LiFePO4 Batteries: What They Are and Why They’re the Best

LiFePO4 batteries, also known as LFP batteries, are taking charge of the battery world. But what exactly does LiFePO4 mean? What makes these lithium iron phosphate – LiFePO4 batteries better than other types? (Not to be confused with the lithium-ion battery – these are not the same.)

Read on for the answers to these questions and more.

What are LiFePO4 Batteries?
LiFePO4 batteries are a type of lithium battery built from lithium iron phosphate. Other batteries in the lithium category include:

Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LiCoO22)
Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2)
Lithium Titanate (LTO)
Lithium Manganese Oxide (LiMn2O4)
Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide (LiNiCoAlO2)
Chemistry & Battery Innovation
You might remember some of these elements from chemistry class. That’s where you spent hours memorizing the periodic table (or staring at it on the wall in school). That’s where you performed experiments (or, stared at your crush while pretending to pay attention to the experiments).

Of course, every so often, a student adores experiments and becomes a chemist. And it was chemists who discovered the best lithium combinations for batteries.

Long story short, that’s how the LiFePO4 battery was born. (In 1996, by the University of Texas, to be exact). LiFePO4 is now known as the safest, most stable, and most reliable lithium battery.

A Brief History of the LiFePO4 Battery

The LiFePO4 battery began with John B. Goodenough and Arumugam Manthiram. They were the first to discover the materials employed in lithium-ion batteries. Anode materials are not very suitable for use in lithium-ion batteries. Why? Because they’re prone to early short-circuiting.

Scientists discovered that cathode materials are better alternatives for lithium-ion batteries. And this is very clear in the LiFePO4 battery variants. Fast-forward: We increase stability and conductivity and improve all sorts of things, and poof! LiFePO4 batteries are born.

Today, there are rechargeable LiFePO4 batteries everywhere. These batteries have many applications – boats, solar systems, electric vehicles, gas-powered vehicles, and more.

LiFePO4 batteries are cobalt-free, and cost less than most of its alternatives (over time). It’s not toxic, and it lasts longer. But we’ll get to that more soon. The future holds very bright prospects for the LiFePO4 battery.

But what makes the LiFePO4 battery better?

LiFePO4 vs. Lithium Ion Batteries
 
Now that we know what LiFePO4 batteries are, let’s discuss what makes LiFePO4 better than lithium-ion and other lithium batteries.

The LiFePO4 battery is not great for wearable devices like watches. They have a lower energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries. But for things like solar energy systems, RVs, golf carts, bass boats, semi-trucks, and electric motorcycles, they’re the best by far. Why?

Well, for one, the cycle life of a LiFePO4 battery is over 4x that of lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium is also the safest lithium battery type on the market, safer than lithium-ion and other battery types.

And last but not least, LiFePO4 batteries can not only reach 3,000-5,000 cycles or more… They can reach 100% depth of discharge (DOD). Why does that matter? Because that means, with LiFePO4 (unlike other batteries), you don’t worry about over-discharging your LiFePO4 battery.

Also, you can use it longer as a result. In fact, you can use a quality LiFePO4 battery for many years longer than other battery types. These batteries are rated to last about 5,000 cycles – that’s roughly ten years. So the average cost over time is much better. 

That’s how LiFePO4 batteries stack up vs lithium ion.

Here’s why LiFePO4 batteries are better than lithium-ion and other battery types in general:

Safe, Stable Chemistry
Lithium battery safety is vital. The newsworthy “exploding” lithium-ion laptop batteries have made that clear. One of the most critical advantages LiFePO4 has over other battery types is safety. LiFePO4 is the safest lithium battery type. It’s the safest of any type.

Overall, LifePO4 batteries have the safest lithium chemistry. Why? Because lithium iron phosphate has better thermal and structural stability. This is something the lead acid battery type and most other battery types don’t have at the level LiFePO4 does. LiFePO4 is incombustible. It can withstand high temperatures without decomposing. It’s not prone to thermal runaway and will keep cool at room temperature. 

If you subject a LiFePO4 battery to harsh temperatures or hazardous events (like short-circuiting or a crash) it won’t start a fire or explode. For those who use deep cycle LiFePO4 batteries every day in an RV, bass boat, scooter, or liftgate, this fact is comforting.

Environmental Safety
LiFePO4 batteries are already a boon to our planet because they’re rechargeable. But their eco-friendliness doesn’t stop there. Unlike lead acid and nickel oxide lithium batteries, they are non-toxic and won’t leak.

You can recycle them as well. But you won’t need to do that often, since they last 5000 cycles. That means you can recharge them (at least) 5,000 times. In comparison, lead acid batteries last only 300-400 cycles. 

Excellent Efficiency and Performance
You want a safe, non-toxic battery. But you also want a battery that’s going to perform well.

Need a lithium battery for your lawn mower? Go here.

These stats prove that LiFePO4 delivers all that and more:

Charge efficiency: A LiFePO4 battery will reach full charge in 2 hours or less. 
Self-discharge rate when not in use: Only 2% per month. (Compared to 30% for lead acid batteries).
Runtime is higher than lead acid batteries/other lithium batteries.
Consistent power: The same amount of amperage even when below 50% battery life.
No maintenance is needed.
Small and Lightweight
Many factors weigh in to make LiFePO4 batteries better. Speaking of weighing–they are total lightweights. They’re almost 50% lighter than lithium manganese oxide batteries. They weigh up to 70% lighter than lead-acid batteries.

When you use your LiFePO4 battery in a vehicle, this translates to less gas usage and more maneuverability. They are also compact, freeing up space on your scooter, boat, RV, or industrial application. 

LiFePO4 Batteries vs. Non-Lithium Batteries
Regarding LiFePO4 vs lithium ion, LiFePO4 is the clear winner. But how do LiFePO4 batteries compare to other rechargeable batteries on the market today? 

Lead Acid Batteries
Lead acid batteries may be a bargain at first, but they’ll end up costing you more in the long run. That’s because they need constant maintenance, and you must replace them more often. A LiFePO4 battery will last 2-4x longer, with zero upkeep needed. 

Gel Batteries
Like LiFePO4 batteries, gel batteries don’t need frequent recharging. They also won’t lose charge while stored. Where do gel and LiFePO4 differ? A big factor is the charging process. Gel batteries charge at a snail’s pace. Also, you must disconnect them when 100% charged to avoid ruining them. 

AGM Batteries
AGM batteries will do plenty of damage to your wallet and are at high risk of becoming damaged themselves if you drain them past 50% of battery capacity. Maintaining them can be difficult as well. LiFePO4 Ionic lithium batteries can be discharged completely with no risk of damage.

A LiFePO4 Battery for Every Application
LiFePO4 technology has proven beneficial for a wide variety of applications. Here’s a few of them:

Fishing boats and kayaks: Less charging time and longer runtime means more time out on the water. Less weight allows for easy maneuvering and a speed boost during that high-stakes fishing competition. 
Mopeds and mobility scooters: No dead weight to slow you down. Charge to less than full capacity for impromptu trips without damaging your battery. 
Solar setups: Haul lightweight LiFePO4 batteries wherever life takes you (even if it’s up a mountain and far from the grid) and harness the power of the sun. 
Commercial use: These batteries are the safest, toughest lithium batteries out there. So they’re great for industrial applications like floor machines, liftgates, and more. 
Much more: In addition, lithium iron phosphate batteries power many other things. For example – flashlights, electronic cigarettes, radio equipment, emergency lighting, and much more.
Why Purchase LiFePO4 Batteries? (Summary)
Let’s recap. We mentioned earlier how LiFePO4 batteries are taking charge in the battery world thanks to their many advantages over other battery types, including:

They last 2-4x longer. Lithium-ion batteries have a longer lifespan than standard lead-acid batteries but a shorter lifespan compared to LiFePO4.
They require no upkeep whatsoever.
They’re the safest lithium battery type on the market.
Their self-discharge rate when not in use is 2% per month vs 30% for lead acid.
They reach full charge in 2 hours maximum. 
Their runtime is higher than other batteries.
Consistent power: The same amount of amperage even when below 50% battery life.
They reach between 3k and 5k cycles, and often more (5k cycles is roughly ten years).
They can reach 100% depth of discharge (DOD).
Their average cost over time is much better than other batteries
They can charge up to five times faster than lead-acid batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries with no Battery Management System (BMS) pose a fire risk. LiFePO4 batteries have a BMS to eliminate that risk.
And that’s that. If you still have questions, check out the FAQs section for this page below, or view our complete collection of FAQs here.

 
LiFePO4 batteries are ideal for everyday use, backup power, and more! They also have incredible advantages for RVs and travel trailers. Learn more here.

Learn about the different types of lithium batteries and how they’re used here:

Lithium RV Batteries
Lithium Marine Batteries
Lithium Solar Batteries
Lithium Fishing Kayak Batteries
Lithium Scooter Batteries
 
LiFePO4 Quick Answers
Is LiFePO4 the same as lithium ion?
Not at all! The LiFePO4 battery has a cycle life of over 4x that of lithium-ion polymer batteries.

Are LiFePO4 batteries good?
Well, for starters, LiFePO4 batteries are incredibly efficient compared to traditional batteries. Not only that, they’re super-light and you can use most of your battery’s capacity without any problems. (You can only use roughly 50% with lead-acid batteries. After that, the battery gets damaged.) So overall, yes, very much so – LiFePO4 batteries are great.

Can LiFePO4 catch fire?

LiFePO4 batteries are the safest of the lithium batteries, because they will not catch fire, and won’t even overheat. Even if you puncture the battery it will not catch fire. This is a massive upgrade over other lithium batteries, which can overheat and catch fire.

Is LiFePO4 better than lithium-ion?

The LiFePO4 battery has the edge over lithium-ion, both in terms of cycle life (it lasts 4-5x longer), and safety. This is a key advantage because lithium-ion batteries can overheat and even catch fire, while LiFePO4 does not.

Why is LiFePO4 so expensive?

LiFePO4 batteries are usually more expensive on the front end, but cheaper long term because they last so long. They cost more upfront because the materials used to build them are more expensive. But people still choose them over other batteries. Why?

Because LiFePO4 has many advantages over other batteries. For example, they’re much lighter than lead acid and many other battery types. They’re also much safer, they last longer, and require no maintenance.

Is LiFePO4 a lipo?
No. Lifepo4 has many distinct advantages over Lipo, and while both are lithium chemistries, they are not the same.

What can I use LiFePO4 Batteries for?
You can use LiFePO4 batteries for the same things you’d use lead acid, AGM, or other traditional batteries for. For example, you can use a 12v 100ah LiFePO4 battery (and other LiFePO4 batteries) to power your bass boat and other marine toys. Or your RV. Or solar setups, mobility scooters, and much more.

Is LiFePO4 more dangerous than AGM or lead acid?
Nope. It’s quite a bit safer. And for several reasons, including the fact that LiFePO4 batteries don’t leak toxic fumes. And they don’t spill sulfuric acid like many other batteries (like lead acid.) And as we mentioned earlier, they don’t overheat or catch fire.

Can I leave my LiFePO4 battery on the charger?
If your LiFePO4 batteries have a battery management system, it will prevent your battery from overcharging. Our Ionic batteries all have built-in battery management systems.

What is the life expectancy of LiFePO4 batteries?
Life expectancy is one of the biggest perks, if not the biggest perk of LiFePO4. Our lithium batteries are rated to last around 5,000 cycles. That’s 10 years or so (and often more), depending on usage of course.

Even after those 5,000 cycles, our LiFePO4 batteries can still function at 70% capacity. And better still, you can discharge past 80% without a single issue. (Lead acid batteries tend to gas out when discharged past 50%.)