Sooner or later, your car’s battery will die. Choosing a battery can boil down to many factors, including price. Owners can choose batteries based on charge-discharge cycles, available reserve capacity, and performance in cold temperatures. Here are some of the best options that won’t break the bank.

What are the different battery groups?

You might need a size 24/24F battery if you drive a Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Acura, Lexus, or Infiniti model. For other Japanese makes, a size 35 battery might be required. Most Chevy, Volkswagen, and Buick cars use a size 47 battery.

A size 48 battery fits many American and German makes, including Jeep and Mercedes-Benz. In addition, many Audi, BMW, and Hyundai models take size 49. 51R batteries are another common size for Nissan and Honda vehicles. Moreover, size 65 batteries will fit most full-size trucks and large SUVs.

To know for sure which battery size your vehicle needs, locate any of those numbers on the label of your car’s current battery. To get the best balance of value and performance, owners should consider some of the best batteries in each group.

1. NAPA PROFORMER (Group 24/24F)

The NAPA PROFORMER 6524F battery for the 24 and 24F groups has no performance issues in terms of usage or reserve capacity. It also has an 18-month replacement warranty and is rated for 550 cold-cranking amps (CCA), per NAPA Autoparts. 

For comparison, the average battery produces only up to 500 CCA. The NAPA PROFORMER retails for around $130.

2. Bosch 35-640B (Group 35)

The Bosch 35-640B car battery is slightly cheaper than the NAPA PROFORMER at $125 and comes with a generous 36-month warranty. It also has removable caps so you can add water when necessary and an above-average CCA rating of 640. However, it doesn’t have the highest reserve capacity among car batteries in this group.

3. Duracell Platinum AGM 47 H5 (Group 47)

Absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries don’t have any water inside, so they require less maintenance than standard flooded batteries. AGM batteries are often more expensive, but they also last longer.

Fortunately, this AGM battery starts at $135, making it a budget-friendly option. The Duracell Platinum AGM 47 H5 earned high marks in every category and can be replaced for free within three years if it fails.

4. Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-48/H6 (Group 48)

This car battery has an excellent reserve capacity and can produce 730 CCA. It comes with a 30-month replacement warranty. However, at $160, this battery is pricier than its rivals. Still, the MTP-48 is much cheaper than a comparable Odyssey Performance Group 48 battery, which starts at over $200.

5. Duracell 49 H8 (Group 49)

The Duracell 49 H8 holds up well after frequent recharging and has a three-year warranty. Moreover, Duracell claims this car battery gets 900 CCA. Though it also doesn’t have the best power reserve, it’s still a good deal at $145.

In addition to the Duracell 49 H8, the 51R model provides a solid option for the Group 51R. Moreover, a 36-month warranty could add some peace of mind to shoppers’ minds.