Top 10 Best Trickle Charger Reviews 2024
We all know that car batteries will have a tendency to lose charge after being used for a long time. But when it’s time to charge a car battery, you must know that charging faster is not the best thing to do. As charging a battery at a high amperage can damage your battery or even results in a battery explosion.
Luckily, you don’t have to worry about this situation anymore as nowadays we have the trickle charger – a savior to save the life of car batteries. Let’s check out this article to know what a trickle charger for car is and Top 10 best trickle charger reviews completed by auto experts.
What Is A Trickle Charger?
First of all, you should know about trickle charging. Trickle charging is a method used to charge a fully charged battery at a rate that is equal to its self-discharge rate, therefore allowing the battery to stay at its fully charged rate. This state only occurs when the car battery is not loaded, because trickle charging will not charge a battery if current is being drawn from a load.
A battery under continuous float voltage ( the voltage that a battery is maintained after being fully charged) is said to be float-charging. According to auto experts, trickle charging is the most ideal for cars and trucks which are stored away during the winter time or for any car meant to be used for urgent situations. A trickle charger will prevent the car battery from draining energy even if the car battery is rarely used.
To do the trickle charging method, we need to use a trickle charger. A trickle charge for the car is defined as an electrical charger that works at a very slow and steady rate. Because of its distinct low amperage, the trickle charger will little by little charge the car battery as the battery depletes energy.
Also, some variants of the trickle charger are designed to be left linked to the car battery for long periods of time (like winter), reducing the risk of battery damage or battery explosion to a minimum level.
Different Types of Trickle Charger
When talking about trick chargers, we often think that we only have one type which is the Smart style. But actually, you should know that we have 2 two types of trickle chargers which are:
1. Dumb
This is a traditional type of battery charger that basically have lots of cables plugging into a wall socket. We can easily buy a dumb trickle charger at a very cheap price. Cheap but not mean low quality. Dumb trickle chargers are quite powerful, and can always be able to charge any battery of any size.
2. Smart
Smart battery trickle chargers are a high-tech option, which explains why they’re more expensive than traditional “dumb” chargers. But thanks to rapid advances in technology, the price of smart trickle chargers is dropping sharply.
What makes smart chargers worth the extra cost? For one, they can automatically switch on and off based on the battery level, making them much safer for long-term use.
On the list of top 10 best trickle chargers to purchase mentioned below, we only focus on “Smart style” chargers, thus we just don’t see that much benefit to a dumb style charger frankly.
Using a traditional charger will bring you a little danger because they lack monitoring ability which can lead to a serious overheating battery if you do not monitor it carefully.
Trickle Chargers Vs. Normal Car Battery Chargers
The main purpose of using a trickle charger is to charge a battery slowly and prevent it from overcharging – though, we can achieve the same result through using a standard charger.
If you regularly store batteries for a period of time, a trickle charger is a good investment for you.
But in the situation that the first priority of your charging activities requires a fast charge for speedy demand and you occasionally need to store your battery, auto experts recommend you should invest in a normal charger and just plan on charging the stored battery every 30 – 40 days.
Thus, just make sure that before putting your battery away, it should be fully charged and then you can be able to maintain its charge without any problem.
Top 10 Best Trickle Charger Reviews
If you are looking for a best trickle charger to buy, take a look at these products: Battery Tender Plus, Schumacher 12 amp SpeedCharge, Stanley 25 Amp High Frequency Bench, Black & Decker Waterproof, Diehard Automatic, Battery Tender Junior, Genius UltraSafe Smart Charger, Black and Decker Charger/Maintainer, Schumacher MC-1, Aurelio Tech Transportable Charger,…
1. Battery Tender Plus 021-0128, 1.25 Amp Battery Charger
Specification:
- Brand: Battery Tender
- Model: 021-0128
- Item Weight: 2.3 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 11 x 4 x 11 inches
- Rating: 4.7/ 5.0
Why we choose this?
The battery Tender Plus is designed with 50% more power than their junior model (Battery Tender Junior). It is a quick and easy solution for your charging needs. The fully-automated unit is temperature-compensated to insure optimum voltage input and protected against reverse polarity for increased safety. This one also automatically switches from full charging mode to float charging mode and has Red and Green indicator lights.
Pros:
- Easy to connect
- The cord adapter connections are tight
- All alligator clips are made from copper and have good spring tension
- The unit is housed in a metal
- The wires are strong
- Money well-spent
Cons:
- It is not designed to charge up a completely dead battery
With lots of advantages above, it is easy to understand why Battery Tender Plus is the best trickle charger to buy in 2018.
2. STANLEY BC25BS 25 Amp Bench Battery Charger
Specification
- Brand: STANLEY
- Model: BC25BS
- Item Weight: 8.5 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 15.2 x 11.8 x 10.5 inches
- Rating: 4.0/ 5.0
Why we choose this?
Another best trickle charger for car that we should take a look at is the STANLEY BC25BS 25 Amp Bench Battery Charger. This battery charger is specially designed to extend battery life and save the life of worn-out and damaged batteries. Additionally, the charger has a 75 amp engine start which helps start your vehicle in about 90 seconds. It also has 3-stage charging which automatically switches from fast charge -> top-off -> trickle charge. This charger has the ability to check the potential issues that happen with your car’s alternator.
Pros:
- Lightweight and compact
- Has an LCD screen, safety protection, jump start, and alternator check, ….
- Very easy to use
- Its cords have a nice length
- Has detailed owner’s manual
Cons:
- A little bit expensive
- The LCD screen doesn’t tide so well with the cables flying around, sharp objects and tools in the shop,…
As you can see, the advantages of the STANLEY BC25BS 25 Amp Bench Battery Charger outweigh its drawbacks, so don’t hesitate to pick one if you want to purchase a good trickle charger.
3. BLACK+DECKER BC2WBD 2 Amp Waterproof Automatic Battery Charger / Maintainer
Specification
- Brand: BLACK+DECKER
- Model: BC2WBD
- Item Weight: 1.8 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.3 x 3.5 inches
- Rating: 4.2/ 5.0
Why we choose this?
When finding the best trickle charger to buy, we should not miss the BLACK+ DECKER waterproof. It is an ideal charger that can work stably in the most challenging environments. So how does the Black + Decker waterproof do this? Well, it has a robust waterproof design and comes along with waterproof connectors. Another outstanding of the battery charger is that it has 3 ways for users to connect it to their battery: battery terminal rings, battery clamps, and a 12V DC accessory plug.
Pros:
- 3 ways to connect
- Perform well in the rain
- Has a magnet to mount the unit on the side of a vehicle or a hood
- Turning off when fully charged and turning back on to maintain battery
- Its alligator clips are designed with a hard plastic cover to prevent shorting out accidentally
- Backed by a one-year warranty
Cons:
- Its instruction is limited, you need to read more details on the website
As most customers gave this trickle charger many good reviews, therefore it is not a waste of money if you get one for your vehicle.
4. Battery Tender Junior 12V, 0.75A Battery Charger
Specification:
- Brand: Battery Tender
- Item Weight: 1.8 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 8 x 4 x 9 inches
- Rating: 4.6/ 5.0
Why we choose this?
People who have used a Battery Tender Junior 12V, 0.75A Battery Charger often give this product a good review. It is much more than a normal trickle charger. The big thing that makes Battery Tender Junior different from other products is the computers inside it. When your battery is connected with this trickle charger, these computers will analyze the state of charge of your battery and then alter their output to adjust: Initialization – Bulk Charge Mode – Absorption Mode – Float Mode). And after a long working time, the Battery Tender Junior still performs like a brand-new one with no mistakes. Another thing that makes Battery Tender Junior become a best trickle charger to purchase is that it is designed to be pretty much indestructible and also has a five-year warranty.
Pros:
- A good product from a famous brand
- Lightweight, fully automatic, and easy to use
- Has a plug and a 12-foot cord
- 5-year warranty
- 4-step charging program (Initialization, Bulk Charge, Float Mode)
Cons:
- Battery connection cables are too short
We can easily see that Battery Tender Junior 12V, 0.75A Battery Charger is a good option when purchasing the best trickle charger for car.
5. NOCO Genius G15000 12V/24V 15A UltraSafe Smart Battery Charger
Specification:
- Brand: NOCO
- Model: Genius Battery Charger – 15 A
- Item Weight: 4.2 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 18 inches
- Rating: 4.3/ 5.0
Why we choose this?
People often purchase NOCO Genius smart battery chargers because of their safety and high technology compared with other products in the market. The G15000 is manufactured to charge 12V and 24V lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries up to 120Ah. This trickle charger has the ability to charge faster than ordinary battery chargers 2 times, can fix damaged batteries.
NOCO also designed the trickle charger for use with CANBUS electrical systems and micro-hybrid start-stop vehicles. Thus, if you are seeking a best trickle charger, you can go for a NOCO Genius G750 12V/24V 15A
Pros:
- Using 12V and 24V battery systems
- Ultra-safe design with spark-proof technology, overcharge protection, and reverse polarity
- Portable and lightweight design
Cons:
- The warranty of this product is not so good since many customers complain about it
6. BLACK+DECKER BM3B 6V and 12V Automatic Battery Charger
Specification:
- Brand: Black + Decker
- Model: BM3B
- Item weight: 1.28 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 5 x 3 x 9.8 inches
- Rating: 3.7/ 5.0
Why we choose this?
If you are looking for a best trickle charger to purchase, BLACK+DECKER BM3B 6V and 12V Automatic Battery Charger / Maintainer is exactly what you need. This device can be manually set to either 6 to 12 volts and can alternate between float and charge modes. It also has 3 ways to connect: battery clips, 12V DC Accessory Plug, and battery ring terminal. Additionally, its low voltage compensation ensures maximum performance when used with extension cords.
Pros:
- Works reliably
- Simple to use and pretty plug & play
- Comes with all attachments you need: direct battery connections, and alligator clamps with a quick disconnect feature on them too
- Cables are nice, long, and rugged
Cons:
- The switch to select 6V or 12V is too weak and easily moved by accident
Compared with many products at the same price, BLACK+DECKER BM3B 6V and 12V Automatic Battery Charger / Maintainer is still a best-selling product that fits all the basic needs.
7. Aurelio Tech Transportable Charger
Specification
- Brand: AURELIO TECH
- Item weight: 5.6 ounces
- Package Dimensions: 5.7 x 3.7 x 1.7 inches
- Rating: 4.1/ 5.0
Why we choose this?
Aurelio Tech Transportable Charger is called the best trickle charger that works great for the price. It works for both car and motorcycle batteries, both for maintenance and charging the dead battery as well. This device is designed with 3-Phase battery charging and many functions that you can not expect in a cheap trickle charger like this. The product is suitable for servicing one vehicle, if you have more than one, you may want to buy another with more heavy-duty.
Pros:
- Good value compared to most popular brands
- The red/green light is easy to read and large enough to see across the garage
- Easy to use and connect, just hook it up and charge up
- Small and compact design
Cons:
- The maintenance or float voltage is too high (14.0V)
- Its cords are too short
- The clamps are too small
- Even with the cons mentioned above, Aurelio Tech Transportable Charger still a good trickle charger for car you should purchase if you have a small budget.
8. Schumacher MC-1 6/12 Volt Manual Trickle Battery Charger
Specification
- Brand: Schumacher
- Item Weight: 2.75 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 3 x 7 x 5 inches
- Rating: 4.1/ 5.0
Why we choose this?
The Schumacher MC-1 6/12 Volt Manual Trickle Battery Charger does not have high-tech functions like other models in the market but many customers swear by manual trickle chargers. The 1 Amp Schumacher MC – 1 is ideal for small batteries, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and tractors and for overnight warming of car batteries during winter seasons …. The charger has a reverse hook-up protection feature that the battery can not charge unless it is hooked up to the right posts.
Pros:
- Can charge a totally dead battery
- Works as a crude 6V and 12V power supply
- Has 50A clamps as other Schumachers
- Great price
Cons:
- Has no indicator
- Has fewer safety features
If you are looking for a best trickle charger with not too much power and function, go for a Schumacher MC-1 6/12 Volt Manual Trickle Battery Charger.
9. Schumacher SC-1200A-CA SpeedCharge 12Amp 6/12V Fully Automatic Battery Charger
Specification
- Brand: Schumacher
- Item Weight: 1 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 4 x 3 x 12 inches
- Rating: 4.1/ 5.0
Why we choose this?
Schumacher SC-1200A-CA SpeedCharge 12A is a best trickle charger of a good reputation industry manufacturer. It is designed with 6V/12V voltage detection, thus it has the ability to do 3A for maintaining, 6A for medium charging and 12A for fast charging (with a digital display). The Schumacher SC-1200A-CA SpeedCharge 12A also has reverse hook up protection thus the charger will not work if its clamps are reserved and float mode monitoring. Auto experts appreciated this product as an eco-friendly and energy efficient battery charger as well.
Pros:
- Has a bright digital display status indicator
- Small footprint
- Long cords
- Computer control charging for better maintenance
- Quite, runs cool, lightweight, nice handle and is very easy to use
- Switching to maintenance/trickle mode automatically
Cons:
- Its buttons and battery clamps are small and cheap
We can see that this trickle charger is good for most automobile charging needs. Now you can go to pick one for yourself without any hesitations.
10. DieHard 10/2/50 amp Automatic Battery Charger
Specification:
- Brand: DieHard
- Item Weight: 10.4 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 6 x 10.3 x 10.3 inches
- Rating: 4.3/ 5.0
Why we choose this?
Diehard Automatic is a best trickle charger for “people who often leave their vehicles light on” – recommended by auto experts. This trickle charger is designed with a 2A trickle charge mode along with a 50A engine start option which gets drive back on the road in a fast way. The trickle charger for car also have 2 LEDs power on/full charge which are easy for you to see.
Pros:
- Easy-to-read color-coded meter
- Battery charger control switches
- 50A Engine Start
- 10A Fast Charge
- 2A Trickle
- 3-year warranty
Cons:
- Does not have Float-Mode monitoring, thus we can not connect the battery and forget about it.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Trickle Charger
Here above are the Top 10 best trickle charger reviews. Now next thing we want to show you is “How to choose the best trickle charger for your batter?”. As we can see there are a lot of trickle chargers out there and you still don’t know which one is the best for your demand. Here are a couple of things to think about when choosing a trickle charger:
1. Engine size
First thing you should bare in mind is the size of your car’s engine. If your car is a car with a big engine, it will need a bigger battery thus we need to buy a powerful battery charger. Therefore, before buying a trickle charger, make sure that this one is suitable for the size of your vehicle.
For instance:
The 1-Amp trickle charger is used for charging small batteries like motorcycle batteries, and golf cart batteries.
The 2-Amp 6V and 12V battery trickle charger is better for multiple battery connectors. Using this trickle charger can help you charge small and larger batteries and even classic or antique batteries. With 2 different charging settings, this trickle charger has the ability to take care of all your demands.
2. Battery type
Knowing about the kind of your battery is very important in purchasing a trickle charger for your car. You should know that lead acid batteries work will all kinds of battery trickle chargers while gel or calcium batteries only works with specific chargers.
Read more:
How to Connect A Trickle Charger To A Car Battery?
You should know that even a best battery trickle charger will not be useful if you don’t know how to operate it safely. Luckily, using a trickle charger for car is as easy as a pie. Thus, if you don’t know how to trickle charge a car battery, let’s read 3 easy steps below:
What you need to prepare:
- Car battery
- 01 trickle charger
- 01 power cable
- 02 alligator clips
Here we go
Step 1: Checking for safety
The first step is checking to ensure safety. Before you connect the car battery to a trickle charger, you need to do a rain check, then find a well-ventilated place to park your vehicle. Trickle charging car batteries can release more hydrogen gas which may lead to a battery explosion if you put the car battery in an enclosed space. The next thing to do is turn off the lights and ignition of your car, removing the car keys. After that, you should check again to make sure that the charger of your car is unplugged.
Then, you need to find a suitable ground place before fastening the negative terminal of the trickle charger.
Notice: You should bear in mind that if you use the negative terminal of your car battery, this will lead to a terrible explosion. Thus, never use the negative terminal of your car battery.
Step 2: Connecting the cables
After finishing step 1, connecting the cables is the next step you have to do. Before you connect any cable, you need to set the specific voltage and amperage for the battery of your beloved car. Next, you turn to your alligator clips and look for the black and red clips.
You need to know that: The red clip (the positive cable) has to be connected to the positive terminal of your battery, while the back clip (the negative cable) has to be connected to the ground place. Before plugging your car charger, you have to check again to make sure that the negative wire is connected to the ground place solidly.
Note: You will get shock or injury if you touch any of the wires while the charger is plugged already. Thus, keep a safe distance from the wires to ensure your safety.
Step 3: Turning on the charger
Turning on the charger is the last step you have to do. But before you turn on the charger, an important thing to do is to check your manual twice and to make sure that you are doing the right setting recommendations for your battery and trickle charger. Then turn the charger on and read the amp meter if available.
Check out the video below to see more details:
FAQs about Trickle Charger For Car
1. How long does it take to charge a car battery with a trickle charger?
A trickle charger will take you a long time to charge up the battery of your car because most trickle chargers often operate at around 2 amperages. Normally, a good trickle charge can take as long as 24 hours to get the car battery up to an acceptable charging level. The time for charging a battery with a trickle charger is up to how depleted energy it is when you start charging it. Normally, we can easily see that trickle chargers are often used in automobile repair shops in order to maintain batteries while the mechanic repairs the car.
2. Can trickle chargers damage the battery?
If you leave your battery connected to a trickle charger too long, it can lead to overcharging that cause damage to your car battery. But nowadays, there are many trickle chargers that offer an automatic function to switch to a float mode when the car battery is fully charged.
3. How many amps is a trickle charger for car?
2 amps or less is the answer to this question. A normal trickle charger for car produces a continuous small amp charge that keeps charging the battery fully. Additionally, another function of the trickle chargers is to keep the battery from freezing in the winter season because of the small amount of heat produced from chemical reactions in it during the recharging process.
4. How long does it take to charge a motorcycle battery on a trickle charger?
In order to know the time needed to charge any battery, you must depend on:
- The capacity of the battery
- The self-discharge rate of the battery
- The output current of the charger
- The degree of discharge of the battery
- The efficiency of the battery at accepting charge (there are some limitations).
If the battery condition is normal, it will take about 11.25 hours to charge the 9ah battery of a motorcycle.
5. How long does it take to charge a 12-volt deep cycle battery?
If you have an 80-ampere-hour rated battery, then a set of four amps will need 16 hours to fill 80% of the battery and about 20 hours to fully charged.
Hopefully, with the information given in this article, you will have a deep knowledge about trickle charger for car, how to use a trickle charger, how long to trickle charge a car battery, and best trickle chargers to buy in 2018. If you have any questions about car maintenance tips, feel free to leave us a comment in the box below, and our auto experts will answer them for you.
