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.

Check Price

This golf cart battery 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.

Check Price

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.

Check Price

Consumers cannot get enough of this maintenance-free design. The golf cart 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 Golf Cart 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.

Check Price

With such large power capacities, these golf cart 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.

Check Price

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 – Best Golf Cart Battery with 6 Volt

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.

Check Price

This AGM system does not contain silica or other contaminants. The golf cart 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.

Check Price

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 golf cart 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 – Best Golf Cart Battery for Easy 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.

Check Price

We love that these golf cart batteries 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.

Check Price

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 Golf Cart Battery for High Electrical Demands

We’re pleased to shine the spotlight on this incredible flat-plate automotive battery. Unlike budget-rate golf cart 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.

Check Price

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 golf cart 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 golf cart 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. Golf 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 golf cart 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

Here we’re going to talk to you about testing golf cart 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 golf cart 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 excellent. Golf cart 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 pull amps off 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 an 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 electrolytes. 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. Any one of those things obviously will help you identify what’s causing the problem.
The last thing, which is not part of the formula, 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, 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 a good thing. So make sure you keep the top of your batteries clean.

Golf cart batteries FAQ

What battery to buy for a gas golf cart?

If you are searching for reliable and long-lasting batteries, consider Trojan. It is a leading global manufacturer of deep cycle batteries that are high performing and have a long service life. Trojan batteries are an ideal option for use in harsh conditions of constant discharge and charge as they perfectly operate in this cyclic mode. So these batteries are the top choice for a gas golf cart on the market today. Gas golf car batteries have the same basic setup as electric batteries. But you should use it in electrical cart models.

Trojan offers batteries for all types of golf carts. You can purchase 6-volt, 8-volt or 12-volt liquid electrolyte deep-discharge batteries, Besides, you can opt for 6-volt gel deep-discharge maintenance-free batteries. 12-volt batteries are commonly used in a gas cart model. Most of the leading golf cart manufacturers opt for Trojan batteries to equip their golf cars. Moreover, a prevailing number of the top golf courses in the US also use Trojan batteries in their carts.

What is the best voltage for a golf cart?

Voltage is a parameter that shows you how much power the batteries can supply. In other words, it is the horsepower of a golf cart. High voltage allows you to better maneuver the cart in various terrain and develop a better speed. Golf carts can be 36V or 48V. Both options have their pros and cons. And when making a choice, you need to focus on your budget and requirements. If you are planning to use a golf cart on plains and straight paths, then a 36-volt golf cart is the right choice. Besides, it is more cost-effective. For driving on hills and fairway, you will need a 48-volt golf cart. It has a higher capacity and will cover longer distances on a single charge. Also, note that battery replacement in a 48-volt golf cart will cost you more.

What is the lifespan of golf cart batteries?

This is the first question the customers ask when it comes to the replacement of golf cart batteries. On average, batteries can work from 3 to 10 years. Experts recommend replacing batteries every 5 years. But there are many additional factors that may affect the battery lifespan – climate, intensity of use. Incorrect use may destroy your golf cart batteries in less than a year. So you should avoid the following:

• Keeping your golf cart in a hot garage;
• Incorrect charging. Insufficient charging affects the battery balance, and overcharging ruins the battery cells.
• Low water level and tap water. Plain water contains minerals that also harm battery performance.
• Storage in a cold place. For wintertime, it is better to disconnect and remove the battery case.

If you want to know how long you can use a golf cart with one charge, it is 25-40 miles, on average. Everything depends on the battery capacity, voltage and golf cart model. There are super-powerful models and batteries enabling you to develop a speed of 50 miles per hour.

What is the service life of  Trojan batteries?

This golf cart battery brand is considered to produce premium products. Thanks to the most innovative technologies these batteries are designed to last for 7-9 years. In the southern heat, you can count on 5 years of flawless battery performance, while in a moderate climate, the operational battery life can be even 10 years and more.

Anyway, the lifespan also depends on the correct maintenance. You should not charge your battery unless it is below 75% of the full charge, and you should avoid overcharging. A golf cart should be regularly used to allow the battery to go through its natural charge/discharge cycles to provide its smooth performance.

Are Trojan batteries worth the money?

Batteries for golf carts are produced in a whole range of sizes and capacities, as there is a wide variety of these vehicles. And still, Trojan comes to the fore with its products and has a stellar reputation for its golf cart batteries. Even if you pay a little extra for this brand, the difference will be fully justified by the high performance and longevity of the batteries.

Trojan batteries are designed for multiple cycles during their lifespan, and they will serve you for up to 7-9 years with everyday cycling.

Why are Trojan batteries so expensive?

This company has been producing batteries since the 1920s and invented a battery for a golf cart in 1952. With more than a 100-year experience, the brand has managed to develop highly-competitive golf cart batteries that have no equals on the market. It is true that this company’s batteries are one of the most expensive on the market, with a price starting from several hundred US dollars.

Cheaper batteries have less lead. And it results in poorer performance and lower power of all the electrical components. Thus, you will need to replace low-price golf cart batteries more often. Consequently, over a few years, it may turn out that it is a more budget approach to invest in Trojan batteries.

Can you overcharge golf cart batteries?

Sometimes, you can overcharge golf cart batteries if you are using an old manual charger. Modern chargers have a sensor signalizing a full charge or automatic shutdown that switches a device to a trickle charger mode. So it is advisable to set an alarm clock to avoid affecting battery cells.

At the same time, you need to watch for the level of charge of your golf cart. It is not recommended to use a cart with a partial charge. It is advisable to replenish the charge level to the full even after short drives.

Note that overcharging ruins the battery’s positive plates, accelerates corrosion, and leads to excessive water consumption.

Can I leave my golf cart plugged in overnight?

Knowing the correct response to this question will allow you to keep your battery in excellent shape for a long. Batteries are designed to keep the electric charge for lengthy periods. However, with time a battery is losing this charge if you do not replenish it. But a constant flow of electricity may ruin battery cells. A battery should be allowed to charge and discharge naturally. These cycles make the battery more powerful and prolong its longevity.

And only in cases of longer storage or in wintertime, you may need to leave your golf cart plugged in. But for this, you need to have a trickle charger. It is a special device with a lower level of charge that will protect your battery from overcharging and ruining.

Why are my golf cart batteries dying so fast?

Battery wear is a natural and long-lasting process. However, if your new golf cart batteries do not hold a charge or discharge too quickly, then this is a reason for it. Check for the following before you replace the batteries:

• Poorly connected or corroded wires;
• The insufficient water level in the battery;
• The too cold temperature inside the storage place;
• The charger does not operate properly;
• You are overcharging the batteries;
• You leave your radio switched on when a golf cart is not in use;
• The golf cart is used for too long distances on steep terrain.

It is recommended to follow service and maintenance rules. Store your golf cart at appropriate temperatures, regularly check the battery water level, do not leave any electrical components working while a cart is not in use. And do not forget about the timely service of your golf cart.

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.