To maintain the health and charge of your car’s battery, you should consider one of the best smart battery chargers available. These are the cream of the crop in the world of car battery care. But they can do other things too.
Understandably, you may be wondering what the need or indeed point of a smart battery charger is. Overly flash units that are all show and no go? Granted, there is a price premium compared to a bog-standard unit, but it’s true that these chargers offer so much more and can even help you save cash in the long run. Ultimately, the smartest battery chargers are packed with the most modes and features.
On the face of it, car batteries look to have remained largely the same for yonks – a heavy box with some electrons in it. But modern car batteries are far more advanced than they used to be.
Modern cars demand a lot more power than the cars of yesteryear thanks to safety systems, onboard computers, and even stop/start. Thus, batteries need to be able to hold more charge and charge faster, and in doing so, will not tolerate abuse and poor treatment by owners. Smart battery chargers and subsequent battery trickle chargers are great ways of ensuring your vehicle’s battery and electronics are well-conditioned if you leave it for long periods of time.
The best at a glance:
Editor’s pick: CTEK MXS 5.0 Battery Charger – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best compact charger: NOCO GENIUS5UK – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best smart battery charger on a budget: Ring Automotive Smart Battery Charger – Buy now from Amazon UK
The best smart battery chargers
Editor's pick
Rrp: £94.99
Rrp: £94.99
You get a number of modes which allow you to set the charger for a motorcycle, car, as well as some recondition modes which regulate the amount of charge. The cable is quite short at just over a metre, which does hinder its usability.
Read our full CTEK MXS 5.0 review here.
Pros
- Top-quality
- Will recondition batteries
Cons
- Cable is too short
| Dimensions | (L) 168mm x (W) 65mm x (H) 38mm |
| Weight | 0.6kg |
| Current | 5A |
| Voltage | 12V |
| IP rating | IP65 |
| Operating temperature | -20 to 50° C |
Best compact smart battery charger
The smart features don't end there, the NOCO is able to restore lost battery power by removing power-sapping plates and through a process called acid stratification. What's so impressive about the NOCO is that it can even charge a battery resting at zero volts, normally something a battery booster would be capable of.
Pros
- Excellent features
- Top-quality
Cons
- No AGM battery mode
| Dimensions | (L) 117mm x (W) 74mm x (H) 49mm |
| Weight | 0.45kg |
| Current | 5A |
| Voltage | 12V/6V |
| IP rating | IP65 |
| Operating temperature | N/A |
Best budget smart battery charger
Rrp: £39.99
Rrp: £39.99
and suitable for all battery types. It even features a cold-weather charging mode for use during the winter months. The instructions aren't brilliant, though.
Pros
- Simple to use
- Well-made
Cons
- Not the most advanced option
| Dimensions | (L) 183mm x (W) 101mm x (H) 63mm |
| Weight | 0.88kg |
| Current | 3A or 6A |
| Voltage | 12V, 6V |
| IP rating | IP65 |
| Operating temperature | N/A |
Best quality smart battery charger
Rrp: £149.99
Rrp: £149.99
Unlike the MXS 5.0, it has a supply mode. What this does is if in the event that the battery needs to be removed, it acts as a power supply, which coincidently, protects your vehicle's electrical settings.
Pros
- Great, premium quality
- Comprehensive level of charging modes
Cons
- Optional extras are quite extortionate
The best premium smart battery charger
However, the Genius 10 also features something called thermal compensation. It means it monitors the ambient temperature and adjusts the charging cycle accordingly in order to avoid under or over-charging. The Genius 10 is also able to charge from as low as one volt. But if the battery is reading zero, there is also a manual Force Mode if you need it.
Pros
- Outstanding performance
- Quality construction
Cons
- Overkill for some car owners
| Dimensions | (L) 183mm x (W) 94mm x (H) 60mm |
| Weight | 1.5kg |
| Current | 10A |
| Voltage | 12V, 6V |
| IP rating | IP65 |
| Operating temperature | -20 to 40° C |
Most versatile smart battery charger
It can also be solar powered, but the solar panel by CTEK is a pricey option. But if you're determined to make trickle charging work purely by using the sun, it can do it. And do it well.
Pros
- Acts as power bank, too
- Quick and clever charging system
Cons
- Solar panel is an extra
Smart battery charger FAQs
What are they?
A smart battery charger is able to charge and trickle charge, like a traditional budget battery charger, but has charging modes specific to each battery type. Smart battery chargers are also programmed with the ability to recondition car batteries.
What do they do?
A smart battery charger on the other hand, is able to charge and trickle charge like a traditional battery charger, but has charging modes specific to each battery type. Smart battery chargers are also programmed with the ability to recondition car batteries. They’re a lot more sympathetic and gentle than say, battery jump starters, which burst a load of volts into your battery at once.
Battery reconditioning is the stand-out feature of a smart battery charger – especially from an upmarket brand such as NOCO or CTEK. The battery will work to help restore lost performance by working to remove plate coatings that may form on the battery cells that reduce battery effectiveness, restoring lost performance. Smart chargers have a multi-stage cycle when charging car batteries. This begins with something called desulphation – restoring battery capacity by removing sulphate from the battery’s lead plates. The smart charger will then test the battery to see if it is able to accept a charge.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. A veteran car cleaner; if it details, waxes or washes he’ll be on hand to make sure it’s worth your money.
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