Best Group 94R Battery – Buyer’s Guide

Group 94R batteries are the most common type of batteries found in passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, and some marine applications. The group number refers to its physical dimensions, terminal positions, and average weight of the battery. You should always install the recommended battery type and size for your vehicle. If your vehicle takes a 94R battery, this guide gives you a few of our top picks.

Best Choice

Odyssey Battery 94R-850 Performance Automotive Battery

The best Group 94R Battery

This Odyssey battery uses Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) and Absorbent Glass Mat technology, and made for heavy-duty use. It has a long storage life without loss of power and 850 Cold Cranking Amps!

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Best Group 94R Battery – for Engine Starting and Deep Cycle Charging

Provides excellent cold-cranking amps and is made for starting and deep cycle charging. It can withstand hundreds of deep cycle charges without harming battery life, which many more common 94R batteries can’t do.

Here is a quick comparison of the batteries that are featured in this review.

Image	Product
Best Choice	Odyssey Battery 94R-850 Performance Automotive Battery Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): 850, Reserve Capacity (RC): 150, Amp Hours (AH): 80 Battery Group: 94R Type: AGM Warranty: 36 Best Starting Battery and Deep Cycle Charging Check Price	Check Price
Best Value	ACDelco 94RAGM Professional AGM Automotive Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): 800, Reserve Capacity (RC): 140, Amp Hours (AH): 80 Battery Group: 94R Type: AGM Warranty: 36 Best for Long Life Check Price	Check Price
Also Great	Delphi BU9094R MaxStart AGM Premium Automotive Battery (Reverse Terminal) Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): 800, Reserve Capacity (RC): 140, Amp Hours (AH): 80 Battery Group: 94R Type: AGM Warranty: 36 Best for Cold Weather Check Price	Check Price
Good Choice	Exide Edge FP-AGML4/94R Flat Plate AGM Sealed Automotive Battery Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): 800, Reserve Capacity (RC): 140, Amp Hours (AH): 80 Battery Group: 94R Type: AGM Warranty: 48 Best for Extreme Temperatures Check Price	Check Price
Good Choice	NORTHSTAR NSB-AGM94R Pure Lead Automotive Battery Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): 840, Reserve Capacity (RC): 158, Amp Hours (AH): 76 Battery Group: 94R Type: AGM Warranty: 48 Best for Start/Stop Technology Check Price	Check Price

Now that you have a good idea of why you might need a 94R battery and the general specifications, it is time to see how they perform under actual vehicle operating conditions. Even among batteries with the same specifications, there can be differences in different performance factors. These batteries are our top picks for cars that require a group 94R battery.

1. Odyssey Battery 94R-850 — Best Starting Battery and Deep Cycle Charging

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Odyssey provides excellent cold-cranking amps and is made for deep cycle charging. It can withstand hundreds of deep cycle charges without harming battery life, which many more common 94R batteries can’t do.

This Odyssey battery uses Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) and Absorbent Glass Mat technology. Using this combination of technology creates an efficient battery that is able to deliver up to 150 minutes of reserve. It is made for heavy-duty use, and it has a long storage life without loss of power. The Odyssey is made for modern vehicles that use many different electronics at the same time, including heated seats and power appliances.

• Built for commercial vehicles and heavy-duty use

• Extremely powerful

• Uses two types of advanced technology

• Long storage life without power loss

• Can withstand numerous deep cycle charges

• Some users report failure after a short time in certain truck models.

2. ACDelco 94RAGM — Best for Long Life

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ACDelco is one of the most recognized names in the industry, which is a key reason why this battery made a list. They are known for batteries that are reliable and that provide optimum performance. An ACDelco battery has a long service life, making it a low cost over time.

This battery has a long reserve capacity and excellent cold cranking amps, which means that it will get you where you need to go, even if your alternator fails. ACDelco AGM is considered a commercial-grade battery and is made from tough plastic that can withstand shock and vibration. It can take a bit of abuse from the environment and still perform as it did when it was new. ACDelco is the brand used on construction sites, for delivery vehicles, and heavy-duty trucks where performance is important.

• Reliable in cold weather

• Long reserve capacity

• Excellent conductivity and power

• Leak-proof, spill proof

• Maintenance-free

• Long service life

• Durable case

• Not recommended for deep-cycle charging

3. Delphi BU9094R MaxStart — Best for Cold Weather

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The Delphi MaxStart lives up to its name in cold weather, has maximum cold-cranking amps, is reliable, has an extended reserve capacity, and has a fast charging time. It has plenty of power to run heavy-use items such as heated seats, 12V power outlets, and automobile appliances. This makes it an excellent choice for newer vehicles with a lot of technology and amenities to power.

• Vibration resistant

• Corrosion resistant

• Easy carry handles

• Vent caps prevent leaks

• Durable case

• Heavier weight

4. Exide Edge FP-AGML4/94R Flat Plate — Best for Extreme Temperatures

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This Exide battery is made to be tough and durable, making it able to perform in environments where other batteries fail. The battery has a spill-proof design so that you can protect other parts around it. It has exceptional performance in both cold weather and in hot environments.

The Exide flat plate is the battery that people turn to when they need to know that their vehicle will start in any weather. It is a choice used by emergency vehicles and situations where dependability is an important factor. It has a durable case and can withstand shock and road vibration without failure. This battery has been reported to have a long service life.

• Outperforms most batteries in extreme conditions

• Long reserve capacity

• Durable case, no-spill design

• Reported to have a long service life

• Vibration and shock-resistant

• Durable carrying handle

• A little more expensive

• Heavier weight

5. NORTHSTAR Pure Lead Automotive Group 94R — Best for Start/Stop Technology

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Northstar is known for producing batteries that have excellent performance and that are long-lasting. This battery has been known to exceed the listed specifications to provide the power that you need in cold weather. It charges quickly and has a long reserve capacity.

This is the battery that professionals turn to in their performance vehicles. However, it is made to exact BCI standards and will fit most passenger cars, too. One of its main advantages is that it does not drain quickly, even when hooked to an open circuit. This means your vehicle will start even if it has been sitting for a long time. This feature makes it great for people who often travel and must leave their cars in long-term storage facilities.

• Low self-discharge rate

• OEM ensured fit made to exact BCI standards

• Made for performance vehicles

• Made to operate in harsh environments

• Fast recharge

• ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 compliant

• Shockproof case

• Vibration resistant

• Tends to be pricier than others on the list

• Heavy weight

Buyer's Guide and FAQ

group 94r battery

CHOOSE
THE BEST IN 2023

Before purchasing your next battery, it is important to understand terms meaning and how they affect battery performance.

As you can see, these batteries all have characteristics that make them better than the average battery on the market. Before you purchase your next battery, it is important to understand what some terms mean and how they affect battery performance. The Battery Council International (BCI) sets the standards for battery specifications. BCI assigns a set of numbers and letters to designate the type of battery used for a specific make, model, type of vehicle, and engine type. Here is what you need to know before you shop for batteries.

About Battery Groups

The first thing that you should know is that you should never attempt to use a battery that is not designed for your make and model of vehicle. First off, it might not fit into the battery compartment. The posts might not be in the right position. Even if an incorrectly-sized battery does physically fit into your vehicle, it could damage your engine, or in the worst-case scenario, cause a fire. Your owner’s manual will specify the type of battery required for your vehicle, and you should only use that type of battery.

About Group 94R Batteries

Group 94R batters are one of the most common types of batteries used in cars. Manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche, and BMW use this type of battery. Many other passenger cars use it, too. You will also find these batteries in emergency vehicles, light commercial vehicles, and some marine applications.

Sometimes, this type of battery is referred to as an LN4, L4, or H7 battery. This type of battery typically uses Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) technology known for long service life and reliability. AGM batteries are also corrosion-resistant and spill-proof. Here are the most common characteristics of 94R batteries.

• Size: 12.4” x 6.9” x 7.5” (315 x 175 x 190 mm)
• Weight: 51-57 pounds
• Reserve Capacity: 135 minutes
• Cold Cranking Amps: 620-900

There are many reasons why 94R batteries are such a popular size. They are known for the ability to start, even in extremely cold conditions or in extreme heat. This type of battery charges quickly and can withstand quick starts and stops. A group 94R battery is designed to power a heavy load of onboard electronics. Today’s cars require batteries that are durable and able to power heaters, heated seats, touchscreen infotainment systems, and charge electronic devices all at the same time.
Battery Terms and Knowledge

Before you begin shopping for your next battery, there are a few terms that you need to know.

Deep Cycle Versus Starting Batteries

Batteries generally fall into two different categories. Starting batteries (Starting, Lighting, Ignition, or SLI) are typically found in the average car. This type of battery is designed to deliver a burst of power in a short time when starting your vehicle. It takes extra power to propel the engine into motion from a stopped position.

Once this vehicle has started, the alternator will recharge the battery. This type of battery is not designed to be charged and discharged numerous times. They typically only discharge a portion of their power during startup. Running them all the way down repeatedly can damage them and cause them to wear out more quickly.

A deep cycle battery is designed to provide a steady current over a longer time, such as marine environments and vehicles that must continuously power numerous accessories and electronics. These types of batteries are designed to be discharged and recharged many times without harming the battery.

Some deep cycle batteries can be used to start the engine, depending on the number of cold cranking amps that they produce. You will also find batteries that are considered to be dual-purpose and can work as both starting and deep cycle batteries.

Absorbent Glass Mat

Absorbent glass mat (AGM) refers to the type of technology used in the battery. Other types of technology include standard flooded, OPTIMA SPIRAL CELL, and PowerFrame technology. AGM batteries use an absorbent glass mat between the positive and negative plates. This glass mat prevents the acid from flowing freely inside the battery between cells. An advantage of the technology is that it limits the loss of plate material caused by continual charging and discharging cycles. The system is under pressure within a plastic case and has an automatic venting system.

The advantage of this battery system is that it lowers the battery’s internal resistance, which has the effect of producing more power. Because the plates do not deteriorate as quickly, AGM batteries are known for long life, and they can last up to two times longer than standard flooded batteries. They can handle high loads and are vibration resistant.

These batteries are maintenance-free, and you do not have to replace the battery acid. AGM batteries also recharge quickly, which places less strain on the alternator. These batteries often have high cold-cranking amps, which makes them perfect for colder climates.

Cold Cranking Amps

The number of cold-cranking amps refers to the battery’s ability to deliver the extra power needed to start the vehicle in cold weather. The higher the cold-cranking amps the battery provides, the more likely your car will be able to start on cold mornings. It also helps the car start more efficiently in warmer temperatures, which reduces wear on the starter unit.

Reserve Capacity

Reserve Capacity is the length of time the battery can be used on a single charge. This means that if your alternator fails, this capacity represents how long the battery can power accessories before failure. Reserve capacity is measured by how long the battery can maintain a constant 25 amp current at 80°F without falling below the required minimum voltage for each cell. This is 1.75 volts per cell multiplied to 6 cells = 10.5V, the amount of energy needed to keep the vehicle running.

Amp Hours

Amp Hours, or C20, refers to how much energy is stored in the battery. It is measured as the amount of energy that a battery can deliver when running continuously for 20 hours at 80°F without falling below 10.5 volts total. If the battery falls below this amount, the car will not be able to start and/or keep running.

Best Group 94R Battery – Final Word

This list represents the 94R batteries that we feel are the best on the market. They offer plenty of power and are designed to last. Their specifications are well beyond what is required for most vehicles, and they are brands that have an excellent reputation. The demands placed on batteries grow with each new piece of technology added to today’s cars. As such, battery technology must continually innovate to become more efficient and durable.

The batteries on this list exceed BCI specifications for batteries in this group. Of course, your best place for advice on which type of battery is best for your car is your owner’s manual. If you are looking for a 94R battery, this list is an excellent place to start.

Eric Strong

Eric Strong works in the automotive repair industry more than 12 years. His work included repairing electrical systems in various vehicle systems. A hybrid electric car battery replacement experience expanded his understanding of automotive battery technology. Read More…