Between AGM and flooded lead-acid, 12 of the 16 characteristics in the full table below differ; 2 are the same and 2 can’t be compared because our sources give no figure or rating for one or both.
2 V · 40 Wh/kg · 600 cycles
A sealed 12 V battery that standard chargers handle, and Fullriver allows charging down to −15 °C.
Watch out: Heavy (40 Wh/kg) and only 400 cycles at 80 % depth (Victron): deep discharges wear it out, and it should be recharged soon after use.
2 V · 48 Wh/kg · 1,200 cycles
Rugged deep-cycle batteries with topping-up and equalizing charges, for banks you can ventilate and maintain.
Watch out: Loses 5–15 % a month (Trojan), needs ventilation and regular topping up, and is classed as spillable.
| Feature | Lead-acid AGM | Flooded lead-acid |
|---|---|---|
| Differences (12) | ||
| Basics | ||
| Nominal voltage | 2 V per cell (12 V = 6 cells) | 2 V per cell (6 V = 3 cells) |
| Voltage range | 1.75 V per cell at cut-off; absorption 14.2–14.6 V for 12 V (Victron) | 1.75 V per cell at cut-off; absorption 7.40 V for 6 V at 25 °C (Trojan) |
| Formats | 12 V blocks; sealed, valve-regulated (VRLA) | 6 V and 12 V batteries with vents and caps for topping up |
| Example (source of the figures) | Victron AGM 12 V 90 Ah | Trojan T-105 (6 V, 225 Ah) |
| Energy | ||
| Energy per kilogram | 40 Wh/kg | 48 Wh/kg |
| Life and storage | ||
| Cycle life | 400 at 80 % depth, 600 at 50 %, 1,500 at 30 % (Victron) | 1,200 at 50 % depth (Trojan Signature Line) |
| Self-discharge and storage | Under 2 % a month at 20 °C, doubling with every 10 °C more (Victron) | 5–15 % a month, depending on temperature (Trojan) |
| Temperature | ||
| Charging temperature | from −15 to 50 °C · with temperature compensation; 0–40 °C without (Fullriver); never when frozen | Not stated in our sources · Trojan’s operating range is −20 to 45 °C; below 0 °C keep it above 60 % charge |
| Safety, charging and shipping | ||
| Fire risk | Not rated here; sealed (valve-regulated), so there is no acid to top up | Gives off hydrogen while charging: Trojan says never charge it in a sealed or unventilated space |
| Charging | 3-stage charger: absorption 14.2–14.6 V, float 13.5–13.8 V for 12 V; temperature compensation below 10 °C and above 30 °C (Victron) | Absorption 7.40 V, float 6.60 V, equalize 7.75 V for 6 V at 25 °C, with temperature compensation; top up with water (Trojan) |
| Air transport | Non-spillable (UN2800): not restricted when it passes the spill tests of special provision A67 and the terminals are protected | Spillable (UN2794): regulated dangerous goods, in acid-proof packaging |
| Uses | ||
| Typical uses | Leisure and backup batteries, UPS, alarm systems, starter batteries | Golf carts, floor machines, off-grid banks with regular maintenance |
| Same on both (2) | ||
| Basics | ||
| Type | Rechargeable | |
| Energy | ||
| Energy per litre | 101 Wh/L | |
| Can’t be compared (2) | ||
| Current | ||
| Maximum continuous discharge | No continuous figure; 8C for 5 s at most (Victron) | Not stated in our sources |
| Temperature | ||
| Discharge temperature | Not stated in our sources | from −20 to 45 °C |
Open the battery comparison →Tick what your project needs and see which of the 15 chemistries fits.
Voltage and charge chart: Lead-acid AGM →
Voltage and charge chart: Flooded lead-acid →
With AGM: easier air transport. With flooded lead-acid: more cycles and more energy per kilogram.
Cycle life for AGM: 400 at 80 % depth, 600 at 50 %, 1,500 at 30 % (Victron). For flooded lead-acid: 1,200 at 50 % depth (Trojan Signature Line). These figures depend on depth of discharge, current and temperature.
Yes as a 12 V battery, but set the charger for the new type: absorption 14.2–14.6 V for AGM, 14.8 V (Trojan, 2 × 7.40 V) for flooded lead-acid.
LiFePO4 vs lead-acid AGM Lead-acid AGM vs lead-acid gel LiFePO4 vs Li-ion (NMC/NCA) Li-ion (NMC/NCA) vs LiPo (pouch) LTO (lithium titanate) vs LiFePO4 Sodium-ion vs LiFePO4
Figures from one or two named cells or batteries per chemistry, from the makers’ datasheets; checked in November 2026.