Best Car Battery Charger: 12 Automatic Battery Chargers On The Market 2021
Having a car comes with so many added responsibilities that it might be hard to keep track of them. That is why you need a battery charger to take the task of maintaining your battery off your hands.
A car battery charger not only charges up your battery, but it can also maintain, test, and fix minor defects in the battery.
Many of them are complete battery management systems that you plug in and forget.
Finding the best car battery charger and what is the best car battery charger for your needs can prove time-consuming. That's why we have curated the top 12 car battery chargers for your diverse needs.
This article gives you a thorough description of the best 12v battery chargers, plus a buying guide and FAQ section to answer your questions concerning them.
Best premium
Smartech WBC 275 Battery charger
Our Top pick
NOCO Genius GENM3 Battery Charger (best auto battery charger)
best overall
Schumacher SC1309 battery charger
Contents
- Top 12 Best automotive battery charger for the price (Table Of Comparison)
- Top 12 Best car battery charger reviews For The price
- 1. NOCO Genius GENM3 Battery Charger - best battery charger for cars
- 2. Schumacher SC1309 battery charger - best truck battery charger
- 3. Smartech WBC 275 battery charger - best home car battery charger
- 4. NOCO Genius G26000 battery charger - best 12 volt battery charger
- 5. Battery Tender 022-0148-DL-WH
- 6. Optima Digital 1200 battery charger
- 7. Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry JNC770B
- 8. DBPOWER 600A 18000mAh - best cheap car battery charger
- 9. Stark 55 Amp 12/24 Voltages
- 10. Smartech WBC 250 battery charger
- 11. Porsche Charge-o-mat Pro Battery
- 12. CTEK (56-353) MULTI US 7002
- Car battery Charger
- Buying Guide
- Voltage
- Amperage
- Safety features to consider
- Types of car battery charger
- FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Top 12 Best automotive battery charger for the price (Table Of Comparison)
The table below shows the summarized of car battery comparison of the best car battery charger for your easy reference.
However, the positions are in no particular order of importance on top rated car battery chargers reviews, car battery charger brands and battery charger ratings.
This enable anyone to know who makes the best car battery charger comparison that suit your needs.
PRODUCT | FEATURES | OUR RATING |
|---|---|---|
1. NOCO Genius GENM3(Our Top Pick - best battery car charger) | ||
2. Schumacher SC1309 | ||
3. Smartech WBC 275 | ||
 4. NOCO Genius G26000 | ||
 5. Battery Tender 022-0148-DL-WH | ||
 6. Optima Digital 1200 | ||
 7. Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry JNC770B | ||
 8. DBPOWER 600A | ||
 9. Stark 55 Amp | ||
 10. Smartech WBC 250 | ||
 11. Porsche Charge-o-mat Pro | ||
 12. CTEK (56-353) MULTI US |
Top 12 Best car battery charger reviews For The price
1. NOCO Genius GENM3 Battery Charger - best battery charger for cars
This super lightweight charger is the best auto car battery charger that gives you this high level of performance in such a compact size. It has three banks that can supply 4A each, making a total of best 12A battery charger.
Using this battery charger gives you peace of mind because of the several safety features that it has. The charger is meant to be on board, and it has protection from overheating, overcharging, reverse polarity, sparks, etc.
This charger is particularly useful for marine operations due to the extreme weather conditions, and massive abuse marine batteries go through.
It maintains a good battery and improves its life span. Another advantage is its charging speed, which is up to twice as fast as most regular batteries. It is also rated as the highest rated battery charger among others.
Specification
Pros
Cons
2. Schumacher SC1309 battery charger - best truck battery charger
The heavy-duty Schumacher gives you a 40A boost and 200A to start your engine without stress. It is a perfect fit for large SUVs, trucks, and other big-sized passenger vehicle batteries.
You get a jump starter, battery maintainer, and smart battery charger with multi-stage charging all in one wheeled package for easier transportation.
This charger is run by a smart microprocessor, which makes sure the charging is done safely and accurately as one of the car battery charger on wheels.
It diagnoses your battery’s defects and shows you all you need to know about the battery on its LED display.
Specification
Pros
Cons
3. Smartech WBC 275 battery charger - best home car battery charger
The Smartech WBC 275 combines an efficient trickle charger and battery maintainer with a jump starter of 275A engine starting capacity. It has a completely automatic operation with a good number of safety features.
This charger also runs tests on your battery and shows you the results and status of your battery. It is a good 6V and 12-volt charger, and it keeps your battery in good form as a battery management system.
Specification
Pros
Cons
4. NOCO Genius G26000 battery charger - best 12 volt battery charger
NOCO Genius brand of car battery chargers is among the top car battery charger available in the 12V and 24V options.
The Genius G26000 is an expert in battery charging, and it has 11 modes to choose from, including desulfation and cold charging modes.
You can run battery diagnostics with this fully automatic car battery charger, and do some minor repairs at the same time. The high-quality water and weatherproof packaging make it suitable for use even in harsh weather conditions.
This charger is a safe and reliable emergency car battery charger. It also charges CANBUS systems.
Specification
Pros
Cons
5. Battery Tender 022-0148-DL-WH
The Battery Tender battery management system with its microprocessor-run system and Infinite Sequential Monitoring adaptive charging is considered a miracle of car battery chargers.
ISM is a charging method that consistently adapts to a battery’s current state to give it a perfect charge.
Although this battery is only suited for small capacity car batteries, it delivers a highly efficient charge, and it has the appropriate safety features. Due to its temperature control, you can use this charger in most weather conditions without worrying.
Each of the four banks in this charger performs to the highest quality, and you can mount this charger anywhere. It will improve the battery life of your motorcycle, lawnmower, or jet ski.
Specification
Pros
Cons
6. Optima Digital 1200 battery charger
If you’re looking for the perfect battery charger for your Optima AGM or flooded battery, then the Optima Digital 1200 model is the one for you.
This charger not only charges your battery, but it also maintains and conditions it, too. It can also recover severely discharged batteries and improve the battery’s performance.
The charger is tailored for Optima AGM and flooded cell batteries, but you can also use it with other high-performance AGM batteries. It has an integrated health mode that detects and fixes minor defects when plugged in.
Specification
Pros
Cons
7. Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry JNC770B
With a peak amps reading of 1700 and starting amps of 425, there is no surprise that the Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry jump starter battery is a favorite of large vehicle owners.
You can jump several batteries with just one charge, and when you charge it, it doesn’t take all day.
This portable jump starter comes with handles for easy transportation, a protective cover, and a USB slot for charging your other electrical devices.
The clamps that come with it can penetrate thick layers of dust to give you a powerful connection.
Specification
Pros
Cons
8. DBPOWER 600A 18000mAh - best cheap car battery charger
This compact and portable jump starter can be best described as a power-packed power bank that you can take with you everywhere.
It is not only a handy jump starter, but it is also a large capacity power bank with a USB port. You can use it to charge your phones and laptops on the go.
This charger (best cheap battery charger) has all the right safety features that help you get a safe and efficient charge without compromising on quality.
It has a digital LCD screen that displays all you need to know about your battery, and a complimentary compass to help you get around if you get lost.
Specification
Pros
Cons
9. Stark 55 Amp 12/24 Voltages
The Stark fast charger is a fully automatic engine starter, and it is the fastest car charger on this list. It has a single-phase charge that is run by a microprocessor to ensure an efficient charge.
You can also use this versatile charger as a jump starter and a battery maintainer.
The charger has a steel case that protects it from the elements, and built-in safety features that protect the battery and charger from damage.
This charger is easy to use with straightforward controls and a screen that displays the battery’s status. It is easily one of the best 24-volt battery chargers on this list.
Specification
Pros
Cons
10. Smartech WBC 250 battery charger
The Smartech WBC 250 professional car battery charger is a jump starter, battery maintainer, and a trickle charger on wheels. It is compact and powerful.
Also, it is suitable for both 6V and 12V batteries. This charger has a fully automatic operation, and a smart microprocessor runs it.
There are appropriate safety features for a safe and efficient charging process. You can also test your battery with its inbuilt battery diagnostics, and everything will be displayed on its digital display.
Also, there is an alternator check feature which can detect the voltage and condition of your alternator.
Specification
Pros
Cons
11. Porsche Charge-o-mat Pro Battery
Porsche car batteries don’t always work well with external chargers, which is why the Porsche Charge-o-mat Pro is better.
It is a lightweight charger with an equally light power output, which is ideal for Porsche’s lightweight lithium-ion batteries.
This battery has a 5 amp current capacity, which is perfect as a trickle charger to keep Porsche batteries alive and active. There is also another charge mode that prepares them for use as sports cars.
This charger charges your Porsche cars fast, without any damage from overcharging. You can also use them to remove and also prevent sulfation in the battery.
They are the right choice if you want to store your batteries for a while, or just for use as a highly-efficient battery.
Specification
Pros
Cons
12. CTEK (56-353) MULTI US 7002
The CTEK 56-353 car battery charger is known for being a simple, easy to use and rapid car battery charger. It has eight charging stages to ensure that your battery gets a perfect charge.
There are several charging and conditioning modes, including a desulfation mode, so the charger is suitable for every battery type.
It has a rugged packaging that is impact, dust, and waterproof. Also, it has an array of safety features.
The speed of charging is also a lot faster than many regular batteries, and you can use it with drained batteries.
Specification
Pros
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Car battery Charger
Buying Guide
Shopping or buying car battery charger is a process that requires quite a bit of thorough research because there is always a new technological advancement. You have to be up-to-date with the latest so you can get the best car battery charger for all your vehicular needs.
Car battery chargers have changed a lot over the years, and there have been new features and functions added as things improved for us to look into what is a good car battery charger.
Nowadays, car battery chargers are more than just one type of charger; they combine the work of up to two or more separate chargers in one compact build.
You can also find chargers that can detect and fix defects in your car battery, maintain it, and desulfate it, all in one compact package.
The following are some of the factors you should consider when choosing a perfect car battery charger or what car battery charger should i buy for the car.
Voltage
Most car battery chargers are tailored towards 12-volt and 24-volt batteries. The voltage of a battery is the electrical strength and capacity of the cell.
12-volt batteries are the most popular because most cars don't have electrical systems that require higher than that.
However, if you have more than one vehicle, you might need a multi-functional charger.
6V chargers cater to batteries of smaller vehicles like jet skis and motorcycles, while 12V and 24V chargers are more suitable for cars and small trucks. A combination of any of the three will take care of most vehicles.
Amperage
The amperage of a battery is the amount of current that can pass through a battery without blowing it up. A battery that can handle a high amount of current will charge faster than one with low amperage.
However, faster charging isn’t always required, so you should be careful not to burn your battery up with a high current.
Ideally, your charger should be able to identify the correct amount of current to use on your battery to avoid overcharging. Also, if you’re using a manual charger, you should keep an eye on it to make sure it charges appropriately.
Safety features
The most important features of any electrical charger are the safety features installed in it. Without safety features, the battery is at a higher risk of getting damaged when charging.
Car batteries are filled with reactive chemicals, which make them easily susceptible to damage. The following are some of the safety features you should consider in a battery charger.
Safety features to consider
1. Reverse polarity sensor
This feature lets you know when you’ve connected the charger to the wrong terminals. Reverse polarity is a hazardous risk, and it can cause shocks, short-circuiting, and fire.
2. Voltage and amperage detector
The voltage and amperage of a battery determine how the battery should be charged and for how long. Using the wrong voltage or amperage can directly damage the battery. Many chargers can read and display the acceptable voltage to charge your battery.
3. Spark protection
Sparks flying around a garage is a dangerous fire hazard and should be avoided at all costs. You should look for a spark-resistant charger or at least one with protected clamps.
4. Overheating
Overheating is a major complaint among car owners. Several things can cause overheating in a battery, and anyone of them can lead to damage. Protection from overheating is essential to avoid fires and the burning of the cell.
5. Float mode
This feature is found in battery maintainers that keep up the condition of the battery. Float mode keeps the voltage of the battery at a steady 13.5V (for a 12V battery) without overcharging the battery. It is most useful when storing the battery for some time, or when the battery is being used heavily.
6. Short-circuits
Short circuits allow excess current to flow through a wrong path. This can cause battery damage, and sparks which can lead to a fire.
7. Temperature control
Not all chargers can work in outdoor conditions, but with temperature control, you can use your charger even under extreme weather conditions.
9. Ease of use
You shouldn’t have any technical skills to use a battery charger for your car battery. The best car battery charger for you should match your level of expertise. A charger with straightforward controls and an easy to understand user’s manual should be on top of your list.
10. Portability
Since you’ll be on the road most of the time with your car, a portable battery charger is the best choice for you. You can never tell when you will need a jump start or a quick charge, so you should have one in your car as often as possible.
Some chargers now come with clamps and clips that you can use to attach them permanently or temporarily to your car while in use. This option is only available for chargers that also act as battery maintainers.
Smaller and more portable chargers may not have enough power to charge a battery sufficiently, and they are usually slow to charge. Larger ones with a high power output might be too heavy to carry about.
In all, you should pick a charger that combines efficiency and portability for the best car battery charger experience.
11. mode of operation
Thanks to technology, automatic car battery chargers are becoming more common than manual chargers. Automatic chargers tend to have way more features, and they can charge batteries safely and efficiently.
Most of them have overcharge protection, so you don’t have to keep watch over it while it charges. The downside is that they don’t measure up to manual chargers in durability and output.
Manual battery chargers can last you for years, but they are not convenient to use. You have to keep an eye it throughout the charge, and you can’t keep track of your battery’s charging status. Depending on your plan for your charger, you can use either one of them well.
How to use a car battery charger?
Charging your phone yourself isn’t rocket science if you have the best car battery charger for the job at your service. As long as you follow the safety instructions and all the steps, it should be an easy job.
Types of car battery chargers
Car battery chargers are generally classified based on how they work with a car battery. While there are several types of car battery chargers, you should note that one charger can perform the work of multiple chargers.
Types of car battery charger
1. Simple Charger
A simple charger is one that continually supplies power to your battery to charge it. This charger is the most basic type of charger, and it has been around for a long time. Because of its basic functionalities, this type of charger is low cost and easy to use.
However, the disadvantage of this charger is that it takes a long time to charge. Because it cannot regulate a battery’s voltage, it uses the lowest and safest charging rate that it can use.
This low charging rate makes the charging process take up to twice the time it would take a more complex battery.
Also, cells that are connected to a simple charger have to be continuously monitored to avoid damage from overcharging.
2. Fast charger
Fast chargers are not commonly used as regular chargers. However, they are the fastest car chargers you can find.
They are specially made to be emergency chargers in cases where there is no time to use a regular charger. You should use them together with another type of charger.
These chargers rapidly charge your car batteries using control circuitry, which doesn’t damage the cells in your battery.
This control circuitry may be inbuilt in your battery, or the fast charger. It can get pretty heated when fast charging your battery, that is why the chargers come with a fan to cool things down.
3. Smart charger
Smart chargers are currently becoming one of the best car chargers available. These chargers communicate with your car battery to determine how to charge it properly.
They interact with the car battery and then modify their charging according to the condition of the battery. A lot of these chargers check the voltage, temperature, and other statistics and display them for you also to track.
Smart chargers work best with smart batteries that can effectively communicate with them, but they can also charge regular batteries.
Most smart chargers have an automatic off feature that shuts off the charger when the battery is fully charged to avoid overcharging.
4. Pulse charger/ desulfation charger
Pulse chargers are the best battery charger for car batteries that have undergone any level of sulfation. Sulfation causes a car battery to depreciate and can even cause total battery failure.
The chargers use pulse technology, which involves passing a series of high voltages through the cell without damaging the battery. These high voltages break down the accumulated lead sulfate crystals from sulfation and increase the battery’s life.
5. Trickle charger
Trickle charging is a process of passing a low current through a battery consistently. Trickle chargers are mostly used to maintain large cells, and can only charge small capacity batteries because their low voltage is not sufficient for chargers with a capacity of 30 Ah and above.
Connecting a car battery trickle charger to your battery will keep it in top shape always, and will reduce your need for frequent charges. Trickle charging is also the last step of charging in many chargers, and some of them can multitask as battery maintainers.
6. Jumpstart charger
If you get stranded because of a dead battery, the first course of action is to find a willing person with a running battery to help you jump start your car.
In cases where this proves impossible, a portable jump start charger can save the day. A jump starter, also known engine starting charger, uses high bursts of current to kick start a dead car battery.
The highest current it can get to is called peak amperes, and it can reach as high as 1500 amps.
Some jump starters need an electrical outlet, but a portable car battery jumper is charged beforehand and contains enough power to bring your battery back to life in an emergency.
Some of these portable jump starters have micro USB car adapters that you can use to charge your other electrical devices, like your phone.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long will it take a car battery charger to charge?
The time it will take to charge a car battery depends on several factors such as the amount of current passing through the battery, the voltage, and the efficiency of the charger. Some batteries can charge in 12 hours, while some need up to 24 hours or more.
2. How many amps are needed to charge a 12-volt battery?
The best car battery charger for lead-acid batteries is a 10 amps charger. However, depending on the discharge rate, the charger may not be sufficient. The best way to find the perfect fit for your battery is to use a smart charger.
3. will my car battery explode if i overcharge it?
Yes, in some cases. Overcharging a car battery can cause excessive heating, which can lead to it exploding. Always keep an eye on your battery while it is charging, or use a charger that shuts off automatically after charging.
4. Can I jump-start a drained battery?
The advanced AGM batteries are all sealed and maintenance-free. So, it is not possible to fill it with water. The only thing you can do is to clean the terminals at least once annually to ensure that they always have a good connection. Also, maintaining a proper battery charging is key to the long life of AGM batteries.
Conclusion
After our review of the car battery chargers, the one that came out on top for buying a battery charger is the NOCO Genius GENM3 12 Amp 3-Bank On-Board Battery Charger. This charger has all the elements needed to take the top spot with its sturdy design and safety features.
Also, it is an on-board charger which takes away the need to carry it everywhere.
Our second pick is the CTEK (56-353) MULTI US 7002 12-Volt Battery Charger. This portable charger has all the features, including a desulfation stage and a pulse charging stage. It also has a decent price tag, which is worth it.
Our pick for the most versatile battery charger is the DBPOWER 600A 18000mAh Portable Car Jump Starter (up to 6.5L Gas, 5.2L Diesel Engine) Battery Booster and Phone Charger with Smart Charging Port (Black/Red), which is the best USB charger in this list, and our premium pick is the Smartech WBC 275 | 6V & 12V Wheel Battery Charger | Jump Starter | Automotive Battery Maintainer, Trickle Charger | Digital Display with built-in Microprocessor for Safe + Efficient Operation.
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