An exceptional marine battery and a great charger to go along with it are essential pieces of gear for any angler who fishes offshore.
There’s a lot of hit and miss when it comes to battery chargers, so to help you through your next purchase, we’ve put together a list of the best chargers that you can find today.
Read on to find out more about how to choose a charger and discover some of the best on the market.
Comparison of the Best 3-Bank Marine Battery Chargers
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 Our Top Pick | Minn Kota Precision On-Board Charger |
| View Latest Price |
 | NOCO Genius GEN3 |
| View Latest Price |
 | ProMariner 43021 ProSport 20+ Generation 3 |
| View Latest Price |
 | Minn Kota On-Board Digital Charger |
| View Latest Price |
 | Guest 2713A ChargePro On-Board Battery Charger |
| View Latest Price |
What is a 3-Bank Marine Battery Charger?
A three-bank battery charger is one of the most common chargers used by anglers with a smaller boat with a trolling motor. As the name suggests, it is a battery charger that has three banks for charging multiple batteries at one time.
Three-bank battery chargers are designed to allow each battery to charge to its full capacity at the same time. Many of these chargers have functions that help batteries recover and desulphurate, which not only maintains the batteries but can prolong their life as well.
What Makes These the Best Chargers of the Year?
With the combination of customer reviews and brand reliability, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best marine chargers of the year.
But how were they given the gold star? All of the chargers on our list have the majority of the following qualities, which make them solid overall picks.
Made With Water in Mind
We all know that water and electronics don’t mix. For that reason, it’s fairly important to go for a charger that is water-resistant, if not fully waterproof. Because you’ll be on a boat, humidity and moisture are a real threat to your equipment. A waterproof design can eliminate some of that stress.
Speedy Charging Time
It’s no fun to wait around for your batteries to charge up, especially if you’re in a make or break situation with time. A great battery charger will have a quick and efficient charging time, keeping your focus on the fish, rather than the batteries.
Durable and Long-Lasting
An exceptional battery charger is created with high-quality materials that won’t break under pressure. It’s an added plus if they have features specific to longevity, like a built-in cooling fan to limit heat damage.
Review of the Best 3-Bank Marine Battery Chargers
We’ve put together a list of our top picks for three-bank marine battery chargers that can get the job done with ease. Check it out below!
Best Overall:
Minn Kota Precision On-Board Charger
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Boaters who purchased the Minn Kota Charger were pretty thrilled with this product’s precision charging and customizability. Among many things, buyers appreciated the very durable construction and awesome special features included, like voltage compensation and battery equalization. There were a few complaints about the weight and length of battery leads, but for the most part, the response was overwhelmingly positive.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This Minn Kota is, in our opinion, the gold standard when it comes to on-board marine chargers. Aside from a few very minor flaws, this charger provides great power and some excellent features that add to the convenience of the overall product. We love the sturdy, intentionally-constructed design and the fact that the whole system is customizable.
Who Will Use This Most
This charger would be a great fit for an angler who uses multiple styles of batteries. Something fairly unique about the Minn Kota Precision Charger is that each battery bank is customizable— the user can switch between AGM, flooded, and gel with just a couple button presses.
Bottom Line
Overall, there’s no doubt why the Minn Kota Precision Charger earned the top spot on our list. With great special features, excellent power capacity, and durable construction, this charger could make an awesome addition to your boat.
Runner-up:
NOCO Genius GEN3
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The majority of buyers of the NOCO Genius Charger were satisfied with its performance both on the water and off. Several users praised its easy-to-install design and overall usability, and appreciated that it was quick to charge. However, some did wish that it included charging indicator lights to give a better idea of how much time was left when in the middle of a charge.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We’re big fans of the NOCO Genius Charger for several reasons. Firstly, we appreciated the safety features the company took the time to add. It is 100 percent waterproof, ignition protected, and also has a firewall that protects against unsafe, abnormal conditions. In addition, this is a versatile charger that can handle a wide range of batteries.
Who Will Use This Most
The NOCO Genius Charger is a great option for anglers with safety at the top of their priorities list. As mentioned above, this product has many features put in place to ensure user safety. Although this is quite a bulky charger, it is fairly lightweight, making it a good option for anglers with smaller boats.
Bottom Line
For anglers with safety on the brain, the NOCO Genius Charger is hard to beat. Although it may lack some convenient design features, this charger makesup for it in its own way. It provides a quick charging time, versatility in performance, and a durable housing.
Best for the Money:
ProMariner 43021 ProSport 20+ Generation 3
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Those who went for the ProSport Charger were very excited by the value of this product, considering the very low price it is offered at. Among other compliments, buyers were happy with the easy-to-use design and quick charging, though they wished the cables had a bit more length and some other convenience features were included.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This charger has a spot on our list because of its overall value and performance. Budget chargers can be few and far between and it’s even tougher to find ones that function effectively. The ProSport Charger is a great option because it has a battery strengthening stage, charges quickly, and is compact.
Who Will Use This Most
This charger is a great option for those anglers looking to get the best bang for their buck. This is our value pick because it comes at a very reasonable price point without compromising performance. In addition, the size of this charger is pretty convenient for those with smaller boats.
Bottom Line
Overall, we’re proud to include the ProSport charger on our list. Although it is missing some features included in higher-end models, this little charger is not to be overlooked. It is handy, convenient to use, and performs well when it counts.
4. Minn Kota On-Board Digital Charger
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The recent response to the Minn Kota On-Board Digital Charger has been overwhelmingly positive. Buyers were really pleased with the clear and concise nature of the digital system that clearly displays each battery’s charging process separately. Some wished it was a little more user-friendly and easier to mount, but complaints overall were minimal
Why it Stands Out to Us
As you can probably tell from our list, we’re pretty big fans of Minn Kota and the products they release. This digital charger is a great example of the excellence the company tries to pursue. This is a very high-tech charger with lots of great special features, which is why it earns a spot on our favorites list.
Who Will Use This Most
Although this is a very effective charger, it isn’t the easiest to use. Some users had some difficulty switching between settings, and for that reason, this charger might be a better fit for an angler who is a little more technologically adept.
Bottom Line
The Minn Kota Charger, although not the easiest piece of equipment to use, is highly valuable for many reasons. It is high-tech and durable, effective, and overall, a great product that can assist an array of anglers.
5. Guest 2713A ChargePro On-Board Battery Charger
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Those who went for this ChargePro setup were pretty impressed by several aspects of the tool. Buyers commented on, among other things, the well-built, lightweight construction and the multitude of safety features. Some were not impressed, however, with the heat this charger produces over time.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We thought this list would benefit from the addition of a charger that was more low-profile, comparatively. In addition to its convenient size, we also appreciate the added safety features, like the in-line safety fuses. It also has a clear LED display that projects the charging status of each battery separately.
Who Will Use This Most
The ChargePro is a great size and shape for smaller boats that can’t handle the weight of a hefty charger but still need power to run their watercraft. This would be a suitable pick for anglers who want the performance without all the added bulk.
Bottom Line
Although you may have to keep an eye on this battery charger’s temperature, overall, this is still a good option for anglers, especially those who are worried about space and weight. This low-profile charger is effective and convenient.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
Now that you have some awesome battery chargers in mind to choose from, it may be tempting to jump right into a purchase. But before taking that step, consider some aspects that may have taken the back-burner in your mind.
Specifications
Before making your purchase, you should know a couple of specifics that relate to your batteries. What amperage do you need? Determine the amp-hour rating of the batteries you’ll be using and add that together— then multiply that by 10 percent to get your amperage. You should also know the voltage of the batteries you’ll be using. The majority of marine batteries will be 12 volts, but that’s not always the case.
Compatible With Your Batteries
This may seem self-explanatory, but it is vital to make sure that your batteries can charge functionally with your charger. Some battery styles have a tough time with certain chargers, so it is very important to make sure they match up well before purchasing.
Conclusion
Now you know the ins and outs to great marine battery chargers— so what’s stopping you? Go out and make an informed purchase and you’ll be one step closer to fishing success. Good luck and happy fishing!
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