Between LiFePO4 and AGM, 14 of the 16 characteristics in the full table below differ; one is the same and one can’t be compared because our sources give no figure or rating for one or both.
3.2 V · 109–163 Wh/kg · 1,000–6,000 cycles
The long-life lithium choice: thousands of cycles, a flat 3.2 V and a lower fire risk than other lithium-ion cells.
Watch out: Heavier than Li-ion for the same energy, and no charging at 0 °C or below. Its flat voltage makes the charge hard to read from the voltage.
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.
| Feature | LiFePO4 | Lead-acid AGM |
|---|---|---|
| Differences (14) | ||
| Basics | ||
| Nominal voltage | 3.2 V | 2 V per cell (12 V = 6 cells) |
| Voltage range | 2.5 V (empty) to 3.65 V (full) | 1.75 V per cell at cut-off; absorption 14.2–14.6 V for 12 V (Victron) |
| Formats | Prismatic storage cells and cylindrical power cells; 12, 24 and 48 V batteries with a built-in BMS | 12 V blocks; sealed, valve-regulated (VRLA) |
| Example (source of the figures) | EVE LF280K (280 Ah), A123 ANR26650M1-B (2.5 Ah) | Victron AGM 12 V 90 Ah |
| Energy | ||
| Energy per kilogram | 109–163 Wh/kg | 40 Wh/kg |
| Energy per litre | 239–347 Wh/L | 101 Wh/L |
| Life and storage | ||
| Cycle life | 6,000 to 80 % of the energy (EVE LF280K storage cell, 0.5P, 25 °C); over 1,000 at 20 A and full depth (A123 power cell) | 400 at 80 % depth, 600 at 50 %, 1,500 at 30 % (Victron) |
| Self-discharge and storage | At most 5 % in 28 days at 25 °C (EVE retention test); store at 30–40 % | Under 2 % a month at 20 °C, doubling with every 10 °C more (Victron) |
| Current | ||
| Maximum continuous discharge | From 1C (EVE LF280K storage cell: 1P) to 20C (A123 ANR26650M1-B power cell: 50 A) | No continuous figure; 8C for 5 s at most (Victron) |
| Temperature | ||
| Charging temperature | 0–60 °C · EVE LF280K; full power only around 25 °C: 3 % of it at 0 °C, 30 % at 10 °C (constant-power table); not stated for the A123 cell | from −15 to 50 °C · with temperature compensation; 0–40 °C without (Fullriver); never when frozen |
| Safety, charging and shipping | ||
| Fire risk | Lower than NCA Li-ion and similar to LTO: in 18650 abuse tests thermal runaway began at 234 °C and peaked at 310 °C, against 207 °C and 579 °C for NCA, with the lowest pressure peak of the three | Not rated here; sealed (valve-regulated), so there is no acid to top up |
| Charging | CC/CV to 3.65 V per cell at most; a BMS balances the cells and blocks charging in the cold | 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) |
| Air transport | Lithium-ion dangerous goods (UN3480/3481): loose batteries by cargo aircraft only, at 30 % charge at most; since 2026, batteries over 2.7 Wh packed with equipment must also be at 30 % at most. Passengers carry spares in the cabin, up to 100 Wh freely and 100–160 Wh with airline approval; since 27 March 2026, at most two power banks each, not recharged on board | Non-spillable (UN2800): not restricted when it passes the spill tests of special provision A67 and the terminals are protected |
| Uses | ||
| Typical uses | House batteries for campers and boats, solar storage, 12 V lead-acid replacements, e-bikes, power stations | Leisure and backup batteries, UPS, alarm systems, starter batteries |
| Same on both (1) | ||
| Basics | ||
| Type | Rechargeable | |
| Can’t be compared (1) | ||
| Temperature | ||
| Discharge temperature | from −30 to 60 °C · EVE LF280K (only 20 % of full power at −20 °C); A123 −30 to 55 °C | Not stated in our sources |
Open the battery comparison →Tick what your project needs and see which of the 15 chemistries fits.
Voltage and charge chart: LiFePO4 →
Voltage and charge chart: Lead-acid AGM →
With LiFePO4: more cycles, more energy per kilogram, more energy per litre, and simple 5 V charging with a one-cell module. With AGM: charging in the cold and easier air transport.
Cycle life for LiFePO4: 6,000 to 80 % of the energy (EVE LF280K storage cell, 0.5P, 25 °C); over 1,000 at 20 A and full depth (A123 power cell). For AGM: 400 at 80 % depth, 600 at 50 %, 1,500 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 14.0–14.4 V (Victron) for LiFePO4, 14.2–14.6 V for AGM. Never charge LiFePO4 below 0 °C.
LiFePO4 vs Li-ion (NMC/NCA) LTO (lithium titanate) vs LiFePO4 Sodium-ion vs LiFePO4 Lead-acid AGM vs lead-acid gel Lead-acid AGM vs flooded lead-acid Li-ion (NMC/NCA) vs LiPo (pouch) NiMH low self-discharge vs Li-ion (NMC/NCA) NiMH low self-discharge vs alkaline Lithium AA (Li-FeS₂) vs alkaline
Figures from one or two named cells or batteries per chemistry, from the makers’ datasheets; checked in November 2026.