Keep It Running with the Best Car Battery Chargers and Maintainers

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What You Need to Know

• We like the CTEK MXS 5.0 for its features and wide capabilities. If you're an enthusiast or collector, you'll find it to be a quality device.

• Battery Tender produces some of the best chargers out there. I chose the 12V Battery Charger and Maintainer and the Four Bank Multibank Charger as they are user-friendly and straightforward.

• The Powoxi surprised me with how well it converted simple sunlight into a healthy, charged battery in my non-running truck.

If you've ever turned the key and heard that dreaded click instead of the roar of your engine, you know just how crucial a reliable car battery can be. Whether you're maintaining a weekend cruiser, a seasonal classic, or simply ensuring your daily driver is always ready to roll, having the right battery charger or maintainer in your garage can be a game changer.

Things to Consider

They've been called battery chargers, trickle chargers, battery tenders, battery maintainers, and other names. No matter what you call them, these devices are all meant to keep your vehicle's battery healthy and your engine running. What should you know before you buy one?

To gain a bit more insight into how and why one might use battery chargers and maintainers, I spoke with Gregory Coe, the marketing director for 1600 Veloce. 1600 is one of the largest online retailers of vintage cars as well as an official Bring A Trailer partner. (Bring A Trailer, like Autoweek, is owned by Hearst Autos.) We talked about how important battery maintenance is whether you have a large collection, a cherished weekend ride, or even just a daily driver.

"I've spent a lot of time managing individual collections for clients," Gregory told me. "Ensuring their cars are maintained, invested in, and ready to go for sales or events." 1600 Veloce is one of the largest online retailers of specialty cars. It also handles automotive lifestyle events, service collection management, media, and automotive marketing.

"Managing a collection is like taking care of a living organism," he says." "You’ve got to feed it and keep it alive. One of the most important aspects is battery upkeep because a dead battery can lead to a whole host of other problems."

Battery Compatibility

Ensure the device is compatible with the type of battery you have, whether it's lead-acid, AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat), or gel cell. Check the specifications to confirm compatibility.

Charging Output

Look at the output voltage and current. Most chargers and maintainers operate at 12 volts, but check if you need one with a specific amperage based on your battery size and type. A typical charger ranges from 0.5 to 2 amps.

Amperage

Low amp chargers (0.75–1.25 amps) are best for charging a battery over time, which makes them good for long-term storage or low-use vehicles. High amp chargers (2–5 amps) are best for charging larger batteries such as those found in trucks and recreational vehicles. High-amp chargers can charge a battery quickly, but low-amp chargers are usually better for battery maintenance.

Automatic Charging and Maintenance

Opt for a device with automatic charging and maintenance modes. This ensures the battery is maintained at an optimal charge level without the risk of overcharging.

Safety Features

Safety features are crucial. Look for devices with overcharge protection, short-circuit protection, reverse polarity protection, and thermal protection to prevent damage to both your battery and your charger.

Battery Charger vs. Battery Maintainer

A battery charger is used to charge a battery fully from a depleted state. A battery maintainer, on the other hand, is designed to maintain a battery's charge over time by supplying a small, continuous charge. Maintainers often have a "maintenance mode" to prevent overcharging.

"Batteries are crucial. If the battery fails, the car fails," Gregory tells us. "It’s like planting a seed to grow a tree — if you don’t have the right foundation, the whole system falls apart. Even if a car sits idle, a battery [maintainer] can keep it alive, maintain its health, and prevent further issues."

Our very own Gear Team conducted a hands-on test of battery chargers last year in which they put a few devices through their paces; you can check out their findings here. In the meantime, here are a few of our personal favorites—and a pick by a pro.

"Cars today, especially modern ones, are so complex, It’s not as simple as jump-starting a battery anymore," Gregory Coe, Marketing Director at 1600 Veloce, says. "A $60 investment in a charger can make all the difference, both in maintaining your own car and running a business."

The Best Battery Chargers and Maintainers

MXS 5.0

CTEK is one of the leading manufacturers of battery chargers and maintainers. If you're familiar with Porsche's branded battery chargers, you'll notice the similarity to CTEK's products. The MXS 5.0 is a fully automatic battery maintainer that's meant to work with 12-volt lead acid and AGM batteries. It features a simple light-up display and is splash-, dust-, spark-, and shockproof. Its short-circuit-proof design prevents reverse polarity, which could potentially damage your battery or vehicle's charging system.

I like the MXS 5.0 for its float/pulse charging, which allows you to keep your battery charged for long periods of time without fear of overcharging. This is particularly helpful for those looking to store vehicles for months at a time. There is also a reconditioning function that can help extend the life of some batteries.

"We have a large warehouse with a couple hundred cars, and we use CTEK chargers as our primary tool," Gregory says. "We chose it because it’s a uniform, aesthetically pleasing device. It gives a clean, professional look, and it’s highly functional."

Plus!

It's right there in the ubiquitous name. Many enthusiasts refer to all trickle chargers as "battery tenders" because the Florida-based company has been around so long—and because it makes such a darned good product. (Even a pro like Coe habitually referred to these devices as "battery tenders" during our conversation.)

Battery Tender offers a variety of charging devices but what I love about this 12-volt, 1.25-amp one is how simple it is to use. Thanks to its adaptive smart charging and four-step charging program, I can just set it and forget it.

It's safe too, thanks to reverse polarity protection, spark-proof alligator clamps, and a quick-disconnecting harness. Two simple LED lights indicate the charging status. On top of all of those features, it also comes with an impressive 10-year warranty and lifetime customer support. This is a great charger for those looking for a simple, reliable solution.

Genius 1

I have owned and used Noco's jump starters for years with tremendous success, so when assembling this list, Noco was one of the first brands that came to mind. It offers a range of chargers with various features, but the Genius 1 caught my attention thanks to its competitive price point. Despite its low cost of entry, the Genius 1 comes loaded with a solid set of features.

It supports a huge range of batteries including 6-volt and 12-volt sealed lead-acid, gel, AGM, SLA, VRLA, and lithium-ion. A digital thermal sensor ensures that your battery won't be overcharged if the weather gets hot or undercharged in the cold. It can charge batteries with as little as one volt, and in Force mode, it can even charge completely depleted batteries. There's even a Repair mode that can help extend the life of your battery.

During the Gear Team's test last year, the Noco Genius 1 was named best overall thanks to its ease of use and compatibility with numerous types of batteries.

NC201 10-Amp Car Battery Charger

Compared to some of the other chargers on this list, the Nexpeak charger lacks the brand reputation of some of the stalwarts. But that's absolutely fine. With over 7000 five-star user ratings, the Nexpeak is a safe and affordable solution if you're not one to be swayed by brand names.

This charger can output either 10 amps at 12 volts or 5 amps at 24 volts. It's loaded with features that you'd expect from a pricier device with a familiar name, like short-circuit and reverse-polarity protection, a large LCD display, temperature compensation, a float/trickle charge mode, and too many more to list here. You can have a bit of peace of mind knowing that Nexpeak will replace your device within two years of purchase if you experience quality issues.

Multibank Charger

Like the other offering on our list from Battery Tender, this charger is one you can certainly count on. A strong brand reputation for quality and a stellar warranty set these chargers apart. The Four Bank Multibank Charger is exactly what it sounds like. This 12-volt charger allows you to charge up to four batteries simultaneously at 1.25 amps.

It uses its smaller sibling's same four-step charging program, which prevents over- and undercharging while keeping your battery healthy. An LED readout on the back indicates the charging status of the battery in each bank, and a gaggle of safety features prevent sparking, reverse polarity, and other potential disasters. If you own a few collector cars or want to keep backup batteries charged, this is a great tool to have at your disposal.

Solar Panel Trickle Charging Kit

Converting the power of the sun into battery power for your car may not have the broadest appeal, as most of these chargers will be used indoors or under a hood. But for anyone storing a car outdoors, the Powoxi is a revelation. A solar-powered trickle charger seemed like a good idea on paper, and thus far, it has delivered.

My old P38 Range Rover has been street-parked awaiting repairs (as they do) for a few months now. Once the battery started to go dead, I resorted to the occasional jump-start. Then I hooked up this trickle charger, placed the solar panel on my dash, and my battery worries vanished. I can once again start up my truck anytime, thanks to the power of the sun.

It took under five minutes to install and has all of the features you'd want for a situation like mine, including a built-in smart protection system, LED indicators, and free lifetime technical support.

How to Use a Battery Charger

Step 1: Ensure the charger is compatible with your vehicle's battery. Most car batteries are 12 volt, but some motorcycles and smaller vehicles use 6-volt batteries. Additionally, you must be aware of the type of battery you're looking to charge. Some chargers can work with multiple battery types, while others are designed for specific battery chemistries.

Step 2: Once you've chosen the right charger, take the proper safety precautions by wearing gloves and safety glasses.

Step 3: With your vehicle powered off, locate the battery. Ensure that it's in good condition without any visible damage. If its terminals are dirty or corroded, clean them with a wire brush.

Step 4: Connect the red (positive) clamp from the charger to the positive terminal on the battery, typically marked with a "+" sign. Next, connect the black (negative) clamp from the charger to the negative terminal on the battery, usually marked with "–".

Step 5: Plug in the charger to a standard electrical outlet. Some devices may have a power switch that you'll need to turn on. Caution: The current is now flowing. Do not touch the terminals or leads until the charger is unplugged and its leads are disconnected.

Step 6: With the charger powered on and connected, select the appropriate voltage and amperage for your battery, if necessary. Many modern chargers automatically adjust to the battery's needs.

Step 7: Most chargers have lights that indicate the charging status. Keep an eye on these to ensure everything is working correctly.

Step 8: Once your battery is sufficiently charged or you're ready to bring your vehicle out of storage, unplug the charger and disconnect the negative clamp first, followed by the positive clamp. Finally, neatly store the charger in a dry, safe place.

FAQs

What is a car battery charger and how does it work?

A car battery charger or maintainer is a device that maintains the charge of a car battery by providing a small, steady current. It helps to keep the battery fully charged without overcharging it. It typically connects to the battery and can be left plugged in for extended periods.

Do I need a battery maintainer?

"If a car is sitting for more than 10 to 14 days, you should consider a battery [maintainer]," Coe says. "Life gets in the way, and before you know it, weeks have passed. If you’re not regularly exercising your cars, it’s essential to keep them on a tender to avoid battery issues."

Can a battery maintainer fix a dead battery?

A battery maintainer or charger is not designed to recover a completely dead or deeply discharged battery. If a battery is severely depleted, it may need a full charge from a battery charger or replacement.

Can I use a battery charger in cold or hot climates?

Many battery maintainers are designed to operate in a range of temperatures. Check the manufacturer's specifications for temperature limits and ensure the tender is rated for use in your local climate.

Are there safety precautions I should take when using a battery charger?

Follow the manufacturer's safety guidelines, such as ensuring proper connections, avoiding contact with corrosive battery acid, and using the device in a well-ventilated area. Do not use a damaged charger or one with exposed wires.

Why Trust Us?

Road & Track and its sibling publications at Hearst Autos represent three of the most influential automotive publications in the world. We rely on decades of experience in the automotive and gear spaces to help readers make informed purchasing choices. Read more about our testing process here.

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