Best Car Battery For Drivers With A Limited Budget: Shop Smart At TIRECRAFT

The best car batteries can be quite expensive, but they aren’t meant for everyone. After all, while nice to have, not all drivers need premium performance, enormous reserve capacity, and lightning-quick startup in cold weather. Depending on your driving needs and budget, it may not make much sense to pay top dollar for a replacement.

And though you do get what you pay for to some degree, there are still plenty of decent car batteries in the “economy class.” And that’s what today’s post is all about.

Read on to review the top performers in Consumer Reports research, or contact your local TIRECRAFT for personalized car battery recommendations.

Best Car Battery For Drivers On A Budget: Consumer Reports Research Review

To create their list, Consumer Reports testers rated each of the following batteries on charge-discharge cycles, available reserve capacity, and cold-weather performance. What follows is not a list of the best-of-the-best, but rather the best car battery options in different sizes for drivers with a limited budget.

Before you review this list, you’ll need to determine the correct car battery size for your vehicle.

If you drive a Toyota, Nissan, Acura, Lexus, Honda, or Infiniti model, you’ll likely need a 24/24F battery. Japanese manufacturers often use size 35s, while Chevys, Volkswagens, and Buicks use size 47s. Size 48s fit most American and German makes; size 49s are common for Audis, BMWs, and Hyundai models; and 51R batteries often appear in Nissans and Hondas.

If you need further assistance determining your battery size, get in touch with your local TIRECRAFT.

Without further ado, these are the best car batteries for drivers on a budget, according Consumer Reports testing:

1. The NAPA Legend Premium 8424 F (Size 24/24F)—This battery retails for around $130, comes with an 18-month replacement warranty, and is rated for 725 cold-cranking amps (CCA), which is 50% greater cold-weather performance than the average car battery.

2. The Bosch 35-640B (Size 35)—Retailing at around $125, the Bosch 35-640B is slightly cheaper than the NAPA Legend Premium, and it also comes with a lengthier 36-month warranty. However, CR testers noted it did not have the best reserve capacity, and its 640 CCA rating, while above average, did not match the NAPA Legend Premium.

3. The Duracell Platinum AGM 47 H5 (Size 47)—Absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries require significantly less maintenance than standard flooded batteries, and they tend to last longer, too. The tradeoff is that they are typically more expensive, but this model, which earned high praise across all categories and comes with a 3-year warranty, retails for only $135.

4. The Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-48/H6 (Size 48)—If you’re looking for exceptional reserve capacity for a low price, this might be the best car battery out there. It also produces an impressive 730 CCA and comes with a 30-month replacement warranty, although it does come at a slightly higher price point, retailing for around $165.

5. The Duracell 49 H8 (Size 49)—CR testers were impressed by this battery’s recharge capabilities, 3-year warranty, and whopping 900 CCA rating. This makes it a great choice for drivers facing frigid temperatures, and it only costs around $145!

6. The Duracell 51R (Size 51)—This battery comes in at around $100, making it the cheapest of the bunch, although its reserve capacity leaves something to be desired. That said, it is backed by a 3-year warranty, and it scored well on CR’s CCA and service life testing.

Find The Best Car Battery: Get Personalized Recommendations At TIRECRAFT

Consumer Reports rankings give battery shoppers some much-needed direction, but if you truly want the best car battery for your unique vehicle, budget, and driving needs, you should speak with a specialist.

And don’t worry, budget-conscious readers: at TIRECRAFT, every consultation is 100% FREE, and our techs are always happy to recommend products based on your unique buying criteria. What’s more, sourcing your next battery from TIRECRAFT can earn you discount dollars via the MyTIRECRAFT Rewards program, so you can save even more down the line.

To schedule a free consultation and get personalized car battery recommendations, contact your local TIRECRAFT.

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