Best High Quality, Most Dependable Battery Brand(s)?

[NeilP]

I don’t need a battery now, but for future reference may I assume that AGM and lead acid batteries are interchangeable so long as they are comparably spec’d? Is one better than the other in protecting against parasitic drain?

Most new vehicles with the auto start-stop come with an AGM battery.

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[mr.wonderful]

I have a hard time recommending Optima batteries right now. Back in the early 2000s, when Johnson Controls first bought them out, they were great, but the last 10 years, the quality has gone down hill.

For reference, my buddy had a yellow top deep cycle last a year in his Subaru, I had a red top in my Subaru fail after 10 years. My father ran a deep cycle marine blue top dual post in his jeep for the winch, and even on Optima's own charger, has had issues with it. Close friend of mine who is a tech, sees Optimas coming in all the time for replacement before the 3 year mark.

Granted, this is my personal opinion, but the Die Hard AGMs are great. Interstate is awesome, and heck, in my Audi, I had a Duracell from Sam's Club (made by East Penn) and it was fine. I just can't recommend Optima after all the issues I and my friends have had and witnessed

 

[Rene Michaels]

I found this article while researching this topic and though it might be helpful to other 2019's here who plan to relace the battery themselves:

2019 Ford Ranger Replace a car battery

 

[Joeiconic]

Most new vehicles with the auto start-stop come with an AGM battery.

Yes, I am aware. But, does that mean it’s the best option? Theres plenty of complaints of early battery failures among most new car makes it seems.

 

[NeilP]

Yes, I am aware. But, does that mean it’s the best option? Theres plenty of complaints of early battery failures among most new car makes it seems.

For me, I will never go back to a flooded lead acid battery. I like not having to be concerned with corrosion.

 

[MXGOLF]

I have had Die Hard batteries last 6 years.

 

[Trigganometry]

I have a blue top Optima that is 20 years old. It needs a trickle charge to keep it going but it’s still alive!

 

[AzScorpion]

I have a blue top Optima that is 20 years old. It needs a trickle charge to keep it going but it’s still alive!

That's crazy life out of it! Average life out here seems to be 2-3 years with the heat we have. But I'm guessing most don't use a maintainer like myself until my original one died at 18 months. I'm already doing better with the new one which is 23 months old now and hopefully the maintainer is helping with prolong the life. I leave it connected anytime I'm not using my truck within the next 24 hours.

 

[AdamHarris]

I consider Deca batteries to be the standard today. They are the actual manufacturer of several brands.

 

[Fordup]

I just replaced the Napa battery in my compact John Deere. 12 years old and never needed a charge even thoughit sat unused for months in my unheated barn at times. Replaced it with a Interstate from Costco because it was 1/2 the price of current Napa pricing and it was the same weight. Time will tell but Costco has good warranty coverage for early failure.

 

[AdamHarris]

I consider Deca batteries to be the standard today. They are the actual manufacturer of several brands.

Well I had forgotten that East Penn is actually the parent company for Deca, Die-Hard and others.

 

[Trigganometry]

Well I had forgotten that East Penn is actually the parent company for Deca, Die-Hard and others.

They really get the lead out!

 

[RedlandRanger]

If anyone is interested, here are the batteries he reviewed:

For Lead Acid batteries, he chose either the Interstate or the Everstart from Walmart - but notice they are both made by Johnson Controls. For the AGM, as long as you aren't in a cold climate, he picked the Diehard - it didn't do too well in the cold tests, however.

If you want to watch the video to see how he tested, here it is:

 

[9zero1790]

I have a hard time recommending Optima batteries right now. Back in the early 2000s, when Johnson Controls first bought them out, they were great, but the last 10 years, the quality has gone down hill.

For reference, my buddy had a yellow top deep cycle last a year in his Subaru, I had a red top in my Subaru fail after 10 years. My father ran a deep cycle marine blue top dual post in his jeep for the winch, and even on Optima's own charger, has had issues with it. Close friend of mine who is a tech, sees Optimas coming in all the time for replacement before the 3 year mark.

Granted, this is my personal opinion, but the Die Hard AGMs are great. Interstate is awesome, and heck, in my Audi, I had a Duracell from Sam's Club (made by East Penn) and it was fine. I just can't recommend Optima after all the issues I and my friends have had and witnessed

i was underwhelmed with optima as well.

 

[dtech]

If anyone is interested, here are the batteries he reviewed:

For Lead Acid batteries, he chose either the Interstate or the Everstart from Walmart - but notice they are both made by Johnson Controls. For the AGM, as long as you aren't in a cold climate, he picked the Diehard - it didn't do too well in the cold tests, however.

If you want to watch the video to see how he tested, here it is:

Are those current prices in the chart? Seem low

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