Group 78 batteries are powerful batteries designed to deliver more power or strong currents for people with power-hungry cars and trucks. These batteries can handle loads such as multimedia devices, pumps, winches, chargers, and inverters.
With so many loads to carry, it is important that you only go for an option that is reliable. Whether you’re looking to purchase a Starting Group 78 battery or Dual-Purpose Group 78 battery, you would be spending quite a lot, so you should only go for the option that makes the investment count.
In this post, we’d be revealing the best Group 78 batteries as per our research, but before then…
What is a Group 78 Battery?
BCI Group 78 batteries are a group of car and light truck batteries often used in Stop-and-Go automotive applications. These batteries are the best picks for users looking for options that provide large currents and would recharge quickly.
The physical dimensions of Group 78 batteries are similar to that of other battery groups especially Group 34 and Group 24. Here are the dimensions of the following groups:
- Group 78: 10.25 (L) x 7.0625 (W) x 7.6875 (H) inches (26 x 17.9 x 19.6 cm)
- Group 34: 10.25 (L) x 6.8125 (W) x 7.875 (H) inches (26 x 17.3 x 20 cm)
- Group 24: 10.25 (L) x 6.8125 (W) x 8.875 (H) inches (26 x 17.3 x 22.5)
You will notice that both Group 34 and Group 24 batteries have similar but lower dimensions. This allows you to use these batteries interchangeably. In fact, you will come across some batteries labeled as 34/78 featuring both top SAE terminals and side 3/8” terminals which are features that you would find on both individual battery groups. You may also find letters “DT” (Dual Terminals) which helps to distinguish them from others.
Best Group 78 Batteries: Our Top 4 Recommendations
With so many Group 78 batteries from different, all flaunting similar specs and each priding itself as the best, you have to set aside a lot of time to search for the best buy.
The good news is that there is no need for that. We’ve carefully handpicked the best Group 78 Batteries in terms of reliability, efficient performance, durability, and long-term warranty.
1. Delphi BU9078 MaxStart AGM Premium Automotive Battery
- Cold Cranking Amps: 775 CCA
- Dimension: 10.8 x 7.4 x 7 inches
- Reserve Capacity: 120 Minutes
- Voltage: 12 V
- Weight: 43 lbs.
Our Review
If you’re shopping for a tough and durable group 78 car battery, then you can never go wrong with the Delphi BU9078. This top-of-the-line battery comes with all the right specs including a design that won’t fail with years of use. It is designed to give your car powerful bursts of power that allow for a reliable start every time you use it. It comes with 775 cold-cranking amps (CCA) and 120 minutes of reserve capacity (R.C.)
Aside from efficient power delivery, this battery is fortified to last you two or three times as long as flooded types. Its tough exterior would provide 20x the vibration resistance of flooded batteries. This superior resistance, optimized components compressions, and fortified exterior that ensures the battery would perform perfectly even in the toughest conditions.
Also, you won’t have to worry about corrosion resistance thanks to the sealed housing with a manifold venting system. This feature ensures that no condensation occurs which makes it quite impossible for corrosion to take place.
The Delphi BU9078 is an AGM battery which is a big plus to its long line of features. AGM batteries are sturdier and would last twice as long as conventional batteries. With proper maintenance, you can get three times the service life of flooded batteries out of AGM-battery types. Being an AGM battery, the Delphi BU9078 comes with all the pros including a 36-month warranty that gives some assurance of its quality.
Pros
- Exact OEM AGM fit replacement.
- Improved cycle life
- More resistant to vibration
- Faster recharging than conventional batteries
Cons
- Not best for use in extreme conditions
2. Optima 8078-109 78 RedTop Starting Battery
- Cold Cranking Amps: 800 CCA
- Dimension: 10 x 6.8 x 7.8 inches
- Reserve Capacity: 100 Minutes
- Voltage: 12 V
- Weight: 39.5 lbs.
Our Review
The Optima 8078-109 78 RedTop Starting Battery features a six-pack design that ensures its efficient power delivery, reliability, and durability. This battery is designed to provide power for a wide range of vehicles including conventional sedans, crossovers, and SUVs. As long as your vehicle uses an alternator, this battery would fit just right regardless of if it uses a diesel or gasoline engine.
At the heart of the Optima 8078-109 78 is a series of individual spiral-wound cells composed of two pure lead plates coated in lead oxide. This exceptional design allows the battery to deliver powerful bursts of ignition power for a reliable start-up with every use.
Featuring 800 cold-cranking amps (CCA) and a 100-minute reserve capacity (R.C.), this battery is designed to deliver high cranking ability even in extreme weather conditions.
Thanks to the unique SpiraCell design, this would remain efficient and reliable even with years of use, proving strong and clean power for your vehicle.
The Optima 8078-109 78 is an AGM battery which means it is maintenance-free and would last twice as long as conventional types. You will also find that the battery charges faster thanks to the low internal resistance. Overall, the Optima 8078-109 78 is a great pick for car owners looking for a battery with impressive high-power delivery for strong starting bursts.
Pros
- Mountable in virtually any position
- 15x more vibration resistance than conventional batteries
- Impressive high-power delivery
- Up to 2x longer life
Cons
- Warranty issues when purchased online
3. AC Delco 78AGM Professional AGM Battery
- Amp Hour: 60 Ah
- Cold Cranking Amps: 740 CCA
- Cranking Amps: 890 CA
- Dimension: 10.9 x 7.3 x 7.2 inches
- Positive Position: Left Hand
- Reserve Capacity: 115 Minutes
- Voltage: 12 V
- Warranty: 36 Months
- Weight: 39.3 lbs.
Our Review
With a high CCA rating of 740 amps, the AC Delco 78AGM is one of the best buys for large trucks and other vehicles that would require more power. This battery comes with a high-density negative paste that improves its stability and extends its life allowing the battery to maintain its efficiency even after several years of use.
The ACDelco 78AGM, as the name implies, is an AGM battery. This means you get a spill-proof design that won’t spill or leak while in use. The absorbed glass matt keeps the electrolyte sealed and suspended so you won’t have to worry about any liquid electrolyte spilling as with flooded batteries. This also means that the liquid of the battery won’t freeze during the winter so you would be able to start your car even in the freezing cold.
The lack of a liquid electrolyte makes this battery easier to maintain. You won’t have to check the water level or always add water to keep the battery in good working condition. AGM batteries are known to have a lower internal resistance which allows them to charge faster than conventional types. Lastly, the AC Delco 78AGM comes with a 36-month free replacement warranty.
Pros
- High-density negative paste
- Maintenance-free design
- AGM construction makes it spill-proof
- Robust envelope separator
Cons
- Strict warranty claim process
4. Optima 8014-045 D34/78 YellowTop Battery
- Amp Hour: 55 Ah
- Cold Cranking Amps: 750 CCA
- Cranking Amps: 890 CA
- Dimension: 10 x 6.88 x 7.8 inches
- Terminal Type: SAE Terminal
- Reserve Capacity: 120 Minutes
- Voltage: 12 V
- Warranty: 36 Months
- Weight: 43.5 lbs.
Our Review
If you’re looking to purchase a powerful AGM battery designed to Deep Cycle applications, then the Optima YellowTop batteries are your best bet. This battery line is designed to handle higher electric loads and deep cycle uses which makes it a great pick if your vehicle has multiple electronic accessories or it doesn’t have an alternator.
The Optima 8014-045 D34/78 YellowTop battery is a group 78 battery designed to cater to all your vehicle’s needs. This dual-purpose battery can serve a group 34 battery as well as a group 78 battery.
With premium cranking power, low self-discharge rate, unparalleled cycling capability, this battery is built to be tough, efficient, and reliable. Its AGM design makes the battery spill-proof and mountable in almost any position. It would also last 3x longer than conventional types. To ensure it remains sturdy in all applications, it features a polypropylene exterior that allows for 15x more vibration resistance. It recharges faster allowing for 300+ discharge/recharge.
Overall, the Optima 8014-045 D34/78 YellowTop battery is a great pick for any car owner looking for a reliable battery with high cranking power that can be used in deep cycle applications.
Pros
- Up to 3x longer life than flooded batteries
- Faster recharging
- 300+ discharge/recharge cycles
- Dual-purpose automotive battery
Cons
- Quite expensive
