Lead-acid batteries are the most affordable option among car batteries, making them a popular choice for budget-conscious consumers. AGM batteries and gel cell batteries are more expensive due to their advanced features and longer lifespan. Lithium-ion batteries are the costliest but offer superior performance and longevity.
They can store large amounts of energy in a smaller size compared to the other batteries on this list. Since their introduced to the automotive industry, they have been proven to have very low levels of degradation – meaning that they have a larger lifespan that other batteries.
Car batteries aren’t one size fits all. So before you purchase a battery, you’ll need to make sure it will actually fit into the space for it. There are battery size groupings to make this more simple. For example, if you know your existing battery is the 027 type, then you’ll know you need another 027 battery.
To better understand the differences between various car battery types, we’ve created a comparison table below. This table highlights key features, such as performance, lifespan, maintenance, and price, for lead-acid, lithium-ion, and nickel-metal hydride batteries.
Which battery you’ll need depends on the size of your battery tray, whether your car has stop-start functionality, the power needs of your car, the power your in-car electronics use up, and a few more things. Let’s get to it, then!
A car battery can recharge when the car is running by converting the mechanical energy from the engine, back into the battery. Batteries can last many years and thousands of miles, but knowing how to replace them is something that a qualified mechanic should do.