Need a New Battery…recommendations?

My 2020 OR will probably need a new battery this year. Trying to plan ahead and have one already chosen. Haven’t shopped for a battery in quite a while and wondering if there are any brands that are better than others. Also, is AGM chemistry any better? I tow about 25% of the time and wondering if that has any bearing on battery choice as well.

 

AGM requires a tune to change the charging voltage from the ECU. The BEST battery...hands down...is Odyssey by Enersys. Available at many parts houses. I have over 10 years on mine in another car and over 15 years on a powersport battery that has never seen a maintainer. Towing has nothing to do with battery choice.

 

Walmart Everstart Maxx is probably your best value …. and when it was tested along side comparable AGM and the Optima it blew them away.

 

AutoZone Duratast Gold 24F. Got one on sale for a little less than $200.
Nothing special, but Easy install and works perfectly.

 

One of the best arguments I have heard for using Walmart batteries is that Walmart is scheduled to build a store on the moon as soon as the space colony is established ... they be EVERYWHERE if you need warranty service.

 

Just get cheapest with warranty lead acid regular type from a large seller like Costco or Walmart.
Lots of threads if you do a search and aren't lazy, hint, hint, ha ha.

 

This!
Don’t overthink it

 

I got one from walmart for the old car a few years ago and it had a bad cell. I took it back for a good one and they charged me a core charge after I already took in the original to trade for it. I was pissed. I go to tractor supply for batteries now.

 

I picked up the Everstart 24F AGM from Wallyworld after my stock battery started leaking battery acid from under the caps. It did require a new battery hold down bracket.

No problems, no tune. 4 year warranty, don't have to mess with leaky caps or corrosion.

 

Before you go crazy with over spending and over technology ask yourself what you are getting. The answer is nothing. Unless you have the need for an advanced battery, don't waste your money. @canuck guy gave you the best suggestion.

 

Lead free...Lithium?

 

My unpopular opinion is there is no reason to replace it until it has died 3 times. That criteria met, assuming you don’t have a spare in the garage , go to the closest auto parts (or Walmart) and buy another. There little reason to spend brain cells on car batteries.

 

Thanks for the replies everybody. Definitely don’t want to spend time overthinking this. Your replies have reaffirmed this.

 

Pretty sure the Walmart and AutoZone batteries are both made by Johnson Controls. OEM battery in mine was a Johnson Controls battery, so I just went with Walmart.

Properly charging an AGM would require a tune to raise the charging voltage slightly, but many people here on TW don't bother with a tune and have no problems with AGM.

 

Do you have a link to a lead free battery? I keep getting results for Lithium.

 

This... I despise Walmart. But the Everstart Maxx is $140... a battery with the same specs and warranty from O'Reily is $215. Sometimes they can't b beat. And... they r everywhere, as stated.

 

A common, regular lead-acid battery (comes standard in the Tacoma) is not lead-free.

 

I just picked up a Weize AGM battery online this morning 24F, for $127 shipped to me on sale. My battery is not failing but i figured i'll get ahead of it before it fails... Upon some research, it looks like theres 3 categories of poeple when it comes to upgrading to AGM.

1. Those who adjust the voltage to accomodate the 0.5(ish) V increase needed by AGM
2. Those who just once a month or so plug into a charger to fully charge battery
3. Do nothing and see what happens

It seems the latter group haven't reported any issues to date (there may be some claims that battery life may not last as long without adequate charging. If you research, you DO NOT need a tune to increase voltage, you can wire in a fuse and diode to increase. Its on TW and Youtube.

$9 GM Genuine Parts 12135037 Multi-Function Diode

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08WHLPQR3?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

When my Toyota batteries die, I get an Interstate from Costco.

https://www.costco.com/automotive-batteries.html

 

I'm also wondering where this guy is sourcing his lead-free lead-acid batteries