Best Trickle Chargers

Review & Comparison, Last Update March 3, 2024
When your vehicle is your life it can be really stressful to have a depleted battery inside of it. No means to start it and get on the road. Fortunately, you won’t need to jump start it, since you can prevent the discharge of your battery by using a simple tool - a trickle charger. There is a lot of different battery types so we are here to help you pick the charger that will be suitable for the one your vehicle has. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Compatible Batteries
Output Current
Delivery Set
Special Features
Protection
Warranty
 
PROS

The built-in temperature compensation feature adjusts the voltage level according to the environment the car is in.

CONS

The status indicator tends to have a non-insignificant margin of error.

OUR VERDICT

An intelligent automatic trickle charger from Battery Tender that utilizes a 4-phase charging cycle to keep your battery in a top-notch condition by providing an always stable power output. If you want your car to stay with you for a while, this is the model you should opt for.

detailed parameters
Compatible Batteries

12 V

Output Current

1.25 A

Delivery Set

The charger, Ring terminals, Battery clamps

Special Features

Indicators (Charge status, Fault), Temperature compensation

Protection

Automatic switching between full charge and float charging mode

Protection: Reverse polarity, Sparks

Warranty

10 years

PROS

The patented CPU detects the voltage of the battery, while the desulphation mode offers an additional level of protection.

CONS

Gets hot during prolonged use.

OUR VERDICT

This model from Schumacher is capable of maintaining even the most capacious batteries out there, thanks to its 1.5A current output. What's more, the lightning-fast charge process makes short work of any depleted battery and makes the wait far more bearable. A great find for those who love efficiency.

detailed parameters
Compatible Batteries

6 V and 12 V

Output Current

1.5 A

Delivery Set

The charger, Ring terminals, Battery clamps

Special Features

Indicators (Charge status, Fault)

Protection

Automatic switching between full charge and float charging mode

Protection: Reverse polarity

Warranty

2 years

PROS

The compact dimensions allow you to carry and transport it comfortably in any vehicle or backpack.

CONS

The model comes with relatively short cables.

OUR VERDICT

This is a decent battery charger, which offers a good quality and an excellent value for money. The device ensures an impressively fast charging.

detailed parameters
Compatible Batteries

12 V

Output Current

0.75 A

Delivery Set

The charger, Ring terminals, Battery clamps

Special Features

Indicators (Charge status)

Protection

Automatic switching between full charge and float charging mode

Protection: Reverse polarity, Sparks

Warranty

5 years

PROS

The body of the charger has special mounting holes, so securing the device in the needed position is a piece of cake.

CONS

The clips do not always provide a tight grip on battery posts.

OUR VERDICT

This smart and portable charger is capable of switching between charging mode and float mode automatically. It is a great solution for every car owner!

detailed parameters
Compatible Batteries

6 V and 12 V

Output Current

1 A

Delivery Set

The charger, Ring terminals, Battery clamps, 12 V Cigarette lighter accessory plug

Special Features

Indicators (Charge status, Fault)

Protection

Protection: Reverse polarity, Overcharging, Short circuit

Warranty

1 year

PROS

Thanks to the suction cups you can attach the device on almost every window. On top of that, the housing has an IP44 protection rating so you can even install the appliance on the outer parts of your vehicle.

CONS

The output current power may not be suitable for big vehicles.

OUR VERDICT

With this little charger, you won't need any AC outlets to power up your car battery any longer: this device converts the energy of the sunlight into 1.5W / 0.125A of electric power. That will be enough to start even a medium-sized car or a big motorcycle, so if you like eco-friendly power - this is a no-brainer choice.

detailed parameters
Compatible Batteries

12 V

Output Current

0.125 A

Delivery Set

The charger, Ring terminals, Battery clamps, 12 V Cigarette lighter accessory plug

Special Features

Indicators (Charge status)

Protection

Protection: Reverse polarity

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

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Battery Tender Plus 021-0128

Powerful Response to Battery Discharge

The Battery Tender Plus 021-0128 is one of the best trickle chargers on the market today, thanks to its reliability and power output, hence, it will be suitable for motorists of all sorts, so let’s break down why it is so good. First of all, this 1.25A trickle charger is capable of powering up motorcycle, car, and even truck batteries twice as fast as the competing models with lower amperage.

The simple yet convenient interface of the appliance features two indicators that will show the charging status of your battery, while the fault indicator will signal any problems in the electrical circuit.

Although this model can be used for almost any vehicle that features a lead acid battery, the jumper cables might be a bit small for car batteries. In case you want to use the charger on your car, we recommend double-checking the alligator clips when you connect them to the pins of your vehicle’s battery to exclude the risk of electric discharge. Alternatively, you can purchase any 12V jumper cable set for using it on your car specifically. Nevertheless, the float charging process doesn’t need the clips to firmly grip the connectors, unlike regular jump starters. That said, it is important to not touch the metal parts of clips during the charging process since there is a risk of an electric shock.

To wrap things up, the Battery Tender Plus can become your vehicle’s best friend that will protect its battery from reverse polarity discharge, sparks, and short circuits. Regardless of what type of car or bike you drive, this all-purpose charger should do the trick.

Review of Battery Tender Plus 021-0128 1.25 Amp Battery Trickle Charger
Last updated price $109.96
Stock In stock
ASIN B00068XCQU

What customers say about this product

Size & Weight

The charger is very easy to use, compact and light weight. The cables are long enough to reach the battery easily.

Features

It is a bit slow, but I like the built in safety features that allow me to keep my battery fully charged while my car is in storage.

Key Specs

I've wanted to buy a battery tender for years. I finally bought two of them for two motorcycles. If you have an AGM battery, you'll definitely want one of these. Now my bike kicks over quickly even if it's been sitting for a couple of weeks in the winter.
 

Schumacher SEM-1562A-CA

A Solid All-Purpose Choice

Engineered specifically for small to medium vehicles, the Schumacher SEM-1562A-CA trickle charger can still easily maintain the charge of large car batteries’ without too much of a hassle. While the 6V / 12V charger maintains the discharge level at a minimum, the 1.5A float device will ensure that the battery will be charged quickly. So quickly, in fact, you won’t even notice that the charge was depleted in the first place.

When the powering up process has been completed, the device will automatically go into monitor (floating) mode to conserve energy. In case the charge level starts dropping, the appliance will keep the battery topped up. Although the tool is quite good in keeping the battery of your vehicle juiced up it will not charge a completely drained one. On the bright side, however, the charger comes equipped with two types of clamps - jumper cables and o-ring connectors, which makes it suitable for a variety of lead-acid batteries.

All things considered, with a weight of only 2.5 lbs this fully automatic trickle charger is a portable must buy for every motorist that cares about their vehicle. If you don’t drive enough to constantly keep watch on your battery level, the SEM model from Schumacher will do it for you, which makes it a top pick in our eyes.

Review of Schumacher SEM-1562A-CA 1.5 Amp Speed Charge Battery Maintainer

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B0009IBJAS

 

Battery Tender Junior 021-0123

Functional yet Simple

The Battery Tender Junior is one of the most compact chargers, which comes with the additional auto mode function. You will have no problems using this equipment since it doesn't require any special configuration or adjustment. The Battery Tender Junior automatically collects all the required data from the battery and then adjusts the output current and voltage based on these data. This function enables the car battery charger to use the optimal and fastest charging mode as well as prevent the battery from overheating during the process. Such functionality is implemented in the charger owing to the built-in microcontroller, which determines the actual battery charge level and the corresponding charging voltage. The charger has only one LED indicator, however, its two-color scheme allows displaying the complete information regarding the battery condition.

Taking into account the fully automatic operation of the device, all you need to do is connect charger clamps to the posts on your car battery with the corresponding polarity, and then plug the charger socket into your household outlet. Yes, it's that easy! The Battery Tender Junior comes with two pairs of different connectors, which are ring terminals and battery clamps, to offer you the selection of the common options of hooking up the charger to the battery terminal posts.

Speaking of the device automatic operation in more detail, before initiating the charging the Junior 021 performs additional diagnostics and checks whether the polarity is observed. Thus, even if you connected the cables incorrectly, the special LED indicator will warn you about the wrong connection. However, we recommend reading the operation manual carefully before using the unit. Another great benefit of the Junior is the manufacturer 5-year warranty for the product!

Review of Battery Tender Junior 021-0123 Battery Charger
Last updated price $24.98
Stock In stock
ASIN B000CITK8S

What customers say about this product

Key Specs

Just the Ticket for my lawn tractor, put the lugs on the battery terminals and charges like a dream. When I want to use the tractor I disconnect the connector and use the cap that comes with it in the end and start the tractor up.

Features

Easy to see lights that inform you of charge process.

Size & Weight

The unit is pretty solid in build and has a solid weight to it.
 

Black & Decker BM3B

Easy to Use, Accessible to All

With the advantageous design and automatic charging mode, the BM3B Battery Charger by Black&Decker really deserves a special attention. Actually, it is one of the easiest-to-use models, all you need to do is just set the sliding switch to the right position (6 or 12-volt depending on your battery), attach the clamps to the corresponding posts of the battery and plug it in. The BM3B charger will do the rest! The BM3B charging equipment shuts off automatically when your car battery is charged completely. In addition, special indicators show the battery charging status.

This Charger/Maintainer comes with mounting holes that can be used for a reliable mounting of the unit in a vertical or horizontal position on any workspace. For example, you can secure it right on a wall in your garage or in any other convenient place.

With its compact and practical design, the BM3B Battery Charger/Maintainer offers other important advantages. Apart from battery clamps and ring terminals, the model comes with a DC plug for charging the battery of your vehicle via a cigarette lighter receptacle. In some cases, the use of this connection brings benefits, as there is no need to open the hood to access the battery. However, it's important to make sure your car allows this way of charging.

To connect the charger to a battery, simply attach the positive (red) clamp to the positive (+) post on the battery and the negative (black) clamp to the negative (-) post. The BM3B Battery Charger/Maintainer features a protection against reverse polarity, thus in case of incorrect connection, the indicator will inform you about the misconnection.

Review of Black & Decker BM3B Battery Charger / Maintainer for car

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $16.43
Stock In stock
ASIN B0051D3MP6

 

Sunway Solar SWS-C2W001

The Power of Sun

The Sunway Solar is a rather unusual car battery charger that is surprisingly convenient to use on small vehicles, such as motorcycles, scooters, boats, and hybrid cars. All you have to do to keep your battery charged is install the device on one of the transparent parts of your car such as the rear window or windshield. The charger comes with suction cups that allow for installing the device on virtually any type of flat surface including glass and metal.

In addition to mounting accessories, the charger is supplied with standard ring clamps and a 16-foot extension cord that makes this model so convenient to use.

The solar technology used in this charger ensures that you won’t need any additional cables or outlets in order for the device to run and effectively maintain the vehicle’s battery charge. The 1.5 W output of the appliance is more than enough to charge small 12V batteries. As for the much bigger models, the charger may have a hard time maintaining those with it’s 0.125A current output. In case you want an eco-friendly solar-powered charger for your SUV or a truck, there is a 3W / 0.250A model that will keep their batteries alive.

Despite the fact that the device has low power output, the high-quality solar elements maintain a stable current and wattage even on a cloudy day. Small, handy, and highly convenient - you just can’t go wrong with this model from Sunway Solar, especially if you want an eco-friendly option.

Review of Sunway Solar SWS-C2W001 Solar Car Battery Trickle Charger
Last updated price $25.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B06WP95W51

 

What Is a Trickle Charger?

A regular car battery operates in the temperature range of 30°F and 90°F, thus, even the slightest hike or drop in temperature can cause capacity damage and shorten its service life significantly. On top of that, with a self-discharge rate of lead-acid batteries varying between 8-20% of the total capacity, you will definitely need a tool that will keep them charged, especially if you don’t use the vehicle too often.

It can be a real challenge to keep the batteries of your steel horse charged, especially in the colder time of the year. In case you are living in an area where winters are severe you probably know how bad it can be when your car or truck just won’t start on the first try. A trickle charger will help you keep your vehicle’s battery charged and ready to go at any time.

Trickle charging can be crucial in case you rely on your car to get to work on a daily basis or in case you use your vehicle as a seasonal transport (motorcycles, ATVs, or convertible cars).

If you are looking for more sophisticated car gear you may be interested in jump starters and pressure gauges to keep yourself safe on the roads.

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Publish Date: 2018-09-21 11:42:00