Are you planning to add solar to your RV and are unsure of the best batteries to use?
Or maybe you’re thinking about upgrading to lithium-ion RV batteries?
Your RV solar system’s battery bank is a crucial (and possibly pricey) component, so before you make a purchase, do a lot of research on the top RV solar batteries.
While dry camping in your RV doesn’t require you to give up home comforts, you will need to depend on its batteries if you want to watch a game at night or if you need your morning coffee.
Solar panels can keep you going on bright days, but you’ll need a place to store this energy so you can utilize it later when the sun isn’t shining.
I tried to include a variety of batteries in this list to fit any price range.
Each has advantages and disadvantages, but any of them will be a reliable, secure battery for your next journey.
Table of Contents
At a Glance: Best RV Solar Battery
- Best Overall: Battle Born LiFePO4
- Budget Lithium: Renogy LiFePO4 Battery
- Best AGM: Renogy Deep Cycle AGM 12V
- Budget AGM: Weize AGM Battery
- Portable Power Station: BLUETTI EB70S Portable Power Station
See the pros and disadvantages of our whole assessment below.
5 Best RV Solar Batteries of 2023
We’ve rounded up the 5 best RV Solar Batteries in 2023 to help you keep the lights on and your devices charged while you’re on the road.
#1. Battle Born LiFePO4
Specs:
- 100 Ah Of Capacity
- Width: 29 Lbs.
Primary Features:
- Battery management system built-in
- 10-year warranty, the best in the business
- Rated at 5,000 cycles
- Produced in the USA
The industry standard for lithium RV batteries is Battle Born.
They still produce excellent batteries, which is reflected in their pricing.
Choose Battle Born if you want the greatest RV solar batteries available.
Battle Born batteries include a built-in battery management system that keeps an eye on temperature and charge levels to safeguard your batteries and keep you secure.
Battle Born offers a 10-year guarantee and lifelong customer support for their batteries.
I adore my Battle Born batteries, and anybody who can fit them within their RV solar budget should do so.
#2. Renogy LiFePO4 Battery
Specs:
- 100 Ah Of Capacity
- Width: 26 Lbs.
Primary Features:
- Battery management system built-in
- 5-year guarantee
- With 4,000 cycles.
Renogy manufactures high-quality lithium RV batteries if you’re searching for something with specifications quite comparable to Battle Born but less expensive.
These batteries are a fantastic offer at that cost.
You continue to get the fundamental advantages that Battle Born offers, such as the battery management system, low maintenance requirements, and extended lifespan.
Customer service is the major thing you are giving up with Renogy.
Although they provide a five-year guarantee, it can be difficult to use it.
My Renogy components have never given me any trouble, but a number of my friends have had terrible customer service encounters with them.
#3. Renogy Deep Cycle AGM 12V
Specs
- 100 Ah Of Capacity (50 Ah Usable)
- Width: 66 Lbs.
Primary Features
- No-maintenance AGM
- 365-day Warranty
I advise the Renogy AGM RV battery if you decide to take the lead-acid way.
One of the leading manufacturers of RV solar and batteries, Renogy continues to provide high-quality goods, including my preferred AGM battery.
Renogy rates its batteries for use in temperatures as low as 5 degrees F after rigorous testing.
This battery is a fantastic choice for you if you often go camping in chilly weather.
As I said about their lithium battery, Renogy’s customer service is lacking.
Although this battery has a two-year guarantee, using the warranty in the event of a problem will probably be difficult.
#4. Weize AGM Battery
Specs:
- 100 Ah Of Capacity (50 Ah Usable)
- Width: 60 Lbs.
Primary Features:
- No-maintenance AGM
- Reasonably Priced
The Weize AGM RV battery is a fantastic choice for a basic setup.
Weize is a reliable battery at a wonderful price, albeit it lacks some of the bells and whistles of the other batteries on our list.
I advise trying them out if you want to add a battery to your RV but don’t have much money.
I haven’t owned or tried a Weize AGM battery, in contrast to the other batteries on this list.
On the sole basis of Amazon reviews, I determined that Weize was the most affordable lead-acid RV solar battery (4.5 stars with over 1,500 reviews).
Normally, I don’t suggest items without first giving them a thorough evaluation, but this Weize battery seems to be superior to the less expensive RV batteries I have used.
#5. BLUETTI EB70S Portable Power Station
Specs:
- Theory: 617 Wh (5 Ah)
- Width: 21 Lbs.
Primary Features:
- One-stop Power Plant
- Consists Of A 200W Solar Panel
- Contains An 800 W Inverter
This all-in-one power station has all you need for off-grid electrification if the price tag or complexity of a complete RV solar setup overwhelms you.
The BLUETTI EB70S portable power station is ideal for a weekend warrior despite the battery having a lower capacity than the others on our list.
In a single transportable unit, you get a lithium-ion battery, a 200W solar panel, an 800W inverter, and an MPPT charge controller.
Do you want to work from the beach? Want to keep your electronics charged over a protracted camping trip?
For someone who wants flexibility outside of their RV, the BLUETTI EB70S is ideal.
We appreciate the independence that our portable power station gives us, even though the RV has a complete solar system.
Related Also: Best RV Battery for the Money in 2023
Types of RV Solar Battery
You’d think there would be a wide variety of RV batteries available based on a fast internet search.
Lithium and AGM are the two main kinds in reality.
- Lithium refers to both lithium-ion and ferro-phosphate, or LiFePO4. Due to this chemistry’s high level of safety and longevity, almost all lithium RV batteries are LiFePO4 batteries. On the other hand, lithium-ion batteries are often seen in electric vehicles and mobile phones since they are lighter and charge more quickly.
- Batteries marked “lead acid”, “flooded” and “gel” are sometimes referred to as “AGM”. The most widely used lead-acid RV batteries nowadays are AGM batteries. While gel batteries have poor discharge/recharge rates and flooded batteries need regular maintenance, AGM batteries are somewhat more costly than the other two. AGM is the best option if you decide to use lead-acid batteries.
Remember that terms like “12 volts” “deep cycle,” and “marine” may refer to both lead-acid and lithium batteries, making it difficult to tell which kind of battery you are looking at.
Recommended reading: 18 Best RV Battery Chargers of 2023
Things to Think About RV Batteries: Lead Acid vs. Lithium
#1. Cost
The price is the primary difference between lead-acid and lithium RV batteries.
Most RVers choose lead-acid batteries because of the initial expense alone but keep reading to see how lithium RV batteries may ultimately save you time and money.
#2. Usable Volume
The useable capacity of lithium batteries is a key factor in their superior performance over lead-acid batteries.
Batteries made of lead acid cannot be discharged below 50% without suffering long-term harm.
Even two or three occurrences of a lead-acid battery discharged below 50% will render it worthless.
The useable capacity for the lead-acid batteries on the list is in parentheses because of this restriction.
Lithium batteries may be completely depleted without suffering any long-term harm.
As a result, a 100Ah lithium battery has a usable capacity that is double that of a 100Ah lead-acid battery.
Related Also: 12 Best RV Battery Monitors of 2023
#3. Weight
Lead-acid batteries not only need twice as many, but they also weigh two to three times as much as lithium batteries.
When RVing, every ounce counts, thus being able to reduce weight was a key factor in our decision to use lithium.
The Renogy batteries in the list are contrasted as follows:
- 300Ah Lithium Battery Bank = 78 lbs
- 300Ah (usable) Lead-Acid Battery Bank = 396 lbs
#4. Lifespan
In the long term, the longevity of lithium RV batteries is their most important advantage.
Lithium batteries may last 10 years or more if used and stored correctly.
Your lead-acid RV batteries will usually only last two to three years, even if you don’t over-discharge them.
If you want to use your batteries for more than five years, lithium will be the less expensive choice (despite the scary up-front cost).
#5. Maintenance
You only need to consider maintenance if you choose flooded lead-acid batteries.
AGM lead-acid batteries are just $10β20 more costly than flooded leadβacid batteries and don’t need to be topped up, therefore I didn’t include any on this list.
Additionally entirely sealed, AGM batteries eliminate the possibility of gas or acid leakage.
Stick with AGM if you plan to purchase lead-acid batteries.
The additional $10β20 is money well spent.
Whichever batteries you choose, be careful to store them correctly.
When not in use, keep them indoors at a temperature between 40 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit in a dry place.
Every six months, lead-acid batteries need to be topped out.
Recommended reading: 10 Best Solar Chargers For RV Battery of 2023
Conclusion
I hope that this information helps in your choice of RV solar battery.
Please ask us a particular question in the comments section below if you have any.