Having a car battery charger can help prevent a dead battery in a time of need. A battery charger can be used to prevent drain on your battery from the use of electronics and accessories that are constantly drawing power. Compact battery chargers are ideal for anyone who has a vehicle with accessories that are always pulling power from the car battery. Many of these chargers also have the ability to maintain the battery charge so that you never have to worry about dealing with a dead battery.
Battery chargers are available at a variety of prices. Many batter chargers come with a warranty that will replace the unit if it stops working. A quality battery charger can last many years but it can be helpful to have that backup warranty in case something goes wrong. The following is a list of the top 10 best car battery chargers based on consumer report.
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10. NOCO Genius G7200 12V/24V 7.2A UltraSafe Smart Battery Charger
The NOCO Genuis battery charger is priced at around $100. This charger works with 12V and 24V batteries. It charges lead-acid and lithium ion batteries up to 230 amp hours. The charger is capable of charging 2 times faster than many other types of battery chargers. The unit is compact in design and can be stored in your vehicle without needing much space.
The battery charger from NOCO has the ability to keep the battery charged all the time without overcharging. It also works to minimize power consumption when full charging is not needed. This charger has an internal diagnostic tool detecting reverse polarity as well as finding damaged batteries.
9. Battery Tender 022-0185G-dl-wh Black 12 Volt 1.25 Amp Plus Battery Charger/Maintainer
The Battery Tender charger/maintainer is priced at around $50. This unit can be used for AGM and flooded batteries. It is also compliant with California standards for safety. It uses advanced algorithms for quick and efficient charging power. The 4 step charging process works well for many different kinds of batteries.
This battery charger from Battery Tender comes with a 5-year warranty. It has an input voltage of 110v and has 1.25 amps. This charger works well for ATVs and other smaller vehicles that may have dead batteries due to limited use. It can also be used on motorcycles.
8. NOCO Genius G750 6V/12V .75A UltraSafe Smart Battery Charger
The NOCO Genius G750 is a compact battery charger that is priced at around $30. This .75 amp charger is capable of charging a 6V and 12V battery. It charges lead acid batteries up to 30 amp-hours. This unit also charges twice as fast as many comparable chargers. It has a streamlined design that is compact and takes up very little space.
This battery charger can help to repair some damaged batteries so they can function properly again. It is safe to keep connected to your battery 24/7 if needed. The unit has LED indicators that provide feedback and diagnostic information while it’s hooked up to your battery.
7. Schumacher SEM-1562A-CA 1.5 Amp Speed Charge Battery Maintainer
The Schumacher battery maintainer is designed to charge a 6V or 12V battery. It has durable housing that is designed to last through many hours of usage. This unit automatically changes from charging to float-mode to prevent overcharging and damage to the battery.
This battery maintainer can be used to keep batteries charged while they’re in storage. This works well to ensure that your vehicles are ready to be used when you need them. It comes with jumper cables and ring connectors for everything you need to keep your batteries charged.
6. BLACK+DECKER BC6BDW 6 Amp Waterproof Battery Charger / Maintainer
This charger and maintainer from BLACK+DECKER is priced at around $35. The charger is waterproof and also sealed from dust, oil, and moisture to prevent corrosion. This charger is fully automatic to ensure that your battery gets charged quickly and efficiently.
The BLACK+DECKER 6 amp charger connects easily to your battery with regular battery clamps. It uses AC voltage compensation to ensure maximum performance when plugged into an extension cord. This charger works well for motorcycles, marine batteries, antique cars, and other types of vehicles.
5. Schumacher SE-5212A 2/10/50 Amp Automatic Handheld Battery Charger
This battery charger from Schumacher can automatically charge a 12 volt battery without overcharging. It is a handheld unit that is compact and easy to store when not in use. This charger works with 10, 50, and 2 amp applications. It has a fast charging capability and can completely charge most batteries in 3 to 5 hours.
This Schumacher batter charger has LED indicators so that you can be informed of charging progress. The charger has a manual mode that continues to charge until turned off. It also has an automatic mode that charges until the battery is fully charged and then turns off to prevent overcharging.
4. NOCO Genius G3500 6V/12V 3.5A UltraSafe Smart Battery Charger
This battery charger from NOCO can charge lead-acid and lithium ion batteries up to 120 amp hours. It works on 6V and 12V batteries. This 3.5 amp charger is priced at around $60. It can charge twice as faster as other chargers and also works on damaged batteries. It can be used with CANBUS systems and micro-hybrid start-stop systems.
The NOCO Genius G3500 has a compact design that doesn’t require much space for use. It can stay connected to the battery 24/7 as needed with causing damage or overcharging to the battery. This unit also includes spark-proof technology and it monitors the battery’s charging progress to conserve energy.
3. BLACK+DECKER BM3B 6V and 12V Battery Charger / Maintainer
The BLACK+DECKER battery charger and maintainer is budget friendly and is priced at around $20. This charger can be used on 6V and 12V batteries. It has the ability to connect quickly and easily with the included battery clips, o-ring, and vehicle DC plug. This unit also has high-frequency smart charging technology to prevent any damage to the battery from overcharging.
This charger from BLACK+DECKER automatically switches from charging mode to float moat once charging is complete. It also has a built-in mounting bracket to use if needed. The charger is compact and lightweight, weighing less than 2 pounds, and doesn’t require much space for use.
2. Battery Tender Plus 021-0128, 1.25 Amp Battery Charger
This compact battery charger from Battery Tender is priced at around $47. It is temperature controlled to ensure that the optimal voltage is used for charging based on ambient temperature. This charger automatically switches from charging to float mode once the charge is complete. It also is capable of charging faster than a 3a charger.
The Battery Tender Plus 1.25 amp charger can fully charge a battery and maintain it at the fully charged level so that the battery is always ready when you need it. This charger has red and green indicator lights so that you can monitor charging progress.
1. Battery Tender 021-0123 Battery Tender Junior
The Battery Tender Junior charger is priced at around $25. This charger has spark-proof technology that prevents sparks during lead connection. It is also protected from reverse polarity. The charger has a 12-foot output cord and comes with a limited 5-year warranty.
This charger works well for all lead-acid, flooded, or sealed maintenance free batteries. It has a 4 step charging program that allows it to switch to float mode once the charging is complete so that the battery isn’t damaged from overcharging. This charger is small doesn’t require much space for use. It has indicator lights that allow you to monitor progress.
Battery chargers and battery maintainers are essential for anyone who has recreational vehicles that don’t get driven frequently. A quality battery charger can help ensure that your battery is always ready when you need it. Some of these devices are safe to be left on your battery all the time so that the battery never dies. Others can be used when you need the vehicle and can charge the battery completely in a matter of hours.
Anyone who has classic cars, ATVs, motorcycles, or other vehicles that aren’t driven everyday may have experienced a dead battery. Having access to a battery charger can prevent this from every happening again. Most battery charges are designed to charge the battery fully and then stop charging to prevent overcharging and causing damage to the battery. To find the best charger, you can read reviews from others who have used the charger to ensure that your purchase is worth the money.