Skip to main content
Charging car with electricity and jumper cables. Credit: Getty Images

The Best Car Battery Chargers of 2024

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

Charging car with electricity and jumper cables. Credit: Getty Images

Why trust Reviewed?

Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.

Learn more about our product testing
Product image of Schumacher SC1281

Schumacher SC1281

Check Price at Amazon

This is a versatile charger that can handle 6-volt and 12-volt batteries, while also serving as a jump starter for your vehicle. Read More

Pros

  • Integrated jump starter
  • Diagnostic tools

Cons

  • Reports of auto-shutoff failure
Product image of Ctek MXS 5.0

Ctek MXS 5.0

Check Price at Amazon

This is a charger made specifically for 12-volt batteries, with all of the checks and safety features to be used unattended. Read More

Pros

  • Reliable
  • Safe for unattended use
  • 8-stage charging with monitoring

Cons

  • Not for dead batteries
Product image of Ford Performance M-10300-FP 5.0 Smart Battery Charger and Maintainer

Ford Performance M-10300-FP 5.0 Smart Battery Charger and Maintainer

Check Price at Amazon

If you own a common Ford car or truck model, the Performance 5.0 may be a perfect way to maintain your battery. Read More

Pros

  • Wide compatibility with Ford vehicles
  • Plug-and-play automatic operation

Cons

  • Only made for charging 12V batteries
Product image of Ampeak 2/8/15A 12V Smart Charger

Ampeak 2/8/15A 12V Smart Charger

Check Price at Amazon

This is a charger for 12-volt lead-acid batteries with a dedicated winter mode, to keep charging efficient even in the cold weather. Read More

Pros

  • Dedicated winter mode
  • Numerous charging rates
  • LCD display

Cons

  • Not for dead batteries
  • Only for lead-acid batteries
Product image of Nexpeak NC201

Nexpeak NC201

Check Price at Amazon

This is a charger for 12- and 24-volt batteries with a 7-stage quick-charge cycle for faster charging. Read More

Pros

  • Supports 12- and 24-volt batteries
  • Summer and winter modes

Cons

  • Not for dead batteries
  • Reports of early unit failure
  • Schumacher SC1281
  • Ctek MXS 5.0
  • Ford Performance M-10300-FP 5.0 Smart Battery Charger and Maintainer
  • Ampeak 2/8/15A 12V Smart Charger
  • Nexpeak NC201
  • Noco Genius 5
  • Battery Tender 4 AMP Car Battery Charger and Maintainer
  • More Articles You Might Enjoy

A car-battery charger is an excellent tool to have on hand. Unlike a jumpstarter, a car-battery charger keeps the power source for your lawn mower, boat, car, SUV, or truck charged after sitting for long periods of time. (Who wants to get stranded in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery?) These tools come in handy if you’re garaging a car in the winter, putting a snowmobile away for the season, or keeping your boat’s trolling batteries at full charge between fishing trips.

There are a few things to consider before making your purchase. First is to make sure the charger is compatible with your vehicle’s specific battery type. Not all chargers work with lithium-ion technology, for example. You should also make sure that the charger can handle your battery’s voltage. While most car chargers will handle 12 volts, some also work with six- or 24-volt batteries. Finally, check to see whether your charger has all the safety features you need—improper charging can lead to your battery overheating and breaking or, worse, catching fire. At a minimum, any charger should be equipped with temperature sensors as well as trickle-charging technology.

If you’re looking for the best car-battery charger to make sure that your machine stays fully charged, you’ve come to the right place. Here are our top picks among high-quality chargers you can get online now.

Editor's Note:

The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named.

Product image of Schumacher SC1281
Schumacher SC1281

The Schumacher SC1281 is a versatile charger, capable of both charging batteries over time and jumpstarting large car batteries in SUVs and trucks. The charger can handle both six-volt and 12-volt batteries, making it perfect for charging everything from motorcycles and small watercraft to boats and trucks. The charger is fully automatic, adjusting the amperage as needed, with integrated diagnostics to ensure your batteries get charging safely and with maximum efficiency.

Unlike most car-battery chargers, the Schumacher SC1281 gives you the emergency support you need. The integrated jumpstart feature has two modes, depending on your situation. The first is a 30-amp quick boost to get your battery over the hump. If the battery is committed to not starting, however, then the 100-amp jumpstart is powerful enough to start your car, such as an SUV or truck, or boat.

Pros

  • Integrated jump starter

  • Diagnostic tools

Cons

  • Reports of auto-shutoff failure

$89.99 from Amazon

$153.55 from Walmart
Product image of Ctek MXS 5.0
Ctek MXS 5.0

The CTEK 40-206 automatic battery charger is one of the highest-rated chargers on the market for 12-volt batteries. This charger features built-in temperature compensation, to adjust the charge rate to match the ambient temperature; a desulphation and reconditioning mode to restore battery life and power to aging batteries; and safe, convenient “set it and forget it” features to prevent overcharging when your battery is left unattended for extended periods.

The 40-206 also has a dedicated AGM mode, making it perfect for charging absorbent glass mat batteries. If you’re looking to charge a 12-volt battery for your vehicle or equipment, then it’s hard to go wrong with the CTEK.

Pros

  • Reliable

  • Safe for unattended use

  • 8-stage charging with monitoring

Cons

  • Not for dead batteries

$84.95 from Amazon
Product image of Ford Performance M-10300-FP 5.0 Smart Battery Charger and Maintainer
Ford Performance M-10300-FP 5.0 Smart Battery Charger and Maintainer

If you own a Ford, this automatic “plug-and-play” charger and maintainer can extend the lifespan of your car or truck’s battery or get you safely back on the road in a hurry. The manufacturer calls it “one of the fastest, most efficient consumer chargers available,” and it’s versatile enough to handle any 12-volt lead-acid battery.

Specifically, it’s known to work great with the Ford Bronco (1970–77), F-150 (2009–21), Fiesta (2014–19), Focus (2013–19), Ford Mustang (2005–21), Ford Ranger (2019–20), and Super Duty (2005–20). There’s no special warranty included, but Ford offers a 30-day return policy if you hang on to your receipt.

Pros

  • Wide compatibility with Ford vehicles

  • Plug-and-play automatic operation

Cons

  • Only made for charging 12V batteries

Buy now at Amazon

$114.95 from Walmart
Product image of Ampeak 2/8/15A 12V Smart Charger
Ampeak 2/8/15A 12V Smart Charger

The Ampeak smart battery charger is a great option for charging all kinds of 12-volt lead-acid batteries. This unit automatically selects the proper charging rate for your battery—from eight, 12, or 15 amps—allowing you to charge GEL, AGM, and STD lead-acid batteries. With its multi-stage precision and ongoing monitoring, there’s no worry about overcharging or undercharging the battery, regardless of the temperature.

The advanced LCD display sets this unit apart from similar chargers, giving you an easier and more immediate view of your battery’s status. Whether you’re charging a car, motorcycle, boat, ATV, or RV lead-acid battery, the Ampeak charger can handle it.

Pros

  • Dedicated winter mode

  • Numerous charging rates

  • LCD display

Cons

  • Not for dead batteries

  • Only for lead-acid batteries

Buy now at Amazon
Product image of Nexpeak NC201
Nexpeak NC201

The NexPeak 10-amp car-battery charger is a go-to solution for charging both 12- and 24-volt lead-acid batteries. The NexPeak offers a seven-stage quick-charge feature for a faster charging speed. The unit also offers eight levels of protection for your batteries, including smart controls, temperature controls, reverse protection to prevent damage to the charger, a cooling system, fireproof materials, and overvoltage protection. In addition, the unit automatically attempts to repair the function of your battery, restoring life and power.

The LCD screen and simple installation make this charger an easy-to-use option for anyone looking to charge their car, motorcycle, or boat battery.

Pros

  • Supports 12- and 24-volt batteries

  • Summer and winter modes

Cons

  • Not for dead batteries

  • Reports of early unit failure

Buy now at Amazon
Product image of Noco Genius 5
Noco Genius 5

The Noco Genius 5 is a five-amp automatic smart charger, designed for five- and 12-volt batteries. Beyond simply charging your batteries, this product is a full-battery maintenance station. It features a charger maintainer to keep the battery at optimum power without overcharging. It also includes a desulfator to recover some of the battery performance that is inevitably lost over time. Finally, the Noco Genius 5 includes thermal sensors to adapt the charging rate to the ambient temperature, preventing overcharging in hot climates and undercharging in cold.

Genius 5 is universal. It works as a trickle charger, float charger, and more, making it compatible with numerous types of batteries—deep-cycle, lithium-ion, and more. This means that it can work with a wide variety of vehicles, from lawnmowers to ATVs and motorcycles to cars, SUVs, and trucks.

Pros

  • Charges 6- and 12-volt batteries

  • Several safety features

  • Charges dead batteries

Cons

  • Reports of faulty equipment

$69.95 from Amazon

$69.95 from Home Depot

$69.95 from Walmart
Product image of Battery Tender 4 AMP Car Battery Charger and Maintainer
Battery Tender 4 AMP Car Battery Charger and Maintainer

This Battery Tender 4-Amp Automatic Battery Charger and Maintainer is made to fully charge your vehicle before automatically switching to float mode in order to sustain correct levels of voltage. It’s easy to use, and makes it simple to transition battery types, such as from flooded to lithium-ion batteries. Overall, this portable and lightweight charger will keep your vehicles performing well.

Pros

  • Spark-proof

  • Compact and lightweight

  • Affordable

Cons

  • Not very durable

Buy now at Amazon

Meet the testers

Jean Levasseur

Jean Levasseur

Contributor

Jean Levasseur became a professional writer over a decade-long career in marketing, public relations, and technical writing. After leaving that career to stay home to care for his twin boys, Jean has continued to write in a variety of freelance roles, as well as teaching academic writing at a local university. When he's not reviewing tools or chasing toddlers around the house, he's also an avid fiction writer and a growing woodworker.

See all of Jean Levasseur's reviews
Lily Hartman

Lily Hartman

Staff Writer, Search

Lily Hartman is a staff writer who also enjoys writing magazine articles about health and outdoor recreation. In her free time, she likes to hike, camp, run, and lift weights.

See all of Lily Hartman's reviews

Checking our work.

Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.

Shoot us an email

Up next