battery chargers in test – best models 2022 in comparison
before you simply buy a cheap battery charger or do a price comparison, you should do a little research on the different types of chargers, the functions and also the types of batteries. If extensive research is too time-consuming for you and you would rather make a good purchase decision quickly, you can follow our recommendation, because we have already done the research work for you. So we can offer you the MSX 5.0 from ctek highly recommend, because the charger is weatherproof, compact, high quality workmanship, offers a decent performance and is overall well equipped. Alternatively, the C3 model from bosch is also highly recommended, as it is suitable for 6 and 12V batteries, is well equipped and is well protected according to IP65 standard.
Comparison table
1. Place
See price at amazon.De
The model is compactly built, can be used for different types of batteries with up to 110 ah and also charges deep-discharged batteries reliably. It can be used with many types of batteries and is also weather resistant.
The model does not have a 6V mode, although the motorcycle function might lead you to believe so.
The bottom line is that this is a reliable battery charger with very good features and decent performance.
2. Place
See price at amazon.De
The charger can be used with virtually all common 6 and 12 volt batteries. Overall, it is well equipped, meets the IP65 standard and convinces with a good fuse protection, a decent capacity of up to 120A and is also not too expensive, so the price-performance ratio is very good.
Deep discharged batteries can not be charged and the power is rather low with a maximum of 3.8A.
All in all, this is a very recommendable battery charger with good features and 6 or more functions. 12-volt mode at a very fair price.
3.Also interesting
See price at amazon.De
The battery charger convinces with a high compatibility with many different battery types. The capacity can be up to 120A and it meets the IP65 standard. It is also well fused, can charge deep discharged batteries and has a display.
The model is with 4A relatively low power and is also compared to other models not so neatly finished.
The power pack convinces with extensive features and compatibility at a fair price. It is well fused and suitable for 12V and 6V.
Buying advice for car battery chargers
What you should look for when you want to buy a charger for your car battery, we have summarized for you as follows. Finally, you can also find in our review an overview of the best battery chargers 2022 that we have identified in the test.
The right car charger for your battery
The range of battery chargers is very large. Accordingly, you should first narrow down your choice by comparing only models that are compatible with your car battery. However, the chargers currently available on the market are compatible with almost any type of car battery. If you drive a car without a GEL battery, you don’t have to worry so much about the type of charger you use. However, if your vehicle has a GEL battery, you should carefully consider the charger, because not every charger can charge such batteries.
In addition, you should also check that the charger has the correct rated voltage. Capacity and charging current must also be suitable for the battery. For conventional 12V car batteries, the battery charger must also be 12V. This is practically always the case with a classic car battery charger. If you want to charge your motorcycle, moped or other 6V vehicles with a battery charger, you need a 6V charger. Trucks or other large vehicles need a 24V charger. The higher the charging current, the faster the battery charger can charge a car, motorcycle, caravan, truck& co. Charging. to calculate the charging time, you just have to divide the nominal capacity of the battery by the power of the charger. The result will be the number of hours you need to charge it.
An intelligent battery charger recognizes which voltage is needed and adjusts the power and voltage if necessary. Many chargers also support different types of batteries and different voltage ratings.
Important buying criteria when buying a charger
In addition to compatibility, you should also consider other criteria when making a purchase. For example, if it is a large charger that requires a separate footprint, keep in mind the cable length and distance to the nearest power source. If you want to use the charger outdoors, it should at least meet the criteria of IP65 protection class.
When making a purchase decision, you should also take into account the preferred area of use, because it makes a difference whether you charge your battery regularly or not. Battery maintenance or if you just want to bring a deeply discharged battery back to life one time. In the former case, you should pay particular attention to the fact that the battery offers a good care and maintenance function.
There are many battery chargers that are equipped with a display. Here you can read the charge level and other information about the charging process, which can be very practical. If you want to use the charger only as an emergency jump starter, you must make sure that you buy a battery charger with jump starter. For this to work reliably, such chargers must be able to provide higher power in the short term compared to classic models.
Types of batteries in the car
A car battery is not really a battery at all, but an accumulator, i.e. a charge storage device that can be recharged; also known as an accumulator for short. In the normal case resp. Ideally, a car battery does not need to be charged at all, because the vehicle’s alternator takes care of charging the battery.
Depending on the driving behavior – z.B. Many short distances – but the current generated or the charge may not be sufficient, resulting in a weak battery. If the battery is too weak, it will not be possible to start the car. This can happen especially in winter, as the nominal capacity of a car battery can be as much as 30% lower at -10°C. Also, if your vehicle is stationary for a long period of time or a light in the passenger compartment has been left on overnight, the chance that the battery will not be sufficient to start the engine increases.
In addition to the distinction according to the nominal voltage (6V, 12V and 24V), batteries are also distinguished according to their capacity in ampere-hours (ah). Trucks, for example, require significantly more Ah than motorcycles or cars, where factors such as engine and drive type also play a role. Most cars operate with a battery capacity between 36 and 64 Ah, while a truck can require 200 Ah or more. In addition, there are also different types of batteries. Wet batteries – also called flooded batteries – are the most common type of battery. They are also called lead-acid batteries, because a lead antimony alloy is used as the electrode. In the case of calcium batteries, the electrode plates are made of calcium alloy. AGM batteries work with sulfuric acid in glass fiber fleece and GEL batteries convert sulfuric acid into a gel-like consistency, which is done with the help of silicic acid.
In addition, there are still open and closed batteries. This refers to the refillability. Closed batteries can not be opened and therefore can not be recharged. This is why it is often referred to as a maintenance-free car battery.
10 best car battery chargers 2022 in test
If you are looking for the best battery charger for your car, you will be spoilt for choice, as there is a wide range to choose from. In the test, we have taken a closer look at many different models and have summarized the best battery chargers 2022 for you.