Need a new car battery but don’t know how much it costs? In this post we’ll explain all the factors that can affect the cost of a car battery.
A car battery is essential to get your engine started and to run all the car’s electronics. If someday you end up with a dead car battery, you’ll have no other option than to replace it. So, what will a new car battery cost you?
In this article, we’ll explain which factors can affect the cost of a car battery and how you can find the best battery for your car and budget.
Factors that can affect the cost of a car battery
Typically, a car battery costs between $60 and $400. However, there are a number of factors which can affect the price of a car battery:
- Battery type
- Battery performance
- Battery size
- Quality/Warranty
- Installation
Battery Type
There are many different types of car batteries on the market today, but these are the most popular ones:
- STD (standard lead-acid)
Also called “wet” or “flooded” batteries. They are very common lead-acid batteries and most affordable. They consist of lead/antimony plates suspended in liquid acid.
Prices typically range from $60 to $250.
- AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat)
An AGM battery offers better cold-cranking behavior because it is constructed to handle freezing temperatures better. Your car will start reliably even in the dead of winter.
Strong fiberglass layers in between the battery plates seal their boxes shut, reducing the chances of air pockets forming. This makes an AGM battery last longer.
Prices typically range from $150 to $400.
- SpiralCell AGM
A spiral cell battery is an AGM type battery with a spiral layout instead of plates. Contrary to traditional lead plates, these tightly rolled lead mats can’t deform under temperature or strain. That’s why the mats can be made thinner, making it a lighter construction.
This patented design has the advantage of packing more sq. ft. of lead mats in the same volume, making them more performant. They are more vibration-resistant too.
Prices typically range from $250 to $400.
- Lithium
It’s the latest “thing”, but lithium batteries (in any form or shape) are not suited as a replacement car starting battery (yet). For a daily driver, that is… They are awesome weightsavers for a trickle-charger fed trailer queen, featherweight race car or dune buggy though.
Prices typically start from $250 to $400.
Modern intelligent car alternators differ in voltage and charging parameters according to the type of battery they are designed to charge. That’s why it’s best to stick to the type of battery that your car owner’s manual recommends.
However, most cars that were factory equipped with a flooded lead-acid battery can be upgraded to a superior AGM type of battery for better performance.
For an extensive overview of all different types of car batteries on the market today, visit our post on the best car batteries.
Battery Performance
Battery performance is rated in CCA (Cold Cranking Amps), the amount of power a car battery can produce. Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) is a widely used international benchmark that rates the amount of power that a battery can produce for a period of 30 seconds at 0°F (-18°C), while still maintaining terminal voltage equal to or higher than 2.1V per cell (12.6V).
A car battery’s CCA rating is the easiest and most reliable way to compare car batteries across different brands because it is measured in the same way around the globe. You want to look for a replacement car battery that has the same or more CCA than the original car battery.
Generally, the more CCA, the more expensive the car battery though.
However, it’s a bad idea to try and save money by buying a battery with a lower CCA rating than is required for your car because it needs that cranking power for your starter motor. Although your car might start with a less powerful car battery, it will have to work much harder which will shorten its life expectancy dramatically. In winter conditions, an underpowered car battery might not be able to start your engine at all.
Battery Size
Battery size is limited by your car’s battery compartment dimensions. Although the new battery should match the old one’s specifications, you could measure your battery compartment to check if a bigger battery size would fit too.
A larger battery size can accommodate more power, and more power is always better when it comes to cranking your engine and powering all those electrics and power-hungry electronics.
Whatever you decide, you don’t want to replace your old car battery with a smaller size with less CCA. A smaller car battery will have a hard time keeping up with power demand and therefore will have to work much harder which will in turn have a negative impact on its performance and longevity.
When in doubt, check your car’s manual or read what’s on the old battery. All car batteries have a battery group number on their label and you’ll also find battery requirements in your car owner’s manual.
Warranty / Quality?
A new car battery from a well reputed brand generally costs more than one from an unknown or discount brand. Although not all unknown brands are bad quality, the difference lies in the manufacturing quality control and warranty. Big brand batteries are generally more consistent when it comes to reliability and quality.
Because well-known quality brands have a reputation to uphold, their car batteries have to go through standardized quality procedures before being sold. Because of this quality control, these brands will also offer more extended warranties than unknown brands.
That’s why, in most cases, a well-known car battery brand that offers a long warranty is well worth the extra cost.
Installation
There will be an extra charge to have your car battery replaced. Most car dealerships charge an extra $10-$100 in labor to install your car battery. Although some parts stores claim to install your car battery for free if you buy it in their store, the labor cost will already be calculated in the car battery’s price.
That’s why you’ll always get the best deal when you install your car battery yourself. It’s easy, anyone can do it! Check out how to disconnect a car battery for simple step-by-step guidelines.
However, if you don’t feel confident you can do this yourself or you don’t have the time, an expert auto mechanic can come to your home or office and replace it for you.
Where To Buy a New Car Battery?
Although there are many places where you can buy a car battery, mortar-and-brick retail shops as well as online stores, you’ll have to do a lot of research to get the best deal out there.
Don’t worry, we already did all the work for you: check out our post on the best car batteries to get the best battery for your car.
If that doesn’t empower you (pun intended), nothing will…
Happy Cruisin’!
