A Schumacher Battery Tester is a nice choice when you want to test your car’s batteries.
It’s recommended that you test your battery at least twice in a year. Without periodical tests, the cell will grow weak without your knowledge. Ultimately it might die on you at the most inopportune moment.
Table of Contents
Best Schumacher Battery Tester
| Editor's Picks | Product | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Schumacher BT-100 | 9.5/10 |
| Runner Up | Schumacher BTF-250 | 9.5/10 |
| Best Value | Schumacher BT175 | 8.5/10 |
1. Schumacher BT-100 100 Amp Capacity Battery Load Tester
4.6 / 5The Schumacher BT-100 is one of the cost-friendliest battery testers from the company. Clocking in at just over 2 pounds, it’s a compact and lightweight device that can fit anywhere in your car.
Special Features
This battery tester is built with a high amperage load, which means that it is compatible with 6V and 12V batteries. It has a 50 amp load test for 6V batteries and 100 amp load for 12Vs. You may want to know that it’s an analog tester that features a pointing arrow for indicating readings.
With a 1000 CCA rating, the BT-100 easily passes as the best Schumacher battery tester because of its versatility. It tests the load as well as the condition of a battery. Besides, you can use it to diagnose the car charging system, starter motor draw, and alternator.
In other words, the tester will tell you whether the battery is sending the required amperage throughout the car’s electrical system. And you may know if the essential components of that system are actually in good working condition.
The unit features a steel casing with a baked enamel finish. The upper part has a rubber insulated handle for a comfortable and firm grip. The materials used make it a durable and robust tester.
Its two cables are made of copper. There are other battery testers that have aluminum cables. Those are not reliable, always go with copper. That’s because copper has better electrical conductivity than aluminum.
Overall, this Schumacher battery load tester makes a good buy if you’re interested in a battery tester for everyday DIY use. It can test 6V and 12V batteries, and that makes it suitable for cars and motorcycles.
Pros
- The cost-effective tester that represents excellent value for money
- Easy to use
- Small and compact. Can easily fit anywhere in the driver’s compartment
- Compatible with all 12V car batteries as well as 6V batteries
- Built with high-grade materials for durability and copper wires for good conductivity
Cons
- Has an analog meter. They are not usually very accurate
- Cables are rather short
2. Schumacher BTF-250 12V Digital Battery Tester
4.7 / 5One downside of the Schumacher BT-100 (above) is that it’s an analog battery tester. That problem is solved by the Schumacher BTF-250. The latter is a car battery tester that works on any 12V battery.
Special Features
Featuring a 3-color LCD, this Schumacher battery load tester not only indicates a battery’s voltage but also gives the state of the battery. It has five indicators, namely, OK, OK and Recharge, Recharge Battery, Recharge and Retest, and Bad Cell.
The indicators are meant to tell you whether the battery is in good working condition if it merely needs recharging if it’s damaged etc. Either way, you will get reliable feedback regarding what to do. I.e., should you replace the battery or recharge it?
Designed with an impact-resistant casing, the Schumacher BTF-250 has a CCA range of 185 to 1125. It uses a microprocessor, which makes it accurate and fast. In just about 5 seconds the tester will have finished analyzing a battery and relaying results.
Besides testing the battery, this Schumacher digital battery tester is also capable of diagnosing the car charging system, starter motor draw, and alternator. Its heavy-duty clamps are color coded (red and black) while the cables are made of copper for efficient conductivity.
The BTF-250 is arguably the best Schumacher battery tester for DIYers and enthusiasts. It’s easy-to-use and comes with a more than the reasonable price tag.
Pros
- Has a strong built that’s typical of Schumacher battery testers
- Wide CCA range of 185 to 1125
- Easy to use
- Can test any 12V automotive battery
- Comes complete, including a 9V battery for powering the unit
- Small and compact for easy storage and portability
Cons
- Not the most accurate when reading CCA
- Costly, especially if you don’t get it on sale
3. Schumacher BT175 12V Digital Battery Tester
4.1 / 5The BT175 is a Schumacher digital battery tester with a testing range of 7V to 15V. As you probably already know, cars and light trucks run on 12V batteries. That means you can use the BT175 to test the battery in those types of vehicles.
Special Features
In case CCA rating is your top consideration then the BT175 is the best Schumacher battery tester for you. It has an operating range of 100 to 1200 CCA; which is significantly better than our first two Schumacher testers.
With a weight of 0.52 pounds, the Schumacher BT175 is a pretty compact device. It measures a mere 2.1 × 3.3 × 6.5 inches. You can store it anywhere in the car, and it will fit without taking much space.
The small size doesn’t translate to inferior functionality. This Schumacher battery load tester not only tests your battery but also checks the health of your vehicle’s charging system, starter motor draw, and alternator. Like the BTF-250 above, this particular unit features five indicators.
The five are: OK, OK and Recharge, Recharge Battery, Recharge and Retest, and Bad Cell. In other words, you can use it to determine the voltage of a battery, whether the battery is in good working condition if it needs replacing if you should recharge it, etc.
As is the case with all the best Schumacher battery testers, the BT175 features copper wires that enhance conductivity. It reads and analyzes batteries very quickly, a feature that makes it perfect for professionals. If your line of work involves testing several batteries a day you will love its accuracy, speed and value for money.
Pros
- Has a step-by-step guide for the testing process
- Compatible with all 12V car batteries
- High CCA range makes it suitable for testing a variety of batteries
- Digital display provides fast and accurate test results
- Clamps have strong springs to avoid accidental slips
Cons
- Costs slightly more than other brands
- Plastic casing might be a cause for concern to some users
The Bottom Line
So, out of the three, which is the best Schumacher battery tester for you? The answer to that depends on many factors. If you prefer a digital tester, then the BTF-250 and BT175 should be your top two picks. On the other hand, if you don’t mind going analog, then the BT-100 makes an excellent (and affordable) pick.
In case you are more concerned about the CCA rating then perhaps the BT175 will look like the most attractive option. The same applies to those who are looking for a Schumacher tester with a wide voltage range. Both the BT-100 and BTF-250 have lower numbers in CCA rating and voltage range.
That said, the BT-100 is the only one that can test 6V batteries in addition to 12V batteries. Long story short, each of the three Schumacher battery load testers has something unique to offer. Feel free to go through the review again to narrow down to the one with the best features for you.
Introduction To Schumacher Battery Testers
Let me start by getting this out of the way. Most Schumacher battery testers cost slightly more than other brands. But they are also durable, accurate and will test pretty much every automotive battery you throw at them.
The best Schumacher battery tester will test and analyze batteries used in motorcycles, cars, light trucks, heavy trucks, RVs, boats, and even lawn tractors.
Equally important is the fact that a Schumacher battery tester can save you lots of money. Keep in mind that the battery is among the most vulnerable car components. It needs replacing every two years or so.
Over its two-year lifetime, the battery needs to be tested regularly to know if it’s in an excellent working condition. Making frequent visits to the auto shop is not economical. And that’s where a Schumacher battery tester becomes a handy tool.
Read more: ZTS Battery Tester: ZTS Mini-9RL vs. MBT-1 Review and Comparison
I’m Tim Miller from Denver, Colorado. I’m the founder of obdadvisor.com, an automotive blog about "Auto Diagnostic Tools and Repair Guides". My fan page is facebook.com/autozikcom. I've been working as an automotive mechanic and blogger for over 10 years writing articles to share my experiences and expertise.
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