Best Car Audio Battery Buying Guide: Boost Your Listening Pleasure With These
If you’re a music lover, you know that a good audio system is a must for any car entertainment system. Even the regular Joe would agree that a car audio system is a cool accessory to have in any ride, as it helps beat the boredom out of driving, especially when you’re traveling alone.
However, modern stereos can put quite a strain on a vehicle’s power storage system. While powerful audio systems can give you a heart-pounding beat, they also double as energy vampires to your battery due to their large power requirements.
Leave them on too long without running your engines and there’s a good chance they’ll drain the life out of your ride’s power cell. That’s something you definitely don’t want to happen, right?
But there’s a very good way to meet the energy needs of your audio system–by choosing the best car audio battery for your ride.
To help you decide which suits your car best, we’ve compiled some of the top car audio batteries available in the market today.
One surefire way of making sure you got a product that can handle the needs of your audio system is to get one specifically designed for such workload. And that’s where the Optima brand comes in. Its YellowTop product line is geared specifically for modern vehicles loaded with accessories
If you’re the type of car owner who just loves to fill your ride with as many electronic accessories as you can, then this unit might be a good option for you. With deep cycling capability and high performance, the Optima YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery can take care of your car’s audio system, running lights, and hydraulics.
You can depend on the YellowTop to not fail you even during bad weather days. It has 750 cold cranking amps (CCA), which is enough juice to start your ride even in cold weather.
But if you’re planning not to use your car for the winter season, this battery can also weather the cold because of its low discharge rate compared to other brands. It means you don’t have to dread having a dead battery even if you just park your car for the winter.
And if you live in areas where the road could get bumpy, this durable battery is up to the challenge as it can resist vibration.
PROS
120 minutes of reserve capacity
Highly durable
Comes from a trusted car audio battery brand
CONS
Longevity issues
XS Power D3400 XS Series 12V 3,300 Amp AGM High Output Battery with M6 Terminal Bolt
If you want pro-level performance from your power cell, then the XS Power has got you covered.
From a highly-recognized brand in the car audio industry, the XS Power holds enough energy to keep your audio system running for a very long time. It has a capacity of 65 Ampere-hours, which means that not only will you be able to enjoy your state-of-the-art vehicle’s audio entertainment system, but it will also sufficiently power up the necessary electronics to keep your riding experience safe and comfortable.
Concerned about acid spillage from your battery? You don’t have to worry because the XS Power is sealed and spill-proof. You can mount it even upside down with no worries.
Starting your car won’t be an issue either with its high 1000 CCA rating.
This car audio battery is ruggedly-built as well. Shocks and vibration won’t damage it nor shorten its lifespan. You’re sure to get your money’s worth and enjoy a worry-free driving experience for years to come.
PROS
Spill-proof
High cranking amps
CONS
More expensive than other options
Kinetik HC600 Black Lead Acid Battery
We understand that not every driver has the same budget when shopping for their ride’s power cell. So, if you’re looking for an affordable option, then you might want to consider getting the Kinetik HC600, the most affordable car audio battery included in this buying guide.
But don’t let its low price fool you; it’s got what it takes to keep your car audio up and running for some time. It has enough juice to run 600W car audio stereo systems. You can mount it anywhere without having to worry about leaks since it is totally sealed and leak-proof.
The Kinetik HC600 is designed to handle heat and vibrations with ease. It also comes with a one-year manufacturing warranty.
But be sure to check out its specs to ensure it matches your vehicle’s requirements before buying the product. Though it can deliver 600 cranking amps which might be sufficient for most cars, it might not be the right fit for vehicles with bigger engines or higher cranking amp requirements. Its 18 amp-hour rating is also lower than other options.
PROS
Affordable
Leak-proof
CONS
Lower cranking amps rating compared to others
Low amp-hour capacity
Stinger SPV69C 1100 Amp Power Series Dry Cell Battery with Protective Steel Case for Systems Up to 2000W
If you’ve upgraded your ride’s stereo system to something even more powerful, chances are you need to change the battery as well to cope up with the bigger load.
A good choice for a replacement is the Stinger SPV69C 1100 Amp, which can supply your audio systems with a power up to 2000W.
You don’t have to worry about potentially hazardous leaks since this product is designed to be leak-proof.
You can also remove its brass battery, which makes it more versatile as you can fit it into most vehicles’ battery storage space. Another thing to take note is that it is rated 660 CA, which allows it to start most cars.
But it only works for up to 1320-Watt sound systems, so you better stick to the recommendation to avoid any inconvenience.
PROS
Can handle up to 1320-W audio systems
Leak-proof design
Affordably priced
CONS
Cranking Amps rating may not be suitable for larger vehicles
DieHard 38217 Group Advanced Gold AGM Battery GP 49
If you’re looking for a battery with a large storage capacity, then the DieHard 38217 might be perfect for you.
It packs quite a punch with its 92 ampere-hour power rating. This means it can store more power compared to other batteries. If you’re a music lover, you’ll be able to listen to your favorite songs longer even with the engines turned off.
But the importance of this high energy storage capability goes way beyond the convenience of running your audio systems longer. Its 170 reserve capacity rating means that even if you encounter electrical problems preventing your battery from charging, this unit can still run your ride’s essential electronics such as hydraulics, wipers and headlines for another 170 minutes.
When the cold season hits, it’s usually harder to start your ride especially if you using a power cell with a low CCA rating. But that won’t be an issue with the DieHard 38217. With a CCA of 850, you’re assured of a seamless start every time you use your car, even in the depths of winter. It’s perfect if you live in areas with cold climate.
The DieHard 38217 is also a durable battery that’s 20 times more resistant to vibration compared to other brands. It’s also spill-proof, meaning you don’t have to worry about leakage ruining your car’s components.
PROS
High CCA
Stores a lot of power with a 92 Ampere-Hour rating
Car electronics run longer even when the engine is turned off
20x vibration-resistant
CONS
Might not perfectly fit into the battery slot of some car models
Final Thoughts
The electrical load requirement of today’s cars is a lot different compared to vehicles a few decades ago. Back then, car accessories are rather minimal, so a regular power cell is enough to power them all.
These days, however, your car probably contains more electronics than you realize. You have smart cars that are powered by microprocessors, GPS systems, WIFI connectivity, power windows, power driving, hydraulics, and even wireless charging for all your gadgets. Given this scenario, it’s easy to see why ordinary car batteries just won’t cut it anymore.
Thus, it’s important to keep an eye on the specs when you’re shopping for a new power cell. It should be able to produce enough wattage to handle the needs of all your electronics on board. Cold cranking power is also important if you live in colder areas, as battery output tends to drop the colder the temperature gets.
We hope that you finally found the best car audio battery for your car’s needs in our buying guide.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I choose a car battery for my sound system?
For smaller sound systems, you don't need to worry much about the car battery. But for big and powerful systems, it's better to opt for a battery with high voltage capacity. So, 12V is a must. To get the best performance for a prolonged period, purchase AGM batteries of a reputed brand.
What is the best battery for a car audio system?
A high-voltage AGM deep-cycle battery is best for any car including its audio system. AGM batteries can deliver high currents instantly on-demand. So if you're using a powerful stereo system and using other car appliances concurrently, the battery wouldn't have trouble delivering the necessary current. Almost all car battery makers like Optima, Exide offer AGM deep-cycle batteries.
Are AGM batteries good for car audio?
Yes, AGM batteries are excellent for your car audio system because they have low internal resistance and are capable of delivering high current when required. Thus, they ensure electrical reliability. Furthermore, AGM batteries are spill-proof and valve regulated by design. So there's less maintenance required. Wherever possible, you should opt for AGM batteries for your car audio over lead-acid batteries.
Are NorthStar batteries good for car audio?
NorthStar sells different types of batteries. And not all of them are ideal for your car audio, even though they'll work just fine. They have an enhanced AGM range of batteries that are best for your car audio system. These batteries are designed to deliver consistent performance for a longer period. The NorthStar Red batteries are considered to last longer and are reasonably priced.
Can you use a marine battery for car audio?
Marine batteries are designed for use on the boat. These have heavier plates and deliver more power. Moreover, they're designed to tolerate the vibration and pounding of a boat ride. It's not recommended to be used on a car or the car audio system for that matter. Use them only in case of emergencies or if you have no other options.
What is the best lithium battery for car audio?
Nissan has one of the best lithium batteries for car audio systems. Their car batteries are compact as compared to lead-acid batteries. Yet because of the higher energy density, they tend to have the same storage capacity. These batteries will keep powering your car audio system for a long. Panasonic Sanyo is another reputed maker of the best lithium batteries.
How long will a car stereo battery last on a car battery?
The car stereo will keep functioning as long as the car battery is not dead. That is unless you install a second car audio battery. But as the battery discharges, there will be a point when your stereo system will work below par. That's when you should know that your car battery is down and the power is low. When you recharge it, the functionality will be back to normal.
How long do car audio batteries last?
To know how long your car audio battery will last, look at the life expectancy. It is usually between four to six years. If you have two batteries installed, one specifically for the car stereo system, then add its life expectancy to get the total estimate. The expectancy depends on various factors like use and maintenance.
Do I need two batteries for car audio?
It's recommended to have two batteries and one specifically for the car audio stereo system. But you can always work with one battery that comes installed with the car. The main disadvantage is the battery will drain faster and will require continuous charging. So calculate how much power the audio system consumes and how often you use them before installing the second battery.
Can a sound system drain a car battery?
Yes. In fact, any electrical equipment will drain a car battery since it derives power from it. Big stereo systems will likely consume more power than smaller systems, thus draining the battery comparatively faster. To ensure proper performance, you should use the sound system at a reasonable level. Also, update the system with newer technologies that will draw less power.
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