If you’ve ever seen a car battery with a red, yellow, or blue top, you probably know something about Optima Batteries. You may still be wondering who makes Optima Batteries and whether they are any good.
In this guide, I talk about some basics of Optima Batteries, including a little about the history of the company. I also look at the different types that you can buy, while looking at some of the pros and cons of the company, so you can make a more informed decision.
Who Makes Optima Batteries?
Clarios LLC makes Optima Batteries, or durable use applications batteries. The main corporation has headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but has a battery plant in Denver, Colorado that it has owned for decades.
Clarios LLC has been owned by Johnson Controls since 2019, a company associated with fire-related products, security products, and several HVAC manufacturing companies. Johnson Controls has over 100,000 employees and was a part of the Fortune 500.
Clarios LLC also makes lithium ion batteries aside from Optima Batteries. The company has a plant in Holland, Michigan, along with a total of 17 manufacturing facilities total in the United States. The company produces primarily prismatic lithium ion battery cells for electronic industries and the automotive industry at these facilities.
Are Optima Batteries Good?
Optima Batteries are known for being heavy-duty and long-lasting AGM batteries. Their construction provides a long life, plus options for countless applications.
Whether you need a reliable battery for your midsize family car or you plan to power up industrial equipment, there is probably an Optima model you can use for your application.
Optima Batteries are also much more expensive than many others, especially at the auto parts store, where many other manufacturers are cheaper.
You don’t get a longer warranty than other companies with Optima Batteries either, so that’s off the table too: while cheap, other brands have warranties every bit as long as Optima’s maximum warranty. If you’re using the battery commercially, the warranty drops significantly, and you end up having to pay an out-of-pocket expense for defects.
History of Optima Batteries
Optima Batteries has existed since 1972. That’s when John Devitt and Donald McClelland first applied for a patent for a maintenance-free battery, which was to be exclusively for the military and marine markets.
At the same time, SPIRALCELL construction was created. In 1975, Gates Rubber Company filed a second patent for this construction design. Following this success, within a short time, Optima Batteries ventured into the truck and automotive market.
As a country, we welcomed Optima Batteries – the highest-quality AGM battery design – in 1987. By 1990, the company was formalized as Optimal Batteries Inc.
In 1991, Gates Rubber Company exited the brand. Gylling acquired the company the next year, which led to increased popularity. In 1994, the Denver manufacturing plant opened.
In 2000, Johnson Controls acquired the company after many years of success. This was later associated with Clairos ownership. While there has been a lot of ownership turnover, and many different owners, the Optima Battery brand is loved by enthusiasts everywhere.
Optima Battery Pros
#1. SPIRALCELL Technology.
Optima Batteries are designed and manufactured differently than other car batteries, due to the company’s SPIRALCELL technology. Each battery features spiral-wound cells arranged in a series between two lead plates, which are coated in lead oxide. Each battery has one lead oxide positive plate, and one lead oxide negative plate.
The company has a micro fiberglass separator installed between the two plates to keep the plates separate, and it holds all of the electrolyte solution in place between the two plates.
The use of SPIRALCELL technology allows each battery to run at a lower operating temperature, while maintaining consistent humidity, providing a more reliable performance experience.
No other battery company has such a level of sophistication in their design. This is specific to only the Optima Battery brand, making it an exclusive advantage.
#2. Easy Maintenance.
If you don’t want to maintain your car battery, Optima may be a great option for you. They are AGM batteries, which don’t require maintenance. You don’t have to deal with leaking fluids or topping off the battery fluids.
The only thing you may want to do, is check for corrosion from time to time. You also want to keep the battery charged. Those two things are true for any car battery.
#3. Supreme Power Delivery.
Optima Batteries are designed to provide a more powerful flow of energy than other types. You will notice how fast your car engine starts with maximum power sent directly into the start cycle.
Indeed, the company claims it has the most powerful starting power of any auto battery for five seconds. Good luck trying to find people saying differently online.
#4. Longer Life.
With SPIRALCELL technology, it’s already clear that this design is different than the options. What you may not be are that it offers a longer life battery.
Optima batteries are somewhat resistant against vibration when compared to cheaper options and offer about twice the life of a regular flooded car battery.
Optima Battery Cons
#1. Price.
If there will be complaints about Optima batteries, they will be complaints about the price. There is no doubt that you will pay more for these batteries than the majority of batteries on the market.
Upon further investigation of the price versus the features you receive, you will realize it is still considered a bargain. It is nearly impossible to find a comparable battery with this amount of power and durability for a lower price.
#2. Short Warranty Terms.
Due to the durability and price you are paying, consumers would like a longer warranty period. You are typically looking at a minimum warranty of 12 months.
Considering the price, it’s not a long time at all. On the plus side, most Optima batteries will not fail prematurely so, in reality, you won’t have anything to worry about.
Types of Optima Batteries
#1. REDTOP.
The REDTOP is the battery which would be referred to as their standard model for most applications. REDTOP is usually the choice for the majority of the car models on the market that don’t need anything out of the ordinary. Starting power is good and it is meant to continue on even through the thick or thin.
The warranty is lackluster and in some cases, worse than the YELLOWTOP series. If you are utilizing a 6/12-volt battery for your passenger vehicle use, there’s the 36-month warranty policy in play.
Unfortunately, were the REDTOP runs short is on the commercial warranty which many are leaning on. That warranty only goes 12 months which is a little unfortunate.
#2. YELLOWTOP.
The Yellow Top is an exceptional battery for vehicles. It is a high-performance battery with much greater runtimes than almost all other automotive batteries.
It has the SPIRALCELL design and plenty of output power as a result of low internal resistance. It is a good choice for most car models and does the trick for specialty models and 4x4s as well. You can even use this battery in your truck, SUV or other sorts of construction equipment.
If you use your YELLOWTOP Optima battery for personal use, you have a 36-month warranty on it. But, any YELLOWTOP battery used for commercial use will only have a 24-month warranty. This limits the value of what you paid for the battery in the first place.
#3. BLUETOP.
The Bluetop battery is great for marine applications as it discharges longer than other batteries. You can run this battery harder than a standard battery and, being a powerful deep-cycle battery, it resists vibration.
The warranty on the BLUETOP is disappointing, as is with the battery line. Any noncommercial use of the battery gives you 24 months of replacement for warranty. All commercial applications cut the battery warranty in with just 12 months.
How long do Optima batteries last?
The lifespan of an Optima battery depends on the type of battery you choose and how you use the battery. An Optima battery will last around 4 – 6 years of normal use in a car, with the potential to last slightly less in cold climates.
How to charge an Optima battery?
How to charge your Optima battery will depend on the model you choose, as well as whether or not it is AGM. There are no differences in the charging procedure between Optima and regular AGM batteries. Use a good car battery charger and charge the battery as slowly as possible.
Where can I buy an Optima battery?
Optima batteries are very popular and are sold in just about every local and online auto parts store. But if you want to find an authorized dealer, go to Optima’s website and use their tool to search for a dealer.
How to tell if an optima battery is bad?
If an Optima battery doesn’t hold a charge for more than a few days is one way to know that it’s bad. If the battery has been bloated, or even leaking is another way to tell if a battery is bad. If you noticed that your car sounds tired when you turn it on in the morning, it could mean the Optima battery is bad.
Optima is an extremely well-known brand in car batteries and has market share for the quality of their products. You will not be disappointed if you buy an Optima battery. They are a little pricey, so, I definitely understand if you are hoping to find something slightly cheaper.
I hope this article helped you decide if an Optima battery is worth the money to you. You now know everything you need to know about Optima batteries.