Car Battery Buying Guide: Choose the Best Battery

There's nothing worse than finding yourself in the middle of nowhere and turning the key on your car, only to be greeted with a weak cranking noise, a click, and… nothing at all. Taking some time to purchase and install the correct battery for your vehicle before an emergency situation arises will save you both money and hassle. But with so many brands and types on the market, how do you choose the best auto battery? We will cover what you need to know, from battery types and new car battery costs to car battery brand research – to make an informed purchase. With more than 30 years in business, JOZOKING (Tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd. is a trusted leading manufacturer for the research, development, production and sale of all kinds of starting and energy storage batteries. Read on and take to the road with a powerful and reliable battery.

Understanding Car Battery Types and Specifications

You will need to make sure you purchase a battery designed for your vehicle, or that a replacement will work with your car. For a 12-volt car battery, the most common varieties you will find are: Flooded, Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB), and Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM). A standard, Flooded, car battery is a good, economical choice for older, conventional vehicles. Entry-level start/stop vehicles use an EFB, an enhanced flooded battery. AGM batteries are the most advanced, performing better than the flooded car battery types, as well as being far superior at handling demanding applications. They are also better than flooded batteries and EFB batteries for start/stop systems and cars that are highly loaded with electronics and accessories. Refer to your car's owner’s manual, or the label on the existing battery to determine the correct type of 12-volt battery for your needs. You will want to be sure it will meet your CCA and RC requirements. The number of CCAs represents how much cold-cranking power your battery has-higher numbers are preferred if you live in a very cold area. The reserve capacity, or RC, will tell you how long the battery can operate your car accessories should the alternator fail. JOZOKING manufactures each of the above types, which are also all maintenance-free and designed to withstand extreme temperatures from -55°C to 55°C.

Estimating New Car Battery Cost and Value

New car batteries cost based on battery type, brand and overall quality. Most standard 12-volt car batteries can be purchased from $50-120, an EFB car battery will likely cost anywhere from $100-200, while an AGM battery will be most expensive, ranging anywhere from $150-400.Lithium battery packs will run higher, above $500 for some applications. However, just because you buy the cheapest auto battery available doesn't mean you are getting the best auto battery for your car. An AGM battery might cost double what a standard flooded battery will, but will perform nearly 3x better than its counterpart for high demand applications, and thus have a higher overall value over the life of the product. Warranty life should be another factor-a reputable car battery will provide 2-3 years of free replacement, and possibly up to 5 years of prorated replacement coverage. Our good car battery brand from JOZOKING provide highly competitive pricing along with unmatched durability, thus providing long term savings over a battery from any other brand. Factor installation costs into your purchase price, should you choose to have a mechanic do it, and the possible core fee that comes with buying a new battery.

Choosing a Reliable Car Battery Brand

Different battery companies have varying standards of quality and will also utilize different methods and materials in the manufacture of their car batteries. When looking at car battery brands, you will want to select a well-known and reputable company. They will be willing to openly share information regarding their product standards, any certifications (such as ISO and CE certifications) they may have, and what type of warranty coverage is offered with the battery. Batteries with extremely low price points or from brands you have never heard of should be avoided. These batteries are likely to have less lead and will also likely have a less-durable plate construction; both factors which will cause the battery to fail prematurely. JOZOKING is recognized as one of China's leading battery manufacturers. With more than 30 years of industry experience, our high-quality automotive batteries and LiFePO4 lithium batteries are distributed in over 60 countries and regions, including Europe, the Americas and Africa, and Asia. We offer complete customized one-stop battery solutions.

Maintaining Your Battery with a Car Battery Maintainer

Even best auto battery will have reduced lifespan if it is left completely discharged for an extended period of time. If you own a vehicle that you do not drive regularly, such as a motorcycle, classic car, boat or seasonal sports car, it will likely be worthwhile to invest in a 12-volt battery maintainer (also known as a trickle charger or smart charger). A 12-volt car battery maintainer will only keep a charge at 100%, but it will continuously monitor the battery and send a small amount of charge only when the battery is running low, thus preventing it from over-charging. This is an essential step when caring for AGM or lithium car batteries because those are the ones that will suffer most from deep discharges. Regular car battery chargers are not recommended for this kind of use, unless they are designed with a float mode. Many of the 12-volt car battery maintainers today also include desulfate plates that will help prolong the life of your battery by reducing sulfur crystal buildup on your battery plates. While this step is only necessary for non-daily-driver cars, occasional topping off may be helpful during extreme cold weather spells. All JOZOKING auto batteries are well-suited for use with an electrical maintenance charger. If you have your vehicle parked for long periods of time, consider removing the car battery or connecting a maintainer.

Summary

The choice of which auto battery to purchase ultimately comes down to knowing your vehicle, what the new car battery cost represents in terms of value and durability over time, and choosing a reputable car battery brand with high quality parts and manufacturing processes. Whether you're opting for a standard flooded battery, an EFB or an AGM, make sure you are paying close attention to the CCA and RC values and not just the price. JOZOKING (Tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd. Specializes in all manner of premium automotive batteries, lithium & LiFePO4 lithium batteries, power sport batteries, 12-volt car batteries, deep cycle gel energy storage batteries, motor cycle batteries, and solar energy storage systems. With over 30 years of experience in the field and a global reach, JOZOKING is your trusted best auto battery supplier. This guide will ensure that your next purchase is the right auto battery for your needs.