Tired of paying full price at the garage for your battery problems? Save on your budget by buying a car battery charger. Take a closer look at the most popular model among motorists today: the Noco Genius5. It's versatile and has an effective anti-sulfation function, so it'll charge your battery in any situation. Read our guide to find out more.
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Our selection
"The Noco Genius 5EU is worth every penny. Compatible with all types of batteries, it adjusts the charge rate according to the ambient temperature, revives…"
"For a cheap battery charger, the Inthoor XA-12 has no reason to be ashamed of the other models in this comparison. To its credit, there…"
"The Noco Genius 10EU is a multifunctional battery charger. It can be used as a charger, maintainer and desulfator. A compact and high performance model…"
"What makes the Bosch C7 so special? Its memory function and the protection of the battery against overcharging, overheating, sparks, short circuits or reverse polarity.…"
The Noco Genius 5EU is worth every penny. Compatible with all types of batteries, it adjusts the charge rate according to the ambient temperature, revives dead batteries down to 1V and charges 6V and 12V batteries via a simple push button.
63,96 £ on AmazonThe Noco Genius 5 is an update of the Noco Genius 2. It offers the same functionality, but with more punch. The 5A charge rate, rather than 2A, means that batteries up to 120Ah can be charged and maintained with the Genius 5.
Like other Noco car battery chargers, this one shines in its ability to charge weak batteries, including batteries that only deliver 1V thanks to the anti-sulfation feature, and its ability to charge lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries. The Noco Genius 5 can also handle all small and medium capacity 6V and 12V batteries. Beware of exposure to moisture and sunlight!
For a cheap battery charger, the Inthoor XA-12 has no reason to be ashamed of the other models in this comparison. To its credit, there is the multiple safety system (overheating, short circuit...), the auto-repair function and many others.
25,59 £ on AmazonIngeniously designed, the Inthoor XA-12 prevents low voltage, over voltage, over current, reverse connection, short circuit and overheating of your car battery. Its fan guarantees a better longevity. Equipped with an LCD screen, it measures and displays various data on your battery such as voltage, current, capacity, temperature, state of charge...
For more convenience, the charger turns off automatically once the charge is complete. Note that this charger is not limited to car batteries since it also takes care of motorcycle, truck, lawnmower, boat and other batteries. However, it is impossible to revive a dead battery or repair a heavily damaged battery.
The Noco Genius 10EU is a multifunctional battery charger. It can be used as a charger, maintainer and desulfator. A compact and high performance model for lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries.
122 £ on AmazonThe Noco Genius 10EU is compatible with all types of vehicles. You can charge and maintain batteries in cars, motorcycles, lawnmowers, ATVs, tractors, trucks, SUVs, boats and more. In addition, this equipment charges dead 6V and 12V batteries that have only 1V. The Force-Mode function allows you to take control and manually start charging dead batteries.
With the Noco Genius 10EU, you can restore a battery very well. It detects sulfation, acid stratification and restores lost performance for stronger engine starts and longer battery life. This battery charger is really simple to install and use. Just plug in, connect to the battery, select a charge mode and start charging.
What makes the Bosch C7 so special? Its memory function and the protection of the battery against overcharging, overheating, sparks, short circuits or reverse polarity. Add to that its simplicity and 100% automatic charging and you have a model that fits your needs perfectly.
78,10 £ on AmazonThe Bosch C7 is an intelligent 6-stage automatic battery charger with excellent additional features, including regeneration mode and backup power. In addition, it is ideal for charging and maintaining wet lead acid, gel, AGM and VRLA / SLA batteries up to 230Ah (12V) / 120Ah (24V). The regeneration mode of the Bosch C7 battery charger can recover deeply discharged batteries with a constant current of 1500 mA.
The Bosch C7 battery charger has an exceptionally wide range of applications. You can use it to charge batteries in classic cars, modern cars, motorcycles, trucks, boats, caravans and electric lawnmowers, among others.
Any specific needs?
The best car battery charger in 2021
The best entry-level car battery charger
The best high-end car battery charger
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| TOP OF THE TOP | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
9/10 |
8/10 |
9/10 |
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| OUR SELECTION |
Noco Genius 5EU
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Inthoor XA-12
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Noco Genius 10EU
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Bosch C7
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The Noco Genius 5EU is worth every penny. Compatible with all types of batteries, it adjusts the charge rate according to the ambient temperature, revives dead batteries down to 1V and charges 6V and 12V batteries via a simple push button.
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For a cheap battery charger, the Inthoor XA-12 has no reason to be ashamed of the other models in this comparison. To its credit, there is the multiple safety system (overheating, short circuit...), the auto-repair function and many others.
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The Noco Genius 10EU is a multifunctional battery charger. It can be used as a charger, maintainer and desulfator. A compact and high performance model for lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries.
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What makes the Bosch C7 so special? Its memory function and the protection of the battery against overcharging, overheating, sparks, short circuits or reverse polarity. Add to that its simplicity and 100% automatic charging and you have a model that fits your needs perfectly.
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Maximum current supplied
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5 A
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8 A
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10 A
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7 A
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Car battery voltage supported
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6 V / 12 V
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12 V / 24 V
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6 V / 12 V
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12 V / 24 V
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Battery capacity supported
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Up to 120 Ah
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Up to 150 Ah (for 12 V batteries) and up to 100 Ah (for 24 V batteries)
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Up to 230 Ah
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Up to 230 Ah (12 V) / 120 Ah (24 V)
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Protection index
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IP6X
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-
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IP65
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IP65
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Auto shutdown function
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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There are manual and automated chargers on the market. The first ones offer the advantage of a more affordable price with the possibility to choose between fast and slow charging, but their use requires a good supervision at the risk of damaging the battery. The latest models are fully automated, which gives them a certain autonomy. Although more expensive, these chargers allow a secure, unattended recharge, in addition to several battery maintenance modes. Your choice will depend on your budget but also on whether you need additional options.
Before you choose a particular model, you absolutely must know the voltage supported by your battery. This information will guide your choice, as you will necessarily need a charger of the same capacity. Many of the chargers offered are suitable for 12V batteries, but there are some that are more versatile and suitable for both 6V and 12V batteries.
If you want to buy an automatic charger, it is necessary to check the type of charge control device incorporated. This device is indeed a guarantor of the charger's autonomy and must at least include an automatic shutdown function and an LED charge indicator for added safety. Some more sophisticated models can even be remotely controlled.
A
battery charger is above all a piece of equipment intended to be carried everywhere, hence the interest that it is compact and light to be easy to carry. It should not clutter the trunk of your car and should be as easy to use as possible.
Some chargers are equipped with different modes to optimize the life of the batteries, allowing them to be maintained regularly. For example, there are highly advanced models with overheating, spark and reverse polarity protection, but also with battery test, floating charge hold or start assist functions. The sophistication of the tool can obviously have an impact on the price, so you should make your choice according to your real needs.
Batteries are usually filled with solutions (electrolytes) containing sulfuric acid or potassium hydroxide. These highly corrosive chemicals can permanently damage eyesight and cause severe skin burns. Sulfuric acid and potassium hydroxide are also toxic if ingested.
Lead, nickel, lithium or cadmium compounds often found in batteries are harmful to humans and animals. These chemicals can also cause serious environmental damage. If your battery is worn out, take it to your nearest collection point instead of throwing it in the garbage.
Hydrogen and oxygen are usually produced inside a battery while it is being charged. An ignition source (flame, spark, cigarette or any hot object, electrical equipment, cell phone) will often cause these gases to ignite and explode. The explosion is often so violent that it shatters the battery and produces a dangerous shower of fragments and corrosive chemicals.
Hydrogen and oxygen are produced more rapidly as the battery is nearly fully charged. If you continue charging after the battery is fully charged, a large amount of gas will be produced, greatly increasing the risk of explosion, especially if it occurs in a confined space.
Batteries store a lot of energy. Under certain circumstances, this energy can be released very quickly and unexpectedly. This can happen when the terminals are shorted, for example by an uninsulated metal key. When this happens, a large amount of electricity flows through the metal object, making it very hot very quickly.
If the battery explodes, the resulting shower of molten metal can cause severe burns and ignite explosive gases around the battery. The sparks can emit enough ultraviolet (UV) light to damage the eyes. Most batteries produce fairly low voltages, so there is little risk of electric shock. It is therefore important to follow the manufacturer's instructions in the manual carefully.
As battery charging can cause some health problems, it is necessary to wear protective gear such as glasses and gloves.
The battery charger works exactly like a cell phone charger except that its output voltage is around 12V DC. It must be plugged into a 220V AC source to work and will certainly not work in places without electricity. During charging, it evaluates, tests the charging time of your battery and can even diagnose the condition of your alternator. A charging management that may not be found on battery boosters. The charging speed of your battery will depend mainly on the current supplied by your charger.
The battery booster is a portable device that gives a boost to your existing battery in a few minutes in order to start your vehicle's engine. It is easy to use because you just have to turn it on and connect it to the positive and negative terminals of your car battery. However, it does not allow you to recharge your battery up to 100% nor to follow the state of charge of this one but will help you especially when you find yourself broken down in the middle of nowhere.
If you're going to be traveling somewhere far away without electricity or in very cold areas and are worried about running out of battery power, get a booster that will help your vehicle start. However, if you want to diagnose the real state of your car's battery by fully charging it, use a charger that will analyze the state of wear of your battery as well as your alternator.
As a precaution
Short trips in the city and prolonged mobility tend to tire out car batteries, resulting in untimely discharges. To prevent breakdowns, it is best to keep a battery charger in your trunk so that you can get help at any time without calling a mechanic.
For regular maintenance
Battery chargers have become very sophisticated in recent times. Many are not limited to just charging, but also help maintain the battery to help it hold a charge better.
To save money
A battery charger is a device that you can take with you everywhere to help you out whenever a battery failure surprises you. It allows you to considerably reduce the cost of repairs at the mechanic. In addition, some chargers allow regular maintenance of the battery to extend its life.
Safe charging
The chargers that have recently appeared on the market are automated, and some are equipped with safety devices against overcharging, overheating and other phenomena that can damage the battery. They allow an autonomous and secure use, with according to the models, a function of automatic stop incorporated.
Practical
The design of battery chargers is increasingly improved to make these devices compact and easy to carry. Moreover, the automatic versions are autonomous and very easy to handle.
In our opinion, the best brands of car battery chargers in 2022 are :
This brand is a hit with motorists thanks to its intelligent, anti-surcharges, anti-short circuit, robust and fully automated battery chargers.Noco chargers also have the ability to detect battery problems and instantly begin repair.
The chargers from this brand are some of the most convenient and handy. These include versions that do both maintainer for 6V to 12V batteries or those that offer a diagnostic of your battery to adjust the charge needed.
We love this brand for its vehicle battery chargers. Connoisseurs particularly appreciate Dunlop chargers for their compactness, charge levels (up to 5 levels for lead acid or gel batteries) and their ability to automatically regenerate and maintain batteries.
Filmer markets chargers that support 6 to 12V batteries. Featuring reverse polarity and overcharge protection, Filmer chargers are popular because of their compactness, fast charging, ease of use, and excellent battery charge maintenance.
World-wide, Bosch is known for the quality of its tools, appliances, and equipment, including its battery chargers. Simple to use, intelligent and automatic, these chargers incorporate an integral protection system for the battery.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
Clean the battery terminals before charging.
Corrosion of the terminals of your battery will cause poor electrical contact.
Always remember to connect the red positive (+) cable first.
Then the black negative (-) cable. Then connect the charger to the mains. If you connect the negative first, you risk causing a short circuit that will damage the battery and possibly other parts of the vehicle's electrical system. Good car chargers offer protection against this.
Slower is better.
A fast charge can save you time, but batteries always charge better with a slow charge, hence the popularity of slow chargers. Smart battery chargers work much the same way when used normally, although smart circuits can reduce charging times considerably.
Check for a faulty alternator.
Your car's alternator should keep the battery charged. If your battery continues to run flat even after a full charge, it's possible that one of your alternators is defective.
Coat the battery terminals with grease designed for high temperatures.
If you don't have grease designed for high temperatures, it's best to check your battery clamps and terminals from time to time to make sure there's no rust buildup. But, if you have this kind of grease, put some on the terminals of your battery. This will prevent rust and corrosion on the metal surface of the terminals.
The best car battery charger depends on your needs and budget. Read our buying guide for the best products out there.
Yes, this can very well happen if you leave the charger connected all the time, even at just 2 amps. Overcharging a battery causes excessive gas formation. The electrolyte heats up and hydrogen and oxygen gas are generated. On sealed batteries, the gas buildup even goes so far as to cause the battery to burst.
If your car is parked in a driveway or garage, a battery charger can be plugged into the mains and connected to your car to ensure a constant flow of power when the vehicle is not in use.
Recharginga dischargedcar battery can take at least 4 hours, and even up to 24 hours depending on the power of the charger and the size of the battery. Typically, battery chargers produce about four amps, but there are much more powerful chargers on the market.
Yes, if the battery is charged, it won't make any difference in case the charger is connected or not. On the other hand, if the battery is discharged, the car will not start because a charger cannot provide enough current.
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