Automotive · Head-to-head
NOCO Genius5 5-Amp Smart Battery Charger vs CTEK MXS 5.0 Battery Charger
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Car Battery Chargers & Maintainers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The NOCO Genius5 is the charger to buy first because it charges, revives, and maintains nearly any battery you own, including lithium, in one compact unit. The CTEK MXS 5.0 is the premium alternative worth its price if you specifically want the most thorough recovery and upkeep for lead-acid and AGM batteries.
NOCO Genius5 5-Amp Smart Battery Charger
Buy itA pocket-sized charger that handles 6V and 12V lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries, repairs sulfation, and maintains for months.
- Charges 6V and 12V lead-acid (flooded, gel, AGM, deep-cycle) and lithium-ion batteries from one unit
- NOCO says it detects sulfation and acid stratification and automatically repairs it on tired batteries
- Force Mode can detect and charge dead batteries all the way down to 0 volts, says NOCO
- Thermal sensor adjusts the charge for ambient temperature, with NOCO citing cold down to -4 F and heat up to 104 F
- At 5 amps it is not the fastest way to bulk-charge a large, deeply drained battery
- The many modes and LED icons take a read of the manual to learn
CTEK MXS 5.0 Battery Charger
Buy itA premium 8-step charger that specializes in reconditioning neglected lead-acid and AGM batteries.
- Eight-step program including AGM support and a reconditioning mode that CTEK says restores stratified and deeply discharged batteries
- Fully automatic connect-and-forget maintenance you can leave on all winter
- Rated IP65 (splash and dustproof), spark proof, and reverse-polarity protected
- Does not charge lithium LiFePO4 batteries, which need CTEK's separate lithium model
- 12V only, so no 6V classics
- Costs noticeably more than equally capable lead-acid chargers
Side by side
The 7 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| NOCO Genius5 5-Amp Smart Battery Charger Our pick | CTEK MXS 5.0 Battery Charger | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Anyone who wants one charger for the car, motorcycle, mower, and lithium powersport batteries alike. | Owners of AGM-equipped or seasonally stored vehicles who want the most thorough lead-acid recovery and upkeep. |
| Price tier | $$ · mid-range | $$$ · premium |
| Max charging current | 5 amps | 4.3 amps |
| Voltage support | 6V and 12V | 12V only |
| Battery chemistries | Lead-acid, AGM, gel, deep-cycle, lithium-ion | Lead-acid, AGM, gel, EFB (no lithium) |
| Desulfation / recovery | Automatic sulfation repair + Force Mode down to 0V | RECOND reconditioning mode |
| Charge vs maintain | Charges and maintains | Charges and maintains |
| Safety & durability | Thermal sensor, designed to stay connected | IP65, reverse-polarity, spark proof |
| Best role | All-purpose everyday charger | Premium lead-acid reviver/maintainer |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the NOCO Genius5 5-Amp Smart Battery Charger if
anyone who wants one charger for the car, motorcycle, mower, and lithium powersport batteries alike.
Know before buying: at 5 amps it is not the fastest way to bulk-charge a large, deeply drained battery.
Pick the CTEK MXS 5.0 Battery Charger if
owners of AGM-equipped or seasonally stored vehicles who want the most thorough lead-acid recovery and upkeep.
Know before buying: does not charge lithium LiFePO4 batteries, which need CTEK's separate lithium model.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the NOCO Genius5 5-Amp Smart Battery Charger - A pocket-sized charger that handles 6V and 12V lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries, repairs sulfation, and maintains for months. Choose the CTEK MXS 5.0 Battery Charger instead if owners of AGM-equipped or seasonally stored vehicles who want the most thorough lead-acid recovery and upkeep.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Car Battery Chargers & Maintainers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).