Powering the boat with a highly efficient and long-lasting battery is what everybody wishes for. However, plenty of options available in the market create so much confusion in the selection process.
If you are one of those folks who is looking for the best AGM batteries for boats then you are on the right track.
In this article, I’ll discuss why you should go for AGM batteries at the start then I’ll do an in-depth analysis of the 5 AGM batteries that are most suited for powering boats. Lastly, I’ll give a brief overview of which AGM battery I like the most for powering my boat as well as other appliances and WHY!
So, everything is here in the article. Just be relaxed, sit tight and I’ll help you in making a well-informed decision.
So, without further due, let’s get started!
WHY to use AGM battery for boat?
AGM batteries are one of the latest technology batteries available in the market right now. Their matting technology makes them spill-proof battery making it easier for users to handle them inside their boat.
They have pretty low internal resistance and delivers high power without depending on how cold the weather is. With excellent charging time, no requirement for maintenance, and long-lasting nature makes them a good choice for boat use.
Here is the list of few of the advantages that AGM batteries offer:
- Excellent vibration resistance.
- Quick charging ability.
- Maintains efficiency in all weathers.
- Covers multiple applications.
Contents
- 0.1 Top 5 Best AGM Batteries for Boats
- 0.2 1. XS Power D3400 AGM High Output Battery
- 0.3 2. Interstate Batteries 12V 35AH AGM Battery
- 0.4 3. Delphi BU9078DT AGM Automotive Battery
- 0.5 4. NorthStar Ultra High Performance AGM Battery
- 0.6 5. Mighty Max Battery 12V 35AH AGM Solar Battery
- 1 What to look for before buying the best AGM batteries for boats
Top 5 Best AGM Batteries for Boats
1. XS Power D3400 AGM High Output Battery
Being an absorbed glass mat battery, in which the electrolyte is suspended in the fiberglass, XS Power D3400 provides high power output. Its spill-proof design also saves the hours that one spends cleaning the engine. Thus, mounting it in any orientation won’t be a problem.
Being a fully sealed and orientation independent battery, you’ll have the flexibility to locate it at any location without worrying about corrosion and damage to surrounding space which often happens with the normal lead-acid battery units.
High vibration resistance and tough build make it eligible to be used in off-the-road vehicles that have to go through rough terrains and mountainous regions.
Being an SLA makes the XD power a maintenance-free, leak-proof, and position insensitive battery which is the reason why most automotive and RV owners love this product.
With a maximum amp standing at 3300 and 80 amp-hours of battery rating, it’s also a recommended product for high-powered boats as it fulfills all basic electric requirements and because of its high versatility; it is one of the stellar choice available in the market.
For instance, you could mount it in a passenger compartment, within a glove box, or below a seat. Its spill-proof design will make sure no slippage occurs in any of these locations. This lack of leaks ensures there won’t be any corrosion or damage to your vehicle’s paint or chrome.
If you plan to take the unit with you during camping then it won’t disappoint you there as well. With its reinforced ABS case that protects the battery unit from any kinds of abuse or accidental drops, you won’t face any inconvenience with this AGM battery. Even if it gets damaged, the inner sealed casing won’t let the acid come out of it, thus highly safe to use.
I was shocked to see the cranking amps that this battery unit provides. With a total cranking amps rating of 1150, your car would start instantly regardless of how cold and snowy the weather is. That makes it a good option for people living in extreme weather conditions.
XS Power offers three years of warranty on this product which increases its credibility. You’ll also love the fast response from their customer support team that is available 24/7. So, one can say, it’s one of most the trusted companies you’ll see in the market.
However, it’s a fairly expensive battery unit. When you compare its price with other AGM batteries providing nearly the same features, you’ll see a significant difference. But is the battery worth buying? Well, if you own a racing car then you should try this one once and you’ll see a significant boost in your car’s power and smooth performance!
2. Interstate Batteries 12V 35AH AGM Battery
Interstate SLA1055 battery is suitable for powering home security systems, lawnmowers, indoor alarms, and related applications. Quick charging, long-lasting performance, and stable power delivery are a few of the benefits that you would enjoy with interstate batteries. Bear in mind, it isn’t suitable for car owners but it works awesome in powering the boats!
Suitable for multiple operations. No over-pressure issues. Maintain performance overtime. Easy to handle. No safety concerns. Comparatively Inexpensive. Not suitable for high-power applications.
Thanks to the integration of valve-regulated technology, Interstate eliminates the chances of over-pressure and any acid spillage. Thus, the surrounding space remains neat and clean all the time. This, not only ensure better performance but greatly cuts down the maintenance cost that we’ve to pay in the case of normal lead-acid batteries.
It covers a vast majority of applications that you can name including solar/wind power storage, powering wheelchair, boats, marine equipment, medical use, and other related applications. Not all batteries cover such a range of applications!
Few of the recent buyers have praised the long-lasting duration and great performance of this battery. However, one drawback that makes the unit a bit less reliable unit is that it only offers a one-year limited warranty.
It is designed by keeping in mind its field of application which is the reason why it fits nicely in scooters, wheelchairs, and other related small power appliances. Moreover, it’s very light in weight with an accumulative weight of only 22.90 lbs.
With its lightweight and easy-to-carry outer handle, the overall handling of the battery becomes super easy. You’ll be able to install and disassemble it on your own. Thus, it omits the need of calling out someone every time you need to shift the battery from one place to another.
Thanks to the integration of the plastic cases on the outer boundary, you won’t have any safety concerns. Thus, it’s a risk-free battery to use in any kind of application. Another thing that makes Interstate SLA1055 a unique option in comparison with other models in the list is the variation in the number of models that it has.
Still, keep in mind, this model works well with small to medium power applications and isn’t suitable for powering the car or any other vehicle. If you want to buy a battery suitable for the applications mentioned above then go for it.
3. Delphi BU9078DT AGM Automotive Battery
Delphi is another great AGM battery option for automotive applications with its amazing 775 CCA that can easily handle the increasing electronics power requirement. Its tough build with great tolerance and resistance to vibration makes it eligible for many off-the-road applications. According to the manufacturer, it offers 20 times more vibration resistance than the normal lead-acid batteries available in the market.
High CCA Delivery. Better vibration-resistance. High corrosion resistance. Quick recharging ability. Outstanding reserve capability. Easy to follow the instructional manual. High price. Few customers received faulty batteries.
If you are tired of your batteries that are difficult to mount and won’t last more than six months before it corrodes then try shifting to Delphi BU9078DT. Being very light in weight, this SLA non-acid spill battery offers pretty easy installation and lasts long.
The main reason behind the best corrosion resistance is its perfectly sealed housing containing the manifold venting system. Additionally, you aren’t likely to find a more capable battery that can absorb the wear and tear better than this one in the market.
One more area where this unit beats other best AGM batteries for boats is its fast recharging ability in comparison with the other flooded batteries. Thus, you won’t have to wait too long for the battery to get fully recharged.
Delphi batteries also have pretty good reserve capacity (RC) that is the source of powering few car parts including the DVD players, indoor heater seats, and effectively power the automatic windows.
Moreover, if you would ask me the two best applications of this battery then I would recommend it for motorhomes and consumer car owners. Both cold-cranking amps and reserve capacity perfectly match these applications.
Delphi isn’t like other cheap battery brands who, in order to save the manufacturing and other overhead costs, manufacture their batteries in China. Thus, there is no surety that the product is going through rigorous testing and is safe to use. You’ll glad to hear that everything starting from manufacturing till assembly is done in the United States. It acts as a surety that this battery unit is safe to use.
Moreover, Delphi is a pretty professional company and one can see their professionalism from their nicely made instruction manual. It clearly states the installation procedure stepwise that even a non-technical person won’t find any problem connecting the battery unit.
The only drawback is its high price which is the case with nearly all AGM batteries. It’s due to the significant manufacturing cost involved which makes them over-priced in comparison with the other best AGM batteries for boat on the list.
The only thing to keep in mind is to instantly check the battery when it arrives at your home or workplace and make sure it isn’t damaged from somewhere. If that;s the case, without a second thought replace it with the new one.
4. NorthStar Ultra High Performance AGM Battery
Northstar is a lead-acid-based AGM battery that is designed for small to high power applications including RVs, SUVs, trucks, boats, and other similar applications. 75 Pounds is the battery’s weight.
If you haven’t tried AGM batteries ever in your life then the quick recharging time of Northstar would surprise you. It not only makes it more user-friendly but increases its life span as well.
Being enclosed in a plastic housing offering high resistance to the surrounding heat ensuring the product would remain safe from over-heating. Thus, no chances of malfunctioning even in extremely hot weather. It is one of the safety precautions that most manufacturers fail to provide.
Thanks to the provision of high reserve capacity and high cranking amps, even the extreme cold weather won’t have any effect on the performance of this battery. That ensures a quick starting time. If you experience cold weather throughout the year then you would definitely love this product.
It provides a stunning warranty of three years which acts as a guarantee that the product won’t become faulty in the first year. So, overall it’s a trustworthy product to buy.
Only one thing to note here is that it’s a high-cost product. So, it might be slightly out of budget for most people. Still, there is nothing to worry about as there are many other cheap options available.
5. Mighty Max Battery 12V 35AH AGM Solar Battery
If you are powering your boat with a solar battery then shifting to mighty max would be one of the wisest decisions. It’ll fulfill all your power needs of yours and won’t cost you much.
Perfect alternative to acid batteries. Performs well during winter fishing. Electronic circuits would remain intact. Very limited warranty. Deep discharge recovery. Bad customer support. No wire harness.
With this unit, you won’t have to add any foundation for its installation. Thus, it’ll give you the flexibility to mount the battery wherever you want and in the direction of your liking.
If you like going on your boat in extremely cold weather conditions then its performance would remain the same. Thus, one can say that it would be your perfect partner during winter trips and fishing.
Thanks to its high vibration resistance nature, the bumps and disturbance by waves won’t have any impact on this battery’s circuitry. It ensures the battery would remain in working condition for a long time. If you are likely to power your RV with this unit, then that would also be a smart decision.
It also offers the highest discharge rate and deep discharge recovery. This factor acts as a guarantee of its long life span. However, you’ll get only 1 year of warranty on this product that is less in comparison with other models.
Still, you are getting all of the advanced functionalities at a pretty affordable price. It makes it one of the best options to consider while choosing from the list of best AGM batteries for boat.
There are some bad reviews about their customer support. But that won’t be a major issue if you know the technical stuff in setting up this battery. However, keep one thing in mind that you won’t get any wire harness or mounting accessories. So, spend some extra bucks to make the handling of the battery easier.
What to look for before buying the best AGM batteries for boats
There are few things that one must consider in selecting the best AGM batteries for boat. I’ve listed them and briefly explained them for your convenience.
- Compatibility:
Whether the battery unit you’ve selected is compatible with your boat or not, is the most important point to consider before making the final decision.
Will the battery requires frequent charging, will it provide the required CCAs, does it have high AH ratings? These are the few factors that make a battery compatible with any operation. So, keep those in mind.
Not paying attention at this point may lead you to buy an oversized battery unit. It’ll just cost you more that won’t be a perfect buy definitely!
2. Cold Cranking amps and cranking amps:
If you are living in a cold-weather then you should definitely check the CCA ratings of the battery. Some batteries may have a high AH rating but fails to provide desired CCA to meets the engine’s requirement. That’ll put you in trouble while starting your boat in winters.
Do check my detailed guide on cold cranking amps and their importance here!
One recommendation in this regard is not to go for a battery with CCAs. Too higher than what your boat required, you’ll just be wasting your hard-earned money!
Note: Some manufacturers rate their batteries according to cranking amps instead of cold cranking amps so do pay special attention while checking the specifications.
3. Durability:
How long a battery lasts and how much warranty it has defined the durability of AGM batteries. If a certain battery is cheap, has high CCA, but comes with no warranty, never ever go for it.
At least 1 year of warranty must be there with expecting lifespan of around 3-5 years. Only then, you should consider purchasing that battery. If not, simply stay away from it.
If you are getting a better warranty with a slightly extra price on a certain product, then go for it. You won’t regret this decision in the long run.
4. Brand:
The brand name holds equal importance as other specifications of the battery. Don;t for a brand that has newly started having no reputation in the market altogether.
Choosing the right brand would save you from the hustle of warranty claims and customer support issues. Moreover, your mind would be at peace that your money is well-spent.
The batteries that we;ve selected for this review are all from reputable brands so don’t worry in this regard!
5. Price:
The most frustrating part about AGM batteries is that they are very expensive in comparison with other types of batteries. Thus, carefully reading the specifications and spending some time filtering out the right unit should be your first priority.
6. Reserve Capacity:
The Reserve capacity of a battery is defined as the time limit for which the given battery can sustain the power. The higher this value the better your battery would be!
Thus, a battery with high reserve capacity functions for a longer duration. Their time before they go from a fully charged state to completely discharge is comparatively higher than the traditional batteries!
Conclusion:
Here is the list of the 5 best AGM batteries for boat. All of the selected units would serve your desired purpose. Still, my suggestion would be to go for XS Power D3400 AGM Battery.
With the high-end corrosion-resistance ability, various areas of applications other than boat use, high power delivery rate, perfect camping partner, no dependence on weather conditions, and excellent customer support, it is indeed the perfect choice for you.
However, keep in mind that it’s a little bit expensive in comparison with other units but with the backing of a reputable brand and an excellent warranty of three years, you can easily trust this unit.