I want to get a modern auto battery charger, the so-called "smart" chargers, which go through several cycles that do everyting from evaluation, desulfination, bulk charging, trickle charging etc. My current one is from the 70's. It works but naturally it's not smart by any means.

Are there any brands that are better than others ? There are so many brands within the same price range, but I don't know if any one or two brands is better than others. Like certain manufactureres of cars do a better job with quality and capabilities, what's the story with these new smart chagers in terms of brands ?

I have a few made by Battery Tender that have been very satisfactory, but they aren’t rapid chargers-they’re maintainers. It takes a day or so to charge a “low” battery, I’ve never had an opportunity to try it on a “dead” battery.

I have, and a BT will not put a charge back in a dead or nearly dead battery.

That said, all the other "maintenance" you describe is really not needed in modern batteries I believe if it's either in regular use or if not alway on something like the BT.

I've got them for boat batteries that are out of boat 6-7 months and am running on two batteries from 2007 and 2012. Plan to replace the '07 this year, but dayum! Also have a 2010 OEM battery in my M3, they are notoriously short-term batteries and that car will drain if not used regularly. When parked in garage more than a day it is alway on a BT as well.

For a car the smart chargers that work through lighters are actually decent now. For example that's the maintenance method recommended by Porsche for cars not used regularly.

I do still have my circa 1981 NAPA battery charge on the shelf if ever needed for a dead recharge. It is verrrrrrrry dusty.

I have a couple of these Northern Tool chargers and they've been flawless so far.

https://www.northerntool.com/s..._200332201_200332201

CTEK Battery Chargers are one of the best and used a lot on high dollar exotics.

I use Battery tenders to maintain lawn equipment and battery backed sump pump batteries. No problems.
As other have said they are really for maintaing batteries not a quick charge. They will bring a low battery up but it takes a while. There is a minimum voltage required before they will even try charging.

To clarify, I'm not looking for quick charge capbility, but instead sophisticated conditioning and slow charging. I don't like or believe in quick charge technology unless it's an emergency and you need to get out of dodge fast. For example if a battery is getting long in the tooth but still has a year or two left, I could hook it up to one of these sophisticated conditioners, and if the battery subsequently holds a better charge during use than it did before the conditioning cycle, that is sorta what I'm getting at. If it doesn't hold its charge given to it by the conditioner/charger, then I know the batter is a candidate for replacement before winter arrives. The battery in my F150 holds a 12.4 volt charge at rest after draining any surface change, but I know that is low because 12.6 volts is more indicative of a newer battery at rest. But the truck starts like a champ at 20 degress farenheit, so it appears the battery is still good, but is closer to the end of its life than a newer one. BUT, if I can extend the life and increase the voltage at rest with a battery reconditioner/smart charger machine, then I can extend the useful life of an otherwise normal but older battery. That's kind of where I'm going with this. I personally maintain 4 vehicles and a device like that would be cool if they actually do what I've read about, and it seems they do, with all the different modes of operation controlled by their smart programming.

I have used a CTEK for a couple of years and it works well. It will also charge a dead battery which others do not.

I am very happy with my Shumacher.
Lots of settings and options. Very nice especially if one uses AGM batteries.

I've been using a Battery Tender successfully for the past year (for the truck).

I was thinking about getting one or two more units.

If I want to consider CTEK, which model is recommended? I can't really distinguish between the models for just maintaining car/truck batteries. Just get the cheapest model?

You can't do much better than CTEK.

This is the US website (CTEK):
https://smartercharger.com/collections/vehicle

This is the one I use:
https://www.amazon.com/CTEK-56...s=ctek+multi+us+7002

Of course you can get ones you leave hooked up, permanent installations, ones for marine, large trucks etc.
It all depends on the size of your battery.

Great stuff.

CTEK 3300 is fine. I have used that for the last 6 years and never had a problem. Like other have said these are the same model used by all the exotics, just they pay double or more to have it say Porsche or Ferrari on the plastic.

If you like any of the features of the other CTEK none can go wrong.

If you do get one the plugs in to the cig lighter, make sure that stays live when the doors close. Some of the newer (2015ish forward) cars have this power down after a few minutes. Best way is to check manual and watch the lights on the charger for the first few days.

I use battery tender. I have dozens and dozens of them used for cars, boats, motorcycles, heavy equipment, 24v systems. All have been mint in terms of charging and maintaining batteries. There are a million models and numerous levels of capacity (output). I generally use the 5A waterproof ones and they are incredibly tough. The missing features of the product versus your list have not mattered to me and I'm talking literally hundreds of batteries. The only downside of any consequence is if you are trying to resurrect a completely dead battery the charger will not start if it sees no voltage. It's a pretty easy workaround to deal with this and of course the benefit is you don't have to give a hoot if the charging leads of a connected charger contact things.

I've used Battery Tenders over the years and am happy with them. I bought a newer model that does the desulfate part.

I have also been using a Schumacher for several years to maintain the battery on a full size van that does not get driven much at all during the cold weather months. Has always been reliable for me.

I recently bought a Battery Tender Plus based on Amazon reviews to keep my Honda S2000 battery charged between (too infrequent) drives.
It was at SF I found out about slow discharge of modern electronics in cars due to continuous battery drain.

I use Battery Tenders and Bosch for my cars. Have had good luck with both.

https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-S...Bosch+scplus+charger

I use Battery Tender made by Deltran. It came highly recommended by a friend who made a habit of testing car batteries made by different manufacturers. It was on sale at Costco for $30 or so, not too long ago.

I have multiple Battery Tenders. Tractor, Harley, Trail 90, lawnmower, and deep cycles for my camper.

They all work great and are affordable.