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Apr 15, 2023

5 Best RV Batteries (2023 Guide)

Aidan Pounder is a Motor1.com product tester that has written automotive news content, car insurance guides, and extended warranty guides for HotCars, The Detroit Bureau, and other automotive sites. He spends his free time keeping up with European soccer.

Reviewed By: Charles Noyes

The best of the best when it comes to RV batteries.

A low-cost, yet highly reliable RV battery that won't give out.

A battery that demonstrates battery advancements.

An incredibly safe and easy-to-use RV battery.

A top-of-the-line RV battery for those with no budget.

Like all other vehicles on the road, a recreational vehicle (RV) needs a battery to operate. With an RV battery, the stakes are higher, as you’re not just powering a vehicle for a trip to the grocery store and back. An RV battery not only has to be able to power your RV over long distances but also power all of the appliances and electronics inside.

If you drive an RV, you know that your battery is one of the most important parts of your camper. So don't risk ruining your next family excursion due to a faulty battery, and invest in one of the best RV batteries on the market.

To select the RV batteries featured in this buyers guide, our team first combed through dozens of resources such as DIY mechanic and auto enthusiast forums, manufacturer and RV-specific websites, instruction manuals from manufacturers, and reviews from online retailers. We pay particularly close attention to quality reviews and recommendations that highlight the quality of warranties, customer service support, build quality, materials, and overall reliability.

We also factored in the quantity and quality of online retailer reviews from websites such as Amazon, RealTruck, Advance Auto Parts, and more. We looked at factors such as standout customer reviews, prices, meaningful superlatives, and discount shipping eligibility.

Since 2020, we have published over 200 auto product reviews in an effort to make shopping for auto products easier. Our team of writers, editors, researchers, and product experts collaborates to thoroughly vet top products. We try to perform in-house testing on real vehicles whenever possible before making our recommendations.

When testing is not feasible, however, our aim is to make your life easier by doing all the online research for you and presenting that research in the form of easy-to-read product comparisons and buyers guides, rather than outright recommendations. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.

Many RV owners find out they need a new battery for their RV, but don't know where to start. With this in mind, our review team has done the research for you. We’ve reviewed all of the different types of RV batteries and highlighted our top picks above. Below, we detail the best way to store RV batteries, and how to maintain your RV's battery.

There are four notable types of RV batteries: flooded lead-acid batteries, AGM batteries, gel cell batteries, and lithium-ion batteries.

RVs are usually stored away during the winter months and batteries of any kind naturally discharge over time. So how do you go about storing your RV battery when it's not in use?

We recommend that you disconnect your batteries from your RV for storage purposes, as during the winter months, freezing kills flooded-cell batteries. We also recommend steps such as recharging the battery as it naturally discharges because a charged battery cannot freeze.

Maintaining your RV battery partly depends on what type of battery you have. For example, lithium batteries require little to no upkeep. While we recommend checking with your manufacturer for maintenance protocols for your specific battery, there are a few basic maintenance jobs you can do:

The Weize 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 can live for more than 2,000 cycles at 100 percent or 8,000 cycles at 50 percent depth of discharge. This lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery will last five times longer than lead-acid batteries, as lead-acid batteries have a lifespan of merely two years. The deep cycle RV battery is made from safe, non-toxic, and nonhazardous energy – meaning it isn't prone to thermal runaway or overheating.

A built-in battery management system (BMS) protects your maintenance-free battery from overcharge, overcurrent, discharge, and short-circuiting. Due to the fact that lithium offers greater energy density and is at least half the mass of lead-acid batteries, the battery is a great power source for anything from off-grid solar panel systems to e-scooters. It should be noted that this RV deep-cycle battery comes with a 10-year warranty.

Amazon Review Score: 4.5 out of 5 based on over 400 ratings

Huge numbers of reviewers state that they purchased this RV battery solely because of its low-temperature cut-off and ability to be used for solar power. One reviewer got this battery for their 21.0-foot travel trailer, which they say works better than they expected.

Made with thick absorbed glass mat (AGM) separators, the Renogy Deep Cycle AGM Battery has no acid leakage, no water refilling, and no hydrogen gas. This battery's electrolyte formula has been improved upon from earlier models to ensure discharge performance between 5 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Its monthly discharge rate is below three percent at 77 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 5 times lower than that of flooded lead-acid batteries.

Built from durable acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) container material, it means the Renogy is vibration-resistant. This RV battery comes with silver-plated copper terminals to make wire identification easier. This battery can support a wide range of appliances past just powering an RV due to its 1,110.0A max discharge current. Coming in at around $200, this battery is significantly cheaper than many of its competitors and really sets itself apart through its value.

Amazon Review Score: 4.5 out of 5 based on over 1,900 ratings

Several customers mention that this is a great replacement battery for an RV or motorhome. One reviewer claimed to have problems with the battery, proceeded to contact customer service, and was able to get a replacement battery without issue thanks to the product warranty.

The Optima BlueTop is mountable in basically any position and works well as a boat battery or as an RV battery. Designed as a dual-purpose battery, it has both starting and deep cycle capabilities for those that need a power source – even in harsh conditions. This RV battery has a reserve capacity of 120 minutes, 870.0 marine cranking amps, and 750.0 cold cranking amps (CCA).

What separates this battery from its competitors is Optima's dedication to innovation and battery improvement. The BlueTop features Optima's SpiralCell Technology. This consists of individual spiral-wound cells composed of dual pure lead plates coated in lead oxide. This technology maintains and monitors temperature, humidity, tolerances, and automated processes.

If you’re looking for more information on Optima Batteries, check out our Optima Battery Review.

Amazon Review Score: 4.4 out of 5 based on over 1,200 ratings

The majority of reviewers note that they felt a huge difference in power after installing this RV battery. One reviewer claims to have been using this battery on their boat for over 10 years. Reviewers with negative feedback complain about issues holding charge.

Boasting the highest level safety certification from UL Solutions, the LiTime LiFePO4 offers high energy density and stable performance. Lead acid batteries can only produce 200 to 500 cycles over a lifespan of 3 years, while this battery can provide over 4,000 cycles for a battery life of over 10 years. The battery is also half the weight of lead-acid batteries with the same capacity.

This RV battery is the only battery in this review that's waterproof, specifically IP65 waterproof. Built-in BMS protects this battery from a range of different complications and issues. The battery's flat discharge curve holds approximately 12.8V for approximately 95 percent of its capacity usage. For trolling motors, it's recommended to use this battery for energy storage rather than as a starting battery.

Amazon Review Score: 4.6 out of 5 based on over 2,100 ratings

Reviewers rave over the RV battery's exceptional performance. One reviewer claims to use this battery for powering refrigerators, microwaves, and lights all connected to an inverter – and it works flawlessly. Reviewers with negative feedback question the battery's capacity.

The Battle Born Batteries LiFePO4 is made from 100 percent safe, sustainable, non-toxic, and renewable energy. This lithium-ion battery can be safely mounted in any position, making it a great option for RVers or even those who just need a new golf cart battery. Unlike lead-acid batteries, this lithium-ion battery bank is more cost-effective and has a longer life.

It should be noted that if you purchase six or more of these 12.0-volt batteries, they will ship via freight and you must be able to accept a pallet shipment. A built-in BMS acts as the brain of this RV battery. The BMS regulates the amount of power taken out of the battery and works as a shut-off system to protect you as well as the lithium-ion cells.

Amazon Review Score: 4.8 out of 5 based on over 700 ratings

Most reviewers mention how well the BMS works. Several also spoke to their ability to fulfill their warranty. Reviewers with negative feedback note difficulties using this battery as a replacement on their RV.

The best RV batteries are long-lasting and reliable, so you can travel cross country or take a scenic trip to the mountains with family and friends. Our buyers guide is a tool for you to know the different types of RV batteries available on the market so that when the time comes, you feel prepared to make the right choice for your next RV battery.

You should use a deep cycle battery in an RV, due to the fact that this type of battery can produce steady power output over an extended period of time. For a pull-behind camper, we recommend getting at least a 12.0V 100.0Ah battery.

RV batteries typically last between five to seven years if taken care of properly. Simply performing routine maintenance and recharging the battery if it completely loses charge will maximize the lifespan of your RV battery.

We recommend using one of the best car battery chargers to determine whether your RV battery is bad or not. A healthy RV battery should maintain between 9.0V and 11.0V, while a bad battery's charge will dissipate within seconds of being connected to a charger.

RV batteries and marine batteries aren't exactly the same, but they are interchangeable. You can actually take out your boat's battery and drop it in your RV as long as it has a large reserve capacity and slow discharge.

No, you need more than two batteries in an RV. Unless you enjoy the sound of a generator running, you’ll need a minimum of four batteries. Boondocking may allow you to get away with only two batteries, but four batteries are recommended.

*Data accurate at time of publication.

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