Best car battery chargers in 2024

Almost every motorist has faced such a problem as a car battery discharge. This phenomenon makes it impossible to start the motor. Unfortunately, most drivers think about the state of the battery too late, when it is already completely discharged.

In order to remedy the situation, it is necessary to use a special charger that can restore the battery's performance. The presence of such a device is especially important in winter, when the battery performance deteriorates significantly.

How to choose the right car battery charger?

The main patterns of selection of a charger depending on the battery.

Cars can be equipped with two types of rechargeable batteries, and each type requires a specific approach when charging.

1. The most popular models of battery in passenger cars are acid (lead) devices. These power sources require constant systematic recharging.
2. Less common are alkaline batteries, which are made on the basis of nickel-metal hydride (Ni-Mh), lithium-ion (Li-On) and nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) plates. New alkaline batteries use a full three charge and discharge cycle to charge.

All chargers work on the same principle: the devices lower the mains voltage, which is 220 volts, to the level of a 12 volt battery.

Types of chargers for charging batteries.

In terms of functionality, two main types of devices for charging a battery should be distinguished.

1. A charger designed only to restore battery capacity. The device is connected to the battery using long wires, which allows charging directly on the car.
2. Chargers capable of working in several modes:
   • restoration of the battery capacity similar to chargers;
   • starting the engine with a completely discharged battery.

When connecting the charger to charge the battery, it is necessary to disconnect the current source from the on-board network.

Currently, various modifications of devices for charging car batteries are produced. The choice of a particular model directly depends on the qualifications of the motorist.

For beginners, an automatic charger is best. The principle of operation of such a device is to automatically control the charging cycle. As soon as the battery capacity is restored to 100%, the device will turn off by itself. In the future, the automation will turn on the device to maintain a full charge of the battery. The five-stage charger independently performs the following actions:

The chargers, which are based on the 5 basic steps for charging a car battery, work as follows:

• charges up to 80%;
• produces 100% charge with a step-down current;
• carries out preventive maintenance of the charge level within 95-100%;
• eliminates such a defect in the battery as plate sulfation due to the pulse mode;
• makes battery diagnostics.

The eight-stage device operates as follows:

• removes the effects of the sulfation process by the charge-discharge method;
• checks the performance of the battery;
• charges the battery up to 80% capacity;
• subsequent charging with decreasing current up to 100%;
• checks the battery's ability to hold a charge;
• eliminates electrolyte stratification at maximum battery charge;
• maintains the battery capacity at the upper limit of the capacity;
• performs preventive charging at 95-100%.

Multifunctional stationary converters allow servicing all types of storage batteries (acid, traction, alkaline), and can also be used as uninterruptible power supplies in a home network under a voltage of 220 volts.

What do you need to know when buying a charger?

A car enthusiast who wants to purchase a charger must answer a few questions for himself. They will narrow down the range of electrical appliances and simplify the selection procedure.

1. First of all, you should familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the car battery that will be serviced. The charger must deliver at least 10% of the battery capacity at an output voltage of 12 volts.
2. Next, you need to determine the price range that will suit the car owner.
3. An important question when choosing a device for charging is the operation of the car in winter. If the car rarely leaves the garage in cold weather, a simple charger is sufficient. If you need to travel on a daily basis, consider purchasing a more powerful charger.
4. When the question arises of how to choose a specific charger for your car, you should get acquainted with the Boost function. When this mode is turned on in frosty weather, the battery will charge within a few minutes. Then you can start the car motor.
5. Which charger manufacturer should you choose? For simple battery charging, inexpensive models of domestic or Chinese production are suitable. If the device will be actively used, it is better to purchase a charger from a well-known manufacturer.

The importance of technical parameters when choosing a charger.

When choosing a charger for a car battery, you should pay attention to the following technical parameters of the device.

• The charger's current must be sufficient to fully restore the battery capacity. The maximum current is set at 10% of the full battery capacity. So, to charge a battery with a capacity of 55 amperes per hour, a current strength of 5.5 amperes is set on the device.
• For experienced motorists, a charger with the ability to adjust the voltage and current strength is suitable. Switches can be continuously variable or discrete. The regulator, smoothly changing the current parameters, allows you to precisely set the required parameters. Thanks to this option, it will be possible to most effectively restore the battery by increasing or decreasing the amperage.
• The output voltage of the charger must match the parameters of the battery and the vehicle electrical system. Most cars and vans have a mains voltage of 12 volts. Trucks require a 24-volt charger.
• Some devices have multiple charging stages. Thanks to the combined devices, the battery capacity can be fully restored. In a simple three-stage mode:
  1. constant current charging;
  2. constant voltage charging;
  3. keeping the battery charged.
• The charging stand must operate over a wide temperature range. This is especially important if you have to charge the battery in an unheated garage in winter.
• Automatic device control will simplify the task for novice car enthusiasts. It is enough to connect the positive wire of the charger to a similar terminal on the battery, and connect the negative wire to the “-“ terminal, and the charger can be turned on. The automation will independently select the battery recovery mode and turn off in time after a full charge.

Video tips for choosing a charger:

Which car battery charger manufacturers have proven themselves in the market?

Many charger models are offered to motorists today. How to choose a battery charger from the whole mass of different devices?

The modern automotive market offers motorists both domestic developments and products from world leaders. The following companies are considered among the most popular manufacturers among Russian motorists.

• The company "Aiken" produces a wide range of electrical devices, including devices for charging car batteries. The cost of the charger from "Aiken" MCB12M ranges from 1900-2000 rubles. The MCB18M model is estimated at 2500-2600 rubles.
• The renowned Italian manufacturer of welding machines and chargers Telwin offers the highest quality products. The simplest units (Alpine 18 Boost and Speed ​​Start 1212) can be purchased for 2500-2700 rubles. For professional use, the Computer 48/2 ProF and DYNAMIC 620 Start models are recommended for 11-13.5 thousand rubles.
• The Russian company "Kalibr" produces several devices for battery maintenance. For motorists, the ZU-100 device is offered, which is available at a cost of 1700-1800 rubles and is effective when used. Modification of ROM-2.0 / 12.0C will be of interest to car service workers. The cost of this charger is 6.5-6.6 thousand rubles.
• Chargers for batteries from Latvia under the brand name "Resanta" are equipped with a battery, which makes it possible to start the car engine away from the power source. The cost of the PU-1 model is 2300 rubles. The PU-2 device with a large value of the incoming current (400 amperes), equipped with a flashlight, USB connector and a compressor is sold at a price of 3600-3800 rubles.
• Inexpensive chargers are offered by Sorokin. The model "Sorokin 12.92" has a small amperage (2 amperes), which will be enough to charge a 40 amp per hour battery. You can buy such a device for only 970-1000 rubles.

How to make a DIY car battery charger?

A simple device for charging a car battery can be made by hand. This option is suitable for those motorists who know how to use a soldering iron and understand electrical circuits. To create a portable compact device, you need the following components:

• step-down transformer with a capacity of 15-20 watts;
• diode bridge consisting of 4 elements (1 ampere, 30 volts);
• capacitors;
• resistors;
• circuit breakers;
• voltmeter (0-25 volts);
• ammeter (0-10 amperes);
• switches;
• plastic or metal housing;
• LEDs for lighting and signaling.

They need to be connected according to the diagram above, and then you get a compact car battery charger.

Video experience and recommendations for making the device yourself:

Basic rules for operating the device.

Any charger requires minimal maintenance from the owner, as well as compliance with the basic rules of operation. With the right approach, both domestic and Chinese devices will work for a long time. As with any tool, the charger should have its place in your garage or home inventory, where dust, dirt and moisture will not penetrate.
The main recommendations for using the charger are as follows:

• before turning on the device, inspect the ventilation openings to prevent overheating of the charger;
• the parameters of the current in the garage network must correspond to the technical characteristics of the charger.
• before connecting the charger to the battery, it is necessary to clean the battery leads and terminals of the device;
• when connecting the charger to the battery, it is important to observe the polarity: the positive wire of the device is connected to the “+” terminal of the battery, and the negative terminal is attached to the “-“ terminal;
• while charging the battery, do not disconnect the charger terminals from the battery terminals;
• when the charger is on, the car engine cannot be started;
• after full recovery of the battery capacity, the charger is first turned off, and then the wires are disconnected.

Top 5 car battery chargers.

Pendant 106.

Domestic charger without unnecessary bells and whistles. Fully automatic operation. There is a stabilization system, a charge current of up to 5 amperes flows.

• light weight;
• modest size.

• lack of Boost charging mode;
• lack of indicators.

Average price: 2000 rubles.

Aurora Sprint-10D.

Aurora SPRINT-10D is positioned by the manufacturer as a device capable of reanimating deeply discharged batteries with a voltage of 1.5 volts. The driver only needs to set the voltage of his battery and connect the terminals to the terminals of the battery.

The charger has a microprocessor that controls charging, monitors basic parameters and provides overcurrent protection. The output voltage can be set at 12 or 24 volts. The charging current ranges from 2 to 6 amperes. The device weighs about 1.5 kilograms.

• multifunction device;
• the ability to adjust the charging settings;
• the presence of a microprocessor.

• not at all small in size.

Average price: 5000 rubles.

Auto electrician T-1021.

This is a pulse charger. Works fully automatically. Suitable for those motorists who do not want to mess with the settings. Auto electrician T-1021 has the function of voltage and current stabilization. The charging current is up to 7.5 amperes.

• auto mode;
• stabilization function;
• no need to configure anything.

• lack of Boost mode;
• not at all compact in size.

Average price: 5000 rubles.

Inelco KeePower Medium.

This car battery charger is recommended for high capacity batteries.It will charge them quickly thanks to a charging current of up to 8 amps. Not all expensive devices have such an opportunity.

When connected, Inelco Kee Power Medium tests the battery and starts charging.

According to the manufacturer, desulfation is carried out simultaneously with charging. The charger has many additional modes, including boost charging in Boost mode. There is also a recovery mode for the battery after deep discharge. There are all the necessary types of protection.

Inelco Kee Power Medium portable car charger can be connected through a car cigarette lighter and charge the battery without removing it from the car.

• the presence of the Boost mode;
• suitable for charging large-capacity batteries;
• multifunctional modes;
• decent price for its quality;
• durability.

• short wires.

Average price: 3000 rubles.

Sonar UZ 201.

This is a 12 volt impulse car battery charger. The current supplied to the battery to charge it is automatically regulated. Moreover, the upper limit is 5 amperes.

• compactness;
• light weight.

• lack of Boost mode;
• low current strength;
• lack of ability to adjust the current strength.

Average price: 1500 rubles.

So what should you choose?

There are a huge number of charger models on the market, both imported and domestic. How to choose a car battery charger so that it is convenient to use and lasts for a long time? This question worries many motorists. In this regard, the following can be said.

If you need a charger from time to time, you should take a simple device without unnecessary functionality. For example, you will need it to charge the battery after the car is idle on vacation or before cold weather. In this case, it is necessary to take an automatic device without any settings and switches.

If you need a charger for several tasks, you should take a multifunctional device. Here, the choice of options is limited only by the financial capabilities of the motorist. Those with AGM and GEL batteries should choose dedicated chargers for this type of battery.