CTEKMXS 5.0 Battery Charger with Automatic Temperature Compensation, Black

I've tried simpler 'smart' chargers that would often be connected to a flat battery and refuse to do anything - voltage too low. This CTEK one was purchased because I swap between two cars - one for summer, one for winter, cheaper than running both at once - and the inactive car's battery often needs some assistance when switching over. The 'recondition mode' has already brought 2 batteries back to useful capacity despite being below 10v. I've just given it its biggest challenge - a good-quality Bosch battery that was registering less than 6 volts due to constant drain. The MXS5.0 didn't give up, and after a 12-hour charge, reported it as green. Sure enough, it's holding a steady voltage. Whether the battery will actually start the car after being so badly drained remains to be seen, but I'm very impressed that the charger managed to bring it back to 12 volts. It's paid for itself already, being cheaper than a battery for either of my cars and has saved me replacing both. It's worth noting that both cars have good-quality batteries fitted that are also worth the extra money over cheaper ones, as they can take quite some abuse and be brought back. Its ability to restore a cheaper battery may vary due to the more rugged design used in high-end batteries.The user interface is very simple, just push the Mode button until the LEDs point to the combination you want (motorcycle or car capacity, Absorbent Glass Mat technology, Recondition mode) and let it do its thing. If it's unplugged, it'll resume the same settings on next connection. I think the 5.0 is worth the extra over the 3.8 as it charges faster. The cables, clips and connectors are all good quality, and I bought an extension lead for the 12v end so I can leave the battery in a well-vented area while keeping the expensive charger under cover. The included bag is big enough to fit the charger, manual and extra extension lead in one neat package.When the battery finishes charging, the charger automatically drops to a maintenance mode, monitoring the battery voltage, and will start charging again if the voltage begins to drop. This keeps lead-acid batteries in good condition - the chemistry works well with a small, but constant, amount of power flowing through the cells.In short, this is a brilliant charger to keep handy if you have a car that is seldom used. It may save you replacing the battery many times over.An edit: This charger is still working perfectly in 2025 and has never let me down. It's just resurrected a pair of batteries that were standing for many months and were reading less than 3V total. It took a boost from a solar panel to 'kick start' the charge cycle by bringing the voltage up, but once they were reading 10V, a lengthy charge and recondition cycle followed which has restored both batteries to >90% State of Health according to a battery tester. I've done similar for other batteries, bringing them back from extremely low voltages and coaxing additional life out of them, enough to start the engine and get going. It's not perfect and there will be some capacity loss, but this charger has paid for itself many times over in not needing to replace dead batteries so often. I've lent it to colleagues to run cycles on their cars. The cables are wearing well and the Comfort Connect clips are still holding strong. I also realised that the charger body is IP65-rated waterproof, so can be left outside in the rain safely while charging. This has much simplified charging my cars.Overall, this is exceptional quality and value for money. It has paid for itself many times over in replacement car batteries! I've never had to talk to CTEK support as I've never had a problem with my unit, it's been entirely reliable and dependable. Thoroughly recommended.

This is a brilliant product, as a car guy with more than one car, you can connect this up and leave it forever gently charging your car battery. No noise, easy to work, display very clear, never gets hot or over charges your battery. I have two! Good value.

Works extremely well. It managed to charge my old car battery without any issue, and one of the key features was used to recondition it. Instructions were clear to follow, and I'd recommend the product to anyone who wants a versitile, intelligent, battery charger that an breathe new life into old batteries.

What a fantastic compact battery charger and so easy to use. Mechanic recommended this brand to me after he fitted a new battery to my car. As a pensioner, I do not do a lot of driving so the battery will tend to never get fully charged over time. Besides the prongs you clamp to the battery this charger also comes with eyelet leads which are screwed onto the battery. The lead from these can then be fed through an aperture in the bonnet and sits quite descreetly below the windscreen. The purpose being that you do not have to raise the bonnet whenever you want to charge the battery. Will be especially useful during winter months when I use the car even less that I do in summer. Just plug it in and will diagnose health of battery and trickle charge it.

When it works it's great, but mine went completely dead, no power showing within an hour of second use and only four months since purchased. Checked plug fuse and left to cool down for an hour but still nothing on retry. Returned via Amazon and reordered same model. Hopefully was just a one off bad circuit and second new charger holds up better. In terms of performance it will typically take anywhere from 20 minutes to about 2-3 hours, depending how low the initial state of charge and battery size, to get past the initial 'Bulk' stage 3 (many hours more if the battery is completely flat). The final absortion stage 4 to take it from 80% to 100% full will take another 5 hours or more, typically depending on battery size. However, the battery is ready to use and drive after 80% full if you're in a hurry. Overall a great charger that safely takes the battery to around 14.4 Volts maximum charge voltage, so just below gassing threshold, and then settles at around 13.5 Volts once charging is complete and enters maintenance mode, 'Float'. Overall a great charger that charges efficeintly and safely in the fastest possible time for the given maximum current of 3.8 Amps. I just have my doubts about reliability, but at least the 5 year warranty gives some peace of mind.

These are brilliant intelligent charger I've now bought 2 they work extremely well and maintain the battery at optimum level, extremely good value & quality.

Very impressed with this charger. Appears to be well made, compact design with clear display and charges in reassuring stages including a reconditioning function. Simple to use, just connect and leave to assess and charge battery. Ideal for long-term maintenance and a better solution than using a booster pack on a dead battery. A good investment for batteries that get seasonal use.