Best Car Battery Charger UK

Best Battery Charger UK

Choosing the best car battery charger in the UK for you, depends on a number of factors related to your car’s needs and the types of batteries you use.

Battery chargers for Lead-Acid batteries will not necessarily be compatible with charging a Lithium-Ion battery, for example. So, read the key considerations below the bubble chart to clarify your requirements for a car battery charger

Bubble Chart

Check out the bubble chart below where we have created the best car battery charger UK list for you.

You can easily see the most popular car battery chargers (by sales volume) plotted against the highest customer-rated chargers. The size of the bubbles represents the price; the bigger the bubble, the higher the price. And finally, we’ve highlighted our 1st and 2nd choice for best car battery charger UK using the different coloured bubbles.

Tip: A typical modern saloon car battery is about 80-100Ah whereas a classic Frogeye Sprite battery is normally 50-60Ah.

Best Car Battery Charger UK Comparison

Now scan the comparison list below to gain a better idea of the features of your preferred car battery charger. When you’re ready, click on one of the entries to take you through to our product detail page.

Tip: If you’re wondering how long to charge a car battery with a charger, as a rule-of-thumb, if you divide your battery capacity in amp-hours by the charging current, it will give you an approximate time to charge your battery from flat to 80%
e.g. 80Ah / 5A = 16 hours whereas 80Ah / 0.8A = 100 hours! (over 4 days)

The Best Car Battery Charger is …

So, our 1st Choice is unequivocally the CTEK MXS 5.0 Battery Charger. Excellent design, easy to use and very high quality. I have owned one of these myself for about 10 years and it is superb.

Our first 2nd Choice has been made to offer a cheaper alternative if you feel the CTEK battery charger is more than you want to spend. The Maypole 7423A gets an amazing 94% customer satisfaction and is a great value battery charger from a long-established British company.

Our second 2nd Choice is the NOCO Genius 5. It gets 92% customer satisfaction and being a NOCO Battery Charger, it is premium quality.

The NOCO Genius 10 Battery Charger doesn’t make it to the top of the list because of its price. But, if you need a 10 amp premium battery charger, it is worth looking at.

Key Considerations When Selecting the Best Car Battery Charger

Type of Battery

  • Lead-Acid Batteries: These are the most common types of car batteries. If your car uses a lead-acid battery, look for a charger specifically designed for these, often labelled as “flooded” or “maintenance-free.”
  • AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) or Gel Batteries: These are more advanced types of lead-acid batteries that are commonly found in newer vehicles or vehicles with stop-start technology. Ensure the charger supports AGM or Gel batteries if needed.
  • Lithium-Ion Batteries: Some electric and hybrid vehicles use lithium-ion batteries. If you have one, ensure the charger is compatible with lithium-ion technology.

Charging Speed (Amp Rating)

  • Low Amps (2A to 6A): These are slower chargers that are suitable for maintaining a charge or charging smaller batteries over a long period.
  • Mid-range Amps (6A to 10A): These chargers are ideal for more standard charging, offering a balance of speed and safety.
  • High Amps (10A or more): For quicker charging or larger batteries, high-amp chargers will charge faster but may generate more heat, so ensure the charger has the appropriate features to handle this safely.

Automatic vs. Manual

  • Automatic Chargers: These are more user-friendly as they automatically adjust the charging process and prevent overcharging. Once the battery reaches full charge, they stop charging, preventing damage.
  • Manual Chargers: These chargers require you to monitor the charging process and manually turn off the charger once the battery is fully charged. They’re less convenient but can be useful for those who want more control over the process.

Charge Mode

  • Trickle Charging: This is ideal for maintaining battery health over time and is often used for seasonal storage.
  • Fast Charging: For those who need a quick boost of power, look for a charger with fast-charging capabilities.
  • Desulfation Mode: Some chargers have this mode, which can help rejuvenate batteries that have been damaged by long periods of neglect or undercharging.

Safety Features

  • Overcharge Protection: This feature prevents the charger from continuing to charge once the battery is full, avoiding damage to both the battery and charger.
  • Reverse Polarity Protection: Ensures that you can’t connect the charger to the battery incorrectly, reducing the risk of sparks or damage.
  • Short Circuit Protection: Helps prevent damage if a short occurs.
  • Temperature Sensors: Protects the battery and charger from overheating, which can be especially important when charging large or fast-charging batteries.

Portability & Storage

  • Consider the size and weight of the charger. If you plan to use it on the go or store it in a small space, you may want a more compact, lightweight model.

Smart Features

  • Battery Status Indicators: Look for a charger that shows the status of the battery (e.g., charging, full, faulty). Some models also provide battery health readings.
  • App Integration: Some high-end chargers can connect to an app on your phone, allowing you to monitor the charging process remotely.

Price

  • Bear in mind that, as in most things, you generally get what you pay for. A CTEK battery charger or a NOCO battery charger are both world-class and definitely worth your consideration.

How to Use The Best Car Battery Charger

If you’re not sure how to charge a car battery, check out this article at Haynes.

If you find this article useful, you may like to check out our list of the Best Car Battery Booster Packs and Best Car Polishing Machines.

Spread the word

Thank you for reading this post and I hope that you found it enjoyable and useful. If you have, please spread the word and share it!