AGM vs Flooded Batteries: Which one is right for your vehicle?
Tips & Support
- Sponsor
- OPTIMA Batteries
- Location
- Glendale, WI
Consumers have never had more choices when it comes to car batteries, but that vast array of options can sometimes be confusing. One of the biggest questions many face when replacing their battery, is whether they should choose an AGM or flooded lead-acid battery. The quickest and safest answer is to choose an AGM battery, because AGM batteries can do everything flooded batteries can do, only better.
What Battery Does Your Vehicle Have Now?
The first thing you should do when you are replacing your battery is find out what type of battery your vehicle has now and if that was the battery installed at the factory. That could make the decision between flooded and AGM very easy. If your car or truck came from the factory with an AGM battery, you should be sure to replace it with another AGM battery (OPTIMA's REDTOPs, YELLOWTOPs and BLUETOPs are all AGM batteries). Many newer vehicles have high electrical demands and features like start/stop technology that require an AGM battery.
How Do You Use Your Vehicle?
If your car or truck sees a lot of hard use, an AGM may also be the right choice, as OPTIMA's AGM batteries are up to 15 times more resistant to damage from vibration, they can last up to three times as long and they can handle deep-cycle use far better than flooded lead-acid batteries. That doesn't just include vehicles with plows or winches, but also vehicles that have aftermarket car alarms, dash cams or even run a video player with the engine turned off to entertain one kid, while another is at soccer practice.
When Do Flooded Batteries Make Sense?
One might think that as an AGM battery manufacturer, OPTIMA might never suggest a flooded lead-acid battery, even though our parent corporation, Clarios, is the largest manufacturer of flooded lead-acid batteries in the country. That's not the case, as we know there are some circumstances where flooded lead-acid batteries just make more sense. For instance, if you are in an emergency situation and need to get your vehicle started, use whatever battery is available to help you.
While AGM batteries are generally superior to flooded lead-acid batteries in every regard from a performance and lifespan standpoint, they typically come at a higher initial price point. The longevity of AGM batteries over time will more than make up for that initial price difference, but if you can't afford that up front difference, than a flooded battery may make more sense.
Another instance where a flooded battery might be the right choice, is if you are not holding onto your vehicle much longer. If you are planning on selling a car, truck, RV or even a boat, it's unlikely you'll recoup the additional investment of an AGM battery in the sale price, so it might make sense to just get a brand-new flooded lead-acid battery and let the new owner decide if they want to upgrade later.
Whatever battery you choose, know that you will maximize performance and lifespan if you keep your battery fully charged whenever possible. That means at least 12.6 volts for most batteries, although OPTIMA's YELLOWTOP AGM batteries are fully charged at about 13.0-13.2 volts. We're so confidence good voltage maintenance will extend battery lifespan, we'll add an additional year of free warranty replacement to your OPTIMA battery, if you purchase an OPTIMA D1200+ battery charger from us when you make your OPTIMA battery purchase!
What Battery Does Your Vehicle Have Now?
The first thing you should do when you are replacing your battery is find out what type of battery your vehicle has now and if that was the battery installed at the factory. That could make the decision between flooded and AGM very easy. If your car or truck came from the factory with an AGM battery, you should be sure to replace it with another AGM battery (OPTIMA's REDTOPs, YELLOWTOPs and BLUETOPs are all AGM batteries). Many newer vehicles have high electrical demands and features like start/stop technology that require an AGM battery.
How Do You Use Your Vehicle?
If your car or truck sees a lot of hard use, an AGM may also be the right choice, as OPTIMA's AGM batteries are up to 15 times more resistant to damage from vibration, they can last up to three times as long and they can handle deep-cycle use far better than flooded lead-acid batteries. That doesn't just include vehicles with plows or winches, but also vehicles that have aftermarket car alarms, dash cams or even run a video player with the engine turned off to entertain one kid, while another is at soccer practice.
When Do Flooded Batteries Make Sense?
One might think that as an AGM battery manufacturer, OPTIMA might never suggest a flooded lead-acid battery, even though our parent corporation, Clarios, is the largest manufacturer of flooded lead-acid batteries in the country. That's not the case, as we know there are some circumstances where flooded lead-acid batteries just make more sense. For instance, if you are in an emergency situation and need to get your vehicle started, use whatever battery is available to help you.
While AGM batteries are generally superior to flooded lead-acid batteries in every regard from a performance and lifespan standpoint, they typically come at a higher initial price point. The longevity of AGM batteries over time will more than make up for that initial price difference, but if you can't afford that up front difference, than a flooded battery may make more sense.
Another instance where a flooded battery might be the right choice, is if you are not holding onto your vehicle much longer. If you are planning on selling a car, truck, RV or even a boat, it's unlikely you'll recoup the additional investment of an AGM battery in the sale price, so it might make sense to just get a brand-new flooded lead-acid battery and let the new owner decide if they want to upgrade later.
Whatever battery you choose, know that you will maximize performance and lifespan if you keep your battery fully charged whenever possible. That means at least 12.6 volts for most batteries, although OPTIMA's YELLOWTOP AGM batteries are fully charged at about 13.0-13.2 volts. We're so confidence good voltage maintenance will extend battery lifespan, we'll add an additional year of free warranty replacement to your OPTIMA battery, if you purchase an OPTIMA D1200+ battery charger from us when you make your OPTIMA battery purchase!