Whenever you are buying any sort of battery charger, it is most likely that you will find an AC to DC adapter. This means that most battery chargers out there will require AC power input to charge your DC battery. Although, if you are in an RC or on a boat, then you can only get DC power to charge your batteries. In such a case, using something like the best DC to DC chargers given in this list can be a great option since they offer the following features:
- Input Voltage: Even though a DC to DC charger will allow you to charge your DC batteries using DC current as the input, you still need to make sure that the voltage of your DC power supply is the same as supported by your DC charger. This is due to the reason that while some DC to DC charger may support 12 or 24 volts for input, others may work with 120-volt or even 240-volt DC current.
- Maximum Current: Apart from being compatible with your DC current power supply, a DC to DC charger also needs to be powerful enough for supporting fast charging speeds. This can be ensured by simply checking the maximum current rating of your charger. By going with a DC to DC charger that has a maximum current rating of up to 50 amps, you can expect much faster-charging speeds than one with just charging speeds of up to 25 amps or similar.
- Supported Battery Types: You should also check the supported battery types of your DC to DC charger to make sure that it can work with the batteries of your choice. Thankfully, almost all DC to DC chargers mention a list of supported battery types which can include options like AGM, gel, lead acid, Li-ion, calcium, and other types of batteries where any DC to DC charger which supports multiple types is going to be highly versatile and practical.
Despite being just a charger, most DC to DC chargers available out there offers more than these features. Hence, all of the best DC to DC chargers given in this list also have their important aspects and factors given next to them. You can also find an extensive “Buying Guide” and some handy FAQs for the best DC to DC chargers for helping you go with the best one possible.
8 Best DC to DC Chargers
| Best DC to DC Chargers | Input Voltage | Maximum Current | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renogy DC to DC Charger | 12 volts | Up to 20 amps | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| Victron DC to DC Charger | 24 volts | Up to 30 amps | 5 year long | Check On Amazon |
| Wagan DC to DC Charger | 12 volts | Up to 40 amps | -- | Check On Amazon |
| Tecmate DC to DC Charger | 240 volts | Up to 2 amps | 2 year long | Check On Amazon |
| Renogy DC to DC Charger | 12 volts | Up to 50 amps | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| Schumacher DC to DC Charger | 12 volts | Up to 40 amps | -- | Check On Amazon |
| KISAE DC to DC Charger | 10 to 32 volts | Up to 50 amps | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| REDARC DC to DC Charger | 12 or 24 volts | Up to 25 amps | 2 year long | Check On Amazon |
Best DC to DC Chargers Reviews
1. Renogy DC to DC Charger
Renogy is one of the most popular mainstream brands of batteries and battery chargers that are generally quite practical thanks to the included features like you can see with its DC to DC charger given here.
The Renogy DC to DC charger is present in the 1st position of this list since this is a great small and compact option for most. Considering the given form factor and size of this DC to DC charger, it supports a pretty high input voltage of up to 120 volts. And for the given price, its supported maximum current of up to 20 amps is to be expected.
Thankfully, this DC to DC charger won’t disappoint in terms of its battery compatibility since you can use it to charge AGM, flooded, gel, and lithium ion batteries if needed. Renogy also includes a handy 1 year long warranty with this DC to DC charger for decent longevity.
Best Features:
- Works with an input voltage of 120 volts DC
- Outputs a maximum current of up to 20 amps during charging
- Compatible with multiple battery types including AGM, flooded, gel, lithium ion
- Comes included with a 1 year long warranty period
Pros:
- Highly affordable and budget friendly DC to DC charger
- Quite small and compact in terms of its construction and design
- Works amazingly well with a wide range of battery types
Cons:
- Not the most ideal DC to DC charger for heavy duty usage
2. Victron DC to DC Charger
Despite being one of the higher-end brands of premium battery and charging products, Victron Energy can still be a great pick for all those who want something highly durable and reliable.
Victron Energy’s Orion DC to DC charger is present in the 2nd position of this listicle as this is the best option for long term usage given here. Starting with the basics, this DC to DC charger supports a standard input voltage of 24 volts. With this, you are able to charge DC batteries at a maximum current of up to 30 amps.
Unfortunately, Victron Energy does not mention any details regarding the supported battery types of this charger which can be an issue for some. That being said, the Orion DC to DC charger from Victron Energy is still an amazing option for most thanks to its 5-year warranty period which is much longer than others.
Best Features:
- Works with an input voltage of 24 volts DC
- Outputs a maximum current of up to 30 amps during charging
- Comes included with a 5-year warranty period
Pros:
- Highly efficient and powerful DC to DC charger considering the given size
- Excellent durability and reliability for long term usage
- Quite practical and easy to use thanks to the given form factor
Cons:
- Lacks any detail regarding its supported battery types for charging
3. Wagan DC to DC Charger
The Wagan DC-DC battery charger is an brilliant device that gives correct charging for quite a few battery kinds, which include SLA, Flooded, Gel, AGM, Calcium, and Lithium batteries. Measuring at 1.7″D x 5.1″W x 5.8″H, it has an input voltage of 240 Volts and a modern score of 25 Amps, making it appropriate for various programs.
What units the Wagan DC-DC battery charger aside is its clever three-level charging method that uses a excessive-speed microcontroller and a proprietary set of rules to supply a sophisticated three-level charging procedure. This includes bulk charging, absorption charging, and flow charging, making sure your battery receives the ideal level of price for its precise desires.
The Wagan DC-DC charger also can be used with widespread and clever alternator systems, making it a flexible tool for the ones choosing no longer to utilize sun charging or to be used with solar structures. Additionally, it’s capabilities computerized protection functions, including Spark-Free, Reverse Connection, Over and Under Voltage, and Over Temperature Protection, ensuring the protection of each the user and the battery being charged.
Another standout feature of the Wagan DC-DC battery charger is its utilization of MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) solar regulator technology, which maximizes the energy generated from sun panels to the auxiliary battery. This makes it an ideal choice for the ones using sun panels to fee their batteries.
In precise, the Wagan DC-DC battery charger is a smart, green, and flexible tool that gives the precise charging for a number of battery kinds. Its smart three-degree charging, computerized safety capabilities, and MPPT sun regulator era make it a standout alternative for the ones searching out a reliable battery charger.
Best Features:
- Works with an input voltage of 12 volts DC
- Outputs a maximum current of up to 40 amps during charging
- Compatible with multiple battery types including lead acid, AGM, gel, calcium, lithium ion
Pros:
- Amazing value for money DC to DC charger thanks to its performance numbers
- Supports fast charging for batteries thanks to a high current draw
- Highly compatible thanks to its support for multiple battery types
Cons:
- Can be slightly large and bulky in terms of its size
4. Tecmate DC to DC Charger
Tecmate is one of the newer and smaller brands of battery related accessories out there because of which most of its offerings are fairly affordable and budget friendly.
The Tecmate Optimate TM-500 DC to DC charger is the cheapest option that has been given in this list which makes it an excellent option for all those who are on a tight budget. For the given price tag, this DC to DC charger offers support for an input voltage of 240 volts which is much higher than others. Although, this means that it only uses a maximum current draw of up to 2 amps which might not be the best for fast charging.
Thankfully, Tecmate has not compromised in terms of its battery compatibility since this DC to DC charger can be used to charge AGM, gel, STD, starter, and deep cycle batteries. Tecmate even includes a 2 year long warranty with this DC to DC charger which is certainly quite amazing considering the given price tag.
Best Features:
- Works with an input voltage of 240 volts DC
- Outputs a maximum current of up to 2 amps during charging
- Compatible with multiple battery types including AGM, gel, STD, starter, deep cycle
- Comes included with a 2 year long warranty period
Pros:
- One of the most affordable DC to DC charger for buyers on a tight budget
- Best in class compatibility with a wide range of battery types
- Fairly long warranty period for longevity considering the given price
Cons:
- Poor performance in terms of charging speeds due to a low current draw
5. Renogy DC to DC Charger
We have yet another DC to DC charger offering from Renogy in this list which is much more premium than the previous one since this one is made for heavy duty usage.
Renogy’s DC to DC charger can be one of the best options in this listicle for all those who are looking for something made for heavy duty usage. Similar to most other DC to DC chargers out there, this one also works with 12 volt current for its input. But unlike other DC to DC chargers, this one supports a much higher maximum current draw for superb charging speeds.
Another great thing about this DC to DC charger is that it can be used with gel, AGM, and lithium ion batteries without any issues. And just like the previous Renogy DC to DC charger given above, this one also offers a 1 year long warranty which is to be expected at the given price tag.
Best Features:
- Works with an input voltage of 12 volts DC
- Outputs a maximum current of up to 50 amps during charging
- Compatible with multiple battery types including AGM, gel, lithium ion
- Comes included with a 1 year long warranty period
Pros:
- High performance DC to DC charger with best in class charging speeds
- Fairly compatible with a wide range of battery types
- Pretty small and compact in size considering the given performance numbers
Cons:
- Quite an expensive and premium DC to DC charger for most
6. Schumacher DC to DC Charger
The Schumacher SDC371 DC-DC charger is an splendid choice for off-grid residing, RVs, and camping. With a sturdy modern rating of 40 amps and enter voltage of 240 volts, this charger is designed to harness the electricity of the solar or your car’s battery to fee your auxiliary battery, providing handy off-grid power.
The SDC371’s solar precedence button allows for seamless switching among charging from your vehicle’s alternator and solar panels. This characteristic ensures that your battery is continually charged, even in low-light conditions. The charger’s 3-degree charging device includes a boost mode, absorption mode, and waft mode, allowing it to safely and completely rate your battery.
Engineered to withstand severe temperatures, the SDC371 can function in temperatures of up to 80° C/176° F. The charger’s weatherproof construction and IP66 rating make certain that it may function in all weather conditions with none issues.
The Schumacher SDC371 DC-DC charger is an exceptional funding for the ones seeking out a reliable and sturdy charging answer for their auxiliary battery. Its versatile and modern layout makes it perfect for those living off-grid or spending time in RVs and campsites.
Best Features:
- Works with an input voltage of 12 volts DC
- Outputs a maximum current of up to 40 amps during charging
- Compatible with multiple battery types including AGM, gel, lead acid, calcium, lithium ion
- charger’s 3-degree charging device
Pros:
- Superb value for money DC to DC charger compared to others
- Compatible with a large number of battery types for versatility
- Works with standard input voltages for ease of use
Cons:
- Build quality could have been a little better compared to others
7. KISAE DC to DC Charger
Kisae Technology is another high end brand of DC to DC chargers which happens to be worth the extra premium since most of its offerings are highly powerful and practical for all kinds of applications.
The Kisae Technology DMT1250 DC to DC charger is hands down the best performing and the most versatile option given here. Unlike any other DC to DC charger given here, this works with a number of input voltages ranging from 10 to 32 volt current. And even with this wide range of supported input voltages, you still get an amazing maximum current draw of up to 50 amps from it.
Apart from supporting multiple voltages, this DC to DC charger also supports multiple battery types including gel, flooded, AGM, and lithium ion batteries. Moving over to its durability, the included 1 year long warranty is to be expected with something as premium as this.
Best Features:
- Works with an input voltage of 10 to 32 volts DC
- Outputs a maximum current of up to 50 amps during charging
- Compatible with multiple battery types including AGM, flooded, gel, lithium ion
- Comes included with a 1 year long warranty period
Pros:
- Best in class performance thanks to the included features and specifications
- Supports a wide range of voltages and battery types
- Quite fast charging speeds thanks to a high maximum current draw
Cons:
- A bit on the expensive side for most users and buyers
8. REDARC DC to DC Charger
You can also consider Redarc Electronics and its DC to DC charger if you do not have any budget restrictions and want something highly versatile and practical.
Redarc Electronics’ DC to DC charger is another versatile option given in this listicle. To be more specific, this DC to DC charger can work with both 12 volt and 24 volt input currents. And with either of these input voltages, you get a decent maximum current draw of up to 25 amps.
Coming to the compatibility side of things, this DC to DC charger allows you to charge most common battery types like AGM, gel, lead acid, calcium, and lithium ion batteries. Being such a premium and high end brand of DC to DC chargers, Redarc Electronics also offers a 2 year long warranty with it.
Best Features:
- Works with an input voltage of 12 and 24 volts DC
- Outputs a maximum current of up to 25 amps during charging
- Compatible with multiple battery types including AGM, gel, lead acid, calcium, lithium ion
- Comes included with a 2 year long warranty period.
Pros:
- Highly versatile DC to DC charger thanks to its dual voltage support
- Fully compatible with most of the common battery types out there
- Long warranty period along with a solid construction for your peace of mind
Cons:
- Not the highest current draw rating considering the given price
Buying Guide for the Best DC to DC Chargers
Whether you get DC power in your home or you travel a lot in vehicles like RVs or boats, the chances are that you use DC appliances instead of AC ones. And apart from all other DC appliances that you may use, you might also need something like the best DC to DC chargers mentioned above.
To help you go with the most ideal DC to DC charger for your needs, all of these best DC to DC chargers have all their key features and options along with them. More importantly, you should also check this complete buying guide for the best DC to DC chargers down below for making sure that you are going with the right one:
1. Input Voltage
Starting with the most important factor to consider while going with a DC to DC charger, we have the input voltage rating. As you can expect by its name, the input voltage rating of your DC to DC charger will tell you about the current voltage that your DC to DC charger can accept for charging your batteries.
Usually, you will find most DC to DC chargers to work with 12 volt or 24 volt DC current. But if needed, you can also find some DC to DC chargers that can work with 120 volt or 240 volt DC current. So, if you are getting a DC to DC charger, just make sure that you are getting one that supports the voltage offered by your power supply.
2. Maximum Current
While having a compatible DC to DC charger is definitely important, you also need to make sure that your DC to DC charger also offers fast charging speeds. This becomes even more important when you have large capacity batteries which can take a long time to fully charge. In such cases, you need to check the maximum current rating of your DC to DC charger as a charger with a higher maximum current rating will offer faster-charging speeds.
Talking about the current ratings that you can find, it will include ratings like up to 25 amps, up to 40 amps, and even up to 50 amps. Out of all these options, the maximum current rating of up to 50 amps will offer much faster-charging speeds when compared with a current rating of just up to 25 amps.
3. Supported Battery Types
Coming back to the compatibility side of things regarding your DC to DC charger, we have the supported battery type. If you are familiar with DC batteries, then you must know that there are all kinds of batteries out there. This includes batteries like AGM, gel, lead acid, Li-ion, calcium, and many other types of batteries.
As a result, even if your DC to DC charger may support the voltage of your batteries, it may still not work unless specified separately. In other words, you should also check the list of supported battery types for your DC to DC charger. And any DC to DC charger that supports a large number of battery types is going to be highly versatile and practical for most users.
4. Warranty
Once you have considered all of the points given above and picked the most suitable DC to DC charger as per your needs and requirements, you will also want your DC to DC charger to last for as long as possible. And to ensure the same, it is always a great idea to check the included warranty period of your DC to DC charger.
As you would expect, any DC to DC charger which offers a long warranty period is going to easily last for quite a while. Talking about the best DC to DC chargers given above, most of them come included with a 1 year long warranty period. However, if you want something even more versatile and practical, then you can also find a few options with an up to 5 year long warranty period which can last for much longer.
FAQs for the Best DC to DC Chargers
Ans: When it comes to connecting your batteries to your DC to DC charger, you will be glad to know that almost all DC to DC chargers use alligator clips. As a result, no matter what kind of batteries or power source you are using, you can still connect your DC to DC charger with it without any issues.
Ans: In case you are familiar with DC to DC chargers, then you must have heard about isolators being used with DC to DC chargers. These isolators are there to protect the lifespan of your primary DC battery as well as the alternator of your vehicle. Thus, if you are charging high capacity batteries using your DC to DC charger, then you should definitely get an isolator along with it.
Ans: While DC to DC chargers are built to charge DC batteries using other DC batteries, you can also use the same along with solar panels. Many DC to DC chargers available out there will also allow you to connect solar panels as solar panels also produce DC power. And with the same, you can also charge your DC batteries if needed.
Conclusion
Even when you are camping in your RV or going for a long trip in your boat, you will find yourself needing to charge all kinds of batteries. Although, using a standard battery charger on vehicles like RVs and boats is not feasible since standard battery chargers use AC power to convert it into DC power for charging batteries. Instead of using standard battery chargers, you will need to use something like the best DC to DC chargers that have been given in this list above.
With all of these DC to DC chargers, you can also learn about their primary differences and specifications. Not only that but we have also given a detailed buying guide and the major FAQs for the best DC to DC chargers. However, if you are still not able to pick a DC to DC charger, consider going with one of our ideal recommendations for the best DC to DC chargers:
- Beginning with one of the cheapest options available out there, the Tecmate DC to DC charger is perfect for buyers on a tight budget. Unlike most other DC to DC chargers out there, this one used 240 volts for its input current. As a result, it only draws a maximum current of up to 2 amps. Even with the given current rating, this DC to DC charger still works with multiple battery types like AGM, GEL, STD, starter, and deep cycle batteries. Despite being an entry level option, you still get a 2 year long warranty with it which makes it pretty great for long term usage as well.
- However, if you don’t have any budget restrictions and you are looking for something highly versatile and practical, then you can go with the Kisae DC to DC charger. Because this DC to DC charger works with 10 to 32 volts of input current while drawing up to 50 amps of current, you can use this with a wide range of batteries at a fast charging rate. To be more specific, this DC to DC charger works with gel, AGM, flooded, and Li-ion batteries with ease. You also get a standard 1 year long warranty period with it for your peace of mind.
- But if you want the most durable and reliable DC to DC charger possible, then you should consider going with the Victron DC to DC charger. Thanks to its 5 year long warranty period, this DC to DC charger can easily last for a pretty long period of time without any issues. As for its specifications, it supports an input voltage of 24 volts which allows you to work at a voltage of up to 30 amps. With this, you can charge both lead acid as well as lithium ion batteries if needed.
