Top 4 batteries for Honda CR-V in 2022 (Review & Buying guide)

(Last Updated On: April 4, 2022)

People who own a Honda CR-V obviously prefer having a quality vehicle. But what also matters as much as the actual vehicle? The battery it contains!

High-quality, durable batteries are a game-changer for vehicles. And if you have a Honda CR-V, certain batteries work better than the others. Various criteria help you choose the best product in the market. But no matter how many online reviews you read and how many people you ask for a suggestion, it is never enough.

It would be best if you had a good guide on choosing the best battery for your Honda CR-V, along with suitable options to start your search. Lucky for you, I have brought you a complete guide that answers all this and everything else relevant!

Selecting the right battery for your Honda CR-V in 2021

When there are too many options on the market, it can be hard to choose just one. Hence, you must know everything vital while you make this selection. The following are the most important things you need to consider when choosing the correct battery for your Honda CR-V:

Your vehicle

Yes, we already know that you have a Honda CR-V. First, however, look at the vehicle’s manual. What are the dimensions and features of the battery that the car already has? If you don’t have the vehicle’s owner manual, don’t worry. Just look at the battery inside and try to find essential specifications. And if you don’t know anything about batteries, and don’t want to risk doing it yourself, take the battery along when you go out shopping. The mechanic or store owner will probably have enough knowledge to figure out what that battery features and a suitable replacement for it.

Size

The right size and fit of the battery are critical. Measure the battery’s width, height, and length and ensure it is the same as the previous one. It should fit perfectly in the car’s battery tray. The Battery Council International (or BCI) has specific numbers that indicate particular battery sizes. They help you identify the height, length, and width of the battery. These numbers are usually 34, 35, 65, or 75. Check the application catalog or owner manual to see what size is your original battery.

Reserve Capacity (RC)

Selecting the suitable reserve capacity in your car batteries is extremely important. The RC refers to how many minutes your battery can supply a minimum voltage to run the vehicle if its fan belt or alternator gives up. People often don’t know what RC stands for, so you must understand this concept and realize its importance. The RC is usually measured in minutes, and the longer this rating is, the better the battery’s quality. You can ask the store associate or salesperson to help you find the RC and select the right one. And if that doesn’t work, remember that you still have the manual to see what is recommended initially. 

Optima YellowTop OPT8073-167 D51R
Optima YellowTop OPT8073-167 D51R
3.9
It has a reverse capacity of around 66 minutes and offers consistent performance. This one is also 15 times more vibration-resistant and durable.

Age 

Check out the battery’s age before you buy it. The product usually has a date code stamped on it by the manufacturer. You can find it on the battery case or battery label. By looking at the age of your battery, you can realize how long it will last and how much of a life it still has left. Look for a code with two-letter characters representing the date. There is usually one letter followed by a number. For example, if a battery’s label says J9, it was made back in 2019 January. The ideal way to go about it is to choose a battery that has the latest manufacturing date. The closer it is to your buying date, the longer it will last. 

Cold-Cranking Amps (CCA)

Last but not least are the cold-cranking amps of the battery, which measure how well a battery can start your car in lower, colder temperatures. If you live somewhere it gets freezingly cold very often, and you cannot afford to waste a lot of time trying to start the car, you need a battery with a higher CCA. Ask the salesperson for the highest CCA available at the time when you are buying the battery. Get the one with the most powerful cold-cranking amps. Keep the manual’s recommendation in mind; don’t go too high or too low from that suggested CCA.

Delphi BU9047 MaxStart
Delphi BU9047 MaxStart
4
It offers 660 CCA and is a suitable power supply to the most demanding electronics of today’s day and age. The straps, welds, fortified posts, optimized component compression, and superior vibration resistance make it an incredible purchase.

1. Optima 8073-167 D51R YellowTop dual-purpose battery 

Optima has been a well-known name when it comes to car batteries for a very long time. The company has been launching their best products for a while now and has made a good reputation. Their fan following is enormous and very much justified because Optima does not compromise on quality. 

Their YellowTop dual-purpose batteries are a crowd favorite and for all the right reasons! Let’s take a look at some of its most significant features as well as its advantages and drawbacks:

Product features

Featuring 12 volts and 450 cold-cranking amps, the YellowTop dual-purpose battery is very efficient and powerful. It has a reverse capacity of around 66 minutes and offers consistent performance. Moreover, like all the other Optima batteries, this one is also 15 times more vibration-resistant and durable. Furthermore, the battery starts your vehicle even in low temperatures and bad weather thanks to the cold-cranking amps. Lastly, weighing only 26 lbs, it is not heavy at all.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Fascinating exterior
  • Ideal for residents of colder climates
  • Lasts three times longer than conventional batteries
  • Doesn’t require any maintenance
  • Casing does not spill

Cons

  • Space-consuming
  • Lacks a better discharge and recharge cycles

Check Price at Amazon

2. Optima 8020-164 35 RedTop starting battery 

The Red Top Optima batteries are another masterpiece by the brand, and these are just as well known as the Yellow Top batteries. Whether you like one battery or the other depends on its characteristics, advantages, and drawbacks. So, let’s look at the most critical aspects of this battery: 

Product features

Featuring 12 volts and 720 cold-cranking amps, this lead-acid AGM battery is an exceptional starting battery for standard vehicles. So naturally, your Honda CR-V will love it! It has a 90- minute reserve capacity and supplies continuous voltage for consistent performance. The case is made from polypropylene, ensuring durability, safety, and lightweight. Like all Optima batteries, this one is also relatively vibration-resistant and very long-lasting. It has a great starting power in freezing temperatures and does not give up on you no matter how cold outside.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Spill-proof casing
  • Ideal for streetcars, hot rods, SUVs, and trucks
  • Faster recharging
  • Lasts about two times longer than conventional batteries

Cons

  • Shorter lifespan than the YellowTop dual-purpose battery

Check Price at Amazon

3. Odyssey PC925MJT 

Another rather popular name in the automobile industry is Odyssey, and this particular model is loved by many. So, what is it that earns it a place on this list? Let’s look at its characteristics, pros, and cons, shall we? 

Product features

With a stylish and enthusiastic red exterior, this battery supplies 12 volts and 330 cold-cranking amps. It also has a reserve capacity of around 52 minutes, with a much faster recharge than other options on the shelves. In addition, its design is non-spillable, meaning that it has excellent mounting flexibility. This particular design is also vibration-resistant to protect the battery against mechanical vibration and high-impact shock.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Fast Charging
  • Comes with a 3 to 4-year replacement warranty
  • Lasts longer

Cons

  • Lower CCA compared to YellowTop and RedTop

Check Price at Amazon

4. Delphi DU9047 Max Start

Last but not least is Delphi, and its Max Start batteries are a great hit! By looking at their features and specifications, we will find out why! 

Product features

Belonging to the group size 47, this lead-acid AGM battery weighs around 29 lbs and gives an incredible performance. It offers 660 cold-cranking amps and a suitable power supply to the most demanding electronics of today’s day and age. Moreover, it has a reserve capacity of 100 minutes and is 20 times more vibration-resistant than typical batteries. The straps, welds, fortified posts, optimized component compression, and superior vibration resistance make it an incredible purchase. In addition, the battery’s sealed housing has a great venting system and is resistant to corrosion.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Great durability
  • Better life
  • Higher cold-cranking amps

Cons

  • Bulky Dimension

Check Price at Amazon

Signs that you need a new battery 

Now that you know how to choose the correct battery and what options you have. Let’s look at the final part of this whole process: How do you know your battery needs a replacement? Here are the five most significant signs: 

Slow starting engine

If you notice that your engine is getting slower day by day, posing more and more issues when you try to start it, take a look at the battery. Consider how old it is, what it looks like, and whether it is beginning to break down. If it looks worn out, it is. This is your sign that you want to replace your battery as soon as possible. 

Dim lights and electrical system not working properly 

When you think your battery is dying out, the first thing you should notice is how bright or dim your vehicle’s lights are. Plus, like your sound systems and other devices, your electrical systems will start telling you something wrong with your car. They will probably not work well, take more time to start correctly, or give you other hints that something is not normal. So take these hints and understand that your battery probably needs to get looked at. 

Bad smell 

When you start your engine, do you struggle with an awkward smell surrounding you, inside and outside the car? When you open your car’s hood, can you smell something similar to rotten eggs? If yes, that’s not the smell of eggs; that is sulfur! And the smell indicates that something is wrong and you need to have your battery changed very soon! 

Corrosive/Damaged battery case 

Check your battery from time to time, especially if you start noticing all these signs I mentioned above. First, look at the battery’s case; what does it look like? Is it wonky? Does it look unwell? Has the color faded? What does the shape of the battery look like? If the shape or appearance of the battery has started to look awkward, that’s your cue to get a new one!

Conclusion

Replacing your battery as needed and getting the right one for your Honda CR-V is non-negotiable! Your car’s battery is an investment, and whether you want to prioritize durability or safety, choosing the best product is extremely important. So, if you’re a first-time buyer or don’t have much knowledge of car batteries, how do you know you’re making the right choice? Simple; by keeping a good buying guide in mind! 

Remember all the things I’ve told you above and start from the options I have listed. If you like something from there, great! And if you don’t, keep in mind the characteristics I’ve mentioned, and choose a battery that works well for you!

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