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Trucks, just like any other vehicle, require batteries to operate properly. But because they have big engines and are typically faced with hard conditions, the batteries they call on are a little more robust than most. They need the extra juice for winter starting, vibration resistance when off-roading, and even versatile mounting solutions for custom builds. It’s not always as simple as buying whatever’s at the parts store. Relax. You’re not on your own. We’re happy to shed some light on the topic to help you in your hunt. We’re even going to share some of our favorite batteries for trucks to make your life that much easier.
Summary List
- Best Overall: Optima RedTop Starting Battery
- Best Value: ACDelco Professional AGM Battery
- Honorable Mention: Odyssey Extreme Series
- Best Deep Cycle: Optima YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery
- Best Long Term Performance: Deka Intimidator
Our Methodology
As with all of our car battery buying guides, we stick to some standards and practices when rounding choices up. We always make sure to research the market to see what consumers are interested in. That means we take note of what the top battery brands are, what features are important, and what issues people commonly come up against. Of course, personal experience and industry knowledge were also taken into consideration as we narrowed down our selection to the list you see below.
Best Truck Batteries: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: Optima RedTop Starting Battery
Pros
- Great cold weather performance
- Can be mounted in any orientation
- Maintenance-free
Cons
- Warranty support needs improvement
- Quality control issues are somewhat common
We’ve selected the Optima RedTop Starting Battery as our Best Overall choice because it’s one of the most powerful options on the market at a reasonable price. You’ll like that this battery features a 100-minute reserve capacity, is 15 times more vibration-resistant than competitors, and offers faster recharging capabilities.
Best of all, the 800 Cold Cranking Amps rating makes it ideal for larger trucks. This maintenance-free truck battery is also ideal because it can be mounted in almost any position. However, a common issue we found with this battery has to do with performance and customer service. Specifically, these batteries have a reputation for declining performance far earlier than the projected lifespan. And depending on where you buy this battery, the warranty might not always be honored.
Best Value: ACDelco Professional AGM 94R Battery
Pros
- 100% spill-proof and leak-proof AGM design
- Solid Warranty
- Affordable
Cons
- Poor quality control
- Relatively short-lived
ACDelco is a name you can trust thanks to its long history of supplying OEM parts to automotive industry heavyweights like General Motors. We’ve selected its AGM 94R Battery as our Honorable Mention because this battery features a high-density negative paste for improved performance. The calcium lead positive grid also improves connectivity, while an improved acid circulation helps to extend the battery life.
You’ll like that this battery offers enhanced structural features to improve functionality. For example, the 94R battery has a proprietary vent cap design that helps to extend the life of the battery by reducing the chance of acid leaks. And ACDelco’s batteries are backed with a 36-month free replacement period.
Still, we did note a few negative issues with this battery. First, customer service ranked highest as a pain point for many customers. Depending on where this battery is purchased, the 36-month warranty isn’t always honored. Inconsistent product performance is also a major issue. Depending on the point of purchase, these batteries can arrive less than 50 percent charged and sometimes don’t surpass that benchmark. In other cases, it was reported that these batteries occasionally died prematurely.
Honorable Mention: Odyssey Extreme Series
Pros
- Dependable AGM
- Made in the USA
- Respectable warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Hard to find
Odyssey batteries are known to be some of the toughest, most efficient AGM batteries on the market. These qualities alone make them some of the best choices for trucks. Not only that, but they are very powerful, which is great for easy starts with the larger engines built in trucks. It’s also worth noting that the warranties are some of the best in the industry, and the batteries are built here in the USA.
The biggest issues with Odyssey batteries are the cost and how hard it is to find them. Few chains actually carry the batteries, and you can expect those that do to charge a premium.
Best Deep Cycle: Optima YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery
Pros
- Lightweight
- Great reserve capacity
- Vibration resistant
- Versatile mounting solutions
Cons
- Warranty needs improvement
- Quality control issues are somewhat common
Optima is known for excellent products, and their YellowTop battery is no exception for your truck’s needs. It is a 12-volt, 620 CCA battery with dual SAE and GM terminals. It is very lightweight, coming in at just shy of 38 pounds. It has a reserve capacity of 100 minutes, giving you added peace of mind when you are on the road. It is 15 times more resistant to vibration, making it an excellent choice if you take your truck over rough or gravelly roads.
These YellowTop batteries are also excellent for seasonal usage because they have a very low self-discharge rate. So if you possess a working truck that sees more action during certain times of the year as opposed to others, this is the battery for you. It has the flexibility to be mounted in nearly any position, making it one of the more versatile batteries.
However, there are some issues this battery faces. It has had recent reports of not holding a charge or lasting as long as promised. The warranty is also complicated to navigate, requiring much validation from you to prove it is faulty.
Best Long Term Performance: Deka Intimidator
Pros
- Made in the USA
- Holds CCA rating
Cons
- Not easy to find
- Expensive
Deka batteries are the perfect match for many trucks. If for no other reason than because they’re built to be extremely tough. Deka batteries are famous for holding their CCA ratings over the years, whereas others tend to fall off. That’s great for large truck engines that require the extra juice for easy starts. Another thing to really like about these batteries is that they’re built here in the USA.
The biggest problem you’ll have with this brand is how hard it is to find the batteries they aren’t carried by most popular parts store chains. Another issue is that they are more expensive than most.
Our Verdict
We recommend our Best Overall Optima RedTop Starting Battery. It’s a heavy hitter all around, with the strength and reliability that trucks demand. The ACDelco Professional AGM Battery is a solid alternative for those on a budget.
What to Consider When Shopping for Truck Batteries
Types of Truck Batteries
Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM)
AGM batteries are popular because of their discharge and recharge efficiency. These are some of the best batteries and are designed with an electrolyte solution placed close to the metal plates. In contrast to other battery types, they offer a slower discharge rate. AGM technology is also more sustainable because most of the parts, such as the plastic shell, fiberglass and lead-acid, are recyclable.
Lead-Acid
Lead-acid batteries are a very common option for trucks. This type of battery features a lead and acid combination, which stores the electric charge. This battery category includes wet-cell batteries. Wet-cell batteries are also known as “flooded batteries” and are some of the most affordable options on the market.
Lithium-Ion
Lithium-ion batteries are ideal high-performance batteries because they can store more energy than conventional batteries. Specifically, a quality lithium-ion truck battery can last for up to 10 years. While they are compact in size and have minimal weight, lithium-ion batteries aren’t compatible with all trucks. This type of battery is usually reserved for electric or hybrid cars. Also, this type of battery tends to be the most
Key Features
Compatibility
Always confirm that the battery you’re planning to purchase is compatible with the year, make, and model of your truck. Ideally, any new battery should have identical dimensions as your current OEM battery. If the unit is not compatible, you will have to return it, which will cost you time and possibly money.
Cold Cranking Amps
Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) references the total number of amps a battery releases at zero degrees for 30 seconds at a rate of 7.2 amps. In extreme temperatures, that’s when you need your truck battery to reliably start your engine. Shoppers that live in cold-weather regions where temperatures regularly dip below zero degrees Fahrenheit should prioritize batteries with a higher CCA rate. Specifically, look for batteries with over 500 Cold Cranking Amps.
Operating Temperature
Typically, batteries operate at their best when the ambient temperature is between 68 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Obviously, there are going to be plenty of times (depending on where you live) that you’ll face weather conditions outside of this “goldilocks” range. To ensure that you have a quality truck battery designed to last, look for models with wider performance temperature ranges. A good battery can perform in temperatures as low as -40 degrees to as high as 176 degrees Fahrenheit.
Reserve Capacity
The reserve capacity (RC) references a battery’s running time with 2.5 amps of discharge. This is an important figure because it will determine how many electronics you can simultaneously run in your truck and what equipment you can charge before the battery dies. Typically, AGM batteries perform the best in this category because they feature the highest reserve capacity. AGM batteries are known to hold as much as 80 percent of their charge after a deep discharge.
Truck Battery Pricing
Truck batteries live in a wide price range. Budget-oriented shoppers can find a basic battery within the $100-$200 price range. Most of the specialty options sell for $200-$400.
FAQs
You have questions. The Drive has answers!
A: Deep cycle batteries tend to be very powerful and have a longer lifespan. Specifically, these types of batteries are usually reserved for electric or marine vehicles. In contrast, AMG batteries are very commonly used for trucks. Even though they are pricier than “standard” lead-acid batteries, AMGs usually outperform them because of their fuel-saving start-stop systems and ability to withstand vibrations.
A: A quality lead-acid battery has a service life of up to two to three years of regular use before you should consider replacing it. One of the biggest benefits of picking a lead-acid battery is that these are some of the best low-maintenance types of batteries for people who don’t want to constantly work on their truck battery. However, if these batteries develop a problem, there’s no option to fix it — all you can do is replace it.
A: It might be tempting to opt for a car battery to replace your existing truck battery but in the long run this is a bad idea. Truck batteries are designed with higher CCA ratings — even when compared with top of the line car batteries. So, a car battery might not be strong enough to properly power your truck.
