9 Best Golf Cart Batteries of 2024—Cheap & Long-Lasting
A perfect golf cart battery should provide a decent travel distance and life span with lower maintenance and charging time. Also, it should be leakage, shock, and vibration-proof with extremely safe mechanisms.
We know a powerful battery is the heart of the golf cart. Without the best golf cart battery, we golf geeks may face several frustrations, like slower speed, long time charging, and can be shut down in between the game.
After testing about 40 batteries we have come up with a list of the top 9 best golf cart batteries of 2024 with extremely decent charging capacity, safer operation, maintenance-free, compact, and balanced weight, and last but not least they can last longer than your expectations.
Let’s check out our top 3 winners:
Universal Power 12V 100Ah
Weize 12V 100AH
WindyNation 100 amp-Hour
Quick Tips to Select the Best Golf Cart Battery Of 2024
Voltage: Golf cart batteries have 4V, 6V, 12V, or 24V. you just need to see on the user manual of your golf cart which one should be more efficient for your golf cart. Similarly, you can check out the Ah (ampere per hour) on the user manual to get an idea of how much is needed.
for e.g: I use 4 x 12 Volts batteries for my 48V golf cart, which needs 500 AH of power
Installation and maintenance ease: Your selected battery should be easy to install and should require little to no maintenance. I suggest you buy the gel battery with a spill valve so that you don’t have to change the water or maintain it.
Temperature Sensors: A good battery should have warm and cold sensors so that it can work even in harsh conditions.
Warranty, life span, and customer support: Your selected unit should have at least a 1-year warranty with quick customer support.
Also, it should be durable and long-lasting enough to provide you with great performance for at least 3–5 years
Safe and environmentally friendly: Safety and the environment are our first priorities; make sure to select a unit that is safe and emits little to no amount of hazardous gases.
Used or Newer one: Always purchase a newer one; you can purchase a used one if you have a tight budget.
Size and weight: Size should be compact and easy to fit, however, the weight is the most crucial part; it should be medium, not too heavy or lightweight because we have to balance our vehicle
1. Universal Power Group 12V 100Ah AGM SLA – Best Golf Cart Battery
FEATURES & SPECS
Though this battery is not compact and lightweight, still it lasts longer, without losing the charge. Other than that I mounted it at any position because it is an AGM/SLA Deep cycle battery, Also I don’t need to care about the safety and maintenance.
Due to its impressive sealed spill-proof mechanism, I have never seen a leakage even though I am using it on both water and land, moreover, it is extremely safe since it doesn’t leak or emit gasses. Due to its heavy weight, I don’t recommend you to use it in a lightweight kayak, boats, etc.
Though some users are complaining about the lifespan but mine is working perfectly even though I am using it for multiple applications like a yacht, golf cart, RV, solar kit, etc. Also, I got 1 year of warranty.
2. Weize 12V 100AH – Best Golf Cart Battery Under $200
FEATURES & SPECS
Weize 12V 100AH is a true deep cycle battery for the electric golf cart that provides long-lasting pollution-free performance by utilizing its heavy-duty calcium-alloy grid.
Its Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) technology and the anti-overheat cover are proving to be strong and leakage-free even off-roading, float, etc. I am surprised to see its performance even in harsh conditions.
Other than that I don’t need to maintain it because of the sealed water-free valve-regulated mechanism. Though I have to look at its terminal after a certain time but I never found any rust. Also, its compact design is perfect for indoor and golf cart placements.
Due to their phenomenal float and cyclic performance the Weize 12V 100AH Deep Cycle AGM batteries are being utilized in multiple applications like golf carts, electric scooters, RVs, travel trailers Solar Panels, Kayaks, boats, etc.
As per our Tests Weize 12V 100AH deserve 9.2/10.
3. WindyNation 100 amp-Hour 100AH 12V 12 Volt AGM Deep Cycle Sealed Lead Acid Battery
FEATURES & SPECS
Windy nation 100amp-hour is an ideal True Deep cycle AGM battery for you if you want a long-lasting unit, its 99.995% pure virgin lead restricts the charges magnificently, you will never counter the charring loss. Though it is a bit costly but I never face underpower or charging loss.
Though I have purchased it in October 2019 still it works near to new, even though we recharge it almost every day still its recharge and discharge time is perfect. Additionally, I got the battery strap and terminal protectors.
Other than that I never found a leakage even though I have used it on both water and floor, I used it for my electric golf cart, kayak, RV, etc. Never maintain it; I would say the sealed mechanism and design are up to the mark.
The manufacturer claims a 10-12 years float life which is not right at any cost but I bet it can last for 5 – 6 years.
4. ML35-12 GEL – 12 Volt 35AH Rechargeable Gel Type Battery – Best Budget Golf Cart Battery
FEATURES & SPECS
ML35-12 GEL is a Factory activated 12 volts 35AH GEL battery with a Maintenance-free mechanism that doesn’t require even an acid pack. Its advanced space-saving design allows me to mount it at any position and sustain the high temperatures even if I am driving my golf cart in a cold or warm environment. This could be the best affordable golf cart battery for you if you are living in a hot climate.
Note: Don’t mount it upside down.
Other than that its inner mechanism is specially designed to absorb the shocks and vibrations and prove to be last longer than ordinary gel batteries. Furthermore, Safety is one of the major benefits of ML35-12 GEL – 12 Volt 35AH, since it’s completely sealed you will not find hazardous gases or acidic water even during charging or driving your cart in a zigzag direction.
Since mighty Maxx always build versatile batteries this will also work well for your electric gates, fence, garages, medical equipment, electric scooters, wheelchairs, etc.
As per our experiments, ML35-12 GEL – 12 Volt 35AH deserves 9.2/10.
5. Mighty Max Battery ML35-12 – 12V 35AH
FEATURES & SPECS
If you are hunting for the best golf cart battery under $100 that can last for long without being maintained and can be fit easily at any position this is for you. Its absorbing glass matt technology is also added the necessary input to increase efficiency and safety by reducing maintenance.
When it comes to the customer support and warranty, I got the unit and it lasted for 6 months perfectly after that I found a slightly charging loss. I contacted to customer support they were kind enough to provide another unite after 2 working days and it works like a charm for my mini golf cart.
Furthermore, its inner mechanism and sealings are powerful enough to sustain the shocks, vibrations, and extremely low or high temperatures.
Though the charging time of this battery is pretty long, still it lasts for a long time without losing power. Other than that you may get a slightly low performance in real winter or harsh summer but it totally makes sense we don’t have to spend a few hundred bucks.
6. ExpertPower 12v 33Ah Rechargeable Deep Cycle Battery
FEATURES & SPECS
After hearing that this is the top-selling battery on Amazon I ordered it to include this in my list of best golf cart batteries.
The delivery time and the condition were perfect, I ran several tests to see the charging and discharging time and of Course the charging loss. Surprisingly the outcomes were perfect; the charging time was 6.3 hours and the lasting time was about 10 hours with my mini kayak.
I also use it with my boat and golf cart to check out the leakage and spill-proof mechanism, the results were pretty awesome I didn’t find even a drop of acid. Other than that the size and weight of the battery are pretty balanced, you can fit it without any alterations.
The AGM (Advanced Glass Mate) is perfectly designed to withstand the lowest and highest temperatures, but I didn’t find the low and high-temperature sensor which is not good, you can’t get better efficiency in real winter or harsh summer.
When it comes to the safety, warranty, and life span, the Expert Power 12v 33Ah is UL certified, which means it is completely sealed there will be no emissions of hazardous gases, etc. Also it comes with 1 year of warranty.
7. Chins LiFePO4 Battery 12V 100AH Lithium Battery – Built-in 100A BMS
FEATURES & SPECS
This is one of my favorite lithium golf cart batteries under $400, the delivery time is pretty fast and the built quality is excellent. After receiving I put it on the charging and got fully charged within 6 – 6.3 Hours which is pretty fast for a 100AH battery. The manufacturers have listed 100A Max but I got about 98A which is not that bad.
Since the battery is made from lithium-ion it is 30% lighter than lead-acid batteries and compact enough to fit in my golf cart, RV, kayak, yacht, etc. The only flaw I found is, it doesn’t have a low-temperature sensor which is strange. I purchased a separate LVD device during my winter trip.
The built-in BMS (built-in battery management system) is intelligent enough to protect the battery from overcharging, short circuits, over current with a maintained self-discharge rate. Other than that I was surprised that this is UL-certified which means we don’t have to care about safety, like leakages, blasts, etc.
Though I am using it for multipurpose like camping golfing, etc. but I didn’t find any charging loss or leakages hopefully it will last for at least 5 years.
8. Interstate Batteries 12V 55Ah Deep Cycle Battery (DCM0055)
FEATURES & SPECS
After receiving it I have done a few tests to identify the discharge, charge, and charging loss. The results were pretty decent I didn’t find any charging loss, longer charging, or fast draining.
I must say this is a real deep cycle SLA battery specifically designed for moving appliances like lawnmowers, golf carts, electric scooters, etc.
The weight, size, and sealed mechanisms are mind-blowing, I am using it for my both lawn mower and golf cart, and I found it is shock, vibration, and leakage proof.
After using it for 15 days I found this battery is pretty tough, powerful, and maintenance-free you can use it even in real winter because it has 200 cold-cranking amps.
Since it is a VRLA Technology, The spill-proof valve regulation design is pretty decent for removing spills and pressure; you don’t need to care about maintenance and safety.
The manufacturers are pretty serious about the replacements and warranty you will get a 1-year warranty and super-fast customer support for replacements.
9. Universal Power Group (35Ah)
FEATURES & SPECS
Like other premium batteries, universal power group 35Ah is a sealed lead-acid battery with AGM technology to reduce maintenance and risks of leakages. I found it very light, compact, and versatile to mount at any position, don’t mount it upside down.
Its spill valve design is premium I didn’t find any gas pressure and liquid even after using it for about 4 months on an irregular golf course, so it reflects that I don’t need to maintain it periodically. Other than that it can absorb shocks and vibrations because of the special grid design.
As per my journey, the universal power group 35Ah works perfectly, even after 4 months it’s charging and the discharging rate is fine, never found charging loss.
Overall it is one of the best budget golf cart batteries for you if you want longer-lasting, less maintenance with greater safety.
How to Buy The Best Golf Cart Battery
After testing multiple batteries we have made a checklist of factors that should be fulfilled in order to get maximum lasting power within an affordable price tag.
Without further ado lets, have a look at our checklist.
How To Test A New Golf Cart Battery?
Testing a new golf cart battery is essential, our team’s first task is to run several tests like the voltmeter test, lasting and charging test, etc.
I know many people don’t have access to several tools, still, they can do basic tests like charging and discharging or they can get help from their handy friends.
What Type Of Battery And How Much Voltage Should It Have?
Firstly check out the charger of your golf cart, if it has 6 volts make sure to select a 6 volts battery, it is important to check the cross-compatibility of a 12 volts battery that may not be charged perfectly with a 6 volts charger.
Below is our analysis of the battery type make sure to have a look.
- Lead-acid or flooded batteries can provide you with very little efficiency because they have 50% depth of discharge (DoD), also they are very cheap, and better to leave them if you want to get higher performance.
- Sealed lead-acid (SLA) Gel and AGM batteries have greater efficiency as they have 80% DoD. Though the capacity is the same as a flooded battery but you will get greater efficiency by spending a few more bucks.
- Lithium batteries are the most efficient ones with very high DoD but they are expensive.
Note: I personally prefer SLA (Sealed lead-acid batteries), they are budget-friendly, efficient, and can last longer than a flooded battery
Voltage:
Voltage is the power a golf cart battery can exert. You may find several capacity batteries like 6v, 8v,12v, 24v, etc. but you have to make a combination that can support your golf cart.
For e.g. you have a 48 volts golf you can make the following combination.
- 12Vx4 = 48V
- 6Vx8 = 48V
- 4Vx12 = 48
You can include any batteries in your pack but make sure that the final sum should be 48V
You can find voltage requirements on the user manual of your golf cart, you can see my golf cart’s voltage and ampers requirements.
I can install 6Vx8, 4×12, or 12Vx4, but I have installed a 6Vx8 combination as suggested by the manufacturers.
Amperes:
Amperes reflect how much a golf cart can travel, the higher the ampere higher the mileage.
Let’s have a look at our amperes and voltage table.
| NO: of Batteries | Voltage of Each | Total Voltage | Total Amps | Travel DIstance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 4 | 48 | 450 | 7 – 8 Miles |
| 6 | 8 | 48 | 800 | 13 – 14 Miles |
| 4 | 12 | 48 | 600 | 9 – 11 miles |
| 6 | 6 | 36 | 650 | 11 – 12 miles |
Temperature Sensors:
Temperature sensors are essential if you are living in a warm or cold region. In cold regions where the temperature becomes -10 or more, then the cold sensor helps to provide the desired efficiency by providing signals to your battery.
Similarly in warm regions where the temperature is more than 45 the warm sensors will also shoot signals to the battery to enhance the performance.
Charging Speed:
Your selected golf cart battery should be charged perfectly, if it takes too much time make sure to connect it with a voltmeter to identify whether it works properly or not. if you got slightly less voltage even after full charge, just replace it.
For e.g.: A normal 12V battery charges fully at 12.2 or 12.3 volts, if it provides 11.5V you should consult with the manufacturer.
Price Tag:
It depends, a lower capacity battery can be purchased from 50 – 120 bucks and a higher capacity battery can cost you 150 to 500 bucks.
Though lower capacity batteries are not that bad they can last for 1-2 years perfectly but you will get low mileage you can only drive a few miles, however, a higher capacity battery will not only last longer but also provide greater mileage
Weight And Dimensions:
Compact and Medium weight golf cart batteries are more suitable as compared to bulky ones because they may need more space, your golf cart’s engine may need to produce more power because of the high load, which causes some engine faults.
On the other hand, your battery shouldn’t be too light since you are going to drive it on a golf course so it needs to be stable. Too light batteries that have 5-10 lbs may not provide you desired stability; however 20 – 60 lbs. are best to get higher stability.
Maintenance Free:
Try to purchase a gel battery with a spill valve so that you don’t need to do maintenance like pour acid water, clean terminals, etc.
Warranty And Customer Support:
Well-reputed manufacturers like Universal Power, expert power, etc. will provide you with great customer support and a long-lasting warranty of 1-3 years or more. Depends on the price tag and quality of the battery.
A few tips to use the warranty properly.
- Read the instructions of manufacturers about the battery; make sure to read them carefully.
- Don’t dismantle the battery if it still has a warranty.
- Call customer support after getting any problem.
Check out our guide about Top rated Marine batteries
When Should I Replace My Golf Cart Battery?
I am doing the following test to identify whether my golf cart battery is in working condition or should be replaced.
Voltmeter test: I simply connect a voltmeter and check out the voltage of the fully charged battery, if I found a huge voltage drop it is a strong sign to replace my battery.
For e.g.: A battery of 12 volts should be fully charged at 12.1V – 12.3V, but after a certain time it is fully charged at 10.5V which means the battery is dead, it doesn’t have the capacity to hold power.
Inspect the physical condition of the Battery: If the physical condition of the battery is rough like its middle is enlarged, the cover is broken, some liquids emit out, etc. then it should be replaced.
Golf cart does not cover the desired distance: Obviously, a user can detect the desired distance properly, e.g. I am driving a golf cart for 7 miles with a single charge and after some time I can cover only 4.5 miles which means the battery needs a voltmeter test.
Note: A good battery should at least provide 7 miles with a single charge.
Increased charging time: If your battery takes a long time to charge than usual you should take a voltmeter test it is a strong cause of charging and power loss.
Golf cart reduces speed and power: When the battery becomes old or dead, you may feel the lower speed, and power, or in the worst case, your golf cart may stop after a certain distance.
- Check out our guide about Top rated Rv batteries
How To Clean Or Maintain The Golf Cart Battery?
Though the manufacturer claimed that their battery is maintenance-free which is true for some of the high-quality batteries, still we have to inspect our batteries for at least after 6-month to avoid any risks of failure.
Below is the step-by-step guide to cleaning and maintaining your top-rated golf car battery
- Read the manufacturer’s manual to get a proper idea of what is prohibited.
- Ware a pair of gloves, take an anti-corrosion distilled water, and start cleaning its outer body by sprinkling some distilled water or you can clean it with a wet cloth.
- Charge it regularly, so that your battery can’t reach below 25%.
- Check out the wires if you find any broken ones, replace them.
- Clean the terminals and rust from the connections with the help of sandpaper etc. Also, apply silicon paste on the top of the terminals to avoid oxidation.
How To Store The Golf Cart Battery?
- If you are in the coldest region make sure to fully charge it and place it in a slightly warm place.
- If you are in a warm region make sure to charge it half and place it in a slightly cold place
We have created a general guide about how to store a battery make sure to have a look
Should I Purchase Used or Brand New?
I know many golf cart owners who have purchased a used one and it lasts only for 1 – 2 months because they haven’t done Voltmeter and other essential tests. Though used batteries sometimes work fine if your budget is tight but I highly recommend you to get a newer one.
Still, if you are going to purchase a used one please follow the following checklist.
- After charging it, do a volt meter test and compare it with its voltage value if you find a huge difference leave it.
- Your selected battery shouldn’t be more than 6 months old.
- Physical condition should be clean. it should be leakage-free.
- Its terminal should be clean.
- Should be charged and discharged perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
How Long Do Golf Cart Batteries Last?
A quality golf cart battery can last from 4 – 6 years depending on the care, if you are maintaining it perfectly, you will get the desired longevity, however, without maintenance, you may get 1-2 years of life span.
Should I leave my golf cart plugged in all the time?
A big No, although modern golf cart chargers have an automatic power cutoff system still I don’t recommend you to do that, there may be the risk of damaging the battery’s cells because of circuit tripping.
Can you put 4 x 12-volt batteries in a 48-volt golf cart?
Yes, you can, even you can attach 8 batteries of 6V or 12 batteries of 4V, still, we recommend you to attach higher power batteries to avoid the upfront cost. Also, you will save lots of space as well.
How much does it cost to replace golf cart batteries?
It depends on the quality, capacity, and number of batteries you want to replace. If you want to replace a single battery of 12V it may cost you $100-$200 depending on the quality. If you want to replace all you may have to spend more. I spent $800 to replace the batteries of my 48V golf cart.
Can you overcharge your golf cart batteries?
The simple answer is no, as we have mentioned above, they can damage the battery cells even if your charger has a sensor to cut off the electrical power.
What is the best way to charge golf cart batteries?
Charge it with your golf cart charger, and make sure to charge them regularly if you are a daily user, I charge 7-8 hours if I drive for a long time. You can put it on charge overnight as well
How often do golf cart batteries need water?
Once a month, I used to inspect the water levels after 1 month or 1.5 months, if I found less water I filled it.
Can you replace just one battery on a golf cart?
Yes, if your 1 or 2 batteries are dead, you can replace them.
u003cstrongu003eHow do I know if my golf cart batteries are bad?u003c/strongu003e
If they provide less mileage, less power, take time to charge, leak gases, acids, etc. then they will not last long.
u003cstrongu003eHow far will a golf cart go on a full charge?u003c/strongu003e
I am getting 8 – 9 miles with a full charge and my batteries are pretty old, so a set of good batteries should provide you at least 7 miles of the drive.
u003cstrongu003eHow can I extend the battery life of my golf cart?u003c/strongu003e
With maintenance and careful usage, you can prolong the life of your batteries.
u003cstrongu003eWhat happens if you put too much water in a battery?u003c/strongu003e
Excessive water can overflow and will damage the battery.
u003cstrongu003eCan you put tap water in golf cart batteries?u003c/strongu003e
No, Batteries need proper acid water full of ions, tap water may ruin your golf cart battery.
u003cstrongu003eHow many batteries are needed for the Golf cart application?u003c/strongu003e
Depending on the voltage of the golf cart and batteries, if a golf cart has 48 voltages you can put 4x12V, 8x6V, or 4x12V.
u003cstrongu003eWhy Is the Battery for Golf Cart Draining So Quickly?u003c/strongu003e
It may lose the power make sure to do a voltmeter test and see if it loses the power you have to replace it.
Josh is a highly skilled electrician with specialized expertise in the field of generators. With years of experience under his belt, he has established himself as an expert in all aspects of generators, ranging from installation and maintenance to troubleshooting and repairs. Josh’s in-depth knowledge of electrical systems and his commitment to staying updated with the latest industry advancements make him a reliable and sought-after professional.