What kind of battery charger should I get for my car? There are lots of choices out there, but finding the right one can be tricky.
If you want to stay safe on the road, you need a reliable way to charge your vehicle’s battery. The problem is, that most cars come with a standard 12V outlet, which isn’t enough to fully recharge a modern battery. That’s why you need a portable car battery charger.
There are several types of car chargers, each offering its own benefits. Some are designed to be plugged into a wall socket, while others require a special adapter. In addition, some models offer features such as USB ports or wireless charging capabilities.
Moreover, portable battery chargers are of two types: trickle chargers and fast chargers. They both charge the battery at different speeds, but they differ in their charging time. You should consider various aspects while selecting one from the capacity to cranking ability. The best car battery charger is the one that is durable and restores charge quickly after depletion. Let’s review the top choices deeply.
Table of Contents
List of The Best Portable Car Battery Chargers
1. Battery tender plus 021 - Best Portable Car Battery Charger
This is one of the best portable car battery chargers available in the market. Battery tender plus 021 car battery charger or jumper features a microprocessor that helps in assessing the status of the battery. Furthermore, it starts charging using the correct mode automatically. The microprocessor as well protects the battery from overcharging by automatically unhooking itself.
Battery tender plus for car storage is equipped with some fantastic features for maximum safety while operating it. Some of these features include anti-sparking ability and reverse polarity. The reverse polarity enhances this process. Your battery will not charge when the clips are wrongly placed; These features will reduce the chances of your ruining your battery.
Features & Specifications
- Water-proof
- Anti-sparking ability
- Reverse polarity
- Safety timer
- Weighs 2.3 pounds
Pros
- Portable
- Reliable
- Durable
Cons
- Expensive when compared to other models
2. Stanley BC25BS – Best Car Battery Charger
Stanley BC25BS battery charger or jumper is a fully automatic car charger equipped with versatile features that you might consider having among your car accessories. Whether your marine or car’s engine cannot start due to faulty battery or the battery might require some maintenance, this is the best charger to have to help in solving those minor issues.
To start the entire process, all you need to do is connect the clip to the terminals and then press charge.No matter, you have marine or car battery, it is equally important for all batteries. However, Stanley is also considered one of the best portable marine battery chargers along with car batteries.
One of the most admirable features available in the Stanley battery charger is you don’t have to select charge rate every single time. The battery charger is equipped with the inbuilt capability of automatically selecting a charge rate. Furthermore, the charge rate ranges from the trickle charger to a rapid charge. This feature helps extend the life span of your battery.
Features & Specifications
Stanley’s battery charger is equipped with LCD, which displays the current state of charging whenever it is in use. Furthermore, the LCD carries out the battery’s diagnosis. The battery charger features reverse polarity, which protects the battery from damage. When the clips are misconnected to the terminals, the battery will not charge.
You should note that Stanley battery charger features a patented alternator check, which shows if the alternator is maintaining the correct battery level. For safety and better performance, the alternator is ETL Certified.
- Automatic frequency charging
- Reverse polarity
- LCD screen display
- Battery reconditioning feature
- Equipped with 3-stage charging
- Weighs approximately 8 ounces
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Great performance
- Safe for use
Cons
- It is not durable
3. NOCO Genius - The Best Car Battery Charger 2022
This smart battery charger is capable of charging twice the speed of an ordinary battery charger. The NOCO genius battery charger is considered as the fastest battery charger available in the market. This battery charger is designed for 12 volts to 24 volts lithium-ion batteries as well as lead-acid battery up to 230Ah.
NOCO genius battery charger is capable of powering DC devices and repairing damaged batteries. Furthermore, it operates well with CANBUS electric system as well as micro-hybrid start-stop vehicles.
This smart battery charger is equipped with a microcomputer which monitors all the battery’s activities, which are necessary for the safe and efficient charging process. The battery charger will minimize consumption and the optimal level of protection automatically. These features consist of overcharge protection, reverse polarity, and anti-spark technology.
Features & Specifications
You can connect the charger to the battery throughout the day without having to worry about overcharging or damaging it. Its sleek design ensures that it is portable, compact, and weighs less.
Furthermore, NOCO genius battery charger is equipped with external mounting holes and rubber base to protect it from scratching or slipping the surface which it is placed on. It is equipped with an LED indicator that gives feedback on the battery’s charging process, among other diagnostic information.
- Fast charge
- Equipped with an inbuilt microcomputer
- Mounting holes for maximum stability
- Perfect for use on 12 volts and 24 volts lithium-ion battery and lead-acid battery
- Safe for use since it is equipped with reverse polarity and anti-spark technology
- LED indicator which gives feedback on charging progress
Pros
- Portable
- Easy to operate design
- Faster than ordinary chargers
Cons
- It slightly expensive
4. Schumacher Manual Wheeled – Best Portable Battery Charger for Cars
This is a manual battery charger with a wide range of capabilities, including charging rates for various operations. The Schumacher manual wheeled battery charger can analyze the electrical system as well as the starting problem which the system might be undergoing. This charger is suitable for 6V and 12V car batteries. Furthermore, it can support 200 amps for emergency starting and 40 amps for fast charging for approximately one to three hours.
You should note that the charger does not feature a microprocessor as well as any button. Usually, Schumacher battery charger or jump starter operates manually, as well as monitoring. Furthermore, it does not shut off automatically. If you are often around your charger, this should not be a problem; however, you should not leave it unattended or use it to charge the battery overnight. Your battery might reach its full capacity and overcharge.
Features & Specifications
This charger boasts of three charge states, which include a rapid 40 amp rate, 2 amp for a slow trickle charge, and ten amps rate for fast charging. This battery charger features an incredible speedy charge rate for a standard car battery. You can charge your battery within an hour or less while using the rapid 40 amp rate. When loading using the slow 2 amp rate, it will take approximately two hours or less for the battery to be fully charged.
- It is capable of charging both 6 volts and 12 volts batteries.
- Equipped with three charging rates
- There are two rotary switches and a voltmeter present.
- Heavy-duty
- Has wheels for easy moving
Pros
- It offers lots of power.
- Super durable
- Portable
Cons
- Despite being a portable battery charger, Schumacher is a bit heavier than most of the other battery chargers. It weighs approximately 27.3 pounds.
Guide to Buying a Best portable car battery charger
Now that we have reviewed some of the best portable car battery chargers in the market, we would like to let you know how to choose the one that best suits your needs. As usual, you would like to have a car battery charger that gives you the best performance, maintain the health status of your battery, and charge efficiency. These aspects will help boost the life span of your car’s battery.
Furthermore, you should consider going for more than just a charger in today’s technology advancement. Having a charger that runs diagnostic and offers the health of your battery is essential. Moreover, what type of technology is used in making jump starter or battery charger. Keep in mind, the Lithium-ion jump starters or chargers are require less maintenance than lead acid or any other type of starter or battery charger. Such Best Portable Car Battery chargers are highly recommended to help with prolonging the life span of your battery.
With that said, here are some of the critical aspects you need to consider when purchasing a battery charger or jump starter;
Voltage
This refers to the measure of the electrical strength of a car battery charger. Usually, most cars run on a 12V electrical system; therefore, purchasing a 12V battery charger is essential. However, having a multifunctional charger which is suitable for charging both 6V and 12V batteries are highly recommended.
Amperage
This is the amount of current in which the charger is designed to handle. So it is critical to know that how many amps do I need to charge or jump start?Furthermore, it can refer to the amount of current that can flow through a car battery charger. Chargers with high amperage tend to charge fast compared to low amperage chargers. However, fast charging is proclaimed not be a good practice. An ideal battery charger can detect the mode in which it should charge the battery. In most cases, leaving the settings in the auto will help you choose the ideal charging rate of a cell.
Safety features
When it comes to choosing a car battery charger, safety should always come first. The first thing you should consider is not overcharging your battery since it will reduce its life span. You should always take caution when working with a car battery since they have hazardous chemicals. Here are some safety features you should consider when purchasing a car battery charger or jump starter:
- Reverse polarity: This feature protects the battery when the terminals and clips are wrongly connected.
- Anti-sparking: This feature helps prevent sparks from occurring when connecting the clips to the battery terminals.
- Amperage detection: This feature helps to prevent overheating as well as overcharging of your car battery.
Final Verdict
Choosing the right portable car battery charger is essential for your battery’s life span. Always purchase a car battery charger that is within your budget and meets all your needs and quality.
