ATVs might be one of the most exciting vehicles you can ride off-road, like exploring the wooded trails or tearing up the uneven paths. Alternatively, you might be using it for hauling or plowing in the winter. One thing is certain: an ATV’s battery can be vulnerable due to infrequent use, especially when you have it stored for several months.
Even if your ATV goes nowhere for a lengthy period, the battery still drains to the point where it degrades. You’ll need an ATV charger to ensure it stays in good functioning condition. This guide will discuss why such chargers are a necessary investment, including a list of four featured picks that might fit your battery needs. Let’s get started!
Why Invest in a Great ATV Battery Charger?
ATV battery chargers can prove their worth in terms of reliability. It can be a battery’s best friend whenever your favorite ATV is stored for long periods or operated in extreme conditions (especially lithium batteries). Such situations can lead to battery drain, sulfation, and eventually failure. It would be a good idea to consider investing in an ATV battery charger, especially one with excellent safety features that will charge the battery and maintain the charge for a longer battery life.
Keep in mind that such battery chargers are available with different levels of peak amperage for effective charging. They may contain other features such as selectable voltage, portable size, and more. It would be ideal to find one that will be best suited for your ATV battery needs, whether it's lithium-ion or acid batteries that you use.
The Best ATV Battery Chargers: What We Recommend
Now, we’ll turn our attention to the following four options for the best ATV battery chargers. Because no charger is created equal, you’ll want to choose one based on certain features that may align with your most critical needs. Let’s go over the details of each of these options:
Charge N Start 1100 - 1 AMP Battery Charger & 1000 AMP Jump Starter
We kick off this list with one of the more popular options from Battery Tender. The Charge N Start 1100 is a battery charger and a jump starter. Talk about an excellent package deal that is easy to store in small compartments.
This battery charger has 1 AMP charge, so your ATV battery can charge properly while it’s in storage. It’s perfect for when you have an ATV that you know is going to sit there for months. Taking care of the battery with this charger should be a priority. On the other side, you have a jump starter with 1000 peak amps of power.
Now, the battery could die on you whenever you are out and about. If it does, you have a jump starter that can bring it back to life with the easy-to-use alligator clips. Simply put, this is the one device where taking it with you should be a no-brainer. You’ll never know if and when your battery might go flat if you fail to charge it regularly or perform routine battery maintenance.
Key features:
- 1 AMP battery charge
- 1000 peak AMPs of jump-starting power for 12-volt batteries
- Compatible with AGM, GEL, Lithium, and Standard (Sealed or Flooded Lead Acid) battery types
Weather Resistant 800mA, 12V Battery Charger
This battery charger may be the best option for seasonal storage of your ATV. Besides, the housing is weather resistant and can hold its own in cold weather conditions (or if the garage space is cooler in air temperature). Nevertheless, this charger offers 800mA of output power to 12V batteries, which is excellent for numerous ATVs that you’ll want to stay operational even if you don’t use it as often.
The “connect and forget” feature might be one of the best things you’ll find on a battery charger and maintainer. You can let the battery charge up to its full capacity, and then you’ll be able to let the device do its work in float mode to maintain that charge accordingly. You’re not going to worry about your battery being overcharged since it’s going to maintain what it’s got over time, no matter how long it will be between the time you store it and the day you decide to take your favorite ATV out for a spin.
Think about it: you avoid corrosion, unnecessary battery drain and degradation, and other potential hazards that might harm the battery. Did we mention it’s weather resistant? Not a bad choice for long-term winter storage and better battery health.
Key features:
- 800mA output for 12V battery types
- Weatherproof housing for moisture, dust, and temperature changes
- Compatible with AGM, GEL, Lithium, Standard (Sealed or Flooded Lead Acid) battery types
Battery Tender Plus 1.25 AMP Selectable 12V/6V Battery Charger and Maintainer
This battery charger has it so that you can switch between 12V and 6V batteries, whichever you might have. If you have either one and need a versatile charger, then look no further than this one. You get a 1.25 AMP charge that will be ideal for your ATV’s battery. Plus, it has LED status indicators that will show the charging status and health of your battery.
You might find this charger in particular to be one of the more flexible options compared to its single-purpose counterparts, especially when you can use it on ATVs, snowmobiles, lawn tractors, and other suitable vehicles. At the end of the day, it’s a battery charger that simply does the work whenever you need it. Whether it’s for long-term winter storage or a charge after one of its regular uses, it’s there for you.
Key features:
- 1.25 AMP output
- LED status indicators that are easy to read
- Compatible with AGM, GEL, and Standard (Sealed or Flooded Lead Acid) battery types
4-Bank, 1.25 AMP 12V Battery Charger
Last but not least, we’ll take a look at this 4-bank battery charger. If you are looking for the type of charger that will charge four batteries at once, this is the device to use. You’ll be able to allow each battery to get its own charge at 1.25 amps. Even better, it can be used when you have more than one ATV. You can charge a four-wheeler and a UTV all at once. Pretty cool, right?
Aside from that, the housing is weather resistant, meaning you can use this for when you are storing your ATVs and motorcycles in the winter. Plus, it’s got protection against dust and water intrusion. It’s a pretty solid unit for you to put to good use. It has the essential safety features, reverse polarity protection, spark-proof protection, and a 25-hour safety timer at your disposal. Once the batteries are charged, they’ll enter float mode where the charge itself is maintained. For an automatic charger that can handle four batteries at once, it's not too shabby.
Key features:
- Four charging banks at 1.25 AMPs each
- Reverse polarity protection
- For AGM, GEL, Lithium, and Standard (Sealed or Flooded Lead Acid) battery types
Choose the Best ATV Battery Charger with Battery Tender
One of these four options could be your next best investment when it comes to the ATV you love so much, especially when you want to avoid a dead battery. Regular maintenance, including long-term charging during storage, is critical to its performance. Not to mention, it will save you time and give you peace of mind knowing that when it's time to fire up your four-wheeler, you’ll have a start that goes without a hitch. Choose an ATV battery charger that fits you best and never deal with a dead battery for as long as possible. Visit Battery Tender and order an ATV battery charger today!
