When it comes to maintaining the longevity and performance of your ATV, a reliable battery trickle charger and maintainer is essential for battery health. Keeping your battery in optimal condition ensures that your ATV is always ready for your next adventure, whether you're plowing snow in the winter or exploring trails in the summer. In this guide, we’ll review the top battery chargers and maintainers available on Amazon, highlighting their features, benefits, and user feedback. While we look specifically at ATV's in this post, these battery chargers will likely perform similarly on cars, jet skis, motorcycles and other units with a similar 12V battery type. Let's have a look at the five most dependable options that we've encountered!
1. Battery Tender Junior 12V
If you're looking for a reliable and efficient way to maintain your ATV's battery, the Battery Tender Junior 12V charger is an excellent choice. Priced at $42.49 (currently on sale for 15% off as of May 29, 2024) and Amazon Prime eligible, this battery charger may be the best as far as value and performance balance is concerned. It offers a four-step charging program: Initialization, Bulk Charge, and Float Mode. Its intelligent design prevents overcharging and extends your battery's life, making it suitable for all 12V lead-acid, flooded, AGM, and gel cell batteries. Backed by a 5-year warranty and lifetime customer support, it’s a solid investment for ATV owners. Similar trickle chargers at this price point only offer three year warranty at best.
Product Highlights:
- Price: $42.49 (15% off sale price)
- Availability: Amazon Prime Eligible
- Charging Program: Four-step (Initialization, Bulk Charge, Float Mode)
- Compatibility: All 12V lead-acid, flooded, AGM, and gel cell batteries
- Warranty: 5 years with lifetime customer support
Pros:
- Full Charge Without Overcharging: Switches to float mode to maintain proper battery voltage, preventing overcharging.
- Versatile Compatibility: Works with all 12V lead-acid, flooded, AGM, and gel cell batteries, perfect for various ATVs.
- Easy Installation: Includes fused ring terminal and alligator clip accessory cables for flexible connection options.
- LED Indicators: Solid-state two-color LED light indicates the charging status, making it easy to monitor the battery charger's operation.
- Positive Reviews: Customers appreciate its affordability, ease of installation, and effectiveness.
Cons:
- Durability Concerns: Some customers reported the battery charger failing within a short time span.
- Return Policy Issues: Some users experienced challenges with the Amazon partner's return policy for defective units.
Consumer Feedback:
Customers have rated the Battery Tender Junior 4.7 out of 5 stars, with 82% giving it a 5-star rating. They praise its straightforward operation and reliability. However, some users have noted occasional issues with product durability and return policy complications.
Here are some recent user reviews to highlight:
"It works, it's safe. Bought in November 2023 and used on a motorcycle unattended until the last week of March. Battery was 100%, no overcharge and no issues."
"I use the Battery Tender Jr. to keep my ATV's battery topped up during the winter. Installation was straightforward, and the instructions were clear. The split cables with capped connectors make it easy to leave the battery terminals connected permanently and just plug in the charger when needed."
"Came highly recommended by a motorcycle forum. The LED light indicates charging status clearly. The included alligator clips and ring terminals are useful for different setups. I use this battery charger on my ATV and it's been very reliable."
My Experience:
I've found the Battery Tender Junior 12V to be an invaluable tool for maintaining my ATV battery. Especially during the colder months when the ATV isn't in regular use, this charger ensures the battery remains at optimal charge without the risk of overcharging. The installation was a breeze, taking only a few minutes. The LED indicators provide clear information on the charging status, giving me peace of mind. While it doesn't have a specific desulfation mode, I have had completely dead batteries fully charge. Overall, this is the best battery maintainer that I have come across on the market when price is considered.
In Conclusion:
The Battery Tender Junior 12V is a dependable choice for ATV owners looking to maintain their batteries effectively. Its intelligent charging program, ease of use, and reliable performance make it a top pick among battery chargers.
2. Battery Tender Plus 12V
For ATV owners looking for a reliable battery maintainer, the Battery Tender Plus 12V is an outstanding option. Priced at $79.95 (as of May 29, 2024) and eligible for Amazon Prime, this charger features a four-step charging program similar to the Junior model but with a higher amperage 1.25 AMP charging capacity. It's designed for low maintenance and ease of use, making it perfect for keeping your ATV's battery in optimal condition, especially during long periods of inactivity. With a 10-year warranty, this battery maintainer promises durability and long-term performance.
Product Highlights:
- Price: $79.95
- Availability: Amazon Prime Eligible
- Charging Program: Four-step (Initialization, Bulk Charge, Float Charger Mode)
- Compatibility: All 12V lead-acid, flooded, AGM, and gel cell batteries
- Warranty: 10 years
Pros:
- Enhanced Charging Capacity: Provides a 1.25 AMP charge, ideal for maintaining a variety of batteries without risk of overcharging.
- Versatile Compatibility: Battery charger works with all 12V lead-acid, flooded, AGM, and gel cell batteries, perfect for ATVs and other vehicles.
- Easy to Use: Includes fused ring terminal and alligator clip accessory cables for flexible connection options.
- LED Indicators: Solid-state two-color LED light indicates the charging status, making it easy to follow the stages from a dead battery to charged battery.
- Positive Reviews: Customers note its reliability and suitability for vehicles stored for extended periods.
Cons:
- Durability Concerns: Some users reported the battery tender stopped working and even drained their battery.
- Charging Larger Batteries: A few customers noted that this may not be one of the best car battery chargers but overall the feedback has been positive with ATV batteries.
Consumer Feedback:
Customers have rated the Battery Tender Plus 12V 4.7 out of 5 stars, with 82% giving it a 5-star rating. Users appreciate its simplicity, reliability, and the extended battery life it provides. However, some have noted occasional issues with the unit failing or not effectively charging larger batteries.
Here are some recent user reviews to highlight:
"I have three Battery Tender Plus units. They do a great job and seem to stand the test of time. I get much longer battery life on my vehicles using these. I use them on my car's battery and my ATV."
"Has a higher amperage than most battery chargers and at a better price. Still low enough charge so small batteries won’t be damaged. This is the second one I’ve purchased for a 1500cc motorcycle."
"This smart battery charger was easy to set up and offered both spring clips or rings to connect to the vehicle. Great to have 'programmed' smart charging features that know when to charge the battery and when to maintain it over a long period of time, like a full winter for a vehicle not in use."
"We own two of these battery maintainers and they have never let us down. Mostly used in the winter months for our car's battery as we tend not to drive far enough to charge the battery up. This one was purchased as a gift and was very well received by the new owner for their second car, which also does not get a lot of use in the winter. Highly recommend."
My Experience:
Using the Battery Tender Plus 12V has been a game-changer for maintaining my ATV battery. Its higher AMP capacity ensures which had my battery quickly boosted with an efficient charge. The float mode prevents overcharging, keeping the battery in peak condition. Installation was straightforward, and the LED indicators provide clear status updates, offering peace of mind during long storage periods. These trickle chargers have kept my ATV battery fully charged and ready for action, even after months of inactivity during the winter. A step up from the junior; though it may not be a necessary step up from the Junior model.
In Conclusion:
The Battery Tender Plus 12V is a dependable choice for ATV owners needing everything from a simple trickle charger to a robust battery maintainer. Its intelligent charging program, ease of use, and reliable performance make it a top pick among battery maintainers. Whether you're storing your ATV for the winter or just ensuring it's ready for your next adventure, these chargers deliver consistent results.
3. MOTOPOWER MP00205A 12V
The MOTOPOWER MP00205A 12V battery charger is an affordable and reliable option for maintaining your ATV's battery. Priced at $21.25 (11% off sales price as of May 29, 2024) and eligible for Amazon Prime, this charger features a fully automated charging process, thanks to its microprocessor-controlled program. It is compatible with all types of 12V lead-acid batteries and offers multi-level safety protection and battery rescue, making it a versatile choice for ATV owners.
Product Highlights:
- Price: $21.25
- Availability: Amazon Prime Eligible
- Charging Process: Fully automated with a microprocessor-controlled program
- Compatibility: All 12V lead-acid batteries, including flooded, AGM, and gel cell
- Safety Features: Multi-level safety protection, battery rescue, reverse hookup protection
Pros:
- Versatile Compatibility: Can charge all types of 12V lead-acid batteries, including flooded or sealed maintenance-free batteries (AGM & gel cell).
- Fully Automatic: No need for manual operation, this battery maintainer will automatically switch to maintenance mode once the battery capacity is reached.
- Safety Features: Includes multi-level safety protection to avoid overcharge, shorts, and reverse hookup protection, ensuring safe and reliable operation.
- Convenient Adapters: SAE quick release adapters provide flexibility in connecting to different battery types.
Cons:
- Durability Concerns: Some customers reported these battery chargers stopped working after a short period of use.
- Performance in Cold Weather: There are reports of these battery chargers failing after the cold season or in extremely low temperatures.
Consumer Feedback:
Customers have rated the MOTOPOWER MP00205A 4.5 out of 5 stars, with 73% giving it a 5-star rating. Users appreciate its compactness, reliability, and automatic switch to maintenance level charging. However, some customers have reported issues with the charger dying after a period of use, especially in cold weather.
Here are some recent user reviews to highlight:
"Everyone with a seasonal vehicle needs a battery maintainer, but it’s important to get one that does not charge too fast or too slow for the size of the battery. This 800mw unit has worked perfectly for the last 2 months in maintaining my BMW scooter 12v battery voltage. For the price, it is a good value, especially if you find it on sale."
"Bought this trickle charger to maintain my motorcycle battery while I put it in winter storage for 6 months. It's really easy to use and kept my battery charged up over the winter. My motorcycle started up no problem when I took it off. I bought this as a cheaper/more affordable alternative to a Battery Tender and I think this works just as well."
"I found my Triumph T120 battery weak after a period of not using it. Leaving it overnight connected to this battery maintainer using the bike’s power cable brought it back to life. It instantly recognized this is a motorcycle battery and started the process."
"I bought this in November 2023 because I had a parasitic power drain in my vehicle. I would have to boost it every time I wanted to go someplace. I put this charger on, and every morning the car would start with no problem. It kept the battery at full strength with no problems."
"The battery charger functions well but is fragile. I bought 2, and one died within 5 months, seeming due to reverse polarity hookup. They claim these have reverse polarity protection, but probably not given what happened."
"This is fantastic. It keeps my ATV battery at prime charge. The winch I use on my ATV plow really drains the battery down. Now when I park the ATV, I hook up the cables, and in a couple of hours, it's good as new."
"This will be my second winter using this battery maintainer. It is simple to use and keeps my ATV and motorcycle battery charged up during the winter months."
My Experience:
Using the MOTOPOWER MP00205A has been quite satisfactory for maintaining my ATV battery. Its fully automated charging process ensures that the battery is properly charged without any risk of overcharging. Installation was straightforward, and the included SAE quick release adapters made it easy to connect. During one particularly cold winter, the charger kept my ATV battery's charge at capacity and ready to go, despite the extreme temperatures. However, I did notice that the cables became brittle in the cold, so handling them with care is essential; especially in harsher weather conditions.
In Conclusion:
The MOTOPOWER MP00205A 12V is a cost-effective and reliable choice for ATV owners needing a dependable battery maintainer. Its intelligent charging process, ease of use, and comprehensive safety features make it a valuable addition to any ATV maintenance toolkit. Whether you are storing your ATV for the winter or simply want to ensure your battery stays in top condition, these battery maintainers seem to deliver consistent and efficient performance at a budget price.
4. AstroAI Battery Charger 12V
The AstroAI Battery Charger 12V is an affordable and versatile option for keeping your ATV battery in top condition. Priced at $29.99 (23% off sales price as of May 29, 2024) and eligible for Amazon Prime, this charger features a four-stage charging process and safety protocols to protect from overcharging, short circuits, and over voltages. It is approved by CE and RoHS and comes with a 1-year warranty.
Product Highlights:
- Price: $29.99
- Availability: Amazon Prime Eligible
- Charging Process: Four-stage charging process
- Compatibility: All 12V lead-acid batteries, including flooded, AGM, and gel cell
- Safety Features: Overcharging, short circuit, and over-voltage protection
- Warranty: 1-year
Pros:
- Versatile Compatibility: Charges all types of 12V lead-acid batteries, including flooded, AGM, and gel cell.
- Safety Protocols: Provides protection from electrical problems like short circuits and over voltages.
- User-Friendly: LED lights indicate different charging modes for easy monitoring.
- Affordable: Cost-effective trickle charger with a robust feature set.
- Automatic Operation: Fully automated, no manual operation required.
Cons:
- Durability Concerns: Some customers reported that the battery charger stopped working after a couple of years.
- Initial Complications: Some users experienced initial setup issues and found the battery charger unreliable.
Consumer Feedback:
The AstroAI Battery Charger 12V has been rated 4.5 stars out of 5, with 71% of users giving it a 5-star rating. Customers appreciate its reliability and versatility, though some have encountered issues with durability and functionality over time.
Here are some recent user reviews to highlight:
"It’s great for my ATV where I don't use it all the time in winter. I can keep the battery fully charged for when I need to plow. The quick connect means I can leave it hooked up to the battery and remove the charger, then hook up when I'm done using the ATV, which will prolong the life of the battery. Great price, very quick delivery, and easy to install. Would buy again if needed in the future."
"I bought a similar one a few weeks ago for my motorcycle and that was a 5-star deal. I decided to buy one for my old utility tractor so I do not have to remove the battery over the winter. This unit monitors the battery 24/7 and automatically starts trickle charging when the battery's voltage dropped. Once it is fully charged, it stops charging and goes back to monitoring."
"I bought this charger 5 years ago to use on my summer car while it's in winter storage. It's worked flawlessly over the years. Being happy with it, I purchased another one to keep my truck battery topped up when not in use. So far, it's been one of the best car battery chargers that I have found."
"Used on a few different vehicles and always worked well. When it gets around -30C, the rubber on the wires gets brittle and in my case, it cracked off and caused a short. The battery charger works as advertised, but be careful in more extreme climates."
"It did charge my almost dead battery for a tiny product. It says it has 4 different cycles but it doesn’t show what it is doing or what stage it’s on. Other than that, it’s okay for the price."
My Experience:
Using the AstroAI Battery Charger 12V has been a reliable solution for maintaining my ATV battery. Its four-stage charging process ensures the battery is charged efficiently without the risk of overcharging. The safety protocols give me peace of mind, knowing that the charger protects against potential electrical issues. During the harsh winter months, this charger kept my ATV battery fully charged and ready for use, despite extremely low temperatures.
The LED indicators are helpful for monitoring the charging process, and the quick connect feature makes it easy to hook up and disconnect the charger as needed. However, the cord length could be longer, as it sometimes falls short in reaching the battery from certain positions. Despite this minor drawback, the AstroAI Battery Charger 12V is a cost-effective option for ATV owners.
In Conclusion:
The AstroAI Battery Charger 12V is a fair choice for ATV owners looking for an affordable and efficient way to maintain their battery's health. Its intelligent charging process, ease of use, and comprehensive safety features make it a valuable addition to any ATV maintenance toolkit. Whether you're storing your ATV for the winter or want to ensure your battery stays in top condition, this charger provides consistent and effective performance.
5. Huiaipaic 6V & 12V Battery and Trickle Charger
The Huiaipaic 6V 12V Battery Charger Maintainer is designed to offer a reliable solution for maintaining and charging drained 6V and 12V batteries. Priced at $21.55 (10% off sale price as of May 29, 2024) and eligible for Amazon Prime, this battery maintainer provides a fully automated charging process with a 3-stage digital charging program controlled by an MCU controller. It also includes essential safety protections and comes with a 1-year warranty.
Product Highlights:
- Price: $21.55
- Availability: Amazon Prime Eligible
- Charging Process: 3-stage digital charging program
- Compatibility: Designed for drained 6V and 12V batteries
- Safety Features: Overcharging, short circuit, and over-voltage protection
- Warranty: 1-year
Pros:
- Versatile Compatibility: Designed to charge drained 6V and 12V batteries.
- Safety Protocols: Provides protection from electrical problems like short circuits and over voltages.
- User-Friendly: Fully automatic charger with LED indicators for different charging modes.
- Affordable: Cost-effective option with a robust feature set.
Cons:
- Build Quality: Some customers were dissatisfied with the quality and performance of the product.
- Temperature Sensitivity: Not suitable for operation in cold temperatures.
- Short Cables: Customers have criticized the short length of the cord.
Consumer Feedback:
The Huiaipaic Battery Charger Maintainer is rated 4.4 stars out of 5, with 66% of users giving it a 5-star rating. While many customers appreciate its performance and affordability, there are concerns regarding its build quality and reliability.
Here are some recent user reviews to highlight:
"Battery charger works great only problem is the wires to the clip are not attached very well as I seem to have to reconnect it every time I use it."
"This is an awesome battery charger and trickle charger. The cord is short and must be close to the plug, or you will have to use an extension cord."
"Battery charger was as described, works fine, power cord could have been a bit longer but otherwise a reasonable little charger for the price."
"Great for charging up my small 3Ah and 5Ah 12V batteries that I utilize on my mobility scooter to power cameras, radio, extra lights, all without voiding warranty."
"Trickle charger works excellent, great for slow charging a battery, and yes, it does repair some."
"The one that works, works great. Unfortunately, I bought 2 battery chargers and didn't use them for a while, and when I did, I noticed that only one of them worked."
My Experience:
Using the Huiaipaic Battery Charger Maintainer has been a mixed experience. On the one hand, it effectively maintains and charges my ATV battery, keeping it in optimal condition during the off-season. Its fully automatic operation and safety features ensure that the battery is protected from overcharging and other electrical issues. The LED indicators are helpful in monitoring the charging process, making it user-friendly even for those not familiar with using a battery maintainer.
However, the build quality leaves much to be desired compraed to other chargers. The short cables are inconvenient, especially when trying to reach the battery in certain positions. Additionally, the charger struggled in colder temperatures, which is a significant drawback for those living in colder climates. I do not believe that this product would aide in curing battery sulfation given my experience with it. Despite these issues, the Huiaipaic battery charger offers decent value for its price, particularly for smaller batteries.
In Conclusion:
The Huiaipaic 6V 12V Battery Charger Maintainer is an affordable and generally effective option for maintaining and charging your ATV battery. Its intelligent charging program and safety features make it a reliable choice for keeping your battery in top condition. However, potential buyers should be aware of its limitations, such as the short cable length and sensitivity to cold temperatures. For those seeking a budget-friendly solution with essential features, the Huiaipaic charger is a viable option, but it may not be suitable for all users or environments.
Our Choice for Best Battery Tender
When it comes to ATV battery maintenance, the Battery Tender brand clearly leads the charge, especially for Amazon.ca shoppers. My overall favorite is the Battery Tender Plus 12V, thanks to its robust 1.25 AMP charging capacity and smart four-step charging process that ensures peak battery condition without overcharging. With a 10-year warranty and a reputation for durability, it’s the top choice for any ATV owner. For those seeking a budget-friendly option, the Battery Tender Junior 12V offers reliable performance and efficient charging, making it the best cost-effective solution.
In conclusion, investing in a high-quality battery charger and maintainer is crucial for any ATV owner. The products we've reviewed – the Battery Tender Junior 12V, Battery Tender Plus 12V, MOTOPOWER MP00205A 12V, AstroAI Battery Charger 12V, and Huiaipaic 6V 12V Battery Charger Maintainer – offer a range of features to suit different needs and budgets. By choosing the right charger, you can ensure your ATV battery remains in peak condition, ready to power your adventures all year round. Remember to consider factors such as compatibility, safety features, and user reviews when making your selection. With the right charger, you’ll enjoy hassle-free battery maintenance and extended battery life, giving you peace of mind and more time to enjoy the great outdoors.
Looking for the best car battery chargers? Check out this article at Motor1.
Speaking of "keeping charged", here is a funny:
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