by Joshua Thomas
Every vehicle owner has at least once left their vehicle with either their headlights or music playing in the background. More often than not, this leads to a dead battery that is unable to start the ignition system of the vehicle.
A car battery charger is an indispensable tool for any car owner as it allows you to quickly and easily recharge a car battery at full capacity. If you are fresh on the market for a top-rated car battery charger, we have you covered!
Below, we reviewed a few popular battery chargers and give you our expert impressions. Without any delay, let's find out which one you need to buy.
Contents
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Battery Tender Plus 021-0128 (Best Overall) |
|
 | 2. Noco Genius G7200 |
|
 | 3. Schumacher SC-1200A-CA |
|
 | 4. Motopower MP00205A |
|
 | 5. CTEK 56-353 |
|
 | 6. Black & Decker BM3B |
|
 | 7. Schumacher SE-5212A |
|
The Battery Tender Plus is a popular but low capacity 1.25 Amps battery charger. Indeed, with its power of only 1.25 Amps, it will not charge a 12 V battery fast.
Moreover, this is a small and compact battery charger that you can carry anywhere with you. Best of all, the terminals of this unit are also adapted in such a way that you can use it to charge both the car as well as
In addition, the 18 AWG wires are thick enough so that it prevents overheating especially if you leave your car battery to recharge overnight. This is an excellent security feature.
All in all, if you are looking for a car or motorcycle battery charger and do not need to recharge your battery as quickly as possible, then the Battery Tender Plus is an excellent model to consider.
Sure, it is not the best car battery charger in terms of power or recharge time. It is also not very heavy-duty. However, it has an excellent price to performance ratio as well as overall features that make it well worth the consideration.
Pros
Cons
The Noco Genius G7200 is a versatile battery charger that can charge both a 12 V battery as well as a 24 V one. One of the best things about this model is that it comes in a wide range of power and price so that you can choose the right model based on your need and purpose.
Moreover, this model uses various technologies that makes it compatible with both a lead-acid as well the latest generation of batteries like lithium-ion or AGM. Another good thing about this model is that it will automatically scan the battery and tell you if it detects any problem for a potential battery replacement.
In addition, there is a jump charge feature that will allow you to jumpstart a dead car battery by sending a constant high current of 30 Amps for 5 minutes. Very neat.
Again, the lowest end of the Noco Genius has a power of 0.75 Amp only and is intended for lightweight and casual use on a small capacity car battery. If you need more juice, the G26000 has a power rating of 26 Amps which will be able to charge a high-capacity battery like a heavy-duty AGM battery in a very short amount of time.
All in all, the Noco Genius is one of the best smart car battery chargers that has an excellent build construction as well as features that you usually do not find in car battery chargers in this price range.
A few caveats is that the price could have been better and the connector terminals are quite small so they will have difficulty with batteries that have big terminals.
Pros
Cons
The Schumacher SC-1200A-CA is a popular car battery charger that is able to charge both 6 V batteries as well as 12 V ones. But what we like about this model is that it is able to automatically sense the voltage of the target battery and send the right amount of voltage to it.
Additionally, one of its distinctive features is the excellent build construction that makes it a battery charger that is very durable and long-lasting.
Moreover, this unit has a power rating of 12 Amps which means that it will have no problem charging a high capacity battery in a very short amount of time. It has an automatic float mode monitoring system that will intelligently shut down the charging and monitor your battery and charging system (alternator) for any faults.
When it comes to portability, there is a top handle that allows you to easily carry it anywhere. This model is also fairly lightweight so it's quite portable as well. All those make this model one of the best car battery charger for consumer report you can get. The only problem we have with this unit is that it does not have a jumpstart feature which is a downer.
Pros
Cons
For years, the Motopower MP00205A has been rated as one of the best car battery chargers on the market. This is because of its extremely affordable pricing. However, despite being very affordable, it still does not sacrifice build quality as well as performance.
This car battery charger will work with any 12 V lead-acid batteries or even AGM or gel cell batteries with great efficiency. Moreover, all charging operations of this charger are fully automatic. You simply have to connect the terminals to your car battery studs for it to start charging. There is no wonder this model is regarded as one of the best 12V car battery chargers on the market.
Moreover, it will automatically switch off when it senses that the battery has been recharged. Therefore, you can leave this car battery charger overnight for charging without the risk of overheating or your car battery exploding. The only caveat we have is that its power of 0.8 Amp is a little bit on the weak side.
Pros
Cons
Sometimes, you may want an ultra-portable battery charger because you need to carry this device anywhere you go and it should be able to fit in your pocket. Sadly, most car battery chargers available on the market are simply too big for this level of portability.
Luckily, the CTEK 56-353 is an ultra-portable solution that is here to solve this problem. With its extremely small size and lightweight, you will have no problem carrying this car battery charger without it being obstructive.
In addition, this model has one of the best weight-to-power ratios as, despite its small size and low weight, it is still able to output a high Amperage that will be able to recharge a high capacity battery up to 225 AH quite quickly.
Moreover, there are useful LED indicators on this model that will show you what it is doing at all times. For added security, this model does not produce sparks and has a reverse polarity protection in case you connect the terminals the wrong way.
All in all, if you're looking for a portable unit, then the CTEK 56-353 is one of the best automotive battery chargers when it comes to weight and size.
The only problem we have with this unit is that it is almost made entirely out of plastic and it is not intended for heavy-duty purposes. Other than this, it works perfectly especially when used by beginners to occasionally check a battery.
Pros
Cons
The Black & Decker BM3B is another small and ultra-portable car battery charger. What we like about this model is its ability to automatically charge both 6 V as well as 12 V batteries which makes it quite versatile.
It also has an automatic float mode that will immediately shut down the charging once the battery has been fully recharged and start monitoring the battery for any discharge.
But best of all, it has no problem charging almost any type of car batteries on the market, ranging from the traditional lead-acid battery up to the latest AGM models.
What is useful about this model is that it has a switch that will allow you to easily toggle between 6 V and 12 V with ease.
All in all, despite being quite low powered with 1.5 Amps, the Black & Decker BM3B is still a good car battery charger because of its versatility and ability to charge any type of battery on the market, including 6 V motorcycle batteries. Just don't use this model to charge a high-capacity AGM battery because it will struggle.
Pros
Cons
The Schumacher SE-5212A is a heavy-duty car battery charger that has one of the most versatile and flexible power ranges in any car battery on the market.
Indeed, this model is able to send a power of 2-Amp, 10-Amp or 50-Amp depending on your need. Evidently, this battery charger will have no problem charging even the highest capacity AGM batteries in record-breaking time.
Moreover, there are many useful LED indicators on this unit that will inform you at all times about the charging process. Additionally, the terminals are made from a corrosion free and high conductivity metal.
All in all, if you need a high-capacity charger that is able to fast charge a high capacity battery in a few hours, then the Schumacher SE-5212A is one of the best heavy-duty car battery chargers money can buy. Even if this model is quite heavy and not the most portable unit we have reviewed.
Pros
Cons
Before making the purchase decision for a car battery, you need to consider the type of battery that you have in your vehicle. Most vehicles will use a lead-acid battery because this is the industry standard in default type of battery that manufacturers tend to ship their car with.
However, if you have a premium car brand then you may have a higher performing battery like an AGM battery inside your vehicle. You need to ensure that the car battery charger is compatible with this type of battery even if in general terms, the car battery charger is universally compatible with most car batteries.
Most cars have a 12 V battery under the hood. However, there are some vehicles that come equipped with different voltage batteries like 6 V, 18 V, or 24 V. Those are generally vehicles like motorcycles, SUVs, trucks or even RVs. You need to make sure that the car battery charger you want to buy is able to send her the necessary voltage to charge your battery.
The Amperage is basically the amount of current that the charger is able to send to the battery for the charging process to occur. Generally, the higher the Amperage that the charger is able to say, then the faster it will be able to charge your car battery. This is normally referred to Amp per Hour or AH.
So as to have an efficient charging process, it is recommended that you go with a car battery charger that has a sensing mode that will automatically detect the right amount of amperage to send to your car battery for optimal charging occur.
This is advantages in the sense that it helps boost the efficiency of the charging and does not cause damage to the internal circuitry of your battery by sending an excessive amount of current in one go.
Since the car battery charger deals with electricity that can be hazardous to your health, it is important that it is equipped with technologies that make it safe to use. Especially if it is handled by absolute beginners who have never used a car battery charger before.
Here are some features to keep an eye out for when try to find a good car battery charger online:
The average charge time of the car battery charger will depend on the amperage that it is able to send as well as the capacity of the battery you are trying to charge. The higher the capacity of the battery, the longer it will take.
If you have a high-capacity car battery, it is recommended to go with a heavy-duty car battery charger that is able to send a high amperage current.
If you're planning to carry your car battery charger with you, then it is important that it is lightweight and compact so that it can be portable. Additionally, it is always a good idea to go with a model that comes with a handle which makes it significantly easier to carry the car battery charger around.
You do not want a car battery charger that is excessively difficult to use.
In most cases, this is easy to use a device that even absolute beginners can operate. All you have to do is connect the terminals to your car battery studs and then switch on the car battery charger for the charging to begin.
Once charging has been done, it is important that the charger also has a light system that alerts you. In addition, it is also beneficial to have a model that can display a percentage of the charging process so that you may know at all times how much charge your car battery has.
Ampeak 2/10/25A Smart Battery Charger/Maintainer 12V Fully Automatic with Engine Start - Walmart Link
NOCO GENIUS10, 10-Amp Fully-Automatic Smart Charger, 6V and 12V Battery Charger, Battery - Walmart Link
10-Amp Car Battery Charger, 12V and 24V Smart Fully Automatic Battery Charger Maintainer - Walmart Link
2/10/25A 12V Smart Battery Charger/Maintainer Fully Automatic with Engine Start, Cable - Walmart Link
BILT HARD 200 Amp 40 Amp 6V/12V Automotive Battery Charger with Engine Starter, Heavy - Walmart Link
NOCO GENIUS5, 5-Amp Fully-Automatic Smart Charger, 6V and 12V Battery Charger, Battery - Walmart Link
Optima Digital 400 12V Performance Maintainer and Battery Charger - 150-40000 - Walmart Link
Outerman Car Battery Charger 12V 24V Lithium Battery Charger, Auto Battery Charger - Walmart Link
SUHU Car Battery Charger, 12V/8A 24V/4A Smart Automatic Battery Charger Maintainer - Walmart Link
Amazon Basics Battery Charger 12 Volt 2A - Walmart Link
Ampeak 2/10/25A Smart Battery Charger/Maintainer 12V Fully Automatic with Engine Start - eBay Link
NOCO GENIUS10, 10-Amp Fully-Automatic Smart Charger, 6V and 12V Battery Charger, Battery - eBay Link
10-Amp Car Battery Charger, 12V and 24V Smart Fully Automatic Battery Charger Maintainer - eBay Link
2/10/25A 12V Smart Battery Charger/Maintainer Fully Automatic with Engine Start, Cable - eBay Link
BILT HARD 200 Amp 40 Amp 6V/12V Automotive Battery Charger with Engine Starter, Heavy - eBay Link
NOCO GENIUS5, 5-Amp Fully-Automatic Smart Charger, 6V and 12V Battery Charger, Battery - eBay Link
Optima Digital 400 12V Performance Maintainer and Battery Charger - 150-40000 - eBay Link
Outerman Car Battery Charger 12V 24V Lithium Battery Charger, Auto Battery Charger - eBay Link
SUHU Car Battery Charger, 12V/8A 24V/4A Smart Automatic Battery Charger Maintainer - eBay Link
Amazon Basics Battery Charger 12 Volt 2A - eBay Link
As we have seen, the car battery charger is able to recharge your battery, whether it is a 12 V battery or any other voltage battery in a quick and easy manner. You do not need any experience to use this device at all.
Moreover, there are multiple technologies operating inside the car battery charger that makes it safe to operate. Don't worry, you do not run the risk of it exploding in your hand while recharging.
Best of all, it can charge any type of battery available on the market, whether it is a deep cycle AGM battery or a traditional lead-acid battery.
Finally, if you have read our car battery charger review above and still not found a decent model, then go through it again. You may have missed something.
 |
 |
 |
 |
About Joshua Thomas
Joshua Thomas just simply loves cars and willing to work on them whenever there's chance... sometimes for free.
He started CarCareTotal back in 2017 from the advices of total strangers who witnessed his amazing skills in car repairs here and there.
His goal with this creation is to help car owners better learn how to maintain and repair their cars; as such, the site would cover alot of areas: troubleshooting, product recommendations, tips & tricks.
Joshua received Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University.
Just Car Care
