Before we get to the best battery Desulfators available on the market, let’s start with the meaning and purpose of the battery desulfator. Most car owners do not understand the car batteries and the use of desulfator.
Also known as battery regenerator, do not confuse the functionality of the product with its name. Regenerators are supposed to fix all kinds of batteries and add life to them, no matter how damaged they are. But, that is not the case with the desulfators. If the battery of your vehicle is acting up due to some serious damage, then know that no desulfator is capable of fixing it. As the name suggests, the desulfator is used to remove the buildup of sulfate on the lead plates. As the sulfate developed on the battery’s lead plate hardens, it interrupts the battery performance.
In fact, that’s the reason why most batteries work effectively for a specific period until they gradually start to lose their capacity. The major purpose of the battery desulfator is to restore the lost capacity of the battery due to sulfate formation on the lead plates. It doesn’t only restore the capacity of the battery, but improve its durability and performance. Other names of battery desulfators are regenerators, reconditioners, and pulse conditioning products.
What Is Battery Desulfator?
Lead batteries tend to lose their capacities over time. But, keeping your batteries uncharged for hours and days or leaving it half-charged can result in the buildup of sulfate deposit on the lead plates. As these deposits get harder over time, your battery gets sulfated. It gives poor performance.
Basically, the battery won’t be able to charge to its actual capacity that it did when you purchased it. If you keep repeating this mistake, the battery capacity will reach a point where it will become technically impossible to charge anything from the battery. The last resort will be to replace the battery with a new one. But, if sulfation is the cause of poor battery performance, then there is nothing to worry about.
The desulfators dissolve the sulfate deposits on the battery’s lead plates. You may even notice the flakes of sulfate particles coming off the battery. Basically, the desulfator is responsible for removing the buildup of sulfate from the lead plates. As a result, it restores the life and actual capacity of the battery that had been lost to sulfation. You might be wondering why such an amazing product isn’t that popular in the battery industry. Well, the battery manufacturers earn a significant profit from replacement batteries. The sulfation process that affects battery performance and lifespan is somewhat beneficial for battery manufacturers. After all, it gets people to swap their old battery with a new and fresh one.
1. BatteryMINDer 1500 Car Battery Desulfator
Has your vehicle’s battery stopped working? Are you looking for replacement options? Well, know that you don’t need to replace your vehicle’s battery just because it is acting up. BatteryMINDer 1500 Car Battery Desulfator is a great alternative to battery replacement. It can save you hundreds of bucks while repairing your current automobile battery.
The desulfator uses high voltage to remove the accumulated sulfate on the lead plate. Not only does it fix sulfation in automobile batteries, but it extends the capacity and life of the battery by 4 times its original capacity. The product is FCC certified. All you got to do is plug the desulfator in your sulfated battery and leave the rest of the job to this product. The product comes equipped with a compensator that ensures your battery is neither undercharged nor overcharged. The desulfator is used on 12V automobile batteries. BatteryMINDer 1500 Car Battery Desulfator is an economical and effective option for weak batteries. It de-sulfates the battery and restores its original performance. The product is capable of handling up to 4 batteries at once. As far as security is concerned, the desulfator offers protection from short-circuit and extreme temperatures.
Features
- Automatic Desulfator that’s used to reverse all sorts of desulfation
- Built-in Temperature compensator
- Short-circuit and extreme temperature protection
- FCC certified product
- Charge up to 4 batteries simultaneously
- Increases battery capacity and life
The Pros
- Simple to use
- Versatile
- Extended lifespan
- High battery capacity
- Quick services
The Cons
- Compatible with only 12-volt batteries
2. LST 12V Battery Trickle Charger And Maintainer
LST 12V Battery Trickle is a smart automotive battery charger, maintainer, and desulfator. It is compatible with all types of 12 V lead batteries, making it an ideal option for boats, trolling motor, lawnmower, cars, and watercraft. The brand offers a 100% safety guarantee against short circuit, over-temperature, reverse polarity, and more.
It is an automatic device. LST 12V Battery Trickle allows you to monitor the charging process and stay informed about the current battery status. Once the battery is charged fully, the device switches back to the float mode. The LED indicator is used to detect the battery’s health. It can detect any damage in the battery or lead plate.
Features
- MCU controlled
- Automatic battery charger
- 2 LED indicators
- High-frequency electronic pulses
- Detects sulfation
- Spark proof
The Pros
- Safe to use
- Multi-functional
- Desulfation
- Power saving
- Detects issues in the battery
- Extends battery life
The Cons
- No cons that we know of
3. Battery MINDer Panel Solar Battery Desulfator
Even new batteries that you have recently purchased are prone to sulfation. Battery undercharging is a common issue that could affect the life of your automobile battery. Battery MINDer Panel Solar Battery Desulfator utilizes solar energy to find out the battery voltage. The model uses a 5-watt solar panel to monitor the current battery voltage and charge it accordingly.
It has the ability to adjust the voltage to prevent possible damages from undercharging and overcharging. Battery MINDer Panel Solar Battery Desulfator is compatible with all types of batteries – be it an outdated battery or a newly purchased one. It can charge 2 batteries simultaneously. Moreover, the desulfator is designed for 12 V lead automobile batteries. It is compatible with hybrid, AGM, gel, starter, deep cycle, etc.
The desulfator is specially designed to extend the battery life by desulfating the lead plates. It uses high-frequency pulses to break down sulfate accumulated on the plate and restore the performance of your car battery. Not all desulfators have the capacity to remove the hardened sulfate particles from the battery as they use only a fixed frequency. What sets Battery MINDer Panel Solar Battery Desulfator apart from other models is its different range of frequencies that can remove all types of sulfate crystals efficiently. It comes with a 5-watt solar panel that can read the battery voltage in the sunlight. Battery MINDer Panel Solar Battery Desulfator can bring even the dead battery back to life.
Features
- In-built Solar Panel monitors voltage
- Charge two battery simultaneously
- Battery charge indicator
- Gives extended battery life and better performance
- Compatible with all types of 12V automobile batteries
- High-frequency electronic pulses
The Pros
- Desulfate new and old battery models
- Remove hardened sulfate crystals
- Maintain, charge, and desulfate 12V batteries
- Eco-friendly product
- Durable
- Improves battery performance
The Cons
- Not compatible with 24 volts batteries
4. Cleanpower Lead Acid Car Battery Desulfator
This lead acid battery desulfator delivers a high-frequency electronic pulse to dissolve all types of hardened sulfate crystals that have covered the lead plate. It works by charging your car battery and ensuring the voltage is at least 12.5V. Once the voltage reaches above 12 V, you can remove the charger and plug the desulfator to start desulfating operation.
The traditional desulfators that use low-frequency range and outdated technology can cause internal damages to the battery. Cleanpower Lead Acid Car Battery Desulfator uses Auto Pulse technology to desulfate the lead plates through high-frequency pulses.
Rest assured the desulfator will not cause any damage to the battery or the lead plate in the process. The LED charge indicator is designed to help car owners monitor the progress of the charger. Design-wise, Cleanpower Lead Acid Car Battery Desulfator is a compact and lightweight device. It is portable. The best part about the device is that it is compatible with 12V, 24, 36V, and 48V batteries.
Features
- Works for 12V to 48V batteries
- High-frequency electronic pulse
- Advanced technology for smoother desulfation process
- LED charge indicator
- Portable
The Pros
- Universal compatibility
- No damage to the battery or lead plate
- Extended battery life
- Compact and lightweight design
The Cons
- The desulfator can only repair batteries of the intact lead plates.
- It doesn’t repair batteries older than 3 years
5. Battery MINDer 128CEC1 2/4/8 Amp Battery Charger, Maintainer, And Desulfator
Battery MINDer is one of the reputable brands in the desulfator and battery maintainer market. The company has launched several FCC certified desulfators that deliver high-frequency electric pulses to dissolve sulfate crystals. Battery MINDer 128CEC1 Battery Charger, Maintainer, and Desulfator is no exception.
The device features ambient temperature compensation that adjusts the voltage and charge rate of the battery according to the current temperature. Battery MINDer 128CEC1 Battery Charger offers ultimate protection from short-circuit, over-temperature, undercharge & overcharge, thermal runaway, and reverse polarity. You can switch the Amp settings according to the battery progress. If the battery is charged fully, stick to the 2 Amp setting. If you have plugged a deep cycle and other large batteries that need the highest charging power, then switch the charger to 4 Amp for quick results. 8 Amp is recommended for almost dead batteries.
It has the ability to charge up to 8 batteries simultaneously. Being an FCC-certified charger and desulfator, Battery MINDer 128CEC1 can remove the buildup of sulfate crystals from the lead plates seamlessly. Whether you want to bring your dead battery back to life with a quick charge or desulfate your damaged battery, Battery MINDer 128CEC1 will be an ideal option.
Features
- Extended battery life and improved performance
- 2, 4, and 8 amp settings
- Compatible with 12-volt batteries
- FCC certified
- Temperature sensor
- Charge 8 batteries at once
The Pros
- Quick charge
- Safe to use
- Versatile
- Enhances battery’s durability
- Flexible
The Cons
- It doesn’t charge 24V batteries
6. NOCO Genius Automatic Smart Charger, Maintainer, Desulfator
NOCO Genius Automatic is one of the best performing and 3-in-1 battery desulfators. The device is compatible with all kinds of 12V lead batteries including gel, deep cycle, flooded, marine, and so on. If you are looking for an all-in-one device that could charge your car’s battery, monitor the voltage, and desulfate your lead plate, then NOCO Genius Automatic Smart Battery Desulfator is your ideal pick.
In addition to the lead batteries, NOCO Genius Battery Desulfator works on all types of lithium-ion batteries efficiently. The device monitors the temperature and adjusts the voltage accordingly. It prevents undercharge and overcharge. The best part about this desulfator is that it is capable of charging almost dead batteries that are down to 1V. The device comes with the tools and technology that scans the battery and detects sulfation on the lead plate. Should it detect any problem, it starts the desulfating process and removes all sorts of sulfate crystals on the plate.
This way it not only charges and maintains your lead and lithium batteries, but NOCO Genius Automatic Battery Desulfator restores your battery performance and life by desulfating the lead plate. It extends the battery life. Another advantage of NOCO Genius Smart Battery desulfator is its universal compatibility. It is one of the few desulfators that work on both lithium-ion and lead batteries. That being said, you can use it on motorcycles, cars, boats, traditional models, tractors, trucks, and even lawnmowers.
Features
- Charge batteries below 1 volt
- Compatible with multiple vehicles
- Optimized for all climates
- Protects the battery from undercharging and overcharging
- 3-in-1 solution
- Restores battery life
- Detects acid stratification and sulfate formation
The Pros
- Multi-tasker
- Versatile
- Universal compatibility
- Extends battery life
- Thermal compensation for smooth charging in all seasons
- Advanced charging
The Cons
- It might not charge the battery fully
- Expensive
7. PulseTech PowerPulse Battery Desulfator And Maintainer
Capable of charging, maintaining, and desulfating the 6V-12V car batteries, PulseTech PowerPulse Battery Desulfator and Maintainer is one of the economical and quality desulfator on the market. The best part about this device is its compatibility. It might only work on 12V batteries, but it covers the conventional models as well. To name a few, PulseTech PowerPulse Battery Desulfator and Maintainer works on AGM, VRLA, Flooded, Gel, Antimony, and Hybrid batteries.
The desulfator fixes all sorts of sulfation-related issues in the lead batteries and extends the capacity as well as the life of your automobile battery. In fact, PulseTech PowerPulse Battery Desulfator can enhance the battery life up to 5 times. The device charges the car battery quickly and detects sulfation issues effortlessly.
Features
- Compatible with all 12V, lead batteries
- Maintainer and desulfator
- Extends battery life
- Quick charging
- Detects sulfation
The Pros
- Peak battery performance guaranteed
- Faster charging capacity
- Universal compatibility
- Affordable
The Cons
- It may not work on 24V batteries
8. Battery MINDer 2012 Battery Charger, Maintainer, Desulfator
Battery MINDer 2012 is an automatic desulfator. It comes equipped with an LED indicator that shows the current battery levels and its progress. The smart charger monitors the temperature, battery performance, and amperage. The ambient temperature control sensor monitors the temperature and adjusts the voltage accordingly. With Battery MINDer 2012, your battery will not undercharge or overcharge no matter what the temperature is.
It has an automatic pulse desulfation feature. So, in addition to charging and maintaining your battery, Battery MINDer 2012 acts as a desulfator. It diagnoses your battery for the possible issues and fixes them in the shortest possible time. The device uses high-frequency electronic pulses to dissolve the stubborn sulfate crystal that has been formed over the lead plate. Not only sulfation, but it can diagnose multiple issues that may lead to battery failure. From desulfating the car battery to reconditioning it, Battery MINDer 2012 is a multi-tasker.
This desulfator ensures that your battery gives the best performance in all conditions. It restores the strength of the battery by removing sulfate. Additionally, the device has the capacity to charge six batteries simultaneously if you plug them in parallel.
Features
- Ambient temperature control sensor
- Charging capacity of up to 6 batteries at a time
- FCC certified model
- Extended battery life
- Improves battery performance
The Pros
- Universal compatibility
- Easy to set up
- Recondition the battery
- Protection from undercharging and overcharging damage
The Cons
- The recharge may take time
- It may not work on completely dead batteries
9. Battery MINDer 244CEC1 Charger Cum Maintainer Cum Desulfator
The primary reason for car battery malfunctioning and failures is the formation of sulfate on the lead plates. These hardened sulfate crystals weaken the battery’s life and performance. To restore the battery’s efficiency, Battery MINDer 244CEC1 Desulfator can be an ideal option for you. The model uses different ranges of high frequencies to dissolve sulfate and restore the strength of the battery.
Its 3-in-1 functionality sets it apart from the other battery desulfators on the market. As the name implies, Battery MINDer 244CEC1 is used to charge lead-acid batteries, maintain them, and desulfate the lead plates. This multi-tasker comes equipped with an ambient temperature sensor that is capable of altering the battery voltage according to the current temperature. This prevents all possible damages in your battery due to extreme temperature, overcharge, and undercharge battery. Like the siblings of Battery MINDer 244CEC1, this device offers ultimate protection from short-circuit, over-temperature, and reverse polarity.
The USP of the brand is its ability to charge 8 batteries at a time. Perhaps, that explains its high price tag. The model supports 24V batteries including but not limited to Odyssey, Gel, AGM, and PLT. It is an FCC-certified device. Another interesting feature is 18 LED indicators that show the current battery progress.
Features
- Auto temperature compensation sensor
- 6 AC cord
- Extended battery life
- Compatible with 24V lead-ion battery
- Charge 8 batteries simultaneously
- FCC certified
- LED charge indicator
The Pros
- Adjusts battery voltage according to the temperature
- Charge 8 batteries
- Certified battery charger and desulfator
- Protection from short-circuit and over temperature
- Compatible with 24 volts
The Cons
- Not suitable for aviation use
10. Battery Saver 2365 12V Auto Pulse Maintainer And Desulfator
Battery Saver 2365 12V Auto Pulse Maintainer and Desulfator is another multi-tasker that charges your car’s battery, desulfates the lead plate, and offers automatic maintenance services. Given that the batteries are plugged into the device in parallel, this desulfator can charge as many as 6 batteries at a time. It is especially recommended for the automobiles that feature multiple batteries, for example, boats and RVs.
It comes equipped with the technology that enables the car owners to monitor the battery voltage and progress. Being recognized as one of the most versatile desulfators, Battery Saver 2365 12V Auto Pulse Maintainer and Desulfator has the ability to charge, condition, maintain, and desulfate a wide range of batteries quickly and safely. It is an eco-friendly battery charger that consumes less power and less heat while delivering the best possible output. As soon as the battery is charged fully, the unit changes its mode. It detects sulfate on the lead plates and dissolves even the most stubborn sulfate crystals to bring the dead battery back to life.
The best part is that Battery Saver 2365 12V Auto Pulse Maintainer and Desulfator is easy to use. The setup process is quite straightforward. It is 100% safe to plug the device into your vehicle battery. The LED indicators keep you informed about the battery’s health.
Features
- Charger, maintainer, and desulfator
- Automated operation
- Restore life and strength in dead and poor-performing batteries
- LED indicator
- Temperature control sensor
- Compatible with 12 volts batteries
The Pros
- Eco-friendly
- Protection from short-circuit, reverse polarity, over temperature
- Easy to use
- Universal compatibility
- Versatile
- Multi-tasker
The Cons
- No cons that we know of
Things To Consider Before Buying Battery Desulfators
Sulfation is considered to be the number one cause of battery failures in most cases. The buildup of sulfate deposit on the lead plate may not affect your battery’s life or performance instantly. But, it develops gradually and the battery capacity will grow smaller over time.
There are not many ways to avoid sulfation since it is a natural process. Believe it or not, but sulfation will happen at some point even if you take good care of your car’s battery. But, there are definitely some ways you can slow down the process or repair the battery if it has reached a point where it doesn’t power any automobile system.
Make sure that you charge the battery completely before using it. Moreover, leaving your car’s battery uncharged for an extended duration can also affect its performance and capacity. So, charge the battery fully and use it carefully. Another important thing is to desulfate your batteries as soon as you notice the initial signs of sulfation. The sooner you get it repaired, the better its performance will be. Remember that sulfation can lead to internal damage and other severe issues.
Here we have mentioned a few important factors you need to consider when buying battery desulfators for your car’s battery. Let’s have a look:
High-Frequency Electric Current
No matter which product you choose, it must send electric currents to the battery to remove the buildup of sulfate from the lead plates efficiently. It is the easiest and fastest way to get rid of the sulfate formation on the lead plates.
Desulfator Diagnosis
Not all products offer additional features, but some desulfators come with some bonus features that scan your battery and detect other possible issues that can affect its performance. This gives you an idea of how your battery is performing. This also helps you to identify if your battery needs more than a desulfator.
As mentioned before, the desulfators are not enough for the batteries with internal damages. You will need to either regenerate the battery or get it replaced. A desulfator that can diagnose the battery will reveal all the internal damages in the battery.
Monitoring
As soon as you have connected the product to the battery, it will inform you about the current status and progress of the battery. In fact, some desulfators come equipped with an LED indicator that has been proven useful in monitoring and displaying the status of the battery.
Sulfation Is Reversible
When your charge and run your battery, the sulfates start to develop on the plates. Charging also leads your battery to gassing, a process that converts sulfate crystals into sulfuric acid. When you keep your car batteries undercharged or not charged at all, the sulfation grows intense and it gets super complicated for the battery to reverse sulfation on its own.
But, as mentioned in this post, it is absolutely possible to restore the performance and battery life of your automobile’s battery by using a desulfator. Designed specifically to break down the sulfate particles accumulated on the lead plate, a desulfator sends electricity in pulses to reverse sulfation. In fact, a desulfator is so strong that it can remove the hardest and stubborn sulfate particles. They do it by exposing this sulfate to an extremely high voltage.
Some desulfators can restore performance in almost dead batteries. However, we highly recommend you get the process done as soon as possible. Sulfation affects your battery slowly. So, it is best to desulfate the batteries when you notice the first signs.
The Sulfation Process
Sulfation is one of the common issues in lead-acid batteries. Now that most of the cars feature lead-acid batteries, it goes without saying that sulfation can affect your battery’s performance anytime.
An important thing to note is that sulfation isn’t an overnight process. It takes time for your batteries to form the sulfate deposits on the lead plate. In fact, there is a chance it will never happen to some lead-acid batteries. Basically, it depends on how well you take care of the battery. If you often leave your car battery uncharged in the garage for an extended duration, then it will start to develop sulfate deposits. It is, therefore, important for car owners to charge their batteries to its fullest capacity, especially if you are planning a long drive.
Battery desulfation occurs when you use your car battery to power the air conditioner, lighter, radio, and other such battery-powered systems and do not bother to charge the battery. To maintain the performance of your battery, you will need to use and charge it regularly. Sulfation has become so common that it can occur in batteries that aren’t being used for months. So, you are wrong if you think storing your car battery in the garage will save it from sulfation and damages. Each battery comes with a natural capacity. Even if you don’t use your battery, it will be discharged automatically.
In some cases, the batteries stored in the garage for days and weeks charge either really slowly or do not charge at all. This indicates sulfation. So, remember that the frequent use of the car battery is not the only thing that causes sulfation. However, this is one of the most common and fastest ways for sulfation to occur.
Final Words
You can’t stop sulfation even if you stop using your battery or do not charge it at all. It is a natural process and will happen at some point. But, you definitely have some cheaper options to get the performance and capacity of your battery restored. Instead of shelling out on battery replacement, you can diagnose the issue and desulfate the battery.
The battery desulfators mentioned on this list are some of the quality brands. Check and compare the features and select the best one.
- Does Your Battery Need a Desulfator?
Usually, when your battery doesn't give optimal performance, you take it to the nearest local store to get the issue fixed. You end up getting your battery replaced. Buying a desulfator will be a waste of money if your battery's performance is affected by internal damage. So, you can't just by a desulfator hoping that it will repair all types of damages.
The first step to improving your battery's performance is to test the battery for sulfation. Fortunately, you can do it on your own. You can even diagnose other problems in your battery. All you need is two essential tools for battery performance diagnosis. This includes the temperature compensated hydrometer and a voltmeter. These diagnosis tools are effective in testing a 12 or 34-volt battery for sulfation. If sulfation is the only issue that's affecting the battery performance, then you already know the next step. - What Types of Batteries are more Prone to Sulfation?
It is important to know that sulfation is a natural process and affects all types of batteries at some point. Every time you charge and run your battery, the small particles of sulfate forms on the lead plates. However, certain batteries that remain undercharged for weeks or partially charged are at high risk of sulfation.
Undercharging your batteries can trigger sulfation faster than the fully charged batteries. Though sulfation is still possible in the fully charged batteries, it minimizes the sulfation effect. Your battery is at a low risk of sulfation if you often drive your vehicle on the highway. City drivers, on the other hand, are at high risk of sulfation. - How to Know if your Battery is Sulfated?
It is quite easy to detect a damaged battery. However, you will need to take it to an automobile expert or buy the battery assessing tools to know if the reason for this damage is sulfation. Decreased efficiency is the most common sign of a sulfated battery. These batteries do not charge well.
If you are unable to power the air condition, cigarette lighter, music system, and other electronic devices in your vehicle, then that’s a clear sign your battery is sulfated. Visual diagnostic on the battery is possible. However, you will need to open the battery and take out the caps with mechanical tools. So, it is better to leave it to a professional. Usually, a sulfated battery features grey and grubby cells. A healthy car battery, on the other hand, will have silver cells. - How Much Time Does the Desulfator Take to Fix Your Battery?
It depends on the desulfator you choose and how much your car battery is sulfated. That is the reason why we recommend you desulfate your batteries as soon as you notice the initial sulfation signs. The process can take from 48 hours to a few weeks. It totally depends on the amount of sulfate accumulated on the lead plates.
In the meantime, you will have to keep charging your battery until you notice the results. If you leave your battery uncharged for several days, there is a good chance it will end up in permanent sulfation. If that happens, the desulfator will take weeks to reverse the process. - Can Battery Desulfator Fix all Types of Battery Issues?
Desulfator sends strong electric pulses to break down the sulfate on the plates. However, it is possible for a desulfator to not bring the dead battery to life. This is especially possible when the battery is so internally damaged that no amount of electric pulses or voltage could restore its performance.
Also, the desulfator may not work if your battery has got internal damage due to other reasons. In such cases, you will need to replace the battery or get it to an automobile repair shop.
