Batteries are one of the most important parts of your automobile, whether you have a car, truck, RV, or any other type of vehicle. But for heavy options like RVs and trucks, the batteries are even more important. As the batteries are required to start the vehicle, battery failure is a much more severe case.
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
| Truck Battery | Voltage | Battery Cell Composition | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima Truck Battery | 12 Volts | Lead Acid | 3 Years | Check On Amazon |
| XS Power Truck Battery | 12 Volts | Lead-Acid, AGM | 3 Years | Check On Amazon |
| ODYSSEY Truck Battery | 12 Volts | Lead-Acid, AGM | 4 Years | Check On Amazon |
| LiTime Truck Battery | 12 Volts | Lead-Acid, AGM | 3 Years | Check On Amazon |
| NOCO Truck Battery | 12 Volts | Lead-Acid, AGM | 4 Years | Check On Amazon |
Best Truck Battery Reviews
1. Optima Truck 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
2. XS Power Truck 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
3. ODYSSEY Truck 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
4. LiTime Truck Battery
LiTime 12V 300Ah Lithium LiFePO4 Battery, the suitable answer for all your off-grid electricity desires. This excessive-capacity lithium battery is designed to supply maximum performance and reliability, making it a perfect preference for RV, sun panel, and other off-grid packages.
It comes ready with an integrated 200A BMS and a most strength output of 2560W, making sure that your gadgets and appliances always receive the energy they want. Its compact and lightweight layout makes it easy to move and installation, and it could be mounted in any orientation.
Key functions are, Li Time battery has astounding 4000+ deep cycle lifespan, allowing it to be discharged and recharged thousands of instances without any important loss in overall performance or potential. Additionally, it is FCC and UL licensed, ensuring that it meets the very best protection and first-class standards.
With its ultra-low inner resistance, the battery grants most energy output with minimum voltage drops, making sure that your devices receive the power they need. It also boasts a 10-yr lifetime, offering long-lasting and reliable strength for all of your off-grid desires.
Best features:
- High-capacity lithium battery with integrated BMS
- 2560W electricity output
- 4000+ deep cycles
- extremely-low inner resistance
- 10-year lifetime.
Pros:
- High-ability and maximum electricity output
- Long lifespan with 4000+ deep cycles
- Compact and lightweight layout with easy installation
- FCC and UL certified for protection and first-rate guarantee
Cons:
- Higher rate point in comparison to other battery sorts
- May require extra equipment for correct installation and usage
5. NOCO Truck Battery
Looking for a dependable and high-overall performance battery to energy your motorbike, ATV, or different small vehicle or equipment? Look no in addition than the NOCO Lithium NLP14.
With its superior lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) chemistry, the NOCO Lithium NLP14 gives severa advantages over conventional lead-acid batteries. It’s lighter and extra compact, making it clean to install and delivery. It also gives an extended lifespan, with up to 10 instances the cycle life of an ordinary lead-acid battery.
But this is no longer all. The Battery is likewise designed to supply astonishing power, with a 500A cranking amp (CA) rating that gives a burst of energy to fast begin your engine, even in bloodless temperatures. It’s also designed to function within a extensive temperature variety, from -20°F to a hundred and twenty°F, making it a dependable choice to be used in intense climate situations.
In phrases of connectivity, the NOCO Lithium NLP14 functions a regular brass terminal layout that makes it smooth to install and connect with your car or system’s electric gadget. It additionally includes a built-in battery management system (BMS) that allows prevent overcharging, overdischarging, and quick-circuiting, ensuring an extended existence for the battery.Finally, the NOCO Lithium NLP14 comes with a constrained 3-yr guarantee, supplying you with peace of mind and safety against defects and malfunctions.
Best features:
- Advanced lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) chemistry
- Up to 10 times the cycle life of a typical lead-acid battery
- 500A cranking amp (CA) rating for quick engine start in cold temperatures
- Wide temperature range of -20°F to 120°F for reliable use in extreme weather conditions
- Universal brass terminal design for easy installation and connectivity
- Built-in battery management system (BMS) to prevent overcharging, overdischarging, and short-circuiting
- Limited 3-year warranty for peace of mind and protection against defects and malfunctions.
Pros:
- Advanced LiFePO4 chemistry for longer lifespan and higher power density.
- Lightweight and compact design for easy installation and transport.
- High cranking amps and wide temperature range for reliable performance in extreme conditions.
- Universal brass terminal design and built-in battery management system for easy use and maintenance.
- 3-year warranty for peace of mind and protection against defects and malfunctions.
Cons:
- Higher initial cost compared to traditional lead-acid batteries.
- Requires special handling and disposal due to lithium battery regulations.
- Requires specific charging parameters and equipment for proper charging and maintenance.
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.
FAQs
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.
