Be honest, when was the last time you gave much thought to the battery in your automobile? Cars, trucks, ATVs, boats, and motorcycles – they all need a battery to get started unless you’ve got a kick-start, pull-start, or you’re Fred Flintstone. And the only time it’ll cross your mind will be when it doesn’t work. Today, we’re going to help you get ahead of the game.
In this article, we’ll tell you why you should have a battery charger handy, how it works, and what it can do for you. We’re also going to help you figure out what features the best battery charger for your needs should have. Before that, though, we’ll review a few of the best car battery chargers on the market to help make your decision a little easier.
Quick Links to Our Top 4 Picks for Best Car Battery Chargers
- NOCO Genius G4 UltraSafe Smart Charger
- The perfect choice if you have multiple cars or other toys in need of charging (and also awesome if you have just one!).
- Schumacher SC-600A-CA SpeedCharge High Frequency Battery Charger
- Easy to use, affordable, and works with both 6V and 12V batteries.
- BLACK+DECKER BC15BD Bench Charger with Engine Start and Alternator Check
- Won’t charge 6V batteries but does everything you need a charger to do if your ride is 12V.
- Optima Digital 400 12V Performance Maintainer and Battery Charger
- This compact model is our top recommendation for anyone who plans on keeping their charger in the trunk of their car.
Clicking the links above take you to further information, customer reviews and current prices on Amazon.
Contents (Jump to Topic)
- 1 Best Battery Charger Recommendations and Mini-Reviews
- 1.1 NOCO Genius G4 UltraSafe Smart Charger
- 1.2 Schumacher SC-600A-CA SpeedCharge 6 Amp High-Frequency Battery Charger
- 1.3 Black+Decker BC15BD 15 to 40 Amp Bench Charger, Engine Start and Alternator Check
- 1.4 What We Don’t Like
- 1.5 Optima Digital 400 12V Performance Maintainer and Battery Charger
- 1.6 STANLEY J5C09 Jump Starter
- 2 Car Battery Charger Vs. Jump Starter – What’s the Difference and Which Do You Actually Need?
- 3 How to Choose the Best Car Battery Charger for Your Needs
- 4 Are You Ready to Lead the Charge?
Best Battery Charger Recommendations and Mini-Reviews
We have scoured the Internet and automotive stores, and come up with a shortlist of 5 chargers we think are worth taking a closer look at. We’ll cover the specs, features, and pros and cons of each unit, and we’ll crown our winner in the last section.
NOCO Genius G4 UltraSafe Smart Charger
The G4 is one of a series of Genius chargers, each featuring different amperage. We chose the 4-bank 4.4 Amp as being the most versatile of the lot, and best suited for an average automobile.
Overall Impressions
It’s a good-looking unit and appears solidly built. At first glance, it seems complicated, but study it for a moment, and you’ll realize it all makes sense. The displays are clear and logical, and operation ought to be a snap.
It’s very lightweight, so you may be tempted not to take it seriously. Don’t worry – it’s plenty rugged.
What’s In the Box?
- Main unit, including cables and clamps
- Two eyelet connectors
- Two clamps
- Four extension cables
Features
- Four charging banks
- Spark-proof connectors
- Reverse polarity protection
- Water, shock, dirt, and dust-proof
- Over-charge, over-current, overheating protection
- Desulfator
- Adjusts charge for ambient temperature
- Diagnostics feature
- LED display for charging status
Specs
- Charges 6V and 12V batteries
- Charging amps: 4.4 (1.1 x 4 banks)
- Charges up to 40 amp/hours
- Good for lead-acid (deep cycle and starter) and lithium-ion batteries
- Compatible batteries: Wet/Flooded, Gel Cel, Maintenance-free, Absorbed Glass Mat, Enhanced Flooded Battery, Calcium
- Fully charges motorcycle, snowmobile, ATV, personal watercraft (e. Sea-Doo), lawn mower batteries
- Maintains all car, truck, SUV, RV, diesel truck, and boat batteries
- CANBUS compatible
- Weight: 2.7lbs
- Dimensions: 9.3” x 9.4” x 2.5”
- Charging cable length: 10 feet
- DC cord length: 5 feet
- AC cord length: 5 feet
- Wall-mountable
What We Like
This charger is sleek but also entirely functional. We also love the idea of being about to charge up to 4 batteries at once.
Being able to charge both 6V and 12V makes it useful for your road, marine, and garden vehicles. Ten-foot cables mean you’ll be able to connect with ease, and you can do it safely, too, with the spark-proof clamps, and reverse polarity indicator.
Since the Genius G4 is always monitoring the battery, it only allows a trickle charge if it is less than full already.
The diagnostic feature is terrific. With an easy-to-understand indicator, you can see whether your battery might have a short, or if it’s totally pooched. Either way, it’s time to replace or consult a pro.
What We Don’t Like
Well, it’s a bit of a shame it won’t recharge a dead car battery in a larger vehicle, but hey, you can’t have everything.
Who Is This Model Best Suited to
If you have a lot of toys in your garage (motorcycles, ATVs, etc.), the NOCO Genius G4 could prove to be indispensable. You can plug in all your goodies at once, and then leave them be, secure in the knowledge they’ll be ready to go when you need them.
Other Models Might Suit You If:
- You don’t own a motorcycle or other small vehicles
- You only need to charge one car battery at a time
Final Thoughts
We quite like this unit for its versatility and functionality. It’s well suited to numerous applications and would be a great addition to most garages, especially if you have a line-up of toys and equipment.
Check it out here:
Schumacher SC-600A-CA SpeedCharge 6 Amp High-Frequency Battery Charger
If you want a good charge, but you don’t have the time or patience to wait for a standard charger to do its job, is this charger the solution?
Overall Impressions
I can’t say the SC-600A creates much of an impression at first glance. I guess I did get the vague impression I was looking at an old transistor radio, based on the design.
Still, it looks streamlined and simple enough to operate. The nifty + and – symbols printed on the clamp handles (on top of color-coded black and red grips) certainly speak to a device that has been designed with the beginner in mind.
What’s In the Box?
- Main unit, including cables and clamps
Features
- Up to 2x faster charging than conventional chargers
- Handle doubles as cord wrap
- Desulfation mode
- LED indicators
- Auto voltage detection
- Reverse polarity indicator
- Automatic float mode (won’t overcharge)
- Microprocessor adjusts amperage rate
- Auto-start (charging won’t begin without a clean connection)
- 2-year warranty
Specs
- Charges 6V and 12V batteries
- Charging amps: 2A for 6V, 6A for 12V
- Charges up to 12Ah (6V) or 22-59Ah (12V)
- Good for lead-acid batteries
- Compatible battery types: Deep cycle, Wet/Flooded, Gel Cel, Maintenance-free, Absorbed Glass Mat
- Fully charges and maintains motorcycle, snowmobile, ATV, personal watercraft (e., Sea-Doo), lawn mower, car, truck, SUV, RV, diesel truck, and boat batteries
- Weight: 2.1 pounds
- Dimensions: 6.9 x 3 x 7.5 inches
- Charging cable length: 2 feet
What We Like
This is a very simple-to-use, and highly versatile charger. You can pretty much hook it up to anything and get a full charge. It even knows if you hooked up a 6V or 12V without you having to worry about a selector switch or button. 6A mode will get your small to midsize car batteries up and running faster than most chargers on the market.
We also like that it will switch automatically from charging to float mode for maintenance and battery protection. Combine that with the reverse polarity indicator, and it’s a foolproof charger.
What We Don’t Like
It’s a shame it won’t charge Lithium-Ion batteries, but that likely won’t matter to most people. There is no diagnostic mode on the charger, so there’s no way to tell if your battery has had the biscuit or not.
Who Is This Model Best Suited to
This charger is especially good for anyone who is confident his/her batteries are in good health since there is no diagnostic mode. It’s also great if you’re on a budget, given the appealing price.
Other Models Might Suit You If:
- You want to run diagnostics
- You have Lithium-Ion batteries
Final Thoughts
This is a great, no-frills charger for people with basic battery charging and maintenance needs. Don’t expect to be wowed by all the features and versatility, but do expect reliable performance and relatively quick charging of most vehicles.
Want to know more?
Black+Decker BC15BD 15 to 40 Amp Bench Charger, Engine Start and Alternator Check
Black+Decker is another really well-known brand in the tool universe. Their product line is extensive and generally of better-than-average quality. It stands to reason that they should make a good battery charger, too. And the verdict?
Overall Impressions
It’s nothing if not solid-looking. It honestly seems like it could withstand a serious beating and not even flinch.
Compared to some other models, it seems slightly retro on the front. There are actual buttons to push, and an LCD screen with basic information presented with minimalistic graphics. Still, it’s all neatly laid out, and everything is clearly labeled and easy to find.
What’s In the Box?
- Main unit, including cables and clamps
Features
- One-touch automatic charging
- 3-stage charging: fast charge, top-off, trickle charger
- LCD indicator
- Reconditions sulfated batteries
- 40A engine start mode charges dead batteries to start power in 8 minutes
- Alternator diagnostics
- Built-in cord, cable wraps
- Clamp storage
- Reverse polarity indicator
- Carrying handles
- Fold down front feet for easier viewing
Specs
- Charges 12V batteries
- Charging amps: 0-15A
- Good for lead-acid batteries
- Compatible batteries: Wet/Flooded, Gel Cel, Absorbed Glass Mat
- Fully charges and maintains motorcycle, snowmobile, ATV, personal watercraft (e., Sea-Doo), lawn mower, car, truck, SUV, RV, diesel truck, and boat batteries
- Weight: 5.5 pounds
- Dimensions: 12.35” x 9.76” x 5.63”
What We Like
Despite some initial reservations, we ended up liking the simple display and button configuration. And it’s great that it will work with pretty much every battery in the stable. When not in use, its compact size makes it easy to store.
The alternator diagnostic feature is one we haven’t come across often, but it’s a good one to have. Basically, the charger checks your vehicle’s battery while under load and from that can deduce if the alternator is doing its job – which is to keep your battery charged.
Another great feature is the 40A engine start timer. Although 8 minutes is much slower than the immediate results of a jump starter, it’s a heck of a lot faster than waiting for a standard charger.
What We Don’t Like
Not being able to charge 6V batteries is a bit limiting (check your battery’s voltage!). It’s also too bad you can’t charge Lithium-ion batteries.
Who Is This Model Best Suited to
Most car owners will find this charger useful, despite the lack of 6V capabilities. Anyone slightly intimidated by the process of charging batteries will appreciate the simplicity of operation.
Other Models Might Suit You If:
- You have lithium-ion batteries
- You have 6V batteries
- You want a dedicated marine charger (and are concerned about it getting wet)
Final Thoughts
For basics, but with a few extras, this charger is a good choice. The simplicity alone is enough to recommend it, but the bonus features make it an excellent investment.
To read more, click the link:
Optima Digital 400 12V Performance Maintainer and Battery Charger
This is definitely one of the smaller units we’ve seen, so it’s only natural to be a bit skeptical. Mind you, plenty of good things come in small packages…
Overall Impressions
The Digital 400 is actually fairly hefty, at about 2.5 pounds. That’s pretty chunky, considering its small frame.
A lot is going on when you look at the front of the unit, and it’s packed in there pretty tight. You might think at first that it’s only meant to work with Optima’s color-coded series of batteries, but it will certainly work with all brands. It won’t take up much space, and the cords wrap nicely around it. If you like to keep a tidy garage, you’ll love this charger.
What’s In the Box?
- Main unit, including cables and clamps
- Eyelet connectors and cables
- Wall mounting bracket
Features
- LED indicators
- LCD display
- Built-in hook for hanging
- Kickstand for standing on a flat surface
- Built-in cable wrap
- Clamp storage on a wall mount
- Automatically changes from charging to maintenance mode
- Conditioning mode
- 30-Day storage reconditioning mode
- Spark-free connectors
- Reverse polarity indicator
- Over-temperature protection
- Extreme temperature compensation
Specs
- Charges 12V batteries
- Charges up to 130Ah
- Charging amps: up to 4A for large batteries, up to 3A for small batteries
- Good for lead-acid batteries
- Compatible batteries: Wet/Flooded, Absorbed Glass Mat, Deep cycle
- Fully charges and maintains motorcycle, snowmobile, ATV, personal watercraft (e., Sea-Doo), lawn mower, car, truck, SUV, RV, diesel truck, and boat batteries
- Cable length: 6’
- Weight: 2.5 pounds
- Dimensions: 7.1” x 3.9” x 2.7”
- Wall mountable
What We Like
You get a lot of features for such a small unit, and it is smartly designed for use and storage. Being able to mount it, set it on a table, or hang it somewhere handy, makes it super versatile.
The 30-Day reconditioning mode is great for bringing a seriously bunged-up battery back to life, or for keeping a battery maintained while you’re away. It seems as if you can recharge even the deadest batteries of nearly any size or function, making this a one-stop charging shop for 12V batteries.
What We Don’t Like
The display is kind of busy, and it might take time to learn to read it “at a glance.” We wish it could charge 6V batteries, too, as well as Lithium-ion.
Who Is This Model Best Suited to
Most owners of small to medium-sized vehicles will find this unit useful given the variety of batteries it can charge. People with limited workspace in the garage or shed will appreciate the small size of the charger.
Other Models Might Suit You If:
- You have a large vehicle with a big battery
- You have a bunch of 6V batteries
- You have a lithium-ion battery
Final Thoughts
This is an impressive little charger, with a lot going for it. It’s not the most versatile charger, but it’s pretty good for most average motorists. The convenient size certainly makes it a top contender if you have a small garage.
You can take a big look at this little guy here:
e your order, with a click of the link:
STANLEY J5C09 Jump Starter
Ok, technically this isn’t a car battery charger, it’s a jump starter. However, there is value to be had in a jump starter, so we thought we’d include one here.
Overall Impressions
The first thing we like about this starter is that Stanley makes it. Our confidence in its reliability is high.
Overall, it gives the impression of being a serious piece of equipment, without appearing complicated or intimidating. The whole thing looks well thought out with nice features like the dual cable management systems to keep your cables in good condition and tidy.
What’s In the Box?
- Main unit, including cables and clamps
- Adaptor nozzles for the air pump
- 12V male-to-male cable charging cable.
Features
- USB charging port
- 12V DC outlet
- 120V AC charger
- LED emergency light
- Air compressor (for inflating tires)
- Reverse polarity indicator
- Battery status LED indicators
- Powder-coated, all-metal clamps
Specs
- 500 instant starting amps
- 1000 peak amps
- 120 PSI compressor
- Weight: 18lbs
- Dimensions: 11.2” x 8” x 13.5”
What We Like
This pack offers a lot of versatility for everyone from contractors to casual motorists. There are plenty of amps to get your car started, and we like the convenience of being able to charge up other mobile devices via USB, 12V DC and 120V AC.
Many modern cars come with all this stuff built in, but, if you’re like me and you have an older car, these are great to have. The air pump is a nice feature, too, even if you only use it for inflating rafts and floaties at the beach, (though we do prefer a portable air pump for tires!)
It’s easy to recharge; plug it in overnight at home or any available standard wall outlet. We also really like the reverse polarity indicator.
What We Don’t Like
It’s a little hefty at 18lbs, so you might not care to move it around a lot. Having said that, Stanley recommends recharging it every 30 days if you haven’t used it. We would have preferred rubber grips on the handles to a powder coat.
Who Is This Model Best Suited to
Anyone with an older vehicle or one light on features will appreciate the versatility. The security of carrying your own boost for emergencies, and the convenience of an air compressor and charging outlets, make this a seriously handy gadget to have.
Other Models Might Suit You If:
- You have chargers in your car already
- You have a very small car and don’t need this many amps
Final Thoughts
Getting caught with a dead battery can range from inconvenient to downright dangerous. Carrying a jump starter is a great insurance policy against being stuck in a lousy situation. So, all in all, we consider this to be a good investment.
To see more, check out this link:
Car Battery Charger Vs. Jump Starter – What’s the Difference and Which Do You Actually Need?
Recharging your car battery is not the same as jump-starting, or boosting your battery.
A jump starter or booster pack is a rechargeable battery pack you attach to your car battery. If you just need to get your car started, the jump starter will usually be able to do the trick. However, what it cannot do is recharge your battery. It delivers just enough juice to fire up the engine, and that’s it.
A charger is also different to a car battery maintainer. Battery maintainers keep a battery charged and in good condition for long time periods when not being used. Battery chargers, conversely, are plug-and-go top up devices to charge a battery, and aren’t meant to be left connected for long time periods.
How to Choose the Best Car Battery Charger for Your Needs
There are a lot of car chargers to choose from. Let’s have a look at some key features, and figure out what you should be looking for to get the right car battery charger for you.
Car Battery Charger Type/Compatibility
First up is finding a charger that’s compatible with your battery type.
There are many different car battery types. While you probably have a standard lead-acid battery in your car, don’t assume. Look under the hood, and think about what you’ll be charging before you buy.
Automatic or Manual Charger?
If you’re a “set it and forget it” kind of person, you’ll want an automatic car battery charger (aka “smart chargers”). With this type of charger, the unit stops charging once it senses the battery is at peak capacity.
A manual charger will keep charging until you switch it off, so there’s a real risk of overcharging.
Amperage (Peak and Jump Start Voltage)
If you’re trying to get a big vehicle going in a cold climate, your charger/jump starter needs to have the peak amperage to handle a heavy draw. While charging amps can go from as low as .75 amps (often shown as 750mA) to about 60 amps, for a heavy jump you may need more like 275 amps.
Average Charge Time
In a nutshell, the more amps, the faster the charge will be. Typical batteries have about 45 amp/hours. A 10-amp charger should have it recharged from fully depleted in about 5-6 hours. Check your amp hours before you get a charger and consider how long is too long to wait for a full charge.
Of course, the time required to charge a battery will vary, depending on whether you’re fully recharging, topping up, or using a trickle charge feature.
Tester Feature
Car battery chargers with a tester feature can show whether or not the battery has charge in it. If it seems to have enough to get the job done, then the problem must be elsewhere.
If your charger doesn’t have a testing feature, there are many standalone, reasonably priced car battery testers on the market, and we have a step-by-step guide to check out on how to test your car battery.
Safety Features
A good charger will have many safety features to protect you and your vehicle. The most basic features include insulated clamps and spark-resistant clamps. Other features to consider are reverse polarity warning (it’s all too easy to clamp on to the wrong terminal!) and overload, short-circuit, over-current, over-voltage, and overcharge protection.
Jumper Cable Length
A good charger can turn into a pain in the butt in a hurry if the cables don’t reach your terminals.
Think about where you plan to position your charger and pick cables the right length. Some chargers come with extension cables to adjust for differing needs. You can also purchase jumper cables separately.
Jump Start Feature
Some chargers will allow you to draw enough power to actually fire up the engine so you can get on your way. You may not need it often, but it’s a great feature to have in a pinch if you need to jump start your car.
Trickle Charge
This is a terrific feature to have on a charger that’s hooked up to a battery that is used irregularly. Once the battery reaches a certain level of charge (generally between 85-95%), a charger with this feature will automatically switch to a battery charge that will take the battery slowly up to 100% and hold it there.
Diagnostics
Wouldn’t it be great if you could have your own personal mechanic on call at all times? The next best thing, at least when it comes to batteries, is having a charger that can also run a diagnostic on your battery.
(Note: For more information on battery life, check out or article: How long does a car battery last?
Maintenance Mode
This feature works a bit like trickle chargers but skips the initial recharge. Instead, Maintenance Mode is for keeping a good battery charged and healthy during long-term storage.
Are You Ready to Lead the Charge?
All of these car battery chargers will do the trick, but one of them stood out from the crowd. Our top recommendation is the Schumacher SC-600A-CA.
It was a tough decision. Overall, however, the speed and versatility of the Schumacher makes it the best choice for most motorists. Not only will it charge most cars’ batteries, but it will do it quickly and simply…and for a great price, too!
Now that you know how great it is to own a vehicle battery charger, be sure and let your friends and family in on the secret, too. Share this article with them, and invite them to check out the site for plenty more automotive info.
