Experts tested more than 100 individual car batteries to determine which are the best. And they didn’t just test one of each car battery; they tested five units of each one, just to make sure. As part of that testing, they were able to determine which car batteries perform best in cold winter weather.

Considering how cold it has been across the country recently, the timing of this news could come in very handy for many people. As Consumer Reports, the folks who conducted these tests, explained, “Cold weather causes the engine oil to thicken and create resistance, and the chemical reactions in the electrolyte solution in the car battery slow.”

Manufacturers rate car batteries by cold-cranking amps (CCA). CCA measures the power available for 30 seconds at 0 °F. The higher the number, the more power that battery should have in frigid conditions.

For the test, Consumer Reports used a freezer to cool the car batteries to 0° F. They then rated them based on how long they can provide enough amperage to start a car in the cold. This way, regardless of a manufacturer’s claims, they can safely say what a battery’s relative cranking power really is.

The rankings are divided into the different group sizes of car batteries

Consumer Reports broke the ranking down into categories using the Battery Council International (BCI) group size classification system.

Group 24/24F car batteries are common in Acura, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Nissan, and Toyota vehicles.

Group 35 fits most Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota vehicles.

Buick, Chevrolet, Fiat, and Volkswagen vehicles most commonly use Group 47 batteries.

Group 48 batteries are common in vehicles from Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Volkswagen, and Volvo.

Group 49 batteries often fit Audi, BMW, Hyundai, and Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

Vehicles by Audi, BMW, Hyundai, and Mercedes-Benz most often have Group 51R car batteries.

Large cars, trucks, and sport/utility vehicles from Ford and Mercury most commonly feature Group 65 batteries.

Group 94R batteries commonly fit sports cars, European cars, and trucks.

The best-ranked car batteries in each group size for cold winter weather

Here’s what they discovered:

• Best Group 24/24F Battery for Winter: NAPA The Legend Premium AGM BAT9824F
• Best Group 35 Battery for Winter: Optima D35
• Best Group 47 Battery for Winter: Interstate Mega-Tron II MT47H5
• Best Group 48 Battery for Winter: Optima H6
• Best Group 49 Battery for Winter: Duracell 49 H8
• Best Group 51R Battery for Winter: Duracell 51R
• Best Group 65 Battery for Winter: Interstate MT7-65
• Best Group 94R Battery for Winter: Odyssey Performance AGM 94R H7

“Only you can take charge of your car’s starting performance this winter,” said Paolo Fu, who oversees car battery testing at Consumer Reports. Fu added, “Make sure to test your battery before the cold sets in because it can adversely affect your battery’s performance, turning a minor problem into a major problem. If you are worried about starting your car due to prior issues, make sure to visit a mechanic to have it looked over. Batteries should be replaced every 3 to 5 years, so ensure you check your battery’s date.”