Considering it weighs 12 ounces, this compact Motopower MP00205A ($22) battery charger is highly portable. Plus, the easy-to-read LED lights are helpful. Remember that the battery charger’s capacity isn’t great for quick jumping but better for slow charges.

Don’t let the small size of this unit fool you; it works great. Many people won’t choose this over well-known brands, but it’s worth a second look. The low price makes it appealing to anyone on a budget. Plus, it’s simple to use.

All functions operate through the onboard microprocessor, which communicates directly to your battery. The Motopower MP00205A starts with high amperage to get the battery charged up fast, and then slows down automatically to a lower amperage as it reaches capacity.

If you need something to work on fleets and a wide range of cars, this Schumacher DSR131 ($289) might be your best choice. It’s suitable for 6V or 12V batteries and offers many features that budget-friendly choices don’t have.

There are also options for multistage charging and float mode monitoring. It can charge standard, AGM, and deep-cycle batteries. The digital display, LED indicators, and push-button controls make operation a breeze.

Keep in mind that the Schumacher DSR131 is a professional-grade car battery charger. Most average users won’t want to pay the higher price tag for this beast. Nevertheless, Schumacher Electric is a brand name trusted among professional mechanics and a brand you can depend on.

Because of the lower current, you have more protection than with many other models. The surprising aspect of the Battery Tender Plus ($60) charger is its 10-year warranty. This guarantee is far greater than most competitors in the industry and is different from what one would expect, considering the low price.

This affordable car battery charger doesn’t just come with amazing features, but it also has a reputation for excellence. While most car battery chargers are easy to use, this one is probably the simplest.

This model isn’t designed for jumpstarts but is ideal for maintaining car batteries. If you have a car that sits in storage for long periods, the Battery Tender Plus is a favored option to ensure that your battery will work the next time you turn the ignition on.

The design of the Ampeak Smart Charger ($90) has fully automatic, high-frequency charging for all types of 12V lead-acid batteries. Additional features include a 2A trickle charge, 8A quick charge, and 15A rapid-charge modes that you can manually choose between based on your needs.

The unit has a large, easy-to-read LCD screen that keeps track of charging status, charging current, voltage, battery type, and error information. A microprocessor controls the charger with multistage charging for added precision, safety, and battery life.

We like the six-step charging program that includes desulfation, soft start, bulk charging, absorption, battery test, and floating. The intelligence built into the Ampeak will optimize battery power without overcharging or damaging it.

And as a bonus, this bench charger has a winter charging mode specifically designed to charge your battery in winter conditions. This detail in the Ampeak Smart Charger is an excellent option if you have a vehicle that sits for long periods in frigid temps.

If you want to use a responsible energy source to maintain your battery, this 12V battery trickle charger is the ticket. The OYMSAE Solar Battery Charger ($60) offers a number of safety protections for 12V batteries at a reasonable price. Furthermore, the battery panel surface is made of ETFE, which is highly efficient at solar light reabsorption, further improving the solar energy absorption efficiency.

The included suction cup mounts to install the charger directly onto your windshield or dash for convenience. It has a long 8-foot quick-connect extension cable for accessing a 12V power port.

With the OYMSAE Solar Battery Charger, the built-in protection system will prevent the solar panel from overcharging and reverse charging from the battery.

This three-stage high-frequency unit offers a patented alternator check and engine start. Of course, it also starts and charges your battery. There’s even a 3A trickle charger for maintenance. The easy-to-see digital LCD on the Stanley BC25BS ($97) shows your battery status and will alert you if connected the wrong way.

This system provides a storage spot for its power cord instead of wrapping it around the machine. Overall, it has a 75A engine start, 25A rapid charge, and a 3A battery maintainer.

Another aspect we like about the Stanley BC25BS smart 12V battery charger is its rugged metal casing. It’s also fairly small and portable, weighing about 8.5 pounds.

One wouldn’t expect this household tool giant to do well in the automotive field, but the Black+Decker BC15BD ($88) 15A bench battery charger is well-made and capable. To a great degree, the heavy-duty construction helps it stand up well to wear and tear.

We found that this machine doesn’t use different modes like some other models. Instead, it reads the battery and selects the best option between 0 A and 15 A to charge it. There are three charging stages: First is its high-amperage charge, which works fast to get your battery to 80%.

Second is the modulated charge that steadily increases the battery to 98%. The third stage is the float charge, which operates at low amperage to reach 100% and maintain it while preventing overcharging.

Some people might not be fond of the lack of user control, but the charger works great with no issues. It’s nice to set it and let the machine do its job. There’s even a repair mode on the BC15BD. This mode reduces the buildup of any solids found in the battery to increase capacity.

Moreover, there are diagnostics on the unit that evaluate the alternator. If you are stuck with a dead battery, you’ll find the 40A jumpstart feature of the Black+Decker BC15BD gets you back and running in no time. If you don’t mind investing a bit more, there’s also a 25A version ($111) of this car battery charger.

This smaller SC1304 from Schumacher ($92) comes with complete unattended battery charging, a digital display, automatic voltage detection, plus a condition setting to run battery maintenance. This charger automatically detects if you need 6V or 12V charging.

The large display is a nice feature, which makes it simple to see the current status of the battery. Because it only weighs 3 pounds, it is perfectly portable.

Small details on the SC1304 from Schumacher, such as the retractable handle that doubles as a power cord wrap, are a nice touch. Factor in the 2-year warranty, and you get a professional-grade charger at a reasonably low price.