Whether you want to protect your cows, sheep, or goats from prowling predators or stop your pets from escaping from their enclosure, an electric fence charger gives you great peace of mind. It will keep your security fence fully powered up and ready to guard your animals and property day and night.
The 7 Best Electric Fence Chargers
- Zareba EAC50M-Z AC-Powered Electric Fence Charger (Our Top Pick)
- Patriot PE10 Electric Fence Energizer
- Gallagher S40 Solar Electric Fence Charger
- Parmak MARK8 Low Impedance Electric Fence Charger
- Parmak DF-SP-LI Solar Pak 6 Electric Fence Charger
- Briidea Electric Fence Energizer
- Fi-Shock EA5M-FS Low Impedance Electric Fence Energizer
Our Top Pick for the Best Electric Fence Charger
Our top pick for the best electric fence charger is the Zareba EAC50M-Z AC-Powered Electric Fence Charger.
We highly recommend the Zareba electric fence charger for anyone who owns a farm, ranch, or homestead. Powerful, efficient, reliable, and easy to use, the Zareba charger will energize your electric fence day and night. You will have complete peace of mind and your livestock or pets will enjoy absolute safety.
Check the price on AmazonStrengthen Your Defences with an Electric Fence Charger
An electric fence charger is an essential device for strengthening your property’s defenses. Your electric fence must always be working at an optimal level day and night. If it loses just a small amount of power, this power drain can result in loss of valuable livestock, escaping pets, or costly damage to your farm, ranch, or homestead.
Everyone has a different setup on their property, so this buying guide will provide all the necessary information you need to find the best electric fence charger for your perimeter fence or pet enclosure.
For instructions on how to set it up, read our post How to Install an Electric Fence.
How to Choose the Best Electric Fence Charger
Power Source
Electric fence chargers are powered either by electricity, battery power, or solar power.
– AC-Power
Fence chargers that are powered by an AC such as the Zareba Electric Fence Controller provide a constant source of power to your fence. All you have to do is plug the charger into a power source and you can relax knowing it is guarding your property 24/7.
– Battery-Power
For homesteaders who live in a remote location, an AC-powered charger may not be very convenient. If you cannot connect a charger to an AC mains outlet or you live off-the-grid, a battery-operated or a solar-powered charger is a smart solution for you.
Battery power is a safe and more affordable option as opposed to using electricity which can be expensive.
The only problem with a battery-powered fence charger is that the battery must always be charged up otherwise your fence will lose power quickly.
– Solar Power
Solar power is a cheap and clean source of energy and this type of charger produces good power for a fence around a smaller property. However, remember the solar panel has to be positioned where it can catch and store the sun’s rays.
Battery and solar-powered chargers may not provide the necessary electricity for a larger fenced property or deliver the extra zapping power that is required for large predators.
Joules
One of the most important factors to consider when buying an electric fence charger is its overall power which is measured in Joules.
– Smaller Properties
If you have a smaller property up to 40 acres or a 10-mile fence, and you raise chickens or care for baby goats, a charger with a low output of 0.1 or 0.10-joules will provide adequate power to deter small predators. This lower power output will also stop your animals from getting hurt from the electric shock.
– Larger Properties
If you own a large property with a 50 or 75-mile fence and you want to protect horses, cattle, and sheep from predators such as wild dogs, wolves, or bears, you will need an extra powerful 4.9 or 20-joule charger.
Although these extra-powerful chargers are very effective at deterring larger predators, they are not ideal for pet enclosures or chicken coops. A charger with a higher joule output can be dangerous for small animals. The electric current may not kill them but it can do substantial damage to their heart and nerves.
Fence Compatibility
The electric fence charger must meet the requirements of your electric fence.
Some chargers may be designed for a particular type of fence while other chargers can be used to power poly-wire, rope, or poly-tape fences. For example, if you have a galvanized chicken wire fence, you may have to use fiberglass ground rods as insulation against electric shocks.
Low Impedance Electric Fence Charger
There are a few factors that can cause a charger to lose power. Trees, shrubs, overgrown weeds, or wet vegetation can draw energy from the charger.
Depending on the charger’s overall design, a low-impedance charger will continue to deliver a powerful shock even if the fence has a lot of wet weeds or thick brush growing against it.
Color-coded Terminals and Handy Features
Color-coded controls, which include red and green dials or red and black dials, make it easier to set up and adjust your electric fence charger.
Some chargers have an LCD indicator light that pulses when the charger is working or even a bright LCD screen that displays the voltage such as the Parmak MARK8 Electric Fence Charger.
A battery indicator is another handy feature that lets you know when the battery is running out of juice.
7 Best Electric Fence Chargers – Reviews
1. Zareba EAC50M-Z AC-Powered Electric Fence Charger
Once you install the Zareba EAC50M-Z AC-Powered Electric Fence Charger, you can be confident that your animals are safely ensconced inside their enclosure.
Utilizing AC-power, this reliable 2-joule charger provides the necessary shocking power to stop predators such as wolves and bears in their tracks. When the charger delivers its mild yet powerful shock, any predator will run for the hills.
It is very versatile and can be used with most electric fences including high tensile, poly wire, and poly-tape fences. Its low-impedance design means you can use it to energize a 50-mile perimeter fence in heavily weeded conditions.
Designed for rough outdoor climates, the charger has a rugged, weather-resistant case that protects the moisture-resistant internal components. The charger has clearly labeled color-coded controls and a “Fence OK” pulse indicator light.
Zareba offers a 3-year warranty plan that includes damage caused by lightning.
This electric fence charger also comes in 3 different ranges: 25-miles, 75-miles, and 100-miles.
Pros
- High quality
- Excellent value for money
- Ideal for keeping pigs, goats, cattle, or horses safely inside their enclosure
- Delivers a mild yet powerful shock
- Ideal for deterring small and large predators
- Reliable and versatile AC-powered charger
- Ideal for high tensile, poly wire, and poly tape fences
- Extra-wide 50-mile range
- Rugged weather-resistant case
- Moisture-resistant internal components
- Low impedance design can handle heavily weeded conditions
- Fence OK indicator light
- Clearly labeled color-coded controls
- Three-year limited warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- May not work well with chicken wire unless insulated grounds rods are used
2. Patriot PE10 Electric Fence Energizer
The Patriot PE10 Electric Fence Energizer is perfect for a hobby farm or homestead on a small property up to 40 acres.
This efficient 0.30-joule AC-powered charger is specially designed for horses, and other small animals such as pets, chickens, hogs, or goats inside their enclosure and will protect them from small predators.
The PE2 has a low impedance design so it will continue to deliver a stable current of 5000 to a 10-mile poly rope, poly tape, steel, or aluminum fence that is under heavy foliage or thick undergrowth.
This charger is ideal for people who have never used an electric fence charger before. It has large color-coded controls and the LED indicator pulses when the energizer is working properly.
PATRIOT also offers a 1-year full replacement warranty.
Pros
- High quality
- Excellent value for money
- Good price
- Designed for a small hobby farm or homestead up to 40 acres
- Ideal for safely containing pets horses, and other small animals
- Keeps out small predators
- Can be used as a dog enclosure
- Low impedance design can be used in heavy foliage or thick undergrowth conditions
- Can be used on a poly rope, poly tape, steel or aluminum wire fence
- Stable no-load 5000-volts
- Easy to use
- Large color-coded controls and LED indicator
- One-year full replacement warranty
Cons
- Not suitable for big animals
- Not effective for larger properties
3. Gallagher S40 Solar Electric Fence Charger
The Gallagher S40 Solar Electric Fence Charger is a great tool for temporary grazing applications in remote locations and smaller pastures that have no access to mains power.
Made in the US, this reliable energizer can be used to power a 25-mile single wire fence system or a 5-mile multi-line perimeter fence on 30-80 acres of land. It produces 0.4-joules of power which is sufficient for animal management and stopping small predators or curious deer.
The charger has a strong built-in solar panel, a powerful 6-volt battery, and a handle for easy portability. Designed for rough conditions, the super-tough drop-resistant water-resistant case has built-in lightning protection.
This electric charger features 360° mounting capability, so you can easily install it on a post for correct placement toward the sun. It has multiple power modes that you can set to pulse fast day and night or reduce the pulse rate at night when livestock are less active.
You will not have to worry about cloudy weather as Gallagher’s unique battery-saving technology will keep your fence fully powered for up to 3 weeks without sun. This charger has a large on/off dial and a battery power indicator.
Gallagher offers a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty on the electric fence charger.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Made in the US
- Ideal for temporary grazing applications in remote locations and pastures that have no access to mains power
- Provides good power for a 25-mile single wire fence system or a 5-mile multi-line perimeter fence on 30-80 acres of land
- Sufficient zapping power for wild dogs, bears, or curious deer
- Built-in solar panel and a 6-volt battery
- Comes with a handle
- Super tough drop-resistant water-resistant case has built-in lightning protection
- 360° mounting capability
- Lightweight and portable
- Battery saving technology maintains power for up to 3 weeks without sun
- Easy to install and use
- Large on/off dial, battery power indicator, and multiple power modes
- Full 3-year manufacturer’s warranty
Cons
- Pricey
- Low shocking power is dispensed at night
- Only suitable for poly wire and turbo wire fences
4. Parmak MARK8 Low Impedance Electric Fence Charger
The Parmak MARK8 Low Impedance Electric Fence Charger is ideal for livestock containment or predator control on a medium to large-sized property.
Made in the US, this AC-powered electric fence charger has advanced built-in computer-controlled circuitry that ensures its long-lasting efficiency. As it has a low-impedance design, it produces reliable power even through wet weeds or thick brush.
The 4.9-joules charger is ideal for use with 30-miles single or multi-wire high tensile electric fences.
It is so easy to check the exact status of the charger as the digital meter displays the voltage on the LCD screen in bright red digits and there are color-coded red and black controls.
Smart safety features include fuse protection, a new built-in lightning arrester, and the charger is UL-listed in the US and Canada.
Parmak offers a full 2-year warranty that also covers any damage that is caused by lightning.
Pros
- High quality
- Very good value for money
- Ideal for livestock containment or predator control on a medium to large-sized property
- Charges up to 30-miles fence
- Can be used on a single or multi-wire high tensile fence
- Made in the US
- Advanced built-in computer-controlled circuitry
- Low-impedance design
- Provides reliable power even through wet weeds or brush and over extremely dry ground
- Highly economical
- Digital meter shows fence’s voltage
- LCD screen has bright red digits
- Color-coded controls
- UL-listed in the US and Canada
- Full 2-year warranty covers any lightning damage
Cons
- Short power cord
- Not ideal for use in extreme winter conditions
- Has to installed indoors
5. Parmak DF-SP-LI Solar Pak 6 Electric Fence Charger
Just by harnessing the power of the sun, the Parmak DF-SP-LI Solar Pak 6 Electric Fence Charger provides great protection for small to medium properties.
Made in the US, this intelligently designed charger will have no trouble coping with outdoor environments as it has sturdy weatherproof housing.
The small but powerful solar panel constantly charges the 6-volt battery which makes this charger the perfect dynamo for energizing a 25-miles barbed wire or poly tape fence.
As the solar panel sits on the top of the charger, it can absorb more sunlight and provide long-lasting power to your fence.
The charger discharges a powerful shock that stops wild dogs or other predators from attacking your cattle, horses, or pigs. As it has a low impedance design, it will continue to power a fence that has wet weeds or thick brush growing against it.
Parmak’s exclusive built-in performance meter makes sure that the charger always works at an optimal level. The charger is simple to use and has an on/off switch and color-coded controls.
The electric fence charger is covered by a 1-year warranty which includes damage by lightning. Parmak’s special steel housing is warranted for life against rust. If it does rust, Parmak will replace the housing free of charge – regardless of its age.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Made in the US
- Ideal for a small to medium-sized property
- Can be used for cattle, horses, pigs, and dog enclosures
- Intelligent design
- Weatherproof
- Small but powerful solar panel and strong 6-volt battery
- Powerful shock deters wild dogs and other predators
- Low impedance design shocks through wet weeds and brush
- Can be used on barbed wire or an electric tape fence
- Exclusive built-in performance meter
- Color-coded controls and an on/off switch
- Solar panel positioning helps to absorb sunlight
- One-year warranty includes damage by lightning
- Special steel housing is covered by a free lifetime replacement warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Solar panel may not produce a strong shock unless it is placed in direct sunlight
6. Briidea Electric Fence Energizer
The Briidea Electric Fence Energizer will make sure that your electric fence is fully charged day and night.
This 0.1-joule AC-powered charger is designed for a small property up to 8 acres, a chicken coop, or a pet enclosure. It delivers 5000-volts which is enough power to protect chickens, goats, or domestic animals from wild animals such as bears, raccoons, and skunks.
The Briidea fence energizer charger has a sturdy design but it needs to be placed in a sheltered enclosure to protect it from rain. It can be used to energize most types of fences such as steel wire, aluminum wire, poly-wire, and poly-tape fences.
Easy to install and use, the fence charger features 2 color-coded easy-twiddle screw-on terminal knobs that help you to connect ground rods and a fence wire. The pulse indicator light flashes to show you that the unit is working.
For your peace of mind, the UL-listed Briidea energizer has undergone strict testing for safety and it has a fire prevention design.
Briidea offers a 30-day refund policy on the electric fence energizer.
Pros
- Great quality
- Very good value for money
- Very affordable price
- Ideal for a small property up to 8 acres, a chicken coop, or a pet enclosure
- Delivers a powerful 5000-volts zap
- Protects against bears, raccoons, and skunks
- Sturdy housing
- Can be used on a variety of fences: steel wire, aluminum wire, poly-wire, and poly-tape fence
- Easy to install and operate
- Two color-coded easy-twiddle screw-on terminal knobs
- Safety tested
- UL-listed
- Fire-safety protection
- Colored coded buttons
- Fence load indicator light
- 30-day refund policy
Cons
- Vegetation can cause the charger to be less effective
- Needs to be placed inside or in a sheltered waterproof enclosure
- No mention of a warranty
7. Fi-Shock EA5M-FS Low Impedance Electric Fence Energizer
Whether you own chickens, rabbits, cattle, or you have a dog enclosure, the Fi-Shock EA5m-FS 5-mile Low Impedance Electric Fence Energizer will keep your farm and ranch animals in while keeping predators out of a particular area.
Built and tested in the US, this efficient AC-powered fence charger has a 0.1-joule output which delivers reliable power to a 5-mile fence.
The Fi-Shock charger has a low-impedance design so it will maintain a constant output voltage in light weeded conditions.
You can easily mount the Fi-Shock charger onto a post or hang it from a wall and it is equipped with a long extension cord. As the charger is not fully waterproof, it needs to be installed inside a protective weatherproof cabinet.
The charger has color-coded controls and the “Fence OK” indicator light blinks at 1-second intervals to show you that the fence is live. The electric fence charger also comes in a 2-mile range.
Fi-Shock offers a 1-year warranty that includes damage caused by lightning.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Can be used for chickens, rabbits, or a dog enclosure
- Perfect for a 5-mile property such as a small homestead, ranch, or farm
- Efficient performance
- Low impedance design is ideal for heavy weed conditions
- Powerful output voltage to deter most predators
- Can be mounted on a post or hung from a wall
- Comes with a long extension cord
- Color-coded controls
- Also comes in a 2-mile range
- One-year warranty includes damage caused by lightning
Cons
- Needs to be mounted inside a sheltered waterproof enclosure
- Not ideal for heavy vegetation
Our Top Pick for the Best Electric Fence Charger
Our top pick for the best electric fence charger is the Zareba EAC50M-Z AC-Powered Electric Fence Charger.
We highly recommend the Zareba electric fence charger for anyone who owns a farm, ranch, or homestead. Powerful, efficient, reliable, and easy to use, the Zareba charger will energize your electric fence day and night. You will have complete peace of mind and your livestock or pets will enjoy absolute safety.
Check the price on Amazon
