Best Car Battery Tester UK 2024
A super in-depth analysis for you today; we’re checking out the Best Car Battery Tester in the UK.
We’ve been using these things for decades and by this point we have a pretty good idea of what makes a good one, and what most people are looking for.
That being the case, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about automotive battery analyzers in 2024. We’ll explore what your needs may be and which specific type suits you the best .
We’ll dive into everything you need to know about battery testers. We’ll explore what your needs are and how a specific tester may be the best for you.
Whether you’re a mechanic looking for reliable printed battery test results you can give your customers or you’re a driver who wants to keep better track of their battery’s health, we’ll find you the right tester.
The winner was the Digital Battery Analyzer. In second place, was the Topdon BT300P (see on Amazon), in third place was the Topdon BT200 (price on Amazon), and in fourth was the Ancel BA101.
Let’s crack on with it!
Best Car Battery Testers in the UK: Rated
At Car Battery Geek, we always think battery testers are a worthwhile investment.
The hassle and cost of breakdowns can be avoided if you just test the battery every now and then.
The testers in this article are all the ones we found on the UK market that have sufficient quality to provide reliable and accurate results for your battery health.
How did we choose and rate the best 12V battery testers?
We based on our ranking on the following criteria:
- We tested the accuracy of the test results on a variety of batteries, of different voltages and types (typical Flooded lead-acid, AGM and Gel)
- We checked the functionality of each tester. For example, can it test a range voltages eg. 24V, 6V or only 12V? Does the tester store results?
- We used these results and evaluations to give the 12V battery tester an overall rating. We weighted testing accuracy more heavily, since it’s likely to the most important factor for many people in deciding which tester to buy.
If you’re in a rush, here are the rankings based on our tests, as well as the specifications and ratings for each of the UK market’s top car battery testers.
| RANKING |   |   |   |  |
| BATTERY | Digital Battery Analyzer 12V (Clean & Green) | Topdon BT300P | Topdon BT200 | Ancel BA101 |
| VOLTAGE OF BATTERIES IT CAN TEST | 12V | 12V/24V | 12V/24V | 12V |
| WEIGHT | 330g | 870g | 700g | 350g |
| DIMENSIONS | 15 x 8 x 3.5cm (tester itself) | 25.9 x 21.7 x 6.1 cm (package) | 25.1 x 15.5 x 8.2 cm (package) | 22.2 x 16.2 x 5 cm (package) |
| PRICE (£ to £££) | ££ | £££ | ££ | ££ |
| TESTING ACCURACY | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3.5/5 |
| FUNCTIONALITY | 3.5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4 |
| OVERALL |  |  |  |  |
Full Reviews of the Top 12V Battery Testers
12V Digital Battery Analyzer (Clean & Green Technology)
This is the best 12V battery tester in 2024.
It measures:
- Voltage
- Resistance
- CCA
- Battery capacity
Here are the pros and cons we identified from our testing.
What We Liked
- Best testing technology on the UK market
- As accurate as highly expensive industrial testers
- Very reliable, never breaks down
- Heavy duty, tough and well-made
- It’s great value for a professional standard tester (the same model is more than £100 from another seller)
- It’s a UK seller, some will prefer that.
What We Didn’t Like
- User interface is very basic. Just 3 buttons to operate (it’s easy to use, though).
- Battery health test only. If you want cranking and charging tests as well, check out the two Topdon battery testers, at No.2 and No.3 on this list.
- Battery health percentage appears as a bar at the top of the screen. A simple number as a % would have been simpler.
Our analysis:
The design of this analyzer is as simplistic as they come. Not the most beautiful design but it feels nice in your hand, a comfortable and secure fit.
The LCD screen is not a colourful one but it’s bright and clear, well backlit so you can easily see all the test results.
Testing with this analyzer is as simple as:
- Connecting the clamps to the battery terminals.
- Entering the CCA of the battery and pressing Enter.
- Then the results will appear on screen.
How well made is it?
The manufacturer is known for being a producer of high quality battery accessories.
The clamps are sturdy and well made. In fact, the whole unit is sturdy and well-made.
How accurate is it?
Our testing showed excellent accuracy.
How did we test it?
In the battery world, which our Car Battery Geek team lives in, there’s a company whose battery analyzers provide the industry standard. They’re called Midtronics. Their testers can cost thousands of pounds. They’re used at an industrial level, and by the major automotive companies.
Basically, if your automotive battery tester’s results are close to Midtronics, then it’s accurate. If it’s not, then it’s not accurate.
In the battery industry, the first question anyone will ask about a new battery tester is: how do the results compared to Midtronics.
In our testing, this Clean & Green Auto tester’s results were very close to Midtronics. Consistently close, time and again. That means this battery tester is extremely accurate, at a fraction of the price of Midtronics testers.
How long will it last?
This tester has a reputation for being a workhorse. That is, lasting years and years. And years. Yep, it’s been around a while. We’ve yet to hear of one breaking down.
What Didn’t We Like?
It’s a fairly rustic, basic looking thing. Some would say old-fashioned.
You get a percentage battery health in a bar at the top of the screen, rather than a number percentage. It’s fine but we’d prefer just the number, thank you very much.
Our Verdict
To sum up, the reason this tester is the best car battery tester in the UK is:
- the extremely accurate and consistent test results, and;
- the reliability
It’s certainly the no-frills option, other testers on this list have better functionality. But the Digital Battery Analyzer (Clean & Green Technology) has great accuracy and reliability.
Where is the best place to get it?
A UK retail store seller has it right here. On Amazon, it’s here.
*Note Sep 2024: It appears to be out of stock, but you can still get it (in a so-called Ultimate Battery Health Solution bundle) with the F16 desulfator, here.
Topdon BT300P
This is the runner-up for 12V battery testers in the UK.
It measures:
- Voltage
- Resistance
- CCA
- Battery capacity
- Charging ability
- Cranking ability
Key features:
- For batteries 100-2000 CCA
- For all kinds of lead-acid batteries, including AGM, EFB and Gel
- With thermal printer
Based on our testing, here are the positives and negatives about this analyzer.
What We Liked
- Best printer tester, by a distance (many others are notorious for jamming issues)
- Battery health accuracy is good.
- Cranking and charging tests offer you the chance to check these systems and identify issues. Our No.1 battery tester doesn’t have these tests.
- Nice stock of printer rolls included.
What We Didn’t Like
- There’s no 24V battery health test (only 24V charging and cranking tests. This should be made clearer as some people will buy it for this reason specifically.
- The 12V battery health test is not as accurate as the Digital Battery Analyzer (Clean & Green Technology).
Our analysis:
It’s the best car battery tester with a printer on the UK market.
It provides accurate results (though not as accurate as the No.1 on our list) for 12V lead-acid batteries of all kinds. That includes AGM spiral, AGM flat plate, Gel and EFB batteries. Even deep cycle batteries.
How well does it print?
Printer testers are notorious for jamming and acting up. This is a good one, though. It worked fine for us, and we haven’t heard too many cases of printing problems. And as it’s a thermal printer, you don’t need to replace the ink, just the paper.
It has cranking and charging tests. That’s a good thing because it can help you to diagnose the reason for battery problems. If the cranking test reveals a problem, you’ll know it’s your starter system that needs to be looked at. If the charging test is failed then you’ll need to get your alternator or some other aspect of your charging system looked at.
Is it easy to use?
The 31.5 inch cable. Clearly listening to the needs of users, a nice long cable is handy. For those who have batteries in hard-to-get-to places, that’s ideal.
Comes with quite a nice carrying bag to pop it into when you’re not using it.
3 rolls of printer paper will last any home users pretty much forever (a busy mechanic, not quite so long!)
What’s not to like?
It’s billed as a 12 & 24V tester. But the 24V testing only applies to cranking and charging systems test, not the actual battery test.
That could be clearer. You won’t be able to check a 24V battery’s health.
Where is the best place to get it?
Here’s where you can check it out, on Amazon.
Topdon BT200
This is the third-placed car battery tester.
It measures:
- Voltage
- Resistance
- CCA
- Battery capacity
- Charging ability
- Cranking ability
Key features:
- Like the BT300P, but with no printer
- Works with 100-2000 CCA batteries
- For all lead-acid batteries (such as AGM, EFB and Gel)
- Highly accurate test results
- Charging test and cranking test
Here are the things we liked and didn’t like after testing it.
What We Liked
- Best functionality on the market in the UK. It works with both12V and 24V batteries; cranking tests and charging tests allow you to identify problems
- Our testing showed that the BT200 battery testing is accurate. Gives you a good idea of the current State of Health of your battery.
- It’s nice to use. Colour LCD screen, and it’s fairly simple to scroll the menus and pick the test you want.
- Your last test is logged, so you can see how your battery health has changed from one test to the next.
What We Didn’t Like
- Relatively new on the market (2020), so the long-term reliability of this battery tester is unknown.
- Not as accurate as the No.1 on our list.
Our analysis:
How accurate is the testing?
This is basically the same as the Topdon BT300P. The internal PCB (the electronic circuit) and testing technology are the same.
So like with the BT300P, you’ll get consistently accurate results.
The battery test will show the currently level of charge of the battery, the voltage. Your battery’s internal resistance. And the state of health of the battery, showing the current CCA value.
Why is its functionality the best on the market?
This is the best battery tester on the market for functionality, since it has the cranking and charging tests, as well as genuine 24V battery health testing capability.
Like the BT300P, the cranking and charging tests will reveal any problems with your cranking or charging system.
It’s simple to use, the LCD screen is bright and unlike the Clean & Green Auto model, is colourful.
You can do a 24V battery health test with this one.
Anything else we should know?
Topdon offer a 2 year guarantee, that’s pretty good.
What’s not to like?
It came onto the market in 2020 so longevity is still quite unknown. All signs look good though, Topdon are a solid manufacturer.
Its testing was accurate, just not as accurate as the Digital Battery Analyzer (Clean & Green Technology).
By the way, in another article we’ve written in-depth on Topdon’s battery tester range.
Where is the best place to get it?
It’s best priced on Amazon, here.
Ancel BA101
This is the fourth best 12V battery tester.
It measures:
- Voltage
- Resistance
- CCA
- Battery capacity
- Charging ability
- Cranking ability
Key features:
- Very small unit
- 100-2000 CCA
- For all lead-acid batteries (such as AGM, EFB and Gel)
- Provides simple instructions for action to take
Here are its pros and cons, analysis and our final verdict about it.
What We Liked
- Ancel are a good maker of battery testers, it has good build quality and will likely last you a long time.
- It’s similarly priced to the No.1 on our list, the Digital Battery Analyzer (12V), but it also has cranking and charging tests.
- If your battery doesn’t have a CCA measurement, there are other alternatives you can use. (That said, almost all 12V batteries in the UK have a CCA value on them).
What We Didn’t Like
- Its accurate enough for most users, though not as accurate as the other 12V testers on this list.
Our analysis:
How accurate is the testing?
Our testing showed its testing is mostly accurate, and can identify whether a battery is good or bad.
It’s simple to use. You have the option to choose between testing a battery in or out of the car, not something we’ve seen before.
It works with 12V batteries. That is, all lead-acid batteries, including Gel and AGM.
To get a measure of battery health, you’ll input the rated CCA value for the battery. But if your battery uses a different measure, such as BCI, CA, MCA, JIS, DIN, IEC, EN, SAE, GB, you can use those.
Most batteries have a CCA reading written on the battery but if not, you can Google your battery and find out the CCA value..
Like the other testers, your results include the battery voltage, internal resistance of the battery, and the current CCA value, as well as the state of health percentage.
What are the best features of this tester?
Can test batteries up to 220Ah, so it’s suitable for larger vehicles as well.
3 foot long cable is good for those with batteries in an awkward position.
What’s not to like?
Accuracy is good at identifying good and bad batteries, but not quite as accurate as the Clean & Green Auto tester.
Where is the best place to get it?
Here’s where to check it out.
How do car battery testers work?
Let’s check out how these 12V testers actually work, and what they measure.
Battery Charge vs Battery Health
Don’t mix up a battery’s voltage (charge) with its health.
If the battery voltage is low, it can be topped up with a battery charger or by driving, assuming as your alternator is working as normal.
Voltage, then, is just how much charge is in the battery at that particular moment. This can be called the car battery’s State of Charge (SoC).
Battery health is measured, by these testers, in CCA (Cold Cranking Amps). They work that out using a variety of methods, such as the inductance method, and putting a resistance across the battery and gauging its response.
CCA then, is a measure of the battery health (health being a measure of longevity and how likely it is to keep performing well). This can be called the battery’s State of Health (SoH).
Cold Cranking Amps means the number of Amps the battery can produce for 30 seconds at -18°C (0°F). The higher this value, the more power the battery has to start your engine.
So the lower the tester result for CCA, the poorer the health of the battery.
Battery voltage goes up and down day by day, according to how well the battery is charged. So a high voltage doesn’t necessarily mean the battery is healthy, it just means it’s well charged at that particular moment.
But battery health doesn’t change like this, it goes down over time, as the battery gets older and weaker.
Can you improve automotive battery health?
The reason batteries lose power and die sooner than they should is sulfation (the build up of lead sulfate on the battery plates).
It’s the reason most batteries die (84%, according to Battery Council International).
There is only one way to actually take action to improve battery health if it’s already fallen to a low level, and it’s actually highly effective in most cases.
That’s by either 1) using a desulfator charger, like the CTEK’s MXS 10, or NOCO’s Genius 10 UK; or 2) by attaching a high quality battery desulfator to the battery, which will remove and constantly keep sulfation away.
The desulfator the professionals use is F16 Pulse King, we’ve reviewed it and found it to be the best 12V battery desulfator.
{Update January, 2024 – there’s now a product Bundle, which combines the Digital Battery Analyzer 12V, with F16 Pulse King. “The Ultimate Battery Health Solution”, so they say.}
And the best car battery testers will provide you the accurate diagnosis you need to identify problems. There are also Bluetooth car battery monitors that can do a similar job.
Best Car Battery Tester UK Summary
We believe, following that analysis, you’ll feel like you’ve found the best car battery tester (UK) for you.
The accuracy, reliability and longevity of the Digital Battery Analyzer (12V) tester may float your boat.
Or it could be that the high-end cranking and charging tests of the Topdon models attract you. Pick the BT300P model if you need printouts of your tests.
The Ancel BA101 is a solid, well-made and accurate tester as well.
Pick well and happy testing!
Check out the 12V Digital Battery Analyzer by Clean & Green Technology, here.
{*Note Sep 2024: It appears to be out of stock, but you can still get this tester (in a so-called Ultimate Battery Health Solution bundle) with the F16 desulfator, here.}
And the Topdon BT300P here.
Here’s the Topdon BT200.
Finally, you’ll see the Ancel BA101 right here.