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Power wheels battery charger

Power Wheels are handy toys known for their similar appearance to real-life cars. Although significantly smaller in size than actual cars, Power Wheels come with four wheels, a steering wheel (or handlebar), and accelerator pedals that allow for near real-life driving experiences. Power wheels can have 6V or 12V electrical strength, hence the need to choose one that works best for your little loved one.

Which between a 6V or 12V power wheels battery charger is right for you depends on the power wheel used. A power wheel with a 6V motor needs a 6V battery, and consequently, a 6V charger. Similarly, 12V power wheels need a 12V battery, which can only be charged by a 12V or a universal charger.

Looking to learn more about the right type of charger to buy for your child's power wheel? If so, then you couldn't be in a better place. Read on as I break down the differences between 6V and 12V power wheels and the right type of chargers to purchase for your child's new ride.

6V vs. 12V Power Wheels

As suggested by the name, 6-volt cars normally use a 6-volt battery. On the other hand, a 12-volt car uses a 12-volt battery. 12-volt power wheels have more power and can manage greater speeds compared to their 6-V counterparts.  

Due to reduced power, 6-volt power wheels are ideal for toddlers, more specifically those within the 1-3 years age bracket. These types of ride-on cars manage between 2-3 mph and are mostly meant for indoor usage. Contrastingly, 12-volt power wheels are mostly meant for children between 3-7 years. These handy car toys can manage 4-5 mph, making them ideal for the outdoor environment.

In terms of charging time, 6-volt cars don't take as much time as 12-volt cars to get to full charge. You might spend around 18 hours charging a 12-volt car for the first time. After the initial charging, the average charging time for 12-volt cars is usually between 8-14 hours, which is relatively long compared to the approximately 5 -7 hours needed for 6-volt power wheels.

Best 6V Chargers for Power Wheels

Nicer-S Charger for Fisher-Price Power Wheels

This 6-V charger comes with a smart chip that provides protection from overheating. The AC/DC cord is rubberized and extra-long, which ensures the charger lasts long enough. With a total output of 6V, this handy charger is perfect for 6-V power wheels.

Please note that this charger by Nicer-S is only compared with 6-V power wheels (blue battery) and shouldn't be used on their 12V counterparts. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee as well as a year's warranty upon purchasing this charger. As a RoHS/FCC/CE certified product, you can count on this charger to serve you for years without the need for replacement.

SafeAMP 6-Volt Charger for Fisher-Price Power Wheels   

The SafeAMP 6-Volt Charger is ideal for several power wheels, including Lil` Quad, Harley-Davidson Rocker, Lightning McQueen, and Thomas & Friends. It's compatible with 6-volt power wheels (blue battery and SafeAMP 6-volt battery.  

When using this charger, it is highly advisable to charge the battery for up to 18 hours before using it. Afterward, you shouldn't charge the battery for more than 30 hours. Although this charger is a proven performer, it doesn't come with an indicating light to notify you when the battery is fully charged. This means you'll need to be on the lookout to prevent both battery and charger damage.

 6V Kids Ride on Car Charger

This 6V charger stands out due to its compatibility with many ride-on cars. It fits a 6-volt battery with a red connector and features a red indicator light that turns green when the battery is fully charged. Another great feature of this charger is its over-voltage and over-current protection.

If you're keen on using the 6V Kids Ride On Car Charger, it's important to check on the battery's connector type and compatibility. The product also comes with a 1-year warranty and a one-month money-back satisfaction guarantee. For best outcomes, removing the charger is highly recommended once the indicator turns green.

Power Wheels Toddler 6-Volt Charger

This Power Wheels Toddler 6-Volt Charger is compatible with the Power Wheels 6-Volt lead-acid battery. The charger doesn't fit a ton of power wheel batteries, so you'll need to be extra careful to check on the battery's compatibility with your child's car.

Although not the longest power wheel charger, the charger is made from quality materials, thus eliminating durability concerns. However, you should never use this charger on power wheels for over thirty hours.   

6V AC Adapters Charger for Kid Ride on

Manufactured by Fitelec, this charger is meant for a red square-type plug and can manage outputs of 0.8A and 7.0 V. The product comes with an LED display that makes it easy to know when the battery is fully charged.

This handy charger comes with a 90 days refund (on manufacturing faults) and a one-year warranty to ensure you get your money's worth. Before using the charger, check the battery to determine whether everything is working as expected, more so the battery wires and power jack.  

Fast AC Charger for Kid Ride on Car

As suggested by the name, this charger will charge your child's power wheels faster than other 6V chargers. The product satisfies industry standards, which is evident from its wealth of safety mechanisms.

To ensure you get value for your money, the product comes with a 30-day guaranteed replacement to back up an impressive 12 months warranty. In terms of safety when charging, not too many chargers compare to this Fast AC Charger for Kid Ride On Car. 

Besides being made from fire-resistant materials, the charger is also flame and high-temperature resistant. This protects you and your child from overvoltage, short-circuiting, internal overheating, and overcurrent.

 LotFancy 6V Battery Charger for Ride-on Toys

This 6V Battery Charger by LotFancy is unique due to its convenient cable length (1.5m). It is also highly versatile when compared to other chargers as it fits a wide range of battery-powered ride-on cars. You'll also love the safety enhancement features as it has overcharge protection, short-circuit protection, and over-current protection.

The LED indicator will help you avoid overcharging your child's car toy, thus increasing its duration. The LED indicator turns green when the battery is fully charged, while the red display indicates the battery is still charging.

Moultrie 6-Volt Float Battery Charger

The Moultrie 6-Volt Battery Charger is fairly longer than other 6-V chargers within its price range. It is compatible with all Moultrie batteries and features an LED light that indicates when the battery is fully charged.

The float charger utilizes a unique internal mechanism that prevents the battery from overcharging, thus helping you prolong the useful life of your child's power wheel battery. In regards to charging ability, this charger is among the fastest in the market.

Bestlaixing 6 Volt Battery Charger for Kids Electric Ride

The Bestlaixing 6 Volt Battery Charger is a popular option for charging power wheels batteries due to its strict observation of safety. It is made from high-quality materials that are flame retardant and also provides over-voltage and short circuit protection.

This safety-enhancing charger comes with a 30 days money-back guarantee and is backed up by a 12-month warranty to ensure you get your money's worth. Most fast charging power wheel chargers usually compromise overall safety. However, that's not the case with the Bestlaixing 6 Volt Battery Charger for Kids Electric Ride as it's known for its quality, safety, and durability.

6V1A Kids Ride on Car Charger

This charger stands out due to its compatibility with several power wheels. However, you'll still need to check whether it's compatible with your ride-on toy. It features an LED display that's red when charging and green when fully charged.  

Other stand-out features include over-voltage protection, over-temperature protection, short-circuit protection, and over-current protection. You can also rest assured that your child's car battery will last long since the charger is designed to stop passing current when the battery is full.

Best 12V Chargers for Power Wheels

Voyaux 12-V Battery Charger for All Power Wheels

Interested in a fast charging12-V power wheels battery charger? If so, then you need not look any further than this 12-V Battery Charger by Voyaux. This bad boy can achieve up to 10% faster charging time compared to other chargers.

The safety features also make this battery stand out, especially since it provides over-voltage protection, short-circuit protection, over-temperature protection, and over-current protection. These safety enhancement features of the charger ensure it can be used on power wheels batteries at any time.

Its universal design ensures it's compatible with all 12-volt power wheels from Fisher-Price that use the orange top or gray batteries. It also fits the 12-volt SafeAMP replacement battery. Besides the use of high-quality materials in production, the manufacturer (Voyaux) also offers a 180-day money-back guarantee in case the charger has any faults.

Power Wheels 12-Volt Quick Charger

This highly capable charger by Power Wheels is only meant for use on its products. While it can have your child's toy car ready in two hours, the manufacturers recommend allowing a minimum of 6 hours for the battery to charge fully. The charger is designed to shut off once the battery is full, thus eliminating the risk of damages due to overcharging.

The presence of LED lighting ensures you know whether the battery is full or still charging. Flashing red is an indication of an error or a dead battery, while a solid green light means the battery is fully charged. One major disadvantage of using this charger is its ability to overheat, especially after hours of charging. Therefore, try placing it on surfaces that don't conduct heat too well to prevent the charger from getting damaged.

LotFancy 12 V Battery Charger for Power Wheels

The LotFancy 12V Battery Charger for Power Wheels is a great option due to its safety-enhancement features. This highly convenient charger provides protection from over-current, overcharge, and short-circuits.

You can also make use of the LED indicator to know whether the battery is full. As with most battery chargers, a green light means the battery is fully charged, while a red one indicates the battery is still charging. The product also comes with a 30 days money-back guarantee and a one-year warranty, thus making it a sure investment.

Schumacher CR1 3 Amp 6V/12V Universal Battery Charger

The Schumacher CR1 3 Amp 6V/12V Universal Battery Charger is among the most versatile chargers you can get for your child's power wheels. This bad boy can switch automatically from continuous charge to flat-mode monitoring. It's compatible with most Power Wheels, Razor, Schumacher, and Peg Perego batteries.

This universal charger comes with an LED indicator that notifies you when the battery is charging, fully charged, and also when there's an issue with the battery. It also features reverse hook-up protection that keeps both the charger and battery from damage. You'll also love the auto voltage detection feature that automatically determines the charging mechanism that suits your battery (whether a 6V or 12V battery).

Besides versatility and the ability to detect the type of battery connected, this universal charger boasts a fully automatic operation. The automatic operation helps prevent the battery from overcharging in case you forget to unplug the charger.

12 Volt Battery Charger for Ride on Toys

Featuring a 6 ft power cable, this 12V charger is among the safest in the market. The charger won't overheat even when charging a battery that hasn't been used for a while. It's also highly compatible with several brands, making it a good purchase, more so if your children have several ride-on cars with different batteries.

The presence of an LED light means you'll get to know when the battery is full (green) or when it's still charging (red). This 12-Volt battery comes with a 1-year warranty and a confidence-boosting one-month return policy (unconditional). The inclusion of a charging protection mechanism means you won't have to worry about overcharging and ruining your child's car battery.

Minalu 12 Volt Quick Battery Charger for Power Wheels

This 12V Battery charger by Minalu is compatible with both gray and orange top batteries and features an LED indicator that turns green when fully charged and red when charging. The charger is made from high-quality material, hence its ability to last long when used (and stored) properly.

You also won't need to worry much about destroying batteries since this charger stops passing current once the battery is fully charged. It doesn't overheat after hours of repeated use, making it a worthy investment in both the short and long run.

FLHFULIHUA 12V Battery Charger for Kids Race on Car Toys  

Similar to most power wheel battery chargers, this charger comes with an LED indicator that turns green when fully charged and produces red light when charging. It is compatible with a host of ride-on toys, making it a great option if you have more than one power wheel in your household.

Besides its ability to charge fast, this superior charger provides protection from over-current, short-circuit, over-charge, and over-voltage. This feature helps promote both the battery and charger's durability, thus helping you save on potential replacement or repair costs.

 Kuku 12 Volt Battery Charger for All Power Wheels

This Underwriter Laboratories (UL) certified product is built with an emphasis on user safety. You'll rest comfortably knowing the charger provides over-current, over-voltage, over-temperature, and short-circuit protection.

In case you're worried about losing your hard-earned cash by making faulty purchases, then you'll love the 180-day money-back guarantee that comes with this charger. And although it's built to stand the test of time, try your best to store it properly and only use it only on 12V chargers.

SafeAMP 12-Volt Charger for Power Wheels  

This charger by SafeAMP should work well for orange-topped and gray chargers. Moreover, the charger will also work on a SafeAMP Power Wheels replacement battery. The charger provides protection from overcharging and overheating, thus extending the useful life of your battery.

The main caveat with this charger, however, is its lack of an LED indicator. This makes it hard to know whether the battery is charging, damaged, or fully charged. However, it makes good value for money when used as a replacement for the original charger that came with the Power Wheel.  

Eagleggo AC/DC 12V Charger for Power Wheels

Although this charger's manufacturer isn't well known, it still features in this list due to its high quality and durability. It fits Power Wheels cars with 12V batteries (standard gray). As a UL certified product, you can rest assured it'll charge your child's Power Wheel battery without any issues.

The Eagleggo AC/DC 12V Charger for Power Wheels also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee that's backed up by a one-year warranty to ensure you get real value for your money. It also comes with an LED indicator located towards the bottom that notifies you when the battery is charging, damaged, or full.  

Power Wheels Battery Charger: A Buying Guide

Compatibility

While it might appear straightforward, choosing a charger for your child's Power Wheels battery requires a high level of care, especially when it comes to compatibility. The first thing you should check on is the type of battery you're working with. Is it a 6V Power Wheel battery, or are you dealing with a 12V battery?

As a rule of thumb, only 6V chargers should charge 6V batteries, and the same goes for 12V batteries. Using an incorrect charger on your Power Wheels battery is a sure recipe for disaster, especially since it may end up damaging both the charger and the battery.

LED Indicator

While some people might argue that LED indicators aren't mandatory features in a battery charger, they help prevent the battery from overcharging. Granted, you might not need a charger with an LED indicator if you're the careful type that always times the charging duration.

However, to be on the safe side, it is highly advisable to purchase chargers with LED indicators. On most occasions, the LEDs turn green when fully charged and red when charging. Using a charger with an LED indicator means you'll be able to detect when the battery is full and whether it's charging. LEDs also blink to indicate problems with the battery or cables.

You can also get chargers that stop passing electric current once the battery is full. This helps prevent the battery from damage, thus allowing it to last long enough.

Safety Features

Technological advancements have overseen massive improvements in charger design and functionality. Initially, parents complained about Power Wheels chargers overheating or allowing excessive current, which in turn contributes to battery damage.  

Therefore, you should go for chargers with over-voltage protection, short-circuit protection, over-temperature protection, and over-current protection. These protective features will not only protect your charger but also keep your child's power battery safe from charging-related destruction.

Check whether the product you buy has the relevant certifications like UL and ETL (Extract/Transform/Load) as only high-quality products will be listed or certified. These industry regulations should act as a safety guideline when looking to buy a charger for your child's Power Wheel battery.

Charging Time

It can take anything from six hours to even fourteen hours for a Power Wheel battery to become fully charged. High-quality chargers usually require less time to charge an empty battery as compared to low-quality chargers.

While it might cost you more to purchase a fast-charging Power Wheel battery charger, the investment will be well worth it, especially from your child's perspective. When using fast charging Power Wheel chargers, chances of battery damage is usually minimal since you won't need to leave it charging for extended periods.

Versatility

You might want to get a universal charger if you need a product that can handle both 6V and 12V batteries. Universal chargers come in handy in households with more than one Power Wheel. Purchasing these handy chargers will set you back more dollars than you'd use on normal ones; however, the investment is totally worth the cost.

Disclaimer, not all universal chargers can charge both 6V and 12V batteries. Therefore, to stay on the safe side and avoid damaging your child's Power Wheel battery, it's best to consult with the user beforehand.

Cost and Warranty

Luckily, Power Wheel chargers aren't exaggeratedly overpriced. You can get a decent charger for slightly over $10, but you'll need to check and confirm if it's compatible with your child's Power Wheel. Of course, more expensive chargers come with additional features that enhance usability. But even when on a budget, chances are you won't lack a good enough charger.   

Although these chargers don't cost a fortune, checking for warranty or satisfaction guarantee deals is a great way to know whether you're dealing with legitimate brands. Good brands usually provide warranties for their products as a way of reassuring their clients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Charge the Power Wheel Battery When Still Attached to a Power Wheels Car?

No, you cannot charge the power wheel battery while it's still attached to a Power Wheels car. You'll need to remove it carefully from the car before taking it to a secluded area, preferably the basement or garage. While it's not mandatory to charge Power Wheels batteries in garages or basements, it's best to do so away from the reach of your children.

What Is the Main Difference Between Power Wheels Battery Types?

Power Wheels come in different voltages, the most common being 6V and 12V. 6V chargers will work on 6V batteries. Power Wheels using 6V batteries are generally meant for indoor use as they don't have enough power to move past rocks, mud, and grass. 6V Power Wheels make great toys for young toddlers.

On the other hand, 12V Power Wheels are ideal for older toddlers with tons of energy. They're usually powerful enough to be used outdoors. However, adequate care needs to be taken to prevent your child from sustaining injuries when playing outdoors with 12V Power Wheels.

How Long Will It Take for an Empty Battery to Be Fully Charged?

The amount of time taken to charge a Power Wheels battery fully depends on the type of charger used. As mentioned earlier, chargers come in different types and make, meaning they have varying features. However, 6V batteries take less time to be completely charged compared to 12V batteries.

Around 4-6 hours might be enough to fully charge your 6V power wheel battery. On the other hand, it might take anywhere from 6-14 hours to charge a 12V battery. The duration taken greatly hinges on the quality of the charger and the state of the battery. Damaged or old batteries generally take longer to charge than new or replacement batteries.

Wrapping Up

The right type of Power Wheels battery chargers should depend on the voltage. If your little one is using a 6V car, then you'll need a 6V charger. Similarly, a 12V charger is necessary for 12V powered Power Wheels. There are plenty of power wheels upgrade options, including upgrading from a 6V to 12V ride on.

When buying battery chargers for Power Wheels cars, it's best to check for compatibility since not every charger can work on Power Wheel batteries. Also, check on safety enhancement features as they'll help keep both the charger and battery-free from power-related damage.