From Road & Track · Justin Helton · · 2m
Best Car Battery Chargers and Maintainers Tested
Road & Track tests top battery maintainers for cars in storage.
In brief
Road & Track tests top battery maintainers for cars in storage. Road & Track tested battery maintainers to keep cars charged during long storage periods. Originally reported by Road & Track.
Problem with car batteries
A car battery loses charge when parked long enough even with maintenance.
Battery maintainer purpose
A battery maintainer keeps a battery charged without overcharging risk.
Top pick: Battery Tender 15 Amp
Battery Tender 15 Amp is easiest to use with LCD display and 10-year warranty.
Easiest to use: Noco Genius10
Noco Genius10 works with lithium-ion batteries and repairs sulfated batteries.
Best for reconditioning: CTEK Multi US 7002
CTEK Multi US 7002 reconditions stratified batteries with eight-step charging curve.
Other battery maintainers
Additional maintainers include Noco Genius1, Battery Tender Plus 4 Bank Plus, Foxwell BC521, and Bosch C80-Li.
Key features for battery maintainers
Smart-charging technology, amperage rating, and safety features are crucial for battery maintainers.
Battery types
Flooded lead-acid, AGM, gel cell, and lithium-ion batteries each require specific maintainers.
How we tested
Road & Track tested maintainers on three vehicles parked for extended periods.
Expert opinion
Gregory Coe says managing a car collection is like taking care of a living organism.
Why trust us
Road & Track uses hands-on testing and editorial independence for product recommendations.
Tested vehicles
Road & Track tested a Lincoln Continental, Triumph Spitfire, and Dodge Raider in storage.
Battery types explained
Flooded lead-acid batteries require topping off with water, AGM batteries are sealed and spill-proof.
How we chose maintainers
Road & Track selected maintainers from Battery Tender, NOCO, and CTEK for testing.
Expert consulted
Gregory Coe is a marketing director for 1600 Veloce and automotive collector.
What happens next
Road & Track will update long-term testing results for battery maintainers.
The one thing
Road & Track tested battery maintainers to keep cars charged during long storage periods.
