Best 6-Volt Batteries For RV Use in 2024 (2024)

RV batteries are a vital part of any RV camping trips. They provide power you need to run lights and appliances when you are often boondocking in remote places away from electricity hookups.

With RV batteries, you can still use appliances to enjoy comfort and convenience as you do in campgrounds or resorts. Due to some advantages, many RV owners choose to use their battery setup with the best 6 Volt RV batteries over a pack of 12 volt batteries as usual.

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of the best 6 volt RV batteries on the market with in-depth reviews, so you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.

We’ve also included a buyer’s guide along with all related information you need to help you understand what to look for when choosing the best 6V battery for RV.

Without further ado, let’s dive in and you’ll never have to sacrifice the luxury of your appliances and devices while dry-camping or traveling off-grid.

The Basics About 6-Volt RV Batteries

What is a 6 Volt RV battery?

A 6 volt RV battery – also known as a golf cart battery – is a deep cycle battery that is designed for long-term use. It is usually a lead-acid battery that has 3 cells, and each cell has 2.1 volts. The 6 volt RV battery is often used in RVs and campers because it can be discharged and recharged many times without damaging the battery.

They are known for their high performance and long life span. 6 volt RV batteries are usually made of lead acid, which makes them very durable and resistant to corrosion. Compared with 12V batteries, they’re also less likely to overheat, making them ideal for use when camping in hot weather climates.

If you often hookup camp on RV parks or campgrounds where you easily have access to the electricity shore power, an ordinary deep cycle 12 volt battery is a reliable power source that many campers choose to stick with. Despite having a limited power capacity compared with the 6 volt counterpart, it still works well as you need to power your appliances and all the devices for your daily needs without problems of recharging since the hookups are available there!

But if you’re going boondocking or dry-camping a lot, meaning spending a long time in off-grid areas without hookups, choosing a 6 volt battery system for an energy supply is a superior choice. The way it works is that instead of using a single cell 12-volt RV battery, you need to buy two 6 volt batteries and hook them in series to provide the same amount of power, meaning the negative to the positive. All you need to do is to attach one’s positive terminal with the other’s negative terminal, then use an additional set of cables to connect the open negative terminal to your RV.

It gives you volts of power in total of 12 volt as a 12 volt bank just like you had before, but will only offer the Ah capacity of a single 6 volt battery. This battery setup will give you about 3 or 4 times as much battery life or reserve capacity as what the standard 12 volt battery would give.This makes 6 volt batteries the best RV batteries for boondocking.

It also has thicker plates, so it can last for many more years down the road with extended use. Furthermore, thanks to recent innovative technologies, the best 6 volt RV batteries are now lightweight, sealed, spill-proof and maintenance free. All of these make them excellent investments for your camping life.

So if you’re a big fan of off-grid camping or installing a solar charging system on your trailer, a 6 volt deep cycle battery for RV is always a reliable source to supply power over an extended period of time.

6 Volt batteries vs 12 Volt batteries for RV camping

In practice, you can either use a single 12 volt battery or a system with two 6 volt RV batteries hooked in series for the same amount of voltage power. Depending on how much dry camping you really do because the more battery capacity requirements are mostly for when you’re going boondocking and you’re not hooked to electricity so you need the battery system to last longer. So look at how you’re using it, you’ll see what application is best for you, 6 volt or 12 volt because each has its own pros and cons.

Using two 6-volt batteries to create a single power source has recently become a popular trend among boondockers or campers who love traveling off the grid because of many advantages they offer. The first advantage of a 6 volt deep cycle battery for RV is that each cell of a 6 volt RV battery has a higher amp capacity and a greater space per cell for power storage in comparison with a twelve volt counterpart. This means that a 6-volt can withstand deeper discharge and have the ability to work as a more constant and reliable source of power.

Besides, possessing thicker plates allows 6 volt motorhome batteries to last much longer (up to 8 years) for daily usage with proper maintenance and storage. The 6 volt batteries have a lot more life cycles (discharging down to 80% depth of discharge and recharging back up) than the 12 volt. A particular battery probably has about 600-700 life cycles in it, whereas the 12 battery normally has around 100-150. This allows them to supply power for a longer period of time.

Furthermore, thanks to the recent technological advances, the 6 volt RV batteries available today have several outstanding features that make them ideal investments for RV camping life. They are now favored by many campers due to being lightweight, sealed, spill-proof, and maintenance free.

On the other hand, the best 6 volt RV batteries still have some drawbacks when compared to the 12 volt counterparts. Firstly, the cost for using 6 volt batteries is much higher. The price of the battery itself is more expensive, not to mention that you need to buy 2 units of a 6 volt battery to make it equivalent to a 12 volt bank for RV use. This setup will require a major initial investment which makes it hard to approach for most campers.

Another downside of using 6 volt batteries for RV camping is the limited accessibility. Unlike 12 volt batteries, it’s a bit harder to find the replacement 6 volt batteries when you’re on the open road for camping/traveling. This type of battery is only available on some big offline stores of automotive supply. If you shop online, you need to visit e-commerce sites like Camping World, Walmart or Amazon to find it.

Since they always have to work in pairs, the 6-volt-battery system causes the storage problem. These 2 batteries are connected together in series and sometimes are put inside a battery box. As a result, they will take up more precious space in your RV or travel trailer.

In summary, here are the pros and cons of both systems when used on RV. Please consider them carefully with your camping needs before making the decision:

Pros and cons of 6 volt batteries

Benefits:

• Lightweight
• Larger discharge and recharge capacities
• Higher Ah rating
• Higher Amp capacities
• Long lifespan: 6 volt batteries can last upto 8 years with proper maintenance and usage which is around 4 times longer than 12 volt RV batteries with the average lifespan of around 2 years.

Drawbacks:

• More expensive. You need to buy 2 units to connect them in series to get the same power output as a 12 volt battery.
• Less popular and accessible while being on the road.
• Take up more space. The 6 volt RV batteries have to work in pairs and might require installing a battery box for storing 2 batteries while they’re always connected together in series.
• If one goes bad, the whole system is down

Pros and cons of 12 volt batteries

Benefits:

• 12V batteries are more affordable. And you also need only one unit to make the electrical system running.
• Easy to find and widely available both online and offline. So if your current battery fails, you can visit any automotive stores to buy the replacement battery with ease!
• Save the space

Drawbacks:

• Have less Amp hour capacities
• About the battery life expectancy, 12 volt batteries last much shorter.
• More heavier and usually come larger in size.

Types of 6 volt RV batteries

There are 4 different types of 6 volt RV batteries available on the market today.

Lead-acid 6 volt batteries

A lead acid battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses a chemical reaction to produce electricity. Lead acid batteries work by converting the chemical energy of the lead and acid into electrical energy. The lead acid battery contains two lead plates, each coated with a thin layer of active material. These plates are submerged in an electrolyte solution made up of water and sulfuric acid.

When the lead acid battery is discharged, the lead oxide on the positive plate reacts with the sulfuric acid in the electrolyte to form lead sulfate. At the same time, the lead on the negative plate reacts with sulfuric acid to form lead sulfate. These reactions create an electric current that can be used to power electrical devices.

AGM 6 volt batteries

An AGM (absorbent glass mat) RV battery is a type of lead-acid battery that uses an absorbent glass mat to separate the electrolyte between the positive and negative plates. This design helps to prevent the battery from leaking acid and allows it to be used in a variety of positions.

AGM batteries are most suitable for camping because they’re maintenance-free and have a long service life. They are also more resistant to vibration and shock than other types of lead-acid batteries.

Gel 6 volt batteries

Another popular type of 6 volt RV battery is the gel cell battery. Gel cell batteries are quite similar to lead acid batteries, but they use a gel electrolyte instead of a liquid electrolyte. A gel RV battery uses silica gel to immobilize the electrolyte. The advantage of this design is that it significantly reduces the possibility of leaks and spills, making it a safer option for RVs.

Gel batteries also tend to have a longer lifespan than traditional lead acid batteries, and can withstand more deep discharge cycles. This makes them more resistant to vibration and shock, making them ideal for use in RVs and boats.

Lithium ion 6 volt batteries

Lithium ion is the newest technology in RV and marine batteries. A lithium ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses lithium ions as an anode. Lithium ion batteries have a number of advantages over other types of batteries.

They offer a higher energy density than lead acid or gel cell batteries, meaning they can store more energy in a smaller space. They also have a lower self-discharge rate, meaning they lose less capacity when not in use.

Additionally, lithium ion RV batteries can be charged and discharged more times than other types of batteries before needing to be replaced. One major disadvantage is that they are much more expensive in comparison with other battery types.

Best 6 Volt RV Batteries: In-depth Reviews

1. Best Overall: VMAXTANKS ‎MB6-225 AGM Battery

Specifications:

• Type: AGM
• Voltage: 6 V
• Capacity: 225 Ah
• Weight: 72 Lbs
• Designed float life: 8-10 years
• Features VMAX heavy duty lead tin alloys

Why we love it:

Known for the outstanding & stable performance, this VMAXTANKS ‎MB6-225 AGM battery has earned its reputation among RV community. Many campers have agreed that this model is the best 6V RV battery for boondocking.

Featuring VMAX’s lead tin alloys, this AGM battery possesses the ability to provide reliable performance in varying severe camping conditions and resist repeated deep discharges to have a longer lifespan. It’s guaranteed by the manufacturer that this product is designed to last up to 8-10 years as the expected float life. This is the game-changing feature that sets this heavy duty battery apart from other 6 volt AGM batteries available on the market.

This VMAXTANKS ‎MB6-225 also makes use of the electrolyte suspension system to take in the electrolyte and restrain it. This allows the battery to have better charging efficiency and keep your RV devices & appliances powered constantly for extended periods of time.

Another feature that makes this battery ideal for RV-ing applications is its excellent durability and quality to withstand extreme weather conditions as well as the shocks & vibrations when traveling on the road.

Constructed with the sealed design, this 6V battery from VMAXTANKS is non-spillable and maintenance-free. So when using it, you do not have to worry about maintenance like adding water to the tanks or checking the electrolyte’s gravity.

VMAXTANKS dual 6v is great for solar and boondocking!

Bought two for a series 12V 225AH DC system. When they arrived the packaging was some what damaged but the batteries were fine. Have worked flawlessly. I keep them charged and maintained with either the VMAX 20A charger or 400 watts of solar through a 20A Renogy MPPT charge controller. AC to the VMAX charger is via shore power or portable generator. These are the first AGM batteries I’ve purchased or ever owned and I am totally satisfied with them. Their performance has been consistent and superb in my camper in low temperature conditions which is when I use them the most for running a 12V heated mattress pad, LED lighting, device charging, and a 400 watt inverter for my laptop….

Shared by N. Burns

2. Best Value: Mighty Max Battery ML200-6 SLA Battery

Specifications:

• Type: Sealed Lead Acid – AGM
• Voltage: 6 V
• Capacity: 200 Ah
• Weight: 61.9 Lbs
• Withstand both high and low temperatures

Why we love it:

The Mighty Max Battery ML200-6 is another excellent 6 volt battery for use in RV and camping applications.

This battery delivers long lasting power and has a wide temperature range, making it ideal for four-season camping if you travel year around with different weather conditions. Regardless of the temperature: both low or high, this ML200-6 battery can still stand up well and operate smoothly to deliver the power you need to keep your devices running.

Another notable feature which makes this battery unit stand out is the calcium-alloy grid, which significantly improves the battery’s performance as well as increases its overall service life. Regarding the performance, the ML200-6 AGM batteries have been also praised by RV owners for the high discharge rate and deep discharge recovery they possess.

This Mighty Max Battery is also maintenance free and features a sealed lead acid design that makes it spill proof. Along with those, the ability to resist shocks and vibration allows us to mount the battery anywhere on the RV and travel on rough terrain without worries.

Interestingly, despite all of the above features and advantages it has, this AGM battery comes with an approachable price making it a top choice for the best value of money.

Best cycle rate for a low cost SLA battery

I could buy a 200 AH 12v battery that weighs over 100 pounds but two of these in series is same capacity at about half the weight each.

Shared by Michael J. Lake

3. Editor’s Choice: NPP 6V 225Ah Deep Cycle AGM Battery

Specifications:

• Type: Sealed Lead Acid – AGM
• Voltage: 6 V
• Capacity: 225 Ah
• Weight: 65 Lbs
• Designed float life: 10 years
• Long lasting: Lifespan up to 1200 cycles

Why we love it:

NPP is a top 5 AGM battery brand in the global market which is famous for its durable and high-quality products. And the NP6-225Ah AGM is really one of the most outstanding batteries they’re providing.

Compared with other 6 volt batteries for motorhomes on the market, this battery from NPP has an impressive lifespan with up to 1200 cycles. It’s designed to work for 10 years without problems with proper care and usage. This is why NPP 6V 225Ah Deep Cycle AGM Battery is our recommendation for new campers who prioritize durability and stability.

NP6-225Ah can do a great job powering your RV appliances and accessories in the harshest conditions when camping in different places. So if you’re boondocking quite often and need a reliable power source for your camping needs, this maintenance-free battery model would also be an ideal fit.

Another plus of this battery model is the spill-proof design which offers you better mounting flexibility. It means you can mount it in any position in your RV trailer without worrying about leaking or maintenance issues.

Moreover, by buying the NP6-225Ah AGM battery, you can enjoy the 100 DAY RISK FREE program to ask for money back without any questions. Along with it, the NPP battery manufacturer also provides 1 year warranty against any defects, which can bring you peace of mind when making the purchase.

Awesome Batteries for Camper Van RV

Replace old lead-acid batteries with these AGM batteries. Old batteries got us through two nights of watching DVD movies and one night of running CPCP machine. Batteries died after 3 hours of running CPAP on the second night. New AGM batteries got us through three nights of watching movies and using CPAP, and still read “Good” on monitor panel. Going to install digital volt meter to get a better feel of how long batteries will last.

Shared by 150Glenn

6 Volt RV Battery Buying Criteria

When it comes to finding the best 6 volt RV batteries, you want to make sure that you are getting the most bang for your buck. There are a few things that you should look for when making your purchase.

Battery Type

Once you decide to use 6 volt batteries for RV camping and boondocking, the very first thing to consider next is the types of battery. There are many battery types available on the market, but as mentioned above there are 4 most popular battery types for RV camping: lead-acid, AGM, lithium ion, and gel cell.

Lead-acid batteries are the most common type of battery used in RVs. They’re relatively inexpensive and easy to find, but they’re also heavy and have a shorter lifespan than other types of batteries.

An AGM battery is a type of lead-acid battery. An AGM battery has a glass mat separator between the positive and negative plates that absorb the electrolyte. This design feature makes AGM batteries spill-proof and allows them to be used in a variety of applications, including in RVs. AGM batteries are more expensive than traditional lead-acid batteries, but they offer several advantages. For example, AGM batteries can be discharged and recharged more times than traditional lead-acid batteries, making them more durable. In addition, AGM batteries are less likely to leak electrolyte, making them safer to use and easier to maintain.

Lithium ion batteries are becoming increasingly popular in RVs due to their lightweight and long lifespan. However, they’re more expensive than lead-acid batteries and can be difficult to find.

Gel cell batteries are similar to lead-acid batteries in terms of cost and availability, but they offer some advantages over lead-acid batteries in terms of weight and longevity.

Regarding the practical performance for RV use, 6 volt AGM batteries and lithium ion batteries are the superior choice to other types of battery, as they’re designed to work well for camping applications and withstand extreme weather conditions. Despite the high price, these batteries tend to have much better life expectancy and are advertised with impressive depth of discharge up to 100% by manufacturers.

Battery Capacity

When it comes to batteries, one of the most important considerations is capacity or power. This measures how much power the battery can store and deliver. The capacity of a battery is often measured in amp hours (Ah). The higher the Ah rating, the more electrical charge the battery can hold and the longer it will last. For example, a 100 Ah battery will last twice as long as a 50 Ah battery.

For RVs, it’s important to have a battery with a high capacity so that you can power all of your devices and appliances without having to worry about running out of juice.

Your RV battery also has a reserve capacity that provides a buffer of power in case of an emergency. The reserve capacity is the amount of time, measured in minutes, that a battery can maintain a minimum voltage while delivering 25 amps of current. It is important to have a battery with a high reserve capacity if you live in an area with extreme weather conditions or if you frequently use your travel trailer accessories. A battery with a high reserve capacity will also last longer than one with a lower reserve capacity.

As boondockers or dry campers often travel for a few days without recharging the batteries, it’s important to choose 6 volt RV batteries that can provide the sufficient amount of power for your camping needs. This suggests that for better usage you should estimate your daily consumption of electricity. By making a list of the electrical appliances and accessories which are frequently used in your camper with their correspondent energy consumption, you can better control and plan ahead for emergencies.

It’s also highly recommended to install solar panels for your RV if you go boondocking and travel off the grid very often. This will provide you a sustainable source of power for recharging your 6 volt deep cycle RV batteries. You can also use a portable RV generator for this purpose.

Depth of Discharge& Cycle Life

Depth of discharge is an important consideration when selecting a battery for your application.

The Depth of Discharge (DoD) of a battery is the measure of how much charge has been drawn from the battery. This figure is calculated as a percentage of the battery’s capacity which has been discharged from the battery relative to the total capacity of the battery.

The calculation formula for DoD is as follows:

DoD = (Electric current * Time of discharging)/Total battery’s capacity

Unit:

• Electric current: Amp
• Time of discharging: Hour
• Battery Capacity: Amp-hour

For example, if a 200 Ah battery is discharged at a current of 20 Amp for a period of time of 30 minutes (0.5 hour). With the above formula, we can easily calculate the depth of discharge: DoD = 20* 0.5/200 = 5%. It means that at the full charged state, the 6 volt battery can hold up to 1200 Wh of electric power, you have already discharged 60 Wh, so the DoD is around 5 percent.

A battery with a high DoD will have less capacity for storing charges, and will need to be recharged more often. A battery with a low DoD can store more charges and will last longer before needing to be recharged.

Batteries are typically designed for a certain number of charge/discharge cycles. The DoD affects the number of cycles a battery can undergo before it needs to be replaced. The more frequently a battery is discharged and then charged, the quicker it will go bad. It’s recommended by experts not to fully deplete a battery. Because this habit will shorten the battery’s lifespan significantly.

To achieve optimum performance and long-lasting life, many battery makers specify a maximum recommended depth of discharge. Most 6 volt batteries for RV use are made with the maximum recommended DoD of 50%. It’s worth noting that you generally should not discharge your battery down to less than 80% regularly despite many battery units on the market being advertised to have 80%-100 DoD rate. This is because it will harm your battery in the long run which makes their its life shorter.

Operating Temperature Range

Another factor that is worth taking into consideration is the range of the battery’s operating temperatures. For optimal performance when going camping, it’s recommended to look for a 6 volt battery unit which is capable of providing constant and stable power in both low and high temperatures.

This is because as full-time RV campers, we usually travel or go on road trips to different locations all year round, meaning your batteries need to work on different weather conditions as well as the temperature variations. So for four-season camping, the best 6 volt deep cycle batteries for RV should be capable of resisting varying temperatures from freezing temperatures in the winter to above 35C in hot summer days.

This kind of information will be mentioned in the product descriptions or manuals by the battery manufacturers, make sure you’ll check this weather-resistance feature before making the purchase. You can also have a clear answer about the ability of working well in both hot and cold weather by reading the reviews from real consumers on the e-commerce websites like Amazon.

Battery Size

There are a variety of battery sizes available for RVs. The most common size is the 6-volt battery, which is often used in pairs to provide 12 volts of power. Other sizes include 12-volt or sometimes 8 volt batteries.

The size of the battery you need will depend on the type and size of your RV, as well as how often you use it. If you only use your RV occasionally and mainly spend your time in RV campgrounds or parks with hookups, a 12 volt battery may be sufficient. However, if you use boondock in your RV frequently or for long periods of time, a battery with better capacity may be necessary. In this case, RV campers usually use two 6 volt batteries hooked together in series.

When choosing a battery size for your RV, it is important to consider both the power needs of your RV and your own personal needs. If you are not sure what size battery you need, it is always best to consult with a professional before making a purchase.

Construction Quality

When you are shopping for an RV, one of the things that you should pay attention to is the construction quality of the battery.

Traveling in an RV on the road means a lot of shock and vibrations your RV and its belongings have to endure, so your batteries should be made with a durable and solid construction to resist all types of terrain when going camping.

A good RV battery will last for many years and provide you with a reliable source of power. However, a poorly made battery can cause problems and may need to be replaced sooner than expected.

There are a few things that you can look at to determine the quality of an RV battery. One is the warranty that is offered by the manufacturer. A good warranty will cover the battery for a long period of time and will give you peace of mind in knowing that you are covered if something goes wrong.

Another thing to look at is the customer service that is provided by the company. A good company will be able to answer any questions that you have about their batteries and will be able to help you troubleshoot any problems that you may have.

Brand

There are several brands that make 6 volt batteries for RVs. Some of the more popular brands are Interstate, Trojan, and Duracell. There are also a few private label brands that are sold by some of the larger RV manufacturers.

The best way to determine which brand is right for you is to talk to other RV owners and get their opinions. You can also read online reviews to get an idea of what people think about the different brands. Once you have narrowed down your choices, it is a good idea to talk to a salesperson at an RV dealership to get their professional opinion.

Price

The price of a 6 volt RV battery can vary depending on the type of battery and the size. Since using 6 volt batteries for camping is becoming a growing trend, today’s market offers a huge collection of battery units with different price tags.

The most common type of battery used in RVs is a lead-acid battery, which typically costs between $100 and $200. At the same time, a lithium-ion battery even costs up to $1,000.

The size of the battery will also affect the price, with larger batteries usually costing more.

Buying two 6V batteries to supply power to your RV will be a costly investment at the beginning. But given the fact that 6 volt batteries have much longer lifespans and provide more power, they will be more cost-effective and well worthy in the long term.

FAQ About 6 Volt RV Battery