Comparing Milenco OptiMate 6 – 12V Smart Battery Charger, Maintainer & Desulfator vs Milenco OptiMate 20 – 12V Smart Battery Charger, Maintainer & Power Supply: Which is Right for You?

The Milenco OptiMate 6 is a multi-stage 12V smart charger built to charge, maintain and — where possible — recover neglected lead-acid batteries on motorhomes, caravans, campervans, cars, motorcycles and boats.

How it works

OptiMate 6 runs an automatic multi-step programme: it analyses the battery, then works through recovery, charging, testing and maintenance stages without needing you to select settings manually. A desulfation mode can help save batteries that have sulphated through disuse. It's designed to be left connected long-term, holding the battery at full charge without overcharging it — useful for a caravan or tow car that sits idle over winter.

Compatibility

It works with deep-cycle and starter 12V lead-acid batteries, including flooded, AGM, gel and EFB types.

Safety and build

The charger is spark-safe, reverse-polarity and short-circuit protected, with a weather-resistant casing and clear status LEDs to show progress at a glance.

What's in the box

You get the charger unit, a crocodile clamp lead for quick connection, a fused ring-terminal lead for permanent fitment, plus a mains lead and user guide. For day-to-day use, Milenco suggests fitting the ring-terminal lead to the battery permanently so you can just plug the charger in whenever the vehicle is parked — matching polarity (red to positive, black to negative) and ensuring good ventilation while it's charging.