Are you shopping for a LiFePO4 battery?
Wondering which one to pick for your solar power application?
You’ve come to the right place.
In the chart below, we compare six popular LiFePO4 batteries from Ampere Time, Renogy, BattleBorn, Eco-Worthy, AIMS and Lion Energy.
All are highly-rated batteries that are great for solar power systems, RVs, golf carts, auxiliary power, trailers and more.
To make this an apples to apples comparison as much as possible, we have chosen to review and compare each brand’s flagship 100Ah 12V battery.
If you don’t see a brand or model that meets your needs, please leave us a comment below.
Best LiFePO4 Batteries: Comparison
Here are the six LiFePO4 batteries reviewed and compared in this guide:
Here’s a chart comparing all the batteries on various features and specs.
Renogy
Charge temperature
32 to 131°F
Discharge temperature
-4 to 140°F
Advertised life cycles
4000 @ 80% DoD
Size (L x W x H)
11.4 x 6.8 x 7.4 in
Eco-Worthy
Charge temperature
32 to 131°F
Discharge temperature
-4 to 140°F
Advertised life cycles
4000 @ 80% DoD
Size (L x W x H)
10.2 x 6.6 x 8.2in
AIMS
Charge temperature
32 to 113°F
Discharge temperature
-4 to 149°F
Advertised life cycles
4000 @ 80% DoD
Size (L x W x H)
12.7 x 6.5 x 9in
Ampere Time
Charge temperature
32 to 122°F
Discharge temperature
-4 to 140°F
Advertised life cycles
4000 @ 80% DoD
Size (L x W x H)
13 x 6.8 x 8.5in
Battle Born
Charge temperature
25 to 135°F
Discharge temperature
-4 to 135°F
Advertised life cycles
3000 @ 80% DoD
Size (L x W x H)
12.7 × 6.8 × 8.9in
Lion UT 1300
Charge temperature
32° to 113° F
Discharge temperature
-4° to 131° F
Advertised life cycles
3500 @ 100% DoD
Size (L x W x H)
10.2 x 6.6 x 9.8in
Notes
Looking at the comparison chart, it’s clear that the six batteries are similar in many areas. But there are some notable differences and certain standout features in some of the batteries.
Here are some quick notes to help you choose the right one for your setup.
- All the LiFePO4 batteries come with an internal BMS or battery management system. It protects the battery from over/under voltage, extreme temperatures, and too much current.
- All the batteries we’ve compared are rated at 100Ah (105Ah for the UT 1300). But each brand also sells bigger or smaller batteries, so check their other offerings. Operating voltage is also similar across the board at 12.8V.
- The Lion Energy UT 1300 battery stands out for its unusually high discharge current. It supports a draw of up to 150A, compared to 100A of the other batteries. This is probably why its max discharge temperature is lower at 131°F compared to the other brands. It protects the battery from overheating.
- If battery weight is a big deal for you, the UT 1300 and Eco-Worthy batteries are the lightest of the bunch. They are also the most compact, making them suitable for tight spaces.
- The Battle Born battery has the widest charging temperature range of 25 to 135°F, making it suitable for extra-cold or extra-hot environments.
- The Renogy and AIMS LiFePO4 batteries are the only ones that come with connectivity, allowing you to monitor the battery from a computer or your phone.
- Budget-wise, Eco-Worthy and Ampere Time are the cheapest LiFePO4 batteries while Renogy, Battle Born, Lion Energy and AIMS are the most expensive. In fact, the Lion UT 1300 is more than twice the price of the cheaper options.
Pros & Cons Of LiFePO4 Batteries
The Good
LiFePO4 batteries are increasingly becoming the energy storage of choice for solar systems, RVs, golf carts and other applications that require a deep cycle battery.
They are not only replacing older lead acid batteries, they are also more popular than other types of lithium-ion batteries.
LiFePO4 batteries, also called lithium phosphate, have several advantages over other battery chemistries.
- They last longer with most having a cycle life of over 4000 cycles at 80% depth of discharge (DoD). LiFePO4 batteries have a longer lifespan than both lead-acid and conventional lithium ion batteries.
- They are more stable compared to other Li-ion batteries such as NMC, especially in hotter environments.
- Unlike lead-acid batteries with a 50% DoD, LiFePO4 batteries can be discharged much deeper to 100%. But manufacturers recommend staying above 80% to increase cycle life.
- LiFePO4 batteries are lighter and more compact compared to lead-acid batteries.
Downsides of LiFePO4 Batteries
The biggest downside of LiFePO4 batteries is the price. They usually cost more upfront compared to other types of lithium batteries. They are much pricier than lead acid batteries.
Some brands can cost up to $1000 or more.
That said, they offer better value for money over the long term since they last much longer than lithium-ion and lead acid batteries.
While you’ll need to replace a lead acid battery every 2-3 years and a lithium-ion battery every 3-5 years, a LiFePO4 battery can last up to 10 years.
The other downside of LiFePO4 batteries is that they tend to be heavier and bigger compared to lithium-ion batteries.
That’s because they have a lower energy density.
