Do you ever get stuck at sea without power? If so, then you’ll want to invest in a reliable battery charger, either your boat has a cranking battery or a deep cycle battery. These may be different types of batteries like lead-acid, wet cell, gel, and lithium-ion, all have their different features and specific charging requirements.
Marine batteries are designed to operate under extreme conditions. They’re typically built to withstand saltwater, high temperatures, and even pressure changes. These batteries also come in a variety of sizes, from AA to D size.
Whatever type of battery in your boat, you have to have a battery charger, and without the charger, it will be hard to recharge your batteries. When it comes to the correct one, you can’t just buy any readily available battery charger. That is because, if you choose the wrong one, it may wreck your battery’s life. So It is crucial to find the best portable marine battery charger to get the best performance while charging your marine battery.
If you are looking for portable marine or onboard battery chargers with multiple battery banks, it’s best to get one with the best features and the latest innovations. That means it cannot only charge your battery but also protect and store its life. Below is a list of the best portable marine battery chargers to help you make an informed decision.
List of the Best Portable Marine Battery Chargers
1. NOCO Genius GENM2 - Best 2 Bank On-Board Marine Battery Charger
Using NOCO Genius GENM2 marine charger will ensure you enjoy your onboard activities like skiing, sailing, and fishing without having to worry about charge. This 2 bank charger has several benefits, the most important being that it is very safe to use.Because it does not generate any type of spark, and there will be no overheating or short circuit. It ensures that the battery does not overcharge. The GENM2 is designed to charge any type of battery, be it a wet cell battery or maintenance-free battery, making it very convenient.
The NOCO genius is also a waterproof charger that is completely sealed with epoxy potting compounds to shield it from adverse weather conditions. That means it can be mounted directly on various surfaces as it is designed for harsh marine environments. It can also be submerged up to 3m underwater over a long period without any malfunction. With the rapid charging technology feature, the NOCO genius can charge batteries twice as fast as regular battery chargers. All the innovative features incorporated in this charger make it a perfect portable marine battery charger. That means it offers you an excellent mix of rugged construction and high-tech.
More importantly, it has the ability to recondition older batteries and even jump charge mode to charge your completely dead battery. While most others in the market aren’t capable to do this job as per customer reviews.
The GEN onboard battery charger can detect, charge, diagnose, recover, and maintain lead-acid batteries. The battery is also fully automatic as it immediately shuts down when the battery is full. It has advanced safety features and has been certified and tested by several laboratories, including ISO marine standards and Coast guard ignition protection, and reverse polarity protection. With all those safety features, you also get a five-year warranty, which means it is a risk-free purchase.
Features
- Built-in desulfation to mend worn-out batteries
- Safely charge different lead-Acid battery types
- 4 Amps per bank onboard battery charger
- Advanced Tested and certified battery
- Waterproof Rugged Construction
- Advanced spark-proof safety protection
Pros
- Shuts down when the battery is full
- Saltwater-tested to avoid corrosion
- Can be submerged for long periods
- Certified safety features
- Easy to use
Cons
- It only charges 12v batteries.
2. ProMariner 43021 ProSport 3 bank Charger
The professional mariner ProSport Company was started over 35 years ago with one thing in mind, making marine activities smooth and enjoyable. It is a line full of onboard automatic marine battery chargers that give its users a way of charging batteries within a short period. Being a 3 bank marine charger means that it can charge three batteries simultaneously, which means you don’t have to carry several charging batteries with you. Instead, this one is enough for you.
The ProSport 3 bank marine charger has LED indicators that show you the state of your batteries. That helps you maintain your cells in the right conditions and at an optimum charge. Additionally, the batteries are 100% waterproof and shockproof; which means that if your boat starts taking in water, it will still work without failure and will be very safe to use. Its size makes it lighter than other marine onboard chargers, hence portable enough to take with you wherever you go.
The charger’s safety mechanisms ensure that you are well protected from over-voltage, increased temperature, and overloading. That means your batteries will remain safe throughout the charging process. Overall, the pro-Mariner charger is very reliable, efficient, and easy to use. Its features and specifications make it a significant investment. On top of all that you still get a two-year warranty is a plus.
Features
- Waterproof and shockproof design
- Built-in Safety and Quality
- Digital Multiple Charging
- Lightweight design
- LED indicators
Pros
- Works underwater quite well
- Easy to use and highly safe
- Energy saver mode
- 2 Year Warranty
- Safe to use
Cons
- Not compatible for 4D batteries
3. BMK Smart Charger - The Best Portable Marine Battery Charger
Are you looking for a portable charger that can charge different batteries at the same time, then the BMK smart battery charger is an excellent option for you to consider. It comes with a removable alligator, clips, and rings. Besides charging your boat battery, it can also be used to charge your car battery or the lawnmowers battery. The battery has a fully automatic function feature with four stages; they include 100, 75, 50, and 25-per cent. The process shows the quantity of electricity and oversees the charging process. The BMK 12v smart charger also has an LED indicator to show the battery charging status.
This portable battery charger has the ability to alert you when the battery is full and noticing that the battery is complete, the charger automatically switches off. The automatic shutdown function is helpful because it ensures that the battery’s life remains intact. The charger comes with different safety features, including no overcharge, overload, or short circuit, and you can have peace of mind while charging your batteries. Being a thoroughly tested and certified battery by several approved bodies means you get a durable and efficient performing battery. Its size makes it compact and very portable, which means you can take it with you anywhere you go.
The BMK charger is fitted with an upgraded defective battery feature that detects any faulty battery before deciding to charge it. The 72-hour safety feature ensures that your battery does not overcharge, meaning you can charge leave it to load, and do other activities. That makes it an excellent time-saving battery as you don’t have to wait around for it to be full so that you can turn it off.
Features
- Defective battery detection
- Automatic shut off feature
- Portable and lightweight
- Safety protection design
- 4-stage smart charging
- Waterproof design
Pros
- Compatible with various types of batteries
- Lightweight and Compact design
- Charging status indicator
- High-quality design
- Safe & secure to use
Cons
- The indicator may not be clear.
4. Minn Kota MK110PC Precision Charger - Best Onboard Boat Battery Charger
The Minn Kota is among the big names in the market; it should not be a surprise that the precision charger is among the best onboard boat battery charger. This type of charger has excellent features, specifically there to make your marine experience enjoyable and fun. The MK110PC is a 10 AMP single bank charger. However, Minn Kota has multi-bank chargers like 2 bank, 3 bank, and 4 bank as well, depending on the customer’s choice. It is compatible with most batteries, including AGM, HP, GEL, and even GM, It can quickly and efficiently switch between different types of cells. That makes it the best charger for AGM marine batteries as well. The charger has a multi-stage charging profile that gives you quality charging at a fast rate.
It uses a digital interface that connects to a microprocessor, controls the line voltage, compensates for temperature changes automatically, and controls the battery voltage. Minn Kota charger is designed to be waterproof, vibration-resistant, shockproof, and even corrosion-resistant. It is compliant with FCC rules and boasts ignition, reverses polarity, and protects your battery from short circuits. With all that in mind, you still get a warranty of three years wherein case anything happens to it, the company replaces it with a new one. The warranty process may take longer for some companies to take effect as they require so much information to prove that you bought the charger from them and that it is defective.
The Minn Kota battery charger is also an automatic charger whereby it shuts off immediately. Your battery is full, which is excellent because it means your battery’s life will remain intact for a very long period. It also cleans and conditions your battery. Also It is very lightweight compared to other similar models making it a most demanding portable charger. There is also an LED display that gives you the power status and the battery type. The chargers are reverse polarity, short circuit, and ignition protected.
Features
- DC microprocessor to help stay longer under the water
- Automatic shutoff feature
- One bank battery charger
- Wide Compatibility
- Waterproof design
Pros
- Maintains the batteries life quite well
- Vibration and corrosion resistant
- Automatic Temperature Compensation
- Can be used underwater safely
- Replacement warranty
- Easy to use
Cons
- Designed for 120 VAC only
5. TECMATE OptiMATE 6 Ampmatic - Best Trolling Motor Battery Charger
TECMATE manufactures the deep cycle battery charger that is very innovative and automatic. The Ampmatic 5A is a battery saver because it can identify a discharged or sulfated battery. The OptiMATE six is very durable and lasts for a very long period. It helps maintain your lead-acid battery because it is among the best marine deep cycle battery charger. It can also be used to charge your car and motorcycle batteries.
TECMATE Optimate charger features a multi-stage desulphation that helps restore a neglected battery even if it has gone under 0.5 volts. It is the best charger for almost all battery sizes from 3AH to 240AH. The cell voltage balancing feature is excellent for new batteries used for the first time, optimizing the battery’s performance.
Apart from marine use, this battery charger can be used to charge your cars. It has an automatic shutdown feature which means if the battery gets disconnected or short circuits, it will immediately shut down. That means that it is very safe to use. This best trolling motor battery charger can also be used indoors, making it convenient. The battery is also waterproof and can be easily mounted on the wall. Being waterproof means that if your boat starts taking water, maybe because of a massive storm, and your battery suddenly dies, it will charge your battery efficiently despite the harsh conditions.
Features
- Compatible with any battery size
- Tests and saves flat batteries
- Durable and quality assured
- 24-hour safety protection
- Outdoor and indoor use
- Waterproof design
Pros
- Automatic shutdown safety design
- Has a replacement warranty
- Highly efficient and reliable
- Lightweight and portable
- Can be used underwater
- Easy to use
Cons
- Hard to understand instructions
Final Verdict on Choosing The Best Deep Cycle Marine Battery Charger
As you have noted, buying a marine battery charger is not a simple task. You should consider the exterior looks and the charger’s features. It has to be compatible with the battery that you intend to charge and have safety features to help your battery life last longer. Normally the Marine deep cycle batteries last the longest and charge the fastest if they are charged properly in distinct phases. The auto-shutdown features found in most marine chargers are also great because they prevent the battery from short-circuiting and overcharging.
