| LiFePO4 | Lead-acid (AGM / flooded) | |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | ~90% or more | ~50% |
| Lifespan | Thousands of cycles, 10+ years | Hundreds of cycles, a few years |
| Weight | Light for its capacity | Heavy |
| Maintenance | None | Flooded needs water top-ups and venting |
| Charges | Fast | Slow, needs full recharges |
| Cold | No charging below freezing | Tolerates cold charging better |
| Up-front price | Higher | Lower |
| Cost per kWh you actually use | Lower | Higher |
What to buy
- Homes, cabins, tiny houses, most buses: 48V server-rack LiFePO4.
- Vans: 12V LiFePO4.
- Outages and camping: a LiFePO4 power station.
Questions people ask
Is LiFePO4 safe?
It's the most stable lithium chemistry and the standard for home and vehicle solar.
Why is lead-acid still sold?
It's cheaper up front and familiar. Over its life, it costs more per kWh you actually use.
Get the exact setup
A few taps and you'll know exactly what to buy for your situation.