Stay Charged up: What Features to Consider to Choose the Best Battery Charger for You

Nowadays, it is almost impossible to imagine our lives without our personal portable electronics. Although our baby monitors, TV remotes, clocks, etc., offer us a lot of convenience, many of them are powered by batteries, which can be either rechargeable or non-rechargeable.

Non-rechargeable alkaline batteries, because they are disposable once they are drained, have become an environmental concern. This is because when taken to landfills, they release harmful metals such as cadmium, lead, and mercury into the environment. Rechargeable batteries, on the other hand, because they can be recharged and reused numerous times, cause less harm to the landfills.

Rechargeable batteries can be charged by using suitable battery chargers, which are plugged into regular power sockets. The battery chargers come in various types and their efficiency depends on a range of factors. To opt for a high-quality battery charger that can last for the years to come, here are the features you should keep in mind.

Types of Battery Charger

Smart battery chargers, also called dental-V chargers, control the voltage levels in each battery and stop charging when they are full. Because these chargers prevent overcharging, they are the best choice to increase the lifetime of your rechargeable batteries.

Trickle chargers push a low ‘trickle’ through batteries for a long period of time. Although some models come with timers that turn off automatically after a set period of time, this won’t necessarily prevent overcharging or undercharging of the batteries. This is because the time of charging often depends on the battery’s capacity, age, chemistry, and other factors.

Basic charger models pump a constant electrical current through batteries until you unplug it. While these models are the least expensive ones, it is hard to know when the batteries are fully charged. Plus, the charger won’t stop charging the batteries even if they are fully charged, which can cause long-term damage to the batteries.

Number of Batteries That Ban be Charged at Once

Battery charges can charge between two and eight batteries simultaneously. To be able to charge a single battery, you will need to check the specification of the charger model to see whether it can.

Size of Batteries You Want to Charge

Most battery chargers available on the market are compatible with AA and AAA batteries. If you are looking to charge 9V, C or D-size batteries, check which models allow this.

Charge Indicator

Some charger models come with lights that indicate when the batteries are charged. The most advanced models have digital displays showing how far through charging the battery is, when it will be fully charged and whether it can still receive a charge.

USB Adapter

Some chargers come with adapters that fit power supplies other than standard sockets. These charges will allow you charge your batteries when you are in the car.

Once you’ve decided on what type of battery charger you want, make sure you get the best rechargeable batteries. The best rechargeable batteries last around 8 hours on a single charges.