Diehard vs. Duralast Batteries: Which to Choose

Gone are the days when you had limited automobile battery choices. The automotive industry experienced tremendous growth over the past few years. It’s 2022, and several reputable brands sell batteries for the efficient operation of your vehicle. 

Choosing the right battery can be an overwhelming pursuit with several available options. 

As of now, Diehard and Duralast battery brands are taking over the industry with quality battery production. Car owners have a hard time choosing between both and wonder which is the best option. 

Diehard vs. Duralast batteries both have their pros and cons. Therefore, your unique preferences will determine which battery is right for your car.

We’ll unveil the features of both batteries in the guide below to help you pick one for your vehicle. 

About Diehard Company 

The appearance of the Diehard company can be traced back to 1967 when Sears Roebuck designed the DieHard to generate 35% more usable starting power than conventional batteries. 

Fast forward to 2017, the company celebrated its 50th anniversary, and Advance Auto Parts, an American automotive aftermarket parts supplier, acquired the company. 

The DieHard company introduced the Platinum automotive battery in 2020. This battery was more reliable and had 30% more durability than traditional flooded batteries. 

In late 2020, the brand surprised its consumers by introducing Platinum AGM batteries. Later, the Underwriter Laboratories (UL) certified the DieHard AGM batteries in 2022. 

The certification company highlighted that the batteries are made of 94% recycled materials. This encouraged consumers to shift to environmentally friendly brands that practice sustainable production methods. 

The company continues to expand and is currently among the most reputable battery brands globally. 

About Duralast 

Durlast batteries are a product of AutoZone, a leading American aftermarket automotive parts and accessories retailer. Johnson Controls International, a global multi-industry company, manufactures the premium series of Duralast. 

Johnson and numerous Milwaukee investors established the multinational brand in 1885. Headquartered in Cork, Ireland, Johnson Controls has around 2,000 sites in different countries, including Belgium, Australia, the USA, Austria, Brazil, and Argentina. 

Besides Johnson Controls, several other brands have manufactured Duralast batteries. For instance, East Penn and Exide are among the two popular names. 

The former is a privately held firm that provides Duralast batteries and owns the biggest lead-acid battery facility worldwide. The latter doesn’t make premium-quality batteries like the former. Better yet, their batteries are reliable and affordable. 

Diehard Vs. Duralast Batteries: An In-Depth Comparison

Since both battery brands hold a solid reputation in the world of automotive brands, consumers find it challenging to choose between both. That’s partly because they aren’t familiar with the unique features each battery offers. 

A look into the specifications of both batteries clarifies their advantages and disadvantages. So, without further ado, here’s an in-depth comparison of DieHard vs. Duralast batteries.

Battery Type 

Battery type is perhaps the first thing to consider when picking the right battery. The market has two popular battery categories: AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat Batteries) and Flooded Lead-Acid batteries. Let’s explore the characteristics of both. 

Absorbent Glass Mat Batteries 

These batteries have electrolyte in liquid form that triggers a chemical reaction to get the engine working. It has all the chemicals, including lead and sulfuric acid, sealed inside the fiberglass mat – hence the name, absorbent glass batteries. 

Lead management becomes less challenging due to the chemicals inside the fiberglass. First, the chemicals do not move. Second, the overall weight drops. As a result, the battery power is quite robust. 

Many new vehicles use AGM batteries, and both brands (DieHard and Duralast) manufacture several AGM-based models. 

Most DieHard batteries perform better in this regard and give an extended battery life. However, a few Duralast batteries also provide decent performance with a higher lifespan. 

Flooded Lead-Acid Batteries

Flood Lead-Acid batteries are primarily used in old vehicle models that do not feature modern internal components. They have been around for decades, and car owners have been using them for generations. 

They also contain electrolyte in liquid form that produces a chemical reaction to start the engine. However, unlike the former battery types, the chemical components are openly spread around the battery. Put simply; you can easily access them. 

As soon as these batteries are attached to a car, the acid forms a bond with the lead plates, resulting in an electric reaction. This produces electricity through the attached circuit. 

Both brands manufacture Flooded lead-acid batteries. DieHard Flooded batteries tend to perform better, nonetheless. 

Voltage 

Standard car batteries have 12 DC volts. They are divided into 6 battery cases, each containing 2 volts. 

Both Duralast and DieHard batteries provide 12-volt batteries. 

That said, a few Duralast batteries also provide 6 volts of DC charge. However, they are for old vehicle models for the most part. 

So, we can conclude both winners in this regard because they offer the standard battery volts. 

Battery Variations 

You’ll find several DieHard and Duralast battery variations on the market. For instance, popular Diehard batteries include: 

• DieHard Platinum AGM 
• DieHard Platinum 
• DieHard Red 
• DieHard Silver 
• DieHard Gold

Duralast batteries, however, offer only two variations: 

• Duralast Platinum 
• Duralast Gold 

Therefore, DieHard is a winner for those seeking more battery variations. They offer 3 more battery variations than Duralast. 

Cold Cranking Amps

The Cold Cranking Amps, also called CCA, determine a battery’s ability to work in colder environments. Car owners know batteries work hard to power the engine in extremely cold environments. In fact, a few batteries fail to function in freezing temperatures. 

However, batteries with higher CCA ratings work optimally even during cold months. 

Duralast batteries offer decent cold cranking amps scoring between 710-810A. On the other hand, DieHard batteries provide a CCA rating between 900-575A. Therefore, if you live in a region with frequent cold spells, DieHard batteries will cater to your needs. 

Though Duralast batteries also have optimal CCA ratings, DieHard performs slightly better due to its high CCA ratings. 

Cranking Amps

Cranking Amps refers to the total amps a battery produces within a half minute at 32F or 0C. An excellent battery must produce between 1.1-0.1 amps for each cell. 

Fortunately, both Duralast and DieHard batteries provide good cranking amps. However, the precise cranking amps at 32F vary per model. 

You can visit this site to check out the cranking amps of different DieHard battery models. Likewise, you can visit the official site of Duralast to learn about the cranking amps of different Duralast batteries. 

Reserve Capacity 

Reserve Capacity refers to the minutes a vehicle’s battery can generate 25 amps at 26C or 80F. It must be done by reducing the minimum volts to 1.75 for every cell. 

Here’s where Duralast outshines the DieHard batteries. Most DieHard batteries have a Reserve Capacity between 90-140 minutes. In fact, a few have an RC capacity of 80-115 minutes. 

On the flip side, DieHard Platinum Absorbent Glass Mat has a Reserve capacity of whopping 160 minutes. 

However, it is worth noting that this is true for a single DieHard battery type. Others have an RC rating similar to Duralast batteries. 

Price 

DieHard and Duralast batteries have different prices depending on their features, size, battery type, and overall quality. So, you’ll see price variations in different models from both brands. 

Warranty 

DieHard outpaces Duralast by offering 3 years of warranty. Duralast, on the other hand, only offers a warranty of 2 years. 

Benefits of Diehard Batteries 

Here are a few pros of Diehard batteries. 

• They have better Cold Cranking Amps. 
• You have the option to choose between 5 battery variations 
• Owners can enjoy 3 years of warranty 
• The battery provides an extended lifespan 
• Their Reserve Capacity is higher than Duralast (however, this stands true for a single model)
• The brand offers more years of warranty 

Benefits of Duralast Batteries

Here are a few advantages of Duralast batteries 

• A few models have less price than DieHard batteries 
• The brand manufacturers premium AGM batteries 
• Duralast promises durability and longevity

DieHard Vs. Duralast: Which Batteries Last Longer? 

The average lifespan of DieHard batteries is somewhere between 3-5 years. However, this depends on several factors, including the temperature, your maintenance habits, and battery usage. 

Duralast batteries also have an average lifespan similar to the former (3-5 years). But again, how long the battery lasts depends on the climatic conditions of your area and the amount of time you spend driving the car. 

DieHard Vs. Duralast: Battery Variations 

Previously, we enlisted the battery variations of DieHard and Duralast companies. Now is the time to dig into their unique specifications. 

DieHard 

Here’s a list of DieHard battery variations and their features. 

Red

DieHard Red is an entry-level battery. It’s primarily built for ignition. Therefore, you can replace an ordinary car battery with this one. 

As with other battery companies, the precise specifications vary per the battery size. However, you can expect this from a typical DieHard red battery. 

• Type: Flooded Lead-Acid Battery 
• RC: 93
• CCA: 650
• CA: 810 
• Warranty 1 year 

Gold 

DieHard Gold batteries are known for their superior functionality. However, they are primarily designed for old car models. 

Therefore, they might fail to function with high-powered new vehicle models. However, its grid technology limits corroding issues, and its output is 60% more than the former. 

• Type: Flooded Lead-Acid Battery 
• RC: 100
• CCA: 640 
• CA: 810 
• Warranty: 3 years 

Silver

DieHard Silver is an ideal choice for vehicles with basic accessories. They are often considered dual-purpose batteries because they can start the vehicle’s engine and run a few other things. 

For instance, they can also power your air conditioner and lights. However, it may not be ideal for cars with snazzy features. 

• Type: Flooded Lead-Acid Battery 
• RC: 115
• CCA: 800
• CA: 1000 
• Warranty: 2 Years 

Platinum AGM 

Platinum AGM batteries have fiberglass that holds the electrolyte in place and keeps it from moving. They have around 94% of recycled materials and last pretty long. 

• Type: Sealed Absorbent Glass Mat 
• RC: 120 
• CCA: 760 
• CA: 950 
• Warranty 3 years 

Platinum 

Platinum DieHard batteries feature stamped grids and work efficiently even at extreme temperatures. 

Another noticeable feature is their energy consumption. They consume 20% less energy. 

Platinum DieHard batteries work reasonably well to power mid-range accessories. However, they might lack sufficient power for vehicles with start-stop technology. 

Type: Flooded Cell 

RC: 115

CCA: 800

CA: 1000

Warranty: 4 years 

Besides these options, you’ll also find battery sub-categories for boats, landscaping equipment, hybrid cars, golf carts, and whatnot. Note that lawn, marine, and sports batteries have specifications similar to gold batteries. 

So, you’ll find “Gold” listed on the label. Also, a small drawing highlighting the vehicle type the battery is suitable for.

Duralast 

Here are a few battery options Duralast offers. 

Platinum 

Duralast Platinum is a deep-cycle battery primarily built to cater to marine requirements. This means it can provide a lower amount of current for extended periods. 

Previously, they were designed for boats and military vehicles. However, today, they can be used for off-road vehicles and cars with heavy-duty accessories. 

• Type: Sealed Absorbent Glass Mat 
• RC: 120 
• CCA: 710 
• CA: 880
• Warranty 3 years 

On a side note, because marine and car batteries have different uses, you cannot always use them interchangeably. A dual-purpose battery is better if you seek a battery that can power the engine and get your AC working. 

Most Duralast batteries are, fortunately, dual-purpose. However, make sure you read the specifications to be on the safe side. Alternatively, you can ask the manufacturer regarding it. 

Gold 

Duralast Gold Battery is the right choice for car owners living in extreme temperatures. It offers an extended life with efficient working in hot and cold climates. 

This is due to the presence of lead plates inside the battery, which boost its overall performance. Here’s what you can expect from a typical Duralast Gold battery. 

• Type: Flooded Cell 
• RC: 100
• CCA: 640 
• CA: 765
• Warranty: 3 years 

Final Words 

One cannot determine the correct battery type for their car without diving into the features of each. Although DieHard vs. Duralast are premium battery brands that offer reliable products, both have their advantages and disadvantages. 

Duralast batteries are for you if you seek low-cost yet premium AGM batteries with extended battery life. Those willing to purchase batteries with better cranking amps and high reserve capacity can go with DieHard. 

You must identify your needs by the end of the day before picking a battery for your car; it’ll help you choose the right one. 

Have fun shopping!