10 Best Golf Cart Batteries

A weak golf cart battery can leave you stranded in a remote section of a course. Why sit through slow starts and sluggish ascends? A quality golf cart battery will help arrive on time and in style. We’ve compiled a list of the ten best golf cart batteries on the market. Below that, you’ll discover a comprehensive buying guide. It can be difficult to decipher between golf cart batteries when all of their elements are hidden beneath a sealed case. We will help you sift through crucial considerations in order to get the most bang for your buck.

Universal Power Group Ub12350 (35 Ampere Hours) – Editor’s Choice

This universal sealed-lead battery, or gel cell battery, is the perfect addition to your golf cart power bank. This Universal Power Group fuel cell boasts 12 volts and 35 ampere hours of power.

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This product has a spillproof construction and maintenance-free design. Its absorbent glass mat technology provides rapid, deep charges time after time. Its basic nut and bolt terminals provide a long-lasting connection. The product is backed by a 1-year warranty.

Pros

• Maintenance-free sealed lead design
• AGM technology
• Backed by a 1-year warranty
• Charges fast
• Stores well

Cons

• Customer service

Mighty Max Battery ML35 12-Volt – Customer Favorite

Customers love the 12-volt Mighty Max Battery. This sealed lead-acid battery offers 35 ampere hours of power. It recharges rapidly and does not require any maintenance.

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The absorbent glass mat prevents spills while discharging an ample amount of energy. Thanks to this technology, the battery operates well in a wide range of temperatures. It does not struggle to recover from deep discharges.

Pros

• 12-volts and 35 ampere hours of energy
• May be mounted in any position
• Fairs well in extreme temperatures
• 30-day refund policy and 1-year warranty
• Extended service life

Cons

• Wire harness not included

VMAXTANKS VMAX V35-857 12-Volt Battery – Best Splurge

While the VMAXTANKS VMAX V35-857 was built for marine applications, it’s also a great option for the green. It pumps out 12 volts and 35 ampere hours of power. The battery’s sealed-lead technology is sandwiched inside a heavy-duty grid.

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Consumers cannot get enough of this maintenance-free design. The battery does not require water or electrolytes. It is capable of pumping out 4 to 9 hours of power during a single charge. On top having a lengthy runing time, this battery charges fast. That means more tee time and less walking!

Pros

• 12 volts and 35 ampere hours of power
• 4 to 9 hours of runtime
• Deep discharge
• No maintenance requirements
• Marine-grade
• AGM technology traps electrolytes inside

Cons

• Price

Four Pack of Lifeline Marine AGM Batteries – Best Battery Kit

The Lifeline Marine Battery pack comes with four 6-volt AGM batteries. These impressive fuel cells have absolutely no maintenance requirements. They offer anywhere from 492 to 1692 minutes of discharge.

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With such large power capacities, these batteries provide customers with ample time on the green. Get ready to brush up on your golfing skills. When it comes time to put your cart in storage, don’t fret. These batteries fair well in varying temperatures and can sit for lengthy periods of time.

Pros

• Threaded copper alloy terminals
• Industry-leading discharge rate
• 6 volts of power x four
• A comprehensive power kit
• Operates under extreme temperatures
• No maintenance requirements

Cons

• Not ideal for single replacements

Optima Batteries 8020-164 – Best Starting Batteries

If your looking for solid starting power, check out Optima’s 12-volt red top battery. This fuel cell offers 720 cold-cranking amps. It doesn’t struggle to get going in cold weather. Its polypropylene case can handle outdoor extremes.

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This beast of a battery can put up with extreme vibrations. When the huices start to run low, it still has 90 minutes of reserve energy. It doesn’t require a lot of power to keep a golf cart running. However, it takes a lot to secure a solid start. The Optima will help you avoid delays and make the most of your time on the green.

Pros

• 12 volts of power
• 720 cold-cranking amps
• 90 minutes of reserve power
• Handles well in extreme temperatures
• Polypropylene case

Cons

• Energy is depleted very fast

VMAXTANKS 6 Volt 225-Ampere Hour AGM Battery – Top 6-Volt Pick

This V MAX charge tank boasts 6 volts and 225 ampere hours of energy. According to the manufacturer, it has a lifespan of 8 to 10 years. This fuel cell harnesses an electrolyte suspension system that relies on an absorbent glass matt.

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This AGM system does not contain silica or other contaminants. The battery contains high-quality tin alloys that perform well after multiple charges. You can rest assured that this battery does not have any maitenance needs. Just hook it up to your trusty golf cart. Then, hit the green.

Pros

• 6 volts of power
• AGM technology
• Lifespan of 8 to 10 years
• No maintenance requirements
• High-quality tin alloys

Cons

• Warranty

Amstron 12V/12AH Sealed Lead-Acid Battery – Best Equipment Protection Plan

We love that this 12-volt Amstron battery comes with a $50,000 equipment protection plan. Amstron is very confident in their products. This is made even clearer by the 1-year warranty. This black box doesn’t stand out aesthetically.

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However, its powerful lead-acid energy system will keep your golf cart running for hours on end. Occasionally, you will need to top this battery off with electrolytes. By doing so, you will ensure that the battery performs well for several years.

Pros

• 12 volts of power
• Lead-acid fuel cell
• Great price
• 12,000 mAh
• Standard F2 terminals

Cons

• Maitenance requirements

Universal Power Group’s UBGC8 8-Volt Golf Cart Battery – Easiest Handling

Universal Power Group is known for their quality sealed lead-acid batteries. This 8-volt AGM fuel cell is no exception to the rule. It performs excellently in extreme temperatures. It also resists shocks and vibrations like a pro.

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We love that this product is backed by a 1-year warranty. Previous customers were extremely pleased with the product’s performance. According to many customers, Universal Power Group’s customer service can’t be beat.

Pros

• Can be mounted in any position
• Spillproof AGM technology
• Resists shocks and vibrations
• 1-year warranty
• Sealed lead-acid technology

Cons

• Price

Trojan Trojan 6-Volt Battery T-105 – Luxury Option

You get what you pay for with this luxurious 6-volt battery. The flooded lead-acid battery offers 225 ampere hours of energy. Unlike budget-rate gold batteries, this impressive product will not struggle on hilly, uneven courses.

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You’ll never have to push yourself out of a ditch again! This product has been used by U.S. Open venues. Not to mention, it was mentioned in Golf Magazine. Are you ready for a high-class golf experience?

Pros

• 6-amp battery
• Flooded lead-acid battery
• Robust plate and Alpha Plus paste
• Stylish maroon case
• Performs well on the hilliest golf courses

Cons

• Maitenance requirements

Exide Edge FP-AGM34 Flat Plate AGM Sealed Automotive Battery – Best Battery for High Electrical Demands

We’re pleased to shine the spotlight on this incredible flat-plate automotive battery. Unlike budget-rate batteries, this beast can handle the excessive stops and starts required during a game of golf. Most customers say this product will last for years.

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It does not require any maintenance. What’s more, it has premium terminals that are easy to connect. It boasts 12 volts of premium power.

Pros

• Flat-plate AGM technology
• Works well despite stop-and-go conditions
• Performs well under stress
• Electrolytes are completely contained
• No maintenance requirements
• 12 volts

Cons

• None

Buyer’s Guide – The Ultimate Guide to Golf Cart Batteries

What’s the Difference Between Lead-Acid and Sealed Lead-Acid Batteries?

Most golf carts rely on lead-acid batteries. Traditionally, lead-acid batteries need to be topped off with water. Water helps restore the electrolyte levels in this type of power cell. However, sealed lead-acid batteries contain an AGM, or absorbent glass mat. The mat traps the electrolytes inside the battery. As such, you do not need to add water to the battery at any time. Some new golf carts use lithium-ion batteries. However, these are pricer and less common than the types listed above.

Power

It is important to consider the power capacity of golf cart batteries. Most electric golf carts use a bundle of batteries. Each battery may offer anywhere from 6 to 12 volts. You must multiply the voltage of each battery by the number of batteries in your kit. This number represents the combined voltage of the fuel cells. The voltage should be consistent with your golf cart’s operating system requirements.
You should also consider a battery’s ampere hours. Ampere hours represent the amount of power a battery can provide over a specific amount of time. The ideal golf cart battery performs for a long time without losing any juice. No one wants to deplete their golf cart before finishing a course.

Installation

Most golf cart batteries can be purchased with specific terminals. Make sure that the batteries you choose are well-suited for the connections on your cart. Batteries that work in any configuration are easier to install. Make sure that the batteries that you choose can be positioned at various angles. Meanwhile, others must be used upright. A bad connection will cause poor power distribution and may even overheat.

Durability

Make sure that your battery is equipped to handle bumpy terrain. You’ll want to be able to traverse hills and sand pits without coming to a stop. You’ll also want a battery that can operate well in both high and low temperatures.

Warranty

A golf cart battery may last anywhere from 1 to 10 years. A bigger initial investment may translate to greater long-term savings. However, this is not always guaranteed. We recommend that you purchase your battery from a reputable dealer. Make sure that the power cell is backed by a lengthy warranty. A company with consistent customer service won’t let you down. Check consumer reviews to see how a company handles customer complaints, returns, and more.

How To Test Golf Cart Battery

Today we’re going talk to you about testing batteries and their ability to hold a charge so that perhaps you can do the testing on your own and not have to hire a professional to come out. There is a formula that does not have to be performed in any particular order, the V-A-C-E. Voltage, amps, cable, and electrolyte. Let’s start with the voltage. The battery voltage can be tested by probing with a simple voltmeter by pushing the probes deeply into the lead, not into the stainless steel, but into the lead.

So you have the positive terminal and then the negative terminal, and if you can do it with one hand, you’re doing great. So you can see that the battery voltage is 6.26, 6.27. That’s really good. Fully charged probably 6.3, so the voltage is really good. Batteries can have voltage but no amperage. You can see that when the top of the plate will hold the voltage, but the base of the plates is no longer providing power. So you need to do an amperage test. Here’s some useful information you may not be able to find on the Internet. Golf cart battery about, 225 amp power, has a rating of about 650 cold-cranking amps. So 650 CCA. You have to take a battery load tester, and you have to connect it to the positive and negative terminals of the battery, and you’re going to watch the battery voltage hold as you you pull amps off of the battery.

On a load test, you have to rate the load about half of the CCAs that the battery has brand new, which is 650. So you’ll hit it with about 300 plus amps. You don’t want to see the voltage drop significantly because that would indicate that the battery had voltage but no amperage. So let’s turn that off. So hit the battery with about 300 plus amps. If you can give to go that high, and you’re holding really strong at about 5.8 volts. So hold it for 10 seconds. This battery has the amperage also. So the battery’s testing good in these two situations. You’ll notice that this box will get hot, and the terminals will be getting a little bit hot too. So you did the voltage, you did the amperage.

So let’s talk about the cables. Again, no particular order in this formula. Grab the head and pull it around. You don’t want to see any kind of wiggling, significant wiggling that indicates that the wires inside this lug have become separated. You want to make sure that there’s a good connection. You check the battery connection also at the terminal. You want to get rid of wing nuts. Hex nuts are the best way to go. And you want to make sure that the cable is not pivoting. If you’ve got a pivoting cable, then you’ve got a problem. Make sure that thing is secure. So this cable is in good shape.

You can see a significant amount of corrosion. You can see it’s swelling underneath the insulation. If you looked closely, you could see that the insulation has a lot of wrinkles where the heat has been causing the insulation to shrink. This is a big problem. Heat to your battery is never a good thing. Replace the cable. So we talked about the cable.

Let’s talk about electrolyte. So the first thing you want to check is popping up to the caps and checking the voltage. In fact, the plates may be completely dry. Cap the cell, and recharge the battery. You might find that the battery comes back.

You want to see values that are closely aligned. You don’t want to see a big variance in cells. So the middle cell is actually high values. The good thing is the specific gravity says that the batteries are in healthy shape. So check your voltage, amperage, cables, and electrolyte. Anyone of those things obviously will help you identify what’s causing the problem.

The last thing, which is not part of the formula, just make sure batteries are clean on top. If you’ve got mud and all kinds of dirt and debris on top, or oil or grease on top of your battery that’s just covering the top of it, just to have fun, take a voltmeter and put it on the positive terminal and stick it in the dirt. And you may see you have about 4 volts draining into the top of the battery — not — not — not a good thing. So just make sure you keep the top of your batteries clean.

Video Guide: How to Charge Dead Golf Cart Batteries

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed our review of the top golf cart batteries. If you’re in a rush, opt for Universal Power Group’s Ub12350. This 12-volt battery provides unrelenting energy and does not have maintenance needs. It’s a workhorse that is unphased by harsh temperatures or steep hills. Of course, all of our picks offer premium power. Let us know about your favorite golf cart battery in the comment section below.