Are you looking for the best car audio batteries? You’re in the right place!
Almost all automobiles, starting from a small car to a mammoth truck, come outfitted with an OEM backup battery.
The factory-fitted battery not only helps start your car’s engine but also powers the vehicle’s audio system and other electronic setups.
However, most of the built-in automobile audio batteries are not powerful enough to run a modern, high-decibel car stereo setup compromising a subwoofer and two speakers for long hours.
That said, you’ll need to retrofit the best car audio battery to get the most out of your auto’s stereo system. However, finding a hardwearing and resilient car audio battery is easier said than done. The mind-boggling array of car batteries up for sale, each with its distinct features and add-ons, can make the task of choosing the appropriate product remarkably vexing.
We’ve reviewed the four best car audio batteries available in the market, keeping your entertainment requirements and preferences in mind.
Top 4 Best Car Audio Batteries
| Image | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Kinetik HC600 (Top Pick) | Check Price |
 | Soundquest SQB2000 | Check Price |
| Optima Batteries 8040-218 D35 | Check Price |
 | Kinetik HC2000-BLU | Check Price |
Kinetik HC600 (Editor’s Choice)
Kinetik is best known for coming up with performance-oriented secondary batteries, perfectly capable of furnishing backup to your car’s installed battery, thereby enabling the stereo system to function optimally.
The battery sports an absorbent glass mat sealed outlay and is reinforced with six cells providing power over and above the mentioned output.
Once it is charged fully supplies 12.6V of power to the car audio, which implies that it can juice up heavyweight speakers. The AGM design ensured enhanced performance and extended functional life. This valve-regulated sealed battery can work as an ideal replacement for your overstrained OEM battery.
The uber-low internal resistance facilitates excellent electrical conductivity, which guarantees high-level performance. The multiple interior plates have low ESR (equivalent series resistance) and high energy density, contributing to performance and durability. The 600 cranking amps with an 18-hour amperage rating make the battery perform smoothly in all weather conditions.
The 100% ABS casing cushions the battery from the impacts of driving over jagged terrains and vibrations. The HC600 BLU series is also leak-proof, so you do not need to worry about unwarranted acid spills or trickles that could be damaging for your vehicle. Also, the absence of exterior vents means you can fit the battery in different factory-set locations without affecting its performance.
Pros
- Sealed AGM design
- 12-V car audio battery
- Works both as a replacement and back up to the OEM battery
- Does away with the need for a capacitor: stores energy
- Leak-proof construction
- Designed for mounting in various locations: No outer vents
- Very low ESR
- Robust energy density: numerous layers of interior plates
- Maintenance-Free
- ABS body: Performance remains uniform regardless of the weather
- 1-year warranty
- Ideal for syncing with 600W car audio setups
Cons
- Some customers have had problems with the terminals
- Can easily juice up a 600W car stereo but will make you struggle when starting the vehicle
Soundquest SQB2000
The SQB2000 can offer unflinching support to the installed battery in your car. It lets you enjoy high-decibel music from a 2000W rated audio setup, thereby making it one of the most reliable secondary car stereo batteries. The Soundquest SQB2000 can also replace your car’s existing battery if you’re using a 600W or 1000W music system.
This 12V battery has been crafted out of the best quality materials and reinforced with components that make the product immensely versatile. On the other hand, you’re relieved from the arduous chore of having to periodically refill water and continuously keep an eye out for the water level, thanks to the battery being a dry-cell type. The SQB2000 fully exploits the sealed AGM technology, which makes it leak or spill-proof, resistant to vibrations, impacts, and shocks.
You can switch on the audio system of your vehicle soon after start driving without worrying about underperformance. The battery is capable of archiving sufficient energy to make the stereo setup operate at full throttle.
The cold-cranking rating is 525 amps is just about perfect for keeping your audio functioning when your main battery is running on a low charge. The removable brass connectors bolster the leak-proof structure. They also come in handy when you have to position it in a suitable location without making it vulnerable to spills.
Pros
- 2000W ampere rated: can power car stereo systems of equivalent power rating
- 300 plus full discharge cycles: Extended shelf-life
- 525A 5-second burst power: The car engine starts almost immediately even after it has remaining switched off for long hours
- Detachable brass connectors on posts: Helps in the quick and convenient installation
- Absorbent glass mat design makes the battery hardwearing and resilient
- Leak-proof: No chance of lead-acid spills or leaks
Cons
- Starting the engine of large vehicles could be an issue if used as a replacement to the OEM battery
Optima Batteries 8040-218 D35 Battery
This battery is loaded with a host of innovative features that make it appropriate for installing your vehicle equipped with a range of accessories.
This Optima battery boasts of an exclusive cell design. This design allows it to function superlatively and makes it safe for you and the environment. Due to its ultra-low discharge rate, the Yellow Top is appropriate for taking advantage of during the summer and letting it hibernate during the long winter without charging or recharging it.
The Optima 8040-218 is a versatile dual-purpose automotive battery. It is buttressed with high cranking power as well as unmatched rechargeable capacity. The battery can efficiently power heavy-duty commercial vehicles, lorries with windlasses and cranks. It is also compatible for use with tractors and forklift trucks.
At the core of this Optima battery is a sequence of spirally-wound and tightly packed cell units made up of two 99.99% internal lead plates coated with lead oxide. This technique of winding the lead plates spirally makes the battery more efficient than conventional flat plate AGM batteries. The unique structuring of the plates lets the battery function more effectively in different conditions.
The AGM design makes it spill-proof and also lets you set it up at any angle inside the compartment meant for the battery. The battery can also handle vibrations and jagged terrains quite well. Dual-purpose also implies that you can start the car’s engine near-instantly and listen to your favorite tracks on the stereo, especially when you are on a long drive.
Pros
- AGM design for lasting performance and backup support
- 620-cold cranking amperage
- Reserve capacity is 1 hour 38 minutes for extended support
- Dual purpose-quick ignition start even in inclement weather as well as empower the car stereo
- Highly resistant to vibrations, impacts, and shocks
- Leak-proof
- 300 plus recharge and discharge cycles
Cons
- The battery needs a customized spacer for a direct fit in the compartment
Kinetik HC2000-BLU
The HC2000-BLU is another top-notch offering from Kinetik. It can serve as an additional battery and a replacement for your auto’s factory-fitted battery. The Kinetic HC Blue is a 12V battery that packs in 2000W of power. The battery features an absorbent glass mat layout, which renders the product incredibly efficient, enabling it to perform effortlessly even in rough weather.
The performance does not flag when you are driving through rough or uneven terrains. With a cold cranking amps rating of 1500, the battery will allow you to stay tuned to the audio for hours on end. The HC2000-BLU Series is also resistant to leaks and spills. Why? It has a superior design, and the absence of external vents facilitates its setting up in most OEM battery compartments.
Pros
- AGM design with foolproof sealing
- 12-V car audio battery
- Doubles as a replacement battery and also backups the OEM battery
- No need to use a capacitor: stores enough energy for continuous use
- Construction is leak-proof
- Can be mounted in various locations: No external vents
- Low ESR (equivalent series resistance)
- Strong energy density: Multiple plate layers
- Thoroughly maintenance-free
- Ideal for using with 2000W car audio setups
Cons
- Terminals could develop issues in the long run
How to Pick the Best Audio Car Battery?
You can either settle for the standard lead-acid set or go for the VRLA (valve-regulated lead-acid battery) model. Three basic types of VRLA batteries-gel cells sealed VR wet cells, and AGM (absorbent glass mat) are extensively used as car audio batteries.
The heavy-duty construction and innovative design of the VRLA models make them extremely durable and fit at/in different positions.
For the most part, these batteries are maintenance-free, though you may need to check their functionality from time to time and clean them periodically. The maintenance-free lead-acid battery holds on to its fluid while you’ll have to refill the standard ones with water regularly.
On the other hand, an AGM battery can hold a charge for a longer period than the maintenance-free model, more compatible with deep discharge, and charges faster. Hence, VRLA AGM batteries cost more than regular car audio batteries.
No wonder then that AGM batteries are better equipped to power your car’s stereo set up effectively. There are a few specific factors you should take into consideration comparing the best car audio batteries, including performance, which you should give top priority.
Go for a Fresh Batch
The car audio batteries tend to die or become damaged if they are not recharged regularly or at least occasionally. Whether you place an online order or purchase it from a brick-and-mortar, make sure you check the manufacturing and the shipping dates.
Never buy a product that was manufactured more than six months ago. All reputed producers and manufacturers mention the manufacturing date on the package or label of the product.
Don’t forget to hand over the old battery to your retailer or distributor to ensure it is recycled.
The Size Matters
Selecting the car audio battery’s correct size is another important consideration that you should bear in mind. The model you ultimately select must sit or fit comfortably inside the vehicle’s battery chamber. Refer to your car’s manufacturer or user manual for the appropriate battery size and terminal location.
Show the user manual to the mechanic or the salesman if you cannot find the specifications on your own. You cannot afford to go wrong with the size of a battery that sits loosely inside the compartment can be detrimental not only for the battery but also for your vehicle.
Reserve Capacity and Cold-Cranking Amperes
Almost all the well-known and popular car audio brands have a high power rating. That is an indication of their excellent performance capacity. So, you’ll have to choose a battery that is capable of dealing with the power load. In other words, the battery’s amperage should match that of the car stereo.
The Warranty
Always go for the product or model that offers you an extended warranty replacement period. On the other hand, keep in mind that improperly installing the battery or not maintaining the prescribed water level could null and void the warranty.
The Price and Your Budget
VRLA/AGM car batteries are guaranteed to perform better than average or maintenance-free lead-acid batteries and tend to be more expensive than the latter.
So, What’s the Best Car Audio Battery?
Choosing the best battery for your car stereo does not have to be irritating or bewildering. Once you’ve found a car audio battery whose power rating corresponds with that of your car’s stereo, you’re almost through with the selection process.
After that, you need to confirm the size, cranking, reserve capacity, warranty period, and price before deciding. All the models reviewed above-two from Kinetik and one each from Optima Soundquest fit the best car audio battery bill.
If you’re on a budget, then you can go for the Kinetik HC600 BLU series or the Soundquest SQB2000. If you can afford to splurge, pick from either the Kinetik HC2000 or the Optima 8040- 218 D35.
Generally, if we had to pick just one of them, we would probably go for the Kinetik HC600. It’s pretty affordable and is suitable for the money, and it does its job – nothing exciting or tricky about it, and that’s all you need. In our opinion, it’s the best car audio battery available on the market at the moment.