10 Best RC Battery Chargers

1. Panasonic BQ-CC55SBA Ni-MH Charger | Best Budget

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

The Panasonic CC55 is a fast charger capable of charging 1–4 batteries in 3-hours. The product comes equipped with battery detection safety technology that auto shuts off when the cells are ready.

• Best feature 1: Fast charger
• Best feature 2: Auto shut-off battery detection safety
• Plus points: Individual charging, quality build, retractable AC adapter, portable, LED indicators
• Minus points: Vague manual, takes up two sockets/outlets

Panasonic CC55 RC Battery Support & Charger Highlights

The Panasonic BQ-CC55SBA 4-position Ni-MH Charger supports the following battery types:

• AA Ni-MH
• AAA Ni-MH

The Simple Smart Charger

This is an affordable, well-built charger that should last for years with proper use. The compact design and retractable AC adapter make it portable and easy to carry wherever you go. The individual cell charging is especially useful. It lets you charge a single RC battery or multiple cells irrespective of their remaining charge level. It uses four simple LED indicator lights for charge status.

The charger has an LED under each battery compartment that makes monitoring the status a cinch. These fuel gauge lights change color as each battery enters various stages of charge. Red = 0–20%, Orange 20–80%, and Greed 80–100%. The corresponding light turns off to indicate a full charge.

The Not So Good

It doesn’t take much to figure out the Panasonic CC55 fast charger, and that’s just as well. Many users complain that the manual it comes with is too vague. It also lacks a comprehensive troubleshooting section (at the time of writing this review). The other con is that the unit hogs two socket/outlets.

2. HTRC HT100 AC/DC LCD Color Multi Charger | Best Value

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Editor’s Rating: 4.9/5

The Best Value pick goes to the HTRC HT100 AC/DC RC Battery Charger. It has a smart and sturdy plastic shell, an internal cooling fan, and an intuitive interface to make multiple charging super easy.

• Best feature 1: Large 3.2-inch color LCD touchscreen
• Best feature 2: Temperature control
• Plus points: Multi-function, wide battery compatibility, data storage, compact design
• Minus points: Short charging wires

HTRC HT100 RC Battery Support & Charger Highlights

The HTRC HT100 AC/DC LCD Touchscreen Multi RC Charger supports the following battery types:

• 1-6S Li-ion, LiPo, LiFe, LiHV
• 1-15 cell NiCd NiMH
• 2-20V PB battery
• Smart Battery I, II, III

Multi-Function, High-Tech Simplicity

Fans of touchscreen technology are sure to love this large 3.2-inch color LCD touchscreen. It makes selecting the charging modes for the different battery types quick and easy. The charger clearly states the available charging options for each battery type. They include Normal Charge, Balance Charge, Auto Charge, and Discharge. There’s also Storage, Cycle, and Re-Peak, depending on the battery.

DJI drone pilots should know that the HTRC HT100 also supports DJI Smart Battery charging. That requires a DJI charging cable (not included). The charger has an impressive range of safety settings. These include safety time, low input voltage, max capacity limit, and temperature cut-off.

The Not So Good

The only shared gripe some users have with this charger is the shortish charging wires.

3. HOBBYMATE D6 Duo Pro LiPo Smart Charger | Top Pick

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

The Top Pick goes to the pocket-sized, big power HOBBYMATE D6 Duo Pro LiPo Smart Charger. It’s a little workhorse that’s easy to use and comes with AC/DC power support.

• Best feature 1: Multi-language support
• Best feature 2: All-in-one protection
• Plus points: Compact design, configurable, wireless charging, built-in USB connector
• Minus points: No manual in the box, price

HOBBYMATE D6 Battery Support & Charger Highlights

The HOBBYMATE D6 Duo Pro Smart Charger supports the following battery types:

• 1–6S LiHv, LiPo, LiFe, LiIon, Lixx:
• 1–6S NiZn, Nicd, NiMH
• 1–6S Smart Battery
• 2–24V Lead Acid (Pb)
• 1–6S Eneloop

All-in-one protection is part of the D6 Duo Pro’s appeal. That includes overheating protection, input reverse protection, capacity protection, and time-exceeding protection. Other safety support includes output current, short circuit, over output voltage, and overcharge protection.

The Highly Compatible Portable Charger

Why consider the HOBBYMATE D6 Duo Pro LiPo Smart Charger? It’s an ideal choice if you want a multi-function, multi-language support battery charger. It’s also compact, easy to transport, and simple to configure for different battery types. The charger’s intuitive LCD color display adds further to its simplicity and ease of use.

The D6 Duo Pro can simultaneously charge two LiPo batteries up to six cells. It also supports multiple battery types and offers wireless charging for mobile smart devices. And its built-in Micro USB connector makes firmware upgrades quick and accessible via a computer.

The Not So Good

The HOBBYMATE D6 Duo Pro LiPo Smart Charger doesn’t include a manual in its box. It’s easy enough to download the user guide, but some folks still prefer to flick through paper instructions. This charger offers excellent value for what it includes, but its price tag is sure to put some people off.

4. Tenergy 1-4 Cells Li-Po / Li-Fe Balance Charger

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

The Tenergy 1-4 Cells Li-PO balance charger is a low-budget option of exceptional value. It’s an excellent product with a built-in balancer that’s ideal for RC battery packs.

• Best feature 1: Built-in balancer
• Best feature 2: Multiple protection features
• Plus points: Simple to use, lightweight aluminum alloy case, value for money
• Minus points: Slow charging

Tenergy 1-4 Cells RC Battery Support & Charger Highlights

The Tenergy 1-4 Cells Li-PO/Li-Fe Balance Charger supports the following battery types:

• 1S–4S LiPo, Li-ion, and LiFeO4

LIPO balance chargers don’t get any easier to use than the Tenergy device here. It auto-balances individual batteries during the charging process to ensure each cell receives a full top-up. The charger is lightweight and encased in a smart aluminum alloy case. It’s a popular choice small mAh Airsoft and various other custom battery packs.

Big Protection for a Small Charger

Tenergy’s 1-4 cells Li-PO/Li-Fe balance charger is a low-cost product with big protection. It’s four safety features include reverse polarity, short circuit, overcharge, and overcurrent. Do NOT use this charger with packs without built-in (PCB/PCM) protection.

The Not So Good

The charger is slow, taking anywhere between 1.5–3 hours depending on the batteries. Users need to calculate the charging times for their RC batteries to better manage play time.

5. EBL 999, 12 Bay LCD AA AAA 9V Battery Charger

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Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5

This is the ETL Certified and EBL 12-bay LCD/LED charger. It’s an affordable charger that can accommodate 1–10 AA/AAA NiMH/NiCd batteries and 1–2 9V NiMH/NiCd/Li-ions.

• Best feature 1: 12 charging channels
• Best feature 2: Built-in smart safety technology
• Plus points: Independent charging, unique trickle charge, LCD & LED status indicators
• Minus points: LCD not easy to read

EBL 999 RC Battery Support & Charger Highlights

The EBL 999 12-bay charger supports the following battery types:

• Any combination of AA AAA Ni-MH Ni-CD rechargeables
• 9V Ni-MH Li-ion rechargeables

You can’t fault this multi-bay charger for the money. It’s also in full compliance with North American safety standards. The product is CE certified, and that’s reassuring for a low-cost multi-charger.

One of the highlights is the independent charging slots that allow individual refueling. And the EBL 999 automatically turns on trickle charge once a battery reaches 1.4V. That’s invaluable as it ensures battery safety and maximum charge. A handy LCD panel gives the charging status for the AA/AAA batteries. The charger uses simple LEDs status indicators for the 9V batteries.

Multi-Protection Guaranteed

The five multi-protection features built-in to the EBL 999 are first-rate for a product in its class. It protects against overcharging, over-current, over-voltage, over-heating or short circuit.

The Not So Good

The biggest drawback with this charger is its LCD screen. The display is too faint and can disappear altogether unless you view it from a specific angle. It’s a frustration and an obvious design flaw.

6. La Crosse BC1000 NiCd/NiMH Alpha Power Charger

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Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

This model is the favorite La Crosse Technology BC1000 Alpha Power Battery Charger

• Best feature 1: Robust, compact design w/ LCD
• Best feature 2: Overheat detection to prevent over-charging
• Plus points: Automatic trickle charge, individual charging, protective case, includes batteries
• Minus points: No LCD backlight, small LCD font, short power cable

La Crosse RC Battery Support & Charger Highlights

The La Crosse Technology BC1000 Alpha Power Battery Charger supports the following batteries:

• Any combination of AA, AAA, NiCd, NiMH rechargeable cells

It’s easy to see why this NiCd/NiMH alpha power RC charger costs more than the budget-end products. The quality feels as good as it looks, and its bright LCD screen works a treat. The display modes include charge status, discharge, refresh, and test modes. The trickle charge feature kicks in with all charging methods at the end of a cycle to guarantee full battery capacity.

Estimated charging times vary depending on the battery type and charging current. This model can charge batteries individually, each with its LCD status indicator. The charger’s built-in overheat detection also protects cells from overcharging.

The La Crosse BC1000 comes with a few welcome extras. The box includes an adjustable nylon carry case, a webbed side sleeve, and a front zippered kangaroo pouch. There’s also an AC power adapter plug and a full set of AA & AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries.

The Not So Good

The La Crosse BC1000 is one of the most popular chargers in its class, but it’s not flawless. The LCD isn’t backlit so it can be awkward to see under bright light. Some of the fonts are tiny, which makes reading various stats difficult for some. The final gripe is that the power cable is on the short side.

7. HTRC C240 DUO AC/DC LiPo LiHV & Multi-Charger

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Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

This is the HTRC C240. It’s a DUO AC 150W DC 240W Dual Channel RC Balance Multi-Charger. It can power two battery types concurrently with different voltages. It also boasts max safety support.

• Best feature 1: Simultaneously charge two battery types with different voltages
• Best feature 2: Maximum safety features (see review)
• Plus points: Compact design, cooling fan & cooling holes, multi modes, easy to navigate
• Minus points: Noisy fan

HTRC C240 DUO RC Battery Support & Highlights

The HTRC C240 DUO AC/DC multi-charger supports the following batteries:

• 1–6S LiIon, LiPo, LiFe, LiHV
• 1–15 cell NiCd, NiMH
• 2–20V PB battery
• Smart Battery I, II, III 5-27V, 0.1–6A

This is another small charger that offers high power. It’s a compact, portable design that’s super easy to navigate. It sports double LCD panels and has clear buttons to choose different charging programs. The device has an internal fan and holes in the charger’s body for efficient cooling. A few of the multi features include battery balance, battery meter, resistance meter, and LiHV mode.

The HTRC C240 DUO also has effective safety features. They are auto-charge current limit, capacity limit, processing time limit, delta-peak sensitivity, and temperature threshold.

There’s a lot to explore and to exploit with the DUO RC Battery charger. The handy video tutorial and instruction manual are helpful for first-time users.

The Not So Good

The only problem with this product is its fan. It’s noisy and amplified further by the cooling holes in the body. It doesn’t affect the product’s effectiveness, but it’s irritating nonetheless.

8. ANSMANN 16 Plus Individual Cell Battery Charger

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

The ANSMANN Energy 16 Plus is an excellent battery maintenance station. The product is designed and engineered in Germany and a popular choice among RC enthusiasts.

• Best feature 1: Intelligent charge control
• Best feature 2: Automatic shut-off safety timer
• Plus points: 12 battery banks, two USB charging ports, independent charging, detachable cord
• Minus points: Large size, no LCD screen

ANSMANN 16 Plus RC Battery Support & Highlights

The ANSMANN Energy 16 Individual Cell Charger supports the following batteries:

• NiMH rechargeable AAA, AA, C, D, 9V
• USB Port for charging smartphones and other mobile devices

ANSMANN’s 16 Plus charger holds up to six C/D cells or twelve AA/AAA cells (or any combination), and two 9V. There are also two USB ports for smart devices. That’s a total potential charging count of 14.

The Smart, Safer Charger

The intelligent charge control provides failsafe refueling. It makes an auto diagnosis and capacity test of each battery once it’s in place. The charger then decides on the best way to continue based on the condition of the cell. That could be a gentle pre-charge, and or refresh program, or full charging.

Every one of the battery banks is independent. That means it’s not necessary to charge, discharge, refresh, or test batteries in pairs. Independent charging is convenient and better for the cells as it ensures optimal load.

There’s the automatic shut-off feature controlled by a sophisticated microprocessor. It ensures consistently controlled charging using multiple overcharge protection technology.

The Not So Good

The charger is quite large, but that’s a price we pay for multiple charging bays. The detachable power chord makes it easier to carry and store, though. A more serious letdown is that there’s no LCD with this model. That’s a shame considering its price.

The LEDs work fine but they’re flat, so you must be on top of the charger to read them. They sat upward on the older model, and that made checking the battery status much easier from a distance.

9. HTRC T240 Duo Smart Multi-Charger/Discharger

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Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

The penultimate pick is the HTRC T240. It’s a dual balance battery charger capable of simultaneously powering two different battery types. It’s an easy-to-use device with lots of user-friendly features.

• Best feature 1: Multiple battery support
• Best feature 2: Maximum safety features (see review)
• Plus points: Portable, easy to navigate touch screen, bar status graphs, 20 battery profiles
• Minus points: Noisy internal fan, no USB charging port for 5V

HTRC T240 DUO RC Battery Support & Highlights

The HTRC T240 Duo Dual Channel Balance Charger supports the following batteries:

• Lil on/lipo/life/LiHV cell count (1–6cells)
• NiCd, NiMH battery cell count (1–15 cells)
• PB battery (2-20V)
• Smart flight battery I, II, III (DJI charging cable not included)

HTRC has designed this charger with the end user firmly in mind. It has an attractive plastic shell, a compact design, and plenty of safe technology. The built-in fan and ventilation holes provide efficient cooling for the device.

Touch-Button Touchscreen, Auto Tech, & Safety

High-tech doesn’t have to be complicated. The colored 3.2” touchscreen makes using the T240 Duo easy. The display uses text and icons to remove any confusion while navigating its intuitive menus.

The charger uses automatic detection technology to identify LiPo battery cell counts quickly. Some of the critical functions include charge, fast charge, balance charge, storage charge, and cycling. Another neat feature is the charger’s ability to save up to 20 battery profiles for instant recall.

The nine safety features protect the batteries as well as the charger and include:

1. Input over voltage protection
2. Output over voltage protection
3. Buck compensation protection
4. Output overcurrent protection
5. Input overcurrent protection
6. Smart match current
7. Prevention statical electricity protection
8. Automatic cut-off protection
9. Reverse polarity protection

There’s a lot to appreciate with the HTRC T240 Duo Smart Charger/Discharger, but it has setbacks.

The Not So Good

The most annoying thing about this charger is its noisy fan. That means you should place it somewhere where it’s not going to bother you. The other setback is that there’s no USB port for charging mobile devices. Many of the other modern chargers provide USB ports nowadays.

10. EV-PEAK CQ2 Multifunctional Charger/Discharger

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Editor’s Rating: 4.2/5

Last on the list is the EV-PEAK CQ2 Multifunctional Charger/Discharger. It’s also the most expensive device on the page, but is it worth the extra bucks?

• Best feature 1: Four independent channels
• Best feature 2: Maximum safety protections
• Plus points: Pulse charging, multi-working modes, 4 LCD panels, 10 battery memory
• Minus points: High price tag, few reviews

EVPEAK CQ2 RC Battery Support & Highlights

The EV-PEAK CQ2 Multifunctional Charger/Discharger supports the following batteries:

• 1–6S LiPo, LiFe, LiHV
• 1–15 cells NiMh
• 1–15 cells NiCd
• 2–24V Pb

This is a high-quality RC charger with a sturdy aluminum case. The powerful built-in fan cools its four independent charging channels. The charger’s Pulse Charging controls the heat of NiMH/NiCad batteries. Heat control ensures the most effective charging method and extends the life of cells. The smooth function buttons and LCD panels make charging batteries quick and trouble-free.

The charger has a useful 10-battery memory for rapid recall. It also comes equipped with maximum safety features that protect the device and its batteries. These include overcurrent and overvoltage protection. There’s also reverse protection, short circuit, and temperature protection.

The Not So Good

This is a high-quality, expensive RC battery charger. Its higher price also means there are fewer user reviews to rely on. Those who do buy the EVPEAK CQ2 tend to be very happy with their purchase.