When the temperature drops too low, car batteries struggle to provide power for vehicles. In such cases, a car may not be able to start or die halfway when you’re driving. The best way to avoid this is to get the best car battery for cold weather for your automobile, and this post will help you do just that.
Here are the best car batteries for cold weather (Nov 2024 Update):
- Best Overall: Optima Batteries 8002-002
- Fast Recharge: Odyssey PC680 Battery
- Most Durable: ACDelco ACDB24R
- Best For Consistent Performance: Optima Batteries 8014-045
- Best For Sub-Zero Temperatures: Odyssey 65-PC1750T
- Best For Off-Roading Car: XS Power D6500 XS Series
| 6 Best Car Batteries For Cold Weather | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Optima Batteries 8002-002 | |
Fast Recharge | Odyssey PC680 Battery | |
Most Durable | ACDelco ACDB24R | |
Best For Consistent Performance | Optima Batteries 8014-045 | |
Best For Sub-Zero Temperatures | Odyssey 65-PC1750T | |
Best For Off-Roading Car | XS Power D6500 XS Series | |
Best Overall: Optima Batteries 8002-002
- Durable & long-lasting – polypropylene casing + 15x more vibration resistance
- Low-maintenance – not leak, spill, or evaporate liquid acid
- Hold a charge for long periods of time - Reserve capacity of 100 minutes
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The initial cost of this car battery might be a little bit high to some but what if you know that this is going to last for at least 10 years’ use? We find that lots of customers of Optima Batteries 8002-002 love it for such incredible longevity, even some said that theirs had lasted up to 15 years.
About functionality, it starts easily in harsh winter weather and is very good at holding a charge for long periods of time, up to 100 minutes.
It doesn’t leak, spill, or evaporate liquid acid during the use so no corrosion whatsoever. The best part is you not only pay good money for the battery but also the casing which is made of polypropylene, giving 15x more vibration resistance to make this battery’s durability to the next level.
| Optima Batteries 8002-002 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 10" x 6 7/8" x 7 13/16" tall |
Cold Cranking Amps | 800 |
Voltage | 12V |
Highlight Features | polypropylene casing + 15x more vibration resistance Reserve capacity of 100 minutes |
If you’re in the market looking for the best overall car battery for cold weather, this is a great one.
Fast Recharge: Odyssey PC680 Battery
- Inexpensive
- Give 70% longer cycle life
- Ultra-high recharge efficiency – only take around 4-6 hours for a 100% recharging
- Longer and more stable performance - up to 400 cycles
- Not as strong as other high-end car batteries
- Not come with a positive pole shield
Nearly half the price of Optima 8002-002, this affordable car battery is perfect for people on a tight budget. The best thing is it doesn’t compromise functionality.
Compared to conventional deep cycle batteries, it gives a 70% longer cycle life. At 80% depth of discharge, it features up to 400 cycles for longer and more stable performance. But what truly sets it apart from other sealed lead batteries is its ultra-high recharge efficiency (usually within 4-6 hours).
Meanwhile, the casing is also a big plus as it’s designed with mechanical vibration resistance and shock/high-impact absorption in mind. This casing is also tolerant of extreme temperatures as well.
| Odyssey PC680 Battery Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 7.15 x 3 x 6.65 inches |
Cold Cranking Amps | 520 |
Ampere Hour | 16 |
Voltage | 12V |
Highlight Features | Give 70% longer cycle life only take around 4-6 hours for a 100% recharging up to 400 cycles |
For those people who are in need of a good car battery with fast recharge, this just does the trick.
Most Durable: ACDelco ACDB24R
- Extremely durable - calcium-alloy & impact-absorption box
- Easy to install
- A bit longer than OEM, which might be restricted to some car lines
At the price range of around $150, we find this car battery to be unrivaled, especially in terms of durability.
While its calcium alloy produces a fine-grain, corrosion-free grid with minimum water consumption and maximum cycle life, the outer box absorbs vibration phenomenally well. Moreover, if properly used, it can last up to 10 years.
Installation is simple if you are mildly handy.
| ACDelco ACDB24R Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 18.5 x 11.4 x 9.5 inches |
Cold Cranking Amps | 325 |
Voltage | 12V |
Highlight Features | calcium-alloy & impact-absorption box |
We think the ease of setup, affordable pricing, and especially, the decent durability of this car battery make it a welcome companion if that’s also what you are seeking.
Best For Consistent Performance: Optima Batteries 8014-045
- Offer the longest and most stable performance - a 120-minute reserve capacity + SpiralCell Technology
- Ideal for modern accessory-loaded vehicles - 55AH C20 capacity, 300+ discharge/recharge cycles, and 750 cold-cranking amps
- A bit overpriced
Featuring a 120-minute reserve capacity, the Optima Batteries 8014-045 is on top of our review list for consistent performance. To capably provide such stable, constant performance, Optima has made this car battery with SpiralCell Technology to keep the required close tolerances.
Besides, it has 55AH C20 capacity, 300+ discharge/recharge cycles, and 750 cold-cranking amps, which is ideal for modern accessory-loaded vehicles.
It can include your car with plenty of factory electronics like a DVD player, power sliding doors, and more. In other words, the product is perfect to be used for cars with multiple electronic accessories or for high electrical loads.
About the spill-proof capabilities, vibration resistance, and longevity, it is similar to the other two Optima siblings.
| Optima Batteries 8014-045 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 10" x 6 7/8" x 7 13/16" tall |
Cold Cranking Amps | 750 |
Ampere Hour | 55 |
Voltage | 12-Volt |
Highlight Features | a 120-minute reserve capacity SpiralCell Technology 55AH C20 capacity, 300+ discharge/recharge cycles, and 750 cold-cranking amps |
Optima Batteries 8014-045 comes out on top as the best for consistent performance when it boasts a 120-minute reserve capacity along with many other notable features.
Best For Sub-Zero Temperatures: Odyssey 65-PC1750T
- Able to work smoothly in freezing weather – an operating temperature of -40 to 113 degree Fahrenheit
- Fast recharge - 4 to 6 hours for a full recharge
- Offer longer cycler life & more stable performance - 70% longer cycler life and a 145-minute reserve capacity
- Costly
Price aside, this is our most favorite pick and also our top recommendation for anyone living in harshly cold winter weather conditions (under freezing temperature). It can work smoothly in -40 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit – something that ordinary car batteries hardly do.
And it can quickly recharge your vehicle in just 4 to 6 hours with no spillage, liquid acid leakage or evaporation.
Compared to conventional deep cycle batteries, it offers a 70% longer cycler life with up to 400 cycles at 80% discharge depth. Meanwhile, it features a 145-minute reserve capacity and 950 CCA.
Overall, although they’re really expensive, they add to your confidence that Walmart batteries can’t give you. You get what you pay for.
| Odyssey 65-PC1750T Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 1 x 1 x 1 inches |
Cold Cranking Amps | 950 |
Ampere Hour | 65 |
Voltage | 12 volts |
Highlight Features | the operating temperature of -40 to 113 degrees F 4 to 6 hours for a full recharge 70% longer cycler life and a 145-minute reserve capacity |
The Odyssey 65-PC1750T is a fantastic option for those looking for a highly tolerant car battery that can work in sub-zero temperatures.
Best For Off-Roading Car: XS Power D6500 XS Series
- Ideal for off-roading and racing cars - 12-pound 12V-14V batteries to 30-pound 16V ones
- Offer the next-level performance – resist ultra-low internal, road vibrations, and spillage
- Easy to use – able to be mounted anywhere
- Expensive
- Heavy
This is the only car battery that we find to meet just everything you might need for off-roading and racing. Whether for dirt track or 300-plus MPH salt flat cars, its performance is always top-of-the-line with a wide range of options, from 12-pound 12V-14V batteries to 30-pound 16V ones.
Aside from resisting road vibrations and spillage, it also reduces ultra-low internal. The product is also tightly sealed with a valve regulated for enhanced performance.
The biggest bonus is you can mount it anywhere.
| XS Power D6500 XS Series Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 0d-2 inches x 0d-2 inches x 0d-2 inches |
Cold Cranking Amps | 1070 |
Ampere Hour | 75 |
Voltage | 12V |
Highlight Features | 12-pound 12V-14V batteries to 30-pound 16V ones resist ultra-low internal, road vibrations, and spillage able to be mounted anywhere |
The XS Power D6500 XS Series offers unparalleled off-roading car performance out of a bunch, making it the winner of our Top Pick award.
How To Choose The Best Car Battery For Cold Weather?
Types
There are several types of car batteries such as Lighting, Starting, and Ignition Batteries, Lithium-Ion batteries, and Deep Cycle batteries.
But for cold weather, you should choose an AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) battery, flooded battery, or Lead-acid battery.
Lead-acid: this is the oldest type of car batteries and they rely on liquid electrolytes. They sometimes leak and spill so you need to do maintenance work. It’s the cheaper option in comparison with AGM and more durable than many other battery types.
Flooded batteries: this is the most popular type because it performs better than lead-acid batteries in the stop and starts functions of the engine. However, these batteries are less environmentally friendly and require adding water from time to time.
AGM: this type of batteries doesn’t leak or spill because it doesn’t use a liquid. Besides, these batteries don’t require maintenance.
Cold Cranking Amps
The CCA rating indicates how many amps a battery can produce when the temperature goes to 0 degrees. This indicator is very important for every car in cold weather. As a rule of thumb, the higher the CCA rating, the better.
Reserve Capacity
Good reserve capacity allows the battery to power the car even if the alternator doesn’t work. So, you should check this factor of batteries when you’re shopping for one.
For example, if a battery is able to reserve 90 minutes, that means it will keep powering the car for another 90 minutes after being turned off.
Furthermore, the reserve capacity will kick in when you can’t use the charging system.
For cold weather, you should get a battery with high reserve capacity, like one that produces 25 amps in 80 degrees for a long period of time.
Maintenance-Free
This characteristic of a car battery is not the top priority but it will either give you more work to do or give you more free time.
A wet battery needs filling with water from time to time, so if you don’t want to do this manual task, you should opt for a maintenance-free battery.
Anti-Vibration
Anti-vibration is a useful feature for when you drive on rugged or off-road terrain. It’s smart to choose a vibration-resistant battery because it will not lose efficiency or fail when moving on rough terrain.
Amp-Hours
This indicator shows the energy charge a battery needs to produce 1 Amp for 1 hour. When looking at this indicator, you should choose the highest value possible.
Which Brands Make The Best Car Battery For Cold Weather?
Optima
Founded 40 years ago, this is a brand specializing in technological innovation and engineering. It offers high-quality AGM batteries and maintenance-free lead-acid batteries.
Odyssey
With more than 100 years of experience in the business, this brand produces some of the best car batteries on the market.
ACDelco
Over the past 100 years, ACDelco has been focusing on innovation when making new products. If you’re interested in the latest tech and new features, this is your go-to brand.
XS Power
This brand was founded in 2005 and has since committed to carefully testing all of its products before making them available for consumers. With a dedicated in-house testing lab, will offer you the highest-quality AGM batteries.
FAQs
What type of car battery is best for cold weather?
The best type of car battery for cold weather is AGM. Two other good choices include flooded batteries and lead-acid batteries.
How cold is too cold for a car battery?
Typically, a car battery can withstand minus 76 degrees at the maximum. Meanwhile, at 32 degrees F, the battery will lose 35% of its strength, and at 0 degrees F, it will lose 60% of its strength.
When should you replace your car battery?
In general, you should replace your car battery after three years, after that point, it won’t be reliable anymore.
How do you warm up a car battery in cold weather?
You can use a battery blanket to wrap around it, which fits inside of the battery cover. The blanket will generate enough heat to keep the battery warmer.
Can a car battery die from sitting?
Yes, it can, if you let it sit for too long. A typical car battery can sit for a month without dying.
Conclusion
This is the end of our complete guide to choosing the best car battery for cold weather, we hope that you now know what to look for in your new car battery to use this winter.
Remember that the most important thing to consider is its ability to power your vehicle and to survive at low temperatures.
