The Best Deep Cycle Battery Chargers for Different Purposes

There’s no doubt that batteries play a very significant role in running automobiles. So, we have to choose the particular type of battery for our car. If you own a camper van, boat, or recreational vehicle, please note that the correct battery type you’ll need to buy is a deep cycle battery.

Did you know that deep cycle batteries are adept at ensuring a more regulated flow of power that makes them remain operational for an extended time? For this reason, it’s essential to buy the best deep cycle battery charger to ensure more efficient charging.

But, before purchasing one for you, it helps to consider the following factors to avoid having regrets after shopping:

This post will tackle the most recommended deep cycle battery charger options available on the market nowadays. Indeed, we’ll share some shopping tips and other related information that you need to know when purchasing a suitable deep cycle battery charger for your needs.

By going through the comprehensive product reviews below, you can uncover the essential features you need to look for before getting one for your camper, boat, vehicle, or RV. So, let’s begin!

Top 11 Deep Cycle Battery Charger Reviews 

1. NOCO Genius G3500 Battery Charger and Maintainer

This version is a good option for vehicle owners seeking a top-quality battery charger for deep cycle battery. It does an excellent job of keeping our vehicle charged and maintained. The device is reliable for long-term storage, all-year-round battery maintenance, longevity, and enhanced performance.

The good thing about this deep cycle battery charger is that it can charge a battery twice faster than other standard devices.

This device works excellently in keeping our battery fully charged without leaving you overly worried about overcharging.

The other things that make this deep cycle battery charger a great choice are its safety features, such as reverse polarity protection and spark-proof technology.

Indeed, the LED indicators are convenient additions since we can easily see our battery’s charging status. This versatile and water-resistant charger uses leading-edge technology that automatically maintains and monitors our battery.

This battery charger is built with an advanced repair mode that alters the adverse effects of leaving our battery uncharged for a long time. Compared to other battery charger models, this battery maintainer has an extensive range of applications, particularly for recreational vehicles, power sports, marine, and automotive.

Please be guided that this deep cycle battery charger works for 6V or 12V lead-acid batteries, including AGM, GEL, wet, or any ordinary auto, marine, deep cycle, or maintenance-free batteries. We just need to plug in the device to let it start working on its own.

2. Battery Tender Plus ‎021-0128 Battery Charger

This smart deep cycle battery charger proves effective in detecting the condition of the battery automatically.

It’s temperature-compensated, which means the device regulates to ensure that the battery gets the appropriate voltage type. When the battery is fully charged, it alters to float mode automatically.

The kit contains the 1.25-amp 12-volt charger, alligator clip accessory cables, and the fused ring terminal.

This model is compatible with all 12-volt gel cell, flooded, lead-acid, and AGM batteries. Its four-stage charging method keeps the power of our battery optimized, not to mention its innovative microprocessor feature eliminates overcharging issues.

For those who haven’t used a deep cycle battery charger before, this battery tender unit is user-friendly and low maintenance; using it for the first time is not a problem.

It features dual-colored LED light that helps users determine the battery’s charging status. Likewise, if the voltage of our battery excessively drops under load, charging will continue full charger output power.

This simple battery charger comes with a 6-foot-long AC cord that lets us easily reach our car battery. Since it features a portable and compact design, this deep cycle battery charger is deemed one of the most convenient alternatives available in the market.

Some of the innovative features that users will find notable include reversed-hook-up protection, a quick disconnect harness, a “connect-it and forget-it” function, and its spark-proof attribute.

3. Schumacher ‎SC1280 Fully Automatic Battery Charger

This item might be the perfect match for buyers looking for a durable and versatile marine deep cycle battery charger.

It features a sturdy plastic build to provide extended service. The device is also designed with an ergonomic handle for easy transport. Hence, we can keep it handy anywhere and anytime.

Many automobile owners consider this deep cycle battery charger a superior choice because it automatically detects battery voltage, and it is reliable in automatically capturing the correct charge rate.

This charger’s advanced digital operation mechanism makes this model a great option for starters as it’s easy to operate. It also allows users to determine the charge’s voltage and percentage from the LED indicators.

With this deep cycle battery charger, we can charge various types of 12-volt and 6-volt batteries like standard, AGM, and deep cycle batteries.

It’s worth mentioning that this battery charger marine also functions as a maintainer that adjusts the amp rates automatically.

What’s more, its multiple-stage charging approach ensures extended battery life, more safety, and accuracy.

The reverse hook up protection of the Schumacher battery charger averts the device from operating if the clamps are reversed; as a result, safety and reliability are guaranteed.

Be that as it may, this AGM battery charger is built with an internal fan that produces a slightly irking sound.

4. BMK 12V 5A Smart Battery Charger

This smart charger for deep cycle battery features a unique function to detect defective batteries before charging. Please be guided that this model is compatible with charging 15 to 100Ah batteries. As for safety and performance, users can consider this device a fail-safe alternative since it is ETL-approved.

This deep cycle battery charger is highly recommended for boat owners looking for a completely waterproof battery charger for marine applications. It is also ideal for motors, scooters, autos, bicycles, electric cycles, different types of vehicles, etc. Many buyers who have used this battery charger love it for water and land vehicles.

This fully automatic battery charger is engineered with four-stage innovative charging programs that specify the quantity of electricity and monitor the progress of the entire charging process.

It is also equipped with a LED indicator that shows the different charging statuses of the charger. Aside from this, the device also halts automatically when the battery is ultimately charged.

It only weighs roughly a couple of pounds, making it lightweight, easy-to-use, portable, and compact enough to transport or store easily. Meanwhile, its 72-hour safety feature guarantees multiple safety protection for the battery and helps stabilize the inner chemistry of the battery to prolong its life.

It is reliable in inhibiting overcharging and discharging issues, allowing users to enjoy a more stable performance and efficiency.

5. BLACK+DECKER BC2WBD Automatic Battery Charger

This 12V deep cycle battery charger is compatible with WET, GEL, AGM, marine, and automotive batteries.

Looking closer at this device, we can see that it’s completely sealed, comes with a dust-proof casing, and features an IP67 waterproof rating. For this reason, we can safely say that the unit is sturdy enough to tolerate direct rain or water exposure.

Best of all, this deep cycle battery charger and maintainer feature a completely automatic high-frequency charging function. The AC low-voltage compensation feature is purposely to guarantee that optimal performance is achieved when utilized with extension cords.

Also, we can connect the device by choosing from the three different methods: via the battery terminal rings, battery clamps, or 12-volt DC accessory plug.

Meanwhile, those who prefer hands-free or a more convenient operation can use a magnetic backing or hanging hook for this deep cycle battery charger.

Automatic battery chargers like this unit are designed with built-in protection guards to prevent reverse polarity, overcharging, and short circuits. More importantly, this option won’t go wrong because it is ETL/CEC approved for safety and performance.

There is no question about how capable this deep cycle battery charger is when it comes to powering up most batteries in a comparatively quick approach. Indeed, it is adept at charging batteries with 30 to 40Ah.

6. NOCO GENIUS1 Fully-Automatic Smart Charger

The upgraded version of this automatic charger is 35% smaller; however, it can supply 35% more power than the previous one.

This unit is worth every penny because it works as an all-in-one device – trickle charger, battery charger, desulfators, and battery maintainer. With it, we can charge 6V and 12V deep cycle, marine, and automotive batteries, including lithium-ion, AGM, flooded, maintenance-free, and GEL batteries.

For buyers searching for a deep cycle battery charger suitable for different vehicles, this upgraded version is worth considering. It can charge and maintain SUVs, classic vehicles, motorcycles, ATVs, trucks, boats, lawn tractors, mowers, PWCs, etc.

The good news is that there’s no need to worry about charging dead batteries because this device allows users to charge batteries as low as 1 volt. Meanwhile, users will find the built-in thermal sensor feature impressive. It discerns climate temperature and adjusts the charge to prevent undercharging in cold climates and overcharging in hot climates.

Additionally, it automatically spots acid stratification and sulfation in batteries and recovers lost battery performance for longer battery life and powerful engine starts.

7. Ampeak 8542037300 Smart Battery Charger/Maintainer

This device might meet all our requirements for vehicle owners planning to buy an easy-to-use and compact car battery charger.

Unlike other battery chargers that tend to reduce or lose their efficiency during cold seasons, this AGM deep cycle battery charger is designed with a stellar winter charging mode. Thus, users can efficiently charge their battery amidst cold temperatures, ensure hassle-free and reliable charging, and of course, maintain extended battery life.

Moreover, this intelligent and fast deep cycle battery charger is designed with a fully automatic high-frequency charging function and auto charging rate. We can use this unit to charge all types of 12-volt lead-acid batteries, like STD, AGM, and GEL batteries.

Besides picking the charge rate manually, we can set the maximum function to choose the best charge rate for the specific battery automatically.

What’s more, the advanced LCD allows users to instantly monitor the charging current, error data, charging status, type of battery, and voltage info.

As for the safety protection features, this battery charger is regulated by a microprocessor and allows multiple-step charging to ensure additional safety, accuracy, and long battery’s life.

It’s also nice to know that it’s unnecessary to deal with short-circuiting, overheating, reverse polarity, over-voltage, and overtime charging issues with this charger.

8. Clore Automotive PL2320 Fully-Automatic Smart Charger

This deep cell battery charger is built with a multi-phase charging program that ensures battery longevity, dependable and highly efficient charging solutions.

With it, users can charge various types of 6-volt and 12-volt batteries, including spiral wound, AGM, marine deep cycle batteries, etc. For buyers planning to purchase a battery charger designed with many different advanced features, this option is worth checking out.

What’s impressive about this deep cycle battery charger is that it executes an excellent job of detecting the required battery charge and ensures optimal charge.

Many vehicle owners who have used this device find it a convenient investment since it’s a small, handy, and compact unit to take everywhere.

Users will be impressed by this deep cycle battery charger’s versatile and advantageous functions; it works like a deep cycle charger that does it all for the battery. The power supply mode guarantees consistent power to sustain system voltage in a broad range of applications.

Unquestionably, this charger is a second to none alternative that helps in fast charging and long-term storage charging.

It’s interesting to note that this brand is famous for developing products that efficiently charge batteries and examine and maintain them. The advantage of its fully automatic operation is that we only need to set the battery type, voltage, and charge rate, and the device will do all the work.

9. ADPOW Automatic Smart Battery Charger

This RV battery charger is specifically made with an intelligent charging mode, and its seven stages of the automatic charging process set it apart from other available choices out there.

It indicates the capacity of the battery, provides diagnostic info, and extends battery life more efficiently. For those who prefer a battery charger built with a more customized feature and can offer multiple protection, this unit can be a reliable companion to achieve those.

Moreover, we can use this deep cycle battery charger for many different purposes. In particular, its multi-protection feature can ensure utmost safety against reversed polarity, overload, OCP, OVP, and short circuits.

Users can even charge a wholly depleted battery with it. Thus, it is usable for boats, electric tools, lawnmowers, ride-on toys, electric vehicles, and many more.

This deep cycle battery charger is also reliable in ensuring a more efficient and more stable means of charging diverse types of batteries.

Famous for its portable, ultra-compact, and lightweight design, this charger also comes with mounting holes, it’s easy to transport, and is designed as non-slipping as well.

Meanwhile, its dust and water-resistant features make it a safer alternative to utilize in many different situations.

As for the price, this deep cycle battery charger is one of the most reasonably priced battery chargers sold on the market today.

10. DieHard ‎71219 Smart Battery Charger and Maintainer

This Harbor Freight deep cycle battery charger is constructed with a five-stage charging process; it is microprocessor controlled and operates a fully automatic too.

We can charge with more ease and reliability with this charger model. This device excellently prevents overcharging; its reverse hook up protection allows safer charging as it automatically shuts when the clamps are not correctly connected.

Since we prefer a charging method that we can rely on, we can refer to this deep cycle battery charger because it’s mainly made for that purpose.

Its float mode monitoring function helps keep the battery at a standard voltage and sustain its charge. Also, it’s made with a versatile and quick-to-connect harness that allows easy installation and removal.

The quick-to-connect harness is practical when dealing with hard-to-reach motorcycle batteries; we can do this with the help of permanent attachable ring connectors, a 12V accessory plug, or 50-amp clamps.

Besides, this deep cycle battery charger is outfitted with LED indicator lights that offer accurate battery and charging monitoring, which practically assist us all through the charging process without much stress.

11. TowerTop Smart Battery Charger/Maintainer

This charger and maintainer for a battery is designed with a seven-stage charging program and maintenance modes that optimize full charge and maximize the battery without overheating.

Its integrated safety technology helps protect the battery from overvoltage, overcharging, and short circuit problems.

Such an ergonomically designed device can serve as a complete solution when charging all types of 12V standard, AGM, lead-acid, and GEL batteries.

It is also reliable in re-energizing the marine, RVs, automotive, power sports equipment, garden, lawnmower, etc.

This deep cycle battery charger is equipped with an intelligent cooling fan for easy control; it’s effortless to transport and offers more convenience.

Furthermore, it is designed with a spark-proof technology feature with a reverse polarity defense that extends and maintains battery life for additional safety.

The digital LCD display is pretty helpful since it indicates the charging current, charging status, voltage, type of battery, and any error data. For shoppers fishing for easy-to-understand and user-friendly chargers, this unit is indeed worth time and money.

While this option is costlier than other chargers sold today, I do not regret spending on it because it is an excellent device. It has an engine start aid feature that’s ideal for starting the auto in roughly 120 seconds.

What to Look for When Buying Deep Cycle Battery Chargers

To buy a suitable deep cycle battery charger, you must check the vital features that a charger must possess. For more details, let’s check out the following shopping guides:

Monitoring Charge Level Capabilities

There’s no denying that nothing beats a deep cycle battery charger that can monitor the state of your battery’s charge level. These versions are particularly helpful in automatically adding more power when they discern that the charge level is critical.

While such deep cycle chargers with monitoring charge level capabilities are slightly pricier, they are convenient and practical options. This charger model is worth the investment if you’re busy or find it inconvenient to regularly check the battery status.

The Size of Your Battery

As for the battery size, you should measure the amp hours that your battery can store. The standard amp-hours seen on batteries is 50 amp-hours. This means that battery size does not solely refer to the physical dimensions of the battery.

Please note that a 50-amp-hour battery requires a 10-amp charger to ensure a full charge in six hours. Furthermore, a 100-amp marine battery will require the same charger to charge fully in 11 hours.

Essentially, it would help to quickly decide which one is more suitable for you if you considered this aspect.

Charging Speed

The speed of the charging process is generally reliant on the total battery capacity and the deep cycle battery charger’s output rating. In general, when you charge low-capacity batteries using a high-amp charger, it will charge remarkably quicker than high-capacity batteries using low-amp chargers.

Therefore, it’s vital to choose the appropriate amps for deep cycle chargers. Take in mind that high charging speed is beneficial when your battery discharges while you’re on the go or when you’re traveling.

The Type of Battery Used

It’s worth noting that some charger options are merely used for specific types of batteries. For instance, a charger capable of charging a lead-acid battery cannot charge a GEL battery. So, if you use the charger to charge your gel battery, the result will be damaging.

On the other hand, some smart chargers are specifically designed to charge both gel and lead-acid batteries, so you have to be careful about that. This example specifies why it’s essential to check your options before buying one thoroughly.

Equalizing Feature

This one is a valuable feature to consider because it is advantageous in making the battery last for an extended period. A charger with an equalizing feature does a great job of stabilizing the battery’s charge, which can help prevent damage brought about by the sulfation effect.

Since an equalizing feature is precious, a deep cycle charger designed with this capability is more expensive. Nonetheless, it’s unreasonable to have second thoughts about investing in one.

Durability

Unquestionably, we all prefer to invest in a deep cycle battery charger that is built to last. After all, who would want to spend more on frequent replacements? Due to this, it’s just right that you thoroughly inspect the entire construction of the battery charger you’re buying to ensure extended battery life.

Comparing several customer reviews is a good way of finding more about the option you’re considering. Reading product reviews lets you better assess if the product you’re planning to buy meets your requirements. By reading some customer feedback, you can uncover more about a deep cycle battery charger’s features, capacity, and performance.

Do Deep Cycle Batteries Need a Special Charger

Yes. Deep cycle batteries sometimes suffer from severely low charge levels that obstruct running RVs, electronics, or boats. Due to this, charging the battery backup requires a special charger that can help restore the appropriate voltage of the battery.

When Should You Charge a Deep Cycle Battery

Deep cycle batteries are more likely to discharge roughly 45 to 75 percent of their capacity, but this will, of course, primarily depend on the device’s manufacturer. You can examine the battery’s charge status by using amp-hour meters, hydrometers, or voltage indicating digital monitors.

It’s critical to recharge the battery when they specify a 50 percent charge; however, be sure not to allow them to get below 20 percent to ensure extended service life.

What Amp Should You Charge a Deep Cycle Battery

It’s essential to note that a 2-amp charge rate is purposely for small batteries like the ones we used on snowmobiles, motorcycles, and lawn garden tractors. Therefore, if you intend to charge a larger battery, it will require a longer time, and the battery might discharge at a higher rate than what a 2-amp can supply.

For this reason, we strongly recommend you to charge deep cycle batteries at a greater charge rate, such as six amps or beyond. For all that, it helps to check the specifications of your battery first to ensure the appropriate charge rate.

Is It Better to Slow Charge or Fast Charge a Deep Cycle Battery

Slow charging deep cycle batteries is more recommended than fast charging. The reason for this is because the slow charging method won’t cause any adverse effects on the plates or cells of your battery.

Can You Overcharge a Deep Cycle Battery

As much as possible, you should not overcharge your deep cycle battery. Overcharging your battery can be dangerous and damaging. The three main problems that can emerge from battery overcharging include temperature damage, increased fluid consumption, and corrosion.

Conclusion

Ultimately, before you can end up buying the best deep cycle battery charger, you have to thoroughly review the vital features that a reliable and functional charger must possess. Fortunately, deciding on the must-have features and functions of a battery charger shouldn’t be much of a concern if you have enough knowledge of what to look for.

Hopefully, by going through the product reviews and buying tips shared in this article, you can intelligently decide the most suitable option for your requirements. With plenty of reliable and technically advanced choices available today, for sure, you can get the right match for your camper, RV, electronics, or boat.

Kathleen Miller

I am Kathleen Miller, staff writer and reviewer of the Avasolar team. Working with the team has been a pleasure for me so far, I hope to bring readers useful information by creating detailed and easy-to-follow contents.