A long-lasting starter battery with outstanding power output.
A high-quality marine battery with functionality as an RV battery.
A vibration-resistant battery with excellent cycling capabilities.
Optima batteries are among the most popular automotive batteries, and for good reason. In our review of the best car batteries, the Optima RedTop Battery stood out because of its long service life and high reliability. This Optima battery buyers guide takes a close look at the different types of Optima batteries available, explaining the strengths and drawbacks of each.
What makes Optima batteries unique is the use of SpiralCell Technology. Optima batteries contain a series of spiral-wound cells made up of two pure lead plates coated in lead oxide. One coated plate is positive, while the other is negative. This makes a more vibration-resistant battery with a higher starting power, fast recharge rate, and long lifespan.
Optima Batteries Buyers Guide
Although Optima Batteries is one of the automotive industry’s premier battery companies, you may be left unimpressed if you don’t purchase the model that works best for your needs. Our team of experts has listed below a couple of factors that we believe are worth considering before purchasing any battery.
Group Size
The Battery Council International (BCI) assigns battery group sizes based on a vehicle’s make, model, and engine type. Below is a list of the most common battery group sizes, with their respective length, width, and height (in that order) in inches.
- Group 24: 10.3 x 6.8 x 8.9
- Group 27: 12.1 x 6.8 x 8.9
- Group 31: 13.0 x 6.8 x 9.4
- Group 34: 10.3 x 6.8 x 7.9
- Group 35: 9.1 x 6.9 x 8.9
- Group 51/51R: 9.4 x 5.1 x 8.8
- Group 65: 12.1 x 7.5 x 7.6
- Group 78: 10.3 x 7.1 x 7.7
Intended Use
Whether you’re looking for a car battery or a battery to power your new boat, Optima Batteries has you covered. However, buying a battery designed for a boat and mounting it in your car may not yield the same results. Below is a brief look at the different Optima Batteries we’ve already explored.
- Optima RedTop: This battery is best for stock vehicles and diesel vehicles, specifically where starting is the primary function.
- Optima BlueTop: This battery is best for trolling motors, boats, RVs, and marine applications with numerous electronic accessories.
- Optima YellowTop: This battery is best for vehicles with high electrical loads or vehicles with an extensive list of factory electronics. Additionally, this battery works for vehicles without alternators.
Best Optima Batteries
- Best Starting Battery: Optima RedTop
- Best Marine Battery: Optima BlueTop
- Best Dual-Purpose Battery: Optima YellowTop
Our Review Standards
To select the Optima batteries featured in this buyers guide, we consult our network of experts for their thoughts on Optima products. These experts have over 100 years of combined experience in aftermarket auto fields ranging from detailing to accessories to tires, and everything in-between. These experts helped us identify the qualities that would be most important to someone looking for an Optima battery and the standout brands in each category.
Our team then combed through dozens of resources such as DIY mechanic and auto enthusiast forums, manufacturer and battery-specific websites, instruction manuals from manufacturers, and reviews from online retailers. We pay particularly close attention to quality reviews and recommendations that highlight the quality of warranties, customer service support, build quality, materials, and overall reliability.
We also factored in the quantity and quality of online retailer reviews from websites such as Amazon, RealTruck, Advance Auto Parts, and more. We looked at factors such as notable customer reviews, prices, meaningful superlatives, and discount shipping eligibility. We did the research so you don’t have to.
Why You Can Trust Us
Since 2020, we have published over 200 auto product reviews in an effort to make shopping for auto products easier. Our team of writers, editors, researchers, and product experts collaborates to thoroughly vet top products. We try to perform in-house testing on real vehicles whenever possible before making our recommendations.
When testing is not feasible, however, our aim is to make your life easier by doing all the online research for you and presenting that research in the form of easy-to-read product comparisons and buyers guides, rather than outright recommendations. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.
#1 Best Starting Battery: Optima RedTop
The Optima RedTop is a 12.0-volt, 800.0-cold-cranking-amps (CCA) car battery with a 100-minute reserve capacity for consistent performance. This car battery can provide optimal starting power in various adverse weather conditions and cold climates. The manufacturer says in the product description that the battery is 15 times more vibration-resistant and offers faster recharging than traditional batteries.
The RedTop battery weighs only 38.8 pounds, is maintenance-free and mountable in virtually any position, and features a spill-proof design. The RedTop features Optima’s SpiralCell Technology, as is standard across all Optima Batteries. This car battery is suitable for stock vehicles, off-road trucks, and even RVs.
Key Features
- Cost: $240 to $290
- SpiralCell Technology
- Reserve capacity of 100 minutes
- 12.0 volts and 800.0 CCA
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon Review Score: 4.4 out of 5 based on over 1,800 ratings
Many users are impressed with this battery’s cranking power, durability, long lifespan, and three-year warranty. Some negative Optima battery reviews mention difficulty activating the RedTop’s warranty, however.
#2 Best Marine Battery: Optima BlueTop
Featuring a spill-proof and maintenance-free design, the Optima BlueTop is designed for boats and RVs. This battery weighs 43.5 pounds and features Optima’s SpiralCell Technology. The battery offers optimal starting power even in cold weather, and the manufacturer asserts in the product description that the Optima BlueTop is 15 times more resistant to vibration than traditional batteries.
The Optima Batteries BlueTop is a 12.0-volt lead-acid battery with 750.0 CCA, and the marine cranking amps of this battery are 870.0 amperes. The Optima BlueTop features a reserve capacity of 120 minutes and is mountable in almost any position. It performs best in RVs with creature comforts and boats with trolling motors and extensive electronic systems.
Key Features
- Cost: $315 to $385
- Reserve capacity of 120 minutes
- Marine cranking amps of 870.0 amperes
- 12.0 volts and 750.0 CCA
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon Review Score: 4.4 out of 5 based on over 1,100 ratings
Some reviews note the high cranking power and deep cycle capabilities, while others highlight the spill-proof design. Many Optima battery reviews say the BlueTop is the only battery they trust and that this specific-model Optima will always be their top choice for new batteries. Some negative reviews claim the battery voltage drops from its original 12.0 volts regardless of whether you fully charge the battery or the charger you use.
#3 Best Dual-Purpose Battery: Optima YellowTop
The Optima YellowTop is one of the few true dual-purpose batteries available. This car battery features premium cranking power with unparalleled cycling capabilities, all within a 43.5-pound body. The Optima YellowTop is 12.0 volts and 750.0 CCA, with a reserve capacity of 120 minutes for uninterrupted performance. The manufacturer claims in the product description that this battery lasts three times longer than traditional batteries.
The YellowTop works best with accessory-loaded vehicles (which are common these days), trucks with winches, vehicles with high-demand audio systems, and commercial vehicles. This battery features a leak-proof design and is incredibly vibration-resistant. The YellowTop offers quick recharging and over 300 discharge and recharge cycles.
Key Features
- Cost: $280 to $390
- Over 300 discharge and recharge cycles
- 120-minute reserve capacity
- 12.0 volts and 750.0 CCA
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon Review Score: 4.5 out of 5 based on over 1,100 ratings
Positive Optima battery reviews often mention the YellowTop’s starting power, long battery life, and leak-proof design, ensuring no acid build-up. Some customers also note that the battery works for the winch on their truck. Negative Optima battery reviews tend to mention that you’ll likely need an AGM battery charger to avoid issues when you start up your engine with the YellowTop.
Optima Battery: Comparison Chart
| Price | Reserve Capacity | Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optima RedTop | $240 to $290 | 100 minutes | 800.0 CCA |
| Optima BlueTop | $315 to $385 | 120 minutes | 750.0 CCA |
| Optima YellowTop | $280 to $390 | 120 minutes | 750.0 CCA |
Optima Battery: Bottom Line
Optima batteries are high-quality and some of the best-selling batteries on the market for car owners. This buyers guide took a closer look into the different types of Optima batteries offered online so you can find the right battery for your vehicle.
Optima Battery: FAQ
*Data accurate at time of publication.