Battery topic

AGM Batteries: How They Work, Start-Stop and Real Specs

In an AGM battery the electrolyte is held in glass-fibre separators. It is a valve-regulated (VRLA) lead-acid design: spill-resistant and tolerant of partial state of charge.

Row of batteries

When do you need an AGM battery?

When the vehicle or equipment manufacturer specifies AGM — typically advanced start-stop, regenerative braking or high electrical loads. If AGM is fitted from the factory, replace it with AGM; fitting EFB or flooded is a downgrade.

Charging

Use a charger with an AGM mode; overcharging and heat shorten AGM life. Never add water.

Battery registration

Many modern vehicles with battery monitoring must be told that a new battery was installed (registration/coding with a diagnostic tool) so the charging strategy adapts.

Reading CCA

CCA is measured under different standards (SAE, EN, JIS). Only compare CCA values measured under the same standard.

Real references in our catalogue

Battery references with manufacturer source
CompareBatteryTechnologyVoltageCapacityCCAApprox. weightSource
Exide AGM EK508
EK508
AGM 12 V 50 Ah 800 std. n/s 17.5 kg exidegroup.com
Exide AGM EK700
EK700
AGM 12 V 70 Ah 760 std. n/s n/p exidegroup.com
Exide AGM EK800
EK800
AGM 12 V 80 Ah 800 std. n/s n/p exidegroup.com
Exide Dual AGM EP800
EP800
AGM 12 V 95 Ah 850 std. n/s 26.1 kg exidegroup.com
Interstate MTX MTX-34
MTX-34
AGM 12 V 60 Ah 740 std. n/s n/p interstatebatteries.com
Interstate MTX MTX-35
MTX-35
AGM 12 V 55 Ah 650 std. n/s n/p interstatebatteries.com
Interstate MTX MTX-48/H6
MTX-48/H6
AGM 12 V 70 Ah 760 std. n/s n/p interstatebatteries.com
Interstate MTX MTX-78
MTX-78
AGM 12 V 60 Ah 740 std. n/s n/p interstatebatteries.com
ODYSSEY Performance ODP-AGM34
ODP-AGM34
AGM 12 V 65 Ah C20 800 SAE 21 kg odysseybattery.com
ODYSSEY Performance ODP-AGM35
ODP-AGM35
AGM 12 V 59 Ah C20 765 SAE 23 kg odysseybattery.com
ODYSSEY Performance ODP-AGM48 H6 L3
ODP-AGM48 H6 L3
AGM 12 V 70 Ah C20 760 SAE 22 kg odysseybattery.com
ODYSSEY Performance ODP-AGM94R H7 L4
ODP-AGM94R H7 L4
AGM 12 V 80 Ah C20 850 SAE 25 kg odysseybattery.com
ODYSSEY Extreme ODX-AGM31
ODX-AGM31
AGM 12 V 103 Ah C20 1150 SAE 35.5 kg odysseybattery.com
ODYSSEY Extreme ODX-AGM34
ODX-AGM34
AGM 12 V 68 Ah C20 850 SAE 22.5 kg odysseybattery.com
ODYSSEY Extreme ODX-AGM34 78
ODX-AGM34 78
AGM 12 V 68 Ah C20 850 SAE 22.5 kg odysseybattery.com
ODYSSEY Marine/RV ODX-AGM34M
ODX-AGM34M
AGM 12 V 68 Ah C20 n/p 23 kg odysseybattery.com
ODYSSEY Extreme ODX-AGM65
ODX-AGM65
AGM 12 V 74 Ah C20 950 SAE 24.5 kg odysseybattery.com
OPTIMA REDTOP RT S 4,2
802 250 000 888 2
AGM 12 V 50 Ah 815 EN 17.2 kg uk.optimabatteries.com
OPTIMA REDTOP RT R 4,2
803 251 000 888 2
AGM 12 V 50 Ah 815 EN 17.2 kg uk.optimabatteries.com
OPTIMA REDTOP RT U 4,2
804 250 000 888 2
AGM 12 V 50 Ah 815 EN 17.6 kg uk.optimabatteries.com
OPTIMA YELLOWTOP YT S 4,2
812 254 000 888 2
AGM 12 V 55 Ah 765 EN 19.5 kg uk.optimabatteries.com
OPTIMA BLUETOP BT DC 4,2
816 253 000 888 2
AGM 12 V 55 Ah 765 EN 19.7 kg uk.optimabatteries.com
OPTIMA REDTOP RT U 3,7
822 255 000 888 2
AGM 12 V 44 Ah 730 EN 15 kg uk.optimabatteries.com
OPTIMA REDTOP RT R 3,7
835 255 000 888 2
AGM 12 V 44 Ah 730 EN 14.4 kg uk.optimabatteries.com
OPTIMA YELLOWTOP YT R 3,7
840 222 000 888 2
AGM 12 V 48 Ah 660 EN 16.6 kg uk.optimabatteries.com
OPTIMA YELLOWTOP YT S 5,5
851 187 000 888 2
AGM 12 V 75 Ah 975 EN 26.5 kg uk.optimabatteries.com
OPTIMA BLUETOP BT DC 5,5
852 188 000 888 2
AGM 12 V 75 Ah 975 EN 26.5 kg uk.optimabatteries.com
VARTA Dynamic AGM 560901068
560901068
AGM 12 V 60 Ah 680 std. n/s n/p varta-automotive.com
VARTA Dynamic AGM 570901076
570901076
AGM 12 V 70 Ah 760 std. n/s n/p varta-automotive.com
VARTA Dynamic AGM 580901080
580901080
AGM 12 V 80 Ah 800 std. n/s n/p varta-automotive.com
VARTA Dynamic AGM 595901085
595901085
AGM 12 V 95 Ah 850 std. n/s n/p varta-automotive.com
VARTA Dynamic AGM 605901095
605901095
AGM 12 V 105 Ah 950 std. n/s n/p varta-automotive.com
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Listed because the manufacturer’s data matches this category (type or technology). Being listed does not mean the battery suits your system — check its datasheet.

Frequently asked questions

Can I replace AGM with EFB?

No, if the vehicle came with AGM. EFB has lower cycling ability in partial state of charge. The reverse (EFB → AGM) is generally an upgrade, subject to the vehicle manufacturer's guidance.

Is spiral-wound AGM different?

Spiral-wound cells are an AGM construction with rolled plates. Electrically they are still AGM lead-acid; compare their datasheets like any other battery.