9 Best Car Battery Chargers for Fast, Reliable Charging as as per Garage Tools Advisor and the winner is CTEK MXS 5.0
Whether upgrading from an old-style model or buying your first charger, today’s car battery chargers are better than ever. They are safer, easier to use, more efficient, and cause less wear and tear on your car battery.
When shopping for a new battery charger, its ability to charge 12-volt batteries is obviously important since that’s what almost all cars, trucks, motorcycles, and riding lawn mowers use. But also look for compatibility with 6-volt batteries if you have a golf cart, e-bike, scooter, or electric wheelchair that uses this battery voltage.
You also need to make sure your charger will be compatible with your battery type whether that be standard wet cell (flooded), AGM (absorbed glass mat), deep cycle, marine, or others. Some battery chargers even work for lithium-ion batteries.
It’s nice to have a car battery charger that can be set to different current levels which allows you to choose a higher amperage when you need to get going soon or a low amperage for maintaining a battery while in storage. Many of today’s “smart battery chargers” will automatically adjust the charging current for you making them one of the easiest to use.
Here are some of the best car battery chargers currently available in a sequence of starting with the best car battery charger.
| 1 | CTEK MXS 5.0 | 12v | Lead-Acid | 4.3 amp (auto) |
| 2 | Pro-Logix PL2320 | 6v / 12v | Lead-Acid | 2, 10, or 20 amp |
| 3 | NOCO Genius5 | 6v / 12v | Lead-Acid / Lithium-Ion | 5 amp (auto) |
| 4 | OptiMate 6 Ampmatic | 12v | Lead-Acid | 5 amp (auto) |
| 5 | NOCO Genius10 | 6v / 12v | Lead-Acid / Lithium-Ion | 10 amp (auto) |
| 6 | Battery Tender | 12v | Lead-Acid | 2, 8, or 15 amp |
| 7 | Optima Digital 1200 | 12v | Lead-Acid | 12 amp (auto) |
| 8 | Schumacher SC1280 | 6v / 12v | Lead-Acid | 3 or 15 amp |
| 9 | Battery Tender Junior | 12v | Lead-Acid | 0.75 amp |
Car Battery Charger Reviews
#1 – CTEK MXS 5.0 (40-206) Automatic Battery Charger
The CTEK MXS 5.0 fully automatic battery charger is an excellent option for any motorist in search of a high-tech charging solution to all of their automotive needs. It charges at up to 4.3 amps using an advanced microprocessor for safe, efficient charging, making it the best car battery charger currently out there in our opinion.
This charger works on all 12v lead-acid batteries including AGM (ie: Optima) and features a number of premium features such as automatic temperature sensors and charge sensing, all at an economical price point.
The CTEK MXS 5.0 also includes a battery recondition mode that works on deeply discharged batteries that many cheap battery chargers can’t save. An integrated maintenance charge function is one of the best in the biz.
It is worth noting that the CTEK MXS 5.0 Automatic Battery Charger is not capable of charging batteries with less than 2-volts of charge. While this might be of little issue for anyone simply looking to get back on the road, those hoping to revive a battery from the dead might be best advised to look elsewhere.
#2 – Pro-Logix PL2320 Fully-Automatic Smart Battery Charger
If you are in search of a battery charger that is just as capable of reviving tired lawnmower and boat batteries, as it is automotive batteries, then the Pro-Logix 20-Amp Automatic Smart Charger is worthy of your consideration.
It’s arguable the top car battery charger out there if you need something compatible with both 6-volt and 12-volt batteries. Many automotive enthusiasts will agree it’s their favourite car battery charger.
This charger features the ability to charge and maintain Flooded, AGM, spiral wound, marine deep cycle batteries, and even gel-cell batteries. The PL2320 also utilizes “smart” technology to provide your battery with an optimal charge, every time. Simply set your battery type, voltage, and charge rate (either 2, 10, or 20 amp) and the Pro-Logix PL2320 will do the rest.
Some consumers have expressed concerns over receiving defective Pro-Logix smart chargers in the past. However, it is also worth mentioning that most of these concerns appear to have been addressed promptly by the company, under full warranty.
#3 – NOCO Genius5 Automatic Smart Car Battery Charger
The NOCO brand is by far the most popular line of smart chargers out there and for good reason. The Genius5 (5-amp) seems to hit the sweet spot as far as cost, features, and performance go. It works for essentially all 6v and 12v lead-acid batteries as well as lithium-ion.
It replaces the discontinued G3500 (which happened to be our top choice when this article originally came out). The Genius5 is 65% more powerful than the outgoing G3500 while shrinking 34% in size. It’s one of the few car chargers that will easily fit in your glove box.
The Genius5 smart charger is fully equipped with a wealth of cutting-edge industry technology, including integral thermal sensors, auto-detection capabilities, and a sulfation elimination mode. The NOCO is also capable of charging batteries with as low as 1V of charge, which is well below the charge threshold of many similar chargers.
Several consumers have described the NOCO Genius5’s operating manual as “lacking” in many regards. Therefore, it might be necessary to carefully study the information contained within, and provide yourself with plenty of time to familiarize yourself with the unit’s numerous charging and maintenance functions.
#4 – OptiMate 6 Ampmatic TM-181 Smart Car Battery Charger
Do you currently have a couple of dated, discharged batteries sitting around your garage? If so, then the Tecmate OptiMate 6 might be just what you need to bring these forgotten batteries out of deep storage and back to life.
This 5 amp battery charger is capable of desulfation and charging batteries with as low as 0.5-volts of charge. In short, the OptiMate 6 has the ability to restore batteries other chargers wouldn’t be able to save. Additionally, the Ampmatic includes an automatic adjustment feature, which adapts charging amperage on the fly to accommodate batteries of any size.
It is worth mentioning that the OptiMate 6 battery charger should only be used in dry, indoor settings. Past variants of the OptiMate have been advertised as being completely weather-proof, though this is not entirely true with the TM-181 charger.
#5 – NOCO Genius10 Automatic Smart Car Battery Charger
Like its 5-amp companion above, the NOCO Genius10 is a technologically advanced battery charger for the ages. However, this variant of NOCO’s Genius line packs a greater punch (10-amps), for enhanced charging capabilities.
The main benefit of the Genius10 vs Genius5 is that your battery will charge faster. It’s up to you if you actually need that to justify the higher price tag. The Genius10 also features an integrated desulfator, which is intended to rescue previously abandoned or severely discharged batteries from the recycling yard.
As was also stated in regards to the Genius5, the operating manual supplied with the NOCO Genius10 is often regarded as being less than comprehensive in scope. As a result, consumers should allow themselves enough time to become familiarized with the Genius10 prior to initial use.
#6 – Battery Tender Car Battery Charger/Maintainer
Known for their excellent trickle chargers (see “Junior” below), the Battery Tender 12-volt charger is ideal for any motorist in search of a basic, yet extremely reliable car battery charger that is capable of getting the job done in almost any situation.
This charger features a simple, easy to use push-button interface, which allows a battery to be hooked up and placed on charge in a matter of seconds. Simply select your battery type and charge rate (2-amp slow charge, 8-amp regular charge, or 15-amp fast charge).
The Battery Tender is compatible with standard, AGM, and gel-cell batteries.
Some consumers have stated their concern over whether or not the Battery Tender 12-Volt Battery Charger is worthy of its current asking price, due to its rather limited capabilities. However, much of this charger’s value comes in the form of simplicity, convenience, user-friendliness, and build quality.
For those who would rather leave complexities in the past, there are likely few greater values on the market than Battery Tender.
#7 – Optima Digital 1200 Car Battery Charger
Few know battery health quite as well as those who manufacture some of the industries highest quality batteries. In this arena, Optima is king. Now, Optima not only offers premium automotive batteries but a battery charger of equal superiority as well.
The Optima Digital 1200 12-amp performance battery charger features an LCD interface, simplified setup functions, and a host of “smart” features to enhance charging capabilities. This charger also features an integrated work light.
Early Optima Digital 1200 models were known to be plagued by several display-related electrical issues. However, these issues have now been resolved, with no sign of similar issues reported from newer, redesigned units of the same model and make.
#8 – Schumacher SC1280 Smart Battery Charger
For years, the Schumacher brand of car battery chargers has been one of the most trusted names in the industry. While the competition has finally caught up, Schumacher continues to make good automotive battery chargers.
The SC1280 is one of the brand’s most popular products and is compatible with all standard, AGM, marine deep-cycle, and gel-cell batteries, serving as a single source for all of your charging needs.
Auto voltage detection automatically detects either 6v or 12 batteries and you can choose to quickly charge at 15 amps or switch to the 3-amp maintenance mode to automatically maintain the optimal battery charge.
A limited number of consumers have expressed concerns over the durability of the Schumacher SC1280’s clamps. These consumers have stated that these clamps can begin to exhibit play and structural distortion with frequent, heavy use. However, for the general consumer, little issue of this type is anticipated.
#9 – Battery Tender Junior Battery Maintainer
If you are simply looking for the best battery maintainer on the market today, and are not overly concerned with the addition of various bells and whistles, then the Battery Tender Junior is exactly what you you’ve been searching for.
The Battery Tender Junior should be your first choice when storing your classic car, sports car, or other vehicle for the winter (or other long period). There’s good reason why it has been the top selling car battery maintainer for years.
This battery maintainer is essentially a very smart trickle charger that reduces wear and tear on the battery from constant charging. It’s extremely compact and features three modes of operation (initialization, bulk charge, and float mode), which ensures that your vehicle’s battery retains its clean bill of health, even when stored for prolonged periods.
It is worth reiterating that the Battery Tender Junior is intended for use as a maintainer. Those attempting to bring a severely depleted battery back to life with a unit of this type will most likely be sorely disappointed.
However, when used as designed and with its intended purpose in mind, it is hard to imagine that any better option exists when in a market for a unit of this type.
