14 best automotive battery chargers

Automotive battery chargers, often referred to as battery chargers or jump starters, are essential tools for maintaining and jump-starting vehicle batteries. These devices are related to jump starters and fall within the category of tools and equipment used in the automotive industry. Here's what you need to know about automotive battery chargers:

Purpose: Automotive battery chargers are designed to recharge and maintain the charge of vehicle batteries, which can become depleted over time due to various factors like extreme weather conditions, prolonged periods of inactivity, or accidentally leaving lights on. They can also jump-start a vehicle with a dead or weak battery.
Types:
- Trickle Chargers: These chargers provide a slow, steady charge to the battery and are ideal for long-term maintenance to keep the battery in good condition.
- Fast Chargers: Designed to charge a dead or severely depleted battery quickly, these chargers provide a higher amperage output.
- Jump Starters: These are portable battery packs equipped with jumper cables. They can jump-start a vehicle without the need for another vehicle.
Features:
- Voltage Compatibility: Automotive battery chargers typically work with 12-volt batteries, which are common in cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
- Amperage Rating: The charger's amperage rating determines how quickly it can charge a battery. Higher amperage chargers charge batteries faster but may not be suitable for long-term maintenance.
- Safety Features: Many modern chargers have safety features like reverse polarity protection to prevent damage from incorrect connections.
- LCD Display: Some chargers have LCD screens that provide information on charging status, voltage, and battery health.
- Automatic Shut-off: This feature turns off the charger when the battery is fully charged, preventing overcharging.
Use Cases:
- Maintaining Battery Health: Regularly using a trickle charger can extend the lifespan of a vehicle's battery.
- Jump-Starting: Jump starters are invaluable for getting a vehicle back on the road when the battery is dead, and there's no access to another vehicle for a jump-start.
- Emergency Power: Some automotive battery chargers come with USB ports and power outlets, allowing them to serve as portable power sources for devices like smartphones or camping equipment.
Portability: Many automotive battery chargers are designed to be portable, making them easy to carry in the trunk of a vehicle. Jump starters, in particular, are compact and can be used without access to an electrical outlet.
Maintenance: It's essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions for using these devices safely. Regularly checking the battery's water level (for non-sealed batteries) and keeping the battery terminals clean can also help extend battery life.

In summary, automotive battery chargers, including trickle chargers, fast chargers, and jump starters, are essential tools for maintaining and jump-starting vehicle batteries. They come with various features and serve multiple purposes, making them valuable additions to any vehicle owner's toolkit.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best automotive battery chargers on the market

Schumacher SC1281 100 Amp 30 Amp 6V/12V Fully Automatic Smart Battery Charger 100A Engine Starter and 30A Boost Maintainer and Auto Desulfator Advanced Diagnostic Testing

Based on 3 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Charge or jump start your SUV, truck, or large battery with the Schumacher SC1281 6/12V Fully Automatic Battery Charger and 30/100A Engine Starter. Contains battery and alternator tester which provides charge level and helps diagnose electrical problems. Features 30A for quick energy boost and 100A to jump start your car right away. Microprocessor controlled, multi-stage charging adds precision, safety and battery life. Built-in reverse hook-up protection prevents charger from operating if clamps are reversed. LED indicators and Start/Stop push button interface improves accuracy and ease of use. Features auto voltage detection to easily detect 6 or 12V batteries. Meets the highest industry standards with its Schu Eco Energy. DOE compliant. Compatible with standard, AGM, gel, and deep-cycle batteries.

Features 30A quick boost and 1H2:L1600A jump start, powerful enough to start SUVs, trucks and large batteries
Battery and alternator tester provides charge level and helps diagnose electrical problems
Features multi-stage charging and auto-voltage detection for added precision, safety and battery life
Reverse hook-up protection ensures charger will not operate if clamps are reversed
Charges compatible battery types, including standard, AGM, gel and deep-cycle batteries

User questions & answers

Question:	Does this charger have a desulfation mode on it
Answer:	The manual talks about a desulfation mode existing, but does not say how to trigger it, or whether it is part of the automatic charging system. https://www.batterychargers.com/sites/default/files/manuals/0099001912E-R3.pdf page 8.
Question:	What does the 2/6 mean? Is this the trickle or battery maintenance mode info
Answer:	Starts at a moderate 6 amp charge reducing to 3 amps as charging nears completion.
Question:	Is it portable
Answer:	Light and portable, but needs a 120volt outlet, or a long(100' extension cord) to far distances.
Question:	Is this a 4 stage charger (bulk, absorption, float, equalization
Answer:	The SC1281 does, Bulk, absorption, equalization, desulfation and maintenance features

2/10/25A 12V Smart Battery Charger/Maintainer Fully Automatic with Engine Start, Cable Clamps

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price

Fast, Smart Battery Charger: The Battery Charger can charge all types of 12V Lead-acid Batteries, including GEL, AGM and STD. It is perfect for charging Automotive, Motorcycle, Marine, RV, PowerSport, Lawn & Garden, etc. Do not charge a frozen or dead battery that has gone below 3V.
7-Step Charging Program: Desulphation, Soft Start, Bulk Charge, Absorption, Battery Test, Recondition and Floating. This allows for optimization of battery power, without overcharging or damaging.
Advanced Start Aid: Engine Start Aid feature can help start your vehicle in about 120 seconds.
Auto Detect Systems: Features Battery Voltage detection, then automatically selects charge rate for charging and maintaining. Battery reconditioning feature helps extend battery life. LCD screen displays charging status and battery status with easy to understand icons.
Safety Protection: Battery Charger has Over Voltage, Over Heat, Overtime Charging, Short Circuit, and Reverse Polarity Protection to ensure users safety.

Product features

TowerTop Smart Battery Charger/Maintainer

Charges 12 Volt Lead Acid batteries including Standard, AGM, GEL, and Sealed Lead Acid.
LCD screen displays charging status and battery status with easy to understand icons.
Start Aid function can optimize the power of your battery in only 120 Second, giving you enough power to start most cars.
Warning:
For 12V battery only, not to be used with 24V battery.
Do not charge a frozen or dead battery that has gone below 3V.

7-STAGE CHARGING AND MAINTENANCE MODES

1. Desulphation: Pulse charges the battery to break down the build-up of lead sulphate crystals. Lead sulphate crystals can occur when a battery has been discharged or left unused for a period of time, seriously affecting the performance and lifespan of the battery.

2. Soft Start: A slow steady buildup of the charging process that limits the power supplied to protect the battery.

3. Bulk Charge: The main part of the charging process where 80% of the charge is applied.

4. Absorption: Fully charges the battery by slowly reducing the charge rate to allow the battery to absorb more power.

5. Battery Test: An automatic test to determine the battery condition after charging. If further charging is required, the Recondition stage is selected. If fully charged, the battery goes into Float status.

6. Recondition: Unique charge state to recover deeply discharged batteries.

7. Float: Maintains the battery at 100% charge without overcharging or damaging the battery, allowing the Smart Charger to be left connected to the battery indefinitely.

How the charger protects you and your battery?

TowerTop Battery Charger Stringently lab-tested in UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certified testing facilities. The Charger has UL/FCC certification.

Battery charger/maintainer has multifunctional Safety technology including short circuit protection, spark-free system, reverse polarity protection, overcharge protection,over-voltage protection, temperature protection, making it totally safe for anyone to use.

This allows you to safely maintain and extend the battery life of your lead-acid batteries while allowing your vehicles/equipment to operate more efficiently and stably.

Charging time(T)= battery capacity(Ah) / charging current(A)

Excellent ABS Shell

Hard, excellent impact resistance
Good flame retardancy
Corrosion resistance
Good electrical insulation
Widely used in automotive, electronic communications, construction, etc.

Unique Storage Cables Design

It easily solves your troubles with storing cables.
After use, you can quickly store your cables.
No more wasting your time.

What is the size of the charger?

Item Weight: 5.25 pounds
Power plug cable length: 6FT
Battery clip cable length: 6FT
Charger Dimensions: 10.1 x 6.9 x 4.7 inches

All-Inclusive Battery Clip

Insulated all-inclusive chuck, no need to worry about leakage
Bold inner core, stable current, no damage to battery
Large bite force, not fall off

Fully Automatic System

With Smart Detect System, Automatic current selection, Automatic Identify Low Voltage, Automatic Stop After Full-charged.

Smart Cooling Fan

Smart fan with fan controlled function. In the normal charging process, when the charger is in constant current and constant voltage state (when the current is greater than 3.5A or the temperature is greater than 122℉), the fan works normally.

Lightweight & Portable Design

Ergonomic design, the flexible handle makes the charger more portable. It’s a great addition to your tools for your car.

TACKLIFE T8-Newer Model 800A Peak 18000mAh Car Jump Starter with LCD Display (up to 7.0L Gas, 5.5L Diesel Engine), 12V Auto Battery Booster with Smart Jumper Cable, Quick Charger

TACKLIFE

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price

POWERFUL & HEAVY DUTY - With 800amps peak current and all-metal clamps with thickening grips and heavy duty bolder cables, TACKLIFE T8 can jump start your vehicles up to 30 times in a single charge (7.0L gas or 5.5L diesel engine) .
FAST CHARGING PORTS - 18000mAh capacity and dual smart USB outputs(5V/2.1A, 5V 2.4A/9V 2A) can fully charge your laptops, smartphones, tablets, and other devices fast and safe. 12V 10A DC port which can offer power for other car accessories.
ADVANCED PROTECTIONS - Intelligent jumper cable with indicating red/green lights and manually operable "BOOST" button makes your operations much easier than normal jumper cables. Featured with 8 protections including mistake-proof, spark-proof and reverse polarity protection, it can safely connect to any batteries.
LCD DISPLAY & COMPASS - The distinctive digital LCD screen can exactly show the remaining power of battery pack. The compass and 3 modes LED flashlight (SOS/Blink/Strobe) can help you find your way home when get lost in the wild.
WHAT YOU GET - TACKLIFE T8 jump starter, smart jumper cables, wall charger, car charger, USB cable, cigarette lighter socket adapter, user manual. It can be used for cars, motor, watercraft, ATV, UTV, yacht, snowmobile, 2-years replacement worry-free.