7 Best Portable Car Battery Chargers in 2024 | Expert’s Guide

Any motor vehicle that we come across has a battery of some sort to power it. These machines rely on battery power and even fossil fuel for running efficiently. The cells cannot sustain themselves and need to be continuously recharged. Therefore, you need a cell charging device for your vehicle to run.

I am listing some charging devices below that I would consider the best portable car battery charger for anyone who has a vehicle.

These products ensure that you never face a time when you are stranded in the middle of nowhere, just because your car cell has died. Each item has unique features of its own and is worth looking into.

Best Portable Car Battery Charger – Expert’s Guide to Know

Before you purchase a car battery charging device, there are several things you should think of:

Size of the Cell

Any regular charger can seamlessly reload 12 volts batteries, and a few can take care of 6 volts ones. However, if your vehicle does not require a product to charge 6 volts ones, then just purchase something great for 12 volts cells.
Similarly, if your vehicle requires a product that can charge 12 volts cells, then purchase something that does not cater to 6 volts batteries.

The Type of Battery

Most cars have lead-acid cells that have been plated with lead. However, there are other kinds of batteries, such as AGM, deep cycle, or gel ones.

An average charging device should be able to reload all of the aforementioned types of cells except the gel ones. That is why it is a good idea to check your battery type and then make your purchase.

Charging Hours

Although the size of the cells is relevant, the amp hours of chargers are significant when it comes to calculating how many hours loading would take. A regular vehicle cell charging device has up to 50 amp hours stored in it.

That means you should look for one that is at least a 10 amp charger. It will take about 5 to 6 hours to charge your ride.

How Portable the Product is

As the name suggests, portable charging devices are supposed to be convenient and easy to carry around. You can have a small bag to carry it or decide to put it in the glove compartment. Either way, it should not take up a lot of space or be a hassle to carry. Thankfully, most of them in the market today are light and compact.

Depending on how portable your item is, you can constantly keep it around you. And if it can reload several appliances, then a compact design will be the cherry on top.

Level of Safety

This is quite important for both the vehicle and the driver and comes in the form of several features, for example, a tester for your cell, clamp amps, a reverse polarity amp, and much more. A decent product should have at least a handful of these features and help make performance smooth.

Manual vs. Automatic

There are a few manual items in the market right now, but most of the charging devices are automatic. It is a safer bet to buy the latter kind, as those ensure that your cell does not get overcharged and heated.

That means you are not required to keep an eye on it constantly. Naturally, this adds to the long life of your cell, which in turn means less maintenance and unnecessary repairs and costs.

Price

Just like any other product you wish to buy, the price of a charging device is obviously an important factor. Based on your budget, you can purchase one that can reload cells of different voltages.

A low price tag will not guarantee the durability of the first-class service. While a few of the great charging devices are pricey, it is important to also keep in mind the budget that you have set for your purchase.

Best Portable Car Battery Charger comparison

Top 7 Best Portable Car Battery Charger Review

Although there are several choices available, purchasing a top-rated portable car battery charger can be a tough feat, and I will make that easy for you. Here are seven amazing picks for you to see:

1. Battery Tender 12 Volt Junior Best Automatic Battery Charger

This product from Battery Tender is one of our top picks. The brand has made a name for itself and has a large base of loyal customers. Anyone buying a cell charging device from them will be glad to have made a purchase. This is a compact trickle charging device, and it is equipped with loads of high-end security features.

For instance, it can save you from reversed polarities or short circuits. The connection is also said to be spark-proof, which is a huge plus. And the charging device has a unique four-step charging program that allows various charging options to activate. This happens depending on the charging status.

The most crucial one of these options is the float mode, which allows the item to stop the charging process once the battery is full. Its automatic charge cycle function switches from normal to float mode when it sees that the battery cannot get any more juice. This product allows you to charge multiple types of batteries.

And the most common ones include the 12V lead-acid, flooded or sealed maintenance-free cells. Without a doubt, this proves the versatility of the charger. The cell also features dual LED indicators that enable you to observe the charging state. This means you can tell whether the battery is still charging or is fully charged. Overall consideration, it’s the best automotive portable car battery charger.

Key Features

• Multiple charging options
• Necessary security features
• Impeccable charging performance

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Bottom Line:
If you are looking for a compact product for your vehicle, you can check this item out. The product is perfect for you if you have little space to spare.

2. STANLEY BC25BS Fully Automatic 25 Amp 12V Bench Battery Charger

Stuck on the road with your car battery down? This item is just what you need! It helps you get back on the road in a matter of a few minutes. This item has a 75 amp engine start, which is quite impressive.

If your vehicle is causing starting problems and needs maintenance, connect this product with the car. In a short period, your ride will be up and running. All you have to do is connect the clamps to your cell and hit reload. The STANLEY product is going to take care of the rest with its automatically adjusted optimum settings.

The fully automatic charging delivers three-stage charging. This switches from fast to trickle charging. What this means is, when your battery starts to get fully reloaded, it will go into trickle charge mode. This will eventually slow down the reloading speed, keeping the cell from overcharging and keeping it healthy.

Moreover, this product is a bench battery charging device that is pretty much suitable for motorhomes, jet skis, boats, ATVs, snowmobiles. It is also great for vehicles that have not been used for a long time. Its digital screen displays the charging status and also the battery status.

Also, the patented alternator-check that this item feature evaluates the cell under-load voltage. This shows whether the alternator is maintaining the power level or not. As you can see, this product eliminates a lot of the manual work you might need to do in traditional charging devices.

You do not need to input battery information, so it is quite easy to operate. This item is guaranteed to reload up to 40% faster than other car cell charging devices. It’s called the best emergency car battery charger.

Key Features

• Automated
• Charges faster
• 75 amp engine start
• Three-stage reloading

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Bottom Line:
If you are looking for an item that delivers excellent performance and security and is an excellent bang for your buck, you should check this out.

3. Sunway Solar Car Battery Trickle Charger & Maintainer

This product is the odd one out when it comes to car cell charging devices. It is the only solar-powered trickle charger that is being featured on this list. Sunway has made quite the name for themselves with their solar charging device series.

If you are looking to go green when it comes to your choice of car battery chargers, this one is quite an excellent option. This trickle charging device comes with an advanced renewable energy source design. Also, it assures you of an eco-friendly way of charging your car’s cell.

The whole thing is covered with an ABS plastic that means that this device will be quite durable and very well protected. And the durable plastic housing allows for a great performance of the item as it is not affected by the exterior factors. This item is quite simple and easy to use.

Also, the solar battery reloading panel can be easily mounted to the dash or even the windshield. That way, you can conveniently plug it into the 12-volt cigarette lighter of your vehicle.

The car cell charging device comes with multiple security options like built-in diodes that prevent lethal occurrences like reverse loading. And the LED light blinks to indicate the status of the product. Hence, you will quickly know when to stop charging. Overall consideration, it’s the best car battery solar charger.

Key Features

• Eco-friendly
• Easy to use
• Plugs into the cigarette lighter

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Bottom Line:
This product is excellent for you if you are looking for a trickle charger. If you are looking to go green, this one will certainly do the job.

4. Battery Tender Plus 12V, 1.25A Battery Charger

Battery Tender is one of the top brands for car battery charging devices, and it certainly shows in this product. This item from Battery Tender meets the standards that the company has set. It has been cleverly designed to ensure performance and efficient battery loading.

The product reloads up a cell and keeps it at an optimum voltage without sustaining any damage. So you can be confident that this will not cause any troubles or mishaps while in use. Trickle chargers sometimes cause damage to the battery by alternating the voltage.

With this item, you do not have to worry about that, as the charging device can alternate between normal full charge mode and float mode seamlessly.

Reloading time is a major feature you will look for when you are choosing cell charging devices for your vehicle’s cell. This product is a 1.25 amp charger, and it is going to reload up your battery way quicker than a traditional 3 amp one would. The cell charging device also comes packed with safety features.

It has built-in safety features that prevent it from overcharging or even reverse loading. This item is the plus version of the Battery Tender car battery charger series, which means it packs quite a punch. It has 50% more power than that of the Junior.

This is an important feature since the modern age is requiring more and more electric devices on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The plus version is better at staving off the negative effects of drainage.

Key Features

• Solid build quality
• Updated
• Plus-sized
• Negates the effects of drainage

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Bottom Line:
If you are looking to make a one-time investment and want it to last a long time, you can opt for this one. You will definitely be happy with your choice.

5. Battery Tender 2-Bank 12V, 1.25A Battery Charger

By now, you should know how Battery Tender has been a leading contestant for the most recommended car cell charging device companies. The brand delivers high-quality products, promises great performance and durability. This 2-bank charger from this company meets their standards quite well.

And this is built with two encased 1.25 amp battery charging devices. This product provides quite a lot of power. It is designed to maintain a stable and proper voltage, and also fully charge a cell. Also, this item does not damage the battery while charging, like a lot of infamous trickle chargers do.

The product has a built-in smart controller that ensures that your car cell is charged safely and perfectly at all times.
It will work anywhere in the world on flooded and sealed, AGM, or lead-acid batteries. And since it is an automatic product, you do not even have to keep an eye on it to get the job done. It can charge and maintain a few types of vehicles, such as scooters, motorcycles, lawnmowers, and more.

Key Features

• Two chargers in one
• Integrated smart controller
• Works everywhere

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Bottom Line:
If a huge battery bank for your car cell is what you are seeking, this one should be your choice.

6. NOCO Genius G3500 3.5 Amp Battery Charger and Maintainer

NOCO products are known for their advanced and safe technology, and their car cell charging devices prove this quite well. This product is no exception. It is a 3.5 amp charger for seamlessly reloading 6 to 12-volt batteries. It can juice up both lithium and lead-acid batteries without any issues.

The batteries up to 120 amp hours can be charged with this one. And the item can be used for several types of vehicles, for example, marine or automotive, RV, power support, and deep cycle batteries. You can easily say that it caters to a wider range of customers than other products listed here.

Also, the special feature of this product is that it charges twice as fast as regular ones. Another great feature is that it can repair a damaged cell. It can also work with CANBUS electrical systems.

With the help of an onboard computer, this product can monitor battery activity in real-time, providing a more efficient loading process. The computer helps a lot when it comes to preserving energy and keeps the charging device from overcharging the cell.

You can leave this connected all day without worry since you can’t overcharge it. This product from NOCO comes packed to the brim with features but comes in a superb compact build. The item is portable and lightweight, so you do not have to stress about carrying it around.

Key Features

• Resistant to UV rays
• Compact and lightweight
• Works with CANBUS electrical systems

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Bottom Line:
If you seek a vehicle cell charging device that is loaded with features, you could consider this one.

7. KRIËGER 1100 Watt 12V Power Inverter

This product from Krieger is an 1100 Watt 12V power inverter. It has two AC outlets and two USB ports. This is a heavy-duty power inverter that can be used for multiple purposes. For example, it can be used for televisions, gaming consoles, home electronic appliances in your vehicle.

The product features an LCD that shows the input voltage or the output wattage. It is the smallest inverter in the 1100W format and can power multiple small appliances. The Krieger item can deliver unmatched performance and is built to handle inductive loads.

So, this inverter is extremely silent, and you will not even know that it is there. The unit provides standard protection against overload, over-voltage, and under-voltage situations. The unit also comes with wired remote control, which makes it easy to operate from a distance.

Moreover, this car inverter comes with a three feet long battery cable, and you will not know you need it till you use it. You can safely charge any android or iOS device with this without any complications. This little fella is more than powerful enough to handle small electronics and appliances.

Also, the unit is packed in a heavy-duty aluminum casing, which makes it quite durable. That allows the item to last for years. Its USB ports can dish out 2.1A, which make it more than enough to charge the modern-day smart-phones.

Key Features

• 12V input
• 1100W continuous power
• Ultra silent
• AC receptacles
• Protection against over-voltage, under-voltage, and overload

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Bottom Line:
If a silent inverter is what you desire for your vehicle and appliances, this product is a great buy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Portable Car Battery Charger

Below are some of the most commonly asked queries regarding portable car battery chargers:

Q1. Do I need to keep an eye on my charger and vehicle constantly?
Answer: If your product is a manual, you will have to do so. However, the automatic items shut off automatically once the battery has been fully reloaded. So even if you wish to leave the cell loading overnight, you could do so without any worries or hassles.

Q2. How fast can I charge up my cell?
Answer: That depends on the size and also the power of the charging device you purchased. They come with a manual, so you could check that out and do a calculation. Naturally, a product with higher ampere will do a quicker job.

Q3. Are car battery chargers and jump starters the same?
Answer: No, they are not.

Q4. How will I decide what ampere charger to purchase?
Answer: If you just require an item that will reload your battery at a regular pace, then you do not require anything above 4 amperes. However, if you also wish for fast charging, you could consider a product with a higher ampere.

Q5. Is it safe to charge my cell on my own?
Answer: Yes, it is. However, you must maintain a few rules. For instance, make sure to avoid any sparks. Also, do not let the jumper cables touch while using your product. Keep any flammable materials far away, just to avoid any accidents.

Final Words

If you want to maintain the long life of your cell and make sure it never dies out, leading to any emergency situations, pick one of the products above. Each product deserves the tag of the best portable car battery charger.