# MXS 5.0 vs Battery Tender Plus (021-0128): specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the MXS 5.0 (CTEK) and Battery Tender Plus (021-0128) (Battery Tender) among car battery chargers.

## Side by side

| Spec | MXS 5.0 | Battery Tender Plus (021-0128) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | not published | not published |
| Brand | CTEK | Battery Tender |
| Max charge amps | 4.3 | 1.25 |
| Voltage support (V) | 12 | 12 |
| Battery chemistry | Flooded/WET and Calcium (Ca/Ca) lead-acid, plus AGM batteries | Flooded, Sealed/GRT (Gas Recombinant Technology), and AGM 12V lead-acid batteries |
| Modes | 8-step fully automatic: desulfation, soft start, bulk, absorption, analyze, reconditioning (optional/selectable), float, pulse maintenance | Fully automatic 4-step charging: bulk charge, absorption, and adaptive float/maintenance (ISM) |
| Waterproof rating | — | — |
| Reverse polarity protection | — | — |
| Display | LED indicator lights marking each of the 8 charging steps | 3-LED indicator (red = bulk charging, flashing green = absorption, solid green = float/complete) |
| Temperature compensation | Yes | — |

## Key differences

- Max charge amps: MXS 5.0 4.3 vs Battery Tender Plus (021-0128) 1.25
- Battery chemistry: MXS 5.0 Flooded/WET and Calcium (Ca/Ca) lead-acid, plus AGM batteries vs Battery Tender Plus (021-0128) Flooded, Sealed/GRT (Gas Recombinant Technology), and AGM 12V lead-acid batteries
- Modes: MXS 5.0 8-step fully automatic: desulfation, soft start, bulk, absorption, analyze, reconditioning (optional/selectable), float, pulse maintenance vs Battery Tender Plus (021-0128) Fully automatic 4-step charging: bulk charge, absorption, and adaptive float/maintenance (ISM)
- Display: MXS 5.0 LED indicator lights marking each of the 8 charging steps vs Battery Tender Plus (021-0128) 3-LED indicator (red = bulk charging, flashing green = absorption, solid green = float/complete)

## Sources

- MXS 5.0: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1400602/Ctek-Mxs-5-0.html (manualslib.com, verified 2026-08-01)
- Battery Tender Plus (021-0128): https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1661410/Battery-Tender-Plus-12v1-25a.html (manualslib.com, verified 2026-08-01)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/car-battery-chargers/ctek-mxs-5-0-vs-battery-tender-plus-021-0128/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, MXS 5.0 (not published) vs Battery Tender Plus (021-0128) (not published) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/car-battery-chargers/ctek-mxs-5-0-vs-battery-tender-plus-021-0128/
License: CC BY 4.0.