CTEK MXS 5.0 battery charger

Test-winning company updates range with new booster for your car's powerpack

Auto Express Car Reviews

April 2011

Price: £69.95

Need fast but smart charging for your car’s battery? Then CTEK has the answer with the new MXS 5.0.

The charger slots into the range above the MXS 3.6 – the Best Buy in our Issue 1,153 test. And as the name suggests, it delivers a five-amp charge to all types of battery up to 160Ah.

A clever eight-stage programme includes desulphation, condition check and a pulsing maintenance mode for rarely used cars. There’s also a recondition option to prolong the life of undercharged batteries or revive those that have long been dead. But the MXS 5.0 is easy to use.

The lead is more than two metres long, and comes with several clips or a flying lead for permanent connection, and an alert if you get it wrong. We flattened a battery to 4V and hooked up.

The device selected the correct mode and began assessing the cell before moving to a slow charge.

Within 90 minutes, the battery had been revived to a point where it could start the car, and overnight it reached full charge. A case is included, but we preferred the maker’s old two-pouch storage solution.

Rating: ★★★★
What is it?
The CTEK MXS 5.0 is a mid-range battery booster which should help revive, power and charge up your car's powerplant.
Problems?
Not the cheapest option, case could be better.
Why buy?
Well thought-out package has all you need, and is great way of keeping batteries in top condition.