The 9 Best Car Batteries
Updated by · How we research
Group size first, then cold-cranking amps and warranty: nine AGM car batteries from ACDelco, Optima, Interstate and others, with the ACDelco Gold 48AGM on top. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
A battery's group size matters more than its brand, because it sets the case dimensions and terminal layout your car needs. A car battery is a 12-volt lead-acid battery that starts the engine and runs the electronics while it's off. Most drivers replace one every three to five years, and this guide is for that routine swap.
Editor's Notes
October 18, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
This list mixed a tiny powersport battery, a car-audio battery and a deep-cycle battery, and it had little for the average driver who just needs a replacement. So we rebuilt it around battery group sizes, since the right size and terminal layout matter more than the brand.
The Odyssey PC925 is gone because it's a motorcycle-size battery. The ACDelco 34AGM and Delphi BU9094R are no longer available, and the Odyssey 65-PC1750T was out of stock. The Optima YellowTop D34/78 and XS Power D3400 stay for their niches, and the Optima RedTop is now the 34/78 version with side terminals. New picks include the ACDelco Gold 48AGM, the Interstate MTX-78, the ACDelco Gold 94RAGM and two budget AGM batteries.
Odyssey's car-size batteries did well in Consumer Reports' group tests, but none were available in our product search, so they sit in Special Honors. The budget brands have no independent test results, and we say so in each entry.
March 12, 2021:
The only new notes we have on car batteries is the removal of the DieHard 38275 and ACDelco 65AGMHR due to availability concerns, as the DieHard, in fact, is apparently no longer even produced. We continue to trust the remaining items on the list, which include offerings in a variety of sizes. Of course, it's immensely important to make absolutely certain of not just your vehicle's specific needs, but also your environment, because operating temperatures can make a significant difference in battery performance.
December 20, 2019:
Removed the ACDelco ACDB24R because of availability concerns. Added the ACDelco 34AGM, the Delphi BU9094R, and the DieHard 38275.
Cold cranking amps is the amount of current that a battery can produce at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. This is an important number and you should refer to your car's manual to determine the electrical needs that your specific car requires for starting and operation. The cold cranking amps are particularly important if you live in cold climates. The Optima 8014-045 D34 offers high cranking amps along with 120 minutes of reserve capacity. Often, a car's electrical issues will be caused by a failed generator (often called an alternator) and not the actual battery. A battery's job is to store and distribute the energy produced by the alternator. When the alternator fails, there's a certain amount of charge left in the battery that will power the car's ignition system and accessories for a certain amount of time - this is the reserve capacity. The Optima 8014-045 D34 has up to 120 minutes of reserve capacity, which is enough to get you home after the battery light turns on.
Working on a car's electrical system is dangerous and should be performed by trained technicians to avoid personal injury or damage to equipment.
Special Honors
Odyssey Extreme And Performance Batteries Odyssey makes pure-lead AGM car batteries, a step up in build from typical AGM designs. In a 2025 summary of Consumer Reports' results, the Odyssey Extreme 35-PC1400T was CR's best group 35 battery and the Odyssey Performance 48-720 its best group 48. Neither was available in our product search, so look for them at auto parts stores or through Odyssey's own site. odysseybattery.com
Start With Group Size, Then Cold-Cranking Amps
Look for the date code on the case, and avoid a battery that has sat on a shelf for many months.
Group size comes first. Battery Council International group numbers fix a battery's length, width, height and terminal position, so the wrong size may not fit the tray or reach the cables (Wikipedia). Find the number in the owner's manual or on the old battery's label. Some batteries cover two sizes: a 34/78 has posts on top and threaded terminals on the side, so it fits either layout.
Next, match the type the car came with. AAA advises replacing like with like, with cold-cranking amps (CCA) at or above the car's spec, never below (AAA). CCA is the current a battery can deliver for 30 seconds at 0 degrees Fahrenheit while holding at least 7.2 volts, so it's the number that matters on a cold morning. Reserve capacity, in minutes, says how long a full battery can run the car's electrics if the alternator quits. It matters more on cars packed with electronics.
Finally, check freshness and warranty. AAA suggests buying from a busy seller with fresh stock and a free-replacement period of at least three years. Look for the date code on the case, and avoid a battery that has sat on a shelf for many months.
AGM, Flooded, EFB And Deep-Cycle Batteries
Conventional flooded batteries are the cheapest. Many are sealed and maintenance-free, while some have removable caps so you can top up the water. Enhanced flooded batteries (EFB) are a tougher version used in some entry-level start-stop cars. Absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries hold the acid in fiberglass mats, so they can't spill, and they handle deep drains and fast recharging better, but they cost more (Wikipedia). Most cars with start-stop engines need AGM. If your car came with AGM, don't go back to flooded.
A starting battery is built for short, big bursts of current. A deep-cycle battery is built to be drained and recharged again and again. Optima's own guide says its RedTop is a starting battery, while its YellowTop is designed and warrantied for deep cycling: winches, aftermarket stereos and other heavy loads. Lithium car batteries exist, but they cost far more and aren't a drop-in swap for most cars, so they're not on this list.
Price doesn't predict quality. Consumer Reports cycles more than 100 batteries between 0 and 167 degrees Fahrenheit, and about half earn its recommendation (Jalopnik). Store brands such as Super Start and Duracell topped its 2026 brand ranking, ahead of Optima and Interstate (BGR). Those store brands aren't sold here, but they're worth a look at a parts counter.
Battery Care, Safety And Recycling
AAA says most car batteries last three to five years, closer to three in hot climates and longer in cool ones (AAA). Short trips and long parking spells drain a battery, so a maintenance charger helps a car that sits. Keep the terminals clean and the hold-down tight, because vibration shortens battery life. Once a battery is three years old, have it tested each year.
A healthy, fully charged 12-volt battery reads about 12.6 volts at rest, and the alternator holds about 13.5 to 14.5 volts while the engine runs. Car batteries contain sulfuric acid and can vent hydrogen gas, which can explode, so wear eye protection, keep sparks and flames away, and follow the jump-start order in your owner's manual (Wikipedia).
Never put an old battery in the trash. Battery Council International says about 98% of lead batteries are recycled, and a new one is made of about 80% recycled material (Battery Council International). Many states require sellers to take old batteries back, and many sellers add a refundable core charge until you return one. Check your state's rules.
How we researched this
We compared 23 car batteries in common group sizes, read makers' spec pages, distributor spec sheets, battery labels and warranty terms, read public summaries of Consumer Reports' battery tests, analyzed owner feedback, and checked every brand for recalls with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and NHTSA. We found no independent tests of the budget brands. The 3D models are built from published dimensions.
Sources (14)
- AAA: How long do car batteries last
- Wikipedia: Automotive battery
- Jalopnik: Consumer Reports' best car batteries by group size
- BGR: Car battery brands ranked by Consumer Reports
- Battery Council International: Battery recycling
- Optima: RedTop 34/78
- Optima: 34/78 battery guide
- Optima: Warranties
- Interstate: MTX-78
- GM Parts: ACDelco Gold 48AGM
- Mighty Max: MM-H6
- TorqueNews: Consumer Reports' best car batteries
- CPSC: Recalls
- NHTSA: Recalls
Frequently asked questions
How many volts is a car battery?
A car battery is a 12-volt battery. It has six cells of about 2.1 volts each, so a full battery reads about 12.6 volts at rest. With the engine running, the alternator holds about 13.5 to 14.5 volts. Some deep-cycle AGM batteries, such as the Optima YellowTop, rest a little higher, around 13 volts.
How long does a car battery last?
Usually three to five years, according to AAA. Heat shortens battery life, so batteries in hot climates may last about three years. Short trips and long parking spells also wear a battery down.
What is the difference between a sealed and an unsealed battery?
A sealed battery is maintenance-free: you never add water. All AGM batteries are sealed and spill-proof. An unsealed flooded battery has removable caps so you can check and top up the water, and it must stay upright.
Is an AGM battery worth it?
If your car came with one, yes: start-stop cars need AGM. In other cars, AGM costs more but resists vibration, can't spill and handles deep drains better than a flooded battery.
What do CCA and reserve capacity mean?
Cold-cranking amps (CCA) is the current a battery delivers for 30 seconds at 0 degrees Fahrenheit while holding at least 7.2 volts. Reserve capacity is how many minutes a full battery can power the car's electrics without the alternator. Match or beat your car's CCA spec.
What are the best car battery brands?
In a February 2026 summary of Consumer Reports' brand ratings, Super Start ranked first, followed by Duracell, Optima and Interstate. CR also says price doesn't predict performance, so a store brand can beat a pricier name.
