Anyone having a motorcycle had to replenish its battery or even jump start it, at least for once. The best motorcycle battery charger is a good solution to keep your battery full and ready for the next ride.
The charger devices differ in price and capacity, as well as in the number of options provided. Some can only maintain a nearly full battery safely through winter, and others can charge the half-dead power bank and even desulfate its plates. More powerful chargers, however, can be overkill for the small motorcycle battery, that’s why charging a motorcycle battery with a car charger might be damaging. For safety and efficiency, we recommend choosing a motorcycle-specific unit.
While many chargers are automatic, the other ones include manual controls as well. The majority of the low-cost chargers work with a single type of battery voltage (12V), while others can also charge 6V power banks. Check the charger options we selected for you and make a confident purchase!
Motorcycle Battery Charger Reviews
Battery Tender Junior — Best Motorcycle Battery Charger
Battery Tender’s compact two-in-one device is ideal for individuals who don’t want a lot of capacity but prefer cost-effective and convenient options. It supplies 750mA at 12V, which is enough to charge a non-depleted motorcycle or scooter battery within a few hours. It’s also a maintainer so that you don’t have to bother about timely charger disconnection — left connected, it won’t overcharge your battery but maintain its charge at full.
I highly appreciated the non-spark protection in this charger. Connecting it to the battery in the dim light, you don’t have to fear reverse polarity issues as well, as the mechanism blocks the current from flowing. The LED indicator flashes immediately so that you get to know something is wrong. The LED light also shows the status of charging. I used the charger for my AGM battery, while it fits the majority of power bank types including the AGM ones. Due to the smart mechanism, it keeps the battery fully operational without risking to overpower or overcharge it.
This Battery Tender charger motorcycle device implements the four-step charging schedule. During the initial charging stage, it might seem that the charge is too slow; yet, when it comes to a bulk charge, the battery replenishes quickly. The sensors switch the current supply to the floating mode once the voltage is high enough. This maintains the battery functional, and I didn’t have to check it the next morning because it started on the first try.
Pros
- The 80-hour timer turns the charger off for safety reasons.
- Fully automatic charging process.
- The power cord is 12-feet long giving space for a maneuver.
Cons
- The plastic cover doesn’t feel sturdy enough to withstand extensive use.
- No display or charge managing options.
Battery Tender Plus — Best Motorcycle Battery Tender
This model of the 12-Volt motorcycle battery charger offers multiple benefits for a motorcycle owner. It powers up all kinds of lead-acid batteries, integrates an automatic mechanism for charging, and is safe to leave connected for a long time. Besides, it’s quite versatile feeding the steady current at 12V resulting in the 1.25Ah flow.
The device’s power capacity allows it to charge ATVs, boats, lawn mowers, small vehicles, and other similar devices. It also works great as a maintainer of almost any capacity (for a pickup, car, truck, etc.). The integrated scheme analyzes the battery condition and switches the charger to the required operation mode. There are four ones: initialization (for tracing the battery state), bulk (feeding the steady current at 1.25A), absorption (slowing down as voltage rises), and float (maintaining a full level).
The installation is easy, as this motorcycle battery charger is compact and has a quick harness for connecting alligator clamps or ring terminals. Just hook up a harness, connect the power bank, and plug the charger into an outlet. The current charging stage, in process or fully charged, is indicated by two LED lights (yellow and green).It doesn’t make sparks at the connection and signals the reverse polarity automatically blocking the current from flowing. The smart system doesn’t overpower the battery and keeps it charged without feeding more current than needed.
Pros
- Can revive a weak battery (requires time, though).
- Doesn’t drain the battery if the power is off.
- The green LED light flashes when the battery is above the 80% level and can be used.
Cons
- No turn on/off switch.
- Isn’t water-resistant.
Battery Tender Plus 021-0128
This battery charger for a motorcycle shows the same parameters of charge as it’s a more compact model (also presented on the list). It’s simple to use and doesn’t require any maintenance, provides the charging and maintaining functions for the majority of household and vehicle batteries (though charging the big capacity power banks might take extensive time). It’s made solid and feels like a heavy-duty unit. However, its shape (rectangular box) necessitates a smooth, level surface to be placed.
What I noticed first, this potentially the best battery maintainer for a motorcycle works fast and is precise in its battery condition analysis. It immediately recognized my Harley Davidson battery and started to charge it. The device implements the typical Battery Tender signal system, where the flashing green light means the battery is ⅔ full and ready to use. When the charge is complete, the light becomes steady, and the charger switches to the “maintain” operation.
The “maintainer” functionality ensures the charger can be left connected for several days without causing the battery to overfill or overvoltage. It’s also safe for beginners since if the clamps or ring terminals are connected incorrectly, the system won’t let the current through. There are no sparks if clamps encounter, either.
The motorcycle battery tender works well with the standard lead-acid and gel cell ones both for charging and level maintenance. It supplies a steady current flow and deals with large batteries quite easily in the maintaining mode.
Pros
- Multiple ventilation slots ensure safe long-time operation.
- The power cord and the harness connector cord are detachable.
- The indicator lamps are big and bright.
Cons
- In some cases, might detect the weak battery as defective.
- Big batteries take too long to charge.
BLACK+DECKER BM3B — Best Trickle Charger for Motorcycle Battery
If you have a variety of batteries with a different voltage, this portable motorcycle battery charger will easily find its place in your garage. Its small size and sturdy construction allow it to be placed practically anywhere, and the long wires that come with it add versatility. The charger can power up and maintain 12V and 6V batteries and has a relevant switch to choose the needed charging mode.
The charger works with any type of lead-acid motorcycle battery (gel cell, flooded, or AGM) and can feed low, as below the 50% charge level. However, to do that, it requires some 14 – 18 hours. As a maintainer, this device constantly monitors the power bank condition and switches automatically between relevant charging stages. Once the charge is full, the green indicator is lighted, and the charger goes to the floating operation mode.
This candidate to become the best motorcycle trickle charger has a high safety level. It prevents the power bank from being overcharged (in bulk charging mode) and reduces the current at the improper clamps connection. The ETL certificate confirms the safety standard implemented in the charger.
The charger has a bright and sturdy design. The rubber overmolding protects the unit at light falls and bumps. The top panel is colored in red, orange, blue, and green with bright red-and-green LED lights. The voltage switch is responsive but stiff enough to avoid occasional non-voluntary switching.
Pros
- Integrates the low AC compensation circuit to ensure steady operation when powered via the extension cord.
- Up to 1.5A power capacity.
- Mounting brackets with holes let hang a charger on the wall or fix it on another surface.
Cons
- The bottom part gets considerably warm upon several hours of work.
- The supplied manual is scarce and non-informative on the operation.
NOCO GENIUS1 — Best Lithium Motorcycle Battery Charger
This lithium-ion motorcycle battery charger makes a good choice as the charger and maintainer. It powers up multiple types of conventional (flooded, AGM, gel cell) and lithium ones and can be used in any voltage setting (120V or 240V). Besides, it fits the 12V and 6V batteries; the relevant mode can be chosen via the front panel of the device.
The capacity of this compact unit makes 1A, which means the charging is going to take time. It does, however, come with a number of features that allow it to resuscitate dead batteries and fix those that have sulfation accumulation. The automatic system implemented in the charger detects the batteries that are as low as 1V and sends the initial trickle charge to boost the battery to the level where it can accept a bulk current flow.
The unit is also sensitive to the sulfation issue. Detecting the current block, it sends a desulfating high current to break the buildups and restore the battery level. Upon this, the charging stage begins. The power bank is analyzed constantly, and the automatic system chooses the optimal scheme of charging. Once the battery is filled, the unit switches to the “maintaining” operation.
The charger has several safety mechanisms and can be used on overcharge-sensitive batteries. As a maintainer device, this lithium motorcycle battery charger can be left permanently hooked up to the power bank in 24/7 mode with zero issues.
Pros
- Climate-sensitive, the voltage reduces in hot weather and rises in cold weather.
- The Force mode lets trickle charge completely dead batteries (below 1V).
- Smart one-button operation.
Cons
- The operation isn’t intuitive (the Forced charge mode isn’t easy to activate without the manual).
- The 12V connector is the barrel type and might be exposed to water or humidity.
Foval BC01B-1
The first thing to mention about this trickle charger for motorcycle battery is its safety merits. It has the ETL certificate for safety and integrates the voltage sensing system that monitors the power bank and keeps the voltage optimal with regard to the charging stage. As a result, the voltage does not drop too low or rise too high, causing damage and rapid discharge difficulties.
The device supplies the 1,000mA current and incorporates three charging modes that are selected automatically: the current feeding, the voltage increase, and the maintainer (floating) mode. The charger has overload protection so that the battery isn’t powered but closely monitored in the floating mode.
The charger doesn’t work at the incorrect terminals placement and is secured from the shock circuit issue. It also shuts off when getting too hot so that it’s safe to leave in the maintaining mode for hours and days.
The automatic mechanism makes the charger a plug-n-go device. It fits all conventional batteries (flooded lead-acid, sealed AGM, gel cell) and can be used for a variety of vehicles and devices including motorcycles, scooters, small boats, cars, lawn mowers, ATVs, RVs, generators, etc.
The design of this motorcycle trickle charger is simple and mistake-free. A compact box is wired with the AC and DC cables having 102 inches in total. The alligator clips or O-ring terminals are connected via the harness plug. The front panel shows green, yellow, and red lights to display the operation status.
Pros
- The current battery status is displayed in the floating mode as well.
- The ISM system reacts to the slightest changes and adjusts the operation accordingly.
- Works well in the cold temperature.
Cons
- The alligator clamps have cheap isolation and aren’t fully covered with it.
- The AC power cord is very short — about 17 inches.
MOTOPOWER MP00205A — Smart Motorcycle Battery Charger
Several charging programs, a sturdy build, and an energy-saving design make this battery charger motorcycle unit a good fit for any vehicle-related or household purpose. Though supplying 800mA current, this device provides a steady flow and can work as a charger and maintainer for small batteries and maintain the big ones (like the boat, RV, etc.).
Once hooked up to the battery, the charger starts working automatically. A nice feature is displaying the current stage of operation on the front panel of the charger. The inscriptions around the central LED light explain the signal for each charging stage.
The unit is enhanced with no-load and drainage protection. If the clamps aren’t connected or hooked up properly, the current isn’t sent. Meanwhile, non-dependent on the AC current supply, the unit doesn’t suck the voltage from the power bank keeping it safe and not decreasing the charge level.
The charger is equipped with desulfation functionality. Analyzing the battery state, it might send the pulse current and voltage to remove the buildups. Upon that, within the soft start stage, the condition is monitored. If the power bank can accept the charge, the bulk stage begins. If not, the unit indicates the error and doesn’t provide an output.
The bulk powering goes on upon the power bank is 90% full. Then, the absorption mode is activated to accurately fill in the battery completely. Upon that, the charger operates as the “float” charge constantly monitoring and replenishing the battery when needed.
Pros
- Can replenish the power banks as low as 4V.
- Features the Recondition operation repairing the battery capacity.
- Sturdy fully insulated clamps.
Cons
- No manual modes / desulfation disabling or activation.
- Heat dissipation is poor, therefore it gets heated rapidly.
Mroinge MBC010
The 1,000mA capacity renders this motorcycle battery trickle charger the possibility to power up multiple lead-acid batteries of the motorcycles and small-size vehicles (boats, ATVs, etc.). It features the four-stage operation mode; each stage is activated automatically. The unit doesn’t integrate the desulfation option but performs a fast and efficient charging and keeps the battery full but not overfilled within the floating charge mode.
The safety features of this unit include the no-spark and shock circuit protection. If the clamps are connected incorrectly, the gadget warns you and doesn’t let you use them until you fix it. The temperature sensor doesn’t let the device get too hot. The charger implements the four-stage operation framework, with the maintaining mode functionality. The current status of the charging process can be traced via the two LED indicators on the front of the unit.
The charger works in the 12V mode and can power up and maintain the power banks with a capacity from 5Ah to 65Ah. This includes the motorcycle batteries, ATV, and small generator ones, marine scooters, and so on. It matches various types of lead-acid models including non-maintenance (gel cell, AGM) and conventional (flooded type) ones.
The setup of the charger is simple and quick. The alligator clips and the O-rings are connected to the harness with the quick plugs. All you need is to hook up the terminals to the battery and plug the charger into an AC outlet.
Pros
- Direct plug-in to the outlet provides more direct current power for the output.
- Implements the microcomputer chip for precise monitoring and charging.
- Cold-resistant housing.
Cons
- The cords are thin and feel flimsy.
- Requires more space near the outlet than the regular AC plugs.
Buying Guide
Features to Consider before Choosing Motorcycle Battery Charger
Before taking the charger with the most options or the highest capacity, or at a bargain price, consider the following issues:
- Power bank type. There can be any type of lead-acid (conventional flooded, gel cell, or AGM) or a lithium-ion battery. The type is important, as these batteries require different voltage supply (about 12.8V for lead-acid and 13V – 14V for lithium-ion ones) and charging framework. If lithium-ion batteries can be discharged up to 80% without losing their capacity, the lead-acid ones might collapse and not accept a charge anymore. Lithium-ion batteries don’t need the desulfation pulsing current used for lead-acid ones.
- Smart options. The smarter your charger is, the more carefully and efficiently it will power up your battery. The smart motorcycle battery tender with microprocessor is preferable, as it analyzes the battery condition and applies the optimal mode of charging.
- Protection. The charger should be safe for you and your motorcycle. The reverse polarity security, the shock-proof design, protection from overheating, overcharging, overloading will ensure your battery won’t get damaged or drained.
- Controls. The majority of the chargers are automatic. However, some models let the user select the needed voltage and the operation mode.
What are the Best Motorcycle Battery Charger Brands?
Why prefer branded models of motorcycle battery chargers? The reasons are the warranty and return policy, the brand reputation, and the quality of the charger. Popular brands care about their image and usually don’t skimp on quality while sticking to their warranty and return policy commitments.
The current popular brands for motorcycle battery chargers are as follows:
- Battery Tender. This manufacturer offers high-quality chargers with different capacity and number of options. The popular motorcycle charger options make 0.75A and 1.25A. The chargers usually implement the automatic operation and LED indication of the charging status.
- BLACK+DECKER. These chargers often have solid construction with a damage-proof design. They are powerful and versatile working within the different voltage systems (110V – 220V) and modes (6V/12V). These units also integrate multiple protection mechanisms keeping the battery and environment safe.
- NOCO. This brand is probably the most versatile among others. It provides a row of the charger devices with multiple options including the switching between the automatic and manual mode. This brand is also known for producing weather- and water-proof appliances that work well in any climate.
My name is Brandon, and I’ve been interested in cars since I was a kid. I got a bachelor’s degree in Automotive Technology and worked in a private car workshop. I have two cars that have been completely upgraded with my own hands. So I successfully put all my knowledge into practice.
Last update on 2023-02-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API