When you have animals, be it pets or livestock, you want to make sure they are safely contained and protected. One of the best ways to do this is with an electric fence. From creating a horse pasture to protecting your garden from those dastardly bunnies, the reasons for installing an electric fence vary. No matter how you set up your fence system you will need a charger that best fits your situation. We have listed the best electric fence chargers with the highest reviews to help you out!
Table of Contents
Best Electric Fence Chargers Comparison
Related:
Best Solar Fence Charger
Best Electric Dog Fence
Best Hand Crank Charger
What To Consider Before Buying an Electric Fencer Charger
Before you purchase an electric fence charger, you should keep a few things in mind.
Function
First, you’ll need to evaluate what you’re using your fence for. Is it to keep predators or to keep your pets in? Some fences will be better than others depending on your needs. Not to mention, for less heavy duty ones you can expect to pay less.
Length
Along with the function, you’ll need to make sure you find one that is going to be large enough for your space. Make sure that whatever charger you buy will provide you with enough coverage for your land.
Power
You’ll be able to find chargers that run on batteries, need to be plugged in, have a solar battery, or run by a combination of these. Think about the area you live in and what is the most feasible. Decide if solar power is an option or if you’re prepared to buy replacement batteries constantly.
Types of Electric Fencer Chargers
There are three main types of electric fence chargers: Plug-in powered, battery powered, and solar powered.
Plug-In
Plug-In powered (also AC-powered) fence chargers typically have the best output of all the options and are usually the most popular type. Some can cover up to 200 miles and they are great with 110-volt power when you have a reliable source.
Battery
Battery powered (also DC-powered) fence chargers are good in remote locations. You can find a variety of voltages offered from these chargers (4-volt, 6-volt, or 12-volt). For these, however, you will need to purchase batteries separately to keep your fence running. You may be able to recharge some, but not all. You will need to recharge or replace often if your battery is being drained by objects such as weeds touching the fence.
Solar
Solar powered fence chargers are typically pretty lightweight and easily mobile. They will likely have a battery for energy storage which you may need to replace every 3 or 4 years.You don’t want to choose this option if you live in an area that is typically dreary. You’ll also want to keep in mind that you’ll need to move it as the seasons change so that it is constantly getting energy from the sun.
The 5 Best Electric Fence Chargers
1. Patriot PE2 Electric Fence Energizer
The Patriot Electric Fence Energizer is perfect for homeowners. It can be used to keep your dogs from escaping and to keep small pests like squirrels and raccoons out. This device is “Amazon’s Choice” for an electric fence charger.
This device is only 1.5 pounds. It has 110 volts and does not need batteries. You do have to install a separate grounding system because there is not one built in with this electric fence charger. It does, however, come with a 2-mile aluminum spool. This is a great choice for keeping your pets in, but it is not ideal for keeping large animals out.
+ Powers up to two miles
+ One year full replacement warranty
+ Easy setup
– This does not work for large animals
2. Zareba EDC5M-Z 5-Mile Battery Operated Solid State Electric Fence Charger
Zareba’s electric fence charger is capable of containing both large and small animals. This product is designed for being part of a fence meant to contain livestock such as cows, pigs, and horses. It can also be safely used with dogs and chickens as well. While it can function as a way to keep pests out of a yard or garden, it wasn’t designed for that purpose.
This electric fence charger has a 5-mile range and is good in moderate or dry weed conditions and has a weather resistant case. It has a 6-Volt battery with pulsed DC output in 1 second intervals. The battery is not included. It has easy grip terminals for easy installation and has the ability to show your fence status so you know that it is up and running.
+ Ideal for remote areas and areas lacking AC power access
+ Weather resistant case
+ One year warranty
– Batteries not included
3. Parmak DF-SP-LI Solar Pak 6 Low Impedance 6-Volt Battery-Operated 25-Mile-Range Electric Fence Charger
The Parmak Electric Fence Charger is designed to be used with livestock. If you are looking for a fence charger for your horse or cow pasture this is for you. With a twenty-five-mile range, this is easily capable of covering small and medium pastures. Besides being environmentally friendly, the solar panel is also effective in areas without access to a power supply.
This electric fence charger weighs over 11 pounds and is 17 x 8 x 13 inches. The Parmal has reduced resistance so you can rest assured that it will work in tall grass, brush, and areas with weeds. It is recommended for pastures. It can also evaluate the condition of your electric fence. Being solar powered, you will likely need to move it as the seasons change, but it is built to be fully waterproof.
+ Has a solar panel
+ Can work well through wet weeds and brush
+ Weather Resistant
+ Multiple reviews claim this keeps bears out of yards
– Designed for livestock control, not for pets
4. Zareba EAC25M-Z 25 Mile AC Powered Low Impedance Charger
If you want to keep your animals contained and protected from predators, the Zareba electric fence charger is up to the task. It works with a variety of animals, from rabbits to horses, it can handle all sizes.
This electric fence charger weighs 3.1 pounds and can energize up to 25 miles of fence. It works in heavy weed conditions and is UL listed for fuseless design. It includes the battery hookup line and is AC-powered. It has a weather resistant case making it durable for the job.
+ Has options that cover fifty and seventy-five miles
+ Two year warranty
+ Works in areas with heavy weed conditions
– Needs to be plugged into an outlet to function
5. Briidea 2-Mile Electric Fence Energizer
While the Briidea electric fence charger may not be well suited for a big pasture of livestock, it will be more than enough to keep pets or small animals under control. It also does a good job keeping pests out. If you are looking for a simple solution to protect your garden or to keep your dogs from running away, this might be the product for you.
This device can control up to 8 acres and is compatible with most soil types. It has two terminals. One of the terminals is the fence ground terminal used to connect to a separate ground system and the other is the fence output terminal used to connect to the fence. It’s cable is listed by UL for being secure and reliable as well as capable of fire prevention.
+ Easy to install
+ Unobtrusive appearance
+ The most affordable option
– Does not have a weather resistant case
Frequently Asked Questions
If there are no steel posts set in the ground, and the wire does not touch the ground it can be electrified. You cannot electrify already existing chicken wire fences because they typically have contact with the ground somewhere.
For the most part barbed wires can be electrified though this can create a more hazardous fence and is unlawful in some areas.
It is unlikely that they would start a fire. However, if a wire shorts to a metal object in the presence of a lot of dry vegetation it is possible for a fire to start, albeit still unlikely.
Wrapping Up
Electric fences are a cost-effective way of keeping your animals safe and a way of keeping wild animals off of your property. There are a lot of options for electric fence chargers and many things to consider. Keeping farm livestock controlled is very different from keeping pets in your yard or protecting a garden. Whatever your situation, we hope that our list provides insights into what you need!