A battery charger is handy if your car battery lets you down, but that isn’t a common occurrence for most of us, so should you spend the money on a one-trick pony? We’ve tried the CTEK CS Free Charger, which has some features that make it a little more useful than your standard charger.

The most obvious use is, of course, to start your car should your battery fail. The CTEK CS Free Charger has an edge over some other chargers here; if your car battery is completely flat, connect the battery pack using the crocodile clamps — it knows if you put them on the wrong way around, so it’s very safe — and the pack will analyse the battery’s health and decide on the most effective way to revive it. From a completely dead state, this could take around 15 minutes as the pack uses Adaptive Boost to infuse the battery with enough charge to start the vehicle without causing damage to the battery or the electrics.

CTEK CS Free attached to a Saab 93
CTEK CS Free and Saab 93

If you’re not in a hurry to get going, you can use the CS Free Charger as a trickle charger to top up the battery. It will helpfully tell you how long it will take to reach full charge so you can go and do something more exciting and be back in time to disconnect it once it’s done.

In addition to keeping your car battery in good order, it’s a handy piece of equipment to have if you’re heading off-grid with your camping equipment. Fully charge it before you head out, and you can keep multiple electronic gadgets fully charged for days via the USB-C and USB-A ports.

CTEK CS Free charging phone

What makes the CS Free appealing is its sheer simplicity. There are no complex modes to select to achieve the right result. For battery charging, simply attach the leads, and the unit will do the rest and let you know the timings. It’s so simple that the instruction manual comprises nothing but simple diagrams.

CTEK suggests the charger’s battery life is pretty good, boasting that it will retain charge for at least 12 months in storage. This gives users some peace of mind if the charger is languishing in the boot of a car between outings.

At 1.4kg, it isn’t a lightweight piece of kit, but it’s probably not one you’ll lug around in your rucksack. If you spend time away from civilisation and a plug socket isn’t on the agenda, then the CS Free would be very handy, especially as optional solar panels can keep the unit charged. A £320, they aren’t a cheap option, though.

CTEK CS Free Charger: The Verdict

The CTEK CS Free certainly has its uses. As a jumpstart kit or battery charger, it seems like an expensive option, as there are units available that are lighter and at a lower price point, particularly given the infrequency with which most people would need one.

If you look at the bigger picture, though, and you’re an avid camper who frequently spends time outdoors, the CS Free becomes multifunctional and starts to make much more sense. It’s a good-quality product that’s rugged enough to last and backed with a two-year warranty, so if the £280 price tag doesn’t put you off, you’ll be happy with your purchase.

What: CTEK CS Free Portable Battery Charger
How much: £280 (available for £187 at Amazon at time of publication)
Web: CTEK.com

Sam Huff
Latest posts by Sam Huff (see all)
Published On