LiTime and Redodo are two of the most popular budget LiFePO4 brands, and their 12V 100Ah batteries are frequent “which one?” decisions for RV, van and small solar builds. The headline specs are almost the same, so the real choice comes down to the variant you need and today’s price.
How we compared: we used each manufacturer’s published specs. We have not bench-tested these batteries ourselves. Prices change often; check the current price through the links.
Side-by-side: standard 12V 100Ah (Group 31 size)
| LiTime 12V 100Ah | Redodo 12V 100Ah | |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | LiFePO4, prismatic cells | LiFePO4, prismatic cells |
| Nominal voltage | 12.8V | 12.8V |
| Energy | 1,280 Wh | 1,280 Wh |
| BMS | 100A | 100A |
| Cycle life (claimed) | 4,000 at 100% DOD; 6,000 at 80%; 15,000 at 60% | 4,000+ at 100% DOD; up to 15,000 claimed |
| Weight | ~24.25 lb | ~25 lb |
| Size | Group 31 | Group 31 (13 × 6.77 × 8.43 in) |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years |
| Bigger banks | Up to 4P4S | Supported (check model) |
On the standard models, there’s no meaningful spec winner. Both give you the full 1,280 Wh of a 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery at roughly a fifth of the weight of the equivalent lead-acid capacity.
Where they differ: the variants
Both brands sell several flavours of “12V 100Ah”, and this is where your choice really happens.
Compact (“Mini”) versions. Both offer a Mini at about 19 lb for tight spaces like van benches and kayak hatches. Same 1,280 Wh, smaller box.
High-current version. LiTime’s 100Ah Max has a 200A BMS instead of 100A. If you’re running a large inverter (think microwave or coffee maker off a 12V system), that’s the one to look at. Redodo is clear that its standard models are not meant for high-power loads like water pumps or starters.
Cold weather. LiFePO4 must not be charged below freezing. Redodo’s Bluetooth Group 31 model includes low-temperature protection at 32°F (0°C), while its Basic model does not. Both brands sell self-heating versions for winter campers. If you camp in the cold, don’t buy the cheapest basic model.
Bluetooth monitoring. Both brands offer Bluetooth versions so you can see state of charge from your phone. Handy if you don’t have a separate battery monitor.
Charging
Both use standard LiFePO4 charging (CC/CV around 14.4–14.6V). Redodo recommends a 20A (0.2C) charge current for its 100Ah. Make sure your solar controller, DC-DC charger or shore charger has a lithium/LiFePO4 profile.
Which one should you buy?
Choose LiTime if:
- you need the high-current Max (200A BMS) for a big inverter
- you want a wide range of form factors (Mini, Slim, Group 24, self-heating)
Choose Redodo if:
- it’s cheaper on the day you buy (the two trade places on sale price often)
- you want a Group 31 Bluetooth model with low-temperature protection built in
For most RV and solar builds: buy whichever standard or Bluetooth 100Ah is cheaper that week, and pay the extra for a low-temp or self-heating version if you’ll charge below freezing.
Check today’s prices. Both brands run frequent sales, and the cheaper one changes week to week.
See LiTime 12V 100Ah See Redodo 12V 100Ah
What owners say on the forums
The DIY solar community has opened up a lot of these batteries, and the findings are revealing:
- Many owners think they’re close cousins. Forum members who have done teardowns report that LiTime, Redodo and Power Queen often share very similar cases, BMS boards and internals, and several conclude the brands come from overlapping suppliers. That’s a big part of why they perform so similarly. (DIY Solar Forum)
- Capacity tests are usually at or above spec. One owner capacity-tested a LiTime 100Ah at 106Ah and praised the build quality after opening it. (DIY Solar Forum)
- Reputation is good on both sides. Some forum regulars say Redodo draws the fewest complaints; others report owning more than a dozen LiTime batteries without a single problem. (DIY Solar Forum)
- Check cold-weather protection model by model. Owners confirmed with LiTime that its Mini doesn’t have low-temperature charge cut-off, so cold-weather campers should pick a Smart or self-heating version. (DIY Solar Forum)
These are individual owner reports, not lab tests, but they back up our conclusion: on standard models, buy on price and features.
The bottom line
On standard 12V 100Ah models, LiTime and Redodo are effectively tied on specs and warranty. Decide on the variant first (Mini, high-current, cold-weather, Bluetooth), then buy the brand that’s cheaper for that variant.
Still deciding between lithium and lead-acid? Read LiFePO4 vs AGM for your RV.
Sources
- DIY Solar Forum: Budget 12V 100Ah LiFePO4, LiTime vs Power Queen (page 2)
- DIY Solar Forum: Budget 12V 100Ah LiFePO4, LiTime vs Power Queen
- DIY Solar Forum: LiTime vs LION batteries
- DIY Solar Forum: Buy a cheap or an expensive 12V battery?
- DIY Solar Forum: LiTime Mini and low-temperature protection
Frequently asked questions
- Are LiTime and Redodo the same battery?
- They are separate brands, but their standard 12V 100Ah models have nearly identical headline specs: 12.8V, 1,280 Wh, a 100A BMS, 4,000+ cycles at 100% depth of discharge and a 5-year warranty. The differences are in the model variants, cold-weather features and price on the day you buy.
- Can I charge a LiTime or Redodo battery below freezing?
- Not safely without protection. LiFePO4 cells shouldn't be charged below 32°F (0°C). Both brands sell versions with low-temperature charge cut-off and self-heating models for cold climates. The basic versions may not include low-temperature protection, so check the listing.
- Can I connect several in parallel or series?
- Both brands support building bigger banks; LiTime states its 12V 100Ah can be wired up to 4P4S (a 51.2V 400Ah system). Use identical batteries of the same model and age, and follow the manufacturer's wiring guidance.
- Which is better for a trolling motor or inverter?
- For loads near 100A continuous (e.g. a 1,000W+ inverter), look at LiTime's Max version with a 200A BMS. The standard 100A BMS of either brand suits most RV, van and solar use.