What to look for when buying a LiFePO4 battery

More and more people are switching to LiFePO4 batteries. It's not surprising, as these modern batteries are powerful, safe, and last much longer than traditional lead-acid batteries. Whether you're looking for a reliable power supply for your camper, boat, or off-grid setup: a good LiFePO4 battery really makes all the difference!

But what exactly should you look for when buying one? The choice is enormous these days. In this blog, we'll help you get started, so you can be sure you choose the right battery for your needs.

1. Determine how much capacity you need

One of the most important choices is how much energy you need. A battery's capacity is expressed in Ah (ampere-hours) or kWh (kilowatt-hours).

Ask yourself: how many appliances do I want to run, and for how long? Will you only use the battery for lights and a refrigerator, or do you also want to cook, work, or run the air conditioning?

Especially for water sports: battery capacity directly determines how many hours you can sail. Want to know more? Then check out our article about how many hours you can sail with a LiFePO4 battery.

Tip: Make a list of all the appliances you plan to use and estimate their power consumption. This will prevent surprises.

2. Choose the correct voltage

LiFePO4 batteries are available in different voltages: 12V, 24V and 48V.
Most RVs use 12V or sometimes 24V systems. In the water sports industry, we see many boats opting for 24V or even 48V, especially with larger engines and longer cruising times.

At Powerlit we offer batteries that can be connected in series .
This makes it easy to safely expand your system to higher voltages, without having to purchase a single, heavy, almost unliftable 48V battery. By connecting multiple 12V batteries in series, you maintain flexibility and keep the system manageable for maintenance or replacement.

3. Pay attention to the quality of the cells

Not every LiFePO4 battery is the same. The quality of the cells used largely determines the battery's performance and lifespan.

At Powerlit we use high-quality cells from Gotion High Tech , a renowned manufacturer that also supplies battery cells for the Volkswagen Automotive Group (VAG) .

This means automotive quality in your boat, camper or off-grid installation.
We guarantee at least 4000 charging cycles – and even more with normal use.

4. Check if a strong BMS is present

The BMS (Battery Management System) is the brain of the battery.
This ensures that your battery charges safely, does not discharge too deeply and remains protected against temperatures that are too high or too low.

Our Powerlit batteries are equipped with a powerful BMS that offers comprehensive protection, including protection against overcharging, low voltage, short circuits, temperature fluctuations, and more. The exact protection features can be found in the product specifications for each Powerlit battery.

5. Charging options: choose the right battery charger

Not every battery charger is suitable for LiFePO4 batteries.
We recommend choosing a Powerlit battery charger , specifically designed for our batteries. This ensures the charging profile and voltages are optimally matched.

Do you already have a charger? Other chargers will work just fine, provided they are compatible with LiFePO4, have the correct charging voltage, and don't exceed the maximum recommended charging amperage.

6. Size, weight and installation options

LiFePO4 batteries are significantly lighter than traditional lead-acid batteries – up to 70% lighter .
This makes them ideal for RVs, boats and applications where weight is an important factor.

When installing, pay attention to the size: especially if you are connecting in series or want to combine multiple batteries, careful planning is important for both space and accessibility during maintenance.

7. Additional features

Another important thing to consider is whether the battery has Bluetooth. This Bluetooth functionality allows you to easily check your battery's status. This can be very useful while sailing or if you've been off-grid for a while.

All Powerlit batteries are equipped with Bluetooth, and we have our own Powerlit app available for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store . Read more about our app on this page .

7. Warranty and support

A LiFePO4 battery is an investment for years to come. Powerlit offers a standard 3-year warranty on your battery. Want extra peace of mind? You can easily extend the warranty to 4 or even 5 years through our website.

We believe in the quality of our products and are ready to help you if you ever have any questions or problems.

Common mistakes when buying a LiFePO4 battery

Choosing too small a capacity means you will run out of power faster than you think.
Not taking charging equipment into account: an incorrect charger can shorten the lifespan.
Looking only at price: the cheapest battery is often not the best choice in the long run.

Need help choosing?

Every situation is different, and we're happy to help. Want to be sure which Powerlit battery best suits your needs? Feel free to contact us; together we'll find the right solution, whether it's a single battery for your camper or a complete set for your boat or off-grid project.