Walmart Batteries Are Getting Expensive

[macarose]

Five years ago you could get a Walmart Value battery for just under $50.

Today a 78 battery, one of their basic common batteries is $80 plus tax. That's a 60% price hike.

I still have alternative sources. One place the next town over sells refurbished batteries for $40. Also there are AAP stores that sell seconds and used batteries for $43. But rarely is a common size available like that 78.

I'm wondering if we'll be soon hitting a point where the price of replacement batteries will become so expensive that more folks will invest in basic tools and technologies that extends battery life.

Or maybe the automakers will develop their own software and related tools to make that so. One of the greatest consequences of deploying screens, modules, and auxiliary batteries in our vehicles is the inherent need for more reliable and longer lasting batteries.

What are your thoughts?

 

[SC Maintenance]

Doubtful the extra $35 will foster a whole new generation of battery reclamation hobbyists.

I did one of those batteries when they were $55. I tested it when I got home and it was only 80% health. Lasted 18 months though, which was pretty good for me.

$80 barely will buy dinner for 4 at the greasiest of spoons. Inflation is only 3%, so long as you don't need to buy food, energy, medical care, a car, insurance, college education or I guess batteries now.

 

[BHopkins]

Walmart batteries seemed to be no special value, when I looked at Walmart batteries a few months ago, to get a battery for a nephew's car. The prices of Walmart batteries were no better than Costco. It seemed to me that prices had went up quite a bit on Walmart batteries, at least since the previous time I had shopped them.

 

[Elkins45]

Group 78 made by Exide is $65 at Rural King. Two of my cars and my tractor are running RK batteries with no complaints.

 

[fantastic]

AGM + Battery Tender is the way to go these days. The folks that are buying a "Value" WM battery are just kicking the cost down the road further when it fails early? I'm sure this is an appeal to resellers but you'll just have to raise the price of the product accordingly like everyone else did.

 

[Doc8404]

all I can add is that my prologix charger has extended batteries for many years here in NY.

Even a lawnmower U1 that was 11.4v and said 0%.

Two days of letting it work its magic and she’s still cranking over.

 

[Hall]

I'm wondering if we'll be soon hitting a point where the price of replacement batteries will become so expensive

No. While WM may sell a LOT of batteries, ask the average person where to get a car battery. They'll say Autozone, O'Reilly, etc. Ever compared the price of batteries from there ?

The prices of Walmart batteries were no better than Costco.

Only checked two sizes - 51R and 35 - and Costco was $5 cheaper on the 51R and $10 cheaper on the 35. Problem is, Costco stores are generally inconvenient for many people (1-3 locations in many metro areas) vs dozens and dozens of auto parts stores, plus not everyone can go to Costco to buy a battery.

 

[mrsilv04]

I run the Rural King Classic ($65) batteries for 5-6 years, then walk away from them. For a $1 a month, I'm getting my money's worth.

Currently have 3 of them in service.

 

[Leo99]

Car batteries last about 4 years, so spending $25 per year is not much compared to a tank of gas. People don't see over concerned with decreasing their gas usage to save $25 per year.

 

[BHopkins]

Only checked two sizes - 51R and 35 - and Costco was $5 cheaper on the 51R and $10 cheaper on the 35. Problem is, Costco stores are generally inconvenient for many people (1-3 locations in many metro areas) vs dozens and dozens of auto parts stores, plus not everyone can go to Costco to buy a battery.

Valid point. I my area, although Costco doesn't have as many stores, it is only a few miles further to the nearest Costco, as opposed to the nearest Walmart.

If we bring other factors into the equation, besides price, then Costco still wins, on the basis of 1) the customers I am rubbing shoulders with and 2) the courtesy and communication skills of the employee that is going to check me out.

But this is about how much the price of batteries at Walmart have went up.

 

[goblin]

I haven't tried Walmart batteries, but I can confirm that - while I absolutely love everything Costco and I could possibly shop only there and be happy with life - their batteries specifically are nothing to write home about.

My original Hyundai battery lasted me about four or five years, the next Costco one barely made it to three, the next one I replaced last week after buying it either in very late 2024 or early 2025. Don't remember. And it's not the cheapest I've seen, it has always been north of $120.

I have an AGM battery in the BMW from Costco, we'll see how long that one lasts.

 

[4wd]

It’s not just a good battery - it’s a hassle free warranty and a Walmart in every town I travel to - that keeps me buying them …
(4000 more stores) …

 

[wtd]

My local Ford Dealership sells three-year replacement Motorcraft batteries for our Ford vehicles cheaper than I can buy the similar Super Start or Duralast Gold from O'Reilly's and AutoZone. That is where I've bought the last few batteries we have bought.

 

[daves87rs]

No issues with my walmart batteries …..

 

[MParr]

My local Ford Dealership sells three-year replacement Motorcraft batteries for our Ford vehicles cheaper than I can buy the similar Super Start or Duralast Gold from O'Reilly's and AutoZone. That is where I've bought the last few batteries we have bought.

Ford dealerships are great places to buy batteries and tires.

 

[Snagglefoot]

The average price of a new car is $45,000. The price of a new value battery is $80. Pay $200 and you’ll get a three year free replacement and won’t be stranded in some dark parking lot where you meet new friends.

 

[jkhawaii]

the US has zero lead smelting capacity due to EPA regulations

 

[Snagglefoot]

It’s OK, the price to load a normal car battery onto a large container ship and send it from anywhere in the world and deliver it to the USA is about $4.00.

 

[Lubener]

Everything is going up.

 

[billt460]

3 years ago when the battery in my Jeep Grand Cherokee was going south, I called the dealer to inquire about a replacement. They quoted me, "around $450.00".

I took the original out and took it to Autozone. I got a perfect match for around $125.00. (AGM battery). So far so good. I keep all of my vehicles on a battery maintainer. That helps because I don't drive a lot. And it keeps them at 100% charge at all times.

When my Jeep battery dies, I'm going to Walmart. They sell a lot of batteries, and I think that helps in getting a "fresh one", as they're all manufacture dated.

Most any battery you buy today is at 80% charge or less when you walk out the door with it. I always charge them to 100% full charge before I install them. Between that, and keeping them on a maintainer, helps a great deal with increasing their longevity.