CTEK AB, a company based in Sweden, has garnered global recognition for their CTEK battery charger. Since its inception, they have persistently been at the forefront of innovation, employing the most advanced technology to ensure the best charging and maintenance experience possible.
A battery charger doesn’t have to be just for emergencies. Chargers are also a helpful tool to have around for long-term maintenance, preventing problems before they happen. In many cases, using a CTEK battery charger can even extend the life of your battery.
Sound like something you need in your garage? Check out the buying guide and review these three products: MXS 5.0, MULTI US 7002, MUS 4.3 in this article to find the ideal CTEK charger for you.
 CTEK MXS 5.0 |  CTEK MULTI US 7002 |  CTEK MUS 4.3 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Rating |  |  | |
| Price | $$ | $$$ | $$$ |
| Weight | 1.79 pounds | 1.76 pounds | 2 pounds |
| Dimension (inches) | 11.02 x 5.91 x 2.36 | 7.52 x 3.5 x 1.89 | 4 x 4 x 0.5 |
| Charging current | Max 4.3A | Max 7A | Max 4.3A |
| Voltage | 12.7V - 15.8V | 12V - 15.7V | 12V - 15.8V |
| Charger Type | Trickle charger | Trickle charger | Trickle charger |
| My Score | 9.8 | 9.0 | 8.5 |
Best CTEK battery charger review
CTEK MXS 5.0 – Best for extending battery life
Pros
- Fully automatic 8-stage charging
- Reconditions and restores sulphated batteries
- Excellent choice for all-weather charging and high-demand batteries
- Maintenance function extends battery life up to 3X
- Built-in temperature sensors
- Safety protections against sparks and reverse polarity
Cons
- Plastic insulators on clamps break easily
- May not restore fully dead batteries
The CTEK MXS 5.0 is a workhorse of a battery charger. It’s a great option if you have a variety of different batteries you need to charge. Both the charging and reconditioning functions are versatile across vehicle types and battery styles.
The ideal use of the CTEK MXS 5.0 12-Volt Battery Charger is to maintain a battery that gets infrequent use. Using it as a battery tender, you can greatly extend the life of most batteries. This charger functions well in the cold, too, with built-in temperature sensors so it can adjust the charge to the environment. This makes the 40-206 MXS 5.0 a suitable all-weather option.
The CTEK 40-206 Battery Charger also includes the major safety protections you want in any battery tender. The unit is completely sealed and spark-proof and will alter the user in the case of reverse polarity.
Our only major complaint about the CTEK 40-206 MXS Battery Charger is the quality of the clamps. The plastic exterior is flimsy and breaks easily. Luckily the rest of the charger is much more durable, and the clamps can be removed and replaced.
Check Price at AmazonCTEK MULTI US 7002– Best for charging on the go
Pros
- Charges all lead acid batteries
- Ideal for use in extreme climates
- Resistant to water and dust
- Includes both eyelet terminal rings and alligator clamps
- Fast, efficient charging
- Compact and portable
Cons
- Costs more than other options
- Reconditioning dead batteries can take a while
If you want a charger you can use anywhere, you want to check out the CTEK 56-323 MULTI US 7002. It’s fully sealed and resistant to both rust and dirt. Like the MXS above, it has built-in temperature sensors for adjusting the charge in extreme cold. This makes the CTEK MULTI US 7002 the best CTEK battery charger for all-weather use.
While the CTEK MULTI US 7002 isn’t a jump starter, it is one of the fastest-charging options on the market. It’s compact enough to carry in a glove box or backpack. Combined with the rugged build, this makes it a perfect choice for ATVs, riding mowers, and other vehicles you may need to charge on the go.
The CTEK MULTI US 7002 maintains as well as charges batteries. It uses CTEK’s patented 8-stage automatic charge process. Whether you need to recover, recharge, or just maintain your batteries, the CTEK MULTI US 7002 can do it quickly and efficiently.
Check Price at AmazonCTEK MUS 4.3 – Best for long-term maintenance
Pros
- Tests battery condition and alternator
- Easy operation
- Automatic 8-stage charging
- Recondition mode recovers badly sulfated batteries
- Works on any lead-acid, gel, or AGM battery
- Spark-proof with protections against surges and over-charges
Cons
- Not as portable as other options
- Slow charging speed
Finally, let’s look at the CTEK MUS 4.3 Test & Charge. It’s an easy way to charge and maintain all your batteries. Just plug it in, and the charger does the rest. The smart automatic charging program detects the battery’s level and provides the right currently, so you never have to worry about over-charging.
The CTEK MUS 4.3 has more diagnostic functions than other chargers. It includes three test programs for assessing the condition of the battery and the function of the alternator. This helpful feature keeps you from wasting time on a battery that’s beyond saving.
Having said that, though, few batteries are beyond the CTEK MUS 4.3’s ability to condition. It can recover even badly sulfated batteries, greatly extending their maximum life.
We love the CTEK MUS 4.3 for long-term maintenance of stored batteries or those used in seasonal vehicles. You don’t even need to unplug the battery before charging it, making the CTEK MUS 4.3 one of the most user-friendly tools you’ll ever own.
Check Price at AmazonWhat makes the CTEK battery charger the best on the market?
As mentioned in the introduction, CTEK is consistently on the cutting edge. You’ll find features like smart charging and multi-stage battery recovery programs on CTEK chargers that other brands don’t offer.
That’s not the only thing that draws people to these chargers, though. One big advantage of CTEK design is you can count on their chargers to be safe in all use circumstances. They’re also fast, efficient, and powerful enough for any vehicle battery. Let’s take a quick look at the best features of CTEK battery chargers:
Recondition modes
Most CTEK chargers have specialized programs for reconditioning your battery. This typically involves a process known as desulfation. You can think of desulphation as decluttering the cells of your battery, removing lead sulfate crystals that build up there over time.
By removing these crystals, CTEK chargers improve battery performance. They also extend the maximum life of a battery. The better the cells are able to store energy, the longer it will continue to perform. Under the right conditions, a car battery can last 10 years or more, far beyond the typical, expected lifespan of 5-7 years.
Advanced safety features
Most battery chargers have a polarity protection feature that prevents shocks and surges if the clamps don’t connect to the right terminals. CTEK chargers take this a step further with spark protection. Their chargers shut down automatically if the clamps touch accidentally, which helps keep you safe while you’re using them.
Another safety advantage of CTEK battery chargers is that the input current is smoothed to avoid spikes. This means you can charge your battery while it’s still installed in the vehicle without worrying about damage to sensitive electronic components.
Smart sensors
All CTEK chargers automatically choose the right charging mode, proceeding through the steps without any user input. Many will also let you know valuable information about your battery, with indicators telling you the sulphation level and overall battery status.
You’ll find lots of brands that claim to offer smart sensors. Many of these are lacking, though, and don’t always take an accurate reading of the battery’s level. This can lead to overcharging, which can lower your battery’s overall capacity—the opposite effect you’re looking for.
The sensors in CTEK batteries are more advanced than those used by other brands. You can trust the accuracy of its readings, and that gives you peace of mind when you use one.
What you should think about before getting a CTEK charger
Still not sure whether you want a CTEK battery charger—or which one is right for you? Here are some other questions to ask yourself as you’re evaluating your options.
What do you expect out of your machine?
This question is two-fold: what you expect from your vehicle and what you want in a charger. How you use your car or truck can help guide what kind of charger you need. If you tend to use the electrical components of your vehicle a lot, especially when it’s off, your battery will need periodic maintenance.
What counts as electrical components? Basically, anything that’s not run by the engine. Both exterior and interior lights use the battery, as do the radio and any charging ports in the car. Smart vehicle systems like GPS or dash cams are also battery drainers.
The second part of the question has to do with what you need from the charger itself. If you’re mostly interested in improving the battery’s health in a regularly-used vehicle, the maintenance functions will be of most value to you. On the other hand, battery tenders, a trickle-charge option, are better for long-term maintenance. If you want to maintain a battery that’s used seasonally or occasionally, this is what you want to look for.
Are you new to charging batteries?
It’s not hard to use a battery charger, but you can damage the battery (or yourself) if you don’t know what you’re doing. For those with less experience, a smart charger is the best bet. This way, you’ll never risk overcharging the battery or using the wrong setting. Just plug the charger into the battery and let its sensors do the rest.
Less experienced users will also want to look at the charger’s safety features. At a minimum, you want a charger with reverse polarity protection. Spark-proof clamps and protections against over-voltage or over-charge are also helpful.
Don’t forget to review the manual for your battery charger before using it, especially if you’ve never used one before. Knowing everything you can about the charger’s features and use will help make sure you’re getting the most out of it.
Do you want your battery to serve longer?
The best way to extend a battery’s lifespan is to keep it fully charged as often as you can. Your battery’s stored energy takes a big hit every time you start your car. It can also lose charge over time, a process known as self-discharge that occurs in all batteries.
People who drive every day don’t usually have trouble keeping their car or truck’s battery full. As you drive, the alternator refills the charge taken from the battery. Self-discharge takes a couple of days to start affecting, so daily drivers won’t need to give their battery as much attention.
Even with daily use, though, lead sulfate crystals can accumulate inside your battery. If you notice signs of a dying battery, like dim interior lights or sluggish starts, a recovery program can bring it back to full health. That spares you the need to buy new batteries as often.
Do you need the best performance?
High-performance vehicles demand more out of every system, and the battery is no exception. Using a battery maintainer when your car isn’t in use will ensure it’s ready to meet those high demands.
High-performance car batteries typically have a higher capacity and can provide more power than regular 12-volt lead-acid models. They’ll need a correspondingly powerful battery charger to maintain them. A larger, more powerful charger like the CTEK MXS 5.0 below will be ideal for keeping it running its best.
What are the 8 stages of a CTEK battery charging process?
The multi-step maintenance program used in CTEK battery chargers is broken down into 8 different steps. Not every stage will be used for every battery. The charger’s smart sensors read the battery’s needs and respond accordingly. Let’s find out what these steps are?
Step 1: Desulphation. The charger sends pulses of electricity into the battery to break up lead sulfate crystals and re-integrate them into the plates.
Step 2: Soft start. This is a diagnostic stage that tests if the battery can hold a charge. The charger uses it to determine how depleted the battery is.
Step 3: Bulk charging. If it’s determined the battery needs significant charging, this stage is activated. It uses a strong charge to get the battery’s capacity close to full quickly.
Step 4: Absorption. This phase begins once the battery is nearly to be full-charged. A lower charge is used than in the bulk charging stage. Though this fills the battery more slowly, it also helps prevent over-charging or over-heating, damaging the battery.
Step 5: Analysis. Another diagnostic stage verifies again that the battery is holding the charge being sent to it. Depending on the readings, the charger may move forward through the stages or go back to the bulk charging or absorption stages at this point.
Step 6: Reconditioning. If the battery has undergone stratification, the recondition stage is activated. On some chargers, this stage will be optional and can be manually removed from the process by the user.
Step 7: Float/Supply. At this point, the CTEK charger begins to operate more as a trickle charger. A very slight amount of charge is sent to the battery for up to 10 days, maintaining it at 100% capacity.
Step 8: Pulse maintenance. This step is for the long-term maintenance of batteries that don’t get much use. The charger monitors the condition of the battery, providing a small pulse of current as needed.
Final thoughts
All three of these chargers are great products, but if pressed to pick a favourite, we’d have to go with the CTEK MXS 5.0. It has everything you’ll find on the others, but with better protection against the elements and a more thorough battery restoration program.
CTEK battery chargers can bring your battery back to life. Get one today to enjoy more longevity and long-term power. It’s a small investment that can have big returns!
FAQs
1. Can CTEK battery chargers be used for motorcycle batteries?
Yes, so long as the battery in your motorcycle is 12 volts. Some older motorcycles use 6-volt batteries, which a 12-volt charger may damage. Verify your battery’s capacity before using one of these chargers on it.
2. Will a CTEK battery charger jump start a battery?
No. You need a jump starter if you want to cold-start a dead battery in a matter of seconds. These CTEK chargers can restore the full charge of a dead battery, but it will take a little while to do so. This means they’re not the best option to use in emergencies.
3. Can I use CTEK battery chargers for marine batteries?
Yes, you can. The CTEK MULTI US 7002 is water-resistant, making it the ideal option for maintaining marine batteries.
4. Can I use CTEK chargers to charge multiple batteries in parallel?
Yes, you can if you’re recharging them, though it will take longer. It can also be a successful approach to maintaining batteries long-term. The desulfation and reconditioning functions on CTEK chargers will not work on multiple batteries in parallel, though. If you’re restoring damaged batteries, you’ll need to hook them up one at a time.
5. Can I charge gel batteries with CTEK chargers?
Yes, gel batteries can be recharged with lead-acid CTEK battery chargers on the “normal” mode. The internal chemistry of these batteries is very similar to that in a lead-acid battery and will receive the charge in the same way.
6. Do I need any accessories to use a CTEK battery charger?
CTEK chargers come with everything you’ll need to charge them and connect them to your battery. There are optional accessories you can buy to adapt them better to your particular needs, however.
