Heavy vehicles such as a truck cannot be towed or pushed easily. Therefore, battery failure on your truck will leave you in a tough situation which you should avoid at any cost. And since the cold season is right around the corner, it is the perfect time to upgrade your truck battery. But before you do that, keep a few important parameters in mind.
Voltage: The voltage is basically the potential energy stored in a battery which is transferred to the electrical circuit when the circuit is closed. Thus, higher voltage means higher battery capacity. Right now, the industry standard for automotive batteries is 12 Volts. Therefore, all of the options you will find on this list are 12 volts.
Battery Type: When it comes to trucks, almost every single experienced truck driver will recommend you to go with an AGM battery. These batteries have a built-in fiberglass separator that absorbs the electrolyte solution present inside the battery. In terms of performance, AGM batteries offer nearly 5 times faster charging speed along with almost double the performance battery backup. Cold Cranking Amps: If you are facing problems with your truck battery in cold weather, it is probably because your current battery has low CCA or cold cranking amps. This is basically a measurement of amperage your battery can offer at 32°F. If you live in an excessively cold region, you should prefer the highest CCA battery you can find in your budget. On the other hand, it is not that big of a deal for warmer regions.
Batteries can be a critical accessory to buy, especially if someone is making this purchase for the first time. There are a lot of technical terms that relate to the battery capacity which are unknown to a common man. If you are also finding it difficult to choose a truck battery, don’t worry. We will offer you the best truck batteries we could find in the market along with detailed specifications. We have also prepared a Buying Guide for the best truck batteries present later in this article to help you understand truck batteries completely.
Best Truck Battery 2023 List
Best Truck Battery Reviews
1. ACDelco Gold B24R Hybrid Vehicle AGM BCI Group 51 Battery
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We will start our list with one of the most trusted brands in the market for automotive batteries. If you want to get an idea about the reach of ACDelco, you can check the thousands of positive responses offered by its current users. In 1st place, we have the ACDelco Gold B24R. This has been the primary choice for a lot of users when it comes to car batteries for a long time. This is a Group 51 AGM battery specifically designed for hybrid vehicles. It can also be a great option for your truck given that you can fit an 18.5 x 11.4 x 9.5 inches battery inside it. The ACDelco Gold B24R comes with a highly durable design which is perfect for tough roads. On top of that, it offers a working temperature range of 32°F and 70°F which is great for most regions. When the battery is not in use, there is an excessively slow reaction between the plate material and electrolytes which ensures a slow self-discharge rate. Best features
Offers 12 volts voltage capacity Lead-Acid, AGM truck battery Comes with 2 years of warranty Measures about 18.5 x 11.4 x 9.5 inches in size
Pros
One of the most popular options in the market The working temperature range is great 100% maintenance free truck battery
Cons
The warranty period should have been longer
2. Optima RedTop Starting Battery
Optima is yet another popular brand of choice for thousands of users. This is also a powerful choice that is well-suited for similarly powerful trucks and SUVs. In 2nd place, we have the Optima Batteries 8004-003 34/78 RedTop truck battery. Unlike our previous choice, this is a starting battery measuring about 10 x 6.88 x 7.8 inches in size. Therefore, it offers 800 cold-cranking amps which are admirable for its budget-friendly price range. The Optima Batteries 8004-003 34/78 RedTop also has the standard 12 volts capacity along with dual SAE and GM posts. With the Optima Batteries 8004-003 34/78 RedTop, you will get a reserve capacity of about 100 minutes which is long enough for you to get your truck to the nearest service station. This truck battery is compatible with 13.8 to 15 volts and 10 amps battery chargers. Compared to other options, the Optima Batteries 8004-003 34/78 RedTop is about 15 times more resilient to external damage caused by vibrations. Best features
Offers 12 volts voltage capacity Lead-Acid truck battery Comes with 3 years of warranty Measures about 10 x 6.88 x 7.8 inches in size
Pros
Durable external design Completely spill-proof design Offers 800 cold-cranking amps
Cons
The design may not be feasible for some battery mounts
3. XS Power D3400 XS Series AGM Battery
XS power is also a well-known brand in the market for automotive batteries. Apart from the truck battery mentioned here, XS power also makes various other batteries of varying specifications and battery types. In the 3rd place, we have yet another standard 12 volts AGM battery from our picks. The XS Power D3400 is one of the best options available from the XS series truck batteries designed by XS power. This is a high-capacity AGM battery that comes with M6 terminal bolts for universal compatibility. Apart from the standard 12 volts, the XS Power D3400 also offers 3300 amps amperage capacity. Coming to special features of the XS Power D3400, this truck battery is rated for 1000 cranking amps and 65 ampere- hour rating. Such specifications make this battery the right choice for a lot of applications. In terms of construction, the XS Power D3400 is designed with a completely spill-proof casing including valve-regulated control and a vibration-resistant exterior. The ultra-low internal resistance also helps to deliver maximum performance once the battery is plugged-in. Best features
Offers 12 volts voltage capacity Lead-Acid, AGM truck battery Comes with 3 years of warranty Offers 1000 cranking amps
Pros
Cranking amps and ampere-hour rating is high Spill-proof design with valve-regulated control Ultra-low internal resistance
Cons
The battery weighs higher than other options
4. ODYSSEY 65-PC1750T Automotive and LTV Battery
If you want a premium yet reliable option for your truck’s battery, then look no further. The following option offered by Odyssey is certainly a great pick at this price point. The ODYSSEY 65-PC1750T Automotive and LTV Battery, as the name suggests, is an LTV and automotive battery that offers the standard 12 volts power capacity. However, it is a fine pick for those who are looking for a high CCA battery since the CCA rating on this battery is 950 amps. The battery is equipped with SAE automotive terminals so connectivity should not be a problem for you. Similar to many other truck batteries, the ODYSSEY 65-PC1750T Automotive and LTV Battery also feature a spill-proof design that prevents battery corrosion. This battery can offer optimum performance within the -40°F to 113°F temperature range. This is a pretty wide range, allowing the battery to operate just fine under extreme weather conditions. You will also receive a 4 year long warranty period on the ODYSSEY 65-PC1750T Automotive and LTV Battery. Best features
Offers 12 volts voltage capacity Lead-Acid, AGM truck battery Comes with 4 years of warranty -40°F to 113°F temperature range
Pros
One of the most reliable truck batteries Perfect for extreme weather conditions Lead-acid AGM battery
Cons
A bit more expensive compared to other truck batteries
5. Delphi BU9035 MaxStart AGM Premium Automotive Battery
On the other hand, Delphi is a brand that is offering the cheapest option for a truck battery on this list. If you do not use your truck for heavy tasks, it can be a suitable choice for your needs. The Delphi BU9035 is the cheapest option we have for our picks of the best truck battery. This is an AGM Group 35 battery that is compatible with almost all popular trucks in the market. If you are worried about the installation, don’t be. The Delphi BU9035 measures about 9.6 x 10 x 7.8 inches in size, which is more compact than any other option. This battery includes 6 independent cells to maintain uniform distribution of voltage and offer a seamless output. As for the CCA, the Delphi BU9035 is rated for 680 cold cranking amps which should be good enough for normal winters. It also has 100 reverse capacity which ensures a reliable performance while you are on a long trip. Delphi is also ensuring around 20 times higher vibration resistance on this battery which is simply admirable at this budget. Best features
Offers 12 volts voltage capacity Lead-Acid, AGM truck battery Comes with 3 years of warranty Measures about 9.6 x 10 x 7.8 inches in size
Pros
Nearly 20 times higher vibration resistance Group 35 AGM battery with 680 CCA Superior corrosion resistance
Cons
CCA rating should have been higher
6. NORTHSTAR Pure Lead Automotive Group 27 Battery
In the end, we are featuring a lesser-known brand called NORTHSTAR on our list. But still, you will find a lot of automotive batteries designed by NORTHSTAR alongside trailer sprays, air compressors, and other accessories. Rounding up our selection of the best truck batteries, we have the NORTHSTAR NSB-AGM27 Automotive Battery. This is also a premium category truck battery which justifies its price range with pure lead construction and AGM battery cell composition. It belongs to the group 27 battery size which might endure its compatibility with your truck. Coming to the technical specifications, the NORTHSTAR NSB-AGM27 Automotive Battery offers 1080 cracking amps alongside 930 cold-cranking amps. The cold-cranking amps on this battery are especially suitable for colder regions. You will also get 195 reverse capacity as well as 92 amp hour rating which is similarly powerful specifications. The NORTHSTAR NSB-AGM27 Automotive Battery comes with a 4-year warranty period which is not available with many other choices. Best features
Offers 12 volts voltage capacity Lead-Acid, AGM truck battery Comes with 4 years of warranty Measures about 12.44 x 6.77 x 8.74 inches in size
Pros
Comes with a long warranty period Technical specifications are good Compatible with many standard trucks
Cons
A bit smaller truck battery than a few other options
Buying Guide For The Best Truck Battery
If you own a heavy automobile like an SUV, RV, or truck, you must know the importance of the battery installed in it. If you have found yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere with a dead car battery, you know the severity of the situation and how important it is to keep your battery at optimal performance level at all times. If you are noticing frequency problems with your battery such as delayed starts, quick discharge rate, and low cranking amps, you should start looking for a replacement right now. As you will only need to replace your truck’s battery about 2 to 3 times throughout the life of your truck, you should prefer going with a premium choice for reliable performance. And to get the best option in your budget, make sure you follow our buying guide before making a choice.
1. Type of Battery
First and foremost, you need to understand what type of battery is best suited for your automobile and then choose from the options available for the same. There are a few options that you may come across when you are looking for a truck battery such as SLI, Lithium-ion, Deep Cycle, Lead-acid, Wet cells, etc. But if you want the best compatibility for a heavy truck, you should go with an AGM battery. These are the most popular options for trucks since they offer a faster charging performance along with a low-discharge rate. Therefore, the battery will spend more time supplying power to your engine rather than on the charging table. The AGM batteries also cycle down to about 80% of their depth of discharge without any damage to the chemical integrity of the internal components.
2. Operating Temperature
One of the most common reasons to need a replacement for a battery is unsuitable operating temperatures. The surrounding temperature has a major impact on the performance of a truck battery, especially if your truck is on the run for multiple hours every day. If the surrounding temperature is excessively high or low, the overall performance of your battery will not be optimal, unless your battery’s manufacturer has ensured a wide operating temperature range for the battery. As the ideal working temperature for a car battery is about 80°F, it is possible that you will need a high-performance battery for your truck for summers and winters. If the battery is operated at a higher temperature level than what it is designed for, the internal chemical reactions will be faster, increasing the possibility of internal corrosion. On the other hand, extremely cold weather will significantly slow down the chemical reaction, decreasing the output capacity of the battery.
3. Battery Size
Another highly important feature of a truck battery is its size which is often ignored while the user is looking for a battery replacement. Before you start looking at the technical specifications and features of the battery, you should first check if the battery can fit under the hood of your truck. If that’s not possible, the truck battery won’t be of any use to you, irrespective of how good it performs in various conditions. To check the compatibility of the truck battery with your truck, simply check its external dimensions and compare them with the space available on your battery mount. If you are not sure about that, simply remove your old battery and compare the new battery’s dimensions to the older unit. If the replacement battery is similar to your previous model, installation should not be a problem. Larger dimensions might become problematic at the time of installation and force you to make adjustments for the battery. However, if the new battery is too small, you may not be able to securely install it in the battery mount.
4. Warranty
As you may already know, you are going to spend a handsome amount on your new truck battery. Thus, it is important to choose an option that will last you a long time and won’t need frequent checkups or replacements in the near future. As there are a lot of brands present in the market that offer truck batteries, one might get confused about which option is best suited for their budget. As long as you are buying a truck battery from a renowned brand, you have nothing to worry about. Most reliable battery companies offer a long warranty period on their batteries which ensures the flawless performance of the battery, at least until the end of the warranty period. Even if something goes wrong with the battery within the warranty period, it would not be a big deal as you will be authorized to claim free-of-cost repairs from the manufacturer. And if the battery is damaged beyond repair, you may also receive a replacement without any additional cost. Q. Does surrounding temperature affect an AGM battery? Surrounding temperatures affect all types of batteries, whether it is an automotive battery, smartphone battery, or standard AA or AAA batteries. Extremely hot or cold weather interferes with the internal chemical reaction of the battery and reduces its performance. But with that being said, you should also acknowledge that AGM batteries offer pretty decent performance in extreme temperatures. But in any case, you need to ensure that the battery you are buying is suitable for the average surrounding temperature of your region. Q. How to check if my truck battery is dying? Irrespective of the maintenance and cleaning sessions you schedule for your truck battery, it will eventually lose the capacity to hold the charge because of the timely decay of the internal components and their chemical properties. Although, you will notice a few signs that will assure you if you need a replacement for your truck’s battery. The most common sign for automotive batteries is slow engine starts. It occurs because your battery is incapable of offering the necessary current to generate a spark. Another noticeable symptom is dimmed head and tail lights. Q. Why is my truck battery draining rapidly? There can be a lot of reasons behind the rapid draining of an automotive battery. The most common culprit can be corroded cables that introduce loose contact between the battery terminals and your circuit. Extreme working temperatures can also cause a fast discharge rate from your battery. In some cases, your battery can be fine but could be draining rapidly due to malfunctioning of other components like the alternator. You should also make sure that you keep the lights turned OFF during the day as it will reduce your truck battery’s life by half.
Conclusion
After going through our selection of the best truck batteries, you must have learned a lot about what options are available in the market right now and how they differ from each other. You can find detailed information about truck batteries on this list along with a helpful buying guide that will guide you on how you can choose the right option for your truck. So, you can go ahead and select the most capable option you can find in your budget. While almost all of the options presented here offer a reliable working period and specification, you should carefully consider the options based on the features we discussed in our buying guide. You can also go with one of our top choices given here. The Delphi BU9035 MaxStart is arguably the cheapest option you can find right now for a truck battery. This is a group size 35 AGM battery with 12 volts power capacity. As for its dimensions, it measures about 9.6 x 1 x 7.8 inches, making it a highly compact option. The Delphi BU9035 MaxStart offers about 660 CCA and 100 reverse capacity, which are pretty impressive features for a cheaper option. It is also ensured against any internal damage and battery problems for 3 years. If you are looking for an even more reliable truck battery, go with the ODYSSEY 65-PC1750T Automotive and LTV Battery. This is one of the premium range truck batteries on our list that carries a 4 year long warranty period. It also excels in terms of performance as you will get about 950 cold-cranking amps with this battery. The ODYSSEY 65-PC1750T Automotive and LTV Battery have non-spillable design and a highly vibration-resistant external casing. Lastly, we will suggest going with the ACDelco Gold B24R as it is the most trusted option present in the market for a truck battery. This is a perfect option for hybrid vehicles because it is a Group 51 AGM BCI battery. It features a highly durable exterior design, making it perfect for rough travels. The suitable working temperature range for this battery is between 32°F and 70°F. You will also receive a 2-year warranty period on this battery. Comment * Name * Email * Website
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