Looking for the Best Camper Battery?
- by Joe Weber - updated on 9/22/2023
Having enough power to run your electronics in your camper is important. Having reliable power is even more important. Keep reading to learn more about the batteries we have to offer and what makes one maybe a little bit better than the other. But first, let's answer a very important question.
What's the Difference Between an RV and a Camper?
It's a simple question that many, including yours truly, don't know the answer to. Until now.
A camper, for all intents and purposes, refers to recreational vehicles that need to be towed behind a truck, van or even sometimes a car. Whereas an RV is something that you can physically drive. It does not need to be towed.
For many, these are used interchangeably. Many people just refer to everything as an RV (recreational vehicle). It's similar to the "Jacuzzi" debate. All Jacuzzis are hot tubs but not all hot tubs are Jacuzzis.
What Kind of Battery Do I Need for My Camper?
Now that we got that out of the way, let's talk about batteries. Campers have the need for only one type of battery, the deep-cycle battery. Because it is towed behind a vehicle, there is no engine so there is no need for a starting battery.
What is A Deep-Cycle Battery?
While they may look similar to car batteries, they are very different. Unlike car batteries, deep-cycle batteries are designed to deliver lasting power over long periods until they are discharged by 80%. At this point, they require recharging to be ready for the next day. Learn all about deep-cycle batteries in our Deep-Cycle Battery Guide.
Important Note
Keep in mind that while some deep cycle batteries can be discharged up to 80%, most manufacturers advise against going below 50% to maximize the battery's lifespan.
What's the Best Battery for A Camper?
Okay, we know what a camper is and the type of battery you need. But what is the best battery for your camper? Let's find out.
X2Power Lithium
The X2Power brand has the benefit of Batteries Plus's 30+ years of experience with batteries. X2Power Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) deep-cycle batteries are a newcomer to the scene. LiFePO4 has only been around since 1996, which is almost 30 years so it's not really that new. Lithium Iron Phosphate is touted for its safety and long life but there are many more great things about it.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Half the weight of lead batteries. | The highest initial cost. |
| Ultra-fast recharging within 1-3 hours. | Not ideal for use in very low temperatures. |
| Last up to 10 times longer than lead acid batteries. | Shipping lithium can be a struggle and requires special handling. |
| Lithium can be stored for long periods with little maintenance. | Need chargers designed for lithium. |
| Can be safely discharged 80% of its charge. (down to 20% charge) | Deep-cycle only. |
| Provides the same amount of power no matter what the charge is. | - |
| More power in a smaller, lighter package. | - |
| The safest type of lithium battery. | - |
| Comes with the longest warranties, some even as long as 10 years. | - |
X2Power AGM
You need your deep-cycle batteries to be reliable, and that's just what X2Power batteries are. X2Power AGM batteries use Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) technology providing more power, longer life, and greater resistance even in the harshest environments.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Almost 30 times more resistant to vibrations than flooded deep-cycle batteries. | Slightly more expensive than other AGM batteries. |
| It's a true dual-purpose battery that can be used for deep-cycle or starting. | Sensitive to overcharging |
| They last three times longer than your standard flooded deep-cycle battery. | Special chargers designed for AGM are needed. |
| TPPL allows for more power production. | - |
| Spill-proof. | - |
| Comes with longer 4-year warranties | - |
Duracell Ultra Platinum AGM
Duracell Ultra is known by everyone as one of the most trusted battery brands. The Duracell Ultra AGM RV batteries feature several improvements over flooded batteries.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Double the cycle life over traditional deep-cycle batteries. | More expensive than flooded batteries. |
| Spill-proof | Chargers designed for AGM are needed. |
| 20x more vibration-resistant than flooded batteries. | - |
| Comes with a 30-month warranty. | - |
Duracell Ultra Flooded
Flooded batteries are your traditional replacement batteries that most manufacturers use as factory batteries. Duracell Ultra flooded batteries are a great value if you are not looking to break the bank.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Inexpensive | Deep-cycle only |
| The most common battery used | Requires regular maintenance |
The Verdict
As you can see, there are many choices when it comes to deep-cycle batteries for your camper. There are even more available that I don't have listed here but these are our more popular deep-cycle options.
If you are strictly talking about which battery is the best, I'd have to give it to the X2Power Lithium deep-cycle batteries. Even though they cost more initially than other batteries, they provide more power in smaller packages and last so long that you will end up saving money in the end. To learn more about X2Power and all of the batteries we have to offer, check us out online or stop into your nearest Batteries Plus store and talk to our battery experts.
What's the best option for you? It depends.
There is no "good" or "bad" deep-cycle choice. A lot of what it boils down to is how you are going to use it, and your budget. If you have a small camper, an AGM or even a flooded battery would be fine. For large campers with a lot of appliances, you might want to consider stepping into the lithium range.