Solar batteries are a wise energy storage investment. You won’t store energy generated by your solar panel system for later use without a battery bank, and many aspects go into selecting the right battery for your solar panels, including the battery’s capacity, power, efficiency, and cost, all of which are dependent on your needs. Here are my suggestions for the best batteries for solar storage to help you make the best decision from the most affordable to the expensive ones.
| Brand/Name | Price on Amazon | Battery Type/composition | Pros | Cons |
| Mighty Max | $179.99 | Lead-acid | Affordable Lightweight Wide operating temperature | Low-quality terminals Mounting accessories sold separately |
| Universal Power Group | $189.90 | Lead-acid | Competitive price Spill-proof | Short warranty period |
| Renogy Deep Cycle AGM Battery | $242.99 | AGM Lead-acid | Fast-charging Minimal to no maintenance is needed Longer shelf life | Not ideal for high-wattage appliances |
| CROWN 6CRV220 | $279.99 | Lead-acid | Durable with spill-proof design | Only 6V |
| VMAXTANKS | $299.99 | AGM Lead-acid | Good power even in minimum sunlight Does not emit dangerous fumes Reserve capacity of five hours | Heavy weight It cannot be easily carried around |
| JITA LifePO4 | $465.00 | Lithium | Safer than lead-acid batteries Do not overheat or overchargeIP65 level waterproof | Expensive No clear instructions on the manual for control and storage settings |
| Renogy 200Ah | $519.99 | Hybrid-Gel | Leak-proof Long battery life Has security features | A heavy battery for its price range |
| ExpertPower 100Ah | $589.90 | AGM Lead-acid | Simple to install Resistant to shock and vibration Has a wide temperature range | Reduced performance with heavy load devices The battery handle easily snaps |
| Battle Born LiFePO4 | $949.00 | Lithium-ion (Li-ion) | Has a BMSPortable and lightweight but durable Can be placed in any position in RV | Does not have a handle |
Mighty Max Lead-Acid Battery: Bugdet-Wise
This battery brand is one of the best in solar power storage. It runs on 12V 1000AH composed of sealed lead acid and a calcium-alloy grid.
It measures around 1-foot in length and weighs 29 kilos. It has a high discharge rate and wide operating temperatures. A good feature of this battery is that it can be mounted in any position and resist vibration. It can also cater to heavy loads in the RV but is classified only as a regular battery.
The cons that you can encounter when buying this product is the quality of the terminals that are of lesser quality than other brands. The wire harness or other mounting accessories are not included in the package.
If you want a decent battery at a reasonable price, then you can check it out on Amazon for $179.99.
Universal Power Group AGM SLA DEEP Cycle: A Decent Option
The Universal UB121000 12v 100AH is an inexpensive and excellent option. It uses AGM and gel technology to make them quite durable and efficient. The battery is a 4.6-star rating on Amazon, and its price is very competitive at $189.90 on Amazon.
It weighs 63 lbs with dimensions o 12.17 inches x 6.61 inches x 9.16 inches. It is a good choice for good battery solar power storage that is not so expensive.
The cons of this brand are that they only offer a 12-month warranty, which is significantly short for a solar battery. However, the warranty downside is covered by the competitive prices and numerous benefits.
Renogy Deep Cycle AGM Battery: Safe and Efficient for High-Current Appliances
Another fantastic solar battery for your system is the Renogy Deep Cycle AGM 12 Volt. Although this sort of solar battery is big and may take up a lot of room, it is a great way to store solar energy.
This form of solar battery doesn’t need to be maintained, so it doesn’t need to be monitored. The batteries are teh best out there for solar marine and off-grid applications.
This battery is also cost-effective in maintenance since the Renogy Deep Cycle AGM Batteries are made with thick absorbent glass mat (AGM) separators and innovative valve-regulated technology to prevent acid leakage and frequent maintenance.
There is no acid leakage, no need to replace the water, and no hazardous hydrogen gas. At the same time, it also has outstanding discharge performance faster and better than other brands.
Also, it has low internal resistance and large discharge currents of up to 10 times the battery rated capacity made possible by proprietary quinary alloy plates and specially treated plate grids.
This means that Renogy AGM batteries can power high-current appliances in your RV.
It also has an advantage over the other solar batteries because of its longer shelf life with better energy density, a deeper discharge capability, a higher round-trip efficiency, and a faster-charging speed.
It is also highly functional at extreme temperatures and performs well even in below-freezing temperatures. It is also built to be vibration-resistant attributed to its container.
You can get it with adaptors and a solar starter kit at an additional cost. You can buy this on Amazon for $242.99.
Some users complain that the batteries drain very quickly after using high-wattage appliances, limiting camping.
CROWN 6CRV220 Lead Acid Battery: Durable and Portable Choice at A Lower Price
This battery is suitable for off-grid activities such as RV living. It is a sealed lead-acid battery powered by AGM technology to contain electrolytes efficiently.
You will not worry about durability since the Crown company has a proud reputation for producing high-quality batteries. This is the only 6V battery that makes it to this list.
It has a dimension of around 11 inches in length and 7 inches in width, weighing 66lbs with a voltage of 6V, and is made in the USA. It has a sealed spill-proof design that allows safe operation and maintenance. They also offer a two-year replacement warranty.
Low power (6V) is not recommended for heavy RV use. This brand’s downside is that they are not highly reviewed on Amazon, making buyers hesitant to purchase them. However, you can still buy it for $279.97.
Overall, if you are looking for handy battery storage with a longstanding reputation, this battery is for you.
VMAXTANKS 12-Volt 125Ah AGM Deep Cycle Battery: Best Performer in Wide-range Temperatures
The Vmaxtanks VMAXSLR125 is a deep-cycle absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery, considered one of the best solar batteries available in the market. One of the most widely utilized deep cycle batteries in the solar storage business.
It is made with Military-grade tailor-made plates and doesn’t emit any dangerous fumes or gases when in use.
The battery boasts power even in minimum sunlight, ideal for cold weather. You can also use this battery as an inverter. It could be perfect for PV solar panels, and you can use it as a useful charger for solar panels.
It has a voltage of 12V and a charging voltage of 14.7 V that has a reserve capacity of almost five hours.
The major pro of this battery is It is a heavy-duty battery that you can buy at an affordable price. It will last long, approximately 8 to 10 years that will surely be worth your money. Also, It comes with a smart battery calculator to calculate the AC/DC power.
The downside of this item is that it is too huge to carry and maintain. The item weighs 75 pounds, with a 6.8 x 12.9 x 8.7 inches, which can certainly be a challenge for carrying it.
At the same time, since it is an AGM battery, you have to use a charge controller to prevent it from possibly overcharging. You can view other specifications and reviews about this product on Amazon costs $299.99.
JITA LifePO4 Lithium Battery: The Most Lightweight Unit
The JITA lithium battery is a deep cycle battery option for off-grid weighing 24.2 pounds and has a body dimension of 12.9 inches x 6.8 inches and 8.4 inches. It is lightweight compared to other batteries. At the same time, it is a lithium battery that is safer for the environment than lead-acid ones.
It has a built-in management system that prevents it from overcharging and overheating that is safe against explosion. It can power up to 12V appliances in RV and be connected to four identical batteries summing up to 48V. You can also choose from 100Ah to 300Ah.
You can install them in any area since it is certified IP65 level waterproof, which means it is resistant to water at any angle. However, remember that it is water-resistant but not waterproof, so avoid events that may be submerged in water.
The cons you might encounter in this battery are the lack of clear instructions on storage and controller settings, which is very important for beginners. The terminal bolts may be too short that need replacement if you want a longer bolt.
If you are interested in adding this to your next off-grid trip, check it on Amazon, priced at $465. You have to be quick in checking it out when it restocks because it is sold out easily.
Renogy 200Ah Deep Cycle Pure Gel Battery: A Great Catch For Daily Use
This is another Renogy battery included in the list and is an ideal choice for standby or daily power demands even under the most extreme situations.
This 12V 200Ah Deep Cycle Hybrid GEL Battery is ideal for essential systems. This battery is built to last with a leak-proof, maintenance-free construction that delivers excellent performance and long battery life. It can resist more than 750 charge/discharge cycles at 50% DOD.
Renogy’s GEL batteries will keep your vehicle or off-grid systems powered in the event of a sudden loss of mains power. You won’t need to do any maintenance or monitoring because it’s a pure gel battery.
This is made possible by the gel-like material that makes these batteries entirely sealed. Other notable aspects of these batteries are the Patent design construction which guarantees even distribution of the gel electrolyte.
At the same time, a long lifespan of around ten years with triples sealed construction. It has a low self-discharge since lead-calcium grids alloy makes them reliable for off-grid activities. It also boasts high-security features, including safety valves, which prevent the battery from producing redundant gas.
A downside is that it is heavier than other brands. Also, You can purchase this for $519.99 on Amazon.
ExpertPower 100Ah Rechargeable AGM Deep Cycle Battery: Easy-To-Operate Battery
This battery is one of the most widely used solar power systems. The majority of customers love this product because of its numerous advantages. The deep cycle battery with a 4.4-star rating is good for solar battery storage.
It is rated as Amazon’s Most Reliable And Highest Rated Sealed Lead Acid Batteries built to last, with a rugged construction and Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) technology that provides a wide temperature range.
What is great about this product is it’s simple to install and will have your RVs system running in no time. This solar power battery tolerates a wide variety of temperatures. It is also user-friendly; the product is simple to set up and only needs to be done once.
ExpertPower batteries are not only built to perform but also to last. The ExpertPower Sealed Lead Acid Batteries are constructed from the finest materials available. The battery box is made of non-conductive ABS plastic that is high-impact resistant. This material can tolerate shock, vibration, chemicals, and heat.
However, please take note that it cannot go at par with expensive battery models giving a reduced performance for heavy load devices. Also, the battery handle can easily be snap making it hard to carry it around without it.
Despite these cons, it is still a product that peoples most trust, and it has some of the best reviews on Amazon. You can buy it from Amazon for $589.90, but you might find it hard to secure a stock since it sells out easily.
Battle Born LiFePO4 Li-ion Battery: Best, Safest and Environment-friendly Option
The Battle-born BMS is built against the most prevalent causes of battery failure, such as temperature fluctuations and ground faults. The BMS controls how much power is drawn from the battery and works as a shut-off device to safeguard the lithium-ion cells (and you) from dangerous operating situations.
Unlike Lead Acid batteries, Battle Born’s deep-cycle lithium-ion batteries have an unlimited mounting capacity, outstanding longevity, and are more cost-effective. Furthermore, Li-Ion batteries may be safer than Lead Acid batteries, which lack ground fault protection.
When time and money are considered, our lithium-ion battery banks always win. Battle Born Batteries are made from 100 percent safe, nontoxic, renewable energy and may be charged and discharged multiple times and charge faster than any other battery.
These renewable, sustainable green energy batteries are superior to anything else on the market, even rival green batteries.
It is a good option since it’s portable and lightweight, weighing only 31 lbs. Since the battery is lithium-ion (Li-on), you can place it safely in any position ideal for your RV.
Note that it does not come with a handle, so you have to buy or spend more on adding this feature to make it handy. Some also complain that the batter does not have a good shelf life. You can purchase it on Amazon for $949.
Additional Information: How Do Solar Batteries Work
If it is your first time using a battery for solar storage, it will be good to know how they work to help you understand the importance of choosing the best for you.
Solar batteries store energy from the solar panels that can be used to run appliances in the Rv system. You can also use these batteries in residential properties, as well as in commercial buildings.
Battery for solar storage can store extra solar energy instead of sending it back to the power grid when you install a solar battery as part of your solar panel installation. If your panels generate more electricity than you use, you can also recharge your batteries.
When your solar panels aren’t producing electricity, you can use the stored energy to power your home. When your battery is full, electricity is supplied back to the grid, and when the battery is low, electricity is drawn from the grid.
In dealing with Rv batteries, if a newbie vanlifer, some terms may be new to you, such as AH, AGM, and V. The Amp-hours (AH), such as 100, 200, 300, implies how many amps the battery can supply to an appliance in an hour.
At the same time, 12V or 6V refers to how much electrical potential a battery can hold. Today, the standard battery is a 12-V battery, so you have to choose them over the others.
Of course, you might also need solar generators as a backup when a power outage is bad. Here is an article you can check for my suggestions you can consider.
Conclusion
Solar batteries can serve as an extension of your RV energy life. It will be the best buddy you can have if using solar panels and opting for a renewable energy source in your recreational vehicles. By choosing the best one out there just right for your budget and need, you will never have to worry about having collecting solar energy without an energy bank.
