Also: Best portable power station: Emergency power when you need it This is an easy-to-use battery charger and jump starter that’s perfect to keep in your garage for either regular maintenance or emergency use. It features simple, push-button controls for jump starting, charging, and checking your alternator. It even has a 120V outlet and USB port for charging mobile devices or powering small appliances. You can also easily read your battery’s voltage and charging status with the LCD screen; no more deciphering confusing meters. The 80A engine start mode can get you going in about 60 seconds, and there is a quick charge function for when you need to top up in a hurry. Pros:
Alternator checkLCD screenUSB port and 120V outlet
Cons:
No internal battery6-foot power cable may be too short for some workshops
Keeping up with regular battery maintenance doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune on fancy tools. This trickle charger from Black+Decker costs about $30, and it is perfect for both 6V and 12V batteries like those you’d find in lawn mowers, motorcycles, and most cars and trucks. You can connect it to the battery via clamps or rings for safe and secure charging, and a switch lets you quickly and easily select the battery type you want to charge. It also has LED indicator lights to warn you against reversed connections which can be dangerous and to let you know when the battery is finished charging. Pros:
Voltage switchTwo connection typesCompact
Cons:
No engine startMay take 40+ hours to fully charge a dead car battery
I actually own this model of charger/maintainer, and I can say with confidence that it’s a great choice for all skill levels. The backlit LCD screen makes it easy to see charging status, reversed connection warnings, and charging mode selections. The push-button controls make it quick and easy to check battery voltage, test the alternator, jump start your car, or charge the battery. With the 15A quick charge mode, it took just over three hours to bring my old Chevy Cobalt’s battery back to full after being drained by an interior light. The unit also automatically switches from quick to trickle charge when the battery reaches full capacity to avoid overcharging that can cause damage. Pros:
Engine start modeQuick charge modeAlternator check
Cons:
Clamp cords are shortPower cord is short
The ProSeries from Schumacher Electric is a battery charger meant for anyone who has heavy duty vehicles like semi-trucks or diesel engine vehicles or anyone who runs an automotive shop. It has a 15A fast-charge mode, 275A engine start, and 4A trickle charge feature. It is also capable of flash reprogramming vehicle computers to fix minor software problems that may affect things like gas mileage and engine performance. It even has a memory saver mode to quickly reload computer settings after a battery is charged from zero or replaced. The unit has a 17-foot power cable as well as wheels and a retractable handle to make it easy to maneuver around the shop and reach just about any vehicle bay. Pros:
17-foot power cableFlash reprogrammingMemory saver mode
Cons:
Not suited for most home garages
This is another battery charger that I personally own, and I keep it in my car for roadside emergencies. Not only can it jumpstart your car and charge the battery, it also has a 500W power inverter for charging mobile devices and a 120 psi air compressor if you get a flat while you’re out and about. The built-in handle makes it easy to carry around, and it’s compact enough to keep in the trunk of my Trailblazer. It has a 120V outlet, 3 USB ports, push-button controls, and an easy-read LCD screen. The battery clamp cords are a bit on the short side, but since you don’t need to keep the unit plugged into a wall to use, it’s not much of an issue. Pros:
Air compressorPower inverterBuilt-in handle
Cons:
Short clamp cablesNo trickle charge mode
This buying tree can help you decide which car battery charger is right for you: The best way to figure out charging time is to divide your battery’s amp hour rating by the running amp rating of your charger (70ah/10amp = 7 hours).
