20 best car batteries

Any car, from domestic classics VAZ to modern models of the Japanese brand Toyota, without a battery turns into a large iron tarantass on wheels. The battery cannot be called the heart of the car, but no one doubts the importance of its value. There are models from various manufacturers on the market that differ in the principle of operation and basic parameters.

The best of them take part in our review. The rating was compiled based on the characteristics of the models and the opinions of auto service specialists. A certain degree of influence on the ratings was also exerted by the reviews of users who have personal experience of using some of the presented batteries.

Best car battery manufacturers

Almost always, buyers try to buy products from well-known brands. All the same, the declared characteristics can be anything and therefore, taking goods from some kind of "no-name" there is a great chance to stumble upon outright junk. To prevent this from happening with your battery, take a look at our list of the best car battery manufacturers.

• Bosch. This company from Germany is far from the first time appearing on the pages of our site, and all because it produces a very extensive list of all kinds of equipment. Like all other products, Bosch batteries are of excellent quality. Among the main advantages, it is worth highlighting the reduced self-discharge rate, confident operation even at -30 ° C, as well as the ability to recover after overdischarge.
• Varta. Another great brand with a well-known German quality. They are distinguished by a long service life and resistance to corrosion. It is also worth noting the presence of a sponge filter, which is a kind of flame arrester, which excludes the possibility of fire. At the same time, Warta batteries are among the most affordable on the market today.
• Topla. One of the oldest car battery manufacturers. Domestic car enthusiasts have known this Slovenian company since the 70s of the last century, when sales began in the USSR. Topla produces calcium and hybrid batteries, which are distinguished by high starting current and good performance at low temperatures.
• Mutlu. This Turkish company was founded back in 1945, but to this day it remains among the market leaders thanks to its good quality and constant technological development. The range of the company includes three series of batteries: Standart, Taxi and Start-Stop. All of them are characterized by stable characteristics, low self-discharge and vibration resistance. It is also worth noting the tradition of the company - the presence of a charge indicator on each battery. Finally, about the cost - Mutlu products belong to the budget class.
• Akom. So we got to domestic manufacturers. Founded on the basis of old Soviet factories in 2002, the company quickly understood how to conquer the market. Thanks to cooperation with foreign manufacturers of batteries, the purchase of new equipment and retraining of personnel, Akom quickly managed to become one of the leaders on the domestic market. As the manufacturer notes, their batteries have not only a low self-discharge rate, thanks to the use of calcium, but also such an interesting function as "self-shutdown", which turns off the battery when the charge level reaches 95%.
• TAZ. He is also the Tyumen Battery Plant - one of the largest suppliers of batteries in the Russian market. It stands out for a very wide range of manufactured goods: these are car batteries, batteries for diesel locomotives, and electrolyte production. In general, car batteries from the city of Tyumen stand out for their relatively low cost and excellent performance at low temperatures.

The best domestic lead-acid batteries

Despite all the patriotism, buyers often complain about the insufficiently good quality of domestic goods. There are many reasons for this, but in the context of the battery rating, this does not matter, because the battery is what our country can really boast of. Large Russian manufacturers not only purchase modern equipment that meets the requirements of the most technologically advanced European factories, but also try to improve the qualifications of their personnel in order to ensure the maximum quality of manufactured products.

The reasons for such attention to the battery are due to the rather rapid development of the automotive market in Russia and the CIS countries. Over the past few years, the domestic car market has been confidently in the five largest markets in Europe, which, of course, leads to a rapid expansion of the country's car fleet, which must be provided with batteries. In addition, a fairly large number of factories of foreign automobile companies have been built in our country. These vehicles are also supplied with batteries of domestic companies for the original equipment.

Finally, it is worth noting the most banal reason - Russian products are better than any other adapted to Russian conditions and the needs of customers. The batteries, which perfectly resist the frosts that reign in our country for most of the year, were no exception. Well, the cost. All the same, domestic buyers are quite "greedy", and therefore often prefer cheaper products, to which most of our manufacturers belong.

In this category, we will only consider lead-acid batteries due to their widespread use and low cost.

4 VOLT Classic

Despite the low price, the budget battery for the VOLT Classic car, despite its low price, fully meets the requirements for batteries by manufacturers of domestic VAZ and foreign cars (even such advanced ones as Toyota). The low price of the battery is not a reason for saving lead - it weighs no less than similar in power more famous models. He is sensitive to a deep discharge, and after a couple of such "accidents" he can become a contender for a replacement.

However, there are still drawbacks. In the reviews of many owners, there are complaints about poor resistance to negative temperatures. If in the summer and in the off-season there are no questions to the battery - it is enough only to timely control the electrolyte level in the banks (the battery is serviced), then in cold weather a completely different picture is observed. As soon as the thermometer approaches the -20 ° C mark, the battery begins to lose its charge intensively, and at the factory it may turn out that there are only 1-2 attempts at "everything about everything".

3 ISTOK

Among domestic batteries, ISTOK can be safely called worth its price. Previously, it was transported from Dnepropetrovsk, but now the production of this brand is established in Kursk. The owners of domestic VAZ and foreign cars (including such "Japanese" as Toyota and Mitsubishi), who have chosen the "Istok" battery for their cars, in their reviews positively characterize the endurance and reliability of this battery. With regular maintenance and control of the charge level, it can work for more than 4 years, which is considered an excellent result for domestic products. Its secret lies in the fact that the lead plates of the battery contain antimony melt, due to which the battery demonstrates its "vitality" even after a deep charge.

At the same time, in the conditions of city driving, electrolyte boiling can be observed in summer, especially in traffic jams. It will be possible to fight this phenomenon only by the timely restoration of the level with distilled water, otherwise the battery will sharply reduce its resource, and in the first winter it will disappoint the inattentive owner. It is this category of users who may be dissatisfied with the characteristics and reliability of the ISTOK battery.

2 Аcom Standart

This battery can be called strange.On the one hand, the cost is quite high (at the level of the leader of the rating) and good "passport" data. On the other hand, quite mediocre performance in real tests. According to experts, there is not enough lead in this joint stock bank, which is why it does not tolerate frost well. Up to -15 - everything is fine, the indicators are at the level of the leaders among lead-acid batteries, but as soon as the temperature drops below "twenty" and the battery simply ceases to show signs of life. Thus, the conclusion suggests itself - if you live in a sufficiently warm climate, which is rare for our country, you can purchase a battery from Akom, in all other cases, you should pay attention to more frost-resistant models.

Nevertheless, this battery model is quite popular on the market - it is willingly taken by taxi drivers, sales representatives and people of similar professions, whose nature of work implies a large daily car mileage. And many city dwellers, accustomed to using a garage, may not even notice the average frost resistance of this battery. And the presence of a charge indicator and attentiveness on the part of the owner will allow timely maintenance of the battery, which, of course, will extend its service life.

1 Tyumen Battery Premium

For several years now, the products of the Tyumen Battery Plant have become the leader in many independent battery tests. All experts and real users note how well the battery tolerates frost. Even at -30 degrees Celsius, this battery produced the best inrush current readings. This means that even in the most severe conditions, the Tyumen battery will not let you down and will start your car. By the way, the cost with such good characteristics is no higher than most competitors. The only drawback, which occasionally, but pops up in reviews, is the need to frequently add distilled water to maintain the same high performance.

In addition, the owners in their reviews often describe situations when a conventional alarm in cold weather can set the battery to "zero" in just 7-10 days. So, if the car is to be parked for a long time in harsh conditions, this factor should be taken into account. In addition, the great popularity of this brand in the domestic market has given rise to many fakes, which, under the guise of original products, cause serious harm to the image of this brand. Genuine Tyumen Battery Premium batteries have been independently tested to perform comparable to imported VARTA batteries.

The best foreign lead-acid batteries

Russian people are greedy for foreign brands. It just so happened that "foreign" is considered better in quality than domestic. We are now, of course, not talking about China, towards which most people have a prejudiced attitude.

Foreign batteries are no exception, which Russian buyers are snapping up like hot cakes, even despite a slightly higher price. In our ranking you can get acquainted with the top three of them. There are “Germans” here, whose products are famous all over the world, and “Americans”, who seem to be from another world, and “Turks” who have literally flooded the domestic market in recent years with their inexpensive, but already sufficiently high-quality goods.

In this category, we will again consider the most popular type of batteries - lead-acid and decide which part of the world should be entrusted with the launch and smooth operation of all systems in your favorite car.

4 BANNER Starting Bull

This brand is designed for European cars (it participates in the factory configuration of the VAG concern), but can be successfully used on domestic VAZ models and even in such Japanese brands as Mitsubishi and Toyota. Reliable frost-resistant plastic of the case is designed for long-term operation in various conditions, including the harsh Russian winters. The design is short-circuit proof and completely excludes the possibility of self-ignition.A special labyrinth cover prevents the electrolyte from overheating and boiling.

In the reviews of the owners of the BANNER Starting Bull battery, no complaints about the battery performance can be found. Even at -18 ° C, the cold cranking current corresponds to the declared one, and allows it to cope better than others with starting a car engine. The only factor causing customer dissatisfaction is the high cost of the battery. At the same time, they all have no doubt that BANNER Starting Bull is worth its money, and installing this battery on an expensive car is advisable and fully justified.

3 Exide Premium

This, in the truest sense of the word, overseas battery (USA) has quite interesting characteristics. In particular, the starting current issued "according to the passport" is 640A. This is the best indicator among all lead-acid batteries we know. But not without obvious flaws. A large number of buyers complain that Exide Premium has only been around for 3 years. Service life of 5-7 years is a rarity. The second problem is the price is the highest in the rating.

The secret of the fact that the reviews of the owners are so different is quite simple - the battery, although "overseas", is produced on our continent. Those batteries that are produced in Spain have no complaints at all - they are the ones that last more than five years with normal generator operation. Polish or Belarusian Exide Premiums differ even in appearance - they have cheaper plastic and the stickers are glued carelessly. In any case, the best confirmation of the liquidity of the battery is the availability of a warranty from the manufacturer.

2 Mutlu Calcium Silver

This Turkish battery was able to surprise a lot of people. In terms of parameters, it is not so far behind the leader of our rating, but it has a lower cost. The main drawback is a slightly stronger decrease in the starting current when the temperature drops to -30 degrees. Should you choose a obviously worse battery while saving only 500 rubles? We do not advise, however, the decision, of course, each owner makes independently.

When buying, one should take into account the great popularity of the model on the market, and, as a result, the presence of a certain proportion of fakes. Protection can only be the attentiveness of the buyer and his selectivity in relation to the seller. Only then can you be sure of using original products. Subject to these conditions, the characteristics of the battery fully correspond to those declared by the manufacturer, and the properties of the battery are not much inferior to more expensive brands of batteries.

1 VARTA Blue dynamic

German quality. After these two words, you can finish with the description of this battery. The Blue Dynamic model has been on the market for many years now and it only gets better with each update. In 2016, AKB won the silver medal in the test of one of the most famous car magazines in Russia. Surprisingly, the reviews of real users are quite contradictory: some argue that their Warta either refuses to work in cold weather, or completely "died" after six months or a year of use. But the bulk still notes a very long (up to 7 years) and problem-free use.

The secret of such diverse reviews is quite simple - due to the great popularity of the brand, there are fake products on the market that have nothing to do with the original batteries. The best way to avoid being scammed is to use the services of a brand official and trusted sellers. This is the only way to be sure that all the characteristics of the battery declared by the manufacturer will be able to ensure long-term and unpretentious operation. At the same time, it does not matter at all which car the battery is installed on - in an old VAZ model or a modern Toyota. The main thing is that it receives the required charging current (it should not exceed 10% of the battery capacity).Since the battery is maintenance-free, it practically does not require the attention of the owner - except that occasionally check the terminals for oxidation processes and keep the case clean.

Best AGM Batteries

We have already raised the topic of AGM batteries at the very beginning of the article. Now is the time to look at the best ones, but first, let's revisit the main features of this type.

It should be borne in mind that AGMs are designed for the most modern cars in which a very large number of all kinds of electronics are installed. All these consumers require high performance and stable performance. Also important is a high tolerance for short trips around the city, when the battery may not have time to sufficiently charge from the generator. AGM batteries meet all these requirements. But, unfortunately, there is a huge drawback - the price. With the same capacity, this type of battery is on average 4 times more expensive than conventional lead-alkaline batteries.

4 MOLL AGM Start-Stop

An excellent choice for modern cars and fans of powerful musical equipment. One of the best batteries on the market, which is not afraid of deep discharges and has a truly phenomenal safety margin - their life can reach 15 years (while the manufacturer maintains a 40-month warranty). The possibility of using the battery in a car with a Start-Stop system as well as in harsh climatic conditions has been confirmed by a number of independent tests of popular German publications on automotive topics.

These batteries can boast of the fact that only in their design there are unique technical solutions that ensure the phenomenal practicality of the battery. Judging by the reviews, it does not require maintenance and recharging at all, and can be installed on any car, including the domestic VAZ. For Japanese models (Toyota, Mitsubishi and others), a special Standart Asia series with reverse polarity is produced.

3 Tudor AGM

Among the best batteries designed for cars with start-stop technology, Tudor AGM has the most affordable cost. This characteristic does not negatively affect the capabilities and endurance of the battery. The use of modern developments allows demonstrating a high starting current even in cases where the battery has almost no charge. At the same time, it quickly enough gains capacity from a working generator and does not require urgent resuscitation using a charger.

Owner reviews very rarely contain any complaints about Tudor AGM. The battery works perfectly at low temperatures, practically does not require a charge in urban driving conditions (with constant stops and engine start cycles) and attention from the owner - the battery has a maintenance-free design. It can be used in European and domestic VAZ cars, as well as in Asian models - Toyota, Kia and others.

2 Bosch AGM S5

Bosch is a leader in many areas and the battery industry is no exception. Buyers note the high starting current (760A), which starts any car without any problems. In addition, measurements carried out with a 100A load plug show that the battery holds voltage well. Such parameters are extremely necessary for urban conditions, when the generator often does not have time to charge the battery for a short trip. Significantly reduces the degree of self-discharge and increases the resistance to premature shattering of the plates. High-tech construction of the grid - PowerFrame. This gives a high margin of safety when working under critical temperature extremes in frost and heat.

The battery type is maintenance-free, and apart from monitoring the charge level and keeping the output terminals clean, it does not require any maintenance from the user. Labyrinth cover with central ventilation prevents electrolyte loss.The owners in their reviews also point to the excellent resistance of the battery to vibration loads - a special separator with a high penetrating ability will not allow the plates to short circuit, and the special technology of contacting them together eliminates the loss of power and significantly increases the service life of the battery.

1 Topla AGM Stop & Go

Finally, in the first place we have the Topla battery, of Slovenian origin. This model, like the silver medalist, has excellent characteristics and is just as suitable for short trips around the city. The main features of the model include its adaptation to cars with Start-Stop technology and amazing survivability! And the lowest cost makes Topla batteries even more desirable. The secret, as always, is hidden in the technologies that were used in the construction of this battery. It is thanks to them that Topla AGM Stop & Go is not only a leader in this category, but is also in high demand among premium car owners.

Compared to analogues, this battery has more than three times increased the number of operating cycles, a special arrangement of plates reliably protects them from vibration loads, and due to the rational use of the working surface, a high starting current power is achieved. To be sure of the originality of the product, it should be purchased from authorized dealers operating throughout Russia.

Best Gel Batteries

Finally, we only have the gel batteries. It makes no sense to load you with technical details and features of this type of battery, because we have already discussed the device at the beginning of the article, and the main advantages and disadvantages are in many ways similar to AGM batteries, which we have already discussed above.

Gel batteries are also designed for modern cars with high energy consumption. And in the same way as AGM is "spoiled" by the high cost. Our rating can help you with the choice. Go!

4 EXIDE EQUIPMENT GEL

These gel car batteries are of the highest quality in assembly and component parts. EXIDE EQUIPMENT GEL contains a gel-like electrolyte that at least doubles (compared to AGM-type batteries) the number of full operating cycles. The plates are made of purified lead, which has passed the lead-calcium alloying procedure. This provides a phenomenal service life (more than 12 years!) And reliable starting of powerful engines of large SUVs (Toyota, Cadillac, etc.) as well as heavy specialized equipment.

In the reviews of owners who have chosen one of the EXIDE EQUIPMENT GEL batteries for their car, there are practically no negative characteristics. The batteries are maintenance-free, are quickly charged by the generator and maintain a high starting current in the most severe frosts. This feature has the most positive evidence. Against the background of low internal resistance, the battery has an amazing resistance to deep discharge - the battery can easily withstand this procedure up to 400 times.

3 Delta GX 12-60

The only representative of GEL-type batteries in our rating is GX 12-60. According to the manufacturer, this model will last at least 10 years, which is very impressive. It is also worth noting the resistance to deep discharges and a wide temperature range (from -40 to +40). The only and most significant disadvantage is the price. Yet not many will be able to afford this.

Nevertheless, the battery is worth its money, as evidenced by the reviews of the owners who decided to install this battery in the car. A good supply of energy, tolerance to deep discharge, high starting current and the complete absence of the need for the entire operating period to somehow maintain the battery (with the exception of keeping the battery terminals clean) are significant factors influencing the choice in favor of the Delta GX 12-60.

2 Varta Ultra Dynamic

The most reliable gel battery was created by German engineers.The Varta Ultra Dynamic model meets all the stringent requirements of renowned car manufacturers. Thanks to the unique technology, the electrolyte is absorbed into a special separator, acquiring a gel-like form. In this form, the battery is not afraid of inclinations and overturns, it regularly continues to generate current. During the development of the new battery, many innovations were introduced, which led to the emergence of a very reliable and durable current source. The battery is installed in many European and Asian cars, for example, VW, KIA, Toyota, etc.

Users note such advantages of the Varta Ultra Dynamic gel battery, such as good starting current, reliability, and long service life. The disadvantages of a battery are loss of power at low temperatures and high cost.

1 Optima YellowTop

The most advanced technology was introduced by the American developers of the Optima YellowTop gel battery. Thanks to the patented technology of spiral stacking of plates, it was possible to obtain compact batteries with characteristic cylindrical cans. Even with a small battery of 55 Ah, the starting current is simply off scale (765 A). The battery is distinguished by the ability to quickly deliver current with high power, which is especially appreciated by lovers of loud music. The battery withstands the load from powerful stereos without giving any drawdowns. The battery is also used in motorsport, the model is lightweight, resistant to vibrations and overloads.

Car owners who took the risk of purchasing the Optima YellowTop battery note the huge starting current, the stable sound of the most powerful audio systems. The main disadvantage of the gel battery is the high price.

The best batteries for VAZ

Owners of domestic VAZ cars have their own opinion on the best battery. If the machine is in good working order, then the simplest and cheapest power source is capable of starting the engine.

4 TIMBERG Professional Power 60

The TIMBERG Professional Power battery can be considered a quite good unit for supplying energy to domestic VAZ (LADA) models and stands out among the budget proposals of the market for its high wear resistance. The secret of this success is cooperation with the Polish company for the production of batteries AutoPart. It is his plates that are installed inside TIMBERG Professional Power. And modern developments of the Barton method have made it possible to increase the starting current due to the greater active mass.

The longest life of any budget model has made this Ca-Ca technology highly popular in the market. For many car owners, the price plays an important role in choosing a battery, but in the case of TIMBERG, the decision in its favor is quite obvious. Low self-discharge current, unpretentious maintenance and reliability of the internal filling, if used correctly (the required level of charging current from the generator), will allow it to last much longer than batteries of those brands that are not included in this rating of the best batteries.

3 TORNADO 6 CT-55

In the rating of batteries for domestic VAZ cars, there was a place for the model from Kursk TORNADO 6 ST-55. The battery does an excellent job of starting gasoline engines, although it does not have a high cold cranking current. Therefore, the battery is ideal for a serviceable car that is operated in the southern regions of the country. The service life of a lead acid battery can be at least 3 years. You just need to regularly recharge the battery on a stationary device. Kursk power sources are in steady demand among the owners of "Zhiguli" and "Lad".

Domestic motorists have an ambiguous assessment of the quality of TORNADO 6 CT-55 batteries. It attracts attention for its affordable price and good performance during the warmer months. In winter, the battery quickly sits down under load, the device is sensitive to full discharge.

2 Beast 6 ST-55

The domestic battery Zver 6 ST-55 is among the top three. With an affordable price, this power source has a modern design, the manufacturer has equipped it with a convenient handle.Among the lead-acid competitors with a capacity of 55 Ah, the Beast stands out with the best starting current (467 A according to the EN method). The battery proved to be good in harsh conditions, additional rotation in the cold will never be superfluous. The manufacturer has provided for the possibility of minimal maintenance; if necessary, you can replace the electrolyte and rinse the plates. To assess the charge level, there is a sight glass on the top cover of the battery.

Many owners of VAZ cars speak flatteringly about the capabilities of the Beast 6 ST-55 battery. It has good starting current, long service life, and affordable price. However, the stability of the work leaves much to be desired.

1 TITAN Euro Silver 61

The American company Exide takes part in the production of this model of batteries for cars, which brought modern management and new technologies to the old enterprise, which made it possible to create a high-quality product. And if earlier components for assembly were imported from abroad, now all parts are produced on site under strict control. The high quality of raw materials and modern equipment have become the basis for the fact that the TITAN EURO SILVER 61 JSCB competes on equal terms with more popular foreign brands.

Judging by the reviews, the model has proven itself well in harsh operating conditions - it withstands a deep discharge, prolonged downtime and, in the absence of defects in the design (there is a 3-year warranty, the main thing is to keep the sales receipt) can serve for more than five years. These batteries with direct polarity are perfect for domestic models of the brands GAZ, VAZ, UAZ, and batteries with a reverse arrangement of terminals will be a worthy choice for Kia, Mitsubishi, Toyota and other Asian cars.