Just like a car, a boat will need a starting jolt to start up its engine. This is where the battery comes in with the added functionality of powering up other devices on board. Also, similar to the way the boat needs the battery, the latter requires a charger to maintain its power levels.
Of course, there are many such chargers in the market, with a few standing out in comparison with the rest. Out of the 25, we started with the NOCO Genius GEN2, which is the editor’s choice, and thus one of the best marine battery chargers out there. The other nine products listed are also not far behind in ratings. A look at the features will reveal the reasons why the Genius GEN2 by NOCO is the preferred choice even for us. Safety is a significant influencer with protectors for almost everything you could think of. These include thermal, overcharge, and reverse polarity protection, to name a few. You can also charge all types of batteries making this the perfect choice, especially if you have multiple batteries on board.
The features like the type of charger, compatibility, output, and even dimensions serve either to put a product on here or to remove it from our list. Consequently, enough time has been put in to verify from the manufacturer sites, Amazon, and customer testimonials that the products function better than others in the market. The table below, detailed looks into each item, and a buying guide should, therefore, make it possible for you to choose a product if all the positives align with what you need in a charger. As such, choosing the best marine battery charger has never been so easy.
Other features: compatible with all types of lead-acid batteries (25-230Ah), advanced safety protection, a fully-sealed, waterproof housing, certified
There are countless options to pick from with this item, depending on your budget and needs. The one displayed in the image above is the two bank option with an output of 20 amps total. This means that the power output is divided into two, with each bank emitting ten amps each. You will notice a specific element of durability with the charger since it has a rugged, waterproof case that will work even when submerged in water. However, there is a limit to how deep the charger can go without taking in water and malfunctioning, which is three meters below the surface.
In the unlikely scenario that the product gets damaged within the first five years, then you are protected by warranty. The battery safety features have been mentioned previously with no reason to repeat them here. Also, authority bodies have lined up and accredited the construction of this piece of equipment. If the experts on the subject say this is a top product, then it will most likely serve you for years to come.
Other features: Energy Saver Mode, Storage Recondition Mode, system OK and battery bank trouble status indicators, digital LED display and battery type selector
The ProMariner Gen 3 ProSport 12 is a 2 bank marine battery charger with various positive attributes under its belt. You will need to find a place to mount this device on your boat. From the name, you can see the number 12, and this is indicative of the ampere output for each bank. Therefore both the banks produce a total of 24 amperes. Mounting this device should be a piece of cake, and the small size factor allows you to find the ideal spots for doing so.
Another positive attribute is the energy saver mode that maintains your batteries at full charge. You also get storage recondition mode that boosts your battery once every month, so it doesn’t get fully depleted. Although you will not find this information on Amazon, the device will protect against overload, high temperatures, reverse polarity as well as a few other battery and electrical equipment detrimental states.
Other features: approved for wet cell and AGM batteries, available for gelled electrolyte batteries, fully automatic / multi-stage charging, zero spark technology, on-board diagnostic codes, advanced microprocessor-controlled, reverse polarity protected
On output alone, this device takes the cake with a 15A output from each bank. This is in addition to being able to charge both wet cell and diagnostic batteries. You also get a similarity to the Minn Kota devices in that a microprocessor will control the output depending on devices connected.
The charger will be able to display the battery percentage as long as you are charging the device with the figures displayed alongside the LED indicators. Also, just in case you have a few close encounters with water, the device manufacturers made sure it was waterproof.
Other features: for all 12 volt flooded and AGM lead-acid batteries, reverse polarity, over-current, over-voltage, over-temperature, and ignition protection, waterproof, shock resistant
The Guest 2711A ChargePro is a compact and dependable onboard marine battery charger with dual bank output. As mentioned above, the tool is ideal for both 12 volt flooded and AGM acid batteries. The safety features as well are all discussed above, including the fact that the charger is waterproof. What is not mentioned is the inclusion of inline safety fuses, which are what make the overvoltage and overcurrent protection possible.
With the two cables provided, the device will be able to sense and control the charge output needed.
Other features: automatic 3-Stage Smart Charge, three user-selectable charge profiles, Adaptive Loading, overheat, over-current and over-voltage protection
Size-wise this is one of the more compact options in the market. It is also meant for onboard mounting rather than portable usage. The dual output device emits 8amps from each bank. Nonetheless, you get to select the charge profile from the three provided by the manufacturer. As such, you need to be aware of your battery’s capabilities and how to optimize the charging process to get optimum results.
Also, you needn’t do everything yourself as there is an automatic 3 stage smart charger once the device is connected to a battery.
Other features: compatible with 12V/6 lead-acid batteries (AGM/HP AGM or Gel only), automatic temperature compensation, automatic multi-stage charging, digital control, LED status display, low-line voltage compensation, waterproof, shock and vibration resistant, corrosion-resistant
The Minn Kota Mk318pc Precision is a quality addition to our list. The first thing you need to look out for is compatibility with your batteries. Else you will have a useless piece of equipment on your boat. As such, it will charge 12V/6 lead batteries in their various options. It is recommended that you manually set each bank according to the type of battery they will be charging. This is quick and somewhat easy to do, and you can use the LED indicators to ensure that everything is alright.
Most of the body of the device is made of corrosion-proof aluminum, which comes in handy, especially when dealing with saltwater. Nonetheless, you are supposed to mount the device onboard your boat and away from the water. If it does manage to get into contact with water, the waterproof casing should help a great deal.
Other features: works with 12-volt lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries up to 40Ah, spark-proof technology, reverse polarity, and overcharge protection
Where you are looking for a four bank marine battery charger, this could be your best bet. An impressive aspect of this tool is the fact that it can recover a damaged or a deeply discharged battery back to normal. Of course, for this device to do this, it has to incorporate a diagnostic system which it does. With its four banks, it can charge all types of 6V and 12V batteries making this an essential tool.
Even if you are not on your boat, you can use it to charge other vehicle batteries. As such, its portable nature will be well worth the purchase. Similar to our editor’s choice, which is also made by the same manufacturer, this device also carries with it a five-year warranty.
Other features: compatible with 12V/6 lead-acid cell batteries (AGM/HP, AGM or gel only), waterproof, shock -resistant, corrosion-resistant, designed to UL marine standard 1236, digital control, automatic temperature compensation, and multi-stage charging
By looking at the name, you can deduce that this tool is remarkably similar to the Minn Kota Mk318pc Precision simply because they are from the same manufacturer. The device, however, only has two banks on board that will serve to clean and condition the batteries you connect on the other end. Also, if a power outlet is overloaded, the device is capable of compensating for that.
With each bank slotted with an output of 6A, the Mk212pc also has a microprocessor design engineered to give you power and precision. The fact that it is corrosion-resistant, waterproof, and shock-resistant should come as no surprise as these are all features present in the Mk318pc as well.
Other features: charge flooded, AGM or gel batteries, microprocessor-controlled, intuitive operation, ignition protected
Another product that won’t need much input after installation is the Marinco ChargePro. It will detect the charge needs of each battery it is attached to and therefore sends the correct charge. This is made possible by the microprocessor inside the rugged casing.
Also, this is a versatile deep cell marine battery charger in that it will cater to the needs of gel, AGM, or even flooded batteries.
Other features: Works with all types of 6V and 12V lead-acid batteries and lithium batteries with an internal BMS, spark-proof technology, reverse polarity, overcharge protection, a built-in battery desulfator
This item is the only single bank marine battery charger on our list. The manufacturer has also proven that they produce quality products owing to the other two that feature on this list. One good thing about purchasing this one is the fact that you can carry it around so that you can use it whenever the need arises. This is whether you need it on a boat, your motorcycle, or any other battery-powered piece of equipment at home.
The device will also monitor and maintain your battery even if you find you forgot to unplug it for a few months. Like the other two devices by NOCO, you can bet on a five-year warranty just in case it doesn’t work as it should.
Buying a deep cycle marine battery charger is not the same as riding a bike. It is a one-off purchase that could be of benefit to you for ages to come and thus requires a certain degree of finesse. The buying guide below is, therefore, necessary to give you a better chance of making the best purchase.
Features can make or break the usability of a marine battery charger. They are therefore listed below so you can plan and decide which features are must-haves and which ones you can live without on your device.
Where are you planning to use the charger? Do you have more than one boat and are trying to keep the cost of battery chargers down? The above-mentioned options will either be mounted permanently on a boat or be easy to carry around. As such, answering the two questions may help you decide on a make and model to purchase.
This is another critical area to look into. Mostly this depends on whether you have multiple batteries to charge or not. If you only have one, then you can go with a device with one bank.
Likewise, the higher the number of batteries, the higher the number of banks you will need.
Nevertheless, you are unlikely to find many options for battery chargers with more than four banks.
Some of these devices are limited in the types of batteries they can charge. As such, knowing the kind of battery you use beforehand is vital. Key terms to familiarize yourself in this area are wet cell, absorbed glass mat, or gel cell batteries. In this general area, chargers like the NOCO Genius GEN2 do well by being able to charge multiple types of batteries.
The higher the output, the quicker the batteries will get to full charge.
This is evidenced by the NOCO Genius G4 charger that users have complained takes a long time to charge. Nevertheless, you can forego a higher output since most of these chargers consistently charge the battery. This means that your batteries will always retain a certain amount of power. However, where you are looking to charge cells that are near depleted, higher output is ideal. Also, with a higher output, the device will likely be able to charge more batteries at the same time.
This is an area that may be affected by the output. This may also depend on the capacity of the battery. As such, you will often not find the charging time listed as a feature since it depends on your intended use scenario. Additionally, some batteries may be depleted, and returning them to normal may take longer than with those that already have a bit of power in them.
The Minn Kota Mk318pc Precision has a rugged body that is as well waterproofed and corrosion protected. On the inside, you get features such as temperature compensation and low-line voltage compensation. The NOCO Genius G4 will have features like spark-proof technology and reverse polarity protection. Each of the above devices will similarly have various safety features. This is very important as accidents involving electricity can be devastating. Also, the devices with the highest safety standards are accredited by different bodies like ABYC, UL, and more.
Warranties also come in handy when things don’t go as planned. If you have a comprehensive warranty like the one provided by the NOCO manufacturer, then you are better off than a person without one.
The ProMariner Gen 3 ProSport 12 is not the editor’s choice device, but it does well in almost all areas required of a marine battery charger. It has significantly high output and some rather impressive statistics where safety is concerned. As such, it has to be included in our top three favorites.
Another product to feature is the Dual Pro Professional Series 2. High power, fast charging times, safety features as well as a propensity for different types of batteries would make this an ideal purchase for many boat owners. You will also find installing it is a breeze.
The editor’s choice may not be the most powerful, but it works with the majority of batteries, and its safety features are something to brag about. Not only that, the device is accredited by multiple bodies to show the superiority of the product. The icing on this device’s cake is the five-year warranty, which you won’t find in the majority of the other options provided. These being our favorite three, you probably had favorites of your own in mind. As such which of the above products will you be purchasing from Amazon? Tell us in the comments section below.
