Best Truck Batteries: Strong Choices for Top Performance

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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 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 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 expensive to replace.

We’ve selected the Optima 8002-002 34 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.

We’ve selected the Optima 8020-164 35 RedTop Starting Battery because it’s a compact truck battery with a lot of power packed inside. The 720 cold cranking amp rating makes it ideal for small and some larger trucks. As you would expect from this brand, its 35 RedTop battery is also designed to be 15 times more vibration-resistant than the competition.

You’ll like that this is a smaller and lighter battery as compared to the competition—making it easy to install on your own. This battery also features a 90-minute reserve capacity, which is great for improved and consistent performance over time.

However, there are a few issues with this particular battery. Specifically, the battery life in real-world conditions doesn’t always meet the promoted lifespan. And again, customer service with this brand can be a little spotty, especially in getting the 36-month warranty to be honored, depending on where you purchase this battery.

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.

Another excellent battery from ACDelco, this is made with maintenance-free Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) technology to ensure you can simply install it and leave it be. You won’t have to worry about tinkering with it, leaks, or spills. It weighs nearly 46 pounds, making it a bit lighter than you would expect. It is a 12-volt automotive battery with 775 CCA and a 150 reverse capacity. It also comes with a 36-month free replacement warranty; an added perk to purchasing from this brand.

However, there have been a few reports of the battery not fitting properly, not lasting long, or arriving nearly dead. The warranty appears to hold up to its standard, offering replacements so long as it falls within the 36-month period. However, this may depend upon the retailer you purchase it from, so ensure you look into that before buying this battery. It is also more expensive than others on the market.

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.

This is extremely similar to the prior Optima YellowTop battery, but at a cheaper price. It is 12 volts with 620 CCA. It weighs just over 36 pounds, making it lighter compared to others on the market. It is 15 times more vibration-resistant, making it a great option for a hard-working truck. It has 98 minutes of reserve capacity, so you can drive long distances while still feeling secure about your power. Just like the other Optima battery, this has an extremely low self-discharge rate, making it great for vehicles that have seasonal usage.

This battery, however, has a history of dependability concerns, as recent issues have been reported. There have been multiple reports of the battery not lasting or even blowing up during usage. The warranty for this is spotty, requiring a great deal of evidence that something is wrong with the battery and it is not something you did.

We recommend our Best Overall Optima Batteries 8002-002 34 RedTop Starting Battery and Best Value Optima Batteries 8020-164 35 RedTop Starting Battery to keep you on the road.

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 (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. 

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. 

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.