2020 Jeep Gladiator Battery
Trucks
- Sponsor
- OPTIMA Batteries
- Location
- Glendale, WI
Do you have a 2020 Jeep Gladiator that seems like it needs a new battery? We're asking about the primary, not the auxiliary battery, as these vehicles are typically equipped with two. OPTIMA offers several options for Gladiator owners, with our QH6 lithium battery, DH6 AGM battery and DH7 AGM battery. Which one is right for your Gladiator? Let's look at your options:
The Case For Lithium
None of these batteries are considered "cheap," but if you're going to hold onto your Gladiator, you'll find they will all prove to be worth the investment over the long haul. The QH6 ORANGETOP lithium battery is the most expensive of the bunch in terms of up-front cost, but it also offers far superior cycle life to either the DH6 or QH7 YELLOWTOPs. It also comes with a five-year, free replacement warranty, versus three years of free replacement coverage for either of the YELLOWTOPs.
The QH6 also has Bluetooth connectivity, which can send low voltage warnings to your phone and provide far more detailed data about the battery than your dashboard display- total cycles, percentage state of charge, time to full state of charge, etc... It also has an on/off button that makes long-term storage without worrying about a parasitic discharge a snap. The QH6 also has OPTIMA's CPR system, which automatically turns the battery off if it is being deeply discharged, to ensure you have enough juice left to start your engine one more time to get home safely.
The QH6 ORANGETOP weighs significantly less than either YELLOWTOP, but in a 4,700-lb vehicle, 30 or 40 pounds less won't make that much difference from a performance or fuel economy standpoint. Lithium batteries are not rated for cranking power in the same way as lead-acid batteries, but the QH6 will offer plenty of cranking power, even if someone Hellcat-swapped their Gladiator.
Temperatures, both hot and cold are always a question for lithium batteries, but OPTIMA's HYPERCORE technology gives our ORANGETOPs an operating range of -40°F to 167°F and our robust BMS system will automatically shut the battery off, if the internal temperature ever exceeds those parameters. All of OPTIMA's ORANGETOP lithium batteries use a lithium iron phosphate chemistry that is widely considered to be the safest and most stable lithium chemistry available, but we've also taken the extra step of having all of our ORANGETOPs safety tested and/or certified by independent third parties at both the cell level and battery level to the following applicable standards: UL 1973, UL 2580, UN38.3, IEC 62619 and IEC 63057.
The challenge for at least some Gladiator owners considering lithium batteries will be the reserve capacity. If your Jeep has significant electrical accessories, like a winch on the Gladiator pictured above, refrigerator or even if you like playing the stereo all afternoon at the park, you may find the 45AH of capacity won't be enough. If any such scenario seems likely, the DH7 YELLOWTOP, which is rated at 80AH, may be your best option.
The Case for AGM Lead-Acid
The lower initial price point for OPTIMA's YELLOWTOP batteries will be an important consideration for many Jeep owners, but not the only consideration. As we previously mentioned, the YELLOWTOPs do have superior reserve capacity ratings, not only compared to the ORANGETOP, but just about every other lead-acid battery you'll find in either size. If you go the lead-acid route, you'll want the heaviest battery you can get, because there's a direct correlation between battery weight and the amount of active material inside the battery.
All Group 48 or H6 batteries will have the same physical dimensions, so why not pack them with as much power as possible? The same is true for 94R/H7 batteries. At just over 54 and 60 pounds respectively, OPTIMA's YELLOWTOP batteries are some of the very heaviest you will find anywhere. In fact, OPTIMA's DH6 YELLOWTOP often weighs more than physically larger H7 flooded batteries from other brands.
Robust cast straps that connect the cells make power transfer both into and out of the battery significantly more efficient than flooded batteries and other AGM batteries that use weaker, less efficient "tombstone" welds to connect the cells. It's quite possible the YELLOWTOP will hit the "sweet spot" for a lot of Jeep Gladiator owners, in terms of price, how the battery is used and how long it lasts compared to a flooded lead-acid battery.
Keep it Charged!
Regardless of which battery you choose, we always encourage you to keep your battery voltage properly maintained (~13.0-13.2V for YELLOWTOPs & ~14.0V for ORANGETOPs). Even Jeeps driven on a daily basis should have their voltage checked once a month. If the battery needs charging, it should be topped off with a quality battery charger and checked more frequently, until a good cadence is established.
We're so confident proper voltage maintenance will maximize battery performance and lifespan, we'll add an additional year of free replacement warranty coverage to your OPTIMA battery, if you purchase a 1200-series OPTIMA charger from us at the same time.
| Battery | Price | Weight | Cranking Power | Reserve Capacity | Free Replacement Warranty |
| QH6 | $$$ | 20 lbs | 880A @ 0°F | 45 AH | 5 years |
| DH6 | $$ | 54.01 lbs | 800 CCA | 72 AH | 3 years |
| DH7 | $$ | 60.5 lbs | 880 CCA | 80 AH | 3 years |
None of these batteries are considered "cheap," but if you're going to hold onto your Gladiator, you'll find they will all prove to be worth the investment over the long haul. The QH6 ORANGETOP lithium battery is the most expensive of the bunch in terms of up-front cost, but it also offers far superior cycle life to either the DH6 or QH7 YELLOWTOPs. It also comes with a five-year, free replacement warranty, versus three years of free replacement coverage for either of the YELLOWTOPs.
The QH6 also has Bluetooth connectivity, which can send low voltage warnings to your phone and provide far more detailed data about the battery than your dashboard display- total cycles, percentage state of charge, time to full state of charge, etc... It also has an on/off button that makes long-term storage without worrying about a parasitic discharge a snap. The QH6 also has OPTIMA's CPR system, which automatically turns the battery off if it is being deeply discharged, to ensure you have enough juice left to start your engine one more time to get home safely.
The QH6 ORANGETOP weighs significantly less than either YELLOWTOP, but in a 4,700-lb vehicle, 30 or 40 pounds less won't make that much difference from a performance or fuel economy standpoint. Lithium batteries are not rated for cranking power in the same way as lead-acid batteries, but the QH6 will offer plenty of cranking power, even if someone Hellcat-swapped their Gladiator.
Temperatures, both hot and cold are always a question for lithium batteries, but OPTIMA's HYPERCORE technology gives our ORANGETOPs an operating range of -40°F to 167°F and our robust BMS system will automatically shut the battery off, if the internal temperature ever exceeds those parameters. All of OPTIMA's ORANGETOP lithium batteries use a lithium iron phosphate chemistry that is widely considered to be the safest and most stable lithium chemistry available, but we've also taken the extra step of having all of our ORANGETOPs safety tested and/or certified by independent third parties at both the cell level and battery level to the following applicable standards: UL 1973, UL 2580, UN38.3, IEC 62619 and IEC 63057.
The challenge for at least some Gladiator owners considering lithium batteries will be the reserve capacity. If your Jeep has significant electrical accessories, like a winch on the Gladiator pictured above, refrigerator or even if you like playing the stereo all afternoon at the park, you may find the 45AH of capacity won't be enough. If any such scenario seems likely, the DH7 YELLOWTOP, which is rated at 80AH, may be your best option.
The Case for AGM Lead-Acid
The lower initial price point for OPTIMA's YELLOWTOP batteries will be an important consideration for many Jeep owners, but not the only consideration. As we previously mentioned, the YELLOWTOPs do have superior reserve capacity ratings, not only compared to the ORANGETOP, but just about every other lead-acid battery you'll find in either size. If you go the lead-acid route, you'll want the heaviest battery you can get, because there's a direct correlation between battery weight and the amount of active material inside the battery.
All Group 48 or H6 batteries will have the same physical dimensions, so why not pack them with as much power as possible? The same is true for 94R/H7 batteries. At just over 54 and 60 pounds respectively, OPTIMA's YELLOWTOP batteries are some of the very heaviest you will find anywhere. In fact, OPTIMA's DH6 YELLOWTOP often weighs more than physically larger H7 flooded batteries from other brands.
Robust cast straps that connect the cells make power transfer both into and out of the battery significantly more efficient than flooded batteries and other AGM batteries that use weaker, less efficient "tombstone" welds to connect the cells. It's quite possible the YELLOWTOP will hit the "sweet spot" for a lot of Jeep Gladiator owners, in terms of price, how the battery is used and how long it lasts compared to a flooded lead-acid battery.
Keep it Charged!
Regardless of which battery you choose, we always encourage you to keep your battery voltage properly maintained (~13.0-13.2V for YELLOWTOPs & ~14.0V for ORANGETOPs). Even Jeeps driven on a daily basis should have their voltage checked once a month. If the battery needs charging, it should be topped off with a quality battery charger and checked more frequently, until a good cadence is established.
We're so confident proper voltage maintenance will maximize battery performance and lifespan, we'll add an additional year of free replacement warranty coverage to your OPTIMA battery, if you purchase a 1200-series OPTIMA charger from us at the same time.