That moment when your car won’t start.
It’s the worse, isn’t it?
Well, chances are your car battery is dead.
And if that’s the case, then you’ll need to replace it.
Now the question that usually pops up is…
How much is a car battery?
We’re going to answer that for you in this article.
Plus, we’ll also tell you everything you should know about buying a car battery.
So without further ado, let’s dive right in!
How Much Does A Car Battery Cost
The average price of a car battery can range from $130 to $150. But some can go as low as $70 and as high as a whopping $700.
If you own a hybrid, that price can skyrocket from $1,000 to $6,000!
What exactly determines the price of a car battery?
Knowing how much a car battery is may depend on the type of car battery you’re purchasing.
You should know that there are seemingly countless car batteries out there, and that number will keep increasing as technology evolves.
However, today, we’re going to look at the 4 most common types, namely:
- Lead-Acid Car Batteries
- Enhanced Flooded Car Batteries
- Absorbent Glass Mat Car Batteries
- Lithium-Ion Car Batteries
As you might have noticed, it’s not the size that matters in the case of car battery types. It’s more about chemistry.
So let’s look at these different types and their price range.
Lead-Acid Car Batteries
Probably the cheapest and most common car batteries are the lead-acid type. Typically, vehicle models manufactured earlier than 2010 use this car battery.
So if your automobile falls under that category, chances are this is the type of car battery you need. And thankfully, you won’t have to spend too much to have these batteries replaced.
You can find prices as low as $70 to around $150.
Source: Pexels.com
Enhanced Flooded Car Batteries
Enhanced Flooded car batteries or EFB are the upgraded version of wet-flooded batteries, such as the lead-acid type.
This type of car battery is said to be much more durable than the standard type.
EFBs provide more than double the number of engine starts compared to standard car batteries. That also means that buying one might cost you more than double the dollars as well.
Some estimates give a range of around $200 to $300 for this type.
Absorbent Glass Mat Car Batteries
Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) car batteries make similar claims to EFBs, stating that they last much longer than the traditional lead-acid type.
Not only that, but these batteries are also safer since it’s completely sealed and doesn’t spill.
These car batteries are commonly used for electric or hybrid vehicles and have a hefty price tag. As we mentioned, it can even go as high as $1,000 to $6,000.
Lithium-Ion Car Batteries
Lithium-ion car batteries are among the more recent technological advances in car battery developments. As you might expect, it is a top-of-the-line replacement for the common lead-acid type.
Once, these babies were only fit for sports cars and other luxury vehicles. But with recent developments, these car battery types are now compatible with most passenger vehicles and even motorcycles.
How much is a car battery of this type, you ask? That can range from $400 to $1,200. Not as expensive as the AGM batteries, but still quite expensive.
Source: antigravitybatteries.com
What Car Battery Brand Should You Choose
A popular saying goes something like, “you get what you pay for.”
That’s usually the case when choosing a car battery, but not always.
You might need to do some digging regarding the best car battery brands in terms of value for money. Consider what model and make your vehicle is. Search for which brand works best for that model.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can opt for generic or no-name car battery brands.
In many cases, the quality and durability of these batteries are the same as their name-brand counterparts. Sometimes, the warranties and return policies they come with are even better.
In short, the more research you do on which car battery brands are the best for your vehicle, the better your chances of getting the best bang for the buck.
So to answer that question, it will depend entirely on your vehicle’s model and make.
Should You Consider the Car Battery’s Production Date
If you’re looking for the best car battery replacement, then it’s worth knowing when the battery was manufactured.
This is because, no matter how high-quality the components of the car battery are, time produces wear and tear on these items.
The more recently manufactured, the longer the lifespan.
This is also why buying a car battery that’s not fresh off the box is probably not a great idea, unless you’re tight with the purse strings.
Another thing to consider. Not all car battery shops tend to be up-front about this kind of thing. So always take the time to manually check the manufacturing date on the car battery sticker.
Other Things to Consider When Buying A Car Battery
Choosing a good car battery retailer could save you not just hard-earned money but also potential headaches. So better to pick a shop that you, or someone you know, trusts.
Aside from that, other factors like warranties and return policies may differ from one retailer to another. You should ask about these before purchasing.
Another aspect to consider will be the core charge fees. Since most states require retailers to charge car battery cores, it might be wise to check your state’s rules and regulations about this first. That way, the added charge to your bill won’t take you by surprise.
Calculating the total price of how much a car battery will cost you can also be slightly influenced by the size of your battery and cold cranking amps (CCA) rating. So keep that in mind as well.
When in doubt, check your vehicle’s manual to determine the exact specifications you need for your car battery replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before we go, let’s answer some of the most frequently asked questions about car batteries.
How do you know if you need a new car battery?
Several signs indicate that your car battery needs to be replaced. One of the biggest ones will be if your car has trouble starting or worse, won’t start.
Cars with increasing problems when dealing with seasonal and weather challenges are another sign.
Also, if your car is left sitting out too long – for months on end – chances are the battery has weakened or died. If you plan on driving that car again, maybe you should consider replacing the battery first.
How long should a car battery last?
Usually, a traditional car battery lasts around 6 years. The lifespan significantly increases if the type of car battery you have is one of the more complex or enhanced ones. For example, the Lithium-Ion car battery can last as long as 10 to 20 years.
How often should car batteries be replaced?
If we’re talking about the traditional car battery, then experts say it should be replaced around 4 to 5 years, depending on several factors. Extreme weather conditions and prolonged usage will reduce this even further, so it needs to be replaced sooner.
Conclusion
Do you need to replace your car battery?
Well, now you have an idea of how much a car battery costs.
If you’re low on budget, then you can go for a lead-acid car battery. But if you want a long-lasting battery to save money in the long run, then consider either Enhanced Flooded, Absorbent Glass Mat, or Lithium-Ion batteries.
Also, when buying a new car battery, don’t forget to check out the brand, the manufacturer date, the size and fitting, the warranties, and all that.
We hope that this article has helped you find the perfect car battery for your vehicle!