A charger from a reputable manufacturer like Xtar, Efest, Vapcell, Opus, LiitoKala, or Nitecore isn't much more expensive than a generic no-name charger. It's absolutely worth the extra couple dollars to make sure you're getting a quality produce that won't over-charge your batteries and cause them to spontaneously combust. As with everything, check reviews before buying. Generally anywhere that sells quality li-ion batteries will have a decent charger selection as well. This is not an exhaustive, just my subjective list of chargers I find the most compelling at different price brackets.
The XTAR M1C/MC1S is a super basic 1 bay li-ion charger that comes in at only a few dollars. There are no settings to mess with nor any fancy readouts. It's a great option for travel, or for gifting to someone not familiar with li-ion batteries. Purchase Links: Xtar, Illumn, Li-ion Wholesale, 18650 Battery Store, Battery Junction, Amazon
Xtar's FC2 adds a few more features but without being too complicated. It features USB power input, support for three different kinds of cells (Li-ion, NiMH, NiCD), easy charging current selection, space for protected 21700's, and a super easy to read display. This is an ideal basic/first charger that's versatile without being complicated. Purchase links: Xtar, Illumn, Li-ion Wholesale, Battery Junction
Xtar PB2S isa highly portable and enclosed charger/power bank with full USB-C support including USB-PD and QC 3.0. It supports unprotected flat top 21700's or any variety of 18650 (except Olight's proprietary ones). I like to keep one of these in my daily carry bag with a couple of extra cells in it so I can recharge my phone or pop a fresh cell into my flashlight with ease from one device. Just be careful not to leave empty cells in it too long, as it has a bug and will drain empty cells (but not full ones). Purchase links: Xtar, Illumn, Li-ion Wholesale, 18650 Battery Store, Battery Junction, Amazon
For a good, affordable, enthusiast-level charger, consider Xtar VC4SL (also called VC4 Plus). It's got 4 bays, supports every cell you can think of except 10180's and 26800's, is powered via USB-C (including QC3.0), charges up to 3 amps in a single slot, measures capacity and internal resistance, plus other features. Any other VC4 variant is a good choice too, but there are some differences. Purchase Links: Xtar, Amazon
Finally, if you just want the ultimate charger, SkyRC MC3000 has a feature set that cannot be beat:
Links: Official Product Page, Li-Ion Wholesale, 18650 Battery Store, Amazon
If you want to check out some more options, this website is a cool database of a bunch of charger reviews and tests that allows you to filter a bit for some of the features you want.
(written by TacGriz, updated 2022-03-22, if you have any suggestions for changes to this entry please don't hesitate to send me a message)
I AM A BOT. PM WITH SUGGESTIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS. SEE MY WIKI FOR USE.
A charger from a reputable manufacturer like Xtar, Efest, Vapcell, Opus, LiitoKala, or Nitecore isn't much more expensive than a generic no-name charger. It's absolutely worth the extra couple dollars to make sure you're getting a quality produce that won't over-charge your batteries and cause them to spontaneously combust. As with everything, check reviews before buying. Generally anywhere that sells quality li-ion batteries will have a decent charger selection as well. This is not an exhaustive, just my subjective list of chargers I find the most compelling at different price brackets.
The XTAR M1C/MC1S is a super basic 1 bay li-ion charger that comes in at only a few dollars. There are no settings to mess with nor any fancy readouts. It's a great option for travel, or for gifting to someone not familiar with li-ion batteries. Purchase Links: Xtar, Illumn, Li-ion Wholesale, 18650 Battery Store, Battery Junction, Amazon
Xtar's FC2 adds a few more features but without being too complicated. It features USB power input, support for three different kinds of cells (Li-ion, NiMH, NiCD), easy charging current selection, space for protected 21700's, and a super easy to read display. This is an ideal basic/first charger that's versatile without being complicated. Purchase links: Xtar, Illumn, Li-ion Wholesale, Battery Junction
Xtar PB2S isa highly portable and enclosed charger/power bank with full USB-C support including USB-PD and QC 3.0. It supports unprotected flat top 21700's or any variety of 18650 (except Olight's proprietary ones). I like to keep one of these in my daily carry bag with a couple of extra cells in it so I can recharge my phone or pop a fresh cell into my flashlight with ease from one device. Just be careful not to leave empty cells in it too long, as it has a bug and will drain empty cells (but not full ones). Purchase links: Xtar, Illumn, Li-ion Wholesale, 18650 Battery Store, Battery Junction, Amazon
For a good, affordable, enthusiast-level charger, consider Xtar VC4SL (also called VC4 Plus). It's got 4 bays, supports every cell you can think of except 10180's and 26800's, is powered via USB-C (including QC3.0), charges up to 3 amps in a single slot, measures capacity and internal resistance, plus other features. Any other VC4 variant is a good choice too, but there are some differences. Purchase Links: Xtar, Amazon
Finally, if you just want the ultimate charger, SkyRC MC3000 has a feature set that cannot be beat:
Links: Official Product Page, Li-Ion Wholesale, 18650 Battery Store, Amazon
If you want to check out some more options, this website is a cool database of a bunch of charger reviews and tests that allows you to filter a bit for some of the features you want.
(written by u/TacGriz, updated 2022-03-22, if you have any suggestions for changes to this entry please don't hesitate to send me a message)
I AM A BOT. PM WITH SUGGESTIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS. SEE MY WIKI FOR USE.