Best ATV Batteries (Review & Buying Guide) of 2021

ATV is basically an electric and versatile multi-terrain four-wheeler (quad) vehicle that is ridden for fun. And like all-electric vehicles it is powered by a battery. Both the battery and the charging system in an ATV are directly related. It, therefore, plays a huge role in the powering up of the battery. These Batteries for ATVs are also designed to start the engine, save weight, and reduce cost. And because of these features, it makes it possible for them to handle electric loads on the low amp-hour capacity.

Due to the increase in popularity of ATV on the market, the variety of ATV batteries in stores is overwhelming. This gives an ATV owner a variety of batteries to choose from. So before going for ATV battery shopping, you must consider which battery suits your ATV the most. Like they say something that has been started perfectly fine is halfway done.

Types of ATV Batteries

There are two types of ATV batteries, Lead-acid or conventional, and Gel cell also known as AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries. There are other terms used to describe these batteries but they all refer to these two types.

Lead-Acid (conventional or flooded) Batteries

These types of batteries are sometimes called conventional batteries because they have been around for a long period of time. White or natural is their typical housing color. They are cheap on the market because of their inconvenient features like the removable filler cap. And it’s because of this feature that they are sometimes referred to as “flooded” batteries. The removable filler is removed to refill the plates once submerged in acid and distilled water when the battery runs dry. That’s why you are required to have additional acid to support the plates.

Lead-Acid type of batteries is prone to spillage. Therefore, as a quad user, you are advised to only use this type of battery on the well-paved road. Otherwise, you will shorten the lifespan of both an ATV and its battery. For this type of battery, you are also required to be frequently checking the level of distilled water in the plates so that it doesn’t run dry. This is maintenance-free batteries so if it runs dry and not refilled, the lifespan is shortened.

Gel Cell Batteries

Gel cell batteries are also called Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM). They are typically contained in a black or grey housing. This is to differentiate it from the conventional type. And if it is well set, the battery can be installed on the side or angle of an ATV. Like the conventional type, they also have a filler cap but they are fixed permanently. This is done to avoid spillage of distilled water. It doesn’t require acid to start the engine. This is technologically made possible by an electrolyte that comes already measured to fit the container.

This type of battery is also made up of a fiberglass pad. And Inside the battery, a fiberglass pad is installed between the positive and negative of the plates. These fiberglass pads absorb electrolyte acid inside the battery, therefore, reducing the time wasted on a refill. And that’s why Gel cell batteries are sometimes called maintenance-free batteries because they require less of your attention. But this doesn’t imply that you will never have to check on the battery. From time to time you have to check on the battery so that you can efficiently maintain the good performance of your ATV.

Unlike conventional batteries, AGM batteries are designed with shock and vibration-proof materials. These features make them ideal for your off-road use. So you can take your ATV for a ride in an unfriendly environment without ever worrying about the battery shutting down. On the other hand, Casual use doesn’t dry out this type of battery because they are not vented. So you don’t have to worry about gas emissions because the smoke is contained inside. These AGM battery features have a good track record which makes them cost at a price higher than the conventional type.

Four (4) most important questions to ask when making an ATV battery purchase decision.

For a fact that there are a variety of ATV batteries in stores, you need to make a shortlist of the batteries that actually fit your ATV. The specifications of the quad you own and the physical dimensions of the ATV batteries must tally. And if you already know the physical dimensions of both you can manually set the battery with an ATV. But if you are just replacing the battery then checking the old model would also help find the battery that perfectly fits. Your battery dealer can also assist with the service manual of batteries available for your kind of quad.

Some people prefer battery online shopping. Now, this is only advisable if you already know the model and type of the battery. This will make it easier for you to find a suitable, durable, and reliable battery.

What is the Capacity of an ATV battery?

Knowing the capacity of your ATV is very important. This is critical because you must know how many amperes per hour of electricity that your quad can consume. This can be measured by determining how many amps per hour of electricity is used considering the time it’s fully charged to the time it’s fully discharged.

How is the Cold-Cranking Amps (CCA) for the ATV battery?

Technically, CCA is there to measure the number of amps a battery with a 12V rating can produce at 0 degrees. So the capability of your battery to start an ATV in these low temperatures lies in the higher number of CCA. CCA for any ATV battery should be higher so that cold weather can easily be handled. This feature must be considered if you are a quad owner and you are located in areas that have low temperatures like Europe.

The lower the temperature, the higher the CCA should be must you desire to maintain efficient performance. The performance of any ATV changes in changing weather, and it’s very difficult to maintain the performance of an ATV in places with lower temperatures. And that’s why The Ah ratings and the CCA are some of the most important features to look for when identifying the best ATV battery.

What is the Voltage Rating of an ATV battery?

12 volts is the standard voltage rating for most ATVs on the market. And when fully charged, some ATVs show volts slightly higher than the standard 12 volts. But some batteries require as low as 6V depending on the make and size of an ATV. And others go even as high as 24V. Anything lower or higher than that will not be able to charge an ATV.

On the other hand, the output numbers shown on an ATV are determined by the extent to which the battery is charged. The multimeter is a device that you can use to measure the output numbers.

Best Overall ATV Batteries include;

1.Yuasa YUAM320BS YTX20L-BS

Yuasa YUAM320BS YTX20L-BS

The Yuasa YUAM320BS YTX20L-BS battery is a product of Yuasa Corporation. The Yuasa battery is the perfect example of an exceptional ATV battery. It is one of the ATV batteries that have been designed for high performance. It has a capacity of 18 Ah to easily start an ATV engine. And it has a 270 CCA which makes it a perfect battery for areas with low temperatures. This makes it a perfect battery to handle an ATV in extreme conditions.

The YUAM320BS also works on any ATV. This is beneficial in that you can use it on any ATV in case the one in use breaks down. This battery also holds three times longer than the conventional one. Once fully charged, the YUAM320BS can outperform a conventional type of battery by three-fold without frequent checkups. So the normal usage of this battery will not easily vent it out.

The battery also has a permanent filler that prevents the dry surfaces of The YUAM320BS v plates from damage. And this is because it has been designed on advanced lead-calcium technology.

The lead calcium design of the YUAM320BS makes it reliable for usage even after it has not been used for a long period. Even so, the performance will still be efficient. This means that you will have to run maintenance on this battery a lot less frequently than others. The lead-calcium technology was designed to make the battery lose less water and avoid refilling from time to time.

It is also equipped with very thin separators which make it possible to install two plates per battery cell. This will boost the efficiency of the battery’s performance in cold temperatures without stopping the engine.

This YUAM320BS ATV battery comes fully packed with the already measured acid. So all you need to do is to just fill it in the fiberglass pads and seal it. It is equipped with a permanent seal on top to avoid spilling of acid.

This is a one-stop product because it performs better than most ATVs of its size and price. And the manufacturer offers a one year warranty as an incentive.

Pros

• Performance is pretty well
• maintenance is also very easy
• Distilled water is only added once for the rest of the ATVs battery’s lifespan.
• Durable and long-lasting.
• Uses lead-calcium technology.
• Very powerful.

Cons

• The Yuasa YUAM320BS YTX20L-BS Costs more than the average ATV battery.
• Charging the battery for a long time before use.
• Doesn’t charge after a long time stay.

2. Yuasa YUAM620BH YTX20L-BS

Yuasa YUAM620BH YTX20L-BS

This is another product of Yuasa Corporation. The YUAM620BH YTX20L-BS is a little more advanced than the YUAM320BS YTX20L-BS. Like its predecessor, it is an AGM type of battery designed for top performance. This battery is equipped with additional plates inside which makes it more powerful for starting an engine.

It has the potential of generating up to 310 cold-cranking amps. This power makes it adaptive in cold unfriendly environments without affecting performance. With this power, it’s able to deliver 30% more cranking power than the average ATV battery out there.

And Like any other alternate flooded battery, it’s equipped with fiberglass separators. These separators are installed between the positive and the negative. Their function is to absorb battery acids between the plates of 12-Volts. This standard 12 volts battery is dry for newer applications on the market.

Before you fix the battery to the ATV, you should add acid. Unfortunately, for this model acid is not included. The acid must be poured into the fiberglass pads that have been installed between the positive and negative of the plate.

As a quad owner, you are also advised to charge the battery before installation. If the battery is not charged it will only work for a short time and stop. On the other hand, it should not be undercharged or overcharged. You need to charge it moderately as advised by the manufacturer.

It additionally delivers up to half-hour a lot of power (cranking amps) to normal batteries because of further plates within the battery. It needs periodic replacement from time to time likewise.

Pros

• A spill-proof style where the distilled water and acid don’t leak from the battery.
• 30% more cranking power
• Good overall quality.
• It lasts long and may work on any ATV
• high-performance
• 1-year warranty
• and maintenance-free battery

Cons

• Unless the dealer does it for you, you’re required to refill the battery because it’s shipped dry.
• Requires filling from time to time.
• The acid is not added.

3. UPG UBCD5745 Sealed Lead Acid Battery.

UPG UBCD5745 Sealed Lead Acid Battery.

The UPG UBCD5745 is designed to optimize the high performance of any ATV. This battery is equipped with distilled water. This distilled water prevents the dry surfaces of plates from getting damaged. It also has a capacity of 18ah. This is compact in comparison to other ATV batteries but still, it delivers efficient performance.

And its cold cranking power is big enough to pull your ATV in cold weather conditions. It empowers the engine to maintain high performance in an unfriendly environment.

The UPG UBCD5745 battery also fits in any ATV. So you don’t worry if an ATV in use breaks down when another ATV is lying around. Again it fits in any ATV because of its size. It doesn’t take an excessive amount of space of an ATV. It’s because of its size that this kind of battery doesn’t take an excessive amount of time to install, particularly to you if you are a restricted kind of rider.

When fully charged, this type of battery is simple to move with at any convenient time. And that’s why The UPG UBCD5745 needs to be charged at least for 6 hours to be ready for use. If this instruction is not followed, the battery might not work for the intended time. Since this is a traditional kind of battery, it’ll eventually be a substitution. This is so because its charge capability slowly decreases over time.

The manufacturer recommends that these batteries should be checked for efficient performance. The checkups and maintenance should be done at least a minimum of once every six months. This answers the question of how typically you’re supposed to replace the battery.

On the other hand, quad riders tend to ask, how long it takes for the battery to be charged. When this battery is discharged, there’s a straightforward formula is used. This is simply done by multiplying the 5Ah electrical phenomenon of the battery by 1.3. To find the final time it takes to charge, simply divide the overall by the electrical phenomenon of the charger. This will provide you with the hours that you’ve got to charge the ATV battery.

Pros

• Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) Technology
• Maintenance-Free style with Spill Proof Construction
• U.L. Recognized and metallic element Certified
• Brand New, manufacturing plant contemporary
• 1-year warranty.

Cons

• The UPG UBCD5745 is expensive compared to the common ATV battery
• Not vented
• Requires frequent refilling
• May stop charging in an unexpected time frame.
• Plates suffer damage when they are dry.

4. Universal Power Group 12V Sealed Lead Acid Batteries

Universal Power Group 12V Sealed Lead Acid Batteries

The universal power group 12v is a conventional or flooded type of battery. It has a powerful CCA. Even when the battery has not been used for a long time, the battery still cranks without problems. It is designed to be shock and vibration proof. This causes it to run through unfriendly environments. The power group 12 V battery adapts to different positions when mounting. This will not give you a hard time to figure out where to mount the battery on the ATV.

The battery is shipped sealed and so you don’t have to worry about acid addition. The sealed feature makes the battery durable, reliable, and suitable for ATVs used in on-road activities.

You are required to be checking the level of distilled water in the plates frequently so that it doesn’t run dry. If it runs dry and not refilled, the lifespan of the battery is shortened and that’s why these types of batteries are not maintenance-free.

The Universal Power Group weighs 12 lbs. this feature makes it portable. And it also uses AGM technology for maintenance. You will be required to be checking on the level of distilled water to keep the battery running. Like any AGM battery, it has been designed to be Spill and leak-proof. This feature is to prevent the distilled water and acid inside the plates from spilling.

It also fits perfectly fine in the battery box of an ATV under the seat. All in all, it starts and runs an ATV engine great.

The Universal Power Group 12V Sealed Lead Acid Batteries just like any other conventional traditional batteries require moderate charging. Undercharging or overcharging might shorten the lifespan of an ATV battery. Therefore it is important to know the actual specification of the charger for this battery.

Pros

• Impressive size-to-performance ratio
• The capacity of 18 Ah
• Spill-proof
• 1-year warranty.

Cons

• Undercharging or overcharging can reduce the lifespan
• This ATV is a little more expensive than the average ATV battery in stores.
• Sensitive when activating.

5. FAQs

Which one is a lot desirable to shop for my ATV, the conventional or AGM Battery?

The conventional batteries, are the foremost cheaper ATV batteries found on the market. Any quad rider with a good but limited budget will have to consider the lead-acid battery as their priority because they are priced a bit lower than the Gel cell type.

The major challenges faced with these forms of ATV batteries are compelled with maintenance. They have to be checked from time to time to maintain good performance. Lead-Acid batteries also come packed with the fill lines that indicate the amount of acid within the battery. From time to time, you will be required to be checking the amount of distilled water in the plates. If the distilled water falls below the line and is not attended to, it will affect the lifetime of the ATV battery unit.

On the other hand, an AGM battery is designed a lot more advanced than a conventional one. Like every innovative company, battery makers tend to improve on the already existing battery brands. And Gel Cell Batteries were created to deal with the failures of conventional batteries. These shortcomings for the most part have to be compelled with the maintenance of the conventional battery. The AGM batteries were designed to avoid the danger of spilling acid and water.

Another advantage Associated with the AGM battery is that of the longer lifetime. They tend to discharge at a slower rate than conventional batteries. This has been made possible by the installation of the absorbent glass layer between the plates. This is again on the AGM battery part. This feature has attracted a lot of quad owners because it does not require an excessive amount of time concerning the maintenance of the battery. In addition to that, those that use AGM batteries have easy access to charge accessories, like heated ATV Grips.

When it comes to battery rating, AGM batteries a little priced than conventional batteries. So if your budget is tight and still want to acquire an ATV battery, then an AGM is not an option. On the positive side, there’s a lot more to achieve from this type of battery. This particularly has to do with the low maintenance needed and acid spillage-resistance. These features have been created in excellence for ATVs. Just like the spoken communication goes “Cheap is expensive”.

What’s the value of an ATV Battery?

Basically there are 3 value ranges within which you’ll realize ATV batteries on completely different markets.

You will realize that some ATV batteries are valued below $50. Once you search at the value tag of these ATV batteries, more options will be tallied with the ATV battery you are requesting. And in most cases, it’s the conventional ones that are available on the market because of the features that make them cheaper. This phase is for the budget tight riders.

You will also realize that there are forms of ATV batteries within the mid-range. These ATV batteries vary from $50-$100. It’s straightforward to seek out a battery that may satisfy your budget and performance necessities in the stated price range.

Finally, we have the premium phase for ATV batteries. These batteries are priced over $100 on the market. And in most cases, these are high-quality batteries that last longer.

What’s the lifetime of my ATV Battery?

There are quite a number of things to think about when deciding on an ATV battery purchase. Long-lasting is always a quality every quad rider looks for in a battery. TV batteries with high-quality have a minimum of three-years and most of 5 years of life. This estimation commences on the day of manufacture from the plant to the end users by the quad user. The lifetime of a battery depends on a couple of factors including:

How a battery is employed

The more you use a battery, the shorter its lifetime. However, there are certain measures you will have to take to make sure that your battery doesn’t get depleted too quickly though. An example is where you will invest in a trickle charger for times when your battery is not in use. The trickle charger will guarantee your battery doesn’t get discharged absolutely from long periods of dormancy.

The counseled Temperature to store the batter

These batteries are escorted with manuals of instruction. An example is where a battery is meant to be kept in a cool or dry place if not use. They also indicate what temperature they are supposed to be kept in and therefore the counseled battery storage temperature is between 32°F and 80°F. And they should be kept away from wet environments. If they’re not properly kept in step with the directions then the period of a lifetime for the ATV battery will be reduced.

The Quality of the Charger

The quad user is not advised to be exploiting the charger that has been counseled by the manufacturer. They are also not advised to be using a charger with the voltage that has not been counseled by the manufacturer. Otherwise, these two factors will lead to a short period of life period for the battery.

Why Isn’t My ATV Battery operating properly?

ATV batteries are scientific inventions and when being handled they should be handle like one. Scientific rules should be followed if the ATV batteries ought to work properly. The most common issues in relation to the ATV battery not operating properly are listed below.

i. Low Fluid Levels

This problem usually occurs in ancient conventional batteries. Therefore if the fluid levels are low battery, then you will want to ensure that the fluid levels leveled up for effective performance.

ii. When the Charging System isn’t functioning well

Basically, there are two unit functions of the engine in an ATV once it’s in motion. The first one is powering the ATV engine. And causing a number of charges to the battery for recharge is the second one. The stator coil is an element within the ATV that is used to recharge the ATV internally. And once this element is wonky the battery won’t be functioning properly.

When do I figure out the time to change My ATV Battery?

In the article, we’ve pointed out what causes the ATV batteries to underperform. Reasons like low fluid (distilled water) and a dysfunctional charging system cause underperformance. In these cases, when things seemingly start to be unhealthy, that’s the best time to get a brand new battery.

Again when you start noticing that the lights on your ATV begin going dim. Or that the ATV won’t start frequently? Then it will be a noticeable sign that the battery is depleting. But before you proceed to buy a new battery, you have to verify that it’s the battery that has an issue. You will have to check if there’s a crack on the battery casing or broken terminals. If there is then it’s the battery that has a problem.

The device used to measure the voltage of an ATV battery is termed the multimeter. Therefore, the surest thing to grasp the lasting of your battery is by checking its voltage output employing a multimeter. And the following is how the multimeter works;

You first have to want to initiate the process by putting the multimeter in place. You have to ensure that you are on the Direct current (DC) setting if you’re employing a meter that doesn’t use auto-ranging.
Since the quality volts for an ATV battery is 12V. And your measurement you see a multimeter reading is beneath 12 V?. If the meter still reads beneath 12V, then it’s likely that your battery is broken or drained and needs to be replaced.

Recommendation

If you are looking for a cheaper ATV battery that can still perform the work, then I recommend a conventional battery. Manufacturers usually offer a 1-year warranty on these batteries. But you have to be ready to refill the batteries with fluids every time they run out. On the other hand, the Gel cell battery comes at a price higher than the AGM because of the technological features it has. These features like permanently fixed filler make it a maintenance-free ATV battery.