Yahoo Autos Best car batteries of 2024
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Buying new car batteries is about as exciting as watching paint dry, but choosing the right (or wrong) product can significantly affect how your car starts and drives. It’s essential to buy a battery designed for your climate, type of vehicle, and power accessories to make sure you can start your car whenever needed.
Before you buy just any old car battery, you'll need to know exactly what size battery your vehicle is designed for. That means more than just the external dimensions — batteries get all kinds of ratings for power output, and larger engines and vehicles will need larger batteries. Most manufacturers have charts to help you find the right battery for your car, truck, or SUV, including recommended brands like Optima. If you're still not sure what battery is right for your car, we suggest you check your owner's manual.
In case you're wondering, yes, your vehicle almost assuredly has a standard 12-volt battery, even if it's a hybrid or electric model.
We’ve gathered a few of our favorite batteries, all currently available at Amazon, to get you started, so let’s get rolling. After a few recommendations for the best car batteries, we'll cover some frequently asked questions.
DieHard Platinum AGM Battery
From $244.99 at Advance Auto Parts
DieHard is a well-known battery brand with strong environmental chops. The Platinum AGM features a 94-percent recycled material composition, a reasonable price, and is available in nearly every size imaginable. The batteries are engineered to provide long life – up to two times the life of its rivals, and DieHard backs its batteries with a three-year warranty.
That said, AGM batteries (more on that in the FAQ section) are expensive and may be overkill for regular-duty applications. DieHard’s three-year warranty is generous but shorter than many of its competitors’ cheaper batteries.
Deka Intimidator AGM Battery
The Deka Intimidator AGM battery offers two times the endurance in tough situations and two times the cycle life. It should be your go-to battery if you’ve got power equipment and accessories to run. The big downside here is the price, which for most Intimidator batteries, is far more expensive than similar batteries.
One thing to remember when shopping for a Deka battery is fit. Many people say that the promised fits in the sales listing were inaccurate. Most report stable output, excellent durability, and strong capability.
Odyssey Extreme Battery
The Odyssey Extreme AGM could be your go-to battery if you live in an area where temperatures routinely crest 100 degrees in the summer. The Extreme battery provides cranking power in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit to as high as 176 degrees. Odyssey says its batteries are designed to resist vibration and deliver more power with up to 40 percent more reserve capacity.
That said, the people who report bad experiences with this battery tend to have notably bad experiences. Poor customer service and high prices are among the top complaints. However, the vast majority of reviews are positive, but it’s vital that you make sure the selected battery physically fits in your vehicle, as some say it’s too large for their battery mounts.
Optima Red Top Battery
