4 Best Batteries for Toyota Corolla Cars (2021 Review)

If you’ve been riding a Toyota Corolla for years, you’d agree that it’s a quite reliable and easy-to-maintain vehicle. And that’s why most of its users trust it so blindly that they forget to pay attention to the battery under its hood. This seems to make sense since most batteries last for years with little or no effort from you.

But when the battery suddenly goes dead, your “ever-reliable” Toyota Corolla won’t move an inch — even when they have the best tires. And in that case, you’d have no other option but to replace the damaged battery with a new one.

Now, the market abounds with car batteries of different types and by many different brands, which means choosing the right one for your Toyota Corolla can be quite challenging. But we’ve done all the hard work for you by researching the market for the best batteries that are suitable for the Toyota Corolla model. And we put together a list of the best options. Read on to learn more.

Best Batteries for Toyota Corolla: Our top 4 picks

Based on power output, durability, value for money, brand trust, and real buyer opinions, we compared many different car batteries that work with Toyota Corolla vehicles. And we figured these 4 to be the best.

1. Optima Batteries 8020-164 RedTop Battery

Quick info: 12-volt, 720 cold-cranking Amps, 31.7 lbs, 90 minutes reserve capacity

The Optima Batteries 8020-164 35 RedTop battery packs an impressive reserve capacity (90 minutes) and is made specifically for those who use up huge amounts of battery power while driving. So, if you like to power up your car audio, DVD player, and other accessories while you’re driving, a workhorse battery like this is your best bet.

The battery is spill-proof and has been built to withstand hard impacts and frequents vibrations due to off-roading — thanks to its innovative, durable design that employs spiral internal cells. It can handle over 300 charging cycles. That is, the battery can be recharged more than 300 times, which is most probably far more than what you will ever need.

Another upside of this battery is its high cold cranking amp rating (720), which makes it ideal for use in extremely cold weather conditions. But when compared with other options available in the market, car batteries by Optima Batteries are more expensive. And while the YellowTop is no exception, it’s totally worth the price and even more.

2. Delphi BU9035 MaxStart AGM Automotive Battery

Quick info: 12 volts, 680 cold-cranking amps, 55A, 39.4 lbs, 100 minutes reserve capacity

If you’re looking for a durable and efficient battery for your Toyota Corolla, then you won’t go wrong with the Delphi BU9035 MaxStart AGM Automotive Battery. This battery works perfectly as a starting battery, and it is particularly popular due to its higher efficiency, yet lower price when compared with similar batteries.

Thanks to its strong and rugged build, the Delphi BU9035 MaxStart AGM Automotive Battery can tolerate frequent and heavy vibrations without any power disruption. This makes it a great choice for rough terrains and off-road environments. In addition, the Delphi BU9035 is designed with pure lead plates, which also explains why the battery scores highly in vibration resistance and spill prevention.

Another interesting aspect of the Delphi BU9035 is its amazing power and lifespan. It has about twice the power and thrice the lifespan of the average AGM batteries you’d find in the market. The battery can handle up to 400 cycles at 80% discharge depth. Yet, the battery recharges quickly, boosting back to 100% capacity within as little as 4 hours.

3. DieHard 38275 Advanced Gold AGM Battery GP 35

Quick info: 12-volt, 650 cold-cranking amps, 50 Ah, 42 lbs, 100 minutes reserve capacity

Packed with impressive specs and backed by a brand reputation for quality, the DieHard 38275 Advanced Gold AGM Battery is one of the best options for Toyota Corolla vehicles. One of its selling points is that it is 20 times more resistant to vibration than the average battery. So, when you suddenly hit random ups and downs while driving, expect no interruption. In addition, the battery is totally spill-proof. Even if you mount it upside down, you won’t see the tiniest leakage.

To prevent short-circuiting and extend overall battery life, the DieHard 38275 Advanced Gold AGM Battery comprises full-frame positive and negative plates. And thanks to its advanced electrolyte suspension system, the battery has a stronger ability to absorb electrolytes while protecting all its internal parts.

To cap it all, the battery is backed by a 3-year full warranty that promises you a free replacement should the battery suddenly fail in any way under normal usage conditions — but the battery typically lasts longer than that.

4. NorthStar Pure Lead Group 35 Battery NSB-AGM35

Quick info: 12-volt, 740 cold-cranking amps, 60 Ah, 115 minutes reserve capacity.

The NorthStar Pure Lead Group 35 Battery NSB-AGM35 is a flat-plate, heavy-duty battery that works well with the Toyota Corolla. Rated at 740 cold-cranking amps, the battery allows you to start your vehicle pretty easily in both very hot and very cold temperatures. And if you’re looking for a battery that won’t spill its contents regardless of driving conditions, this battery also ticks that checkbox.

The NorthStar Pure Lead Group 35 Battery NSB-AGM35 Battery comes with a simple yet strong build that makes it resistant to vibrations and sudden hard impacts. And if you remove your car battery frequently — for whatever reasons — this battery has a strong handle that makes it easy peasy to carry.

More importantly, the battery has a reserve capacity of 115 minutes and is designed to withstand repeated engine starts and stops caused by stop-and-go city traffic. It also has an improved ability to handle passive loads in your car, such as infotainment systems and additional lighting accessories.

Now, let’s look at some important factors to consider when choosing a replacement battery for your Toyota Corolla.

Toyota Corolla battery: Things to consider before buying

Not all car batteries are the same. And not all good batteries would necessarily work well with your Toyota Corolla, as the model has its own specific battery requirements. To avoid choosing the wrong replacement battery for your Corolla, you must consider the following:

Size (Most Important! Read This!!)

The majority of Toyota Corolla cars come with Group 35 size batteries. However, a few do come with batteries of other sizes — Group 51, commonly. So, your battery is most likely to be a group 35 size battery. So, we have recommended only batteries of that size in this post. Group 35 batteries measure roughly 230mm (L) x 175mm (W) x 225mm (H). So, please double-check by measuring the dimensions of your current battery.

Battery type

Although all battery types contain lead-acid, they can be categorized into two major categories based on their internal construction namely AGM and flooded batteries.

Absorbed Glass Mat AGM batteries contain a special glass mat separator that wicks the electrolyte solution between the battery plates, thus allowing for high current delivery and with near-zero maintenance. They perform better than other types of batteries and can be installed sideways. Plus, they have more power to meet the high electrical demands of modern cars.

A flooded lead-acid battery is the most ‘traditional’ type of battery in the automotive industry today. It shares a few similarities with AGM batteries except that it is not sealed and its internal construction requires frequent maintenance. Flooded lead-acid batteries are not suitable for vehicles with high electrical demands, and they can be affected by harsh weather or forceful movements.

Power

In most Corollas, the engine isn’t the chief power guzzler. Sound systems and other accessories also consume a lot of battery juice. And the stress on your battery can be more if you use additional accessories such as DVDs, car battery inverters, and so on.

So, if power consumption in your Corolla is on the high side, go for not just a battery with not high power output, but one that can deliver that high output for long periods.

Longevity

What really sets the impressive and top-quality car batteries apart from the mediocre ones is longevity. It goes without saying that your best bet is a battery that will last a long time, saving you some money in the process.

Note, however, that even well-built batteries can quickly pack up in the face of harsh usage conditions such as frequent vibrations and extreme weather conditions. So, before making your choice, check that it’s built to withstand all these “unfriendly” conditions.

Maintenance

There are low-maintenance batteries and there are maintenance-free batteries. Your choice here would depend on the type of weather you usually drive in. If you drive in very hot conditions, consider going with a low-maintenance battery that allows you to add some distilled water to cool it down. This helps the battery to last longer in hot climates.

Cold-cranking amps

This is a very important parameter to check if you drive frequently in extremely cold weather. Cold-cranking amps (CCA) is simply a measure of how quickly and well your battery would start in cold weather when the temperature falls to sub-zero levels. So, if you live where the weather is usually very cold, go for a battery with high CCA.

Value for money

Although top-quality products usually command higher prices, the fact that a battery is expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better than cheaper ones. For example, our top pick in this review post isn’t the costliest.

We don’t encourage jumping at the cheapest option available, as that’s a recipe for regrets and disaster. What we’re saying is, consider the important features while not forgetting the limits of your pocket.

Warranty

Another thing to look out for when buying a battery for your Toyota Corolla is the warranty that comes with it. The higher the number of years of the warranty, the more likely it is that the battery is a good deal.

On average, high-quality batteries in the automotive industry come with a 3-year warranty. The duration is to give you peace of mind that you’re investing in a battery with good service life.

How long does a Toyota Corolla car battery last?

If car batteries typically come with a 3-year warranty, it makes sense to expect a replacement car battery to last a minimum of 3 years. Some good batteries can even last as long as 5 years before their performance begins to drop. So once you get any of the batteries above and you’ve used them for up to three years, it’s time to starting planning a replacement.

To help you extend the life of your Toyota car battery, here are a few tips to know:

Tip 1: Limit short rides

It might be tempting to drive your car everywhere you go but frequent short drives are bad for your car battery. Quick rides prevent your car battery from fully charging when a lot of its power is being used at start-up.

Tip 2: Check battery voltage regularly

It’s vital to know the condition of your car battery so you can maximize its life. It should always be at least 12.5 volts but if it goes below, that’s your cue to charge it back to full capacity.

Tip 3: Minimize power used while the engine is off

Before exiting the vehicle, turn off electrical accessories like the radio and air conditioner when the engine isn’t running.  Extended periods of idling can wear a battery down

Tip 4: Control corrosion

Avoid corrosion by ensuring the top of your battery is clean, dry, and free of dirt and grime. Occasionally scrub the clamps with baking soda, water, and a nonmetallic brush. Corrosion is a sign that you need to buy a replacement, so keeping the battery clean so it doesn’t occur is vital.

Wrap-up

Most functions in a Toyota Corolla depend on the battery power. So, if your battery is dead, your car is as good as dead, too. To keep your Corolla going smoothly for years, a good-quality battery is one of the things you should invest in.

While there are many options in the market that would fit in your Corolla, not every option is worth buying. In this post, we have highlighted some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a new battery for your Toyota Corolla. And more importantly, we put together a list of four cool batteries that meet all the important criteria. With any of these, you sure won’t go wrong.