H7 vs H8 Battery

H7 and H8 are battery labels (battery codes) according to the DIN standard and are more commonly used in Europe and rarely used in the US.

H7 and H8 batteries feature very similar but nonetheless different dimensions, leading to the differences in performance.

Although the DIN (German Industrial Standard) Part Number system is (being) replaced by the ETN (European Type Number), which consists of 6 or 9 numbers, DIN codes H7 and H8 are still being used quite often.

Updated: October 23, 2023.

 H7 vs H8 Batteries - Similarities and Differences

H7 (also labeled as L4 or 77L4) and H8 (also labeled as L5 or 88L5) battery dimensions are very similar to the BCI Groups 94R and 49 batteries' dimensions. The physical dimensions of these batteries are (L x W x H):

• H7: 315 x 175 x 190 mm,
• 94R: 315 x 175 x 190 mm,
• H8: 354 x 175 x 190 mm,
• 49: 354 x 175 x 192 mm.

As one can see, battery groups H7 and 94R feature practically the same physical dimensions and can be used interchangeably, at least regarding the battery size. Also, battery groups H8 and 49 feature very similar dimensions, differing in height by only 2 mm.

Group 94R/H7 Comparison Chart

The following comparison chart lists some of the most popular group 94R/H7 batteries with their most important features and specifications:

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As one can see, thanks to the advancements in technology and chemistry and thanks to their size, group 94R/H7 batteries are mostly dual-purpose batteries with a nominal capacity of 75-80 Ah, CCA rating of 800-850 Ah, Reserve Capacity of 140-160 min and the weight of ~51-57 pounds (~23 - 26 kg).

Actually, most of these batteries are starting batteries with very good deep discharge recovery, often optimized for Start/Stop applications.

Group 49/H8 Comparison Chart

The following comparison chart lists some of the most popular group 49/H8 batteries with their most important features and specifications:

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Group 49/H8 batteries feature a nominal capacity of 80-95 Ah, a CCA rating of 850-950 Ah, a Reserve Capacity of 160-170 min, and a weight of ~57-63 pounds (~26 - 29 kg).

Thanks to their ~4 cm (~1.6 inches) longer length, group 49/H8 batteries are better performers than group 94R/H7 batteries but also somewhat heavier.

Group 94R/H7 and Group 49/H8 Batteries Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some of the most common Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about 94R/H7 and 49/H8 battery groups:

Can you use an H8 battery instead of an H7?

A lead-acid H8 battery can be used instead of a lead-acid H7 battery if the H8 battery can properly fit the required battery compartment if it can be securely fixed, and if the cables can reach it properly.

Note that the H8 battery is 4 cm longer than the H7 battery and may differ in a few other details.

What group size is an H8 battery?

H8 battery is a battery that belongs to the H8 battery group, which is very similar to group 49.

What is a group H7 battery?

Group H7 battery belongs to the H7 battery group - it has physical dimensions of 315 x 175 x 190 mm or slightly less.

How many Cold-Cranking Amps (CCA) do I need?

That depends on the vehicle that you have and the size and type of the engine - diesel engines are harder to crank than gas engines. Cold weather also increases the load on the batteries.

Note that many modern vehicles with internal combustion engines, including luxury vehicles and light commercial vehicles, also feature a broad range of onboard electric and electronic devices that must be powered while the engines are shut down, requiring car batteries to be good performers even when they are not fully charged, to accept charge well, and to recover from deep discharges easily.

How do I know if my battery is AGM?

If the lead-acid battery has the label "Absorbent Glass Mat" or "AGM", then it is an AGM battery. If the battery doesn't have caps for adding the distilled water, it may be an AGM battery, but also a Gel-cell battery.

Long Story Short: The main difference between H7 and H8 batteries is their length of 315 mm and 354 mm, respectively, leading to the different performances as well.

But, when replacing old batteries with new ones, one should also check terminal types and orientation, battery capacity, battery chemistry, CCA/MCA rating, hold-down method/system, etc., in order to be sure that the old battery and the new battery are interchangeable.