Retailers and manufacturers commonly cite the cold-cranking amps (CCA). This is a measure of the power available for 30 seconds at zero degrees. A higher number means more power, and this is typically found in batteries marketed as “northern” batteries and from pricey absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries. (You can upgrade your car from a traditional lead-acid battery to an AGM, but don’t trade in the other direction if the car came with an AGM.) Generally, cold-weather drivers will want to choose a battery rated at 600 CCA or higher.
“Only you can take charge of your car’s starting performance this winter,” says Paolo Fu, who oversees car battery testing at Consumer Reports. Fu says, “Make sure to test your battery before the cold sets in because it can adversely affect your battery’s performance, turning a minor problem into a major problem. If you are worried about starting your car due to prior issues, make sure to visit a mechanic to have it looked over. Batteries should be replaced every 3 to 5 years, so ensure you check your battery’s date.”
To evaluate cold-weather performance, we use a freezer to mimic winter conditions, cooling batteries to 0° F, and rate them based on how long they can provide enough amperage to start a car in the cold.
We believe that our cold-weather performance test is based on more realistic charging voltages and amperage demands than those of typical manufacturers’ tests, and our results demonstrate each battery’s relative cranking power, regardless of a manufacturer’s claims. This makes the findings comparable, from model to model, in our ratings charts.
Below, we spotlight the CR Recommended battery in each category (or group) with the highest cold-weather performance and Overall Score. Based on our exclusive test results, these are the best batteries for cold weather.
