What’s the market for budget car battery chargers in today’s world? Truth be told, the top end models from the likes of NOCO and CTEK are very expensive, so it’s nice to have options that don’t break your bank. Depending on its age and condition, your car battery could die on you at any time. You may well have left your lights on in the car, or perhaps your alternator belt has had its day and needs replacing. Whatever the cause, once you turn your key to the sweet sound of nothing, you’ll care for little else in the world other than getting back on the road again.
Most battery chargers are considered ‘smart’ these days, indicating they carry intelligent technology on board that delivers charge safely for the preservation and longevity of your battery’s service life. While this technology is incredibly helpful, smart chargers are considerably more expensive than regular models, with most high-amperage chargers going for well over a hundred pounds.
If you need to recharge your car battery on a budget then don’t worry, there are plenty of cheaper examples currently on the market. While they may not offer trickle-charging capabilities nor the opportunity to recondition your battery, budget battery chargers are still more than capable of getting you back on the road.
The best budget car battery chargers at a glance:
Editor’s pick: NOCO Genius1 – buy from Amazon
Most advanced budget battery charger: NOCO Genius2 – buy from Amazon
Best waterproof budget battery charger: GOOLOO 6 Amp Charger – buy from Amazon
We’ve picked some of our favourites to help narrow down your search. Want something for peace of mind while on the go? Pick up a portable battery charger so you can drive with ease.
The best budget car battery chargers
Editor's pick
If your garage is prone to getting especially hot or cold depending on the time of year, this battery is equipped to detect its ambient temperature and adjust the level of charge accordingly, so as not to over or under-charge depending on the surrounding climate. It might be the baby of the Genius range, but the Genius 1 still packs a punch for a hair under £40.
Pros
- Maintenance charging capabilities
- Small and inconspicuous
- Great quality unit
Cons
- One 1A current delivery
| Dimensions: | 10.2 x 8.7 x 17.1cm |
| Weight: | 0.45kg |
| Charging current: | 1A |
| Trickle charging mode: | Yes |
Most advanced budget battery charger
Rrp: £54.95
Rrp: £54.95
It has an internal thermal sensor which helps maintain a healthy battery charge flow. It will help prevent over-charging in hot climates as well as prevent low charging in colder temperatures. It can charge batteries from dead and comfortably keep them conditioned when they reach a high point.
Pros
- A more powerful alternative to the Genius1
- Great quality unit
- Works on both 6 and 12V batteries
Cons
- Doesn't have a 12V repair mode
The best 6 Amp charger
Rrp: £39.99
Rrp: £39.99
We especially like this model for its dynamic power outputs, ranging from three-to-six amps for various charging times. As part of its seven-stage charging process, this Ring Automotive charger will also recondition your charger back to optimum performance.
Pros
- Smart charger with maintenance mode
- Fast charging times with multiple speeds
- Good value
Cons
- Bigger than some will want
- Isn't quite as clever as the NOCO units
| Dimensions: | 6.3 x 10.1 x 18.3cm |
| Weight: | 0.6kg |
| Charging current: | 6A |
| Trickle charging mode: | Yes |
Best multi-stage budget battery chagrer
Not only is this battery charger capable of winter charging in temperatures as low as -20°C, but it will also indicate when the charger has reached specific milestones of the charging process: 25%. 50%, 75% and fully charged – great if you need to get back on the road as soon as possible.
Pros
- Ten-step charging and reconditioning process
- Can be used in temperatures as low as -20°C
- Suitable for both Lead-Acid and Lithium batteries
Cons
- Only 2A delivery
- Leads are quite short
| Dimensions: | 16.5 x 7.5 x 4.8cm |
| Weight: | 0.5kg |
| Charging current: | 2A |
| Trickle charging mode: | Yes |
Best value battery charger
Rrp: £29.69
Rrp: £29.69
This charger begins its charging process by performing a test to determine the battery’s condition, then enters its main charging stage to supply 80% of the power. The charger then enters its absorption phase, charging the battery up to just below 100% and then decreasing voltage output to maintain battery health.
Pros
- Maintenance capabilities
- Has a fair amount of kit included
- Cheaper than comparable models
Cons
- Doesn’t have the capabilities of other chargers in the price range
- Quality is compromised
| Dimensions: | 6 x 18 x 25.4cm |
| Weight: | 0.725kg |
| Charging current: | 1.2A |
| Trickle charging mode: | Yes |
The best waterproof trickle charger
It also has an IP65 protection rating, which means the unit if waterproof enough to be used outside, should you have to charge your car on the driveway. It's capable of doing all of the above in temperatures from minus 20 to around 40 degrees, to prevent under and overcharging respectively.
Pros
- Great value for its capabilities
- Survives very cold and very hot temperatures
- IP65 waterproof rating
Cons
- Quality won't be as on-par as the NOCO units.
Budget car battery chargers: FAQs
What happens if my battery overcharges?
Overcharging can occur when a car battery is subjected to extreme heat, a poor-quality battery charger or a broken alternator – your engine’s battery charge regulator. When a battery overcharges, the sulfuric acid and water contents of the battery start to boil, causing the plastic casing to swell and then melt. This can have disastrous and possibly dangerous consequences, but ultimately it means you need a new battery.
What is acid stratification?
Acid stratification occurs when the sulfuric acid content of your car battery starts to concentrate at the bottom of the chassis, leading to a build-up of lead sulphate around the positive and negative terminals. This reaction takes place as a result of excessive current flow after the battery has reached fully charged. To avoid acid stratification, opt for a battery that offers trickle or maintenance charging once fully charged. Some chargers, like the NOCO Genius range, can even recondition your battery to restore lost performance. And if you’re conscious about your carbon footprint, some are even solar powered.
What is reverse polarity?
In the same way that you’d connect a battery booster, it’s vitally important to connect the positive and negative jump leads with their corresponding terminals to maintain your battery’s polarity – opposite physical properties. Reverse polarity occurs when the jump leads are mistakenly applied to the wrong terminals – negative to positive and vice versa. Reverse polarity can cause the internals of a battery to heat up significantly, potentially resulting in an explosion if not dealt with swiftly. Some battery chargers come equipped with cables that protect against reverse polarity, but you should always be careful to apply your crocodile clips to the right terminals to avoid an accident.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.
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