For camping and caravanning, 12V lead-acid leisure batteries are the workhorses of the electrical system, providing power for lights, pumps, appliances, and more. Unlike starter batteries in cars, leisure batteries are designed for deep cycling – providing a steady flow of power over extended periods and being repeatedly discharged and recharged.
There are primarily three types of lead-acid leisure batteries commonly available:
- Flooded (Wet Cell) Batteries: The most traditional and often the most affordable. They contain liquid electrolyte and require occasional topping up with distilled water. They can be more susceptible to gassing and should be properly vented.
- AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) Batteries: More expensive but offer significant advantages. The electrolyte is absorbed into a glass mat separator, making them maintenance-free, spill-proof, and more resistant to vibration. They also charge faster and have a lower self-discharge rate.
- Gel Batteries: Even more expensive than AGM. They use a gelled electrolyte, making them completely sealed and maintenance-free. They are excellent for very deep discharges and have a longer cycle life, but they charge slower and are sensitive to overcharging.
Please Note: Prices on Amazon UK fluctuate significantly. The prices listed below are approximate and based on typical retail pricing as of my last update. Always check the current price on Amazon UK. Availability can also vary. I will focus on common capacities for leisure use (typically 80Ah – 120Ah).
Here’s a review of 10 lead-acid leisure batteries currently popular or widely available on Amazon UK, with scores out of 10, and their pros, cons, and approximate prices:
1. Varta Leisure Battery L95 (AGM) 12V 95Ah
Score: 8.5/10
Varta is a well-known and respected battery manufacturer. Their AGM leisure range offers excellent performance and durability.
Pros:
- AGM Technology: Maintenance-free, spill-proof, enhanced vibration resistance, faster charging, and lower self-discharge.
- Deep Cycle Performance: Designed for repeated deep discharges, making it ideal for leisure applications.
- High CCA (Cold Cranking Amps): While a leisure battery, a good CCA rating (often around 850A for this model) means it can also handle some starting duties if needed (dual-purpose).
- Reliable Brand: Varta has a strong reputation for quality.
- NCC Class A Rated (for some models): Indicates suitability for significant power demands.
Cons:
- Price: As a premium AGM battery from a leading brand, it’s significantly more expensive than flooded options.
- Weight: AGM batteries are generally heavy.
Approx. Price: £180 – £220
2. Yuasa Active Leisure Battery L36-AGM 12V 95Ah
Score: 8/10
Yuasa is a global leader in battery manufacturing, and their Active Leisure AGM range is a solid choice for discerning caravanners.
Pros:
- AGM Construction: All the benefits of AGM – maintenance-free, sealed, good for deep cycling, and tolerant of vibration.
- Trusted Brand: Yuasa batteries are known for their reliability and long service life.
- Good Cycle Life: Designed for consistent deep discharges typical of leisure use.
- Dual Purpose Capability: Often has a good CCA rating, allowing for limited engine starting if required.
Cons:
- High Price: Comparable to Varta, it’s a premium product with a premium price tag.
- Weight: Heavy, as expected for AGM batteries.
Approx. Price: £190 – £240
3. Exide Dual AGM EP450 12V 50Ah (also available in higher capacities)
Score: 7.5/10
Exide is another well-established battery manufacturer. Their Dual AGM range focuses on offering both leisure and starting capabilities.
Pros:
- AGM Technology: Benefits of sealed, maintenance-free, and good deep cycle performance.
- Dual Purpose Design: Capable of both leisure cycling and starting power, making it versatile for vehicles that need both from one battery.
- Good for Smaller Systems: The 50Ah is great for light users or smaller vehicles where space and weight are concerns.
- Vibration Resistant: Robust construction suited for mobile applications.
Cons:
- Higher Price: AGM technology comes at a cost.
- Capacity: The 50Ah might be too small for heavy leisure users, requiring multiple batteries or higher capacity models (which cost more).
- Slightly Less Cycle Life (compared to pure deep cycle AGM): Being a dual-purpose battery, its ultimate deep cycle life might be marginally less than a dedicated deep cycle AGM, but still far superior to flooded leisure batteries.
Approx. Price (for 50Ah): £150 – £180 (higher capacities will be more)
4. Numax XV31MF Sealed Leisure Battery 12V 105Ah
Score: 7/10
Numax is a popular choice in the UK for leisure batteries, offering a good balance of performance and affordability. The XV series are often sealed flooded batteries.
Pros:
- Good Value: Offers a decent capacity at a more accessible price point than AGM/Gel.
- Sealed Maintenance-Free: While a flooded battery, it’s designed to be sealed and maintenance-free, reducing the need for topping up (though still not spill-proof if tipped).
- NCC Class B Rated: Suitable for moderate power demands and cycling.
- Dual Terminals: Many Numax models come with standard automotive posts and threaded leisure terminals for versatile connections.
Cons:
- Flooded Technology: Less efficient in deep cycling compared to AGM/Gel, shorter overall cycle life.
- Not Spill-Proof: Can spill acid if tipped significantly.
- Self-Discharge: Higher self-discharge rate than AGM/Gel, requiring more frequent charging when not in use.
Approx. Price: £100 – £130
5. Banner Energy Bull Leisure Battery 12V 80Ah (Flooded)
Score: 6.5/10
Banner is an Austrian battery manufacturer known for its robust and reliable products, particularly their Energy Bull series for leisure use.
Pros:
- Robust Construction: Designed for demanding leisure applications with strong resistance to cycle stresses.
- Good for Deep Cycling: As a dedicated leisure battery, it handles deep discharges well for a flooded type.
- Reputable Brand: Banner has a solid reputation in Europe.
- Good Value: Offers quality performance for a flooded battery at a reasonable price.
Cons:
- Flooded Technology: Requires maintenance (topping up with distilled water) and is not spill-proof.
- Higher Self-Discharge: Common to flooded batteries.
- Weight: Still a heavy battery.
Approx. Price: £90 – £120
6. Lucas LX31MF Leisure Battery 12V 105Ah (Flooded Sealed)
Score: 6.5/10
Lucas is a historic British brand that continues to offer a range of leisure batteries. Their sealed flooded models are popular.
Pros:
- Established Brand: Long history in automotive and leisure batteries.
- Sealed Construction: Designed to be maintenance-free (no topping up).
- NCC Class B Rated: Suitable for general leisure use.
- Decent Capacity: 105Ah provides good power for most camping setups.
Cons:
- Flooded Technology: Still susceptible to gassing and not entirely spill-proof if severely inverted.
- Cycle Life: Shorter cycle life compared to AGM or Gel batteries.
- Availability: Can vary on Amazon, sometimes easier to find from specialist battery retailers.
Approx. Price: £110 – £140
7. Platinum Leisure Battery 12V 110Ah (Wet Sealed)
Score: 6/10
Platinum batteries are widely available in the UK, often at competitive prices, and are a common choice for budget-conscious buyers.
Pros:
- Affordable: Often one of the more cost-effective options for its capacity.
- Sealed Maintenance-Free: Reduces the need for user intervention.
- Good Capacity: 110Ah is a popular size for many caravan and motorhome applications.
- Readily Available: Often easy to find on Amazon and other retailers.
Cons:
- Flooded Technology: Shares the limitations of wet cell batteries in terms of deep cycling efficiency and spill risk.
- Cycle Life: Generally offers a shorter cycle life than more premium flooded or AGM batteries.
- Brand Reputation: While common, some users report more variable experiences with longevity compared to top-tier brands.
Approx. Price: £90 – £120
8. Leoch Adventurer SFL-110 Sealed Leisure Battery 12V 100Ah (C100)
Score: 6.5/10
Leoch is a significant global battery manufacturer, and their Adventurer range is specifically designed for leisure use.
Pros:
- Sealed Flooded: Offers convenience with a maintenance-free design.
- Good Value: Competitively priced for its capacity.
- Designed for Leisure: Built with thicker plates for better deep cycle performance than a standard car battery.
- NCC Class C Rated (for some models): Indicates suitability for lighter leisure demands.
Cons:
- Flooded Technology: All the usual drawbacks regarding efficiency and sensitivity to deep discharge.
- C100 vs. C20 Rating: Pay attention to the Ah rating. C100 (100-hour discharge) gives a higher number than C20 (20-hour discharge), which is the industry standard for leisure batteries. A 100Ah C100 battery is effectively smaller than a 100Ah C20 battery.
- Warranty: Some models might have shorter warranties than premium brands.
Approx. Price: £85 – £110
9. Trojan T-105 Plus 6V 225Ah (Deep Cycle Flooded, requires two for 12V)
Score: 9/10 (if used as a pair)
While not a single 12V unit, Trojan batteries are legendary in the deep cycle world, particularly for golf carts and off-grid systems. For 12V, you’d typically use two 6V T-105s in series.
Pros:
- Exceptional Deep Cycle Life: Trojan batteries are specifically designed for very deep and frequent cycling, offering superior longevity compared to most 12V leisure batteries.
- Robust Construction: Built to withstand demanding usage.
- Industry Standard: Widely used and trusted in serious off-grid applications.
- Repairable: Being flooded, they can be topped up and maintained.
Cons:
- Requires Two Batteries: To get 12V, you need to buy two 6V batteries and wire them in series, adding complexity and cost.
- Flooded Technology: Requires regular maintenance (topping up with distilled water) and is not spill-proof.
- High Initial Cost: Even for a flooded battery, Trojan’s quality comes at a higher price.
- Heavy: Extremely heavy when buying two.
Approx. Price (per 6V T-105): £150 – £200 (so £300-£400 for a 12V bank)
10. Power Sonic PS-12100 12V 100Ah (Sealed Lead Acid / AGM Type)
Score: 6.5/10
Power Sonic offers a range of sealed lead-acid (SLA) batteries, often used in various applications including leisure. Many of their higher capacity models are AGM.
Pros:
- Sealed & Maintenance-Free: Easy to use and doesn’t require topping up.
- Good for General Use: Suitable for basic leisure power needs.
- Compact (for some models): Can be relatively compact for their capacity.
- Versatile: Often used in a variety of standby and cyclic applications.
Cons:
- Generic Brand: While reliable, they might not have the same extensive testing and reputation specifically for deep cycling as dedicated leisure brands.
- “SLA” can be Vague: While often AGM, ensure it’s truly designed for deep cycling and not just standby use.
- Cycle Life: May not match the cycle life of top-tier AGM leisure batteries from specialist brands.
Approx. Price: £100 – £140 (depending on specific model and seller)
Important Considerations When Buying:
- Ah Capacity: Choose a capacity that matches your power consumption. Over-specifying is better for longevity, but impacts cost and weight.
- NCC Class Rating: The National Caravan Council (NCC) rates leisure batteries:
- Class A: For users with high demands (e.g., motor movers, extended off-grid trips).
- Class B: For general users with moderate demands.
- Class C: For lighter users with minimal demands.
- Dimensions & Weight: Ensure the battery fits in your designated space and that you can handle its weight.
- Terminal Type: Most leisure batteries use standard automotive posts, but some have threaded terminals, or both (dual terminals).
- Charging: Always use a smart charger specifically designed for your battery type (flooded, AGM, or Gel) to maximize its life and prevent damage. Solar charge controllers also need to be configured for the correct battery type.
- Warranty: Check the warranty period, as it reflects the manufacturer’s confidence in the product.