Car batteries do not like cold temperatures and prolonged periods of disuse. Winter always brings the former and often causes the latter because people want to drive less. This is currently being exaggerated by the UK's fuel supply woes.
To maintain the health and charge of your car's battery, you may want to consider a smart battery charger.
Understandably, you may be wondering what the need or indeed point of a smart battery charger is. Just more expensive versions of trickle chargers? Overly flash units that are all show and no go? Granted, some smart battery chargers are a little excessive in what they cost, but we still recommend them over traditional battery chargers for a number of reasons.
Related: CTEK CS FREE review
Modern car batteries
On the face of it, car batteries look to have remained largely the same for yonks. A heavy box with some electrons in it. But in fact, modern car batteries are far more advanced than those fitted to your dad’s Morris Marina (he should’ve bought a Ford Cortina, a much better car).
Modern cars demand a lot more power than the cars of yesteryear thanks to safety systems, onboard computers, and all that sort of power-sapping stuff. Thus, batteries have needed to be able to hold more charge and charge faster, and in doing so, will not tolerate abuse and poor treatment by owners.
What is a smart battery charger?
A smart battery charger is able to charge and trickle charge, like a traditional battery charger, but has charging modes specific to each battery type. Smart battery chargers are also programmed with the ability to recondition car batteries.
How does a smart battery charger work?
Smart chargers have a multi-stage cycle when charging car batteries. This begins with something called desulphation – restoring battery capacity by removing sulphate from the battery’s lead plates. The smart charger will then test the battery to see if it is able to accept a charge.
It’ll then go through a series of subsequent steps, including reconditioning the battery (if you have this mode selected), and once the battery is fully charged, it will automatically switch to a pulsing trickle charge to keep the battery level topped up but without over-charging it.
The best smart battery chargers
CTEK MXS 5.0 Smart Battery Charger
Editor's pick
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The CTEK MXS 5.0 is simply everything you want from a battery charger. Itu2019s well-made, affordable, fully automatic, and works on all battery types, including AGM. You can choose between a regular charge mode that skips reconditioning or one that includes it.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | (L) 168mm x (W) 65mm x (H) 38mm |
| Weight | 0.6kg |
| Current | 5A |
| Voltage | 12V |
| IP rating | IP65 |
| Operating temperature | -20° to 50° C |
NOCO Genius 10 Smart Battery Charger
Best features
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The Genius 10 from NOCO comes with a lot of specification and it is hard to know where to begin. Like the CTEK MXS 50, the Genius 10 is able to charge and recondition all battery types.
However, the Genius 10 also features something called thermal compensation. It means it monitors the ambient temperature and adjusts the charging cycle accordingly in order to avoid under or over-charging. The Genius 10 is also able to charge from as low as one volt. But if the battery is reading zero, there is also a manual Force Mode if you need it.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | (L) 183mm x (W) 94mm x (H) 60mm |
| Weight | 1.5kg |
| Current | 10A |
| Voltage | 6V, 12V |
| IP rating | IP65 |
| Operating temperature | -20° to 40° C |
Ring Automotive RSC806 Smart Battery Charger
Good for stop/start batteries
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Offering not just ability but value as well, the RSC806 from Ring Automotive is a top choice. It too will recondition batteries during the charge cycle and suitable for all battery types. It even features a cold weather charging mode for use during the winter months. The instructions arenu2019t brilliant, though.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | (L) 183mm x (W) 101mm x (H) 63mm |
| Weight | 0.88kg |
| Current | 3A or 6A |
| Voltage | 6V, 12V |
| IP rating | IP65 |
| Operating temperature | Not given |
CTEK CT5 Time To Go Smart Battery Charger
Features unique countdown
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The CT5 Time To Go unit is quite similar to the MXS 5.0 from CTEK. The difference lies in the CT5u2019s unique feature that tells you how much time is left in the charge cycle. Like the MXS 5.0, the CT5 has normal and reconditioning charging modes and is good for all battery types.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | (L) 168mm x (W) 65mm x (H) 38mm |
| Weight | 0.6kg |
| Current | 5A |
| Voltage | 12V |
| IP rating | IP65 |
| Operating temperature | -20° to 50° C |
Ring RSC612 Smart Battery Charger
Customisable smart charger
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The RSC612 from Ring Automotive is a relatively large unit but packs some amazing features. Beyond the smart charging and battery reconditioning (including stop/start batteries and winter charge mode). The RSC612 has an Auto Charge feature that selects the fastest charge option and a Memory Saver Function that saves the caru2019s audio settings if the battery is removed.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | (L) 197mm x (W) 139mm x (H) 74mm |
| Weight | 1.48kg |
| Current | 12A |
| Voltage | 12V |
| IP rating | Not given |
| Operating temperature | Not given |
Smart battery charger tips
It is worth remembering that while the units above all do a great job of charging and reconditioning car batteries, it can take time. Charging times vary enormously depending on the battery size and the level of discharge. Therefore, asking how long a charge cycle will take is like asking how long a piece of string is.
Read the instructions about how to correctly connect the charger to the battery. Always connect with the car off
Chargers such as these are meant for use at home. If you are out and about and end up in the fortuitous scenario of a flat car battery, don’t forget portable power packs and jump starters exist to help you. They are small and very handy to keep in the glovebox.