gel, Ca-Ca, and AGM.
5. MB3B Fully Automatic 6V/12V Battery Charger | BLACK+DECKER
This battery charger is Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM), Gel, or wet-cell. It is extremely easy to use and connect it using battery clips and o-ring terminals.
As overcharging can destroy the efficiency of a battery, this BLACK+DECKER BM3B Fully Automatic 6V/12V Battery Charger prevents that from happening by switching to float mode monitoring. It simply stops charging aromatically when a connected battery has reached its full charge or topped off.
The built-in circuits in the charger provide protection against reverse polarity and short circuit. It is also ETL certified for its amazing performance and enhanced safety. The built-in mounting bracket in the charger is used for convenient placement.
Key Features:
• Automatic charging
• 6V and 12V, 0-1.5 Amp battery maintainer/charger
• Battery voltage selector
• Tough, durable housing
• Reverse connection indicator
• Charging and fully charged status indicators
• Suitable for AGM/Gel/Wet-cell batteries
Specifications:
• Brand Name: BLACK+DECKER
• Product Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Product Dimensions: 5 X 3 X 9.8 inches
• Manufacturer Part Number: BM3B
Things I liked:
• If your cigarette lighter remains live while your car is turned off, you can plug this charger into the cigarette lighter. There is no need to connect it to the battery itself.
• Can be used to charge 6 and 12 volt AGM, Gel, Wet-cell batteries in RVs, specialty vehicles, antique and classic cars, lawn mowers, marine deep cycle batteries, snowmobiles, personal watercrafts, ATVs, and motorcycles.
• You can slide the voltage selector switch as per your requirement. The voltage depends upon the battery you are charging.
4. 12V to 14.8V Automatic Lead Acid Battery Charger | OrionMotorTech
This charger is ideal for all 12V lead-acid batteries including AGM & Gel-cell ones. This smart charger works great in cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, RVs, or any other vehicle with a suitable 12V battery.
The charger is fully automatic; therefore, you don’t need to operate it manually. All you need to do is connect it to the battery, plug it in, turn the power on and leave it for charging and maintaining your batteries.
One great aspect about the OrionMotorTech 12V to 14.8V Automatic Battery Charger is that it automatically stops charging the battery it is connected to when it is fully charged. It monitors the voltage of the battery and maintains it with a float charging current.
The micro-processor controlled program that the charger comes with eliminates any worries about overcharge, reverse polarity, and short circuit. It uses a spark-free technology and offers safer floating charge with maximum voltage going up to 14.8 volts.
Key Features:
• Fully automatic
• Safe floating charger
• Prevents overcharge
• Easy operation
• 12V, 1.2A power
• Comes with a 5-Year warranty
Specifications:
• Brand Name: OrionMotorTech
• Product Weight: 7 ounces
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 X 3.6 X 1.7 inches
• Manufacturer Part Number: OMTBCE1212
Things I liked:
• It has an easy operation, energy-saving design. It consists of an LED indicator that displays the charging status.
• It comes with a warranty of 5 years and a full money-back guarantee. In case of lack of satisfaction, you can contact the manufacturer.
3. MP00205A 12V 800mA Fully Automatic Battery Charger | MOTOPOWER
This battery charger is capable of charging all 12-volt lead-batteries. Those batteries include AGM & Gel-cell ones. This smart charger works great in cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, RVs or any other vehicle with a suitable 12V battery.
This MOTOPOWER MP00205A 12V 800mA Fully Automatic Battery Charger doesn’t need to be operated manually. You can simply connect it to the battery you desire to charge, plug it in the socket, turn the power on, leave it to charge, and maintain your batteries.
The built-in micro-processor controlled program in the charger helps it monitor the entire charging process and makes the charger stop automatically once the battery is fully charged. Then it monitors the voltage of the battery and maintains it with a float charging current.
This spark-free technology has a featured constant-pulse current maintenance function which helps the battery avoid excessive charge and discharge. With this charger, you won’t have to worry about problems like overcharge, short circuit, and reverse polarity.
Key Features:
• MCU-controlled program
• Spark-proof
• Multi-level safety
• Power saving
• Quick disconnect harness
• Automatic charging/maintaining
• Reversed hook-up protection
Specifications:
• Brand Name: MOTOPOWER
• Product Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Product Dimensions: 4.1 X 2 X 1.5 inches
• Manufacturer Part Number: MP00205A
Things I liked:
• It comes with SAE quick-release adapters that make it easy to connect the charger to the battery. The fuse protection feature avoids the danger of short circuit.
• It comes with an LED indicator that displays various charging statuses.
• The charger comes with a warranty of two years and 100% satisfaction service.
2. 12V Car Battery Trickle Charger | LEICESTERCN
This smart car battery charger is ideal for all 12V lead-acid batteries, including AGM and Gel-cell ones. It can be used in automobiles, snowmobiles, lawn tractors, riding lawnmower, automotive, boats, RVs, etc.
It comes with a safety guarantee as it provides protection against reverse polarity, over voltage, short circuit, over current, overload, and over-heat. It is a spark-proof technology which makes lead connections convenient and safe. This float charger is water and dust-resistant with stable performance and high reliability.
It provides automatic charging along with a detachable ring and alligator connectors that let you charge and maintain your battery on the go. By using the built-in MCU controlled program, it monitors the entire charging process and automatically switches to float mode once the battery is fully charged.
The intuitive LED indicator provides visual state-of-charge feedback and diagnostic information, even when it is in the maintenance mode. The LEICESTERCN 12V Car Battery Trickle Charger is ultra-compact, portable, lightweight and convenient.
Key Features:
• Intuitive LED indicator
• MCU-controlled program
• Easy-to-use
• Ideal for 12V lead-acid batteries
• Over-voltage protection
• Over-current protection
• Short-circuit protection
• Overload protection
• Water-resistant
• Dual-resistant
Specifications:
• Brand Name: LEICESTERCN
• Product Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Product Dimensions: 3.2 X 1.7 X 1.3 inches
• Manufacturer Part Number: EPA1020
Things I liked:
• Along with all the spectacular features mentioned above, the manufacturers of this charger offer their customers a lifetime quality warranty, one-year refund, and timely after-sales services.
1. Automatic Trickle Car Battery Charger 12V 1000mA | Foval
This trickle car battery charger is perfect for all 12V lead-acid batteries, including AGM and gel-cell ones, and also efficiently completes the entire 4-step charging process (that included initialization, bulk charging, absorption mode, and float mode).
It comes with a spark-proof technology which makes the lead connections convenient and safe. It provides complete protection against reverse polarity and comes with an eight-foot-long output cord.
The compact size makes it very suitable for most of the vehicles and is adaptable to all kinds of 12V batteries for cars, RVs, boats, motorcycles, etc.
The built-in intuitive LED indicators provide visual state-of-charge feedback and diagnostic information, even in the maintenance mode. This FOVAL Automatic Trickle Car Battery Charger 12V 1000mA is the perfect choice to charge and maintain your battery as it is lightweight, fully automatic, and very easy to use.
Key Features:
• Four-charge mode
• Safer and smarter charging
• Suitable for all 12V lead-acid batteries
• ISM adaptive charging
• Reversed hook-up protection
• Spark-proof technology
• Quick disconnect harness
• Simply connect and forget
Specifications:
• Brand Name: FOVAL
• Product Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Product Dimensions: 3.9 X 2.4 X 1.2 inches
• Manufacturer Part Number: NF-MGDK-6O3Q
Things I liked:
• The ISM (Infinite Sequential Monitoring) adapts to the requirements of the battery about a hundred times and more in a second.
• Once you’ve connected the charger, you can leave it up to the FOVAL trickle charger to manage the health of your battery on its own.
Best Car Battery Charger Buying Guide
There are various battery chargers available in the market. Ranging from one that charges approximately 2 amps per hour and needs a complete day to fully charge a flat, 48amp battery up to the one that charges around 10 amps an hour.
The higher the charge output, the faster your car battery’s charging; however, fast charging can cause the battery plates to deform.
Discover Which Battery Charger Is the Best for Your Usage
You should be aware of the fact that not all battery chargers can be used in all kinds of cars. Here are some important factors to consider before purchasing a car battery charger:
Type of Battery
Your car battery type plays an essential role while buying a battery charger. Some batteries can tolerate over-charging to a great extent and they can be recharged through a continuous voltage or current source.
Some absolutely cannot withstand over-charging and need their charges to have temperature or voltage sensing circuits and a microprocessor controller so that the charging voltage and current can be adjusted accordingly.
In addition to the overcharging-tolerance level, most car batteries are lead-acid batteries and can handle any type of battery charger. But other special battery types like AGM, Deep Cycle, and Gel Cel have particular requirements and not all chargers are manufactured to fulfill them.
Battery Voltage and Size
The battery doesn’t always indicate the physical size of the battery but it does indicate the amount of amp time (in hours) your battery stores. You can use a small charger with fewer amps to charge your battery.
However, the greater your battery stores, the more time it will take to fully charge. Therefore for a quick recharge, you may choose a car battery charger with more amps.
An ordinary cost-effective car battery charger can usually accommodate 12V batteries and sometimes handle 6V batteries as well. You can also opt for a charger that can handle both volt applications.
Desired Results
While choosing a car battery charger, it is vital that you keep your desired outcomes in mind. If you want to keep the battery of your classic and precious car charged throughout the year, then you can use a low current charger that will charge your battery gradually.
If you desire to restore the power of your car battery quickly, then you can opt for a powerful, fast battery charger.
Types of Car Battery Chargers
Knowing about different types of car battery chargers will help you determine which one is the most suitable for your vehicle.
Type 1: Simple Charger
A simple charger supplies a constant or pulsed DC power source to the battery it is being used to charge. It doesn’t change its production based on charging time or the battery charge.
It is relatively inexpensive and takes more time to fully charge a car battery as it is set to a lower and secure charging rate. They are capable of supplying either a constant current or a constant voltage to the car battery.
Type 2: Fast Charger
Fast chargers can charge car batteries without causing any kind of damage to the internal cells. They use the control circuitry in the battery to charge them with a rapid rate.
The control circuitry needs to be developed internally in the battery, in the external charging unit, or in both. Such battery chargers come with a built-in cooling fan that helps in controlling the temperature of the cells and in keeping them at a safe level.
Type 3: Solar Charger
Portable solar chargers convert light energy into low voltage DC current and are used to charge batteries of cars, boats, RVs etc. Although they acquire the needed energy from the sun only, some of them can also be used in low light.
Type 4: Trickle Charger
A trickle charger is ordinarily used to charge batteries with small capacity or maintain batteries with a larger capacity. It is a low-current battery charger and runs on a trickle-charging operating mode.
These chargers can be left connected to the battery for an infinite amount of time, although this greatly depends on the type of battery and the technology of the trickle charger being used.
Car batteries consume the extra power generated by the engine and most of them have an extended lifespan. They last for about 5 years or more without any need for replacement or recharging. But even the ones that are of the highest quality run out of power with time.
Once you’ve successfully purchased your car battery charger, remember that using it is a simple and easy task.
How to Charge a Car Battery with a Battery Charger
Learn how to charge a car battery with a battery charger in a few simple steps.
Step 1. Check the electrolyte level of your battery and see that it is just covering the battery plates. If you see that it isn’t at a sufficient level, then top up the battery and remove any dirt and debris from the battery posts.
Step 2. If there’s a socket near your car, you don’t need to remove your battery from the tray.
Step 3. Make sure that the charge rate stays constant i.e. around 3 to 4 amps.
Step 4. If your car consists of an alternator, disconnect the terminals before starting the charging process to avoid causing any damage to the alternator.
Step 5. If the cell caps are connected, detach them to allow ventilation.
Step 6. In case of low charging rate, leave the trough covered.
Step 7. Distinguish the positive lead from the negative lead. The positive one is usually red in color and needs to be attached to the positive battery post. The negative lead, usually black, is to be clamped to the negative terminal.
Step 8. Plug your newly purchased battery charger into the socket and turn its power on.
Step 9. If the indicator light turns on, it indicates that the charging has started.
Step 10. You can use a hydrometer to keep a check on the charging level.
Step 11. Once the battery is fully charged, the cells will bubble and release gas.
If you are interested in knowing more about this topic, then learn how to charge a car battery.
Unplug the Charger before Disconnecting it from the Battery
Once your car battery is fully charged, make sure you turn off the power and unplug your battery charger. As mentioned in the last step, the cells bubble and give off gas at the end of the charging and removing the terminal clips without turning the power off may cause sparks and ignite the gas.
Sources:
1. Vehicle Battery Charger: How to Choose a Car Battery Charger – Car Battery Chargers Central
2. Battery charger – Wikipedia
3. How to Charge a Car Battery – Meineke Blog
