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Best Car Battery Testers In 2022

This product guide was written by GearHungry Staff
Last Updated February 12, 2020
GearHungry Staff
GearHungry Staff posts are a compilation of work by various members of our editorial team. We update old articles regularly to provide you the most current information. You can learn more about our staff here.
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A car battery tester is an important piece of equipment to have in your tool kit. It lets you know how much charge is left in your car’s battery and whether it operates at maximum performance. After all, you don’t want that long-waited road trip to end on a flat, don’t you? To take the trouble off your shoulders, we compiled a list of the best car battery testers around. Our picks are ideal for cars, RVs, light trucks, and even motorcycles or ATVs. Check them out.

The Best Car Battery Tester

1
FOXWELL BT705 Car Battery Tester

foxwell bt705 car battery tester

The FOXWELL BT705 is one of the most versatile vehicle battery testers around. It works with all 12V and 24V batteries with a capacity between 100 and 2,000 CCA, including flooded, gel, deep cycle, AGM flat plate, and AGM spiral.

In other words, it’s an excellent choice for either your car or light truck. What makes it different from its peers is the advanced conductance testing technology consisting of premium-quality copper clips and wire. The material maintains a stable communication throughout the testing process, so you can rest assured it’ll provide reliable results.

A big backlit screen displays all important information about the battery’s health, such as the cranking voltage and cranking time in milliseconds. It can even check the battery’s charging system, from the generator’s voltage output to the charging current status.

Providing you with an accurate reading of the battery health status in less than 3 seconds, this useful diagnostic tool also has an attractive price point. Just what you need for quick battery checks at home or on the go. For more amazing products for your vehicle, check out our guide to the best-selling power inverters for cars.

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Key Features:

Ideal for both 12V and 24V batteries

Displays cranking voltage and cranking time

Detects common faults of starting and generator charging systems

Quick result return in about 2.5 seconds

Specification:
  • BrandFOXWELL
  • ModelBT705
  • Weight3 Pounds
Pros

Tests multiple types of batteries and rating systems

Quick starter analysis

Easy and intuitive check of faults

Cons

Limited info for troubleshooting

Some plastic components feel cheap

BUY ON AMAZON

2
Schumacher BT-100 Car Battery Tester

schumacher bt 100 car battery tester

If you’re looking for a simple-to-use, affordable battery load tester, then the Schumacher BT-100 might be it. This unit doesn’t have impressive bells and whistles, but it does what it’s supposed to do with incredible accuracy.

Ideal for motorcycles, cars, and ATVs, it tests 6V and 12V batteries. It’s incredibly easy to operate, thanks to its top-mounted rocker switch. Just clamp the color-coded clips to the battery and turn the device on. While there is no LCD screen, the straightforward, analog scale will quickly tell whether the battery is bad, weak, or okay. Made to withstand tough conditions and years of use, this battery car tester also includes a super grip. Just perfect for no-frills vehicle battery testing. Our guide to the top tire pressure gauges features more must-have devices for your car, so check them out.

Key Features:

Very easy to operate and read

Heavy-duty baked enamel steel case

Insulated carrying handle

Top-mounted rocker switch

Specification:
  • BrandSchumacher
  • ModelBT-100
  • Weight2 Pounds
Pros

Excellent for home car battery diagnosis

Incredibly well made

Intuitive operation

Cons

Not as accurate as digital testers

No additional diagnostic features

BUY ON AMAZON

3
ANCEL BST500 Car Battery Tester

ancel bst500 car battery tester

ANCEL BST500 is more than a mere battery tester. This advanced battery diagnostic tool is perhaps the best addition to an amateur or professional toolkit. Whether it’s your car, boat, motorcycle, or battery-powered lawn equipment, this is the load tester you need. It’s perfect for 12V and 24V batteries, checking their load as well as starting and charging systems.

Wide applicability includes testing regular lead-acid as well as flooded batteries, AGM spiral, and flat plate, gel, and deep cycle batteries. Furthermore, the tester covers all battery rating standards and displays accurate results in about 2.5 seconds. As you can expect from a premium product, you’ll also be advised on the battery’s load and charge or replace status. You may also be interested in some of the best car GPS navigation systems so check them out.

Key Features:

Advanced battery tester for 12V and 24V batteries

Fast and accurate readings

Built-in printer for record-keeping

Rugged casing

Specification:
  • BrandANCEL
  • ModelBST500
  • Weight3 Pounds
Pros

Digital battery tester displays results in under 3 seconds

Lightweight and easy to carry

Backlit display makes it easy to test your vehicle’s battery in all light conditions

Cons

The printer tends to jam frequently

BUY ON AMAZON

4
TT TOPDON Car Battery Tester

tt topdon car battery tester

Recommended by Scotty Kilmer and extremely easy to use, the TT TOPDON car battery tester is a very intuitive device to add to your amateur arsenal. The greatest strength of this tester is its simplicity. There is no complicated analog display, but an LCD screen that shows easy-to-understand results. Few buttons let you run a test, scroll through the menu, or go back.

It’s compatible with multiple vehicle types, from cars to motorcycles to RVs. Just perfect for 12V lead-acid batteries, whether they’re flooded, gel, AGM spiral or AGM flat plate. Compared to other load battery tester, this model brings an unrivaled user experience. Find more quality products for your car by checking out our guide to the car jump starters.

Key Features:

Well-arranged keypad ensures user-friendly operation

Fast displaying of cranking voltage and cranking time

Ideal for 12V batteries

Lightweight yet sturdy construction

Specification:
  • BrandTT TOPDON
  • ModelAB101
  • Weight7 Ounces
Pros

Affordable price point

Multiple languages supported

In-depth battery testing

Cons

Tends to recommend replacing the battery when it only needs to be charged

It’s not the most durable product around

BUY ON AMAZON

5
KONNWEI KW600 Car Battery Load Tester

konnwei kw600 car battery load tester

If you’re tired of spending time and money on expensive routine check-ups, but you’re not exactly a mechanic, the KONNWEI KW600 auto battery tester could be the right one to add to your home garage arsenal. It’s very easy to use and delivers the same accuracy as a professional automotive battery tester. Compatible with 12V batteries, it’s an excellent tool to keep in your car, boat, or RV. It can even test motorcycle and ATV batteries.

This diagnostic tester is not only suitable for a wide range of vehicles; it’s also compatible with all 100-2,000 CCA batteries, from regular flooded to AGM flat plate, AGM spiral, or gel. Results are super-easy to read on the large, backlit display. Among other tests, the KW600 can effectively analyze important data such as voltage, internal resistance, AH capacity, cold cranking amp, and overall charge and health status. For more must-have car gear, check out our guide to the best car battery chargers.

Key Features:

Designed for 12V batteries

Real-time display of battery voltage in a waveform

Capability to print out reports via PC

Charging system ripple test

Specification:
  • BrandKONNWEI
  • ModelKW600
  • Weight13.6 Ounces
Pros

Works on most 12V automotive batteries, including solar batteries

Intuitive operation

Multi-function as battery, starter and alternator tester

Cons

Doesn’t withstand professional use

No built-in printer

BUY ON AMAZON

6
TT TOPDON BT100 Car Battery Tester

tt topdon bt100 car battery tester

There is hardly anything more annoying than waking up to a dead car battery. If you want to make sure your vehicle is always ready to hit the road, you need one of the best car testers in your tool kit. A perfect unit for home users comes from TT TOPDON. The BT100 car battery tester is an inexpensive yet highly reliable automotive battery tester that’s dummy-proof and designed for amateurs. Four buttons, a large display, and unique smart LED indicators are all you need to check your battery’s status at a glance.

Designed to perform an in-depth diagnosis, this tester can also check the various parts of your car’s charging system, including the rectifier, rectifier diode, and generator. Furthermore, it also analyzes the actual cranking voltage and cranking time. Factory calibrated, fast, and accurate, this car battery tester is undoubtedly an excellent choice for your garage. Any serious car owner will invest in a quality tire repair kit, so be sure to check out our reviews of the best ones on the market.

Key Features:

12V battery tester

Intuitive operation

Aesthetically pleasing design

Unique LED indicators feature

Specification:
  • BrandTT TOPDON
  • ModelBT100
  • Weight9 Ounces
Pros

LED indicators provide a quick and comprehensive battery diagnostic result

Ideal for multiple vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and RVs

Interface available in multiple languages

Cons

No description of test purposes

BUY ON AMAZON

7
FOXWELL BT100 Pro Car Battery Tester

foxwell bt100 pro car battery tester

Simple enough to use by car owners but performing enough for professionals, the FOXWELL BT100 packs premium quality in a minimalist device. It’s made for 12V automotive batteries, which means it’s perfect to use for cars, motorcycles, boats, RVs, as well as other vehicles or tools using similar batteries. Convenience is part of the game; the tester is portable, quick to start, and boasts an incredibly easy operation. Calibrated and configured right out of the package, it also cuts off the annoying software or updates installing.

Ideal to use at home or on the go, this tester is also capable of analyzing the battery’s health status and detects faults, apart from telling you the load. Thanks to these features, you’ll know whether it’s worth to recharge the battery or if you’d better replace it. We also like its compact design that fits perfectly into the palm of your hand. Lightweight and super-easy to operate, it brings outstanding value for money. You may also be interested in some of the best de-icers from our list, so check them out.

Key Features:

Streamlined four-key operation

User-friendly ergonomics

Designed for 12V batteries

Handheld size

Specification:
  • BrandFOXWELL
  • ModelFBA_BT100
  • Weight9.6 Ounces
Pros

Service functions include checking the charging status and detecting faults

Compatible with all 12V automotive batteries

Compact dimensions make it perfect for keeping in your car’s emergency kit

Cons

Not as professional-grade as advertised

BUY ON AMAZON

8
CARTMAN 12V Car Battery & Alternator Tester

cartman 12v car battery & alternator tester

CARTMAN is renowned for its ultra-affordable tools and gear, and its 12V car battery and alternator tester addresses car owners who’d like to run quick diagnostics without spending an arm and a leg on a professional unit. It won’t deliver utmost accuracy, but it’s reliable in that it will let know whether it’s time to replace or recharge your cell.

Designed with home users in mind, it boasts a ridiculously easy operation. Simply attach the clips to the battery respecting the color-coding and turn on the unit. A convenient LED display indicates the state of the battery. Not only the LEDs have different colors for quick diagnostic at a glance, but a brief description next to each LED sheds further light on the matter. Another highlight is the charge check feature that lets you know when charging is complete. Cheap yet incredibly useful, this tester is perfect for helping you understand when to run a thorough check on your car. If you are also looking for the best car gadgets, be sure to check out our selection of the best ones on the market.

Key Features:

12V battery and alternator checker

The simple LED display of battery status

Pocket-sized tester

Very easy to operate

Specification:
  • BrandCARTMAN
  • ModelTL120207
  • Weight1.6 Ounces
Pros

No display and buttons make it very easy to use

Accurate battery status readings

Pocket-sized tester is very easy to carry

Cons

Alternator testing is not fully accurate

No advanced testing functions

BUY ON AMAZON

9
OTC 3180 Battery Load Tester

otc 3180 battery load tester

The OTC 3180 is an uncomplicated battery load tester for both home and professional use. It doesn’t run advanced diagnostics, but it’s perfect for checking the status of the battery of your vehicle. With a convenient, portable size and easy-to-read scales, it simply shows whether it’s time to replace or recharge the battery.

Boasting a simple operation, the unit only requires you to attach the clamps on the battery and turn on the load switch. The measurement takes about 15 seconds, and the results are clearly indicated on the scales. Perfect for automotive batteries and not only, but the tester is also ideal for both 6V and 12V cells. Be sure to also check out our guide to the best car waxes that will help you keep your car looking spotless.

Key Features:

Works on 6V and 12V batteries

Determines state of charge cranking and charging volts

Extra-large display with zero adjust

Tests batteries in just 15 seconds

Specification:
  • BrandOTC
  • Model3180
  • Weight0.16 Ounces
Pros

Compact enough to keep in your garage toolkit or trunk

Simple analog operation

Heavy-duty copper-plated clamps withstand the test of time

Cons

Tester has an overall cheap look

Cables are on the short side

BUY ON AMAZON

10
INNOVA 3721 Battery and Charging System Monitor

innova 3721 battery and charging system monitor

Using a car battery tester doesn’t require you to have a degree in mechanics, but sometimes you might prefer an easier approach. If that’s your case, the INNOVA 3721 might be the best car battery tester for you. It’s much easier to use than a classic tester, right from the comfort of your car. Simply plug it into the vehicle’s cigarette lighter or power receptacle and wait for a few seconds.

Results are both displayed on the backlit LCD and indicated by color-coded LEDs. Designed to provide a wealth of information on your battery’s status, the display shows the measured voltage as well as a bar graph that indicates the charge level. The colored LEDs, on the other hand, indicate the charge status, helping you evaluate the efficiency of your alternator. This pocket-sized device also boasts a pivoting head that allows you to make quick viewing and angle adjustments. Perfect for keeping in your car; this is a handy tool can help you run quick battery diagnostics and it makes an ideal gift for car lovers.

Key Features:

Designed for 12V negative ground systems

LCD screen

Plugs into a cigarette lighter

Pivoting head

Specification:
  • BrandINNOVA
  • Model3721
  • Weight8 Ounces
Pros

Color-coded LEDs help you identify the battery status easily

Easier to use than most car battery testers

Allows you to check the status of the battery from the comfort of your car

Cons

Not very informative

Less durable than expected

BUY ON AMAZON

11
AUTDER 12V Digital Battery Tester

autder 12v digital battery tester

Moving forward with our list, the AUTDER digital battery tester is another inexpensive unit ideal for home use. Dubbed “the battery mate,” the tester is designed for 12V batteries. Not as fancy as other digital units but reliable, it shows you the voltage on a small screen as well as the battery and alternator status with the help of LED indicators.

Controlled by a high-quality microprocessor, it provides extra-quick readings. In this way, you’ll know if you need to jump-start or fully replace the battery. Its greatest highlight is the pure copper wire and clamps that deliver outstanding conductivity as well as high sensitivity. This tester doesn’t have many bells and whistles, but it does what it’s supposed to do. A great investment at a fraction of the price of more performing car battery testers. Be sure to also check out our guide to the best car vacuum cleaners for more useful products for your vehicle.

Key Features:

Designed for 12V batteries

8-LED battery status indicators

Four-character digital display

Pure copper clamps and wire

Specification:
  • BrandAUTDER
  • Model805
  • Weight4.8 Ounces
Pros

No-frills operation

LED indicators let you check the battery status at a glance

Voltage is displayed on the four-digit digital display

Cons

Heavier than expected

Can only run limited tests

BUY ON AMAZON

12
Runleader RL-BI003 48V Battery Fuel Gauge Indicator

runleader rl bi003 48v battery fuel gauge indicator

Runleader Batery Fuel Gauge Indicator is not a car battery tester in the true meaning of the word, but it does check the health and load status of batteries. Instead of automotive, though, we’re talking about 48V batteries usually used on golf carts, club cars, forklifts, and floor care equipment.

Now, considering all the above are vehicles too – and that some of you might play golf – it’s easy to understand why this tester has made it to our list. More than a tester, this fuel gauge indicator does exactly this. It tells you how much of a charge is left in your cell, and whether it’s time to recharge it. Different colors for different load levels make it easy to draw a conclusion. Furthermore, a 10-segment LED bar graph also offers a visual representation of the charge level. Its only downside is that it is quite difficult to install. Our guide to the best rooftop cargo boxes features some amazing products ideal your road trips, so check them out.

Key Features:

Designed for 48V batteries

Unique snap-in installation

Historical data stored automatically

LED bar graph display

Specification:
  • BrandRunleader
  • ModelRL-BI003
  • Weight1.12 Ounces
Pros

Ideal for a wide range of utility vehicles

LED flash for low charge and high charge warnings

Memory option allows recalling the last reading

Cons

Hard to install

Rather limited functionality

BUY ON AMAZON

13
LEICESTERCN Automotive Battery Tester

leicestercn automotive battery tester

Concluding our round-up, the LEICESTERCN automotive battery tester is perfectly compatible with 6V, 12V, and 24V lead-acid batteries. Whether it’s regular flooded, gel, AGM, or deep cycle, this tester has got you covered. Three sets of adapter cables let you choose the preferred connection method. Pick from either traditional clamps or cigarette lighter plug the one that best suits your needs and skill level.

Easy to use even by beginners, the tester also boasts a large LCD screen that displays all essential information. Ultra-compact and ultra-safe thanks to its reverse polarity and over-voltage protection, this tester is one of the best for most car owners, just like some of the best timing lights from our list.

Key Features:

Suitable for 6V, 12V, and 24V lead-acid batteries

A quick evaluation of your battery’s condition

Large LCD screen

Compact, handheld design

Specification:
  • BrandLEICESTERCN
  • Model13
  • Weight5.6 Ounces
Pros

Very safe and accurate to use even by rookies

Ultra-compact design, perfect for keeping in the car

Comes with three adapter cable sets

Cons

Overpriced for what it offers

It uses power from the battery it testes

BUY ON AMAZON

Car Battery Tester Buying Guide

Features To Look For In Car Battery Testers

The market is full of car battery testers, but if you want to get the best battery tester, you should pay attention to the following features.

Type – We can distinguish between two types of battery testers, analog and digital. The former is the simplest model that simply show you the test results on a scale. Digital units usually display more information, including voltage, on a digital LCD screen.

Functionality – Some car battery testers will only let you know the charge status of the battery, and maybe if the battery’s faulty. Other testers can also check your alternator and display more information about the battery status. Which one is the best is down to you, based on your knowledge, needs, and skills.

Battery compatibility – When buying a car battery tester, remember that not all vehicles were created equal. Most testers around are compatible with 12V batteries used on most cars, light trucks, and RVs. However, we recommend checking the type of battery your vehicle uses before investing in a tester.

Cable length – Last but not least, also check the cable length. Some testers have short cables that require you to stay outside, near the battery. Others have longer cables that allow you to get a reading from the comfort of your car. Alternatively, some units plug into the car’s cigarette lighter to test the battery. Before buying, consider your needs so that you can pick the best car battery tester for you.

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