Deep Cycle Battery Charger vs Regular
Deep cycle batteries are different than car/starter batteries.
Deep cycle batteries are made to release small to medium amounts of power slowly.
Car batteries are made to release a large amount of power in a very short amount of time.
Related Product: We use the reliable VMAX 100Ah AGM battery (click to view on Amazon) in our RV.
Because of the unique characteristics, each kind of battery is built and charged differently.
Deep cycle batteries don’t like being hooked up to regular tickle chargers.
If you want to keep a deep cycle battery healthy, you will need to get a smart charger, also called a float charger, that has multiple charge stages.
See Also: Best Deep Cycle RV Batteries (AGM, SLA, 12V, 6V)
Usually, deep cycle battery chargers start with a powerful initial charge which then switches to a constant but less powerful one.
Then the final or float stage decreases the charge rate until the battery reaches 100%. This is the healthiest way for a deep cycle battery to charge.
A lot of smart float chargers like a few in this review have a fourth or “repair” stage.
This mode attempts to repair batteries that have a build up of sulfuric acid crystals from regular use and being discharged below 50% capacity.
It pulses a high charge through the battery that boils the acid and dissolves the crystals on the battery’s lead plates.
Some batteries are too far gone to be repaired, but the repair mode is a great way to maintain and repair good batteries that have been used regularly.
Note the repair mode cannot be used on sealed batteries. It’s only for flooded lead-acid batteries that can be opened and refilled.
All the deep cycle battery chargers in this review can charge 12V and 6V deep-cycle batteries, including sealed, like AGM and GEL batteries.
They can also charge regular car batteries and some can charge lithium batteries.
See Also: Best 12 Volt RV Lithium Battery Reviews + How To Charge
Summary (Links to Amazon)
- Best Overall – NOCO Genius 5 Amp Smart Battery Charger
- BMK 12V Smart Battery Charger
- DieHard Gold Shelf Smart Battery Charger
- Most Features – Schumacher SC1281 Fully Automatic Smart Battery Charger
- Ampeak 6/12V Smart Battery Charger
- Most Basic – Foval Trickle Deep Cycle Battery Charger
Best Overall
Most Features
Most Basic
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Deep Cycle Battery Chargers Reviews & Info
1. NOCO Genius 5 Amp Smart Battery Charger
Check out my full review of the NOCO Genius 5 here
The NOCO Genius 5 6V/12V smart charger is very versatile and multi-functional.
It can work as a maintainer/float charger for deep cycle batteries or a trickle charger for regular batteries.
It’s also one of the few deep cycle battery chargers in this review that can charge deep cycle lithium batteries.
The NOCO is compatible with wet/flooded lead acid, GEL, AGM, automotive, deep-cycle, marine, maintenance-free, and lithium-ion batteries. So long as they are 12 or 6 volts.
If you have a 24 volt battery, you can get the NOCO Genius Pro 25 (click to view on Amazon) for all kinds of 6, 12, and 24 volt batteries.
The NOCO Genius 5 can charge and maintain all battery types and even charge fully drained batteries.
You choose from the 7 modes on the charger and the onboard computer charge the battery the safest and best way.
There is also a visual diagnostic tool for detecting battery damage, such as reverse polarity, low-voltage, or defects.
For lead-acid batteries that can be opened, there’s a repair mode that works to dissolve sulfuric acid crystal build up on the battery’s lead plates.
This process can take time, but it can help keep your batteries running at full capacity longer by removing sulfuric build up that is hindering the battery from charging fully.
See Also: The Best Portable Solar Panels To Charge Your RV Batteries
It’s also a battery maintainer.
You can leave it connected to a battery all year round and there will be zero overcharge or damage because the smart charger will monitor the battery voltage.
It knows when a battery needs charging and when it doesn’t.
The charger is small, measuring around 4.6 inches long, 3 inches tall, and just 2 inches thick.
It comes with a mounting bracket and straps and a rubber base to keep it from slipping or scratching surfaces.
It’s water and UV resistant and uses LED indicators, so it’s easy to see in daylight and understand.
Included with purchase are alligator battery clamps and eyelet terminals with an integrated fuse for extra protection.
The NOCO Genius 5 Amp Smart Battery Charger is one of the best deep-cycle battery chargers for every kind of 6 and 12 volt batteries on the market today.
If you have an RV or travel trailer, a do it all battery charger like this one is a good option because you may need to charge your deep cycle batteries or the battery in your vehicle.
It’s good to have a charger that can handle multiple types of batteries.
PROS
- 6 Volt & 12 Volt Compatible
- SLA Battery (GEL & AGM) Compatible
- Has Repair Mode
- Battery Maintainer & Smart Charger
- Small Size
- Mounting Bracket Included
- Battery Diagnostic Feature
CONS
- Instructions Can Be Difficult To Understand
2. BMK 12V Smart Battery Charger
The BMK is more of a battery maintainer but it can charge deep-cycle batteries safely and you get a lot of value.
First off, it can diagnose battery conditions and warn you of a defective battery before you even start charging.
That saves a lot of time and power in the long run because there’s no use trying to charge a broken battery.
Second, it comes with battery protection features to stop overcharging and battery damage often caused by low-quality trickle chargers that don’t stop charging even when the battery is full.
It also protects from over-voltage, over-current, over-power, over-temperature, and short-circuiting.
See Also: Best Portable Foldable Solar Panel Chargers For Camping
Third, it is a multi-purpose deep cycle battery charger and also a trickle charger for all 12V battery types excluding lithium-ion and 6V batteries.
The charger has 4 stages that are all shown by an LED light on the charger.
There is a desulfation/repair stage, a bulk charge stage, an absorption stage, and a float stage.
These stages make for a great smart deep-cycle battery charger.
Included with the smart battery charger are insulated alligator clamps and ring connectors with a 10A fuse.
The BMK 12V Smart Battery Charger is going to be a great little maintainer and slow charger for the deep-cycle batteries on your RV or solar set up.
It doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as other chargers in this review, but it’s going to get the job done without damaging your deep cycle batteries.
PROS
- Battery Maintainer & Smart Charger
- Battery Diagnostic Feature
- Smart Battery Charger
- Small Size
- Has Repair Mode
- SLA Battery (GEL & AGM) Compatible
CONS
- 12V Battery Compatible Only
- Cannot Charge Lithium Batteries
3. DieHard Gold Shelf Smart Battery Charger
DieHard’s Gold Smart Charger is a multi-stage battery charger combined with a powerful engine jump starter.
It’s an excellent choice for a deep-cycle battery charger and there are a lot of reasons why.
It can charge 12 volt lead-acid, AGM, and GEL batteries, and 6 volt lead-acid batteries.
It automatically senses a batteries voltage so you don’t have to measure it with a different tool.
It has an automatic maintenance feature that automatically switches on once a battery is fully charged to stop overcharging.
For fast charging, there’s a 12 to 30 amp boost mode that can deliver a higher amperage.
Make sure the battery you want to fast charge can handle the higher amperage.
It can also jump start vehicle batteries with up to 80 amps of power.
The only downside to the smart part of the DieHard deep cycle battery charger is it isn’t great for fully dead batteries.
It has a desulfation mode, but if the voltage is too low, it might not start charging.
See Also: The Best Camping Gas Generators That Will Run Your RV AC
Alligator battery clamps are included with purchase.
Another safety feature is reverse hook-up protection. If you put the clamps on wrong, the charger will not operate.
The DieHard Gold Shelf Smart Battery Charger is a fantastic deep cycle battery charger that’s also a jump starter.
There’s even an alternator tester on it to diagnose electrical problems.
If you have a lot of different lead-acid batteries, this is the do it all charger that will safely charge them all.
PROS
- 6 Volt & 12 Volt Compatible
- SLA Battery (GEL & AGM) Compatible
- Repair Mode
- Battery Maintainer & Smart Charger
- Battery Diagnostic Feature
- Engine Jump Start Mode
- 12-30 Amp Boost Mode
- Digital Display
CONS
- Not Lithium Battery Compatible
- Big
- Will Not Charge Dead Batteries
4. Schumacher SC1281 Fully Automatic Smart Battery Charger
Schumacher is a well-known name in the automotive world for their high-quality and feature packed battery chargers.
The SC1281 fully automatic battery charger has a 30 amp rapid charge, 6 amp standard charge, and 2 amp maintenance mode.
It’s a true deep cycle battery charger and maintainer built into one small portable unit.
It’s also an engine starter that can output up to 100 amps, which is enough power to start larger vehicles like SUVs and trucks.
A microprocessor is used to smart charge any battery with precision.
Meaning your batteries will be charged fully, safely, and the life of the battery will increase because it’s being charged right.
It also has float mode monitoring to obtain the optimum battery charge for your specific battery.
See Also: Best Portable Power Bank/Supply For Travel And Camping
There’s an automatic voltage detector and battery diagnostic feature.
As wells as a reverse hook-up protection built in, it will not operate if the clamps are hooked up wrong.
Unlike some smart chargers, the voltage detector on the Schumacher doesn’t stop it from charging fully drained or dead batteries.
It’s compatible with all standard 6V and 12V batteries, including flooded lead acid, AGM, GEL, and deep-cycle batteries.
The Schumacher SC1281 does not charge lithium batteries.
Included with the deep cycle battery charger are alligator clamps for a secure and quick connection to the battery.
Instead of using small indicator lights, like many other deep-cycle battery chargers, Schumacher uses a digital screen to display information.
It’s easier to read than other battery chargers and you can better monitor the charging process.
The unit is fairly large, but there is a built in handle for easy transportation and there is a cable holder on the back.
The Schumacher Fully Automatic Smart Battery Charger is a fantastic all-in-one battery charger for 6 and 12 volt deep cycle batteries.
It has all the tools you need to charge a battery safely, rapidly, or just maintain it over months or even years.
It can even jump start, which is a useful feature for emergencies.
The only downsides are the large unit size and it can’t charge lithium batteries.
PROS
- 6 Volt & 12 Volt Compatible
- SLA Battery (GEL & AGM) Compatible
- Repair Mode
- Battery Maintainer & Smart Charger
- Battery Diagnostic Feature
- Engine Jump Start Mode
- 30 Amp Quick Boost
- Digital Display
- Will Charge Dead Batteries
CONS
- Not Lithium Battery Compatible
- Large Size
5. Ampeak 6/12V Smart Battery Charger
The Ampeak is another great do it all smart charger for both regular and deep cycle batteries.
It can automatically detect the voltage of a 6 or 12 volt battery for safe charging.
It has a 7 stage charging process for 6 volt batteries and a 3 stage process for 12 volt batteries.
The seven stage charging process is a fantastic feature only a few smart battery chargers have.
The stages are desulphation/repair, soft start, bulk charge, absorption, battery test, recondition, and float.
The 3 stages for 12 volt batteries are bulk charge, absorption, and float.
Any of these modes make for a great deep-cycle battery charger.
It’s one of the few chargers in this review that’s compatible with 12 and 6 volt GEL and AGM deep cycle batteries.
See Also: Best Portable Quiet Inverter Generators For RV Camping
The display is digital so it’s easy to read and understand.
The built in safety features include protection from overcharge, over-voltage, over-heating, short circuit, reverse polarity, and the connection is spark proof.
Included with the charger are alligator clips for a quick yet strong connection to the battery.
The Ampeak 6/12V Smart Battery Charger is going to be amazing if you have 6 volt batteries because of the seven step charging process the Ampeak offers for them.
One of the few cons is it doesn’t have a dead battery charge mode. Which means it might not charge a fully dead deep cycle battery.
All-in-all, it’s a fantastic deep cycle battery charger and a great option for people who want a multi-purpose smart charger for all the different batteries out there.
PROS
- 6 Volt & 12 Volt Compatible
- SLA Battery (GEL & AGM) Compatible
- Has Repair Mode
- Battery Maintainer & Smart Charger
- Battery Diagnostic Feature
- Digital Display
- Will Charge Dead Batteries
CONS
- Not Lithium Battery Compatible
- Large Size
- No Dead Battery Charging
6. Foval Trickle Deep Cycle Battery Charger
The Foval deep cycle trickle charger is the smallest, most basic battery charger in this review, but its low amp charging makes it perfect for deep cycle batteries.
The body of the charger is small, measuring only 4 inches long, 2.4 inches wide, and 1.25 inches deep.
It doesn’t take up much space, which makes it perfect for travelers and RVers who don’t have a lot of storage but still want to have a battery charger.
It’s capable of charging basically any kind of 12 volt battery including regular car, deep cycle, and maintenance free sealed batteries like AGM and GEL.
The only 12V batteries the Foval can’t charge are lithium.
Note this deep cycle battery charger is not for 6 volt deep cycle batteries like golf cart or many trolling motor batteries.
It’s technically a trickle charger, which is why it has such a low 1 amp output.
Even though it’s a trickle charger, there’s still a complete 4 step smart charging cycle that includes initialization, bulk charge, absorption mode, and float mode.
See Also: How To Wire Multiple 12V Or 6V Batteries To An RV
Included with the smart charging, the Foval also has reverse polarity protection, voltage detection, and guards against short circuits, over-currents, and overcharging.
Because of the voltage protection, this is also a deep cycle battery maintainer you can connect to a deep cycle battery and leave for extended amounts of time.
The smart charger will analyze the battery and manage the charge to keep the battery healthy.
Included with the 12V trickle charger there are alligator clip connectors and ring connectors to fit all kinds of 12V batteries.
The Foval Trickle Deep Cycle Battery Charger is the most basic deep cycle battery charger in this review.
It’s still a fantastic option for anyone looking for a way to maintain their 12V batteries while not in use.
It has the 4 stage charging and voltage analyzing capability so you can connect it and let it keep your battery from getting overcharged or undercharged for as long as you need.
PROS
- 4 Cycle Charging
- SLA Battery (GEL & AGM) Compatible
- Charges Slowly Which Is Perfect For Deep Cycle Batteries
- Small
- Battery Maintainer
CONS
- Not Fast Charge Option
- Not Lithium Compatible
- Not 6 Volt Compatible
- No Repair Mode
What to Look For In A Deep Cycle Battery Charger
Size
Some smart chargers are large, which might not be a problem unless you are living in an RV or travel trailer full time and need something small and portable.
It can also be nice to connect something small and discrete to your batteries when you leave your RV or travel trailer in storage for the winter.
Figuring out whether you want a large do it all deep cycle battery charger/engine starter or a small trickle charging battery maintainer is going to help you choose the best one for you.
Battery Voltage
The most common battery voltages for vehicle and RV use are 6 and 12 volts.
Most of the battery chargers in this review can charge both voltages, but a few are only compatible with 12 volt.
Make sure you know what voltage the battery you want to charge is before getting a charger for it.
Battery Kind
Once you’ve figured out the voltage of the deep cycle battery you want to charge, the next step is to make sure the charger you get is compatible with the materials used inside.
Lots of the more basic trickle chargers are only compatible with wet or flooded lead-acid batteries.
Luckily, all the deep cycle battery chargers in this review are compatible with the common deep cycle batteries out there.
That includes flooded lead acid and SLA (sealed lead acid) batteries. The SLA batteries include AGM and GEL.
If your deep cycle battery says marine on it, any of these chargers are compatible with that as well.
The only 6V or 12V battery you need to watch out for is lithium.
See Also: Best 12 Volt RV Lithium Battery Reviews + How To Charge
Lithium-ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are becoming more popular every year with RVers.
They can be discharged lower than any other battery without taking damage (20%).
While they are awesome, the downside to them is they are a little more complicated to charge correctly.
If you have lithium batteries, make sure you get a charger that is lithium-ion battery compatible to lessen the risk of them being damaged and to make sure they are being charged right.
The wrong battery charger won’t be able to charge a lithium battery to 100%.
Currently, the only deep cycle battery charger in this review that is Lithium battery compatible is the NOCO Genius 5 Amp Smart Battery Charger (click to view on Amazon).
Related: Can The NOCO Genius 5 Actually Charge A Lithium Battery?
Conclusion & My Recommendations For Deep Cycle Battery Chargers
There are a lot of things in our lives that require all kinds of batteries.
Deep-cycle, lead-acid, GEL, AGM, flooded, maintenance-free, lithium-ion, 6 volt, 12 volts, the list goes on.
You don’t want to buy new batteries every year or ruin the ones you have by overcharging with a trickle charger or letting them fully discharge/die while not in use.
Getting a smart battery charger/maintainer that is compatible with all the batteries in your life will not only be convenient, but save you in the long run.
You can connect one to a deep cycle or regular car battery when you know you won’t be using it for a while and let it keep the battery at the correct charge levels until you need it again.
Best Overall – NOCO Genius 5 Amp Smart Battery Charger
The NOCO Genius 5 is small but powerful.
It’s one of the few battery chargers with a lithium-ion battery charging mode and it has a repair mode for both 6 and 12 volt batteries.
This is a fantastic battery maintainer for RV, travel trailer, boat, lawnmower, or even motorcycle owners who need to keep deep-cycle or regular batteries in good condition over the winter or while in storage.
The NOCO is a small, out of the way smart battery charger that can be connected 24/7 with zero damage to your batteries.
It’s multi-functional, reliable, and it can be used for any kind of 12 or 6 volt battery.
That’s why I recommend the NOCO Genius 5 as the best overall deep cycle battery charger.
Most Features – Schumacher SC1281 Fully Automatic Smart Battery Charger
It may not charge lithium batteries, but for any other 6 and 12 volt battery, the Schumacher does it all.
It has a 6 amp smart charger for maintaining and safely charging all kinds of deep cycle batteries or regular ones.
There’s a 30 amp quick charge feature and a 100 amp engine starter for getting even large SUVs and trucks with a dead battery started.
The digital display is clear and easy to read and there are lots of diagnostic features that will help you understand the health of the battery you are working with.
It’s not the smallest option, but it has a ton of fantastic features you won’t find with more basic smart trickle chargers.
If you have a lot of different batteries for vehicles, ATVs, and RVs, the Schumacher is an excellent choice.
Most Basic – Foval Trickle Deep Cycle Battery Charger
Sometimes a simple trickle charger with smart charging that can keep your RV, vehicle, or ATV batteries healthy when not in use is all you need. The Foval is perfect for that.
It has the smart charging features you need to charge deep cycle batteries and keep them healthy, as well as the ability to diagnose certain problems like reversed hook up and short circuits.
It’s only good for 12 volt batteries and it won’t work with lithium but for your 12 volt deep cycle RV battery or standard car battery it’s perfect.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deep Cycle Battery Chargers
How to charge a deep-cycle battery?
Deep-cycle batteries are more sensitive than standard car batteries and need to be charged in stages.
Using a smart battery charger will keep the batteries healthy longer.
Over charging will damage them, so make sure the charger also knows when to turn off or switch to maintenance mode.
Where are deep cycle batteries used?
Deep cycle batteries are commonly used in boats, RVs, travel trailers, electric golf carts, renewable energy, and electric bikes.
The reason they are used in applications like these instead of car batteries is deep cycle batteries can release more power over a longer period of time without being damaged.
Standard car batteries rarely go below 80% capacity, deep cycle batteries get run down all the time and need to withstand the stress of being drained and charged repeatedly.
To learn more about standard and deep cycle batteries, check out this article.
Do deep cycle batteries need a special charger?
If you want your deep cycle battery to last and not be damaged from too fast or over charging, a float or smart charger that uses different stages to charge a deep cycle battery is necessary.
You can use trickle chargers on deep cycle batteries, but these can damage them through overcharging.
They also might not put out enough initial charge to properly charge the deep cycle battery.
When does a deep cycle battery need to be charged?
To know when a deep cycle battery needs to be charged, you will need to monitor the battery voltage and charge it when it reaches a certain percentage.
See Also: When To Charge A Deep Cycle Battery
Why deep cycle battery for solar?
Standard batteries are not meant to go below 90-80% charge.
When your car uses a battery, it takes a ton of power quickly. Once the engine has started, the battery immediately starts getting charged again by the engine.
So even though the standard car battery put out a bunch of power, it never went below 80%.
That’s why your car battery is never the same again if it gets fully discharged.
Deep cycle batteries are much heartier than standard car batteries and they can release much more charge without taking damage.
Sure you could use a standard battery in your solar setup up, but you will need to get a new one much sooner.
With deep cycle batteries, you can charge them all day with solar and then drain them to 50% without them being damaged.
You can even drain them below 50% a few times and they will still work.
That being said, Lithium-ion deep cycle batteries can be drained to 20% without taking damage and they are the ultimate solar setup battery.
But they are on the spendy side.
If you need some more budget-friendly options, marine or deep-cycle batteries are still excellent for solar charged battery banks.
Related: Best 12V Lithium Batteries For RV Use + How To Charge
What is a deep cycle battery charger?
Deep cycle battery chargers use different stages to charge the battery so it gets a full charge with zero damage.
They also have protection against over charging which is very important for deep cycle batteries.
Over charging can damage them even more than letting them go completely dead.
Are deep cycle batteries AGM?
AGM (Absorbant Glass Mat) is a kind of battery that can hold and release more power than standard batteries.
They are also maintenance free and resistant to vibrations.
You can buy standard AGM batteries for your vehicle or deep-cycle AGM batteries for an RV, travel trailer, boat, or solar setup.
Not all deep cycle batteries are AGM. If you want a deep-cycle or marine AGM battery, make sure you read the label and get the right one.
See Also: Best Deep Cycle RV Battery (AGM, SLA, 12V, 6V)
How long does it take a 2 amp battery charger to charge a 12 volt deep cycle battery?
To answer this question, you need to find the total number of amp hours your 12V battery can hold.
Not all 12V batteries are made equal. Some can hold much more power than others and take longer to charge.
Most standard 12V marine deep cycle batteries many use in their RVs have around 75 to 100 amp hour capacity.
If the battery is completely dead, you can take the amp hours and divide them by the amps the charger outputs.
So for a 100 amp hour RV battery and a 2 amp charger, it will be 100/2, which equals 50.
If the battery is at zero percent, it will take around 50 hours for a trickle charger to fully charge the battery.
Have any more questions about deep cycle battery chargers? Leave a comment below.
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Is a AGM battery such as a Renogy 100AH agm battery worth the double the cost of an Everstart 109ah deep cycle marine battery? I will use it in a van/camper conversion. Recharging via solar.
Hi Mike,
For a van/camper, I would say the Renogy is worth it over the Everstart. The Everstart is a marine battery/starting battery which means it’s not a true deep cycle. It has a porous plate on top that can be used to discharge a larger amount of power to start a boat motor. This makes it less durable than the Renogy and it probably won’t be able to handle as many discharges and recharges.
Also, the Renogy is an AGM battery and the Everstart is a flooded lead acid. AGM batteries are better than flooded lead acid and the Renogy is also going to last a lot longer for that reason.
There’s also a question as to whether the Everstart actually has 109 amp hours or more like 80. The Renogy has been tested by campers and solar power enthusiasts. There’s a ton of information about it online and the Everstart is harder to find information about for RVing.
For more information about AGM deep cycle batteries, you can check out this article here.