Car batteries are often the unsung heroes of our vehicles. In fact, it’s safe to say that most of us don’t really think about them until there’s a problem with the current one, which usually seems to happen during the most inconvenient situations.
With that said, when it’s time to get a new battery for your car, it can sometimes be difficult to even know where to start. Should you replace it with the exact one you have now, or maybe upgrade to a different model?
In a hurry? Here’s a brief overview of our two favorites.
Car batteries are often the unsung heroes of our vehicles. In fact, it’s safe to say that most of us don’t really think about them until there’s a problem with the current one, which usually seems to happen during the most inconvenient situations.
With that said, when it’s time to get a new battery for your car, it can sometimes be difficult to even know where to start. Should you replace it with the exact one you have now, or maybe upgrade to a different model?
In a hurry? Here’s a brief overview of our two favorites.
Best Overall Advanced AGM Car Battery
Bosch S6508B Flat Plate AGM Battery
Bosch S6508B Flat Plate offers an excellent mix of power duration and starting ability, and comes at a very fair price. It’s suitable for most climates, and is backed by one of the best warranties around.
Best Car Battery for Large Audio Systems
Shuriken SK-BT120 AGM Power Cell Battery
The Shuriken SK-BT120 provides an ample amount of power to ensure uninterrupted performance, and offers the durability and longevity typically found only with off-road vehicle batteries as an added bonus.
If you’re in the market for a new battery, you’re in the right place. Below, you’ll find a list of the best car batteries for 202, spanning several different types and sizes.
9 Best Rated Car Batteries Comparison
Our #1 Recommendation: Best Overall
The Bosch S6 series represents the high-performance line of Bosch batteries, and that’s exactly what the Bosch S6523B offers buyers. The battery leverages top-tier AGM technology and design with one of the best warranties you’ll encounter, plus an added roadside assistance service in the event something ever goes wrong — which isn’t likely.
Features:
Spill and corrosion-proof – The flat plate AGM design of the S6508B means it’s completely spill-proof and mountable in any position, while also being free of corrosion build-up on the battery’s posts.
4-year warranty – Bosch backs the S6508B with a full 4-year warranty that covers any battery failure resulting from normal usage. The extended warranty is an excellent compliment to what’s already an affordably-priced battery.
High charge acceptance – The internal design of S6508B allows it to quickly recharge, even during the shortest drives, and in the harshest conditions outside, whether it’s hot or cold.
Roadside assistance program – Each Bosch S6508B battery is backed by a roadside assistance program that will come and give you a jump if the battery ends up failing you, even if due to driver error, like leaving the lights on.
Verdict: The Bosch S6508B is an impressive combination of design, engineering, and stellar customer service. Not only do you get a great battery equipped to function at a high level regardless of climate and drive duration, you get a superior warranty, and assistance when something goes wrong. All of this combines to make it our top overall AGM battery choice.
Our #2 Recommendation: Best Car Battery for High Loads and Off-Roading
AGM
- 12-volt
- 750 Cold Cranking Amps
- N/A Ah
- 43.5 lbs.
The Optima Batteries 8014-045 D34/78 YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery is marketed towards drivers who need an added amount of power for everything from large audio systems, to DVD players, power platforms, and more. It’s also designed to withstand vibrations and repeated hard impacts from off-roading, and provides a superior amount of recharges.
Features:
High vibration resistance – This battery is built using an innovative and durable design using spiral internal cells, allowing to to be fully resistant to hard impacts and vibrations, an ideal trait for off-roading and other vigorous driving scenarios.
Fast recharge, 300+ cycles – In the event the battery is depleted, it is incredibly fast to recharge, and can be drained and recharged up to 300 times, which is likely way more than the average user will ever need.
Spill-proof – The AGM power and spiral cells ensure an entirely spill-proof battery, allowing it to be mounted in virtually any position.
Verdict: The Optima Batteries 8014-045 D34/78 YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery is easily one of the most powerful and durable batteries in its class, and is more than equipped to handle exceptionally high demands, on the road and off. If you are in need of a true workhorse battery than can power large amounts of devices and electronics, this should be your top choice.
Our #3 Recommendation: Best Budget Car Battery
The Odyssey PC680 has clearly been designed to provide buyers with a massive amount of performance, but at a lower price than its peers, which has resulted in it being one of the most purchased batteries on the market.
With its rugged design, light weight, and extended life cycle, the PC680 is easily the best AGM battery for the budget-minded.
Features:
Vibration-resistant – The PC680 has been designed to withstand frequent and heavy vibrations without any disruption to power. This makes it a suitable battery for vehicles traveling on rougher roads, and heavy off-roading.
Long life – The battery has an extended life cycle, with up to 400 full cycles at an 80% discharge depth.
Quick recharge – The PC680 has a superior recharge time, taking as little as 4 hours to recharge back to 100% capacity.
Versatile mounting – Since the PC680 is spill-proof, it can be mounted in any position desired, perfect for customized engines or electronic setups.
Affordable – The PC80 offers a high amount of performance, but at a much lower price than similar batteries.
Verdict: The Odyssey PC680 is a cost-efficient way to obtain a high-quality AGM battery with an incredibly long life, fast recharge time, and rugged durability. It’s high cold cranking amp amount also makes it ideal car battery for colder climates.
More Great Buying Options
The ACDelco 48 showcases the quality and reliability ACDelco is known for. This battery offers users a high amount of cold cranking amps, and a substantial level of amp hours, all backed by a generous warranty under normal usage.
The battery is further reinforced with subtle innovations and attention to detail that further maximizes its overall performance, and adds to its overall value.
Features:
Enhanced alloy – The battery makes use of silver calcium coupled with enhanced alloy to extend the overall life, without any drop off in performance and starting ability.
Calcium lead grid – ACDelco utilizes a calcium led grid inside the battery to improve its conductivity and ensure a lower amount of resistance. This results in consistent performance in any type of weather.
Vent cap – Any acid leakage is kept to a minimum thanks to a smart vent cap design.
3-year warranty – ACDelco backs the battery with a full 36-month warranty that covers and defects or failures under normal usage.
Verdict: Those with Group 48 vehicles can often have a hard time finding an adequate car battery that’s also reasonably priced. The ACDelco AGM 48 Battery is the obvious choice for Group 48 drivers wanting solid, extended performance without breaking the bank.
Best for Cold Weather
The Optima Batteries OPT8020-164 35 RedTop Starting Battery provides all of the power and engineering innovation of their YellowTop series of batteries, but in a smaller format more adept for regular vehicles with average power demands.
This gives drivers a resilient and dependable battery that always retains its charge, provides quick starts, and even quicker recharges when needed.
Features:
Large reserve capacity – With a 90 minute reserve capacity, the Optima Batteries OPT8020-164 35 RedTop Starting Battery offers plenty of backup in the event an alternator or belt fails, or when simply leaving the car’s electronics on without the ending running.
Vibration resistant – Like every Optima battery, the OPT8020-164 35 RedTop Starting Battery is resistant to vibrations, giving it a consistent performance that literally can’t be shaken or impacted.
Superior starting ability in any climate – With 720 cold cranking amps, the battery excels in cold weather starts, and performs just as well during hot weather.
SpiralCell design – The Optima Batteries OPT8020-164 35 RedTop Starting Battery uses the familiar Optima SpiralCell design, giving it more longevity, faster recharging, and consistent power output in any driving scenario.
Verdict:
The Optima Batteries OPT8020-164 35 RedTop Starting Battery may be a little pricier than other batteries in its class, but its high power and superior consistency makes it far worth the extra cash, and result in reliable startups and a larger amount of backup power for more peace of mind.
Best Car Battery for Large Audio Systems
If you’re someone with big battery power needs due to intricate and demanding sound systems, or really any other high-level power needs, the Shuriken SK-BT120 12-Volt High Performance AGM Power Cell Battery has all the output needed to keep things running smoothly and without any interruptions to your electrical system or starting ability.
Features:
Massive power – With 2,600 cranking amps and 120 total amp hours, the Shuriken SK-BT120 can power audio systems up to 2,400 watts without any issues at all. This means no cutoff during hard bass hits, or any of the other annoying electrical issues that can stem from aftermarket audio systems.
Spill-proof – Like every high-level battery, the Shuriken SK-BT120 is spill-proof and able to be mounted in any position.
Heat resistant – The high power output may worry some, but the Shuriken SK-BT120 is designed to be resistant to high levels of heat, guarding against battery failures and other issues that would result from inferior or underpowered batteries.
Vibration resistant – The Shuriken SK-BT120 withstands vibrations and hard impacts in the road, ensuring consistent power delivery even when hitting random potholes and bumps.
Verdict: If you have a powerful aftermarket sound system, or any other devices that could cause stress on lesser batteries, the Shuriken SK-BT120 provides a reliable option that can easily meet the demand, all while still offering reliable startups in extreme weather, and extended backup time when needed.
Best High Power Car Battery
If your vehicle has an absurdly high power requirement, and you’re tired of having to either hook up two separate batteries, or deal with random outages, the XS Power D3400 XS Series 12V 3,300 Amp AGM High Output Battery will have your situation fixed in an instant.
This is one of the most powerful batteries you can find, period. It crams a high amount of power into an average-sized casing, and backs it up with a durable design that allows for consistent performance in any climate or driving scenario.
Features:
Vibration resistant – The XS Power D3400 is fully resistant to vibrations, whether that’s from unforseen bumps in the road, or vigorous off-road driving. You won’t have to worry about lapses in power, regardless of where you’re driving.
Low internal resistance – The battery’s low resistance ensures a consistent operating power no matter what the amp requirements are. The design also allows it to be mounted in any position.
Includes M6 terminal bolts – The XS Power D3400 comes with M6 terminal bolts made specifically for the battery, in case you need the bolts for you vehicle’s connectors.
Verdict: The XS Power D3400 would already be a great purchase based off of its astounding amount of power available, but the innovative and durable design truly pushes it over the top. This battery delivers superior power without any interruptions — perfect for demanding wattage scenarios and extreme climates.
The Best Car Battery for Cold Climates
The DieHard 38228 is a no-frills car battery that relies on quality parts and smart design that gives plenty of attention to detail. It has a high amount of cold cranking amps, making it great for cold starts in below freezing weather.
Features:
Vibration protection – The DieHard 38228 has about 20 times more vibration protection than the average car battery, making it last longer and provide power much more consistently.
Spill-proof – The battery is completely spill-proof, so you don’t have to worry about harmful leaks that could short the battery or cause damage to your vehicle.
Increased power – The DieHard 38228 makes use of full-frame positive and negative plates within the battery that help to resist any circuits being shorted out, and also extend overall battery life.
Advanced suspension system – An advanced electrolyte suspension system in the DieHard 38228 helps to absorb a larger amount of electrolytes while guarding internal components.
3-year warranty – DieHard backs the 38228 with a full 3-year warranty, and will replace the battery for free if it fails in any way from normal usage — but you should expect the battery to last a lot longer than that.
Verdict: The DieHard 38228 is mindful of all the right aspects, and offers excellent performance and power for a very fair price. It’s high CCA amount makes it a reliable battery in freezing climates, and it’s available in multiple sizes so most anyone can find this particular model for their vehicle. A great buy all around.
The Best Car Battery for Cold Climates
The ACDelco ACDB24R is an economically priced battery for economical vehicles — hybrids, specifically. This battery is optimized for hybrid use, and contains a number of engineering features that gives it added durability and plenty of power, with exceptionally consistent performance.
Features:
Longer life cycle – The ACDelco ACDB24R make use of valve-regulated gas recombinant technology that helps extend the battery’s lifecycle to up to three times that of regular batteries, which means less hassle and maintenance.
Precise engineering – The battery utilizes full-frame power path grids that ensure a higher cranking amp amount combined with reduced self-discharge rates. This allows for easier storage without any issues or power loss as well. Maximum power and a higher degree of cycling is provided via high-density plate oxide.
Leak-proof – The ACDelco ACDB24R is completely leak-proof thanks to a pressurized valve system. This eliminates the risk of drying out, and also makes the battery safer.
Verdict: The ACDelco ACDB24R is an excellent choice for any compatible vehicle in its class, and remains even more preferred by hybrid drivers. It contains a level of performance not often found in batteries this size, and has smart engineering features that give it more longevity, making it ideal for vehicles like a Toyota Prius.
How to Choose the Right Car Battery
Selecting the right car battery is not as complicated as you may think. In fact, it’s dependent on two main factors: size, and your average driving conditions or climate.
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Size: Car batteries are available in a number of different sizes, and it’s crucial that you get the right one. Even if a battery fits into the slot in your vehicle, that does not mean it has enough power to properly power your vehicle.
Batteries are sized using group numbers, all of which correspond to particular models and manufacturers of cars. To find your group number, look at your current battery, or consult your car’s manual. - Driving Conditions: More often than not, batteries with an “S” or “South” label are better for extreme hot weather, while batteries labeled “N” or “North” are better for extreme cold.
What to Look for in a Car Battery
Car batteries have more features and specifications than you may initially realize. Here are the most important aspects to be mindful of when shopping.
Types of Car Batteries
Car batteries are usually divided into two main types: Wet Cell, and AGM.
- Wet Cell: These batteries were once the standard for all car batteries, but are now on the decline. Wet cell batteries use liquid electrolytes, hence the “wet” name. They require periodic maintenance, and can spill under certain conditions. These batteries are often cheaper, and can last longer with proper maintenance.
- AGM: It stands for “Absorbed Glass Mat.” Without going into a long science lesson, this means that there is no active liquid within the battery, which means no risk of spillage, or having to maintain the battery like you would with a wet cell.
Important Car Battery Specs
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Cold Cranking Amps: Cold cranking amps, or CCAs, is a rating that refers to the number of amps a battery can provide for 30 seconds when it’s 0 degrees Fahrenheit -- while maintaining a voltage of 7.2.
The higher the CCA, the easier the battery can start a car when it’s extremely cold outside. - Amp Hours: An amp hour is the amount of energy charge that a battery lets one ampere current flow for one hour. The higher the amp hours (Ah) the longer the battery can supply a current without needing to be recharged. This can be helpful for when your alternator is defective, or for times you’d like to run your car’s electronics without having to leave the engine running simultaneously.
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Warranty A car battery is not something you should be replacing frequently. While every car battery eventually meets its end, the longer it lasts, the more reliable performance you get, and the more money you save.
Look for batteries that have at least a two-year warranty, with three preferred.
