10 Best Portable Car Battery Chargers In 2020: Buying Guide and Reviews
Nothing is more infuriating than your car battery dying on you, and especially when you have somewhere to be. Whenever you leave home, your sole intention is to get to your destination and back without worrying about the state of your automobile, which is why it is inevitable that you get the best portable car battery chargers to have your back in case of an emergency.
There is no shortage of those on the market. Matter of fact, there are so many of them that you will most likely get confused by just looking at the list of brands. We got your back. We know what to look for and in this article, we give you as much information as you will need to become an expert at the field. Read on.
Table of Contents
- Portable Car Battery Chargers – Review & Buyer’s Guide
- 1. BMK 12V 5A Smart Battery Charger Portable Lead Acid Battery
- 2. NOCO Genius Battery Charger and Maintainer G3500 6V/12V 3.5 Amp
- 3. Sunway Solar Car Battery Trickle Charger & Maintainer
- 4. SUAOKI Solar Car Battery Charger 18V 12V 18W
- 5. SUNER POWER Solar Car Battery Charger & Maintainer 12V
- 6. Renogy Portable Solar Panel Battery Maintainer 16W 12V PET Laminated Trickle Charger
- 7. Odyssey 6A Portable Charger
- 8. SUAOKI Smart Battery Charger
- 9. LST 12V Battery Trickle Maintainer Charger
- 10. TPE12V 5Amp Smart Battery Charger
- Portable Car Battery Chargers – Buying Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Portable Car Battery Chargers – Review & Buyer’s Guide
1. BMK 12V 5A Smart Battery Charger Portable Lead Acid Battery
The BMK 12V 5A smart car battery charger is an excellent option for charging batteries that have 15-100Ah. It comes together with a battery condition diagnose, which helps in the detection of defects in the battery before charging. This charger features a DC output of 13.8V/5A and an AC input of Input 100-240V. It’s good to note that this battery can also charge batteries with more than 100Ah only that it’s going to take more time charging.
This charger compensates the temperature adequately to ensure that the charging voltage is optimal. The vulcanization function makes it ideal for the loan mower, car motorcycle, electric vehicle, emergency battery charging as well as electronic tools. It weighs only 15.87oz, meaning you can carry it to various places easy and functions a useful trickle battery charger. This product has a safety feature that starts working at any time the charger is plugged on to prevent marginal batteries from getting damaged due to overcharging. The gadget can easily switch from float mode into full charge in a matter of seconds and lets you enjoy maintenance-free charging.
- Made using waterproof and long-lasting ABS material
- Saves time and is highly convenient
- The manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty
- When the battery is fully charged it automatically stops
- Not a good option for batteries with a capacity lower than 15AH
2. NOCO Genius Battery Charger and Maintainer G3500 6V/12V 3.5 Amp
This NOCO Genius battery incorporates all the components that any vehicle owner would require to easily and quickly charge the battery a matter of a few hours. The model is great for charging tractors, RVs, boats, cars, trucks, and much more with a maximum of 120 Amps per hour. 7 various charger modes can resourcefully start and charge any lithium battery as regards the voltage and drainage. It can successfully charge a battery that’s wholly drained and ensure that the battery charge is safely maintained. It’s an excellent choice for 6-volt lead-acid batteries as well as 12-volt lead-acid batteries such as Wet, AGM, Gel and much more. It incorporates an advanced charging technology that monitors your battery and maintains it, so you never worry about it overcharging. The battery is also very lightweight, so you can comfortably carry it to anywhere you like.
- Lightweight and highly portable
- The manufacturer offers a limited warranty of 5 years
- Comes with spark-proof technology
- Charges batteries faster compared to other models
- Has the ability to handle CANBUS electrical systems
- Warranty process may be difficult
- Cannot charge batteries that are completely dead
3. Sunway Solar Car Battery Trickle Charger & Maintainer
This Sunway battery charger is quite straightforward and showcases a high energy efficiency rate and works well for motorcycles, snowmobiles, RVs, boats, cars, and many other outdoor vehicles. This charger is ideal for charging 12v batteries. It generates small, steady battery drains to help manage your battery through all seasons. It capably makes use of solar power to trickle the battery for as long as there is sufficient sunlight. The solar panel is designed so powerfully attaches to the dash and windshield to plug well into the cigarette plug of your car.
For longevity, this charger is covered using long-lasting AB plastic housing and Ultra-clear PV glass to maximize its efficiency. This ensures low maintenance costs. It offers an environmentally friendly for charging and maintains any rechargeable battery that’s 12volt including deep cycle, SLA, Gel, Wet as well as AGM batteries. It features an inbuilt diode that comes in handy in the prevention of reverse charging from batteries. The manufacturer offers a one year warranty to guarantee the quality of this product.
- Lightweight and portable
- Easy to use
- Durable ABC Plastic cover
- LED indicator to inform you if the charger if working effectively
- Not waterproof
- No overcharge protection
4. SUAOKI Solar Car Battery Charger 18V 12V 18W
The 22.5% efficiency rate showcased by the SUAOKI solar battery charger is quite phenomenal. The product has an overall dimension of 420 x 280 x 2.0mm/ 16.54 x 11.02 x 0.08in. The solar panel measures 4.9 x 4.9in. This charger has a maximum output voltage of 18 V plus 18 watts of energy. It also comes with an 18-watt solar panel, which is made of premium quality materials to offer a high energy efficiency rate. Also, it has a reverse charge block diode that functions to prevent the battery from losing energy when it’s not charging, especially during especially the night. It weighs only 345g/ 12.49oz, meaning that you can easily travel with it anywhere you like. Another interesting feature about this car battery charger is that it’s made using durable waterproof materials and is also heat resistant as well. You can also connect this charger and charge your car battery directly using the cigarette lighter plug. The manufacturer offers an 18-month warranty on this battery to guarantee its longevity and also have a great customer service.
- Extremely lightweight making it highly portable
- Offers powerful 18 volts
- The high energy efficiency rate
- The warranty information is unclear.
5. SUNER POWER Solar Car Battery Charger & Maintainer 12V
This solar charger is remarkably easy to use, even if you are using it for the very first time. It has absolutely no maintenance cost, and you do not have to pay hefty electricity bills when using this charger. It’s also friendly to the environment. It’s specifically designed for charging 12V batteries. It safely costs and maintains the battery drain for your RVs, boats, snowmobiles, cars, tractors, and much more. Ensure you place the solar panel in a location where it receives adequate amounts of sunlight. It will then collect enough solar power and delivers a trickle charger to the battery.
This solar car battery charger will work great for deep cycle batteries, including AGM, SLA, and WET, GEL, as well as your deep cycle batteries. There is an inbuilt diode blocker that works purposefully in the prevention of overcharging and reverses charging that may cause the battery to get damaged. , it’s covered using the highest quality solar glass ideal for standing high loads together with a long-lasting ABS frame. The manufacturer offers a 12-year warranty as well as lifetime technical support to guarantee the longevity of the product.
- Portable and lightweight
- Durable frame
- The manufacturer offers a 12-month warranty together with tech support
- Needs full sunlight to charge effectively
6. Renogy Portable Solar Panel Battery Maintainer 16W 12V PET Laminated Trickle Charger
This model is an excellent solution for people who want to venture into the world of solar energy. For durability recommended for use in off-grid setups. It offers many benefits, including quiet power production as well as grid performance. 30A PWM charge Controller is enhanced enable you to expand your system to an optimal 400W adequately. The 100W 12V monocrystalline panel showcases energy efficiently rate of 21%. This solar battery car charger also comes with a dependable an 8ft 10AWG Tray Cable, a Z brackets set as well as 10AWG MC4 Adaptor Kit this measures 20 feet.
The Negative Grounding controller offers maximum protection for your off-grid applications and keeps them from overcharging and discharging. This portable car charger can effectively charge a 50Ah battery in three hours, although this approximate timing may vary depending on the availability of sunlight. This product has no maintenance costs, and setting up is very easy and fast. It has a weight of only two pounds making it highly portable and easy to store. You will surely enjoy using this fantastic product.
- Ultra-lightweight and easy to store
- Easy to set up
- Highly durable
- The sanction cups may not be reliable
7. Odyssey 6A Portable Charger
The Odyssey battery charger weighs only 4.5 pounds making it convenient to carry when traveling. It’s manufactured by professionals to ensure your battery charges entirely and safely. It’s recommended for charging flooded lead-acid batteries, ODYSSEY batteries as well as AGM 12volt batteries. The product measures 3.7 x 8.3 x 12.2 inches. It features a six-stage performance charging.
There’s also an LED monitor to help you know the amount of charge your battery has received. It can conveniently charge your car, motorcycle, tractor, and other outdoor vehicle batteries properly. It also has a battery okay plus fault trouble status indicator. The model incorporates finless design to prevent the occurrence of fan failure and even help you save on costly maintenance costs. There’s are also 20Amp and 12 Amp versions of this model available. The manufacturer offers a two-year full replacement warranty if you aren’t satisfied after buying the product. This battery charger is also UL certified.
- Features six stage performance charging
- High performance rate
- Ideal for Odyssey batteries
- The unit can heat up
8. SUAOKI Smart Battery Charger
This is an excellent product for charging as well as maintaining your batteries. It incorporates two dual rate modes to give you a chance for selecting the ideal current. You can choose between 7 float modes as well as 3.5A slow mode to suit your preferences. Its high rates of efficiency, along with reliability, make it a perfect solution for charging your car, snowmobile, tractor, and motorcycle, and boat batteries effectively. It can charge any 12V SLA batteries, including VRLA, GEL, MF, plus WET. It also does a great job charging Lion (12V LiFePO4) batteries and flooded and EFB AGM batteries.
To prevent the battery from getting damaged, you can choose either full charge mode or float mode to monitor it. It also equipped with an LED screen, so it’s easier for you to watch the battery charge bars, current and also read diagnostic information. This car battery is also ultra-lightweight for you to use it conveniently when on the go. The manufacturer has a 30-day money-back policy in case you do not find the product appealing. It has a one year warranty.
- LED display screen to monitor charge status
- The manufacturer offers a money-back policy within 30 days of purchase
- Dual-rate modes
- Highly portable
- Wide range application
- LED monitor stays on after the charger is plugged out
9. LST 12V Battery Trickle Maintainer Charger
The car battery charger is ideal for charging all lead-acid batteries that are 12V. It can also charge flooded as well as maintenance-free batteries which include AGM and GEL. You will find this charger an excellent fit for charging outdoor vehicles such as snowmobiles, your car, tractor boat, and much more. It offers keeps our battery safe by providing multi-protection against overloading, overheating, reverse polarity, over-voltage, as well as a short circuit.
It’s additionally dustproof and waterproof. The product also has an LED monitor so you can effectively monitor the charging status. It will also give you diagnostic information when the charger experiences problems even during maintenance. This car battery charger is also ultra-lightweight, making it ideal for carrying when traveling. It includes a 4 stage charging procedure to ensure maximum charge efficiency. It has detachable rings as well as alligator connectors to conveniently load and maintain the battery when you are on the go. The charger will automatically switch to float mode when the battery is wholly charged through MCU control. There’s a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer for this product plus a single year refund and competent after-sale customer support services.
- Ultra-Light Weight
- Features 4 state automatic charging
- Intuitive LED display monitor
- Not great for unattended use
10. TPE12V 5Amp Smart Battery Charger
This is another battery charger that highlights amazing high performance features. It’s best suited for charging batteries with a capacity of 15-100Ah capacity. To better tender the battery, it’s advisable to use it for charging battery capacity should never be less than 15Ah. You can resourcefully use this charger to charge batteries with amperage of more than 100Ah only that the charging time will be much longer. This battery charger also comes with a battery indicator to enable you to monitor the battery charging process and know the right time for unplugging the battery.
It will also show you the diagnostic information, so you know if there is any problem with the battery. It’s even waterproof with anti-dust features, so it’s perfect for outdoor usage. This battery charger is also MCU controlled to prevent it from overcharging and also maintain it at maximum charging capacity. You can use it to charge SLA, AGM, GEL, VRLA, and Lead PB batteries. It’s an excellent charger for outdoor vehicles, including motorcycles, cars, boats, and much more. This battery will surely handle all your car battery charging needs.
- Dustproof and water-resistant
- MCU controlled
- Battery Indicator
- The cord is quite short
Portable Car Battery Chargers – Buying Guide
There are way too many brands on the market that you are spoilt for choice. Below are some of the features that you should look at to select the right portable car battery charger to suit your needs and preferences.
Amps
An initial factor that you have to consider when choosing a right portable battery charger is the Amperage. It refers to the power output level that the charger produces when charging batteries. The higher the Amperage, the faster it will take for it to charge the battery. Different brands offer chargers with varying levels of Amperage, and you should focus on finding one that charges your battery most efficiently and safely.
Portability
Manufacturers are nowadays focusing on making car battery chargers as light as possible to make them easier to carry. Ensure that the charger has a small weight before buying.
Safety Features
The appropriate battery charger must-have safety features including overvoltage protection, over-current protection, short-circuit protection overcharge protection, reverse polarity protection as well as overload protection to prevent the battery from getting damaged when charging.
Voltage
Voltage indicated on the charger shows the kind of battery that it can charge. There’s a need to choose a charger that’s compatible with the type of engine your outdoor vehicle has. You can find chargers with 6V, 12V, and much more depending on your car battery.
Maintenance Mode
If you are planning to use your battery when going on long trips; you may want to consider a smart charger with a maintenance mode feature. The feature charges the battery at a slow rate and maintains its lifespan when fully charged so it can serve you for a longer time.
Engine Restart Option
A car battery charger that comes with a fast starter option is ideal for jump-starting your car battery when it dries completely. It gives the battery a jolt to get back to working when dead completely.
Element Proofing
You want your battery to serve for more days. It’s essential to ensure that it can withstand various outdoor elements. A charger with anti-dust and waterproof features will ensure that it doesn’t get damaged when using outside.
LED Display
The LED display is essential for letting you know the charging status of the battery. This is very important because you will be able to find out exactly how the charger is working with the battery of your car. It will also show you if the battery is not working well.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Conclusion – Wrapping Up
Now you know as much as we do! We based our reviews on usability, portability, indicators, power, and safety, and we tried to match each product to these features that we find most desirable. Also, we hope you now have an easier time finding the perfect battery charger for your car so that the battery doesn’t die on you unexpectedly. We will keep this guide updated for future reference.