10 Best Spark Plugs: An Ultimate Review And Buying Guide

Regular car maintenance and repair is a must to ensure that your beloved car stays in excellent condition for the many years and decades to come. And, that involves regularly changing some parts that eventually wear out, such as spark plugs, for example.

They may be small, but spark plugs play a really important part in making sure that your car starts and runs, since these ignite the combustion and set your engine pistons into motion. But, they can only go for so many miles before they start to fail you.

If you think your spark plugs need replacing, here is a comprehensive review and buying guide that will help you find the best spark plug that will bring your car back to its optimum performance.

Read also related articles: Bad Alternator vs Bad Battery, How to Use a Fuel Injector Cleaner, Best 0W-20 Oil review, and Can You Mix Synthetic Oil With Regular Oil.

The Best Spark Plugs Review

Take a look at these ten best spark plugs that deliver an excellent performance, quicker and smoother starts and accelerations, all with reduced emissions and carbon footprint. I’ve included plenty of different options for you to choose from, so you are sure to find one that works perfectly for your car.

1.  NGK 7090 BKR5EGP G-Power spark plug

First up is the NGK 7090 BKR5EGP G-Power spark plug, which comes as a set of four G power platinum alloy spark plugs that boast of superior performance, lower emissions, better fuel efficiency, and the quicker engine starts.

The fine 0.6mm laser welded tip that’s also made of platinum not only reduces your voltage requirement, but also guarantees a consistent and stable spark, as well as enhanced overall durability of the spark plug.

Each plug is also designed with special configurations, especially on the insulator noses, in order to prevent fouling and flashover and instead improve your throttle response. Plus, the ground and center electrodes ensure precise gaps and greater sparks all throughout.

2.  Denso (4504) PK20TT platinum TT spark plug

Your second-best option is the Denso (4504) PK20TT Platinum TT spark plug, which is engineered with twin tip technology to make for faster starts, better acceleration, and an improved fuel economy.

These two tips are made of 11 millimeter platinum for the center electrode and enhanced titanium for the ground electrode. There’s also a powder insulator made of purified alumina to ensure an excellent dielectric strength and a better thermal conductivity.

So, if you want a spark plug that is highly durable and well performing, and will withstand extremely stressful conditions, this is one of your best and most suitable options. It guarantees complete combustion through faster flame propagation.

3.  NGK 4291 ZFR6F-11 V-Power spark plug

Taking the third spot is actually another spark plug by NGK, this time the NGK 4291 ZFR6F-11 V-Power spark plug. If you want a fine and heavy duty automotive accessory, then just like the first NGK plug I’ve reviewed, this is also definitely a great buy.

It’s compatible with a lot of different vehicle types and models, such as motorcycles for street touring, cruising, sports, and off road riding, as well as for all terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, and marine personal crafts.

Overall, it’s a great choice if you want quick and seamless starts, better power transfer for an improved engine running experience, and a vehicle that just runs so much better. It’s even easy to install as well, so that’s a pleasant bonus.

4.  ACDelco 41-993 professional iridium spark plug

In fourth place is the ACDelco 41-993 professional iridium spark plug, which as the name suggests is made of iridium rather than the more common copper or platinum. What you can expect from that is a smooth and stable engine performance.

Moreover, since it’s constructed with iridium as the main material for the plug, you’ll also get smaller and more efficient electrode designs that allow for quicker accelerations and more reliable cold starts.

That’s not to mention that the fine wire electrodes have the ability to automatically burn away any carbon deposits on the plug tip right as they form, so the spark plug lasts for much longer. And, you also won’t have to worry about any combustion leakage.

5.  NGK (6703) BPMR7A solid standard spark plug

Yet another great spark plug from NGK is their NGK (6703) BPMR7A solid standard spark plug, which is a universal fit type plug that will perfectly work on most types of vehicles and automobiles. It even comes at an affordable price too!

If you are looking for optimum engine performance and a longer spark plug lifespan, this right here is a nice option. It’s designed with corrugated ribs that ensure protection from flashovers, and make use of a copper core that works great in heat dissipation.

Plus, the insulator is made of pure alumina silicate ceramic, so you can also enjoy a much better heat transfer and superior strength. It also has a 10K ohm resistor, a gasket seal, a trivalent metal plating, and triple seals for leak prevention.

6.  E3 Spark Plug E3.36 Powersports spark plug

Next up is the E3 Spark Plug E3.36 powersports spark plug, a superior quality spark plug that’s especially designed for high power and high stress usage such as in professional racing. In fact, pro car racers swear by this brand.

That’s because it’s specifically engineered to handle colder heat ranges that allow it to withstand intense conditions and performance driven vehicle modifications. It even makes use of an yttrium enhanced that allows for less pre-ignition and side wire temperatures.

Basically, if you want excellent durability, quick starts, smooth accelerations, and an improved fuel economy, not to mention an enhanced heat transfer and optimized plug life, you really can’t go wrong with this product.

7.  DENSO #4503 platinum TT spark plug

Another excellent option you have for platinum spark plugs is the DENSO #4503 platinum TT spark plug, which is a patented spark plug that makes use of twin tip design that guarantees extended reliability and a significantly improved ignition capability.

This technologically advanced and cutting edge spark plug uses a platinum center electrode and a titanium enhanced alloy for the ground electrode, so it lasts so much longer than other conventional spark plugs and doesn’t erode as quickly.

In fact, this spark plug should easily last you up to 60,000 miles with its superior durability and performance, as well as its excellent resistance to corrosion and erosion. All in all, you’re getting an amazing engine performance and fuel economy, so it’s a great deal.

8.  Bosch W3DP0 double platinum spark plug

You might also want to consider the Bosch W3DP0 double platinum spark plug. It’s manufactured by a well known international brand and promises a three times longer lifespan and mileage, and that alone is something that certainly deserves a second look.

In fact, you won’t run out of choices with this one, since it comes in many different sizes to fit your vehicle type and model, and it’s also available in three styles, as well as choices between different platinum and iridium configurations based on which material you prefer better.

Its firing pin, coupled with the ground electrode inlay, is what guarantees a significantly longer service life, while the fine wire design ensures excellent ignitions and overall performance, and the continuous laser weld just ties everything together perfectly.

9.  Champion RC12YC spark plug

There is also the Champion RC12YC spark plug, which is a dependable and durable spark plug that’s built to the highest performance that meets ISO and SAE standards. To put it simply, it’s a great product that’s well worth the price.

It makes use of a standard but high quality copper electrode for the center core, so you get to experience accurate and precise controls, excellent heat transfer and range, and an overall longer service life from the spark plug.

What’s more is that it’s also constructed with a patented semiconductor resistor that ensures maximum suppression of EMI and RFI. Plus, the Ultraseal and TinTac shell are sure to give you superior protection against corrosion.

10.  E3 Spark Plug E3.60 automotive spark plug

Last but not the least is another spark plug from E3 Spark Plugs, which is the E3 Spark Plug E3.60 automotive spark plug. Like the first one I’ve reviewed, this spark plug also guarantees an excellent race-ready performance all throughout.

It’s a superior performance part that’s engineered with a machined exterior and top quality interiors. For one thing, the insulator, center electrode, terminal post, and copper bonded glass seal all guarantee a superb, reliable, and leak proof performance.

Moreover, it makes use of a full copper core electrode and high alumina ceramics to ensure robustness, high dielectric strength, excellent heat transfer, and an optimized spark plug lifespan, so all in all, it’s a great product that you’re sure to love.

How to Choose The Best Spark Plugs

A thorough vehicle engine inspection should include checking the health and quality of the spark plug. They are easy to forget since they’re small and not readily noticeable, but without properly working spark plugs, you can’t expect your car to run smoothly, or even start in the first place.

That said, how do you choose the right spark plug for you? After all, they’re not all the same- from the sizes, styles, material construction, and features, each spark plug is different. So, to help you pick, consider these important factors:

Why you should replace your spark plugs

First of all, let’s talk about just how important it is to replace worn-out plugs and upgrade them with better replacements. To start, new spark plugs ensure more reliable engine starts, even with cold starts, as well as smoother engine idles, faster accelerations, and overall better engine response.

Moreover, replacing your spark plugs will also benefit you with a significantly reduced risk of damaging your engine and other car parts and components, and will let you enjoy an improved fuel efficiency.

Read also: How long do brake pads last?

Types of spark plugs

There are also different types of spark plugs, so you need to make sure you’re getting the best one for your vehicle. It’s not just about a choice of how much performance you want, but also whether the spark plug is compatible with your car in the first place.

Copper

Standard and basic spark plugs feature a copper core, and chances are, the original plug in your engine is made of copper, too. That’s because it’s easy to source and thus highly affordable. However, most modern cars nowadays are not compatible with copper plugs, and generally, work better for vehicles with low voltage ignition that are distributor based.

Platinum

What replaced copper in recent years are platinum spark plugs, mainly because these are significantly more fuel-efficient, last at least twice as long as copper, and deliver an overall excellent performance, while still being affordable. Contrary to copper plugs, platinum spark plugs are more suitable for engines without distributors.

Double platinum

There are also double platinum spark plugs that deliver even better performance, efficiency, durability, and service life than a standard platinum plug. These are double plated, so platinum is used on both the center electrode and the plug cap.you’re getting a significant upgrade of performance from the single plated platinum, but still at an affordable price.

Iridium

The most expensive yet the best performing spark plugs on the market are made of iridium. Basically, all the features you can get from platinum plugs get so much better, since iridium plugs operate at lower temperatures and make use of advanced technologies. Similar to platinum spark plugs, these ones are designed for engines without distributors.

Other Features of Spark Plugs

Aside from the type of spark plug, there are also lots of other important features that you need to take into account when buying spark plugs for your vehicle, in order to make sure that you’re getting the right plug for your car.

Spark plug size

What’s arguably more important than the material the spark plug is made of is what size it comes in, since this will determine whether the plug will fit and work for your engine. It’s measured by the size of the thread or nut, which goes from 10 to 18 millimeters.

This is why it’s important to check with the manufacturer what car models their spark plugs are compatible with, so you don’t accidentally purchase one that’s too small or too big for your engine.

Heat range

You also need to take into account the heat range of the spark plug, which depends on what your engine is and how it works best. Some spark plugs are better heat insulators and are therefore called hot, while others have lower temperatures since they conduct most of the heat at the tip of the plug, and are thus referred to as cold plugs.

This heat range is usually represented in numbers, although it’s largely at the discretion of the manufacturer how to identify and label their spark plugs according to heat range, so you need to be careful when checking.

Gap type

The spark gap type and style are also important to consider, since for each car, the size of the gap is different, which typically ranges from 0.6 to 1.8 millimeters for the thread, and 16 to 20.63 millimeters for the nut.

You can measure your old plug’s gap with a gap gauge to know the right gap style for you, or use a plug gapper tool to adjust the gap size of the spark plug that you have.

Mileage

While spark plugs are generally cheap and easily replaceable, you’ll still want to get the best value for your money by purchasing spark plugs that will last for as long as possible. A good average is 50,000 miles, although you can find spark plugs that offer significantly more than that.

What you need to expect is that copper won’t last as long as platinum or iridium, which should give you better mileage and performance.

Price

Now, spark plugs are generally cheap and shouldn’t cost you over fifteen dollars. But, having said that, you might still want to consider how much you’re willing to pay for a spark plug, and set your expectations on the level of performance you want to get.

You’ll find plugs priced at one to three dollars, although good quality ones usually cost about three to nine dollars, as these will give you a decent performance, fuel efficiency, and mileage. And then there are more expensive options, which are even more advanced and durable.

Brand

We are all susceptible to trusting known brands more than up and coming ones, since the brand name is usually a testament to quality and reliability. That’s also largely true for spark plugs. The best ones are usually made by NGK, Bosch, and AcDelco, all of which are superior brands, and you’ll see that as you find lots of options from these names on this product review.

That said, there are also lots of promising lesser known brands that deliver just as great quality products and superior performance, so it’s worthy to consider those as well.

Ease of use

Of course, you also need to take into account whether the spark plug is easy to install and use right out of the box, so you don’t have to spend extra bucks on having a mechanic replace your spark plug for you. This means that the spark plug should be plug and play, and won’t require any adjustment or using various tools.

Then again, if you don’t have experience in handy maintenance and repair work with automotives, the safest way is just to take your car to the mechanic, so they can safely install the plug and also check your vehicle for any potential problems.

Overview: Best Spark Plugs

Let’s face it. Spark plugs don’t last forever, and there will come a time that you will need to replace them. The good news is, spark plugs are cheap yet high performing, and you can easily find one that will not only work as the perfect replacement for your worn-out plug but will feel like an upgrade as well.

My best recommendation for you is the NGK 7090 BKR5EGP G-Power spark plug. It’s made of platinum, and gives you improved fuel efficiency and overall engine performance, along with a longer spark plug life that is durable, stable, and consistent.

It’s also affordable, so you’re definitely getting the best value for your money with spark plugs that are sure to give you an excellent driving experience on the road.