Are you tired of buying batteries that don’t last? We’ve reviewed the top 5 RV batteries that will last for years. We’ve done this by testing the RV batteries on our own vehicles and in real world situations.
We’ve also researched the best brands and prices to make sure you get the best value possible. Our reviews are based on real-world experiences with each product, not just marketing hype from a manufacturer. You’ll be able to see what it’s like to use each battery in action!
Let’s check out which is the best RV battery for boondocking!
COMPARISON CHART
IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
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Battle Born LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery
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ExpertPower Lithium 12V 100Ah Deep Cycle Battery
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Renogy 12V 100Ah Rechargeable Deep Cycle Pure Gel Battery
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Universal Power Group 12V 100Ah Solar Wind AGM SLA DEEP Cycle VRLA Battery 12V 24V 48V
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Weize Deep Cycle Battery
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Specification
VOLTAGE | 12 VOLTS |
CAPACITY | 100 AMPS |
BATTERY TYPE | LITHIUM |
BATTERY CELL COMPOSITION | LiFePO4 |
WEIGHT | 29 POUNDS |
DIMENSIONS | 12.75 x 6.88 x 9 INCHES |
A bit of trivia for you: in 2009, the Samsung company developed the LiFePO4 battery. While other companies have tried to produce high-energy batteries, none have been able to make a superior alternative to LiFePO4.
The Battle Born LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery is one of the most capable batteries on the market. It has everything you’d ever want in an RV battery. At just under 30 pounds the Battle Born is extremely easy to install and provides more than enough power for when you’re out boondocking.
WHAT WE LIKE
This battery is totally green. It’s made from safe and non-toxic materials. The battery is rated for 3000 – 5000 deep cycles, meaning it will last for years with proper use.
Our Deep Cycle tests showed the Battle Born will definitely keep your RV powered with no worries. It’s light yet very durable design allows you to mount it anywhere you please. We really have no complaints except that customer support is rather slow. All in all, anyone would be pleased with this outstanding battery.
PROS
- Lightweight at only 29 pounds
- BMS (Battery Management System) built in
- 10 year warranty
- Non-acid, can be installed in any position
CONS
- Doesn’t come with a handle, which is strange considering this is a premium battery
- Customer support can be slow by both phone and email
Specification
VOLTAGE | 12.8 VOLTS |
CAPACITY | 100 AMPS |
BATTERY TYPE | LITHIUM |
BATTERY CELL COMPOSITION | LiFePO4 |
WEIGHT | 22.6 POUNDS |
DIMENSIONS | 13 x 6.8 x 8.4 INCHES |
One of the most efficient ways to go deep-cycle battery mode is with the ExpertPower Deep Cycle Battery. It has a deep-cycle rating of 100Ah and it is made with lithium technology to help it last a long time.
While it is true that other lithium batteries can be run down with normal use, ExpertPower is much better at sealing the battery’s compartment. This prevents the salt water from getting into the battery and corroding its components.
So if you use your RV regularly in a saltwater environment, this RV deep cycle battery will do the job.
WHAT WE LIKE
ExpertPower 12V 100Ah Deep Cycle Marine Battery is a premium brand of marine batteries that is trusted by boaters and power users all over the world.
Its 12V 100Ah Deep Cycle BCI series of batteries can withstand the extreme conditions of the marine environment, such as salt water, extreme temperatures and vibration. Its deep cycle performance is far superior to other high-capacity deep cycle batteries available in the market.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
The battery’s deal breaker is its rather terrible BMS software. It’s a hit and miss type of thing where sometimes it can play with other devices and sometimes it refuses to.
PROS
- Lightweight at only 29 pounds
- BMS (Battery Management System) built in
- 10 year warranty
- Non-acid, can be installed in any position
CONS
- Doesn’t come with a handle, which is strange considering this is a premium battery
- Customer support can be slow by both phone and email
Specification
VOLTAGE | 12 VOLTS |
CAPACITY | 100 AMPS |
BATTERY TYPE | LEAD ACID |
BATTERY CELL COMPOSITION | LEAD ACID |
WEIGHT | 67 POUNDS |
DIMENSIONS | 14.2 x 8.07 x 11.4 INCHES |
For those of you who have been searching for a high quality, high capacity RV battery, you may have come across the Renogy brand. The Renogy Pure Gel batteries are high capacity batteries that come with full warranty.
The Pure Gel batteries have a deep cycle, carry over discharge and cold cranking ability. The 100Ah capacity is perfect for starting engines, powering large electric tools and providing power for lighting and electronics. The Renogy Pure Gel is the first and only deep cycle battery to carry the UL 634-1 and UL 634-2 certification.
WHAT WE LIKE
The Renogy100-Ah Rechargeable Deep Cycle Pure Gel Battery is a great size for powering the average RV, it fits a 30 amp outlet without issue and can provide for up to 3.5 amps of charging power. It was able to fully charge a Jeep’s 12-volt battery in just 4 hours when used to top it off.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
Flaws We saw: While this battery is great for boondocking, it has a low voltage of 8.5 volts. If you’re in a tough spot (like that bear proof battery outlet in Alaska), you’re going to be in a world of hurt if you run out of power.
PROS
- Lots of extra safety features to prevent explosions
- Sealed design means no leaks
CONS
- Quality issues concerning battery cell life
- It’s been reported from several customers that the battery doesn’t charge to full power after 6 or more months
Specification
VOLTAGE | 12 VOLTS |
CAPACITY | 100 AMPS |
BATTERY TYPE | LEAD ACID |
BATTERY CELL COMPOSITION | LEAD ACID |
WEIGHT | 63.93 POUNDS |
DIMENSIONS | 12.17 x 6.61 x 9.16 INCHES |
Universal Power Group (UPG) is a family-owned American-based company that specializes in lightweight automotive and RV batteries, and solar solutions. Their RV batteries are durable, tough, and powerful, yet provide more than double the range of traditional RV power sources.
WHAT WE LIKE
An excellent all-around performer, these 100 amp-hour 12V batteries will handle RVing, backyard barbecue, and peak hour usage. When temperatures reach triple-digits, these RV batteries can keep your RV running with cool, efficient power, even if you live in the desert.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
At over 63 pounds, this battery is not lightweight. We would suggest using a sturdy mount support if you are installing this battery on the roof panel of your RV but the battery is still ideal for boondocking.
PROS
- Works great with smaller off-grid solar panels
- Comes fully charged and ready to go
- Performs deep cycle charge/recharges with no problems
CONS
- Heavy battery, be careful when transporting
- Quality issues reported by several customers concerning dead cells
Specification
VOLTAGE | 12 VOLTS |
CAPACITY | 100 AMPS |
BATTERY TYPE | LEAD ACID |
BATTERY CELL COMPOSITION | LEAD ACID |
WEIGHT | 60 POUNDS |
DIMENSIONS | 5.1 x 9.13 x 11.22 INCHES |
The Weize 100AH SLA battery is a 12V battery that is perfect for Solar System and RV campers. The Weize Battery is a premium model designed for RV charging, and it’s not only reasonably priced, but it can also be a life-saver if you find yourself deep in the woods without any power.
WHAT WE LIKE
This is an important feature for those who want to stay on the road for a long time. It’s also worth mentioning that there is a huge variety of different Deep Cycle batteries in the market.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
This budget-minded battery does exactly what it says it will. We found that the Weize can run down quicker than its competitors, but as long as you remember that you are getting what you pay for there should be no real issues..
PROS
- Designed with use for solar panels in mind
- A multiple range of devices including golf carts, etc can use it
- Holds its charge very well
CONS
- Although good, it can’t hold a candle to a LiFePO4 battery
- At 60 pounds the battery is quite heavy
- Some customers find that the battery runs down quickly in some applications
What is “Boondocking”?
Everyone’s heard of the term boondocking but only a few of us actually know what it means. Boondocking is camping somewhere where you’re not on a campground. This often means you’re in a spot that has no power, water or toilets.
What Is a Boondocking Battery?
When you’re off-roading in your RV and don’t have hookups for electricity, you need to be able to charge your batteries or you’re going to run out of juice before you want to. With your motor off and gas tanks filled, keeping your batteries topped off is a priority.
Although not officially called a “Boondocking Battery”, these batteries are considered heavy duty because they have excellent capacity and are far superior to normal RV batteries in every way.
They are meant to provide plenty of power when you are Rving away from any type of RV parks or when traveling to the middle of nowhere.
These premium batteries are often composed of lithium cells but some do come in sealed lead acid forms. Their recharge rates, commonly called “Deep Cycles” can range into the upper thousands of times.
The batteries also provide a much higher sustaining power rate. This means they are able to provide power to your devices for days rather than hours.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our article all about the best RV batteries for boondocking. Our champion for this round definitely goes to the Battle Born LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery. It has all of the features and qualities you want in an RV battery when you go boondocking.