Manufacturers and car owners are increasingly choosing AGM batteries over the traditional flooded batteries.
The automotive industry is moving towards more efficient, easy-to-maintain, and durable batteries, and it’s no wonder these batteries are gaining popularity.
AGM batteries were first made for military vehicles and aircraft. They have since then made a name for themselves in the market for their durability and reliability.
They’re mid-sized and are particularly useful for cars that need extra power for accessories like heated seats, windshield, and mirrors.
Thanks to their compactness and resistance to vibration, these batteries are also a great match for upscale motorcycles and racing cars.
Cases of spillage are rare since these batteries are sealed, which means you don’t have to worry about damage to the surrounding components.
Keep reading to learn about the best AGM car batteries available on the market.
The 7 Best AGM Car Batteries
Best Value: Odyssey PC680 Battery
Every car owner will admit that durability is usually top of their features list when looking for a car battery. The Odyssey AGM battery boasts a 70% longer cycle life than the ordinary deep cycle batteries. With up to 400 charge-discharge cycles, this battery guarantees you 3-10 years under the hood. Besides sparing you those auto repair garage visits, this battery helps you save money.
The Odyssey PC680 battery is capable of 100% recharge in 4-6 hours, the highest recharge efficiency among sealed batteries in the market according to Odyssey. Its ‘non-spill’ design provides for easy mounting and ensures that other components are protected from corrosion. Weighing as little as 12.23 lb, you can carry this battery around without breaking a sweat.
Thanks to its design, this battery absorbs vibrations and high-impact shock (which are a battery’s main enemy). It also exhibits excellent temperature tolerance. One of the pros of having this battery is that you don’t have to worry about rough terrains and extreme temperatures.
If you’re looking for a durable and efficient battery for your car, the Odyssey PC680 Battery might be your best bet!
Best for Versatility: Optima Battery 8016-103 D34M BlueTop Starting and Deep Cycle Marine Battery
Though it ranks for the best cold-cranking amps, it’s a complete package that offers almost everything you could be looking for in a car battery. This 12V, 750 cold-cranking amps (CCA) battery will ensure that your car starts even during extremely low temperatures (0F or -180C).
It also boasts a C20 capacity of 55 Amp-hour. This is the energy it can deliver continuously for 20 hours at about 800F without its voltage dropping below 10.5 volts.
Its design includes dual SAE terminals and two stainless steel stud posts. Its compact size (10 inches x 6 7/8 inches x 7 13/16 inches tall) means that it can be mounted in any position. Both the material make-up of this battery and the compactness makes it more resistant to vibration.
Optima claims that it is 15X more resistant to vibration compared to other batteries.
So, what pros come with this visibly impressive AGM battery?
Its cranking/marine cranking amps make it a versatile battery that can also be used in a boat or RV. Further, its resistance to vibration makes it durable and can serve you for a longer time. Its 120-minute reserve capacity also promises consistent performance.
Best for Performance: Optima Battery 8025-160 25 RedTop Starting Battery
The RedTop starting battery is another one from Optima rated for its consistent performance.
This 12V battery weighs about 39.5 lb and features SAE posts. Its size (10 5/16″ x 6 13/16″ x 7 5/8″ tall) makes it suitable for use in any car.
According to Optima, the battery has more cycles than other AGM batteries and can, therefore, last up to 3X times longer.
This battery provides the optimal starting power even when it’s cold, thanks to its 720 cold-cranking amps. In terms of performance, its 90-minute reserve capacity guarantees consistent performance.
What’s more, its C20 capacity of 44 Amp-hours ensures that it delivers energy while maintaining the 10.5V threshold.
Just like its Optima counterpart, this battery is 15X resistant to vibrations and shock. The Polypropylene casing takes all the credit for this, as it is a rigid and tough material that protects the components of the battery.
If you’re looking for a battery that guarantees top performance, look no further!
Best For High-Demand Applications: Odyssey 65-PC1750 Automotive and LTV Battery
Like all Odyssey batteries, the Odyssey 65-PC175O has plates made of pure virgin lead which means more plates. And that in return means more plate surface area and much more power.
This converts to twice the overall power and three times the life of a conventional battery.
With up to 400 cycles at 80% depth of discharge, this battery is going to work well and provide your vehicle with the power it demands.
Best Power: XS Power D3400 XS Series 12V 3,300 Amp AGM Battery
This battery from XS Power is a powerhouse battery suitable for all cars, including luxury cars, race cars, and everything in between. We like to call it the “Rolls Royce” of car batteries as it boasts the most amps among this list of the top 7 best car AGM batteries.
Though you will dig deep into your pocket to get it, you get what you pay for. It produces over 3,300 max amps, and is therefore suitable for high-energy applications. With 1000 cranking amps, this battery produces more than enough juice to power the starter motor and run the ignition system in harsh conditions.
The 12V, 65 Amp hour XS Power D3400 is sealed, spill-proof, and vibration resistant. It is a great choice for off-roading since there is minimal damage risk.
Its ultra-low internal resistance ensures that it retains the allowable voltage even if it goes uncharged for a long time.
Its notable pros are that it offers minimal internal resistance, versatile mounting options and is also designed to handle heavy loads.
ACDelco ACDB24R Advantage AGM Automotive BCI Group 51 Battery
Thanks to its design, this battery can last years longer than the ordinary batteries in the market. Particularly, it’s designed to absorb road vibrations that are a common culprit in battery damage. It also has a sturdy built-in handle that makes it easy to lift and carry around.
It uses high-density paste as the electrolyte to improve performance and extend the battery’s life. Its calcium-alloy grid is corrosion-resistant, which maximizes the cycle life of the battery. Its grid also offers low internal resistance, meaning that the voltage doesn’t drop as much provided it is stored within the permissible temperature range.
The battery’s grid also maximizes conductivity for easy starting. It also boasts decent cranking amps and will power your car’s starter motor even in cold weather.
ACDelco 48AGM Professional AGM Automotive BCI Group 48 Battery
Yet another powerhouse battery from ACDelco! This battery is a great choice if you are looking for one that will last while delivering an ‘A’ performance every day. Its high-density negative paste and silver calcium alloy increase the battery’s life and improves performance.
This battery is not all about durability – Its performance is impressive as well. Boasting 760 cold-cranking amps, this battery ensures that your car will start even in the harshest of conditions. With 70 Amp-hours, your battery will constantly put in a shift regardless of the power demand.
It has a 120-minute reserve capacity, meaning that you can rely on it to get home even if your alternator gives in. The battery’s design includes a vent cap to avoid electrolyte spillage. The efficient electrolyte circulation of this battery also helps it remain cool, preventing degradation.
What Is an AGM Battery, And Why Would You Need It?
An AGM battery (also known as starved electrolyte) is an absorbent glass mat battery. In their construction, a thin, ultra-fine fiberglass separator is sandwiched between the battery plates.
This design allows the fiberglass to be saturated with the electrolyte and store it in a ‘dry’ state rather than the free liquid state as in traditional flooded batteries.
The electrolyte held in the mat allows the battery to deliver its full capacity. In case of battery damage and the glass breaks, the electrolyte does not spill. In cars, this allows the battery to be mounted in any position without risking corrosion or damage to surrounding components.
There are several reasons to justify why one would need an AGM battery. These batteries have many applications, including cars, UPS, upscale motorcycles, RVs, boats, ATVs, and even off-grid applications (with solar panels). They are also essential in cold areas as most have impressive cold-cranking cold-cranking amps.
AGM batteries are also durable, as most have up to 3X the life span of the ordinary batteries. Who wouldn’t want a durable battery for their car or RV? What’s more, their impressive and consistent performance makes them the preferred battery for many car owners.
5 Things to Consider When Buying an AGM Battery
Before buying any of the 7 best car AGM batteries we highlighted above, take your time to consider these factors:
1. Compatibility
It is important that you check the amp hour rating before buying or ordering your AGM battery. You don’t want to fall short of your car’s power needs or pick a battery that offers way too much than you need. While most AGM batteries are compatible with virtually all car models, it is important to verify that it can go well with your car.
2. Cold Cranking Amps
This is a measure of how well an AGM battery can produce a current at 0F or -180C. It is a particularly important rating for car owners who live in cold areas. Having an AGM battery with a higher CCA ensures that your car will start immediately even in harsh conditions.
3. Lifespan
While most AGM batteries guarantee a prolonged lifespan, some will outdo the ordinary AGM batteries and function for longer. Sure, you may have to pay more for the more durable ones, but it saves you more money in the long term.
4. Reserve Capacity
The reserve capacity is the time it takes a fully charged AGM battery at normal temperature to discharge 25A and finally becomes ineffective. A battery with a higher reserve capacity would be ideal for a car that requires much amperage.
5. Brand
Before settling for a brand, make sure you do due diligence. Renowned brands in the AGM battery market are known to offer better quality batteries since they use high-grade materials. With such brands, you also get a warranty that comes in handy whenever unexpected battery issues arise.
How to Install an AGM Battery in 5 Steps
- If you are replacing old batteries with new ones, loosen the terminals on the battery posts (skip this step for a new installation). Before removing the old battery, make sure you switch the engine off to avoid electrical shock or damage to any system in your car.
- Assuming you got the dimensions of your AGM battery right, slot the battery carefully into the box for the connections.
- Identify the positive and negative terminals before making the connections. Black wires are negative, while red wires are positive. For sign designation, the plus sign is for positive while the minus sign is for negative. For SAE terminals, the positive terminal will have a wider diameter than the negative one.
- Connect the wires to their respective battery terminals. Check if the wires are in good condition before connecting. If not, do the necessary repairs and tape appropriately. Ensure the positive wire is linked to the car’s starter while the negative wire is linked to the engine block or the body.
- Double check the connections before starting the car to test.
FAQs
What’s The Difference Between An AGM And A Standard Battery? Which One Is Better?
The main difference between an AGM battery and a standard battery is the form of the electrolyte. Most standard batteries are flooded, and there is the need to top them regularly with water. On the other hand, AGM batteries are maintenance-free, and you don’t need to add any water.
AGM batteries are by far the better choice. You don’t have to worry about maintaining them, they offer better performance and outlast most standard batteries.
Can You Put an AGM Battery In Any Car?
Most AGM batteries can be used in any car. However, there are exceptional cases where some car models may not be compatible with an AGM battery. It is, therefore, important to check the compatibility of your preferred AGM battery before buying.
How Long Do AGM Batteries Last?
AGM batteries are built to offer top performance and last longer. Typically, AGM batteries can last 3-10 years in ideal conditions. Their compact design and material make-up make them more resistant to vibrations and shock, making them more durable. Also, they have better cycle life than standard batteries, which ensures they remain functional for years.
What Are The Advantages Of An AGM Battery?
- High-performance: AGM batteries deliver more amperages than standard batteries. This makes them suitable for all cars across the spectrum, including luxury and racing cars.
- Fast charging time: These batteries can charge up to 5X faster than flooded batteries. They also have a low discharge rate, which makes it possible for them to idle without discharging.
- High CCA: Their high cold cranking amps make them great choices for car owners in cold regions.
- Durability: AGM batteries are vibration resistant due to their sandwich construction.
Final Thoughts
AGM batteries are unmatched in terms of performance and durability.
In particular, these batteries are preferred over standard batteries as they can be used even in extremely cold conditions and they’re ideal for cars with high amperage demand.
Our review highlights the 7 best car AGM batteries in the market. It can narrow down your options and make it simpler for you to find the best one for your car.