6 Best RV Batteries in 2022- Reviews and Buying Guide

The RV is becoming more and more popular among campers and those that love road trips. Having the best RV batteries will ensure that your truck is always powered, but it is even deeper. Many of these batteries also power the vehicle features like the showers and the portable cooking gear you have for sustaining yourself.

However, there are plenty of different batteries on the market today, and finding the right one can often be a daunting prospect. This article aims to make life easier for you and to help you find the right batteries for your RV. Once you have the best RV batteries, you will notice a massive difference in the performance of your vehicle.

Additionally, you will also need to look at the buyer’s guide. The buyer’s guide will allow you to see how we went about selecting these products. If you don’t like any of the options on the list, you can use the guide to help you find RV batteries you might need for your home. 

 

Why Do You Need A Deep Cycle RV Battery?

When driving with your RV, you will be charging and discharging the battery regularly. To ensure you have a good battery, you will need something that gives you more consistency. The deep cycle battery does not drain as rapidly and it gives you a consistent stream of power to ensure that you have consistent power output.

One of the main characteristics of the deep cycle battery is that it does not discharge as low as many other batteries. When you start your vehicle, you will need a consistent burst of energy and when you don’t have a strong battery, it could deplete the battery faster than you give it a chance to replenish the battery life. 

Compared to SLI and ISS batteries, the deep cycle battery has higher density active materials. The active materials are denser and more durable, which means that it also has a larger capacity. The high percentage of antimony in the positive grid also means the battery does not release as much energy at the same time.

Since you will have more energy to work with, you can easily set up the battery and be sure you won’t be left stranded. It should always allow you to have enough energy in the battery to start your car and sustain it until it is fully charged.

Different Types Of Batteries You Can Select-

Now that you understand the deep cycle battery, you will also need to understand the other types. While deep cycle batteries are still the best in terms of recommendation, these other batteries can be budget-friendly alternatives. Here is a small breakdown of the most common battery types to use in your RV:

Flooded Batteries:

The flooded battery is one of the most common batteries it is often used in trucks and tractors to ensure the vehicle will start when commanded. One of the characteristics is that the battery has electrolytes that are free to move around in the battery. Additionally, the user has access to every individual cell and they can add water to keep it from drying out. 

Sealed Batteries:

The sealed battery is probably one of the most common. These are also deep cycle batteries, but instead of giving you access to the cells, it is completely sealed. However, you can have a flooded battery that still has all the same internal compartments as the standard flooded battery. The manufacturer will add enough of a specific chemical to sustain the battery throughout the warranty period.

VRLA Batteries:

Valve-regulated lead-acid batteries are some of the most common batteries you can find. These batteries are also sealed, but they have an operating valve. The valve is designed to allow oxygen and hydrogen to escape when the battery is charged. The voltage range of these batteries will range from 14.2-volts to 14.5-volts.

AGM Batteries:

AGM batteries or Absorbed Glass Mat batteries are designed with the electrolytes being closer to the active plates. These batteries aim to increase the efficiency of the recharge and discharge process of the batteries. They are considered only one of the many variants of the VRLA batteries available.

Gel Batteries:

The Gel Cell batteries are similar to the AGM batteries. While they have the electrolyte that is suspended close to the active plate, they technically have wet cells. The recharge process of these batteries requires a very low voltage. This also means that you have a good battery that should be used for a VERY DEEP Cell application.

Battery Sizes Explained:

There are a variety of different battery sizes. It is often better for you to gain a good understanding of the battery sizes. While it is an interesting topic, the battery sizes you will need for your RV are generally set and you won’t want to deviate from them. 

To understand the size of the battery, you will look at the power output. Batteries are found in different sizes that are named voltage. The 12-volt battery is probably the most common. However, the 14-volt battery is one of the bigger options. You will want to make sure that you have the right battery for every situation.

Best RV Batteries Available On The Market Today:

Now that you have seen a couple of important features and details of batteries, you might also wonder which batteries are the best. There are plenty of different batteries you can look at. However, we have isolated 7 of the top options available. Once you have read these reviews, you should also look at the buyer’s guide to help you select the best RV batteries.

Battery Type: VRLA Battery

The Universal Power Group 12V 100Ah Solar Wind AGM SLA DEEP Cycle VRLA Battery is one of the best deep cycle batteries on the market today. It is designed to deliver consistent power to the RV while you are driving and when using it for other purposes. The battery automatically comes with 100 AH, which can last a couple of days if you don’t put too much strain on the battery.

The outer structure of the battery is durable. It should be able to resist plenty of damage and if you drive off-road, the bumps your vehicle will take should not have any effect on the battery. Universal Power Group is also one of the most notorious brands. However, the battery is a little bit too heavy for many RVs.

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

If you are looking for a battery that can help you sustain your RV and you don’t want it to be drained rapidly, you might want to look at the Battle Born LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery. It features a lithium-ion cell composition and the BMS (Battery Management System) is designed to regulate the flow of energy from the battery.

Much like the previous option, the 12-volt version of this battery comes with 100 AH. It is a good way to get you started and you can use the additional power to sustain other compartments and features of your vehicle. It is only 29-pounds, which means the battery is lightweight and easy for you to mount in your RV.

Verdict:

While it has all the best features, the battery still has a couple of downsides. These issues are not detrimental and you won’t find that it hinders you. The biggest issue we could find with this battery is the price. It is one of the most expensive battery options on the market today.

Battery Type: AGM Lead Acid Battery

It is always important that you do diligent research when selecting one of the best RV batteries. The WindyNation 100 amp-Hour 100AH 12V 12 Volt AGM Deep Cycle Sealed Lead Acid Battery is one of the best AGM batteries on the market today. It has plenty of durable features that will help it stand out and the 100 AH gives you additional power.

The battery is not lightweight and this could be an issue. However, it will regulate the distribution of energy for your RV to ensure that you don’t have any issues when using it. Since it is compatible with solar systems, the battery has an additional method that you can use for charging it. The battery is made for most RVs.

Battery Type: Lead Acid Battery

The lead-acid battery is one of the most common batteries. However, Optima is one of the best brands on the market today and if you want a reliable battery, you need to consider the Optima OPT8016-103 Batteries D34M BlueTop Starting and Deep Cycle Marine Battery. It is designed for your RV, but should also be a great option for your RV.

The 12-volt battery is designed with 55 AH. While this might not be as much as many of the other brands, it can still give you a decent boost. The battery is only 46-pounds, which makes it a lightweight option. You won’t need to make any specific changes to your battery if you have the right weight and durability. 

Battery Type: Flooded Battery

The 6-volt battery is not common when you want to power an entire RV. Most people will not settle for anything less than the 12-volt battery. However, the 4 X TROJAN BATTERY T-105 PLUS 6V DEEP CYCLE FLOODED is designed to give you additional power and power extra gear items in the RV that you will use.

It has an exceptional design and while the battery can be a bit heavy, it does not have any issues when it comes to quality. There is plenty of value in these smaller batteries as they can serve as backup power. Unfortunately, it will need the vehicle to recharge and it does not have any external factors that could help you to recharge the unit.

Battery Type: AGM Battery

The Vmaxtanks VMAXSLR125 AGM 12V 125Ah SLA Rechargeable Deep Cycle Battery might not be a complete solar battery. However, it can be mounted to a solar system that will help you to keep the unit charged and ensure you have power. It has 125 Ah, which gives you plenty of power for starting your vehicle and other draining appliances.

The battery includes a backup system, which means there is also additional power that you won’t constantly use. Should you find yourself in a bad situation and need immediate power when the battery is flat, you can use backup power. It is also one of the safest batteries with almost zero emissions to deal with.

 

RV Batteries Buying Guide & Tips-

We hope that you have a good understanding of the batteries by now. However, there is so much more information that we used in making sure we find the right batteries for your needs. To ensure you get the best battery, we have listed the buyer’s guide. Here are some of the most important features to keep in mind when selecting the best RV batteries:

Battery Materials:

One of the first things to consider is the materials used on the inside of the battery. Lithium-ion is probably the most common material, but you can also look at AGM. Lithium-ion is by far the most popular option. However, it is also very expensive and you will need to keep them warm. These batteries might falter in cold conditions. 

The AGM batteries are slightly better for cold weather and they use small fiberglass pieces that will help to absorb the sulphuric acid. One of the main reasons that people use these batteries is that they will work at peak capacity in the cold weather as well. 

Battery Sizes You Need:

Most batteries are split into two sizes. The 12-volt battery is probably the most common option on the market today. However, the 6-volt battery is also a great option. The downside is that you will need two 6-volt batteries. It can be complicated for beginners when it comes to the wiring of these two batteries to make them work.

However, the 12-volt battery is already connected and you don’t need to worry about making any additional connection. If you were looking for a new battery for your RV, we would recommend that you consider the 12-volt battery.

Life Expectancy:

You will have to look at the life expectancy of the battery and this varies from brand to brand. However, the warranty that the manufacturer gives you should be more than enough to give you an indication. For the most part, lithium-ion batteries last the longest and they will never have any issues when it comes to sustainability.

Most of the lithium-ion batteries on the list have a life expectancy of 10-years. Many of the smaller batteries, especially lead-acid batteries only have a life expectancy of 5-years. It might not be enough for the avid campers.

Power:

One of the main things to keep in mind is that you will need to keep everything powered. Unless you want to keep the generator running and making plenty of noise, your batteries will be your lifeline. To determine the battery power you will need, you also need to consider the appliances you are using.

Once you have determined the appliances you have, you should combine the power that each appliance needs for operation. This will give you the perfect indication of how much power you are going to need for your RV.

Accessories:

Finally, these RV batteries can often connect to additional systems. If you have a battery that connects to solar systems, it should be efficient for you to have a solar-powered system. Since you might be standing with the RV and camping, your battery will drain rapidly. If you have a high-powered generator, it can also be used to power your battery or to recharge the unit if that is needed. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

By now, you should have all the information needed to make the best decision. There are plenty of high-end batteries and features to help you when camping with your RV. There are still a couple of common questions that many people might have. Here is a short breakdown of the most common questions that people have asked:

• How To Install An RV Battery?

For most beginners, it can be hard to install these batteries. However, it will take some practice, but eventually, you will be able to set it up. For many batteries, you might need to build an additional compartment. If the battery is too heavy, you might not be able to find the right place to install the unit and expert assistance might be needed.

• How Long Does RV Batteries Last?

It all comes down to the battery type and the brand. Every battery manufacturer tries to create the strongest battery for their customers. However, most of these batteries should be around a couple of days. It is important to test the battery and find out how long you can use it before it needs to be recharged.

• Where Do You Store An RV Battery?

You don’t want to leave the battery out in the sun and it is much better to keep the battery stored in an enclosed place. You can store it inside your home and keep the room at room temperature. These batteries are expensive and they could be valuable if you love camping. We recommend removing the battery if you are not using it. 

Wrap-Up:

If you are looking for the best RV batteries, you have come to the right place. These batteries will offer you good value for your money and ensure your RV keeps on moving. All of these batteries can help you in some way or another and while some of them serve different purposes, they should keep the RV moving.

If you have found the battery you like, let us know in the comment section if we have missed any of your favorite batteries.

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