Lithium vs lead-acid
We supply both. So instead of a one-sided pitch, here's the real trade-off — including when lead-acid is genuinely the smarter buy.
Lead-Acid
~500 cyclesLead plates suspended in electrolyte. Cheap upfront, heavy, and worn by every deep cycle.
Lithium (LFP)
~6,000 cyclesA stack of LFP cells with a BMS. Compact, maintenance-free, and rated for thousands of cycles.
The numbers that matter
| Property | Lithium (LFP) | Lead-Acid |
|---|---|---|
| Usable life | 8–12 years | 2–4 years |
| Cycle life | ~6,000 cycles | ~500–1,000 cycles |
| Depth of discharge | Up to 90% | ~50% recommended |
| Maintenance | None | Periodic (water / checks) |
| Space & weight | Compact, light | Bulky, heavy |
| Cost per delivered unit | Lower over life | Higher over life |
| Upfront cost | Higher | Lower |
| Safety profile | Very stable (LFP) | Stable, needs ventilation |
Choose lithium when…
- • You cycle daily (solar self-use, tariff shifting)
- • Space, weight or maintenance-free operation matter
- • You want the lowest cost per unit over 10 years
Lead-acid still makes sense when…
- • The budget is tight and upfront cost is the constraint
- • Duty is backup-only with very low cycling
- • The system is small and rarely discharged deeply
How many batteries will you actually buy?
Forget the sticker price for a second. What really costs you is how often the battery needs replacing. Pick how you'll use it and see the difference.
How will you use it?
Over 10 years, You'd buy lithium once, but replace lead-acid about 5 times over 10 years.
Lithium (LFP)
Fewer to buyBuy it once
Lasts the full 10 years at this usage.
1 battery bank over 10 years
Lead-Acid
About 5 banks
Needs replacing roughly every 2.3 years.
5 battery banks over 10 years
A rough guide, not a quote. Lead-acid can genuinely be the smarter buy for backup-only use — the free audit tells you honestly which fits, with the exact figure. We don't quote prices online.
Not sure which fits? That's what the audit is for.
Get a free, no-obligation audit. We'll size the right system and show you the real numbers.