People don’t often think about the battery in their truck until it’s not doing what they want. Maybe their new off-road lamps are dimmer than the box says they should be. Worse; maybe it’s the first snow of the year, and the truck just refuses to start. Don’t worry, though; we have this guide for you. You can pick up a new battery that won’t let you down.
We’ll get the basics out of the way first, then we’ll launch into our top ten list with reviews. Afterward, we’ll hit you with some extra information and answer all the pressing questions.
Quick Start Guide to Truck Batteries
If you are upgrading your old battery or just replacing one that has flatlined, there are a few things you need to consider. This quick guide will get you all the info you need to make an informed decision.
Main Properties
Batteries are fairly simple, which is a good thing when you choose one because there’s not a lot of information you need to have before diving in. The following are the things that are the primary considerations.
- Type: We’ll go more in-depth after the reviews, but there are three main types of battery you’ll find for your truck. Lead-acid batteries are cheap but can spill. Most truck batteries are AGM batteries. They can’t spill and can hold a charge better, but they are more expensive. Lithium batteries are incredibly lightweight and energy-dense but very expensive and rare.
- CCA: Cold Cranking Amps, or CCA, is a rating that basically tells you how much juice a battery can put out to start your car when it’s cold out. Bigger motors and colder temperatures need more amps.
- Size: We’ll talk more about size in a moment, but you’ll have to double-check the physical size of the space where a battery goes in your truck to make sure the new one will fit.
- Reserve: The reserve capacity is a measurement of how long a battery can put out 2.5 amps. The higher the reserve, the more accessories you can have hooked up like lights and aftermarket subwoofers.
- Terminal Style: Most vehicles use top post, or SAE, style terminals. There are other styles, though, like the side bolt style that is common in GM vehicles or the top bolt style that is common on high-performance engines. You can buy adapters, so it’s not the end of the world if you get the wrong terminal size.
Compatibility
We mentioned size and terminal style above. Terminal style is pretty straightforward, and it’s something you can purchase adapters for. Size is a little more complicated.
First off, many batteries use different terms to describe the same size. A group 94 battery is the same size as a group H7 battery, for instance. Second, just because your truck uses a group 34 or similar battery, that doesn’t mean that other batteries won’t fit. You may have to do some research to find out what size battery will fit in your truck. Browsing forums is one good way, and you can always just use a tape measure and find out for sure.
We will give you the dimensions in inches because if you are upgrading your battery, it may be bigger than stock. If you’d like, here is a good cross-reference chart.
Other Considerations
There are a handful of other considerations that might sway you towards one battery or the other. You will definitely want to check the main considerations first since those properties will allow you to get what you want out of your truck.
- Price: Price is often a limiting factor, and even though no one wants to think about it, it’s the reason that not everyone is running lithium batteries.
- Longevity: You can expect a battery to last at least 3 years, but some are designed to last a lot longer.
- Durability: Trucks get abused, so you are going to want a battery that can stand up to a lot of damage. With that in mind, we don’t suggest any batteries that can’t handle being in a work vehicle. Still, some are more durable than others, so if you want the best, just keep an eye out for it.
As we get into the reviews, keep in mind that it’s better to get more power than you need than it is to end up with too little. You won’t hurt the engine if you put a 900CCA battery in a truck that requires 200CCA, but you can damage the starter if you do the opposite.
Top 10 Best Truck Batteries 2021
1. Best Overall Battery: Optima RedTop
Editor’s Rating:
At a Glance
- Type: AGM
- CCA: 720
- Size: 10 5/16″ x 6 13/16″ x 7 5/8″
- Reserve: 90 minutes
- Terminal Style: Top post and side bolt
Why It’s Good for Your Truck
For most people, the Optima RedTop is the perfect truck battery. It’s nearly indestructible, it offers a good amount of cranking amps, and they are designed to fit right into the most common trucks on the road. That’s the reason you’ll see Optima booths if you go to places where custom trucks are; hit up the shops at Hammers or Gambler, and you’ll see K&N, Fox, and Optima all in a line.
That actually leads to the hardest part about owning an Optima battery. They are so synonymous with performance batteries that everyone and their mother will have to come up to you and tell you about how they read on a forum once that some other brand is actually better. Just ignore them; the reason Optima has been one of the kings of the aftermarket scene for so long is that, yes, actually, their batteries are fantastic.
How Does it Compare?
The RedTop is a perfect general purpose battery, but as soon as you start looking for something specific, you’ll find better options. The XS Power battery here is a lot better if you have a large aftermarket stereo, for instance, and if you really want to shut everyone up with your battery choice, just blow their minds by picking up a lithium battery.
The choice you are probably trying to make, though, is whether or not you need the Optima YellowTop or if the RedTop will be fine. Get the YellowTop if you have a lot of lights and a winch or an onboard compressor. Otherwise, you’ll be fine saving the money and getting the RedTop.
Pros
- Very durable
- Optima is an industry-leading brand
- Works in a wide variety of vehicles
Cons
- Low reserve capacity
- People will criticize you for getting something popular
Editor’s Rating:
At a Glance
- Type: Lithium
- CCA: 925
- Size: 6.5” x 6.93” x 4.92″
- Reserve: 53 minutes
- Terminal Style: Top bolt
Why It’s Good for Your Truck
At a glance, this battery is a perfect truck battery based on the specs. 925 cranking amps is more than enough for almost anything, and the very small size makes it liable to work in any situation. What takes it from the category of “pretty good battery” to “insanity” is the fact that it weighs 7.75 pounds.
To put that into perspective, this ACDelco battery has very similar performance numbers, but it weighs a staggering 51 pounds. If you are building an off-road rig or just work on your truck a lot, shaving 40 pounds off your front end is awesome.
Lithium technology has a lot of other advantages as well. They can be charged very quickly, just in case you run it, and unless you intentionally tamper with them, they are very hard to damage. You’ll hear stories about LiPo batteries exploding from time to time, but the truth is that’s extremely rare. It just makes for a good headline.
How Does it Compare?
The downside to lithium batteries, especially when used in vehicles, is that they are very expensive. They are reserved for people who want to show off and for people that absolutely need the highest performing battery possible with the lowest weight. 99% of people will be just fine with something like a RedTop.
This lithium battery also isn’t a good fit if you need something with a lot of reserves. It can put out a lot of amperage for the size, but it can’t do that for very long. That’s really where the big AGM batteries reign supreme. If you have an aftermarket sound system that you love to run, consider picking up the XS Power instead.
Pros
- Very compact
- Incredibly lightweight
- High amperage rating
Cons
- Very expensive
- Not much reserve capacity
3. Best Small Truck Battery: Odyssey PC925
Editor’s Rating:
At a Glance
- Type: AGM
- CCA: 330
- Size: 05” x 5.83” x 6.64”
- Reserve: 52 minutes
- Terminal Style: Top bolt
Why It’s Good for Your Truck
If you have a big truck or live where it’s really cold, it’s actually not good for your truck. The RedTop or bigger Odyssey is better; those have the juice to power a diesel truck or a bunch of lights.
Not all trucks are large trucks, though. If you own an older Tacoma or a Frontier, you don’t need 700 CCA, and you don’t need to pay the premium for those extra amps. However, what you do need is a battery that is incredibly reliable and can handle the abuse that naturally comes with using a truck like a truck. The Odyssey is perfect for that. Just make sure to grab some SAE adapters.
How Does it Compare?
This is the lowest power battery on our list, and it’s really only suitable for small trucks. Even an F-150 needs more power. That’s why we rate the RedTop so highly; it’s nearly a universally good fit.
The thing is that there aren’t a lot of really great batteries for small trucks. Most of the time, you’ll be forced to get a standard lead-acid deal like the Everstart. Getting an AGM battery, especially a really high-quality one like Odyssey offers, will be a big upgrade.
Pros
- High-quality
- Very durable
- A great upgrade for small trucks
Cons
- Very low amp rating
- Doesn’t have standard posts
4. Best Off-Road Battery: Optima YellowTop
Editor’s Rating:
At a Glance
- Type: AGM
- CCA: 750
- Size: 10″ x 6.875″ x 7.8″
- Reserve: 120 Minutes
- Terminal Style: Top post and side bolt
Why It’s Good for Your Truck
The Optima YellowTop is the battery you buy if you are running a radio, a ton of lights, a winch, and an air compressor. It’s specially designed to handle being completely discharged and then recharged, so when your accessories drain it down and the alternator builds it back up, you aren’t shortening the battery life.
The yellow battery is also stronger and more resistant to damage than the red one. It’s very common to go to off-road events like Hammers or Baja and see a sea of mangled vehicles, each with a YellowTop being pulled out and put into the next runner.
How Does it Compare?
It’s a pretty expensive battery, and most people will be absolutely fine with the RedTop. Unless you are really planning on abusing your battery, you won’t really notice the benefit that spending those extra dollars will get you.
Also, even though it is meant for trucks that are running a ton of accessories, it doesn’t have a very high power rating. Especially not compared to some of the monster batteries on our list like the Odyssey 31-PC2150T that has nearly twice the reserve and cranking amps. If you have a big diesel, you will really want those extra amps, so consider getting the Odyssey instead.
Pros
- Incredibly durable
- Has extra reserve for runnings lights and radios
- Lasts a long time
Cons
- On the expensive side for the amount of power
- Doesn’t have enough cranking amps for a bid diesel
5. Best Budget Battery: EverStart Maxx
Editor’s Rating:
At a Glance
- Type: Lead Acid
- CCA: 650
- Size: 9.1” x 6.8” x 8”
- Reserve: 85 minutes
- Terminal Style: Top Post
Why It’s Good for Your Truck
There is one very good reason to buy this battery for your truck: it’s cheap. There are a ton of reasons that a cheap battery is just fine. If you don’t live where it gets very cold, or don’t plan on abusing your truck, or your truck is pretty much stock, or you just don’t plan on keeping the truck for much longer, or whatever. There’s no reason to spend a ton of money on a battery if you don’t need to.
Just be aware that there are a lot of limitations on a flooded cell battery than an AGM battery does not have. They need to vent, they don’t have good reserve capacities, and they can spill if they are damaged.
How Does it Compare?
Nothing on our list is even close to the same price, so if money is your primary concern, then nothing really compares. However, compared to the entire truck’s cost, you really aren’t spending much more to get an Optima RedTop. A RedTop is an all-around better battery for an everyday truck.
If you don’t have an everyday truck, every other battery on our list is better. Not being able to sit for long periods and hold a charge is another drawback of traditional lead-acid batteries that AGM and lithium batteries don’t have. Any truck that has to be stored or isn’t used very often will benefit a lot from any of the AGM batteries we recommend.
Pros
- Very inexpensive
- Good enough for most vehicles
- Very common
Cons
- Can spill
- Can’t hold the same level of charge as AGM or lithium
6. Best High Amp Battery: XS Power D3400
Editor’s Rating:
At a Glance
- Type: AGM
- CCA: 1150
- Size: 24” x 7.16” x 6.89”
- Reserve: 160 Minutes
- Terminal Style: Top bolt
Why It’s Good for Your Truck
XS Power is one of the most well-known batteries in the car audio world. If you run some bigger amps and a couple subs, you need a battery that can keep up with the power required. This is that battery. With a massive amp rating and deep reserves, you can roll up to your destination and blast tunes without worry.
It’s also a fantastic thing to grab if your stock battery just isn’t cutting it anymore for whatever reason. Signs of a battery that is too weak for your setup include dimming lights, slow starting, and low power spots during acceleration. A high-output battery like the XS will solve those issues assuming your alternator can keep up.
How Does it Compare?
There are two batteries that the XS Power is easy to compare with, and each one serves a different purpose while all being high-performance. First up is the YellowTop. The YellowTop has a lower amp rating but is a lot more likely to survive being smashed. If you do more off the road than on the road, you’ll probably be happier with the YellowTop.
Second up is the monster Odyssey. It’s more expensive but has a lot more juice. The XS Power is perfect for a good sound system and a few lights. The big Odyssey is good for powering a football stadium.
One of the issues that might push you away from the XS Power is the m6 terminals. Both the YellowTop and the Odyssey have standard posts, but the XS is geared more for the audio crowd who like to use them as secondary batteries. Just be sure to pick up some post adapters like these that will fit your current setup.
Pros
- High amperage rating
- Built for aftermarket audio
- Decent reserve power
Cons
- Not as good at surviving vibrations as others
- Doesn’t come with standard terminals
7. Best Fleet Truck Battery: ACDelco 94RAGM
Editor’s Rating:
At a Glance
- Type: AGM
- CCA: 800
- Size: 4” x 6.9” x 7.5”
- Reserve: 140 minutes
- Terminal Style: Top post
Why It’s Good for Your Truck
If you have a no-frills work truck or van or maintain a bunch of trucks and vans, then having a straightforward, easy to deal with battery is invaluable. That’s where this ACDelco really shines through. It’s a big battery, and it’s the same size you’d find in a lot of very common fleet vehicles like the Chevy Silverado.
You can get them replaced anywhere. They easily drop into some of the most common vehicles on the road. Because of their design, they are nearly indestructible. They don’t look fancy or anything, but they get the job done.
How Does it Compare?
It makes more power than a RedTop and has a bigger reserve. They are about the same price, so if you are deciding between the two, the ACDelco is a better value. It just won’t say “Optima” on the side of it, and even though it’s strong, it’s not “catch fire and keep working” strong.
In fact, the ACDelco AGM is simply one of the best values out there for what you get out of it. That’s largely because it’s such a common battery; availability keeps the cost down. Nothing on our list other than a wimpy flooded lead battery compares in that regard.
Pros
- Good value
- Fits a lot of common trucks
- It is available at a lot of locations
Cons
- On the large side
- A bit plain
8. Best Big Truck Battery: Odyssey 21-PC2150T
Editor’s Rating:
At a Glance
- Type: AGM
- CCA: 1150
- Size: 13.07” x 6.91” x 9.7”
- Reserve: 205
- Terminal Style: Top post
Why It’s Good for Your Truck
If your truck has a monster engine and needs a ton of amperage to start, and you live in a place that gets really cold, then you probably need a huge amount of amperage. That’s where this Odyssey shines by bringing you a massive 1,150 cold amps. If that can’t start your truck, it’s probably because your fuel is frozen, not because you don’t have enough power.
The extra power is also really nice if you run a ton of lights or a big inverter. Many modern work trucks have big inverters, so you can roll up to a job site and plug-in your Skill 77. A monster battery like this one means you can cut many form boards before you have to worry.
How Does it Compare?
We have one other battery on our list that has triple-digit cranking amps, and that’s the XS Power. The Odyssey here is a lot more expensive, and it’s a lot heavier, so you might be tempted to get the XS Power.
The thing is that beyond having a similar cranking amp rating printed on the side, the two batteries are very different. The XS Power is great at running your huge aftermarket stereo in your normal sized pickup. The Odyssey will run a table saw out of your big-block 1-ton. Nothing on our list really touches the Odyssey in terms of the volume of power contained.
If you don’t need the extra amps, though, consider just grabbing the RedTop. They are a lot cheaper and just as capable of surviving the abuse. Plus, they are way more likely to fit into your engine bay.
Pros
- High amount of amperage
- Lots of reserve capacity
- Great for big motors and cold weather
Cons
- Really big
- Excessive for most situations
9. Longest Lasting Battery: Exide L5/49
Editor’s Rating:
At a Glance
- Type: AGM
- CCA: 850
- Size: 13.875” x 6.875” x 7.5”
- Reserve: 160 minutes
- Terminal Style: Top post
Why It’s Good for Your Truck
It’s a big battery, no matter how you slice it. It has one of the highest footprints and the second-highest weight at 60 pounds. You need a decently sized engine bay to house this thing or be prepared to relocate it somewhere where there is room.
It also has really great reserve capacity to make up for the size, though. You can easily get three hours of radio from it, which is great for beach parties. What sets the Exide apart is that it can be drained down many, many times and still work fine. The whole focus of the design of the battery is centered around that. Starting after a long rest is hard on a battery, and a lot of trucks are not daily driven, so they have those long rests between starts. The Exide battery is better at surviving those conditions.
How Does it Compare?
It’s a little on the expensive side, especially compared to the very similar ACDelco battery on our list. What the ACDelco doesn’t have is the extra focus on high-quality construction that the Exide battery has.
Under consistent heavy use and harsh conditions, you won’t really notice the extra quality. All batteries, even the mighty Optima, won’t last for more than a few years if they are regularly abused. Most batteries will last 2-3 years under more normal circumstances. The Exide, however, will go 4 years and beyond pretty comfortably, and that’s what can make it worth the extra price.
Pros
- Great reserve capacity
- Can handle being discharged and charged frequently
- Well constructed
Cons
- Expensive for what it is
- Takes up a lot of space
10. Best Jump Starter: TACKLIFE T8
Editor’s Rating:
At a Glance
- Type: Portable jump starter
- CCA: up to 1000
- Size: 85” x 3.34” x 1.18”
- Reserve: N/A
- Terminal Style: Clamps
Why It’s Good for Your Truck
People take their trucks everywhere; that’s one of the advantages of having a big, durable truck. If you travel outside the range of a service company, though, you can risk stranding yourself. Even though most of the batteries on this list are relatively big, they are still susceptible to parasitic drain or forgetful light operators. Instead of being stranded, carry around a big jump pack like this one.
The TACKLIFE has a few advantages that make it nice for truck use, but the primary thing it offers is a full 1,000A capacity. That means you can hook it to even the biggest batteries on our list and get enough charge to start your truck.
How Does it Compare?
There are bigger jump packs out there, but for a truck 1,000Ab it is generally sufficient. If you are worried about it, this DBPower unit can hit 2,500A. The TACKLIFE is generally higher quality, though, and it’s a really good value. Most of its competitors are either lower quality or much higher cost.
What it isn’t, though, is a replacement for a bad battery. A failing battery needs to be replaced; no amount of jumping will suddenly fix it. You might be tempted to try because it’s a lot cheaper to buy a jump pack than it is to buy an Optima battery, but you’ll just end up with a burned-out pack and still have a bad battery. A simple lead-acid battery is the same price, don’t put it off.
Pros
- Very portable
- Can start larger motors
- Good value
Cons
- Won’t save a failing battery
- Less capacity than some competitors
In-Depth and Extra Information
Batteries are fairly simple. They hold a charge, and your car uses that charge to run electronics and engine electrical. If you want to know a little more about them, though, you’re in the right spot.
Types of Batteries
There are three main battery types on the market right now. Each one has its own benefits and drawbacks.
Flooded Lead-Acid
Conventional car batteries are fluid-filled plastic boxes. There are lead plates that are “flooded” in a solution. They have a few big downsides. First, the fluid can spill out. Not only will that ruin the battery, but the acid itself can destroy paint and clothing.
Second, a conventional battery has to vent, which greatly limits their install options and lowers their lifespan. They are, however, very cheap. That is why they represent 90% of all batteries used in trucks.
AGM
AGM, which stands for absorbed glass-matt, are technically lead-acid batteries as well. However, the electrolyte solution isn’t just sloshing around; it is contained in a fiberglass like medium. There are some big advantages to that.
An AGM battery can be installed in any position since it can’t spill. It’s also much less susceptible to damage and can handle being charged and discharged more.
Buying an AGM Battery
You’ll also notice that almost all the batteries on our review list are AGM batteries. There are two reasons for that. The first reason is that they represent the best value, especially for a truck that will likely be abused and needs a battery that can stand up to the abuse.
The second is that even though flooded lead-acid batteries are cheaper and more common, it’s difficult to have them shipped to your house. Since an AGM battery can not spill and does not need to be filled, it can be shipped and received much more easily. In fact, since flooded lead-acid batteries are often labeled as dangerous goods, it may be impossible to receive them depending on where you live.
Lithium
Lithium batteries actually come in a variety of flavors. The one you are most likely to find for your truck is LiFePo, sometimes simply shortened to Li-Po, and it’s much safer than other types of lithium batteries.
The biggest advantage of a lithium battery is that they have an incredibly high energy density compared to other forms. That means that a battery can be much smaller, but it will produce the same power. In a car or truck, that often translates to a lot of saved weight, a lot more mounting options, and the ability to run very high voltage systems relatively easily.
They are rare, and you aren’t likely to find them outside of electric vehicles even though replacement lithium car batteries exist. That’s because they are really, really expensive and only suitable for people who need maximum performance.
Why You Might Need More Power
The biggest reason to upgrade a battery before the old one dies is that you need more amperage. The following is a list of things that might make you want more power.
- It’s cold out: You’d be amazed how much temperature makes a difference in the starting power of a car. If it’s 10f out, your battery can only produce half the power as it can when it’s 50f out. Cars that are already stressed for power won’t start if it gets cold unless you upgrade the CCA.
- You have an upgraded engine: If you have more accessories or a bigger alternator or have done extensive work and upped the compression, you will need more juice to turn the motor over and get it started.
- You have a diesel engine and want to switch to a single battery: Many diesel trucks will use two batteries wired in parallel so that you can get the 700+ cranking amps required to start the motor. Buying a high-quality, high-amp battery will allow you to run one battery instead of having the extra complication and cost of running two.
- You have a lot of accessories: Big audio amplifiers, off-road lights, and onboard compressors all take a lot of amperage to run. Your factory battery probably isn’t up to the task.
Tips on Installing a New Battery
Replacing a battery is a task that even the most green mechanic should feel comfortable attempting. There are just a few things to keep in mind if you do it yourself.
- Disconnect the negative terminal first. This article from Popular Mechanics gives you a good breakdown of why just in case you are curious about why every guide will tell you to start with the negative side.
- Have a place to put the battery when you remove it. Remember that they can be up to 70 pounds, so a sturdy table can save your back.
- Pay attention to where the positive cable is, and make sure you install the battery the correct way. Hooking up the battery in reverse can destroy electronics and quickly become a very costly mistake.
- Bring your old battery to a place that it can be recycled or properly disposed of. Usually, your local recycling center or large auto parts store will have a place for you to bring the dead battery to.
FAQ
What is the Best Truck Battery?
For most people, the best truck battery is the Optima RedTop. It’s strong, offers a lot of starting power, and they are very common in the racing world.
What are the Signs of a bad Battery?
The most common signs of a low battery include slow or no cranking, dim headlights, and occasional engine performance issues when you accelerate. In order to tell if your low battery is actually bad, you need to hook it up to a charger that can diagnose batteries. Otherwise, attempt to charge the battery and see if the problem persists.
How Long Does a Truck Battery Last?
You should expect a battery to last three years. However, specialty batteries like the Optima YellowTop and the Odyssey Extreme have been known to last much longer.
What will Make a Battery Fail Sooner?
Batteries can fail sooner for a variety of reasons. Improperly installed batteries, or battery cables that are damaged/corroded, can cause immediate failure. Accessories that are left on, parasitic draws, and things like malfunctioning interior lights will shorten the life of the battery as well.
Conclusion
Having a good battery is a great way to make sure you don’t have to worry about going on your next adventure. You will know that you’ll have the amps to start regardless of the weather, and you’ll have the reserve capacity to run your lights on the trails.
Source: Tools - autoquarterly.com
