Last Updated on June 12, 2023 by Chase Manhattan
Tired of testing your battery every time you leave the headlights on? Do you often drain your battery? Instead of using a multimeter to test your car battery, you can monitor it 24/7 with a car battery monitor.
A simple device that will keep you informed of the battery’s charge status at all times. I’m guessing you already know this, that’s why you are here. You are looking for a recommendation on what to get. You came to the right place.
Here is a list of the 3 best car battery monitors in 2022. We’ll start off with the best overall option and move on to a more affordable budget option. If you are just hearing about car battery monitors, read the buying guide at the end. We’ll explain what these monitors are and how they are used. Most importantly, we will help you with choosing the right product.
First, I recommend understanding the voltage of a car battery, so that you can accurately analyze the information you see from the monitor.
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Best Car Battery Monitor Comparison Table
| Product | Features | Check Out The Price |
|---|---|---|
  | - 12 V Battery Tester - 4.0 Bluetooth - Compact Design - App Notifications | ANCEL Battery Monitor Bluetooth Voltmeter |
  | - Volts Display - Two USB Ports - Overcharge Protection - Compact Design | Jebsens Car Battery Monitor And Charger |
  | - Charging Monitor - LCD Display - 12 V Battery - Charging Test | Innova 3721 Battery And Charging System Monitor |
Best Overall
ANCEL Battery Monitor Bluetooth Voltmeter
Highlighted Features
- 12 V Battery Tester
- 4.0 Bluetooth
- Compact Design
- App Notifications
- Voltage & Charging Test
The best and most expensive item on this list, the ANCEL battery monitor. Suitable for most types of 12 V batteries. Featuring a design that you will definitely like. Reliable and accurate testing of the battery’s performance. Not that expensive but it still has a higher price than the average battery monitor.
A battery tester that you can connect to your phone for real-time monitoring. The tester is connected to the negative and positive terminals. Then, it’s connected to a smartphone where the battery’s status can be monitored. This is enabled with the 4.0 Bluetooth technology.
The monitoring system requires an installation of an app available both for iOS and Android devices. On the app, the charging status, the voltage status, and the cranking test can be performed and monitored. There is an alarm and smart notifications that warn the user of the battery’s status.
Compact design that users find convenient and easy to use. The tester just needs to be fixed on the battery. After that, testing and monitoring the battery is as easy as opening an app on a smartphone. The long-range transmission is another user-friendly feature.
This was our top recommendation, it’s the go-to amateur-grade battery monitor for most car owners. I recommend this to anyone that needs a good and reliable monitor, especially to car owners that already have something plugged-in in the auxiliary outlet.
Pros
- 4.0 Bluetooth fast connection.
- Smart alarms and notifications via the app.
- Performs cranking and charging tests.
Cons
- Can’t be connected to the auxiliary outlet.
[Will AutoZone Replace Headlights?]
Best Budget
Jebsens Car Battery Monitor And Charger
Highlighted Features
- Volt Meter
- Volts Display
- Two USB Ports
- Overcharge Protection
- Compact Design
The Jebsen Car Battery Monitor is not a conventional tester. This is basically a charger that also displays the battery’s voltage. I recommended this as a budget option since there are no app notifications and alerts. The battery’s voltage is enough to tell whether the battery is okay.
A combination of a voltmeter and a car charger. It connects to the car’s auxiliary outlet. A simple device that consists of two USB ports and a display for the voltage. Able to charge electronic devices like iPhones( up to model X), Android devices, cameras, tablets, etc…
The dual USB ports are able to charge phones with 24 W. The maximum amps it can deliver is 4.8 amps. One USB port charges up to 2.4 amps. It’s not a fast charger but it still provides the same power as the charger plugged-in at home.
It eliminates the common problem car chargers have, overcharging the device. The charger has overcharge protection. When the phone is fully charged, it stops charging. A compact design where you will be able to keep an eye on the car’s voltage and charge your phones.
That was the budget recommended product. An unconventional battery monitor but effective and affordable. For a low price, you will be able to get both a car battery monitor and a car charger. No smart app alerts though.
Pros
- Combines a voltmeter with a charger.
- Protects devices from overcharging.
- A simple display with the battery’s voltage.
Cons
- No in-depth analysis of the battery’s status.
Best Runner-Up
Innova 3721 Battery And Charging System Monitor
Highlighted Features
- Charging Monitor
- LCD Display
- Battery Tester
- 12-V Battery
- Charging Test
The last recommendation is from Innova. A simple and convenient charging system monitor. This voltmeter performs every crucial testing. It offers an in-depth analysis of the battery’s status. Again, no smart alerts on a phone app. That doesn’t make it worse though, it’s still an effective battery monitor.
A lightweight design with head pivots. The display can be rotated so to face the driver or the passenger. It connects to the car’s auxiliary outlet. Designed for 12 V batteries, won’t work on other batteries, 12 V measurements are the default mode.
It tests both the alternator and the battery. The LCD displays symbols that warn the user what test is being performed. There is a symbol for the battery and the alternator. Additionally, there is a bar graph that indicates the charge level of the battery. There are colored lights( green, yellow, and red) that also measure the charging status.
The design is very user-friendly and easy to use. Most importantly, the charging monitor requires almost no power at all. It doesn’t drain the battery at all while it’s able to work with the engine turned off.
This Innova product is a good note to end this list on. If you don’t care about smart alerts and notifications, you will definitely like this. A reasonable price for a charging monitor that tests your battery without opening up the hood.
Pros
- Performs charging and battery tests.
- Easy to use, lightweight design.
- Reasonable price.
Cons
- No smartphone app alerts.
Best Car Battery Monitor – Buying Guide
Now that we are done with the list, you may have some questions about car battery monitors in general. Here, we will answer those questions and try to help you with your purchase.
Do I Need A Battery Monitor
If you are just hearing about a car battery monitor, you may be wondering why people use it. A car battery monitor is just like a battery tester. It’s basically the same thing. The only difference is that the monitor allows for 24/7 monitoring of the battery. No need to hook up the tester to the battery.
Car battery monitors are especially useful for drivers that often charge phones in their cars. Also, some car owners have installed other electronic devices in the car that can be quite the drain. The charging and powering up of the devices can exhaust the battery.
With a battery monitor, the driver can see the charge status of the battery. If it’s too low, the driver will know not to charge or power anything in the car. Once the driver sees that the battery charge level is high enough, electronics can be used.
In general, it’s always a good idea to monitor your battery’s status. It’s not exactly necessary though. If you often charge phones and power electronics in your car, then a battery monitor is a must-have item.
Battery Testing
There are some crucial features and some optional features to look for in a battery monitor. The basic voltmeter tests are one of those crucial features. You want to be able to monitor the battery’s status with the engine turned off, the battery’s charging level, and the battery’s charging status.
All of these are important aspects that you want to keep an eye on. If you have an insight into the status of the battery, you will also know whether the battery is okay or not. It’s hard to find a battery monitor that doesn’t perform this test.
However, be aware of some products that are a combination of a voltmeter and a car charger. Some of these models only test the battery and not the alternator.
LCD Display
Most of the time, you will be reading the monitor while you are driving. That’s why it’s important to have a minor with a clean and readable LCD display. Otherwise, you will have to get close to read the voltage. This is a distraction while driving and can lead to accidents.
Compact Design
You should also take into account the design of the battery monitor. The main thing to think about is the connection. There are two types of monitors, ones that you connect to the battery terminals, and ones that you connect to the auxiliary outlets.
Some car owners have all the auxiliary outlets already in use, so a model like that is not an option. That’s why they choose the model with clamps for the terminals. It’s a matter of preference.
Smart Alerts
Lastly, consider whether you want notifications on your phone about the battery’s status. Some monitors allow you to connect the tester with an app on the phone. There you will get smart alerts and notifications.
This is not necessary but really useful. Most people that know how to read a voltmeter don’t bother with smart alerts. However, if you don’t really know how to test a battery, the smart alerts will come in handy.
Related Questions And Other FAQs
How Do I Monitor My Car Battery Charge
To monitor your car’s battery charge status, you will need a car battery monitor. This device allows for 24/7 monitoring of the battery’s charge status and the battery’s voltage.
Do Battery Monitors Work
Yes, battery monitors are a useful device that is a good alternative to battery testers. These devices are extremely useful for cars that have a lot of electronic devices installed.
