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Buying a new car battery is one of those tasks that few car owners enjoy. This is mostly because most people aren’t going to make this type of purchase unless the current power source in their car, truck, or SUV has expired, and a dead battery is no fun for anyone. On top of that, it can be intimidating to walk into a car retailer and find yourself staring at a wall of new car battery options.
Of course, you can narrow down your options by consulting your vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine recommended parameters for battery replacement. Once you review your options in-store, a certified technician or salesperson should be able to help you narrow it down further. Depending on where you shop, they may even install a new battery and dispose of the old one for you.
Going back to your pre-purchase research, consumer advocacy sites like Consumer Reports are also a great resource to help you figure out which products are the best value for your money. If longevity is your biggest concern about a new car battery, Consumer Reports’ recent list of ratings for the best options on the market can be an invaluable source of information. Here are 5 car batteries from major manufacturers on the market that earned Consumer Reports’ top ratings for longevity, while also earning good ratings for reserve capacity and cold-weather performance.
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X2Power Senior Annual General Meeting – Group 35
Picture showing X2Power car batteries – Batteries Plus
The list of car batteries tested at the highest levels in all three categories is surprisingly short, with only four of the dozens of models tested achieving the well-known ratings. Scroll through the Consumer Reports list and X2Power’s Group 35 Advanced AGM battery is the first of four you’ll see. It’s also the most expensive, with CR noting that it will cost $350. If you’re not familiar with the AGM name, it means Absorbent Glass Mat, a battery design that’s ideal for modern cars with start/stop functionality. These batteries are generally thought to last slightly longer than many lead-acid batteries.
The X2Power brand is the brainchild of retail chain Batteries Plus. The brand focuses primarily on AGM power supplies, and they appear to be available only through that retail faction. If you prefer, the Group 35 X2Power Premium AGM battery delivers 740CCA (cold cranking amps), which should suffice for most cars, trucks, or SUVs equipped with start/stop capabilities and advanced electronic features. The battery also offers a standard starting current of 880, and a stable reserve capacity of 115 minutes, with 90 minutes and above generally considered good for most vehicles.
As an added bonus, the X2Power Premium AGM also earned Consumer Reports’ Green Choice designation. This means it’s a good choice for those looking for a battery that reduces their overall environmental impact.
Duracell Platinum Annual Shareholders Meeting – Group 47
Pictures show Duracell car batteries – Consumer Reports
Duracell is one of the big name battery manufacturers that almost every consumer is well aware of, simply because it is one of the few major brands that has been advertising on television for the past few decades. Despite its huge market share, we’d still bet that not every consumer knows that Duracell also makes car batteries. Indeed. Platinum AGM Group 47 batteries, a brand owned by Berkshire Hathaway, are virtually guaranteed to last for years after purchase, according to Consumer Reports.
If you’re interested, Duracell’s $200 Platinum AGM Group 47 car battery is available through many automotive retailers, though we should note that the label on most models we find online may differ from the label in CR’s picture. Still, the battery should be able to pack a serious punch under the hood of the cars, trucks, and SUVs it’s compatible with. Depending on the specifications of the battery, the list includes batteries with automatic start/stop functionality, heating systems, and batteries with high accessory requirements.
The 60 Ah power supply provides 670 amps of cold cranking amps and 830 amps of standard cranking amps, and features a spill-proof, vibration-dampening design that extends its life and enhances performance in inclement weather. For its reserve capacity, the battery offers an impressive 100 minutes of battery life, which is more than most drivers will need.
Super Launch Platinum AGM – Group 65
Picture Showing Super Start Car Battery – Consumer Reports
The Super Start brand is sold primarily through the O’Reilly Auto Parts retail chain. While it may not be as well-known as Duracell and some of the other brands on CR’s list, according to Consumer Reports, it probably should be. That’s especially true for the Group 65 Platinum AGM model, which earned a Full Green rating in all three categories Consumer Reports ranked the test, and the site notes that it retails for $190.
This Super Start power supply comes with a 4-year limited warranty. The 12-volt, 75 Ah battery provides a significant power upgrade over previously listed models, delivering 860 amps of standard cranking amps and 770 amps of cold-cranking amps. Based on its group name, the battery should be compatible with large trucks, vans, and SUVs from many major automakers, but it perhaps should be noted that O’Reilly didn’t include Chevrolet on its compatibility list.
Nonetheless, the AGM battery should provide the same starting capabilities as the other AGM models on this list. Yes, along with the power upgrade, you’d be right to assume that the Super Start model also offers an upgrade in the spare capacity department, taking that figure to a whopping 150 minutes. So if you frequently find your vehicle running without the engine starting, this seems like a good option.
Odyssey Performance Annual General Meeting – Group 94
Odyssey car battery pictures – Auto Zone
Odyssey is another brand you may not be familiar with. But the Odyssey name is generally well-known among those well-versed in the car battery market, and the brand has built a solid reputation for cranking power and battery life. The Consumer Reports listing seems to confirm that this reputation is well-deserved, with the Performance AGM model being the only Group 94 battery to receive a green rating in the above category.
Considering the Odyssey’s reputation in the market, it might be surprising that this power source isn’t terribly expensive by new car battery standards. Consumer Reports says the battery will retail for $260, and the brand sells it through many automotive chain stores, including NAPA Auto Parts and AutoZone. This particular battery is also sold through Walmart as well as Odyssey’s own online storefront, although the prices at these stores tend to be higher than those listed by CR.
Odyssey bills itself as a brand that fits a variety of cars, trucks, and powersports models. The Group 94 Performance AGM seems to fit that mold, with specs claiming a 12V battery (with a thinner plate design for increased power and longevity) that pushes standard cranking amps to 1,500 amps and cold-crank amps to 850 amps. It also pushes backup capacity to 155 minutes, and is the only other Green Choice battery to make this list.
Weize Platinum QTF-70 – Group 48
Weize car battery pictures- Weize
Reading the Consumer Reports list, the first thing you’re likely to notice is that Weize’s Platinum QTF-70 Group 48 car battery was the only battery we selected that didn’t earn a full green rating in all three testing categories, failing to meet the rating for cold-weather performance. However, it didn’t turn yellow in that category, and Consumer Reports said it retails for $170. The cheapest battery on CR’s list earned a green rating in longevity and other categories, and didn’t turn yellow in a third category. The battery is also available on Weize’s Amazon store, where sales are likely to be more frequent. No matter the price, when it comes to car batteries, we’re happy to encourage a bargain as long as overall quality isn’t sacrificed.
Despite its potential cold-weather drawbacks, the 12V, 70 Ah AGM battery compares relatively well to many of the other batteries we selected here, and even its cold cranking current is stable enough at 760 amps. Weize claims the battery is suitable for cars, trucks and performance vehicles, has a better-than-average reserve capacity rating of 120 minutes, and comes with a 3-year warranty. So if you live somewhere that can’t tolerate extended periods of cold weather, this seems like a good option that won’t break the bank.
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Read the original article on SlashGear.
