Best Marine Battery Chargers in 2022 – for Smart, Efficient Charging

Nowadays, the marine battery charger market is saturated with some of the best marine battery chargers. As a result, you can easily choose from with price tags ranging from $50-$1000. In fact, some of them even come with their own power banks. However, it is important to look for marine battery chargers that have been tested and certified by the American Boat and Yacht Council.

Furthermore, try not to be affected by the expensive advertising and marketing campaigns that most marine battery charger manufacturers create. Instead, look for marine battery chargers that have a reputation for being reliable, functional and come with a manufacturer’s guarantee.

Top 10 Best Marine Battery Chargers Review in 2022

1. Battery Tender Plus Battery Charger

The Plus version of the Tender battery offers longer charging. It’s estimated that it can go on 50% more than its younger brother. As the best marine battery charger reviews show, this 1.2amp battery has a 12V charging output. On your boat, it may be just what you need to ensure your battery is not running low.

Tested in action, this is one of the best marine battery chargers as it shows a red light when the battery is not OK and a green light when it is. I’ve even tested it out on an old boat battery. It sat in my garage for more than a year, maybe two. I then connected the battery charger and left it to do its magic. After a couple of days, I had no hopes for my old battery.

However, on the third day, the light turned green and my battery was ready to go. The best part is this battery includes ring terminals and battery clips. You’ll only need to connect it to your battery for it to work. Even more, I like that it comes with a solid warranty. The battery is covered for 10 years.

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2. Black+Decker BM3B Battery Charger

Connected by clips or rings, the Black+Decker design is among the best portable marine battery chargers. Its portable profile can simply be seen from its design. Unlike many other batteries, it comes with a rubberized case for extra protection. I know I lost a couple of batteries when I dropped them and this could have been the better choice for me.

With a simple voltage selector, you can go from 6V to 12V as needed. Even more, the battery has a few solid advanced features. For starters, it has overcharge protection. It knows when to switch off to protect the battery. Even automatic charging stops whenever the battery is fully charged. I’d see this battery as an all-in-one solution for those new to marine sports and activities.

I even see it as a solution for your vehicle. It can replace a car’s battery charger during the winter months. Even it connects to such large batteries with its included O rings. Also it even comes with estimated charging time. A car’s battery may be ready for action within 67 hours. A personal watercraft’s battery can be charged within 25 hours.

3. STANLEY BC15BS Battery Charger

This one-touch automatic charging marine battery charger is complex. It’s among the best marine deep cycle battery chargers. With rugged housing, it is arguably one of the most durable designs of its class. Given its size, I’m surprised to see it has such good protection.

Metal power cords are included in the pack. They are suitable for all types of boats and their batteries. A mode selection panel is placed on the right side of the screen. But this backlit screen is also seen in low light. This is why I’d advise you to see it among the best onboard marine battery chargers as well.

You never know when you might need it and with its solid display, it’s there to help. The manufacturer also ensured it’s not complicated to use. I remember the old days when I’ve struggled to see the benefits of a battery charger with so many steps needed for a 50-50 result.

Those days are now gone and as long as you set the red and the black cable right, the charging process begins with the press of a single button. But this charger also features other advanced characteristics. It comes with rapid charge modes. It can even check the alternator for you.

In case it’s not the battery that is showing the signs of wear, it may be the alternator. But this patented design has one more ace up its sleeve. It sends sufficient power to the battery for one engine to start. This is sufficient to start your car or boat from cold on a low battery. It is why it’s a worthy investment for those who need one marine battery charger for all types of batteries around the house.

4. Minn Kota On-Board Digital Charger

This marine battery charger is considered to be one of the best marine battery chargers on the market; however, it is on the more expensive side. But, as mentioned above, when it comes to picking the right marine battery charger it might well be best to spend a little more than a little less.

This MinnKota MK 210D charger has a microprocessor that works to protect the battery while ensuring it is charging at super-fast speed (Source).

The electronic displays show all the important information that the user needs to know such as the state of the battery being charged, the level of power, maintenance requirements or error messages. Another great feature is the automatic shut-off regime that works to ensure the battery is not overcharged; this in turn prolongs its life.

5. NOCO Genius GEN3 Battery Charger

Buying this NOCO Genius Gen3 smart battery charger will give you the peace of mind that you need when sailing or taking a weekend trip to the local island. The NOCO Genius Gen3 was designed to be used by all individuals and even those that have little to no knowledge of how the marine battery chargers work.

Plus, the NOCO Genius is designed in a way that prevents any reverse battery hookups, sparks and overheating. Moreover, it has technology in place that prevents short circuits, open circuits and overcharging the battery.

Furthermore, when buying this charger you don’t have to worry about whether it will suit your battery or not as it works with most common models of marine batteries. It works perfectly with AGM cells, wet cells as well as gel cells and even functions with enhanced flooded ones.

To make the NOCO Genius Gen 3 even safer, the manufacturer has made it completely water-proof so as to seal from waves, storms, and rain. Lastly, with this NOCO Genius Gen3 marine battery charger, your battery will charge twice as fast as it will with others thanks to the patented RCT, Rapid Charging Technology.

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6. Marinco ChargePro Battery Chargers

A nice and relatively, new marine battery charger on the market that will last for years to come. It comes with a micro compressor that helps provide efficient, fast and accurate charge. It is made with waterproof materials that have been vigorsly tested and was found to be best suited for work in marine conditions.

Its durable and rust-free coating is capable of withstanding dropping temperatures and high levels of sulfates. Plus, the stability technology used in this Marinco Charge Pro charges makes it great for environments that are full of vibrations, shock waves, and high levels of moisture or humidity.

Moreover, it comes with a universal voltage input making it compatible with flooded cells, dry cells, and AGM batteries. Furthermore, it is known to help breath a second life into dead batteries and batteries that have been wrongly charged.

7. Schumacher Wheeled Battery Charger

A common problem with the marine battery chargers is that a wrongly picked charger can cause the batteries to die or even worse become completely useless. So, one must pay special attention to several things when shopping on the market for the best marine battery charger.

This Schumacher Manual Charger is durable and has gained the reputation of many accredited sailors and yacht lovers because it’s functional and has a strong cooling fan that prevents overheating during its use. Moreover, it comes with a tester that helps test the wide ranges of charging rates and this feature is what makes it stand out from the rest of the pack on the market.

It works best with batteries that are in the range of 6 to 12 Volts and unlike other chargers, it can analyze various problems with the electrical or start-up on board systems. Plus, it comes in a package with 2 rotary switches in addition to a voltmeter in case you might need to test the onboard batteries.

8. Promariner Prosport 20 Plus Charger

Some professional make the crucial mistake of investing a hefty sum into marine batteries but then going all economical with the marine battery charger. When you go shopping for the best 3 bank marine battery charger on the market make sure to look for one that will suit your marine battery.

The ProMariner marine battery charger works to evenly distribute the charge throughout the battery thereby utilizing 100% of the available amps. When compared to other best marine battery chargers it charges up to 50% faster and more efficiently thanks to unique technology.

Plus, if the user has connected the battery the wrong way then the troubleshooting lights will automatically turn on and indicate what is wrong. Moreover, this ProMariner charger works great with trolling motors and common house battery banks found on most popular leisure boats.

It has a unique, sleek aluminum design encased in rugged metal that houses dual in-line DC fuse. Furthermore, it has measures in place to prevent overheating, reverse battery hooking and overloading with spark prevention technology. Another great feature that is very popular with the buyers is the automatic reconditioning of all on-board batteries once in 3 weeks.

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9. NOCO Genius GENM2 Battery Charger

A perfect variant for users wishing to quickly recharge batteries ranging between 6 and 12 volts, plus it is capable of recharging and maintaining all types of lead acid batteries that range between 20 and 120 A.

Moreover, you can use with other common batteries such as AGM, wet cells, MF and gel cells. Its special coating prevents sparks and consequent ignition. Furthermore, the safety mechanisms used help prevent short circuits, overheating, and reverse hookups with open circuits.

NOCO Genius Gen M2 battery charges is often used to bring back to life batteries that have completely dies due to infrequent use or incorrect recharging with other best marine battery chargers. The pulse charging option with this marine battery charger helps recover sulfated or rusted batteries in most cases too.

It is suitable to be used in wet or moist environments as it has a completely water-proof cover and it can be used in salty water too. NOCO Genius manufacturer has been on the market for decades and has since gained a large following and a reputable image on the market and throughout the country as a reliable marine battery charger at an affordable price.

10. WEEGO JS18 Jump Starter Battery Pack

This Weego JS12 Lithium Ion Pack is great for not just marine batteries but portable devices such as mobile phones, IPod, and even car batteries. Plus this charger can easily start engines that are less than 6.4 liters.

Moreover, it can be used to recharge portable speakers, headsets and on-board music players. Furthermore, professionals recommend using this portable marine battery charger to jump start small yachts, fishing boats, pick-up trucks, and motorcycles.

Its design is super slim with rounded edges and sleek overall look, plus it easily fits in your pocket or small traveling bag. The manufacturer has added a water-proof carrying case in the packaging to make transporting this marine battery charges a breeze.

Users have reported it to be very straightforward in use and the built-in circuit protection mechanisms prevent it catching any sparks or igniting in flame even when overheated. The built-in flashlight is a pleasant added bonus, especially if you often charge at night. Lastly, this charger can operate in varying temperatures as long as it stays in -4 degrees F to 140 degrees F range.

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Tips for Choosing the Best Marine Battery Chargers

First of all, decide what type of battery you are going to have and note its specifications on a piece of paper when starting to shop for the best marine battery charger on the market today. Note its input voltage, the capacity of full battery power, the amps per hour. If you have this information, then shopping for a battery charger should be quick and easy.

Also, try to find a charger that will not overcharge the marine battery even if that means you would be spending a little more than you were initially planning on. The same goes for marine battery chargers that do not undercharge as that might mean you will find yourself with an undercharged battery in an emergency.

Why Overcharging Kills Your Battery?

Overcharging the marine battery kills it over the long haul as it disrupts its contents, marine batteries are made out of lithium that lose their charge properties when constantly overcharged. Plus, overcharging the marine battery can lead to extreme overheating that damage it completely.

This happens because when a battery is overcharged, excessive gasses are released, this leads to overheating of the electrolytes inside the battery as hydrogen and oxygen are released. This could be fatal to the life of the marine battery as its enclosed design will cause it to burst once the gasses reach the maximum limit.

However, if you have a lithium battery then there is no reason for you to worry as lithium batteries have built-in circuits that prevent overcharging. To avoid overcharging a standard marine battery, find out it capacity and make sure you purchase a marine battery charges to fit that capacity.

Safety and Durability of a Marine Battery

Nowadays, there are a lot of marine battery chargers that have an epoxy-filled construction and are waterproof. This construction of the marine battery also ensures that no shocks take place and the condensation does not occur. Plus, it also helps prevent sparks and ignition of the marine battery so make sure that you only buy ABYC (American Boat & Yacht Council) safety standard compliant marine battery.

Charging Time of Marine Batteries

Always take into the consideration the time span needed to fully charge a marine battery and remember that it is always proportional to the size of the battery. Hence, the larger the battery, the more hours it will require to fully charge. Therefore, think about how big a battery do you really need?

Battery Voltage

As mentioned above, marine batteries should always provide the right voltage-not too little not too much. Often, marine batteries range anywhere between 6-12 Volts and if it’s a multiple battery then the connection should be parallel. Never connect the marine batteries in a series connection as that will make charging very uneven and unbalanced thereby causing significant damage to it and cutting its battery life short.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How Do I Pick the Best Battery Charger for My Marine Batteries?

A: First, check your battery type. These details can be found on the label on your batteries. Make sure you get a battery charger appropriate for your type of battery. Then find out the Amp-hour (Ah) rating of the batteries you want to charge and what you need the charger for.

Do you want to charge a dead or flat battery to full, or do you simply want to maintain and top up a battery—also called a trickle charge? You can set chargers to do both. Finally, pay attention to the charger size. A good rule of thumb is that the charger should be a minimum of 10% and a maximum of 20% of the Ah rating of your battery. So, for a 100 Ah battery, the charger should be in the range of 10 Amps to 20 Amps.

Q: Can Overcharging or Undercharging Damage My Batteries?

A: Most definitely, yes! Undercharging and overcharging will surely damage and reduce the life of your marine batteries. That is why it is essential to use manufacturer-recommended chargers to charge your batteries.

Q: Other Than Recharging, What Else Do I Need to Do to Maintain My Marine Batteries?

A: If you are using lead-acid-type batteries, you will have to top up the batteries with distilled water from time to time to keep them in good shape. Failure to do this could severely shorten the life of your batteries. Other than that, please check all terminal connections for corrosion. Additionally, clean with grease, Vaseline, or lanolin.

Q: Can I Charge a Marine Battery With a Regular Charger?

A: It’s always best to use the appropriate charger for a marine battery. While at a pinch, you can use a traditional battery. But it will cause your deep cycle battery to overheat, and as a result, your battery will not be able to charge correctly. Worst case scenario, your battery will be damaged.

Q: Should I Leave My Boat Battery Charger on All the Time?

A: There is no need to keep your battery attached to the charger 24/7. You can unplug it once the battery is topped up.

Q: How Often Should You Charge a Deep Cycle Marine Battery?

A: You should never let your deep cycle marine battery’s charge drop any lower than 20%. The best practice is to charge it when there’s still 50% juice left. This will ensure long battery life.

Final Thoughts

We believe that this list should offer the guidance you were looking. The best marine battery chargers mentioned here are all manufactured by reputable companies and have a reputation for working efficiently over a long period of time. To prolong its life, try to charge the batteries after each use and never mix old batteries with new ones. Plus, never leave the batteries too deeply discharged, the safest level is about at 80% and remembers that shallow discharges last the longest.