Best Motorcycle & Car Battery Chargers [Our Top 7 Picks in 2024 – Reviewed!]

For some of us, motorcycles are a weekend toy that we drag out of the garage on a warm day, opting to take the car whenever the weather takes a turn for the worst.

Sometimes you’ve just been away on holiday a little too long, but whatever the reason, leaving your bike unridden for any more than a few weeks is almost GUARANTEED to result in a flat battery.

Which brings us to the battery trickle charger. These go by many names such as battery conditioner, optimizer, and maintainer, but they all generally do the same thing.

In contrast, it’s worth noting that the term Battery Tender® is a trademark owned and registered by Deltran Transformer Corporation for an extensive range of goods and services, which include battery charger and maintainer products.

Hook one of these up to your bike’s battery and it will provide a steady flow of current, keeping the battery topped up and ready for use.

The other benefit of a motorcycle trickle charger is that repeated extended periods of time with a depleted battery means that its lifespan is heavily shortened. Sooner or later you’re going to have to replace it and they aren’t cheap. All of the units on test are also capable of charging batteries from flat.

If that isn’t enough justification, these trickle chargers can also be used in your car so there really is no reason not to have one. We have reviewed some of the best available and ranked them in terms of ease of use, functionality, and overall value for money to assist you in finding the best battery charger for your motorcycle or car.

Welcome to our best motorcycle & car battery chargers round up and review.

Best Motorcycle & Car Battery Chargers

1. Best Overall Battery Charger – NOCO Genius10

• A 10 A 230mAh battery
• Charge level LED indicator
• Advanced charging process
• Advanced battery diagnostics 
• Ideal for any climate

The Noco Genius10 is one of the top products from NOCO and has an impressive array of features that justify its high price tag. It’s a fully automatic battery charger that can charge both 6v and 12v batteries.

The Genius10 is an update to the very popular NOCO G7200. However, it’s 17% smaller and delivers 115% more power – shaving valuable time off each charge! In fact, its charging capacity is faster than the popular Noco Genius 5.

Apart from standard lead-acid batteries, it can also charge marine, deep-cycle including flooded, gel, and AGM batteries. The microcomputer-controlled mechanism provides precise charging no matter the ambient temperature.

We know a lot of people out there are now running lightweight lithium batteries on their bikes so this should be your first choice. The fact it also supports lead-acid batteries still used in a lot of cars and trucks is a huge bonus.

And the genius10 is not just a charger. With its advanced diagnostic feature, it can also repair and reverse battery damage automatically. Besides, it also acts as a battery desulfator.

Despite the advanced functions, the device is easy to use and has a worry-free design. An auto-memory function returns it to the last selected mode.

Basically, the Genius 10 incorporates multiple functions into one design. So, if you need a charger for the home or workshop, this should be it.

2. Best Battery Tender® – Battery Tender Plus

• A 1.25 AMP battery charger
• Spark-proof design
• Advanced 4-step charging process
• A 5-year warranty

If you’re looking for the best battery charger and maintainer from Deltran’s range of Battery Tender® products, our top pick is the Battery Tender Plus Charger and Maintainer.

It’s no wonder this device is an Amazon Best Seller, with stacks of glowing 5-star reviews!

The Battery Tender® Plus is available in a Switchable 6V/12V or non-switching 12V-only version, both of which deliver 1.25 amps. Once the battery is fully charged, these devices switch to a float mode that maintains the correct voltage level without overcharging.

Additionally, there are safety features like spark-proof circuits and reverse polarity protection. There are LED lights to help you monitor the charge status. At 1.8 lbs, it’s also lightweight and easy to carry.

One of the strongest features of these battery chargers is the compact and easy-to-use design. It’s also great to see that they are backed by an industry-leading 5-Year warranty!

3. Best Budget Pick – Amazon Basics 12 Volt Battery Charger

Initially, I was a bit skeptical about Amazon designing a product to help us charge up our motorcycle batteries. Turns out, they have done a good job in line with their idea of delivering quality products at a low price.

This sleek and compact charger delivers 12V at 800mA and has an auto-start feature. In addition, it can be plugged into a 120V outlet and works with lead acid, gel-type, and absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries.

In terms of safety, you get reverse polarity protection. This basically means that the charger won’t function if you attach the supplied alligator clips to the wrong terminals. Once the battery is charged, the device will stop to prevent overcharging.

While it doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles, it’s an affordable charger that’s super easy to use and works smoothly.

4. CTEK MXS 5.0

The MXS 5.0 from CTEK omits 6v (used by older vehicles) and lithium-ion charging capability but if you don’t need either of those features then this model is well worth a look as a great motorcycle battery charger.

The MXS 5.0 is just about the fastest portable battery charger there is, supplying a continuous charge rate of 5.0A and providing enough juice to maintain a 160 amp-hour battery. Temperature compensation is present which allows use in ambient temperatures anywhere between -20 and +50 degrees Celsius.

Our favorite features are the automatic 8 step charging system that is designed to prolong battery life as well as the fact that it is waterproof in case you’re caught in the rain.

Finally, this model is able to diagnose battery conditions and tell you whether your battery is still able to hold a charge.

We didn’t like the fact that the included leads are relatively short so you might find yourself buying a few accessories depending on your needs.

5. NOCO Genius1 Fully-Automatic Smart Charger

Back to Noco again, and the Genius 1 Is an impressive charger designed for both 6-volt and 12-volt batteries. What makes it a great pick is its excellent versatility, which makes it an all-in-one charging solution for all types of batteries.

In fact, we loved the fact that Noco has packed multiple advanced features in the low-priced model.

Besides Noco has packed some great features as well. For instance, the charger has a digital thermal sensor that detects the ambient temperature. This prevents under-charging in cold climates and over-charging in hot climates.

Moreover, the slow pulse reconditioner technology allows the unit to repair damaged batteries and boost their performance.

Just like the Genius10, there’s a force mode that allows you to manually charge completely dead batteries. The fully automatic design ensures that there’s no chance of overcharging.

Overall, if the Genius 10 is beyond your budget, the Genius1 is a great pick that’s worth every penny.

6. TecMate OptiMATE 5

This charger can be used for 6V and 12V deep cycle and starter (SLI) lead-acid batteries. ranging between 3Ah to 160 Ah. The fully automatic design ensures total safety and supervision-free charging. The current is automatically adjusted based on the battery requirement.

And it’s also a battery doctor that will check your battery’s state of health. The charger can actually revive dead batteries from an extremely low voltage of 0.5V. In reality, that may not work 100% of the time, but the device functions well as a battery maintainer.

Another great feature is the weatherproof design that’s IP54 rated. It’s also designed to work in extremely low temperatures ( -40°C / -40°F.)

While this isn’t a charger that will come under the affordable category, it’s one of the top products in the market in terms of quality and reliability. With the solid build quality, you can expect it to last for years.

7. Battery Tender Junior

Last but not least, we have the Battery Tender Junior- one of the most popular battery chargers used by motorcyclists. It’s a fully automatic device that’s compact and reliable enough to carry along with you.

Technically, it’s compatible with 12V lead-acid, flooded, AGM, and gel cell batteries. The charger is rated at 750 mA.

The 4-step charging program used by Battery Tender ensures safe and optimized charging. Once charging is complete, the device automatically shifts to float mode to prevent battery damage. The smart design also enables it to monitor the battery charge state continuously.

As expected, it has reverse polarity protection and a spark-proof design. It also has an LED status indicator

In short, the Battery Tender Junior isn’t the most advanced model in this category. But it’s an affordably priced smart charger that’s compact and easy to use. The 5-year warranty makes the deal even sweeter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do motorcycle batteries need a special charger?

Motorcycle batteries don’t need a special charger. Just ensure that the voltage of the battery matches that of the charger. The best options are float chargers or smart chargers.

How long can a motorcycle sit before the battery dies?

That depends on the type of battery and also the conditions in the garage. An average battery will die within 2 to 4 months. A new battery with advanced features may last for 5 months.

Can a dead motorcycle battery be recharged?

Yes, a dead motorcycle battery can be recharged by using a battery charger. But make sure to check the battery for physical damage if the motorcycle has been sitting around for too long. Also, frequently discharging the battery will shorten its life span considerably.

Can I charge a motorbike battery with a car charger?

In general, it’s best not to use a general car charger for charging motorcycle batteries. Since car chargers are designed to deliver higher currents, they can overcharge the smaller battery and damage it. 

However, some intelligent chargers can adjust the amp hours they deliver based on the battery type. They can be used for cars and motorcycles.

Bottomline: Choosing the Best Motorcycle Battery Charger

Since these devices are so portable, it is perfectly reasonable to carry one with you, just in case. An appropriately sized motorcycle backpack is the perfect way to achieve this so head on over to our guide to purchase the best one.

We know which one our favorite is but you really can’t go wrong with any of the above. They will all repair, charge, and maintain your batteries so the choice comes down to your individual needs and what you are looking for in the best motorcycle battery charger.

We hope this review was useful, please feel to send us a message with your experiences.

Last update on 2023-06-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API