In general, a battery is a device that is typically placed inside an electronic object. It supplies an ample amount of electricity in order for the object to function properly. It comes in various categories, and one of the most common types is a car battery, also known as an automotive battery. This type of power source is rechargeable and primarily designed to start a car’s engine.
Although it can be recharged several times, a car battery can still wear out, especially when it has been used for a number of years. To make sure that you don’t have to spend on buying new batteries every now and then, it is best to choose a durable battery that is worth the price. With that said, how much does a car battery cost these days?
Cost of a Car Battery
Apparently, there is no uniform price of a car battery. But on average, the cost of car battery ranges from $75 to $120, 
while the actual cost is around $50 to $200 or higher, depending on your vehicle’s make and model, as well as the type of battery you car needs and the brand. You spend more if you include a car battery installation.
A standard automotive battery is about $50 to $120. The price of a premium car battery, which has a better cold-weather performance and a longer warranty, is within the range of $90 to $200 or higher. The expensive type is usually integrated into a luxury car engine.
One of the most common types of automotive batteries is the lead-acid car battery. It typically costs around $125 to $135, but the price can be as cheap as $60. Meanwhile, the absorbent glass mat battery or AGM is almost $200, which is relatively higher than other types of batteries. It’s because an AGM is designed to be compatible with high-end parts in luxurious cars.
Popular Brands of Car Batteries and Their Prices
“Most aftermarket car batteries sold in the United States are made by three companies that build them for retailers: Johnson Controls, which supplies more than half of the market, Exide, and East Penn,” according to Consumer Reports.
Now that you already have an idea how much a car battery costs, let’s take a look at prices of some major and popular brands of car batteries.
- Bosch
– The cost of car batteries with a capacity of 12 volts ranges from $170 to $350.
- Duralast
– The normal car battery with a 2-year replacement warranty costs $99.99 to $142.99.
– The cost of a Duralast Gold, which is constructed to reduce potential damages caused by vibration, ranges from $112.99 to $179.99.
– Meanwhile, the Duralast Platinum is an AGM that has the highest durability and flexibility. It’s the reason why it is the most expensive among the three types of Duraplast car batteries. It costs around $161.99 to $206.99.
- Everstart
– The prices for this car battery come from Walmart since there are Everstart batteries that are only sold at this particular store. It has two options: Everstart Plus and Everstart Mass. In that regard, the cost ranges from $74.88 to $149.76. The Plus has a price range of $74.88 to $107.83, while the Maxx is the more expensive option, ranging from $87.96 to $149.76.
Choosing the Best Car Battery
With so many batteries available on the market today, it is a bit difficult to select the best one for your car. It even gets
more difficult if you don’t know anything about cars and car batteries. To help sort out the problem, here are tips that you can apply when selecting the most appropriate car battery.
First of all, there are a lot of factors in choosing an automotive battery, but the most important ones are the size, the reserve capacity, cold-cranking amps, as well as the features and accessories of the power source.
Size
– There are different sizes of car batteries, and it is important to select the battery that securely fits into the terminals, ensuring the sufficient stream of power going to the engine. If you got the wrong size, it would be a waste to spend on a car battery replacement price, or worse, it can cause more problems to the car.
– Consumer Reports has provided the sizes, and these are the following:
Size 65 – for SUVs, large cars, and trucks
Size 75 – a few Chrysler models, some mid-sized General Motors, and compact cars
Size 24/24F – vehicles manufactured by Acura
Size 34/78 – mid-sized and large sedans, SUVs, many large Chrysler models, and 1996-2000 General Motors pickups
Size 35 – most Honda, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota models
Size 51R – Honda, Mazda, and Nissan cars and vehicles
Size 47 – car models of Buick, Chevy, Fiat, and Volkswagen
Size 48 – fits vehicles of Volvo, Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Mini, Mercedes, Buick, Cadillac, Chevy, Jeep, and GMC running in the American and European countries
Size 49 – Asian and European vehicles from Mercedes Benz, Hyundai, BMW, and Audi
Reserve Capacity
– This refers to the standing power or the number of minutes a car battery can supply a minimum voltage to run the vehicle. It’s helpful in the event when the alternator or the fan belt fails to function. If a car battery has an outstanding reserve capacity, you can drive your car even when the alternator isn’t working.
Cold-Cranking Amps
– Apparently, cold weather can affect the performance of a car battery, so choose a power source with high cold-cranking amps or CCA. for everyone’s reference, CCA measures the car battery’s ability to start the vehicle even when the weather extremely cold. Freezing conditions make it hard for a car to start because the engine oil thickens, slowing down the chemical reactions in the car engine.
Features and Accessories
– Make sure that your chosen car battery has these three components:
Handle or Loop – This makes it easier for you to carry a car battery, which usually weighs around 25 to 60 pounds, and fit into the engine compartment.
Float or Trickle Chargers – These will prevent your battery from excessive discharges, especially when the battery is on standby mode.
Portable Jump Starters – You don’t have to connect your car to another car to jumpstart a car.