Getting your hands on the best car battery chargers is the best way to ensure a car battery will be full of electrical juice when needed, but it’s worth understanding the differences. From trickle chargers to battery boosters, there are plenty of options to meet your car battery charging requirements.
There are even car battery chargers that can help renew battery performance and solar battery chargers that harness the sun for a free trickle of electricity. No matter the needs of your car battery, there will be something to meet them, and we’re breaking them all down.
The best car battery chargers at a glance
A dead car battery is nobody’s idea of fun, and with modern cars jam-packed with gadgets, car batteries have never been under more strain. So join Parkers in finding the best car battery charger for your needs, alongside our top picks for each type, so you know that when you’re out and about, the health of your car’s battery should be top-notch.
The best smart car battery charger
The best car battery charger
The standout feature of the GENUIS5 however is the ability to restore lost battery power by removing power-sapping plates within the battery. It can even charge a battery resting at zero volts, normally something a battery charger wouldn't be capable of. It does not work, however, as a jump starter.
Pros
- Excellent, comprehensive features
- Versatile as a trickle charger as well as a standard charger
- Top-quality materials and construction
Cons
- Requires a mains socket to work
| Dimensions | (L) 117mm x (W) 74mm x (H) 49mm |
| Weight | 0.45kg |
| Current | 5A |
| Voltage | 12V/6V |
| IP rating | IP65 |
| Operating temperature | N/A |
Editor's pick
As far as trickle chargers go, it's one of the best out there for long-term maintenance charging. We tried one for ourselves over last winter, and it was one of the most dependable things out there. What we found a massive shame though, was that the CTEK accessories that came with the charger (not included in a basic purchase) quickly ramped up the price. This is evident across the CTEK range and of all MXS models.
You can read our full review of the CTEK MXS 5.0 here.
Pros
- Great build quality with premium feel
- Helps keep a car battery well-conditioned and maintained
- Works from as little as -20°C to +50°C
Cons
- The extras quickly add up to the cost
The best budget smart battery charger
It may not be quite as effective on ageing car batteries, but it should work with all battery types. It even features a cold-weather charging mode for use during the winter months.
Pros
- Simple to use
- Good value for money compared to the others
- A well-made machine
Cons
- Not the most advanced option
| Dimensions | (L) 183mm x (W) 101mm x (H) 63mm |
| Weight | 0.88kg |
| Current | 3A or 6A |
| Voltage | 6V, 12V |
| IP rating | IP65 |
| Operating temperature | N/A |
The battery indicators are very simple to read, and the mode button allows for a simple navigation through the various modes. It's built to the same standard using premium materials, as per CTEK's whole range, and can handle extreme temperatures on both ends.
Pros
- Can handle seven amps rather than five
- Premium-feeling build quality and materials
- Modes and battery indicators are easy to set and understand
Cons
- The same issue as the MXS 5.0, regarding the cost of the accessories
The best entry-level trickle charger
It will work out how to deliver optimal charge for a range of battery types and compensate for colder weather to keep your battery topped up and ready to go. It can even work on totally dead batteries, top stuff.
Pros
- Excellent features, despite being a lower-end model
- Top quality materials used
- Relatively inexpensive compared to other NOCO units
Cons
- Not portable as it requires the mains
| Dimensions | N/A |
| Weight | N/A |
| Current | 230V AC, 12V DC |
| Voltage 12V | 12V |
The smartest car battery charger
What's more, provided you opt for the solar penal attachment, it can even run without any mains electricity at all. This is one of the most comprehensive and clever battery chargers out there, and you really can use it for multiple things.
Pros
- Doubles as a very capable power bank
- Has a boost mode for slow jump starting
- Can even run on solar power, if desired
Cons
- It doesn't quite represent as good value as the other CTEKs
The best jump starter
Beyond the jump-starting abilities, this NOCO features a 100-lumen LED torch with SOS beacon mode for any nighttime breakdowns. It also works as a regular power bank, while the IP65 rating means it'll survive the rough and tumble of daily life.
Read our full NOCO Boost X GBX45 review here.
Pros
- Very robust and durable
- Flawless performance on all levels
- Is a better power bank than most power banks
Cons
- Overkill if you only own a Supermini
| Weight | 0.59kg |
| Dimensions | 17.3cm (L) x 8.3cm (W) x 5.3cm (H) |
| Max engine capacity | 6.5-litre petrol/4.0-litre diesel |
| Amps | 1250A |
| Flashlight | Yes |
Best multi-function battery charger
Pros
- IP65 weather rating
- Quite good value for money
- Very compact, making it portable
Cons
- Instructions could be better
| Weight | 0.49kg |
| Dimensions | 16.4cm (L) x 8.6cm (W) x 3cm (H) |
| Max engine capacity | 3.0-litre |
| Amps | 600A |
| Flashlight | Yes |
Best solar charger
It features a blocking diode to ensure there's no chance of the solar panel discharging the battery during periods of no sun. The Eco-Worthy 12V Portable 10W Solar Panel Battery Maintainer is versatile, too, attaching to glass or the dashboard.
Pros
- Good power for the price
- Eco-friendly, if that's what you're looking for
- Easy to mount on a car
Cons
- No OBD connector
| Dimensions | 30.5 x 27 x 3.9cm |
| Weight | 0.51kg |
| Watts | 10W |
| Connects to | 12V socket, battery clamps |
FAQs
What does each type of battery charger do?
Smart battery charger – A smart battery charger is both a trickle charger and a standard battery charger that works to maintain a car battery but features different charging modes and can help recondition an aged battery. They will not jump-start a dead battery, however. In short, the best smart battery chargers will breathe new life into an ageing car battery while also keeping it topped up.
Jump starter – A jump starter (or battery booster) is what you need if your battery is totally dead and your engine won’t turn over. One of these power packs connects to a dead battery and pumps it with enough electricity to get the car going again. Think of these as jumper leads without the need for a working car.
Trickle charger – These simple devices provide a small flow of electricity to keep the battery topped up, perfect for a garage-kept car that isn’t driven daily. The best trickle chargers will feature smart tech and work to maintain and recondition a car’s battery.
Solar battery charger – Where most battery chargers will rely on an integrated battery or wall socket to provide power, a solar battery charger makes use of a solar panel to harness electricity coming from the sun. The best solar battery chargers will ensure your battery can be topped up no matter where it’s parked, useful for those not fortunate enough to have a garage.
What are the different types of car battery?
Would you believe there are as many as four different types of car batteries? You may decide when you change your car’s battery that you’ll use a different type, but it’s not always that easy. Your car might require a certain type. Here are the main categories.
Lead acid – The most common type of car battery, which is found in most vehicles – they’re relatively low cost to replace and durable, giving you around 20,000 starts. They’ll need de-ionised water to stay healthy though.
Calcium – Slightly more durable than a lead acid battery, giving you around 30,000 starts but with a bit more starting power, perfect for colder mornings or climates, where engines often need that little bit more to get going
Yuasa Silver – The top bracket of calcium batteries, offering more power than both calcium and lead acid batteries to really get the engine turned over. It’s said these batteries have 33% more starting power than ordinary lead acid batteries.
AGM/EFB (Start/Stop) – Yes, if you have a start-stop car, you need a start-stop battery. This means if the engine switches off when the car is in neutral and your foot is off the clutch. Generally more expensive but much more durable, they’re able to cycle through around 360,000 starts. These require a bit more maintenance as the car will need to be told by a computer that the battery hasn’t been changed. Not a job you could usually do at home.
How we choose
All of these car battery chargers have been hand-selected by our team of experts who have spent hours investigating and researching car battery chargers to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we’d never recommend a product we don’t believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tool Editor for Parkers and CAR, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. He also contributes to What’s The Best.
Sign up for the Parkers Newsletter to keep up to date with more of the latest reviews, news, and recommendations from the Parkers team.
Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections – read why you should trust us
Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us.
