When it comes to choosing batteries, the abundance of features and options will inevitably confuse you. That’s why it’s always better to get some help in the process, so you don’t pay a lot of money on the wrong option.
Here, I’ll show you my top four picks for group 35 batteries. But first, let’s learn a bit about the group!
Product
Image
Features
Where to buy
Optima Batteries 8020-164 35 RedTop Starting Battery
• Affordable price for the features you’ll get
• Deep discharge rapid recovery
• Versatile and can be used for many applications
• Highly durable
VMAX V35-857 12 Volt 35AH AGM Battery
• No maintenance needed on your part
• No risk of overheating
• Compact dimensions for easier placement
Odyssey 34R-PC1500T Automotive and LTV Battery
• No maintenance needed on your part
• Improved safety features
• Exceptional cranking power
Optima 8040-218 D35 YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery
• The self-discharging is slower than similar batteries
• Suitable for deep cycling applications
• The polypropylene casing makes it leak-proof
About Group 35 Batteries
If you’re not all-inclusive about group 35 batteries, I’ll tell you everything you may possibly need to know. Let’s start with the physical dimensions, which will inevitably vary from one battery to another, but there’s a standard that most batteries won’t stray far from.
Group 35 batteries will be around 9.06 x 6.88 x 8.88 inches. Most batteries on the market will be close to that, but be aware of too large batteries. They may ruin your plans of fitting them under the hood.
The majority of group 35 batteries are manufactured using AGM, which stands for Absorbent Glass Mat. Meaning, they’re spill-proof, and they require no maintenance. Whether they’re dual-purpose or cranking, they’ll likely be utilizing the technology.
There’s one thing you should keep in mind: most group 35 batteries will be labeled as dual-purpose. However, they’ll be starting batteries, but they’ll have a higher tolerance for cycling applications, hence the labeling.
A lot of modern vehicles are in dire need of this feature. The reason is simple; their main batteries won’t only have to power the engine with a large current, but they’ll also have to power all associated electronic systems. These systems include the lights, audio, ventilators, and security systems. Dual purpose batteries will be ideal for that.
Things to Consider When Buying Group 35 Batteries
Before buying a group 35 battery, there are a couple of things you’ll want to consider. Take a look at them here.
Dimensions
While any group 35 battery should fit in your car’s hood, that’s not always the case. And if your car battery doesn’t fit under the hood, it’s rendered useless. That’s why you ought to check the dimensions and make sure it fits before you pay for it.
You’ll also want to check your car’s battery compartment’s dimensions. Or else, you may get a battery that doesn’t fit.
Cold Cranking Amps
When you view any group 35 battery, you’ll find the cold-cranking amps listed among its features, which tells you a lot about its essence. If you live in a place where the weather tends to get too low, you’ll want to get a battery with a high CCA rate.
The low temperature may cause your engine to refuse to start. A high CCA rate will get it to start without a hitch, so that’s one more thing you should check before buying.
Reserve Capacity
You don’t want to buy an expensive car battery, only to find out that your car gets out of power while you’re driving. This may happen if your battery doesn’t carry out charging. As a result, your car’s electric system will be out of power.
The key to solving this is reserve capacity. The higher it is, the longer you can run the system without worrying about cutouts. In the end, it depends on your car. If it doesn’t demand a high amp rate, you don’t need to get a battery with high capacity. You’ll save a lot of money if you considered that before buying.
Durability
Car batteries cost a lot, even affordable ones. You don’t want to pay a fortune on a battery, only for it to break two years later. Spending money in vain surely doesn’t feel good!
A car battery should stay working for a decade or so. Changing it every 3–4 years isn’t ideal. You can opt for an option with a polypropylene casing; it’s highly durable, tolerating vibrations well.
If you want to ensure replacing your battery won’t cost you a lot, you may want to buy one with a warranty. That way, you can get it repaired if it doesn’t perform as promised.
The 4 Best Group 35 Batteries for Your Car
Group 35 batteries are best known for their use in vehicles, such as RVs, cars, and trucks. There are a lot of other applications, too, such as wheelchairs, security systems, UPS, off-the-grid, and medical needs. We’re viewing one of the most versatile groups here.
These batteries are medium size; they usually range from 44–65Ah, 620–850CCA, and 90–130 RC. They’re mostly Absorbent Glass Mat, Sealed Lead Acid, or lithium iron phosphate. Here, I’ll show you the four best group 35 batteries on the market in terms of usage and power.
1. Optima Batteries 8020-164 35 RedTop Starting Battery
The Optima RedTop battery has a CCA rating of 720A, which means it’ll get your car running in an instant, regardless of the surrounding conditions. Additionally, the battery has a reserve capacity of almost 90 minutes, which is pretty sufficient to get you to your destination.
Whether you’re riding an SUV, a truck, or a streetcar, the Optima will provide enough power for instant ignition. Not only that, but it’s also able to do that right out of the box, without the need for any maintenance.
The Optime comes covered in a polypropylene cover, giving it an exceptional resistance against vibration. The resistance is almost 15 times higher than that of another battery. Despite that, the Optima has a lightweight design that won’t tire you out while installing. This feature, in particular, is hard to come across with AGM batteries.
For the price tag it comes with, the Optima offers more than what you’ll pay for. Most AGM batteries will cost you much more to get the same features.
Pros
- Affordable price for the features you’ll get
- Deep discharge rapid recovery
- Versatile and can be used for many applications
- Highly durable
Cons
- The shelf life is a bit shorter than what you’d expect
2. VMAX V35-857 12 Volt 35AH AGM Battery
You can use the VMAX up to 60% before it needs to recharge, which is quite impressive for the affordable price it comes with. You’ll be able to run it for up to 9 hours after deep use.
As for the build, the VMAX features a compact design, standing at 7.7 x 5 x 6.1 inches. You’ll face no issues trying to fit it under a car’s hood, unlike most group 35 batteries.
The thing with car batteries is they need care and maintenance. Plus, you’ll need to keep check of their shelf lives, so you don’t let them sit idle longer than necessary. Fortunately, you don’t have to bother with this with the VMAX. Whether you let it sit idle or overcharge it, it’ll stay intact, thanks to its durable design.
On top of that, the battery won’t require topping with water. You usually take this step to prevent overheating, but the water doesn’t vaporize in the heat with the VMAX. So, no need to worry about that.
Pros
- No maintenance needed on your part
- No risk of overheating
- Compact dimensions for easier placement
Cons
- High discharging rate
3. Odyssey 34R-PC1500T Automotive and LTV Battery
The Odyssey’s cold crank amps of 850 will start your car in an instant, and it’ll be able to keep producing high voltages for an extended time. Seeing it side to side with its competitors, the Odyssey tops the list with its exceptional performance. You’ll be able to power any accessory or electronic you’ve installed in your car.
The Odyssey is best known in the market for its high recharge efficiency. No sealed lead battery can compete with it. In addition, you’ll hardly find a more adjustable battery when it comes to mounting and positioning.
Furthermore, the battery stands well against vibrations, and it’s spill-proof. Not only that, but it also has a high tolerance for extreme temperatures. I’d hope I had a battery with these safety features back in the day!
Pros
- No maintenance needed on your part
- Improved safety features
- Exceptional cranking power
Cons
- The heavyweight might be an issue for some people
4. Optima 8040-218 D35 YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery
When it comes to deep-cycling, the YellowTop will give you constant high voltages for as long as you’re using it. You won’t have to worry about draining too; the YellowTop’s high cycle life and capacity retention allow you to drain it and charge it again as much as you need. This feature is particularly handy for applications with high power demand.
The YellowTop can tolerate up to 300 cycles of discharging and recharging. I don’t know about you, but that’s surely impressive for me! You won’t find a lot of batteries on the market that can offer that.
Between the RedTop and the YellowTop, I’d take the latter on any day for deep cycling.
Pros
- The self-discharging is slower than similar batteries
- Suitable for deep cycling applications
- The polypropylene casing makes it leak-proof
- Multi-purpose
Cons
- The heavyweight might be overwhelming for some users
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