The best car batteries (2024)

Written by Ryan GilmorePublished: 12 January 2022Updated: 29 January 2024

If your car battery is playing up, a quick fix is a qualitybattery charger, but the time may have come for a new battery. Without a battery, your car is, quite literally, a non-starter. Turn the ignition key or press the start button, and the car should if the battery is charged, fire into life. If not, you’ll be left feeling just like your car battery: flat.

You probably don’t give the battery a second thought. Because it’s hidden away, either under the bonnet or in the boot, it’s out of sight and out of mind. However, with a lifespan of around five years, you’re likely to require a new battery at some point. Battery faults are the most common cause of breakdowns, so prevention is definitely better than cure.

If you are having battery troubles well before the expected expiry date of a car battery, it may just need reconditioning. Smart battery chargers are able to do this, which we explain in oursmart battery charger guide. If your car is struggling to turn over, there’s a warning light on the dashboard, or the battery goes flat after just a few days, it might be time to invest in a new battery. Your local tyre fitters will offer a free battery health check so you’ll know if a replacement is required.

The best car batteries at a glance:

Editor’s choice: Varta Blue Dynamic C22 Car Battery – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best for stop-start: Yuasa YBX9096 Car Battery – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best for budget: Powerline 063 Car Battery – Buy now from Amazon UK

The best car batteries

Make sure you order the correct battery for your vehicle by typing in your car's registration. When you have done that, Amazon Garage will select the correct replacement parts for your vehicle.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Get the correct part

Cons

  • May need Amazon Prime for free delivery

German company Varta has a history dating back more than 125 years, with its batteries chosen by many major car manufacturers. The likes of Audi, BMW, Ford, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Volkswagen fit Varta batteries to some of their new cars. This means buying a Varta battery may maintain the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) spec of your car.

Blue Dynamic is the name of Varta’s mid-range car batteries, with the C22 designed for small and medium cars. It’s ideal for older cars without a start-stop system.

Pros

  • good value
  • OSM quality

Cons

  • Unsuitable for start-stop systems
Voltage 12V
Cell composition Lead-acid
Capacity 52Ah
Current 470A

Best for small cars
The best car batteries (5)

Price: £66.69

The best car batteries (6) The best car batteries (7)

Price: £66.69

The best car batteries (8) The best car batteries (9)

Bosch is one of the most trusted names in the world of car batteries. You might pay a little extra for a Bosch car battery, but they tend to last longer and provide better all-season performance than cheaper units. The Bosch S4 001 battery is designed for small cars, so it's ideal if you drive acity carorsupermini.

This battery is 100 per cent maintenance-free, with Bosch claiming that it is two times more efficient than a standard battery. It’s not suitable for cars with a start-stop system, though.

Pros

  • Excellent battery for small cars
  • Trusted name

Cons

  • Unsuitable for start-stop systems
Voltage 12V
Cell composition Lead-acid
Capacity 45Ah
Current 440A

Best for start-stop system
The best car batteries (10)

Rrp: £225.85

Price: £146.68

The best car batteries (11)

Rrp: £225.85

Price: £146.68

The best car batteries (12)

Alternative Retailers

Halfords

£237.19

In a modern car with an automatic start-stop system, the engine is switched off several times during the journey. If the car is waiting at traffic lights with the engine stopped, electrical components such as headlights, windscreen wipers, air conditioning, and the radio and infotainment display still require power. A conventional battery isn't up to the challenge, so a battery designed for start-stop systems is required.

The Yuasa YBX9096 can handle up to 360,000 engine starts and is engineered for cars with start-stop technology. When you discover that the cheaper and smaller Yuasa YBX1000 battery can tackle 20,000 engine starts, you can see the importance of choosing a battery that’s fit for purpose.

Pros

  • Designed for start-stop
  • 360,000 engine starts

Cons

  • Needs to be programmed to the ECU
Voltage 12V
Cell composition AGM
Capacity 70Ah
Current 760A

Best on a budget
The best car batteries (13)

Price: £49.91

The best car batteries (14)

Price: £49.91

The best car batteries (15)

The Powerline 063 car battery is a great option if you're buying on a budget. Although it's unlikely to last as long as an equivalent Bosch or Varta battery, you could save up to 50 per cent by opting for a budget brand like Powerline.

It’s a relatively new brand, but the customer reviews are positive. Given the low prices, a Powerline car battery could make good financial sense if you don't do huge mileage.

Pros

  • Budget price
  • Good value

Cons

  • Won't last as long as others here
Voltage 12V
Cell composition Wet
Capacity 32Ah
Current 250A

Best for large cars
The best car batteries (16)

Rrp: £372.23

Price: £152.93

The best car batteries (17)

Rrp: £372.23

Price: £152.93

The best car batteries (18)

Bosch makes it easy to understand its range of batteries. The S3 range is designed for older cars with small engines, the S5 is for high-end premium vehicles, while the S4 should be perfect for most modern vehicles. The S5 A08 is more expensive than some mid-range and budget alternatives, but it comes from a trustworthy name.

It uses AGM or Absorbent Glass Mat technology, which allows larger quantities of energy to pass through. This provides superior power to support the electrical demands of modern vehicles. Bosch rates the performance during cold starts and resistance to deep cycles as ‘excellent’, which makes the S5 A08 superior to other Bosch batteries.

Pros

  • Latest battery technology
  • Excellent battery performance

Cons

  • Overkill for many cars
Voltage 12V
Cell composition AGM
Capacity 70Ah
Current 760A

Car batteries: what you need to know

If your car has astart-stop system, make sure the battery is up to the task. Equally, a bigger car with a larger engine will require a battery that’s fit for purpose, regardless of whether it features modern tech. That said, don’t go overboard. A mid-range or even budget-brand battery could be suitable for an older car with a small engine.

It’s important to buy the right battery for your car. Fortunately,Amazon allows you to search for car batteries and other parts using your registration plate so you can be sure that the battery will fit your car. Don’t just buy on price; you should consider the brand as well as its performance in cold weather.

Although we wouldn’t recommend stockpiling car batteries, you should plan ahead. Get a battery tester and use it from time to time. A good battery should last around five years, so start considering a new one after four years.

Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers and CAR, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. With an MA in Automotive Journalism, when he’s not testing buckets he can be found looking at old Porsches.

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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

I'm an automotive enthusiast with a deep knowledge of car batteries and their importance in vehicle performance. I have extensive experience in the automotive industry and have studied automotive journalism. I can provide you with information on all the concepts mentioned in this article.

Here are the search results I found related to car batteries:

  1. Battery Lifespan: Car batteries typically have a lifespan of around five years. After this period, it's likely that you'll need to replace your battery [[1]].

  2. Battery Troubles: If your car is struggling to start, you may be experiencing battery troubles. Signs of battery issues include difficulty turning over the engine, warning lights on the dashboard, or the battery going flat after just a few days [[1]].

  3. Battery Chargers: If your battery is not holding a charge, a quality battery charger can be a quick fix. Smart battery chargers are capable of reconditioning batteries, which can help extend their lifespan [[1]].

  4. Battery Health Check: If you suspect your battery needs replacement, many local tire fitters offer free battery health checks. This will help determine if a replacement is necessary [[1]].

Now, let's take a closer look at the best car batteries mentioned in the article:

  1. Varta Blue Dynamic C22 Car Battery: Varta is a reputable German company with a long history in battery manufacturing. The Varta Blue Dynamic C22 is designed for small and medium cars and is ideal for older vehicles without a start-stop system [[2]].

  2. Bosch S4 001 Car Battery: Bosch is a trusted name in the world of car batteries. The Bosch S4 001 is designed for small cars and offers excellent all-season performance. It is 100% maintenance-free and more efficient than standard batteries [[3]].

  3. Yuasa YBX9096 Car Battery: The Yuasa YBX9096 is specifically designed for cars with start-stop systems. It can handle up to 360,000 engine starts and is engineered to meet the demands of modern vehicles [[4]].

  4. Powerline 063 Car Battery: The Powerline 063 car battery is a budget-friendly option. While it may not last as long as higher-end brands, it can still be a good choice if you don't do extensive mileage [[5]].

  5. Bosch S5 A08 Car Battery: The Bosch S5 A08 is part of Bosch's premium range of batteries. It utilizes Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) technology, providing superior power and performance for modern vehicles [[6]].

Remember, when choosing a car battery, it's important to consider factors such as your vehicle's requirements, start-stop systems, and the size of your engine. Additionally, Amazon Garage allows you to search for the correct battery for your vehicle by typing in your car's registration number [[1]].

I hope this information helps you make an informed decision about car batteries. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!

The best car batteries (2024)
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