A vehicle’s battery needs to be properly maintained and cared for regularly. It doesn’t matter if it powers your everyday vehicle or a car that you store all winter long; neglecting its care can lead to performance issues. Maintaining your battery is cost-effective and saves you time that can otherwise be spent getting stranded on the roadway while waiting for help. To maintain the health of your battery, a 12-volt battery charger comes into play.
This guide will help you find the best option available for your battery charging needs. Whether it’s for a car, ATV, or your prized lawnmower, it’s a device that you’ll want on hand to prevent battery problems from happening. Before we unveil the list, let’s go over what to know.
Why Does a 12-Volt Battery Charger Make Sense?
Numerous vehicles are powered by 12-volt batteries (specifically lead-acid or lithium ones). They include most cars, motorcycles, ATVs, boats, and ride-on mowers. With the exception of the cars you use daily, such vehicles will often sit unused for lengthy periods, whether it's weeks or months. What you need to understand is that as it sits, the battery continues to discharge slowly.
In cold weather conditions, it hastens the draining process. Without proper maintenance, sulfation occurs, and the internal structure of the battery gets damaged, resulting in a shorter lifespan. With this in mind, a 12-volt battery charger can keep the battery charged and ready for operation. No standard battery charger is going to cut it since it won’t have the built-in safety features to prevent overcharging.
Battery Tender, on the other hand, has chargers that will keep working. Even when the battery is fully charged, it transitions to a safe mode that prevents overcharging. That way, it will charge the battery whenever needed, even if you don’t use the vehicle for a lengthy period of time. This is perfect for such vehicles that don’t get used in colder months.
What Makes a 12-Volt Battery Charger Stand Out?
Before you choose a battery charger for 12-volt batteries, knowing what makes the best options stand out is key. Not all solutions on the market are created equal. As such, you’ll want to consider the following when looking through the best options:
Does It Support My Battery Type?
Not every 12-volt battery charger will support all battery types. Some may be limited to certain types, like AGM or Flooded Lead Acid batteries only. Be sure to know the compatibility details regarding the type of battery before deciding if the charger you’re interested in is the right choice.
What Amperage Levels Does It Have?
Different batteries may need a minimal amount of amperage for a jump start to be successful. For example, a car battery may require a jump starter with more amperage compared to a battery used to power a lawn mower. The amperage level you need for a charger will depend on how it will be used (and for the specific vehicle that will use it).
Should It Be Weatherproof?
A battery charger that can resist weather conditions is ideal. Cold weather and extreme heat can threaten a battery’s health, but a weather-resistant battery charger can function properly no matter what nature throws its way.
Does It Have User-Friendly Features?
No battery charger needs to be complex in terms of use. Battery Tender takes pride in offering chargers that are user-friendly, including safety features like automatic shutoff, spark-proof clamps, and reverse polarity protection, to name a few.
Nevertheless, you’ll want to find a 12-volt battery charger that will fit your budget and overall needs. Our Battery Tender options will be worth the investment for whatever vehicle you’re using most (and the battery that needs to stay functional).
Best 12-Volt Battery Charger Options
Now that we have the considerations listed above, let’s go over what options are available for 12-volt battery chargers. Each one might be a fit for your needs and affordability among others. Here’s a look at the following options and why they stand out:
4-Bank, 1.25 AMP 12V Battery Charger
First on our list of the best 12-volt battery charger options is this 4-bank, 1.25 AMP 12V battery charger. One of its major features is that you can charge up to four batteries at the same time. They each can be charged with the same amount of voltage if needed. You can also keep it in use because of the float mode, which automatically switches on once your batteries are fully charged.
It’s the perfect fit for storing multiple vehicles that you use seasonally. In cold weather, batteries in stored vehicles will lose their power just sitting there. Why not keep them charged and maintained for the long haul? This charger features reverse polarity protection, spark-proof protection, and a 25-hour safety timer shutoff.
Key Features:
- Four charging banks at 1.25 AMPs each
- Features safety features, including reverse polarity and a safety timer shutoff
- Compatible with AGM, GEL, Lithium, and Standard (Sealed or Flooded Lead Acid) batteries
3 AMP Power Tender 12V/6V Switchable Battery Charger
Next, we’ll be looking at the 3 AMP Power Tender 12V/6V Switchable Battery Charger. At 3 AMP it’s perhaps one of those chargers that can give your vehicle’s battery the charge it needs. It has a current output range of 3 to 5 AMPs. So you can adjust it accordingly if you so choose. One other feature it has is the LED light indicators that give you details on the charging status or if there is a drop in battery voltage.
Since it’s also a maintainer, it can also maintain the battery charge in float mode. If you are looking for a charger with slightly more power, chances are this may be one of the best battery chargers 12 volt options at your disposal. It can come quite in handy when you plan to take out your favorite seasonal vehicle once the weather warms up.
Key Features:
- Output range of 3 to 5 AMPs
- Compact and lightweight for easy storage and portability
- Compatible with AGM, GEL, Lithium, and Standard (Sealed or Flooded Lead Acid) batteries
Battery Tender Plus 1.25 AMP Selectable 12V/6V Battery Charger And Maintainer
Finally, we’ve got the 1.25 AMP Selectable 12V/6V battery charger and maintainer. It’s smaller in size than the others, so portability will be easy. Take it with you camping or on road trips, or keep it at home for vehicle storage. It’s easy to use since it has a four-step charging process: initialization, bulk charge, absorption mode, and then float mode. Simply put, no battery is overcharged.
You connect it and forget it. Simple as that. That’s what makes this battery charger and maintainer one of the best on the market. You won’t have to worry about leaving a charger unattended and risking safety hazards that may harm the battery itself.
Key Features:
- Over 12 total feet of reach
- 1.25 AMP Output
- AGM, GEL, Standard (Sealed or Flooded Lead Acid) battery compatible
Choose a Battery Charger That Fits Your Needs
We hope these three feature options from Battery Tender cover your needs. Rest assured that when it comes to keeping a 12V battery charged, there’s always a charger that will handle the work and ensure the battery remains healthy even if it's powering a vehicle you don’t often use. Be sure to check out what Battery Tender has for your charging needs today.
