Best Automotive Battery Charger Reviews 2018

For such a valuable tool, you’re probably thinking that it must cost you an arm and a leg to acquire one. Well guess what? They are pretty affordable for the average Joe, since they range between around $20 and $200. Quite a significant price gap there, right? Well that’s because, the pricier ones are more durable and can also be used to charge other equipment, not just your car battery. They are also optimized for performance, something that you do not enjoy if you go for a cheap automotive battery charger.

Though it’s battery life and convenience that’s driving you to purchase an automotive battery charger, there are other features you should consider before you make that decision.

Here are some of them:

• Capability – They come with different Amps starting from 1.25 Amp to over 200 Amp
• Voltage –They vary between 6V and 12V
• Outlets – Depending on your needs, different battery chargers can connect to different outlets
• Charge time – They have different charge times starting at 1 hour
• Safety – They come with diverse safety features ranging from spark proof technology to built-in circuit protection

Safety is of utmost importance when it comes to battery chargers. If your main concern is the battery charger sparking a fire, then it is best that you go for one that is designed with spark-proof technology. This will protect from sparks that might start a fire and damage your car or even injure you.

On the other hand, if you are the type that has a problem with knowing which battery terminal is positive or negative, then it would be advisable to go for a battery charger that has a reverse polarity safety feature. This technology helps protect the battery in case that you wrongly connect the positive terminal to the negative one, and vice versa.

You may also go for one that has a two-rotary system or a built-in circuit. Such are designed with a system that cut the power once the battery is full. This would be best if you are the kind of person that forgets to check your car functions on regular basis. If you are the type that do not use their car on a regular basis, it’s best to go for a battery charger that has a built-in blocking diode as a safety feature. This will ensure that your battery charges to its peak, and does not discharge which may damage the battery.

For the outlets, the choice depends on your tastes and preferences as well as your budget. If your budget is a bit constrained, then you would be more comfortable going with a battery charger that has alligator clips or one that is connectable to the vehicle DC. If you like sleek looking battery chargers and have the budget, then go for one that has battery clamps. They are stronger and are longer lasting.

When it comes to capability, the trade-off is between how long it takes to charge, and the length of time the battery can store power. If you want to charge the battery once and forget about it for some time, it is best to go for a battery charger that has a high ampere hour capability. The best being between 300 Ah and 500Ah. On the other hand, if you are comfortable charging every now and then, then go for one that charges fast (1 to 3 hours), though it will not store power for long.

For the voltage, if your car uses a 12v battery, it would be best to go for a 12v battery charger. The same goes for the 6v battery. If you use the 12v battery charger on a 6v battery, it might overcharge which would damage the battery in the long run.