Between AGM and gel, 9 of the 16 characteristics in the full table below differ; 6 are the same and one 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 · 41.5 Wh/kg · 750 cycles
The longest-lasting sealed lead-acid in Victron’s figures: 500 cycles at 80 % depth against 400 for AGM.
Watch out: Lower peak current than AGM (7C against 8C for 5 s, Victron), and it needs its own lower charging voltage.
| Feature | Lead-acid AGM | Lead-acid gel |
|---|---|---|
| Differences (9) | ||
| Basics | ||
| 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 14.1–14.4 V for 12 V (Victron) |
| Formats | 12 V blocks; sealed, valve-regulated (VRLA) | 12 V blocks; sealed (VRLA), with the acid in a gel |
| Example (source of the figures) | Victron AGM 12 V 90 Ah | Victron gel 12 V 90 Ah |
| Energy | ||
| Energy per kilogram | 40 Wh/kg | 41.5 Wh/kg |
| Life and storage | ||
| Cycle life | 400 at 80 % depth, 600 at 50 %, 1,500 at 30 % (Victron) | 500 at 80 % depth, 750 at 50 %, 1,800 at 30 % (Victron) |
| Current | ||
| Maximum continuous discharge | No continuous figure; 8C for 5 s at most (Victron) | No continuous figure; 7C for 5 s at most (Victron) |
| Temperature | ||
| Charging temperature | from −15 to 50 °C · with temperature compensation; 0–40 °C without (Fullriver); never when frozen | Not stated in our sources · temperature compensation needed below 10 °C (Victron) |
| Safety, charging and shipping | ||
| 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 14.1–14.4 V, float 13.5–13.8 V for 12 V (Victron) |
| Uses | ||
| Typical uses | Leisure and backup batteries, UPS, alarm systems, starter batteries | Slow, regular deep discharges: solar, mobility aids |
| Same on both (6) | ||
| Basics | ||
| Type | Rechargeable | |
| Nominal voltage | 2 V per cell (12 V = 6 cells) | |
| Energy | ||
| Energy per litre | 101 Wh/L | |
| Life and storage | ||
| Self-discharge and storage | Under 2 % a month at 20 °C, doubling with every 10 °C more (Victron) | |
| Safety, charging and shipping | ||
| Fire risk | Not rated here; sealed (valve-regulated), so there is no acid to top up | |
| Air transport | Non-spillable (UN2800): not restricted when it passes the spill tests of special provision A67 and the terminals are protected | |
| Can’t be compared (1) | ||
| Temperature | ||
| Discharge temperature | Not stated in our sources | Not stated in our sources |
In our table, no characteristic is in favour of AGM over gel.
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: Lead-acid gel →
With gel: more cycles. In our table, no characteristic is in favour of AGM.
Cycle life for AGM: 400 at 80 % depth, 600 at 50 %, 1,500 at 30 % (Victron). For gel: 500 at 80 % depth, 750 at 50 %, 1,800 at 30 % (Victron). 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, 14.1–14.4 V for gel.
LiFePO4 vs lead-acid AGM Lead-acid AGM vs flooded lead-acid 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.