Best car battery chargers

Shortlist and buying guide · the ranked board is on its way

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What to look for

A smart charger that maintains the battery is safe to leave connected over winter.

Models worth comparing

From manufacturers' specifications and published UK reviews, read on 6 October 2026. Not tested by us. In no particular order: these are not ranked, and we do not say which is best until the customer ratings are in.

Budget

Ring RSC808 8A Smart Charger

Owners of second cars, classics or vans who want an affordable charger that can stay connected all winter, including on 24V vehicles.

Handles both 12V and 24V systems, including start/stop batteries
Seven-stage charging that switches to maintenance mode when full
Supplied with both crocodile clips and O-ring terminals for a permanent hook-up

Watch out for: Auto Express found the instructions and display confusing, and there is no lithium battery support.

Charging current: 8A (6A setting available)
Battery voltage: 12V and 24V
Battery types: Lead acid, gel, calcium, EFB, AGM
Charge stages: 7
Extras: Backlit LCD, cold-weather mode

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Sources: Ring Automotive product page · Auto Express group test

Mid-range

NOCO GENIUS5

Anyone with a mix of vehicles, from motorbikes to cars, who wants one compact charger for 6V, 12V and lithium batteries.

Charges 6V and 12V batteries, including lithium-ion as well as lead-acid types
Force mode can bring very deeply drained batteries back to life
Compact, with a wall mount and long cable noted by Auto Express

Watch out for: Its 5A maximum output makes it slower than the 10A chargers Auto Express tested alongside it.

Charging current: 5A
Battery voltage: 6V and 12V
Battery types: Flooded, gel, AGM, maintenance-free, lithium-ion
Charge stages: Fully automatic
Extras: Force mode for batteries below 1V

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Sources: NOCO product page · Auto Express group test

Premium

CTEK MXS 5.0

Car and motorbike owners who want a proven connect-and-forget maintainer for lead-acid batteries, with a long warranty.

Fully automatic eight-step charging with a reconditioning mode
Dedicated AGM and small-battery programmes
IP65 splash and dust protection and a five-year warranty

Watch out for: It does not support lithium batteries, which newer rivals such as the NOCO GENIUS5 can charge.

Charging current: 5A
Battery voltage: 12V
Battery types: Wet, MF, Ca/Ca, AGM, EFB, GEL
Charge stages: 8
Battery size: 1.2 to 110Ah

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Sources: CTEK UK product page

Pro

CTEK CS ONE (Gen 2)

Owners of newer or high-value cars who want a charger that identifies the battery itself, handles lithium and can be monitored from a phone.

Adaptive charging recognises battery type, size and health with no buttons to set
Charges lead-acid types and LiFePO4 lithium batteries from 3 to 180Ah
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth app control, plus clamps that work either way round

Watch out for: It costs far more than conventional 5A to 8A smart chargers, so it only makes sense if you value the app and automatic set-up.

Charging current: 8A
Battery voltage: 12V
Battery types: Wet, MF, Ca/Ca, AGM, EFB, GEL, LiFePO4
Charge stages: Adaptive (APTO)
Battery size: 3 to 180Ah

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Sources: CTEK UK product page · Auto Express group test (first-generation CS ONE)

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