13 Car Battery Brands We Avoid At All Costs

When you’re on the hunt for a new car battery, you want something reliable, durable, and worth every penny. The last thing you want is to waste money on something that can’t keep up. We’ve taken a look at data from Consumer Reports and auto reviews to help you know which batteries not to choose.

From bad cells that die early to those with low cold-cranking amps and skimpy warranties, these are 10 car batteries we avoid at all costs.

Bosch

Bosch is known for its high-end auto parts, but their batteries are another story. While they’re not failing any tests, they’re also not topping them—receiving just average marks for longevity and cold-cranking capabilities in independent tests.

The typical Bosch battery tends to wave the white flag at around three years, which isn’t terrible but might not meet everyone’s expectations. However, they do shine a bit brighter in the cold-cranking arena and offer a sweet deal with free roadside assistance for certain models under warranty.

Duracell

Duracell might be a giant in the battery world, familiar from remote controls to cars, but it seems they’re not immune to a bit of critique. Produced by East Penn Manufacturing in Pennsylvania, some drivers find them a tough nut to crack when it comes to charging them up properly, which isn’t exactly what you want to hear about something that’s supposed to power your car.

They’re also on the pricier side, and there have been whispers about defects. Luckily, Duracell isn’t leaving customers empty-handed—they do cover these issues under warranty.

AutoCraft

Found at Advance Auto Parts stores across the country, AutoCraft batteries promise to be gentle on your finances. However, it seems that this is one of those cases where you might get what you pay for. Based out of Raleigh, North Carolina, AutoCraft has been around since 1932, but recent feedback suggests some kinks in the armor.

Drivers often find themselves back at the store sooner than expected, with batteries giving out within just a year. Add to that some struggles with cold cranking, and you’ve got a recipe for potential headaches when the temperature drops.

Duralast

This AutoZone house brand out of Memphis has a knack for affordability, but it seems to falter when it really counts. Many drivers have found these batteries a bit underwhelming, especially when it comes to their lifespan and ability to hold a charge, particularly in the heat.

They also lag behind competitors in areas like cold cranking amps and reserve capacity. If you’re in a climate that swings to the extremes, you might find Duralast a bit too… temporary.

DieHard Advanced Gold 50748

Sharing a name with a Bruce Willis blockbuster doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in for explosive performance. DieHard, a product of Clarios LLC and available at places like Kmart, Sears, and Walmart, might evoke a sense of crazy durability, but the DieHard Advanced Gold 50748 seems to have missed the mark.

According to Consumer Reports, this model taps out much quicker than its rivals—some users reported failures as soon as seven weeks in. If you’re looking for reliability, this DieHard might just go down a little too easy.

LifePo4 Lithium Iron Phosphate

LifePo4 Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries are indeed a solid pick for electric vehicles or boats, however, if you’re running a standard internal combustion car, these might not be your best bet. The issue? They just don’t have the juice to crank up your engine effectively, especially when the mercury drops.

Besides being a bit of a niche find, they also come with a heftier price tag. So unless you’re driving an EV, you might want to steer clear of this one.

Optima Batteries

Optima Batteries have hit a bit of a rough patch. The glory days of top-tier performance seem to be fading into the rearview mirror as more drivers report these batteries just can’t seem to hold a charge like they used to.

And let’s not get started on the price—high enough to make your wallet flinch. Coupled with customer service that hasn’t been winning any applause, Optima might be testing your patience more than your car’s electrical system.

AC Delco

AC Delco is a familiar name, found at your local GM dealer or various third-party retailers. They offer batteries that fit a wide range of vehicles with warranties stretching from 18 to 48 months. Sounds good on paper, however, the buzz around town isn’t too kind lately.

Users have pointed out that while AC Delco’s prices have climbed, their batteries’ performance hasn’t followed suit. We’re talking about shorter lifespans and a rollercoaster of performance highs and lows.

Everstart

Everstart is Walmart’s budget-friendly option, packing a variety of sizes to choose from. Yet, some users have raised flags about their reliability.

It seems these lead-acid batteries might not be the marathon runners of the car battery world. Expecting a long life from them might lead to disappointment as they tend to bow out sooner than you’d hope.

On the upside, Everstart offers a three-year warranty, which somewhat cushions the blow if you face any issues.

Interstate

Interstate’s green-topped batteries have been a common sight since 1952, available across various outlets including Costco. Despite their popularity, the quality can be hit or miss.

Interstate batteries come from a mix of manufacturers, which can vary in their production standards. This makes it tricky to guarantee consistency across the board.