Everything You Need to Know About Duralast Batteries

Duralast batteries are sold at AutoZone, and you can buy them at any of their stores across the US. Duralast is, in fact, a registered trademark of Autozone Inc. This is why you can not buy Duralast batteries at Walmart.

This guide explains who makes Duralast batteries, which Duralast battery is best, how long Duralast batteries last, and cheaper alternatives.

How long do Duralast batteries last?

If you are looking to buy a Duralast battery, you probably wonder if Duralast batteries are any good. Duralast Gold and Platinum batteries are, in fact, excellent and last between three to five years.

The regular Duralast battery lasts between two to three years. The battery shown in the picture below was returned to an AutoZone store only after four months, but these returns are infrequent and covered by the warranty.

If your Duralast battery fails a few months after purchase, have an auto mechanic diagnose and troubleshoot the vehicle for a parasitic draw. Even though it is possible the battery can be defective, it is most likely that there is an electrical problem with your vehicle.

Which Duralast Battery is best?

When you are at an Autozone store, deciding which Duralast battery to buy can be confusing. Duralast Gold is a good choice, but Duralast Platinum is the best Autozone battery if you are looking for a battery that will last a long time.

Here are the main differences between Durlast Valuecraft, Gold, and Platinum.

Duralast Platinum

• Duralast Platinum batteries are the most expensive.
• They are AGM batteries that perform much better than the lead-acid (Gold, Valuecraft) models.
• Platinum batteries have at least a three-year warranty.
• Expect them to last over five years.

Duralast Gold

• Duralast Gold is a little cheaper than Platinum batteries.
• They are lead-acid batteries, not AGM batteries.
• Duralast Gold has a three-year warranty as well.
• Expect them to last between three to five years.

Duralast

• This is your average Duralast battery and is also cheaper than Gold and Platinum.
• Has a two-year battery.
• Expect it to last between two to four years.
• Lead-acid battery.

Valuecraft / Econocraft

• The cheapest battery you can buy at Autozone.
• Has a one-year warranty.
• Expect it to last between one to three years.
• Lead-acid battery.

Which Duralast battery should I buy?

Only buy a Duralast battery that is the same group size as your original battery and has very similar battery cranking amps to your original battery.

The best Duralast battery is Platinum. Those are typically AGM (absorbed glass mat) and can easily last over five years. An AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery contains a special glass mat separator that makes these batteries superior to lead-acid batteries.

Duralast Platinum is also recommended if you are looking for a replacement battery for any luxury vehicle such as Lexus, Accura, BMW, Audi, VW, or Mercedes-Benz.

The downside of the Durlast Platinum is that they are expensive. If you are concerned about the price, Duralast Gold is your second best option and is more affordable.

If Duralast Platinum is too expensive for your budget, pick the regular Duralast battery that comes with a two-year warranty. We do not recommend going for the Valuecraft or Econocraft batteries. Those batteries sometimes last only one year.

Who makes Duralast batteries?

Duralast batteries are not manufactured directly by Autozone. Duralast batteries are sold by Autozone but are made by companies such as Johnson Controls and East Penn Manufacturing.

Valucraft, Duralast, and Duralast Gold are AutoZone’s private label brands for lead-acid automotive batteries. Duralast Platinum is an AGM line of batteries.

How to read the Duralast date code?

On the top of the battery or the side, you will usually find a sticker showing the month and date the battery was manufactured, for example, 4/19.

The date format is two-digit/two-digit. The first two digits are the month, and the second pair of digits is the year when the battery was made. If you see a sticker that shows 04/19, the battery was manufactured in April 2019.

How old is my Duralast battery? 

You can easily find how old a Duralast battery is by looking at the round sticker at the top or side of the battery. The sticker has the date that the battery was made. If the sticker shows 03/20, it means the battery was manufactured in March 2020. So if today was September 2021, the battery is one and a half years old.

What is the warranty for Duralast batteries?

The warranty period for the Duralast battery depends on which battery you purchase. Gold and Platinum batteries have a 3-year warranty, while the cheapest Duralast battery (not Gold or Platinum) has only a 2-year warranty.

Does Autozone install Duralast batteries?

Yes, Autozone installs Duralast batteries free of charge on most vehicles. Autozone will not install the battery on high-end cars such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz models, Mini, etc.

Those vehicles require battery programming, which Autozone representatives can not perform. To find out if Autozone will install the battery for free on your car, call your nearest Autozone store and tell them your make and model.

Duralast battery alternatives

If you are looking for car batteries that offer the same quality as the Duralast batteries but are cheaper, Everstart batteries sold at Walmart are probably your best choice. Everstart batteries are more affordable and typically have longer warranty periods than Duralast batteries.

If you are looking for car batteries that are better quality than Duralast batteries, DieHard, sold at Advance Auto Parts is a good alternative. The only downside is that DieHard batteries are more expensive than Duralast.

Another alternative to Duralast is Optima batteries. Those are AGM batteries that last a long time. The challenge with Optima batteries is that they don’t follow conventional battery sizing, so finding the correct Optima battery for your vehicle can be challenging. Optima batteries can be purchased online.

Conclusion

Duralast batteries are good batteries and typically last between three to five years. The Duralast Platinum is top-of-the-line and expensive but can last well over five years.

Duralast Gold is a good combination of quality and price.  Duralast batteries are an Autozone brand but are not manufactured by Autozone but by third parties such as Johnson Controls.

We hope you find the Everything You Need to Know About Duralast Batteries guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your vehicle.