If your Jeep doesn’t fire right up when you turn the key, it might be time to start shopping for a new Jeep Wrangler battery. Here are the best options available.
On any vehicle with an internal combustion engine, the battery’s duties are twofold: supply a reliable source of cranking amps to turn over your engine on startup, and supplement the power provided by the charging system to smooth out any fluctuations. The best replacement Jeep Wrangler battery options will have plenty of cranking amps to get your engine started, and sufficient amp-hours to power the ignition system and any accessories you might want to run. That latter metric is extra important if you plan to operate a winch; many winches draw more power than your charging system can supply on its own.
But there’s plenty more to consider when shopping for the best battery for Jeep Wrangler. As an off-road vehicle, any proper Jeep Wrangler battery replacement should be designed and built to withstand uncommonly harsh jolts and vibrations. Depending on where you live and drive, cold weather performance might be important, too; car batteries lose a significant amount of their cranking current in frigid temperatures. And of course, whatever you buy must be the right size and form factor. Different model generations use different size standards. Here is a quick breakdown of the correct Jeep Wrangler battery size specifications:
- JK Wrangler (2011-2018), JL Wrangler (2018+) – Group 48 (DIN H6)
- TJ Wrangler (all years), JK Wrangler (2007-2010) – Group 34
- YJ Wrangler (all years) – Group 58
- CJ Wrangler (all years) – Group 55
If you’re feeling a bit lost, don’t worry; we’ve rounded up the best Jeep Wrangler battery options on the market, covering a range of different models and price points, so you can get your replacement and get back on the road pronto.
Table of contents
1. Editor's Choice: Delphi MaxStart AGM Premium Automotive Battery
A premium Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) battery from a well-regarded automotive supplier, the Delphi MaxStart AGM Premium Automotive Battery has 20 times the vibration resistance of a comparable conventional lead acid battery thanks to a fiberglass mat that wicks the electrolyte solution between the plates. That same technology gives AGM batteries superior longevity by working to prevent sulfation, and boosts power output by minimizing internal resistance. With the Delphi MaxStart, you get exceptional cold cranking amps for fast, reliable starting even in frigid temperatures, and plenty of Reserve Capacity; versions for the JK and JL Wrangler offer 120 minutes of reserve, giving them plenty of spare charge to power all your off-road accessories.
2. Best AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) Battery Option: Odyssey Automotive and LTV Battery
One of the most highly recommended replacement Jeep Wrangler battery options out there, the Odyssey Automotive and LTV Battery commands a large price, but it’s worth every penny. It has a spill-proof design and an AGM composition so it can hold up to years of off-road abuse, and it boasts a 70-percent longer service life than the average comparable deep cycle battery, with a limited 3- or 4-year replacement warranty to back it up. On top of all that, the red-top Odyssey Automotive and LTV Battery is rated to deliver far more cold cranking amps – up to 850 in the Group 34 version for early JK Wranglers – than most options on the market, for supreme reliability no matter the weather.
3. Best Spiral Cell Battery: Optima YellowTop
Optima is, without a doubt, one of the best-known, most trusted brands in the automotive battery market, with a sizable presence in the racing world. The manufacturer’s best battery for Jeep Wrangler is the Yellowtop – a high-quality sealed AGM battery that boasts three times the service life of a conventional flooded car battery, and as much as 140 minutes of reserve capacity. It’s built to last with a durable, heavy-duty housing and more than 15 times the vibration resistance of a typical lead acid unit. It’s not the cheapest Jeep Wrangler battery on the list, but for the Optima reputation for quality alone, it’s well worth the investment.
4. AC Delco Professional AGM Automotive Battery
When it comes to the Jeep Wrangler battery options on this list, you might have started to pick up on a common thread; Absorbed Glass Mat is the way to go. AGM batteries tend to cost more than their conventional lead acid counterparts, but that’s hardly a concern with the AC Delco Professional AGM Automotive Battery. Few other AGM batteries on the market can beat it in terms of price, but it still offers all the same great benefits: low internal resistance for maximum starting power, superior longevity with less sulfation, a spill-proof, maintenance-free design, and superior resistance to jolts and vibrations. Couple all that with AC Delco’s sterling reputation as an OEM supplier and a 36-month warranty, and you end up with one of the best Jeep Wrangler battery buys around.
5. Rugged Ridge Dual Battery System
If you are looking for a bit more performance than a single battery can deliver, consider upgrading to the Rugged Ridge Dual Battery Kit. Rugged Ridge offers kits for a number of different Wrangler models, but the idea is the same – you have the benefit of two working batteries to help run your accessories and ensure you can get you Wrangler started even if one battery runs out of juice. This kit doesn’t come with any batteries or other electronics, like wiring or isolators, so you’ll need to add some more components to your cart, but it’s worth it in the long run.
What is CCA rating, and why is it important?
CCA rating, or Cold Cranking Amps, is the industry rating system to determine a how well a battery will be able to start a vehicle in cold temps. In a warm climate, this really isn’t a drastic number that you need to worry about, but if you live someplace where it’s cold, you’d better be looking at a battery with a high CCA rating.
What does group size mean?
This determines what is the best size battery for your vehicle. Battery size (LxW) and terminal location are primary factors when determining group size.
What are the benefits of an AGM or Spiral Cell battery. These batteries are 100% sealed, meaning they won’t leak acid when tipped over and allow custom placement in or out of your cabin area if you choose to use them for a remote 2nd battery option.
Additional Resources
- Best Off-Road Solar Panel Options
- Best Jeep Wrangler LED Headlights
- Everything you Need to Know About Battery Chargers
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Updated 8/27/2021: Updated product links, updated product descriptions, added FAQ, added Additional Resources, Ranked product.