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A fully functional, healthy battery is a critical component for any vehicle. Without one, you aren’t going anywhere quickly. The car battery provides the initial surge of electrical power to the starter motor and ignition system to turn the engine over and fire into life. Once the engine has turned over and is running, the alternator then takes over and pumps electrical power back into the battery to re-charge it. With this in mind, it’s really important to ensure that you’re buying the best possible battery for your car when you are in need of a replacement. Let’s take a look at the best car battery to buy in 2022.
Struggling For Time?
Are you struggling for time and would like a quick overview of our findings? No problem! Spoiler alert, without doubt the best battery to buy is the fantastic Bosch S4 008.
1. Bosch S4 008
There’s a reason why the Bosch S4 008 battery often finds itself at the top of the battery competition charts, put simply, it’s the best in the business. Bosch claim it is up to 2 times for efficient than that of a regular standard battery which means that it makes the absolute most of its capacity. Backed an impressive whopping 4 year manufacturer warranty, you won’t have to worry about starting your car on those cold winter mornings anytime soon.
The key features of the Bosch S4 008 are;
- 4 Year Manufacturer Warranty Included
- Rated at 12V 74AH
- Dimensions of 27.8 x 17.5 x 19.0 cm
- Suitable For All Vehicles Including Asian Cars
- Maintenance Free
2. Yuasa YBX9019
Closely beaten to the top spot the Bosch S4 008, the Yuasa YBX9019 is a noble second and an excellent battery in its own right. With a huge ampere hour rating of 95ah, this battery will provide enough power for the most demanding of users. If you own a larger vehicle with a bigger engine than most, this is most definitely the battery to go for. Yuasa claim it’ll provide up to 360,000 engine starts, impressive stuff! This particular battery has been designed specifically for vehicles with start stop technology.
The key features of the Yuasa YBX9019 are;
- Extra Starting Power
- 4 Year Manufacturer Warranty
- Maintenance Free
- Rated at 12V 95 Ah capacity
- Dimensions of 35.3 x 19.0 x 17.5 cm
3. Varta Blue Dynamic C22
If you’re looking for a slightly more affordable battery which delivers exceptional performance and reliability, the Varta Blue Dynamic C22 may be your best choice. Strictly speaking, this battery should only be used in smaller vehicles with small engine capacities, stick to those guidelines and it’ll provide great performance for years. From a reputable German brand that you can trust, the Varta Blue Dynamic C22 is an excellent all rounder.
The key features of the Varta Blue Dynamic C22 are;
- Rated at 12V 52 Ah capacity
- Features Fast Recharge Technology
- Dimensions of 20.7 x 17.5 x 19.0 cm
- B13 Type Hold Down
- Produced in Germany
4. Bosch S5 A08
The Bosch S5 series of batteries are Bosch’s flagship models and quite simply the best they offer. We have rated them as 4th as most people simply don’t want to spend a huge amount of cash on a car battery, particularly when there are so many excellent alternatives to consider such as the ones we have outlined above. That said, the Bosch S5 batteries deliver exceptional performance which can’t be disputed. Bosch claim that this battery is up to three times more efficient than a standard car battery, that’s a seriously impressive figure. The S5 comes equipped with a huge 5 year manufacturer guarantee, yes that’s right, 5 years. That’s an incredible amount of faith and trust shown in their product and delivers exceptional peace of mind for buyers.
The key features of the Bosch S5 A08 are;
- Dimensions of 27.8 x 17.5 x 19.0 cm
- 5 Year Manufacturer Guarantee
- Constructed Using AGM Technology
- Maintenance Free
- Guaranteed to Work With Cars with Start Stop Technology
5. Yuasa YBX3096
The Yuasa YBX3096 (3000 Series) delivers an incredible level of value for money whilst providing exceptional performance. Equipped with extra plates for higher starting power, this battery will provide ample starting power for most small to medium sized vehicles. Yuasa claim it’s good for 30,000 engine starts and is also fully maintenance free. At this price point, from a brand that you can trust, you really can’t go wrong with the Yuasa YBX3096.
The key features of the Yuasa YX3096 are;
- Dimensions of 27.8 x 19 x 17.5 cm
- Maintenance Free
- 3 Year Manufacturer Warranty
- Features a Rollover Proof Lid
Why is A Car Battery Important?
A fully functional battery is a critical component for any car. Without one, you aren’t going anywhere fast as the car simply won’t start without enough battery power. Electrical energy is stored within the car battery, this energy provides enough power to the starter motor and ignition system to turn the engine over and fire everything into life. Once the engine has turned over and is up and running, the alternator then produces electricity which is then pumped back into the car battery to re-charge it ready for the next start. If your car battery doesn’t have enough power to turn the engine over, your car simply won’t start.
What Causes A Car Battery To Fail?
A whole host of factors and scenarios can cause a car battery to fail. Generally speaking, car batteries don’t just fail overnight suddenly, they gradually begin to fail over a period of time. During that time, you’ll notice that your car may struggle to start up for the first time of a morning and get progressively more difficult as time goes on. There isn’t a single factor which causes a car battery to fail, but it’s generally usually a combination of age and usage of the battery. If your car battery is over 5 years old, naturally it’s not going to deliver the same performance as a brand new battery. Car batteries degrade over time as they get older as the cells inside the battery start to wear down. A real key factor in a car battery performance is the usage it’s been subjected to throughout its life. Starting a car takes a hell of a lot of juice out of the battery, it therefore requires a thorough drive in order for the alternator to re-charge the battery fully. If you only use for your for short journeys, you’re going to be putting a hell of a strain on the battery which will naturally cause it to fail much sooner than anticipated. A top tip from us is to try and avoid frequent short journeys, try to take your car for a drive of at least 30 minutes every now and again to give the alternator the opportunity to fully re-charge your battery.
Things To Consider When Buying A Car Battery?
Buying a car battery can be a bit overwhelming as there are so many different bits of information to consider. Let’s simplify it and go over the key considerations ;
1. Battery Size
All car batteries are arranged into various different groups based on their size and dimensions. It’s important to know that not all car batteries are the same size, you’ll need to find out the exact size battery that you require for your particular vehicle. This shouldn’t be too difficult to find out, once you do find out which size It is, you can then begin looking at the ones which will fit your car.
2. Power
As with the battery size, all batteries come in a range of different power outputs. It’s important to understand the needs of your car engine in this regard. For example, a big heavy Diesel engine is going to require more power to turn the engine over than that of a smaller petrol based engine. If in doubt, always go for a battery which will provide more power than not enough. You’ll notice that all batteries have a number quoted for CCA (Cold Cranking Amps), this is essentially how many amps the battery can provide for 30 seconds at varied temperatures. Naturally, if you’re in a colder part of the world where it’s often below zero temperatures, you’ll need a battery with a higher CCA rating.
3. Maintenance
Our advise here is simple – stick to a maintenance free battery. Maintenance free batteries are extremely common today and are just one less thing to worry about in the ever stressful world of motoring! A car battery which requires maintenance will have a small opening to top the battery up with distilled water every now and again. The trouble with this system is you’ll get no warning that the battery requires topping up.
4. Warranty
When comparing car batteries, take note of the manufacturer warranty on offer. Some cheaper, less reputable batteries may only offer a warranty of 1 year. Our advise would be to avoid these and opt for something which comes with at least a 3 year manufacturer warranty. This will provide you with the necessary peace of mind that you’re buying a good quality product which is designed to last.
5. Position of Terminals
This is a vital consideration. Take note of the position of the negative and positive terminals on your existing battery and make sure you replace it with a like for like. Believe us, you don’t want to wire the terminals up to a battery incorrectly, that’ll be an extremely costly and dangerous experience!
The Best Car Battery 2022
1. Bosch S4 008
There’s a reason why the Bosch S4 008 battery often finds itself at the top of the battery competition charts, put simply, it’s the best in the business. Bosch claim it is up to 2 times for efficient than that of a regular standard battery which means that it makes the absolute most of its capacity. Backed an impressive whopping 4 year manufacturer warranty, you won’t have to worry about starting your car on those cold winter mornings anytime soon.
The key features of the Bosch S4 008 are;
- 4 Year Manufacturer Warranty Included
- Rated at 12V 74AH
- Dimensions of 27.8 x 17.5 x 19.0 cm
- Suitable For All Vehicles Including Asian Cars
- Maintenance Free
2. Yuasa YBX9019
Closely beaten to the top spot the Bosch S4 008, the Yuasa YBX9019 is a noble second and an excellent battery in its own right. With a huge ampere hour rating of 95ah, this battery will provide enough power for the most demanding of users. If you own a larger vehicle with a bigger engine than most, this is most definitely the battery to go for. Yuasa claim it’ll provide up to 360,000 engine starts, impressive stuff! This particular battery has been designed specifically for vehicles with start stop technology.
The key features of the Yuasa YBX9019 are;
- Extra Starting Power
- 4 Year Manufacturer Warranty
- Maintenance Free
- Rated at 12V 95 Ah capacity
- Dimensions of 35.3 x 19.0 x 17.5 cm
3. Varta Blue Dynamic C22
If you’re looking for a slightly more affordable battery which delivers exceptional performance and reliability, the Varta Blue Dynamic C22 may be your best choice. Strictly speaking, this battery should only be used in smaller vehicles with small engine capacities, stick to those guidelines and it’ll provide great performance for years. From a reputable German brand that you can trust, the Varta Blue Dynamic C22 is an excellent all rounder.
The key features of the Varta Blue Dynamic C22 are;
- Rated at 12V 52 Ah capacity
- Features Fast Recharge Technology
- Dimensions of 20.7 x 17.5 x 19.0 cm
- B13 Type Hold Down
- Produced in Germany
4. Bosch S5 A08
The Bosch S5 series of batteries are Bosch’s flagship models and quite simply the best they offer. We have rated them as 4th as most people simply don’t want to spend a huge amount of cash on a car battery, particularly when there are so many excellent alternatives to consider such as the ones we have outlined above. That said, the Bosch S5 batteries deliver exceptional performance which can’t be disputed. Bosch claim that this battery is up to three times more efficient than a standard car battery, that’s a seriously impressive figure. The S5 comes equipped with a huge 5 year manufacturer guarantee, yes that’s right, 5 years. That’s an incredible amount of faith and trust shown in their product and delivers exceptional peace of mind for buyers.
The key features of the Bosch S5 A08 are;
- Dimensions of 27.8 x 17.5 x 19.0 cm
- 5 Year Manufacturer Guarantee
- Constructed Using AGM Technology
- Maintenance Free
- Guaranteed to Work With Cars with Start Stop Technology
5. Yuasa YBX3096
The Yuasa YBX3096 (3000 Series) delivers an incredible level of value for money whilst providing exceptional performance. Equipped with extra plates for higher starting power, this battery will provide ample starting power for most small to medium sized vehicles. Yuasa claim it’s good for 30,000 engine starts and is also fully maintenance free. At this price point, from a brand that you can trust, you really can’t go wrong with the Yuasa YBX3096.
The key features of the Yuasa YX3096 are;
- Dimensions of 27.8 x 19 x 17.5 cm
- Maintenance Free
- 3 Year Manufacturer Warranty
- Features a Rollover Proof Lid
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