The quick answer
If you camp more than a few weekends a year, lithium (LiFePO4) usually wins on value over its life. AGM still makes sense for occasional trips, very tight budgets, or setups that can't handle lithium's charging needs.
Side by side
- Weight: about 10 to 12kg for 100Ah lithium against 27 to 30kg for 100Ah AGM.
- Usable capacity: close to 100Ah from lithium, about 50Ah from AGM if you want it to last.
- Charging: lithium accepts charge faster and holds a steady voltage until nearly flat.
- Lifespan: roughly 3,000 to 6,000 cycles for lithium against 300 to 500 for AGM.
- Upfront cost: AGM is cheaper to buy; lithium is cheaper per cycle.
Before you switch to lithium
Check your charging gear. Older chargers, solar regulators and some vehicles need a lithium-compatible profile or a DC-DC charger to charge lithium properly. Factor that into the cost.
Gear picks
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