Car Battery Chargers

Popular Car Battery Charger Manufacturers

We stock premium-quality car battery chargers from a huge range of trusted manufacturers, including world-leading performance brands like Oxford, and specialists in durability like Ring and Sealey.

What Is A Car Battery Charger?

A car battery charger is a device that restores power to your car’s battery with electricity from a mains power source.

Maybe you’ve accidentally left your lights on, or your car has been sitting unused for a while, and now your battery is flat. This is where a car battery charger comes to the rescue, feeding power back into your battery.

The charger, via positive and negative cables attached to their matching battery terminals, will convert the electric current (AC) from your mains into the current your car battery needs (DC). When this current flows into the battery, it triggers a chemical reaction that restores your battery’s ability to store and deliver electrical energy. It’s a bit like refilling your petrol tank, but instead of fuel, you’re topping up electrical charge.

The main types of car battery charger you’ll see are a standard charger, which is best for older cars and basic charging, and a smart charger, which is ideal for modern Start-Stop cars. For more information, explore our expert guide on everything to know about car batteries.

What Car Battery Charger Do I Need For My Car?

Choosing the right car battery charger will depend on your specific vehicle and what you’ll be using it for. A standard charger will do the job, but they lack some of the additional features found in smart chargers such as automatic charging modes. If you don’t need these features, however, a standard charger is an acceptable option.

Check your battery capacity

You’ll need to check your car battery’s type and size to make sure your charger is the right fit. This can be easily found in the owner’s manual for your vehicle, or on the battery if you look under the bonnet. If you have a lead-acid battery, a standard car battery charger will work best, but if you have an AGM, EFB, gel or calcium battery, you’ll need a smart charger.

Check your engine type

The size of your car’s engine, and what type it is, will also factor in. Bigger engines will need a more powerful charger, and if the engine is gel, calcium or AGM/EFB-based, you’ll need a smart charger rather than a standard one.

Think about how you’ll use it

If you’re just charging occasionally, a standard charger will suit your needs best. If you’re maintaining a vehicle that sits unused for long periods of time, or you have a car with Start-Stop technology, you’ll need a smart charger or a trickle charger. If you need something portable for emergencies, you’ll need a jump starter.

Standard charger	Smart charger	Jump starter
You have a standard lead-acid battery You only charge occasionally when the battery goes flat You don’t need anything too advanced	You have an AGM, EFB, gel or calcium battery Your car has Start-Stop technology You want a charger that can charge different battery types and works automatically	You want emergency on-the-go power for restarting a dead battery You want something that can fit in the boot and doesn’t need to plug into mains

How To Use A Car Battery Charger

Whether you’ve got a standard charger or a more advanced smart charger, the process is essentially the same. Here’s how to charge your battery safely and properly:

• Make sure your car is off and parked in a well-ventilated area, as some hydrogen gas will be released in the charging process
• Check the terminals of your battery. If there’s any build-up or corrosion, you’ll need to clean them first with a wire brush and a mixture of baking soda and water.
• Disconnect your car battery. Whilst some car batteries don’t need to be removed, it’s always safer regardless to fully disconnect your battery. You’ll need to make sure you always disconnect the negative lead first - this is usually the black one -and undo the terminals, negative first again.
• Connect the charger, keeping it as far away from the battery as you can, placing the charger clamps on the battery terminals. Make sure the positive and negative clamps are connected correspondingly, then plug the charger into the mains and turn it on.
• Unplug the charger once the battery is charged, disconnecting the negative clamp first and then the positive. Then you’ll need to reconnect your car battery, starting with the positive first this time and negative last, securing the clamps to the terminals.

FAQs

Will a battery charger charge a dead car battery?

Yes, as long as there are no other issues with the battery, you’ll be able to charge your totally flat car battery.

How long should a car battery take to recharge?

The charging time depends on how depleted your battery is, and what type of charger you're using. Most car batteries can be recharged anywhere from a few hours to overnight, with typical charging taking between 10 to 24 hours for a completely flat battery.

Are jump starters the best option?

Not necessarily, as it will depend on your need. A jump starter will give you instant power in emergencies, while a battery charger recharges more slowly, maintaining your car battery’s health. The best option is to have both, keeping a car battery charger at home, and a jump starter in your boot for emergencies.

Can you leave a car battery charger on all the time?

If you’re using a standard charger, you shouldn’t leave it on for any more than 24 hours, as long-term use can cause overheating, battery damage, and even risk starting a fire in extreme cases. If you have a smart battery charger, you can leave these for days or even weeks at a time, as long as they have a trickle charging function that will keep your battery full without overcharging.