Power on the move: The best leisure batteries of 2024

The best leisure batteries of 2024 at a glance:

• Best overall: SuperBatt AGM1100 12V 120Ah VRLA – View at Amazon
• Best budget: SuperBatt LM75 Deep Cycle Leisure Battery – View at Amazon  
• Best Class A: Platinum AGM AGMLB6110L 100Ah – View at Amazon
• Best Class B: Halfords HLB750 100Ah – View at Halfords

Here are a selection of the best options on the market, with useful categories to help you choose. So, grab your camping fridges and pack some clothes – we're going to get you powered up for your next big trip.

Best leisure batteries of 2024

All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.

How to choose the best leisure batteries for you: Buyer's guide

What are leisure batteries for?

Leisure batteries are mostly used for motorhomes, caravans, and marine use. They sit at 12v – and only 12v (except for power stations with built-in inverters for mains power). They release their charge in a controlled, smooth flow. Standard leisure batteries are typically used with low-power devices. Depending on their Class rating and capacity, they can be used with kettles and TVs, fans and lights.

As Lifesure notes, the best leisure batteries also can smooth out and correct irregularities in a power supply - that's ideal for anything that needs a supply that's as close to a domestic socket as you can get.

What battery size do you need?

Firstly, it's a great idea to line up your most-used electrical items and find out how much power they'll require. In the winter you might have greater power needs, especially if you're topping up your heating with a portable oil-filled radiator. You'll need to have factored-in seasonal needs like this – and even extras like watching more TV if you're cooped up inside in the warm.

For example, your device voltage (e.g.: a portable TV) might draw 2.5 Amps. Multiply that current by the hours of usage (e.g.: three hours of watching TV) and you have your amp-hours = 7.5 Ah.

With most batteries listing their amp hours high on the specifications, it should be easy to add up all of your requirements and know you'll have enough power (and a bit more to be safe) to meet your needs

Plan for some maintenance

Treat any item that delivers power with some care and attention. Store batteries in a safe and dry location. Also, ensure that the terminals are greased.

Further to this, some batteries need to have their acid levels monitored and topped up with deionised water. Some batteries are maintenance-free – typically those under 14.6V, or lithium technology. If in doubt, check with the manufacturer.

Jargon buster

Types of leisure battery

Lead Acid – Lead Acid is the most common type. They require maintenance and venting. They take damage if left to run flat. Valve Regulated Lead Acid batteries operate in the same way but do not require venting.

Absorbent Glass Mat – Absorbent Glass Mat, or AGM, combines compressed glass fibres with acid. This extends that battery's lifespan. As sealed units, maintenance is of a minimum. They can sit on their ends and sides, just not upside down. Therefore, an AGM charger is required; and these units tend to be more expensive than Deep Cycle batteries.

Enhanced Flooded Batteries – EFB products are an enhanced version of standard lead acid technology. They offer improved charge acceptance and greater durability with charge cycles.

Gel – Like AGMs, Gel batteries are sealed units so can be laid on their side. They are leakproof and can recharge if run flat (though still not advised). Gel batteries are the safest option and are commonly in camper vans and motorhomes from Europe. They are one of the most expensive battery types.

Lithium – Lithium batteries are durable and perform well at extreme temperatures. They're maintenance-free too. They are a modern alternative to other types and sort more energy with less weight. They can also deliver accurate data for power monitoring. They are, however, more expensive.

Battery classes and categories

Regardless of the type of technology a leisure battery has on the inside, they're normally grouped into categories based on their best use case.

Class A – Higher capacity batteries for those who frequently spend extended time away from an electrical hook-up.

Class B – Medium capacity for those who often use mains hook-up but also need to run more power-hungry devices like motor movers or heaters.

Class C – Standard batteries that have enough capacity to cater for typical basic operation of habitation equipment for shorter stays away from mains hook-up.

FAQs

How long should a battery last?

As with any battery, the elements of a leisure battery degrade over time and the performance will decrease. We recommend you replace your battery after five years, even if the battery is holding up well.

Can I use a car battery?

No. Although they look alike, a car battery and a leisure battery discharge power differently. A car battery will release its power in one short, sharp jolt before being recharged via an alternator. The best leisure batteries release their power in a slow, controlled stream.

Can I use solar power instead to recharge a leisure battery?

Portable solar power has gained a lot of traction in recent years. However, they're better suited to keeping smaller power stations topped up for powering gadgets like phones and laptops. Plus, with solar, there's no guarantee that you'll have enough sunlight to keep up with heavy usage.

If you do want to have extra capacity with the added benefit of solar recharging, something like the Jackery Explorer 500 portable power station that we reviewed is a great additional battery to take with you. But for powering your caravan, motorhome or marine vehicle, a leisure battery is the best option for reliable power on the go.

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William Lobley is the Editor for What's The Best. Here, he oversees, curates and researches listicles and reviews as many products as his home office can handle.

He has spent nearly five years writing about tech, audio, outdoors and fitness and has reviewed everything from smartphones to ice baths. In addition, he's well-versed in sniffing out the best deals and savings the internet offers.

When not at his desk writing, reviewing or deal-hunting, he'll be relaxing with Japanese crime novels, bingeing some classic anime, strolling the countryside or at the gym listening to the heaviest metal Spotify has to offer.

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