AGM batteries were a military gadget in the 90s. It was a choice for the military basically because it’s surprisingly lightweight and totally spill-proof. AGM stands for Absorbent Glass Mat, sucks in the sulfuric acid making it spill-proof. Which was rendered as impossible before AGM came to light?
Being able to keep the acid in and not vomiting it out wasn’t the only thing that got this such market share. It has significantly lower internal resistance as compared to batteries adhering to other technologies. Meaning that the best AGM battery can pump out more amps than the others.
Table could not be displayed.Some of the Best AGM Battery in Town
To save you from the delusion, we are providing this shortlist which consists of 7 of the most valued AGM batteries with their pros and cons in detail. Let’s have a look!
1. Optima Batteries 8020-164 35 RedTop Starting Battery
Highlights
Optima hardly has any strong competition in the market of manufacturing batteries. Instead of buying general batteries which might not work perfectly all the time for driving, these batteries are designed for a specific application.
For taking your car for off-road driving or on rough terrains, this battery by Optima is second to none. This one is designed in such a way that it can handle heavy vibration in your car while driving roughly. Where the other ordinary batteries fail to continue working in sturdy driving, this one works just fine.
When talking about the build quality of this battery, this one is manufactured for high-end use. To ensure a quick start all the time, this one has got 720 cold-cranking amps (CCA). So, you don’t have to worry about the weather if it’s hot or too cold, this RedTop battery can handle the climate.
Along with that, you get 90 minutes of reserve capacity with this battery. To ensure the safety of this battery, this one is proved to be leaked-free. So you will be able to mount it anywhere you need if it’s necessary. Also, with the low maintenance design of this battery, you can be more tense-free.
Challenges
- It is not perfect for deep cycling.
2. Odyssey PC680 Battery
Highlights
With longer durability, this battery by ODYSSEY is one of the top-performing batteries in the market. For heavy-duty performance, like using it in a racing car, this AGM battery is built to perfection. With this battery, you will face no trouble like leaking or malfunctioning.
For any kind of weather, you can depend on this battery. And due to the lead plate that is with the battery helps it perform at any situation like off-road driving or on terrains. The lifespan of this battery is better than the ordinary ones in this price range. The battery has got a 2years of warranty to ensure the durability.
Besides, the manufacturer assures about 3 to 10 years of service by this incredible battery. The studs that are available here are corrosion-free. You will be able to install this battery in different types of vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles, etc.
Another key feature of this battery is the fast recharge which is remarkable. You will not have to worry about the maintenance, impact damages, or rust which saves you some extra money and time as well. So, for a long-lasting and budget battery, you can depend on it.
Challenges
- It has got only 170 cold-cranking amps.
- It has a low reserve capacity rating.
3. Optima Batteries 8016-103 D34M Marine Battery
Highlights
Here we have enlisted another battery by Optima for its premium quality performance for marine purposes. Though the manufacturer has designed this battery mainly for marine applications, it just works efficiently with the RV’s or any other vehicles.
One of the key features to notice is the 750 cold-cranking amps or CCA. So, working on cold weather with this battery will not cause any extra trouble. This vibration-free battery gives you 120 minutes of reserve power capacity. For both deep cycle and starting, the performance of this 12volt battery is satisfying.
You will be able to charge your battery with a solar charging system or by connecting the alternator of your vehicle. You will not need a lot of maintenance and will be able to use it for decades without barriers. The anti-leak design helps you to mount in any required position.
This simple yet effectively designed battery is quite small and compact. But for heavy-duty purposes, this stainless and corrosion-free battery will just give you your desired performance. As the design is more perfect for resisting freshwater or saltwater, you can rely on it while using it on boats any other vehicle like that.
Challenges
- The price is a little expensive for this marine battery.
- The durability is not up to the mark.
4. Universal Power Group 12V Battery
Highlights
If you are looking for a high performing battery with perfectly tight design to ensure safety from leaks and malfunction, Universal Power Group’s UB121000 is the one for you. And for the construction quality, you can mount it anywhere you need and not just horizontally which makes this product more reliable to the customers.
Also, this battery is perfect as a deep cycle AGM battery. So, it will be able to give you a heavy amount of current for a long period. The build quality helps this battery to be vibration and shock resistant and requires less maintenance compared to the ordinary batteries of the market.
Though the battery is a little heavier than the usual with the weight of 60 pounds yet slightly smaller in size. So, even if you find any complication while transporting it, you will be able to place it in smaller battery spaces. The battery just works fine in both hot and cold temperatures.
The price is one of the key features of this battery. For the budget buyer, this one is considered to be an ideal option. Usually, the battery can power up to 100W and for a short period, it can power up to 1500W without any complications like voltage drop.
Challenges
- The manufacturer provides an only 1-year warranty.
- The battery is pretty heavy.
- The battery needs more frequent charging.
5. VMAXTANKS VMAX V35-857 Marine Battery
Highlights
The chemical and physical components of the plates in this battery is the key feature of this deep cycle battery. Besides, the battery is mainly designed for marine applications. So, the performance is up to the mark for the boats or other vehicles that come near water.
This deep cycle battery is manufactured for the higher current electronic system. The AGM plates which are implanted between the lead-tin alloy plates by Vmax assure you the maximum power storage. This one is designed as a leak-proof and tightly sealed battery. So, you can mount it anywhere required.
Apart from that, the resistance to vibration and shocks is quite appreciable. The durability is one of the key focus of this battery as it comes with a long service time of up to 10-years. You will not have to worry about the maintenance checks as it’s a maintenance-free battery.
Depending on the usage, the manufacturer assures the estimated run time of up to 9hours which is remarkable in this case. But running it at low voltage, the battery can give you an additional four more hours to the battery life. About 4 hours Besides, the battery comes with a metal handle. So carrying it will not be an issue for you.
Challenges
- The battery is perfect for the 18 to 35 pounds trolling motors only.
- It requires a higher charging voltage.
6. ACDelco 94RAGM Battery
Highlights
For high-quality performance and durability, you can rely on this particular battery by ACDelco. ACDelco has manufactured this battery with absorbed glass design which makes this battery a leak proof one. It keeps the electrolyte among its glass mat separator for good in place of permitting free flow among the cells.
Besides, the vent cap of the battery keeps it safe from any kind of acid leaks. To minimize the rate of water loss, the battery has got oxygen coalition or recombination. The high density of the negative paste ensures you a higher quality of performance and great durability of the battery.
The performance remains great for a long period without any kind of maintenance. The battery can take a good amount of pressure which makes this resistance to some sort of impact damages. Calcium Lead has been used to make the grid of the battery and that allows low resistance to increase conductivity.
The battery weighs around 51pounds and you can place it anywhere you need. The cold-cranking amps of this battery are 850 CCA which is pretty satisfying. To ensure the durability, the manufacturer provides you a 36 months warranty with the battery.
Challenges
- The battery has got some toxic chemicals that are harmful for the human body
7. XS Power D3400 XS Battery
Highlights
For providing additional power to your car this XS Power D3400 is an ideal option for you. With the extremely powerful energy density composition, this battery is the best one for car audio. It is considered to be a great replacement for the default battery of your car with the heavy-duty performance.
Without any kind of external vents, the manufacturer has designed this battery with the leak-proof feature. And you will mount it anyplace you need as it fits perfectly on any factory battery spaces in your car. One of the key features of this battery is the 950 cranking amps and that is pretty satisfying.
The battery gives you the desired result in any kind of weather like too cold or too hot. Also, the resistance to vibration and shocks are remarkable because of the sealed ABS plastic cover. With M6 internal hardware, the installation process becomes a piece of cake for you.
With this battery, you will require nearly zero maintenance. With the 3 year warranty, the durability of the battery is ensured. You will not require any capacitor as the battery is capable of storing energy in your car system with a storage capacity of 65 ampere-hours.
Challenges
- The battery is pretty expensive compared to others.
- It’s slightly heavy with a weight of 46 pounds.
Some Special Feature of AGM Batteries
AGM or Absorbent Glass Mat battery is an advanced type of Lead-Acid Battery that supplies higher energy to support the superior demands of the electrical components of your car. There are certain reasons why people rely on these AGM batteries over other ordinary ones. Let’s talk about them!
Types of AGM Batteries
Even though all batteries provide power to your car, there are differences in their way of delivering energy. How complicated it may seem, this is where we begin recommendations.
Starting, lighting, and ignition (SLI)
The most common type of AGM batteries in the market is this SLI type where the main function is starting the car. SLI batteries deliver power to the essential accessories of your vehicle including lights and ignitions. Compared to the other batteries SLI needs more frequent recharges.
Lead Acid
If you are looking for the spill-proof or leak-free batteries, then these Lead Acid batteries are the best option for you. Optima batteries are usually of Lead-acid type. But as they are always sealed to be leak-proof, you can not repair them when they have some issues.
Deep Cycle
Usually, a deep cycle battery is a type of Lead-acid battery that is manufactured to be deeply discharged consistently utilizing almost all of its capacity. For greater durability, you can always rely on them. For your EVs or golf carts, these are the best options for you.
Wet Cell
For budget buyers, a wet cell battery is an ideal choice. But the build quality is usually cheap. So you may face more complications and should expect regular servicing or maintenance.
Durability
The average lifespan of AGM batteries is between 1 to 10 years. But most of the manufacturer provides the warranty of 3 years. Some of the sealed batteries are devoid of any kind of maintenance or servicing. So, they tend to last long without any servicing. That’s one of the main reasons why people rely on AGM batteries.
Reserve Capacity
Reserve capacity is actually the total amount of time that your fully charged battery will be able to provide power to the functions of your car before it runs out of juice. So, if you’re out for a drive, having a break and listening to the radio, this reserve capacity will determine how long you will be able to last.
Cold Cranking Amps
One of the key features of this AGM battery is that they work efficiently in any kind of weather. Cold Cranking Amps refers to the ability of your battery to start your car at a low temperature. You should prefer the batteries with no less than 720 CCA. But living anywhere near Alaska or Dakota prefers 800+ to avoid getting flat.
Applications
To power your vehicle that has got a lot of electronic or plug-in accessories, you can depend on deep cycle batteries. For the huge power demands of your vehicles, these AGM batteries are more preferable. Audio systems, GPS, DVD players, and other electronic tools of your car increases demands in this battery.
Start-Stop Vehicles
For the start-stop vehicle technology, most users favor AGM. When the engine is turned off, all the electronic accessories of your car count on your batteries. At that time, your car requires a stronger battery than the typical Lead Acid batteries. With better cycling potential, the AGM battery remains the best option.
Vibration and Leak Proof
The batteries are designed in such a way that it hardly leaks any chemicals or acids and spilling is out of the question. Besides, the resistance to vibration is up to the mark. So you will be able to place these batteries in your car as per requirement. But ensure that you get better mounting flexibility with the one you choose.
Frequently Asked Question
Q: How long do these AGM batteries last without charge?
Ans: A good AGM battery must have to last up to 8 months or more without charge.
Q: Can I jumpstart my AGM battery?
Ans: Yes, but for emergencies only. You can use your battery after jumping starting for a couple of hours.
Q: Does the overcharging damage my AGM batteries?
Ans: Yes, it does. It can lead the battery to permanent damage sometimes.
Final Thoughts
The best thing about these AGM batteries is that the price is almost the same as the regular lead-acid batteries, but provides superior performance even in cold temperature and lasts for a long time. But the low discharge rate of these batteries indicates that one should choose these batteries if they don’t drive for a long period.
Now as for our recommendation, Optima Batteries 8020-164 is one of the most efficient ones for the good reserve capacity and CCA as well as the durability and high performance. But you can rely on the Optima 8016-103 D34M Battery too if you are looking for a battery for marine purposes.
You will not make an expensive purchase like these AGM batteries often. So we urge you to study the aspects to have the best AGM battery. Finally, you can depend on our advice as we try to suggest to you the best.
Leave a Reply