Your car won't start? The battery may be dead or at the end of its life. If this is the case, it's time to replace it. What size and capacity battery should you choose from the different ranges and technologies available? How to choose according to your vehicle? Read our guide to buying the best car battery brands in 2020.
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Our selection
"The VARTA Sylver Dynamic 77 Ah battery from the Performance range offers high starting power, and a large energy reserve to meet the needs of…"
"Although intended for standard use, the YUASA YBX3075 Premium battery has outstanding performance that makes it our top choice in its price range."
"If you have a vehicle that uses a lot of electricity and is equipped with a Stop and Start function, the BOSCH S5 A15 battery…"
"The YUASA YBX7027 battery is aimed at owners of entry-level Start and Stop vehicles. For its price and quality, it is an excellent all-round alternative."
The VARTA Sylver Dynamic 77 Ah battery from the Performance range offers high starting power, and a large energy reserve to meet the needs of highly equipped cars.
75,60 £ on OscaroWith the VARTA Sylver Dynamic 77 Ah - Premium Performance Range, the German brand offers a product that is both powerful and versatile, yet affordable. This battery is suitable for most vehicles without a start and stop function, but with a lot of electronic equipment and electrical accessories.
The 77 Ah capacity of the battery allows you to use your on-board devices with peace of mind and enjoy your comfort options such as power windows, heating, multimedia and many others. Whatever energy demands you have, this Premium battery will meet them. Finally, the 780 A cold start capacity (CCA) will allow you to start the engine without difficulty, even in winter.
Although intended for standard use, the YUASA YBX3075 Premium battery has outstanding performance that makes it our top choice in its price range.
51,65 £ on OscaroYuasa, a leading Japanese battery brand, offers car batteries that cover all budgets, but are of superior quality. For its price, the YUASA YBX3075 Premium Series battery features increased standard performance. It can withstand up to 30,000 start cycles and its 60 Ah capacity is suitable for standard daily use.
In addition to a cold test current of 550 A, this battery offers 20% more starting power than equivalent models. This is a guarantee of reliability and peace of mind.
If you have a vehicle that uses a lot of electricity and is equipped with a Stop and Start function, the BOSCH S5 A15 battery is the ideal choice. Benefit from the know-how of one of the world's leading manufacturers when purchasing your high-performance battery.
233 £ on OscaroThe BOSCH S5 A15 AGM car battery is extremely powerful and capable of meeting the most demanding requirements. It is especially suitable for high-performance vehicles equipped with the Stop and Start function, which requires numerous restarts during a single urban journey. This AGM battery is four times more resistant to starting cycles than conventional models. In addition, it can be mounted in any position and is not affected by tilting.
Another major advantage of the BOSCH S5 A15 battery is that it can supply all your comfort equipment without any loss of power, even when stationary. Its cold test current of 950 A guarantees you unrivalled starting power in very cold weather.
The YUASA YBX7027 battery is aimed at owners of entry-level Start and Stop vehicles. For its price and quality, it is an excellent all-round alternative.
76,18 £ on OrangeAlthough it is designed for medium performance Start and Stop cars, the YUASA YBX7027 battery will also be suitable for vehicles with high electricity consumption. It is characterized by its versatility and superior features. In addition to its 60 Ah capacity, it delivers a cold test current of 600 amps.
YUASA offers an EFB model that is three times more resistant to starting cycles than standard batteries. This means it can withstand some 270,000 starts, and can handle up to 170% increase in dynamic load. If you're looking for a battery that's as powerful as it is economical, the YUASA YBX7027 is for you!
Any specific needs?
The best car battery brand in 2021
The best entry-level car battery brand
The best high-end car battery brand
Your guide :
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| TOP OF THE LINE | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
9/10 |
7/10 |
8/10 |
7/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
VARTA Sylver Dynamic - 77 Ah - Premium Performance Range
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YUASA YBX3075 - 60 Ah - Gamme Premium
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BOSCH S5 A15 - 105 Ah - Start and Stop AGM range
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YUASA YBX7027 - 65 Ah - Start and Stop EFB range
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The VARTA Sylver Dynamic 77 Ah battery from the Performance range offers high starting power, and a large energy reserve to meet the needs of highly equipped cars.
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Although intended for standard use, the YUASA YBX3075 Premium battery has outstanding performance that makes it our top choice in its price range.
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If you have a vehicle that uses a lot of electricity and is equipped with a Stop and Start function, the BOSCH S5 A15 battery is the ideal choice. Benefit from the know-how of one of the world's leading manufacturers when purchasing your high-performance battery.
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The YUASA YBX7027 battery is aimed at owners of entry-level Start and Stop vehicles. For its price and quality, it is an excellent all-round alternative.
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Performance
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Capacity
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77 Ah
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60 Ah
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105 Ah
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65 Ah
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CCA
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780 A
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550 A
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950 A
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600 A
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Type
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Lead / acid
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Lead / acid
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AGM
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EFB
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Dimensions (LxWxH)
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278x175x190 mm
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243x175x175 mm
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394x175x190 mm
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242x175x190 mm
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The new battery you are about to buy must be compatible with your vehicle. Its characteristics must correspond to the manufacturer's recommendations. In particular, it must be able to fit precisely with the dimensions of the space provided under the hood. The type of tray and the position of the terminals must also be identical to those of the original battery. To make your search easier, don't hesitate to read the vehicle manual. In any case, websites specialized in car parts always ask for either the license plate or the model of your car in order to propose a list of compatible batteries.
Think about choosing a well-known brand for your new car battery purchase. A reputable manufacturer offers reliable and durable products that are worth your trust. Several major auto parts brands have launched their own lines of car batteries, giving you a wider choice.
The reserve capacity, expressed in Ah, indicates the energy the battery is capable of providing when the engine is off. If your car has a lot of comfort equipment that uses electricity, such as the car radio, the multimedia device, the GPS or the electric windows, choose a suitable capacity. Above all, avoid choosing a capacity lower than that recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. In any case, you can go for a range of higher capacity batteries.
When
starting from cold, the battery is heavily used, as the starter motor needs a large amount of energy to run the engine. Measured in amperes (A), the cold start capacity, or CCA, must be high enough, especially in cold weather. The more power you have, the faster your car will start even if the temperature drops below zero.
Many types of car batteries exist and they differ in the technology used. EFB (Enhanced Flood Battery) and AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) batteries are designed specifically for cars with Start-Stop systems. Wet batteries or lead acid batteries are suitable for conventional vehicles. It is important to note that a car with a Start-Stop function must be equipped with a Start-Stop battery. The choice between EFB and AGM technology will depend on the range of the vehicle.
Regardless of its technology, a battery has a defined lifespan. This is usually 4 years, but can be affected by various factors. Heat, vibration, prolonged or excessive electrical overloads, low temperatures or alternator failure can reduce the life of the battery.
When should I change my car battery?
It is recommended that you change your car battery if you notice a significant decline in performance. Here are some signs that it's time for a new battery:
Why should I replace my car battery?
If your car battery is found to be defective, it may not perform its function of providing electricity to start and power the vehicle.
A battery at the end of its life exposes you to starting failures that can be detrimental to your schedule. Other risks include malfunctioning electrical equipment such as headlights or air conditioning. In addition, if you don't replace a battery that is starting to tire quickly, it will be even more sensitive to outside conditions such as heat and cold. In winter, it's safer to equip your car with a battery that performs well and has enough power to handle long, hard starts.
If you can't find a battery with the same capacity as the manufacturer's recommendation, consider a higher capacity model. With more power, you'll be able to enjoy your comfort equipment longer, even with the engine off.
There are three main types of car batteries: wet batteries, EFB batteries and AGM batteries. Their performance varies greatly and they are each designed for a specific use. Here are the essentials about their characteristics.
These are the classic wet batteries, whose internal structure includes lead plates bathed in dilute sulfuric acid, the electrolyte. The plates are a mixture of lead sulfate and lead oxide, and are supported by grids also made of lead alloy. When they come into contact with the electrolyte, a chemical reaction takes place which causes electricity to flow. Current flows when the positive and negative terminals are connected through an electrical circuit.
One of the advantages of the lead acid battery is its good resistance to cycling, i.e. to charge/discharge cycles. It also delivers a high current
, necessary to start a car engine. But it has the disadvantage of being too heavy and cumbersome. Without requiring any maintenance, a lead acid battery has a life span of about 4 years.
Designed
for light vehicles with a Start and Stop function, EFB batteries - for "Enhanced Flooded Battery" - are wet type, but with improved technology. Each plate is wrapped in a polyester membrane that is designed to hold the active mass in place. An EFB battery offers a much better cycling capacity, reaching 270,000 charge/discharge cycles. Thanks to this characteristic, it is specially designed to be mounted on light vehicles with Start and Stop function, mainly used for frequent urban trips.
An EFB car battery also provides better charge pickup, greater thermal stability, and 10% more starting power
compared to conventional batteries.
In
an AGM or Absorbent Glass Mat battery, the electrolyte is absorbed by fiberglass separators inserted between the plates. This results in a better flow of electrons, and a total absence of water loss. Moreover, its self-discharge is very low, from 1 to 3% in one month, and it recharges very quickly while being able to resist intensive use for a longer period. The advantages of this type of battery do not stop there, however.
In addition to its 4 times higher cycling resistance, an AGM battery offers 20% more power than conventional batteries. This is due to its high current intensity, which can reach between 900 and 1000 amps. All these qualities make AGM car batteries especially suitable for high-performance start and stop cars, such as luxury sedans, sports cars, SUVs and racing cars.
The AGM Start-Stop range is the ultimate in car batteries. In addition to providing high current for easy cold starting, an AGM car battery is resistant to numerous stop/start cycles. It also allows for the smooth operation of even the most numerous electronic and electrical equipment. The only disadvantage is that it is much more expensive, but this can be partly justified by its longer life of around 5 years.
The EFB Start-Stop car battery combines increased performance with more affordable prices compared to AGM Start-Stop batteries. Its resistance to cycling and heavy electrical loads makes it a versatile choice for many motorists. However, it is still more expensive than a conventional battery.
If you own a luxury car, a sports car or a high-end SUV equipped with the Start and Stop function, you need an AGM battery. Indeed, a high-end vehicle usually has many electrical accessories and comfort equipment, which consume a lot of energy. The frequent starting and restarting of large engines also requires maximum power, which only an AGM battery can provide.
Nevertheless, if you want to have more than enough power to use your light Start-Stop car on a daily basis, and to operate your comfort equipment, consider choosing an EFB battery. This range of batteries is even suitable for vehicles without a start-stop function but with a lot of electrical and electronic equipment.
Prolonged driving
To prolong the life of your car's battery, make regular extended drives to recharge it properly. If you can't drive far enough to ensure adequate recharging, maintain a high engine speed for a short period of time, driving in 4th instead of 5th for example.
Get a battery charger
Think about
buying a car battery charger to recharge your battery at night. This can benefit you after heavy use of your electronic and/or electrical equipment.
Buy jumper cables
Always
keep
jumper cables or jump starters in your car to deal with the unexpected. If necessary, you can ask another motorist to help you restart your car, by connecting their vehicle's battery to the + and - terminals of your battery.
Keep your car out of the cold if possible
In
winter, remember to protect your car from low temperatures. Indeed, depending on the characteristics of your vehicle, the excess of cold makes the engine start much more difficult and long. The ideal is to park it in a garage, or at least protect it with a quality car cover.
Wear appropriate equipment when handling the battery
Before
replacing your battery, put on gloves and possibly protective eyewear. Although the risk of an accident is minimal, caution should be exercised when handling a product that contains acid and weighs a lot.
The best car battery brand depends on your needs and budget. Read our buying guide for the best products available.
The price of a car battery varies depending on the range and reserve capacity. The Start and Stop AGM and EFB ranges can cost up to 360 euros, while Premium wet batteries are available for between 50 and 90 euros.
In most cases, stores specializing in the sale of automotive parts will accept used batteries for recycling. If not, you can always drop off your old battery at a recycling centre.
Yes, you can opt for a higher capacity reserve, especially if you have added optional equipment to your car.
Yes, manufacturers generally offer at least a 2-year manufacturer's warranty with their battery ranges.
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