7 Best Car Batteries For Cold Weather – Tested 2021

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Car batteries significantly lose their strength in extreme weather conditions. Most of you are struggling to start your cars because 35-60% of the battery’s power is lost in freezing temperatures. And this pretty much means that cold weather is a life threat to the battery of your car.

But certain things can be done to avoid all these struggles and save your car battery from the menace of cold weather. Batteries with a higher CCA (Cold-cranking Amps) rating and a higher RC (Reserve Capacity) number tend to perform well during cold conditions. 

That being said, I’ll take through our selection of the 7 best car batteries for cold weather. These batteries help to eliminate cold start and freezing issues of vehicles to a great extent, so make sure to check them out!

Which are the best Batteries For Cold Weather?

1. OPTIMA Battery 8020-164 35

  • CCA Capacity: 720 Amps
  • C20 Capacity: 44Ah
  • Voltage: 12V
  • Warranty: 36 months
This battery by Optima is built for superior performance with a powerful burst of ignition that makes sure your car is started effortlessly every single time. It is a reliable option for SUVs, trucks, cars and other automotive applications.
 
This battery houses two plates made of 99.99% pure lead that is spirally wound to form a series of individual cells responsible for powering up the battery. These spirally wound cells deliver a more efficient output and offer greater vibration resistance than traditional flat plate AGM batteries.
 
It is power-packed with pure lead and is cased in a durable, spill-proof material sealed by precision plastic welding, which means no contaminants can enter and damage the battery.
 
The cylindrical coils ensure greater strength in the battery so that you can trust it during extreme weather. In addition, the battery has a 720 CCA rating which suggests an excellent capacity of the battery to start the engine during extreme cold. Also, the battery boasts a reserve capacity of 90 minutes. So if you reside in a colder region, then this battery is worth considering.
Pros
  • Mountable in any position
  • Easy to install
  • Excellent amperage potential
Cons
  • Not very long lasting
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2. XS POWER D3400 XS Series

  • CCA Capacity: 1000 Amps
  • C20 Capacity: 65Ah
  • Voltage: 12V
  • Warranty: 36 months

This battery will be a great replacement for your stock battery. XS battery is a power giant and renders a phenomenal performance of your vehicle even in cold temperatures. Additionally, it will instantly create a noticeable upgrade in your sound system and is an amazing audiophile choice.

This battery will be your car’s best buddy in cold temperatures as it offers exceptional power for cranking up the engine without being affected by the temperature. In addition, the cranking amps rating of this battery is 1000, which means that it can easily withstand freezing temperatures.

It is a sealed lead-acid battery and can be easily mounted in odd positions because of its complete spillproof design. The battery resists vibrations really well. Moreover, it comes with M6 bolts that allow you to mount it right away. It sure is expensive, I agree, but the performance of this battery makes it worth every penny.

Pros
  • High CCA rating ensures excellent performance
  • Spill-proof 
  • Can withstand heavy sound system and lights
Cons
  • Doesn’t come with battery posts
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3. OPTIMA Batteries 8014-045

  • CCA Capacity: 750 Amps
  • C20 Capacity: 55Ah
  • Voltage: 12V
  • Warranty: 36 months

Another battery by Optima and this one can be used both as a starting battery and a deep cycle battery. So if your vehicle has a lot of power demanding processes going on, this battery will be able to handle all of them without breaking a sweat.

It is an AGM battery which means it will need little to no maintenance. The battery features a cranking capacity of 720 amps which is pretty impressive and efficient for usage during cold weather. In addition, it is constructed with spirally wound cells that make it even more efficient and robust.

The build of the battery is sturdy and durable; it is efficiently sealed to avoid any electrolyte spillage. The reserve capacity of the battery is yet another thing that is worth mentioning. It has a reserve capacity of 120 minutes that ensures a power flow for a longer time.

Pros
  • Salt water resistant
  • Low self-discharge rate
  • Resistant to vibrations
Cons
  • Expensive
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Read More: How to charge car battery at home

4. Odyssey battery 34R PC1500

  • CCA Capacity: 850 Amps
  • C20 Capacity: 62Ah
  • Voltage: 12V
  • Warranty: 48 months

This battery is capable of providing all the power that your vehicle needs. It is one of the best automotive batteries out there as it carries enough fire to power all the things up without much effort.

It is powered by pure lead, which is why it offers greater strength than conventional batteries that contain lead alloy. In addition, the lead is packed in plates with a greater surface area and hence, delivers 2x power.

The battery has a CCA rating of 850 which means that you’ll be able to crank up your vehicle in the coldest of weathers. Also, the reserve capacity is 135 minutes which gives a more extended and consistent function of the battery. It is both a starting battery and a deep cycle battery that’ll sufficiently power up all your car accessories and electronics.

Pros
  • Offers mounting flexibility
  • Fast recharging 
  • Can power multiple things simultaneously
Cons
  • Warranty support isn’t great
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5. Optima Batteries 8006-06

  • CCA Capacity: 800 Amps
  • C20 Capacity: 50Ah
  • Voltage: 12V
  • Warranty: 36 months

The Optima blue top battery is recommended for marine applications or RVs. But one notable thing is the fact that it should only be used as a starting battery and shouldn’t be used as a long term battery. 

This battery will eliminate any starting issues since it offers a strong cranking power. And ensure an effortless start of the vehicle every time. In addition, it is a maintenance-free source of power for boats and RVs. 

There will essentially be no trouble starting the engines even during harsh cold, thanks to the high CCA capacity. Additionally, the 100-minute reserve capacity is pretty impressive. 

Overall, the battery performs great for the price. It shows lots of resistance to vibrations and is more compact than regular lead-acid batteries. And it is an amazing choice for marine applications.

Pros
  • Long shelf life
  • Offers superior cranking power
  • Tough and sturdy
Cons
  • Lacks installation hardware
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6. Odyssey 34M-PC1500ST-M

  • CCA Capacity: 880 Amps
  • C20 Capacity: 68Ah
  • Voltage: 12V
  • Warranty: 48 months

Another powerful battery that is recommended for marine applications, but this one is a dual purpose battery. It can function both as a starting battery as well as offering great deep cycling capability. 

It can withstand depths of discharge without much loss of power, so it can offer two times more power than regular batteries. In addition, the battery exhibits a robust starting power even during cold conditions thanks to the high CA capacity of the battery. 

It is constructed with virgin lead plates with an AGM design that makes it spillproof. The build of the battery is sturdy and features high quality, corrosion-resistant terminals. The battery offers a sure start every time and has enough ability to power all the electronic accessories in the vehicle.

Pros
  • Robust starting power during cold
  • Good reserve capacity 
  • Excellent performance
Cons
  • Durability issues
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7. Optima Batteries 8071-167

  • CCA Capacity: 450 Amps
  • C20 Capacity: 38Ah
  • Voltage: 12V
  • Warranty: 36 months

This yellow top battery by optima is a reliable option for starting and deep cycle power for high demand or commercial vehicles. It offers unstoppable power and is an amazing option for accessory loaded vehicles.

This AGM battery is maintenance-free and works well in cold conditions. If you’re living in freezing conditions, then the previously mentioned batteries will be a better option. But for moderately cold environments, this battery is capable enough with a CCA rating of 450 amps.

The battery has a 66-minute reserve capacity. It works great for powering up demanding sound systems as well as multiple other electronic accessories.

The battery houses spirally coiled pure lead cells that enhance its strength. All the contents of the battery are sealed in a polypropylene case and are spill-free. Overall, the battery is an excellent option if you’re looking for ultimate power and performance.

Pros
  • Ensures effortless startup every time
  • Less self-discharge rate
  • Good option for seasonal use
Cons
  • Short service life
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Best Car Battery For Cold Weather: Buying Guide

A harsh cold means you’ll be struggling a lot more with your car battery. Chilly mornings where your car has cold start issues are no less than a nightmare. So there are factors that you need to double-check before you purchase a car battery, especially if you reside in colder regions. The most crucial ones have been mentioned below.
Cold Cranking Amps
This is the first and foremost feature that you should look for in a battery if you want it to withstand all the chills. The CCA rating of a battery refers to the number of amps it offers at freezing temperature. The higher this rating, the better it’ll perform in cold weather by providing enough amps to get the engine started.
Maintenance Free
AGM batteries are generally referred to as maintenance-free batteries. The AGM plates function by absorbing the electrolyte in the battery and hence, eliminate any risk of spillage. 
 
This offers great mounting flexibility. In addition to that, AGM batteries tend to perform better in cold weather than standard batteries. This is because they offer higher CCA ratings and have lower self-discharge rates. And both are essential for a battery to perform in the harsh cold.
Reserve Capacity
Reserve capacity of a battery is essential for all the times the charging system or alternators of the vehicle fail to respond. It refers to when a fully charged battery can deliver 25 amps of current before the voltage falls to 10.5V. 
 
So this factor shouldn’t be overlooked because it’ll be responsible for meeting the electronic demands of a car when needed. A battery’s reserve capacity is measured in amp-hours, and this rating is better when it’s higher.
Brand
Always purchase your car battery from trusted brands that stand behind their products, manufacture durable batteries, and are willing to offer replacements under warranty. Some of the most popular and reliable brands for car batteries are Optima and Odyssey. They provide a reliable service and manufacture safe, secure, and durable batteries for your vehicles.
FAQs

What type of car battery is best for cold weather?

Car batteries with a higher CCA rating as well as reserve capacity are best for cold weather. Generally, AGM batteries tend to perform exceptionally well in chilly environments because they offer better cranking amps and have a low self-discharge rate. And so they provide a robust starting power even during coldest weathers.

What car battery has the most cranking amps?

By now it is a well-established fact that a higher CA rating of battery is better for cold weather. The car batteries with most cold cranking amps are XS POWER D3400 XS Series with a 1000 CCA rating and Odyssey 34M-PC1500ST-M with 880 CCA capacity.

What should be the car battery voltage in cold weather?

A good battery offers a 12.4V or higher at rest. This voltage is ideal for cold weather. Just make sure to keep your battery charged throughout the winter otherwise most of your battery’s ability will be lost during the chills.  

How do I keep my car battery from dying in cold weather?

Cold weather wreaks havoc on car batteries, and we all know that. The best way to keep your car battery from dying is by getting it checked before winter arrives. Try to park your car in a garage or in a warmer temperature. Get your battery a thermal blanket if you can. And most importantly, take it for a daily drive for 20 minutes or longer.

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