Odyssey vs Optima – Are Optima batteries really better?

Optima is one of the most well-known brands of batteries you can buy today. But just how does it compare to others made by its competitors? Is there any benefit of going with Optima or, say, Odyssey? 

Choosing the right one is essential to provide you with hassle-free driving when it comes to batteries. There are plenty of options available to you, and among the best are Odyssey and Optima. This led, of course, to people asking which is better. Below we take a look at the Odyssey vs Optima battery.  

So without any further ado, let us carry out a more detailed comparison of the two brands we have mentioned above. 

Odyssey Battery vs Optima Battery – Head To Head

Both of these battery brands can provide customers with AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries. 

The sealed construction of these high-end batteries that Optima and Odyssey offer are far more resilient to vibration and shock.  

Both these brands’ AGM batteries come with a good CCA (cold cranking amps) rating and an RC (reserve capacity). Also, they are resistant to vibration and have much more tolerance for deep discharge. They can go down to around 60%.  

These are usually sealed systems, and they can continue working no matter what angle they are at and do not need hydrogen vents. 

However, when it comes to buying a replacement battery for your vehicle, there are certain essential features you need to consider. Scroll down to find out the differences, and help you decide whether the Odyssey battery is better than the Optima one.

CCA Rating: Optima Can’t Beat Odyssey

A battery CCA rating and its CA (cranking amps) rating are two of the most crucial measurements you need to consider when purchasing a new battery.

When it comes to their CCA ratings, you will find that Odyssey batteries are much higher than Optima batteries. 

For example, if you are looking for a new Group 34 battery, the Odyssey 34 PC1500 comes with a CCA rating of 850, whereas the Optima D34 comes with a CCA rating of 750. 

For those looking for a replacement Group 31 marine battery, the Odyssey 31M comes with a CCA rating of 1150, whilst the Optima D31M comes with a CCA rating of just 900. 

Some options you can choose here:

RC Rating: Choose Odyssey With Higher RC For Your Troll Motor Applications

It is important to note that Odyssey batteries contain more lead in them but are the same size as Optima batteries. This is crucial as it is critical for troll motor applications.  

Also, how much lead a battery contains contributes to helping determine a battery’s reserve capacity. RC is crucial because it shows how a battery can run electronic devices, pumps, lights or a trolling motor in a vehicle. 

The best indication of how much lead a battery contains is how much it weighs. You will notice a big difference if you look at the Optima Group 34 batteries against the Odyssey Group 34 batteries. 

For example, the Optima 34M weighs in at 38 lbs, but the Odyssey 34 1500T weighs a whopping 50 lbs. 

Again take a look at the Optima D31M battery; this weighs just 59 lbs, unlike the Odyssey Group 31 2150 battery that is 19 lbs heavier and weighs 78 lbs. 

See Optima D31M and Odyssey Group 31 here:

Old Spiral Plate In Optima Vs Thin Plate In Odyssey

Even though both the Odyssey and Optima batteries you can buy are built using AGM technology, there is one significant difference between them. The difference is that Optima batteries use spiral plates rather than thin ones as they do in the Odyssey batteries. 

So what is the difference?

The plates are stacked within the case in a square shape in Odyssey batteries. Each of the cells within the battery can produce 2 volts of electricity, and as there are a total of 6 cells in each battery, they make a total of 12 volts. 

As you will notice, when it comes to Optima batteries, they are a different shape as they are manufactured in a cylindrical design. The problem with this design is that using the spiral plates inside leads to less usable space, meaning they come with a lower reserve capacity. Plus, they aren’t as shock and vibration resistant as those batteries that use plates in their design.

However, as both of these are made using AGM technology, there isn’t any chance that the liquid inside will be spilt, no matter what kind of terrain you choose to drive your vehicle on. 

Lower Resistance In Odyssey Batteries

Batteries that come with lower internal resistance can charge a lot faster and are also able to produce much higher cranking amps. All of this is beneficial in helping to increase the battery’s life. 

For example, if you were to get an Odyssey Group 34 battery comes with a lower internal resistance of 2.2 mΩ, whereas an Optima Group 34 battery has an internal resistance of 2.5 mΩ. 

Odyssey batteries you will find are up to discharge to a depth of 80% for 400 charge-discharge cycles. 

Buy Odyssey battery with lower internal resistance here:

Longevity – Odyssey Is The Winner

These days you will find that Odyssey batteries do outshine Optima batteries. Odyssey batteries come with a design life of 8 to 12 years and a service life between 3 and 10 years. 

Price – Optima Is The Winner

When it comes to how much batteries cost, you will find that Optima batteries are a much more affordable option compared to Odyssey ones. On average, expect to pay around $10 to $30 less for Optima batteries against the same size from Odyssey.

See battery which is cheaper here:

Warranty

There isn’t a great deal of difference when it comes to the warranty on these two brands of batteries. However, Optima has a slight edge over Odyssey. You get a three-year full replacement warranty with any Optima battery, which is increased to 4 years with Odyssey batteries (all BCI sizes). 

Feedback/Reviews From Customers On Forums & Amazon

As you look through the many reviews and feedback provided by customers on these two brands of batteries, you find that they differ somewhat. Many forum members leave quite a lot of negative feedback and comments relating to Optima batteries. 

But it is always a good idea to carry out your own research and read through any comments or feedback other customers have left on forums or Amazon. 

Verdict – So Which Is Better? The Odyssey Battery Or The Optima Battery?

Now that we have explained the difference between these two brands, you should choose the one that best suits your needs. 

Who Should Buy Odyssey?

You should buy an Odyssey battery if you are looking for one that you know will last. They may cost more, but it is worth it as they not only come with a better CCA and RC rating, they will also last longer before they need to be replaced. 

Who Should Buy Optima?

However, if you are on a tight budget, you really should look at getting an Optima battery for your vehicle. As already mentioned above, these batteries tend to run at between $10 and $30 cheaper than the ones that Odyssey produces. 

Group 34 Optima vs Odyssey Battery

Below, we will compare the Optima Group 34 battery against the Odyssey Group 34 battery. You can see the differences between dual-purpose batteries of the same size but from 2 different battery brands, and easily make a buying decision.

Why Is The Odyssey Battery Better Than The Optima Battery?

The main reasons why you may want to consider getting an Odyssey battery rather than an Optima battery are as follows:

• They come with a higher CCA and RC rating.
• Odyssey Group 34 batteries have a lower internal resistance than the Optima Group 34 batteries, which means they charge faster, produce higher cranking amps, and have longer battery life. 

Why Is The Optima Battery Better Than The Odyssey Battery?

Although the differences between both these batteries in relation to CCA and RC ratings are very minimal, the main reasons why Optima is better are as follows:

• They are cheaper to buy.
• They have a more extended warranty.
• More options to choose based on the vehicles you own: Group 34 YellowTop for automobiles and Group 34 BlueTop for Marine.

Buy Group 34 YellowTop and Group 34 BlueTop here: