Guide: Which Lithium Battery is Good, Better, Best?

If we had a nickel for every time we got asked “What Lithium Battery would you recommend for my golf cart?” we would be millionaires (well, maybe thousandaires). Also, with so many battery brands out there, it’s difficult to sift through the noise. So, here it is…our guide for which golf cart lithium battery is best for you, based on our industry-leading years of lithium battery experience, and deep-diving into over 20 lithium brands.

Disclaimer: because our first priority is to YOU the golf cart owner, this content is our honest evaluation from our experience, even if it disadvantages some of the brands we carry, or other brands in the market.

Here’s what’s in this guide:

Our Good, Better, Best, Avoid Guide on each of the primary factors that go into your decision, along with an explanation for why a given battery made the list. Here are the guides…

• By Passengers (2, 4, 6 seaters)
• By Need (like off-roading, etc)
• By Value (like safety, warranties, low budget)
• Things to know specific to your Cart Make & Model (like Club Car DS, or EZGO RXV)
• Our Reviews & Ratings of each Lithium Battery Brand
• The Bottom Line

Best Lithium Battery by # of Passengers
(or level of modification)

Our explanation of the selections in the guide above

2 Passenger (stock carts):

Good  - Epoch Batteries 48v 30ah (2x30ah) and Allied Battery’s 48v 30ah (2x30ah) kit

Tie between Epoch Batteries’ & Allied Battery’s 48v 30ah drop-ins kit (2 x 30ah). Epoch’s has slightly better specs; has the most power of the 30ah drop-in family and is well built. Allied Battery’s has more safety features including having a steel casing. Both should have sufficient power required for a 2 passenger cart with minimal modifications. Both currently have attractive price points and are above a 4.0 company rating (see below for company rating). There is also the added benefit of being able to add additional 30ah batteries to extend range in the future if you are undecided now.

Better  - Rhino Lithium’s 48v 65ah

Even though the single power battery is a slightly more difficult install than the 30ah drop-ins kit, we like their power and ability to stabilize cells better. The Rhino 65ah has above average specs & components that give us confidence in the battery’s quality. Only reason why these are not rated ‘Best’ is that the Eco Battery 60ah has been tested more and received more customer feedback, thus decreasing its risk. 

Best     Eco Battery 48v 60ah

Eco’s 48v 60ah is a step up in power from their 72ah which was sunsetted. This is a great option if you live in hilly areas or are needing more acceleration, and it will still get you 20-25 miles per charge. The Eco 48v 60ah has had ample positive feedback from the market, with hardly any negatives to report. That, plus Eco Battery being a 5 star brand, makes this the best option.

Thumbs down  - Any 12v 100ah batteries (x4)

Yes, golf cart owners have had success here. BUT, in general, hooking up lithium batteries in series, instead of the recommended parallel, comes with risks like thermal runaways and imbalanced cells. Imbalanced cells is a common occurrence leading to potential damage. Often a more complex charger is required to handle the balancing needs.

4 Passenger (or slightly modified carts):

Good  - Allied 48v 105ah Lithium Bundle

This is one of the most popular 48v 105ah options on the market for a reason. Allied’s specs for this battery are on par with the best. Its safety features are best in class and Allied’s been around a long time, allowing them to iron out kinks in the offer. It falls short of the best in regards to its install kit (generic, average), its warranty, and it also is not recommended with high amp controllers > 500a.

Better   - Rhino 48v 120ah

Rhino’s batteries have great specs and come with an above average install kit, all at a fair price. Adding a little extra range with the 120ah over the 105ah gives it that boost for us to rank it higher than Allied’s. Also, Rhino is an up and coming lithium brand.

Best   - Eco Battery 48v 105ah and Bolt Energy’s 48v 105ah

Bolt Energy’s 48v 105ah and Eco Battery’s 48v 105ah are tied for best battery for 4 passenger (or slightly modified) golf carts. Both 5 star brands. Both have highest quality batteries, strong specs, extra safety precautions, great install kits, most adaptable to different setups & controllers, excellent customer service. For power & warranty, edge goes to Bolt. For cart specific install kits & CAN communication, edge goes to Eco. See brand specific ratings and our cart specific comments below for more details.  

Thumbs down  - The “Cheap Amazon Brands” with subpar specs and components, like DC House, Enjoybot, Chins, LiTime, Ogrphy, Cloud Energy, etc (new ones pop up monthly)

Where do we begin? From our experience, we warn about brands that are not US-owned & operated here: [insert link to cheap lithium brands blog article]. In a nutshell, you take on risks of company stability, battery durability concerns, subpar customer service, if you go this route. For four passenger and modified carts, there’s extra risk for these brands where their batteries are made with plastic casing, were originally not made for golf carts, and/or seem to be built with subpar internal components.

6 Passenger (or heavily modified carts):

Good  - Allied 48v 160ah Lithium Bundle

We like this because of its lower price point, but still strong specs. They have a rectangle and square option to allow for easier fitment based on your cart’s battery tray. With top tier safety features, we feel comfortable recommending this option for 6 seaters.  

Better  - Bolt Energy 48v 160ah

Bolt Energy’s a 5 star brand, with one of the best 160ah options available. Their professional kit is best-in-class. Since the 160ah can be tricky to install, Eco’s cart specific 160ah kits give it the slight edge over Bolt’s. 

Best   - Eco Battery 48v 160ah

Eco Battery, another 5 star brand, has had more experience than anyone else in the industry with the 160ah. With a 160ah battery being of larger size, it makes Eco Battery’s tailor made cart specific install kits extra valuable for the 160ah install. This value, at their current price point, makes Eco our best recommended 160ah option.

Thumbs down  - Vatrer 48v 150ah

The price point is indeed attractive. And their BMS seems good enough. But from our experience, we have concerns with non US-owned & operated lithium brands due to risks of company stability, customer service issues, battery durability concerns, to name a few. From what we’ve seen, the risk increases the more specialized the battery (150ah is more specialized than the 105ah), and the more strain you put on the cells (6 seater puts more strain than 4 seater). 

 

Best Lithium Battery for Your Needs 

Our explanation of the selections in the guide above

Off-roading / Speed:

Good  - Rhino Lithium’s 105ah or higher.

Rhino’s BMS quality, and max discharge specs, can accommodate bursts of power, much needed for off-roading. With its 500a peak for 30 seconds and 700a peak for 1 second, it’s one of the highest around. Its 200a continuous discharge is above average. But a 250a continuous discharge can technically obtain a slightly higher speed and faster acceleration for some carts controllers. 

Better  - Eco Battery 105ah or higher

Eco Battery has thoroughly tested pushing one’s cart to maximum power. We’ve had many customers love their Eco Battery for offroading purposes. Because of the strength of its BMS, the company’s commitment to off-roading use-cases, and ample customer testimony, we can confidently say Eco Battery’s 105ah or higher is a great option for off-roading needs.

Best    - Bolt Energy 105ah or higher

Bolt Energy’s BMS has the highest continuous amperage discharge rating of 250a. We would put money on Bolt Energy’s battery to outperform others in a race (that would be fun to watch!). So if you’re needing maximum power, and seeking maximum speed, the edge goes to Bolt Energy for being the best solution. 

Thumbs down  - The “Amazon Brands”, even the ones that have higher BMS amperages like DC House, Ogrphy, Cloud Energy, Vatrer, Mosasaur, etc (new ones pop up monthly)

One of the biggest risks with lower quality batteries is their durability, ESPECIALLY when a cart is pushed to its max. Also, when a lower quality or lower specd BMS reaches a certain amperage, it can shut down. This is a general rule of caution from experience with Amazon brands, but not necessarily characteristic of these brands.  Nonetheless, the more the golf cart maxes out its power, the more risk of battery issues. The more risk of battery issues means a greater need to stick with stateside brands for post-order support and avoid non-USA owned brands. 

Just Golfing:

Good - Epoch Batteries 48v 30ah (2x30ah) and Allied Battery’s 48v 30ah (2x30ah) kit

Tie between Epoch Batteries’ & Allied Battery’s 48v 30ah drop-ins kit (2 x 30ah). Both providing 60ah should give you enough for at least 2 rounds of golf. Epoch’s has slightly better specs; has the most power of the 30ah drop-in family. Allied Battery’s has more safety features including having a steel casing. But for hilly golf courses needing more power, although these options will work, they might be more sluggish going up those hills than desired.

Better   - Rhino Lithium’s 65ah and Bolt Energy’s 60ah

Bolt Energy’s 60ah just entered the market, so the verdict is still out on this battery. However, given Bolt’s stellar reputation, we’re comfortable going ahead and putting this as one of the ‘Better’ options you can find on the market, especially with its powerful specs and amazing professional kit.

Lithium Rhino’s 65ah gives you a few AH more, is a great quality battery with a robust install kit, all at a great price. Also, it’s the only 60/65h option in the market that claims it will work sufficiently for an EZGO RXV.

Best    - Eco Battery 48v 60ah

Eco’s 48v 60ah is one of the most powerful 60ah options on the market with a 180 continuous amp discharge, and currently at a very affordable price. Eco has the most experience in the 60ah space which is what gives them the edge to the ‘Best’ title. This is great for hilly areas or needing more acceleration, and will still get you 25-35 miles per charge (on a stock 2 seater), enough for several rounds of golf. You’ll be able to reach higher speeds on the golf course with this option more than its peers.

Thumbs down  - 48v 105ah solutions

Actually, a 48v 105ah battery will be just fine for you. But here’s why we give it the thumbs down: because so many lithium brands market the 48v 105ah option to golfers, many golfers think that’s what they need. The misinformation drives us crazy! In reality, if all you are doing is golfing, a 105ah is overkill, both in range and in power. Get a 60-65ah lithium solution instead.

Carts with 500a+ controllers:

Good  - Rhino Lithium’s 105ah or higher.

Rhino’s BMS quality, and max discharge specs, can accommodate bursts of power needed to support a 500+amp controller. Alltrax themselves have highly recommended Rhino Lithium when paired with their 600+amp controller. 

Better  - Eco Battery 105ah or higher

Eco Battery has built their BMS and programmed their battery to pair great with high amperage controllers. Navitas, Alltrax, and Silverwolf all work excellent with Eco Battery.

Best    - Bolt Energy 105ah or higher

Bolt Energy’s BMS has the highest continuous amperage discharge rating of 250a. This not only works with your high amperage controller, but allows you to use more of its power than alternative lithium options. To us, if you’ve already spent the money on a high amperage controller, you might as well get the most out of your investment and pair it with Bolt Energy. 

Thumbs down  - The “Amazon Brands”, even the ones that have higher BMS amperages like DC House, Ogrphy, Cloud Energy, Vatrer, Mosasaur, etc (new ones pop up monthly)

Reading through all of their descriptions, it does not appear that any of these will work with high amperage controllers. Play it safe, and avoid questionable lithium battery brands often found on Amazon.

Needing Extra Long Range:

Good  - Allied 48v 210ah

Although it’s not popular, and there aren’t many reviews yet, we still trust the quality of Allied’s 48v 210ah battery. 

Better  - Eco Battery 210 (2x105ah Skinny)

More common than purchasing a single 210ah battery is running 2 105ah batteries in parallel. Eco’s 48v 105ah Skinny has the dimensions needed to fit two into a single battery bay. Eco also has more experience with customers needing this much range than any other lithium brand company.  

Best    - Big Battery 417ah (3x139ah)

Big Battery has a 139ah battery that can be used for golf carts. It has a unique slender shape, allowing for one to fit three into a single battery bay. For the few of you need this much range, we trust their solution. 

Thumbs down  - Hooking up 6 30ah batteries in parallel

Technically, one can hook up 6 30ah drop-in batteries in parallel. Allied Battery, Epoch Batteries, and Trojan Battery all sell these. Although they are great batteries, we would not recommend hooking 6 of them up in parallel. Even when 5 are hooked up in parallel, you can hear the electricity humming. That makes us uncomfortable enough to not recommend hooking 6 up, and instead, running multiple larger AH batteries together.

 

Best Lithium Battery by What You Value  

Our explanation of the selections in the guide above

Customer Service:

Good  - Lithium Rhino

Excellent customer service. They are small company where even their owner, will go the extra mile to ensure you have a great experience. Small company means small sample sizes also. So they could lack experience in niche scenarios.

Better  - Eco Battery

They set the standard for customer service and were really the first ones to do this well. They have ample experience, so nuanced golf cart situations won’t throw them for a loop like it might other brands.

Best    - Bolt Energy

Very hands-on company from the top down. They will even walk you through the install themselves if you need it. When tackling issues, they will work with you and get creative in whatever is needed to help. They give the customer the benefit of the doubt. One of the only companies that allow public Google reviews, which basically is all five stars.

Thumbs down - The “Amazon Brands”, like DC House, Ogrphy, Cloud Energy, Vatrer, Mosasaur, Enjoybot, Chins, LiTime, etc (new ones pop up monthly)

From our experience, we warn about brands that are not US-owned & operated here: [insert link to cheap lithium brands blog article]. In a nutshell, you take on risks of company stability, battery durability concerns, subpar customer service, if you go this route. Some have decent email customer service getting back to you within 24hrs. Our biggest concern is the service surrounding post-order issues beyond the first 30 days. 

Ease of Installation

Good - Roypow and Lithium Rhino

Roypow has cart specific mounting hardware as well, making the install sometimes easier than the generic brackets. Although they only have specific hardware for Club Car and EZGO. 
Lithium Rhino is relatively new; so we don’t have much customer feedback. However, their kit looks robust and user-friendly, having a lot of the things you wouldn’t normally think about to make the install easier (like gloves and safety glasses).

Better   - Bolt Energy

Bolt Energy’s professional kit was innovative in its thoughtfulness. First company to think through exhaustively everything the DIY customer might need. They have a versatile bracket making for easy mounting. Their kit also includes lead-acid removal strap, heavy duty extension cord, 2G cables, heavy duty solenoid, thorough instruction manual, in addition to the lithium kit usuals (SOC meter, plug port, 12v converter, etc)

Best   - Eco Battery

Eco Battery tailor makes each bundle to the specific golf cart make & model. This makes your installation easier and faster than with other lithium brands. They also have a patented thru-hole design for their 48v 105ah that allows it to slide over your existing tie rod you used for your lead-acids. They also were the first to have a skinny battery that allows for easier installation for carts like the EZGO TXT.

Thumbs down  - The “Amazon Brands”, like DC House, Ogrphy, Cloud Energy, Vatrer, Mosasaur, Enjoybot, Chins, LiTime, etc (new ones pop up monthly)

Many of these come with a charger and that’s it. The better ones come with a SOC meter as well. The best of these non - USA owned brands you often find on Amazon, might have a few nuts & bolts to help with your install. Also, none of them come with a 12v converter. And for all them, their install kit doesn’t compare to many of the stateside brands we’ve listed thus far. Expect a greater DIY project for these if you decide to take the risk. 

Warranty:

Good  - Big Battery

Big Battery boasts a 12 year warranty, which is the longest in the industry. They are a reputable stateside company as well, where you can expect to get quality warranty support. Word of caution though as we have seen several public complaints where customers were not happy with how Big Battery handled their warranty. We would recommend making sure you read all of the stipulations and thoroughly understand what nullifies the warranty terms if this is something you are concerned about.

Better  - Dakota Lithium

Dakota Lithium has an 11 year warranty that does not seem to be prorated. We’ve read all the fine print, and cannot see any issues with it. Only reason why this is not ‘Best’ is simply too few customer data points of anyone’s experience with Dakota’s warranty; we are conservatively putting it at ‘Better’. 

Best    - Bolt Energy and Lithium Rhino

Bolt Energy has a 10 year warranty with full replacement up through year 5. They also have a stellar team that gives the customer the benefit of the doubt, working with them to find a solution. Their warranty support has been second to none from our experience. Their warranty is also superior to the typical lithium warranty of 5-8 years. Lithium Rhino ties for Best Warranty because it technically has a better value in years 6 & 7 than Bolt. Lithium Rhino is an 8 year warranty, full replacement through year 5, with only a $500 deductible for its last 24 months of the 8 year span. Additionally, they will allow a transferable warranty on a case by case basis.

Thumbs down  - The “Amazon Brands”, even the ones that have higher BMS amperages like DC House, Ogrphy, Cloud Energy, Vatrer, Mosasaur, etc (new ones pop up monthly)

Many non-USA owned brands on Amazon have a 5 year warranty; some have a 10 year warranty. Either way, these come with bigger risks than stateside warranties. Questions of if the company will still be around to honor the warranty are common concerns. Hands-on golf cart experience, that can be found locally, is almost always easier to deal with concerning warranties than overseas triaging of warranty issues.

Thumbs down  - Allied Battery

Allied has an 8 year warranty that starts being prorated on day 1. This would be below average for stateside brands. Additionally, they are extremely strict on what they allow for warranty replacement, often invoking the fine print subjectively. Allied makes a great battery; but make sure to thoroughly read the warranty terms ahead of time, and follow their best practices always, so you reduce the likelihood of needing warranty support.

Safety:

Good  - Bolt Energy

Bolt Energy does everything right in their conviction to have one of the best batteries in the market. They’ve done thorough testing of their battery from AMP overload testing to drop testing. They have high quality components like waterproof lid, stainless steel hardware, and upgraded 2AWG internal wiring.

Better  - Trojan Lithium

Trojan’s Onepack has a self-protecting BMS and four levels of safety redundancy. They also do more stateside testing than most other brands. The extra safety precautions & features is one reason why Trojan can demand a premium price. 

Best    - Allied Battery & Eco Battery

Allied Battery has a high quality BMS that works well with regen carts like the EZGO RXV. It also has Fire Suppression Technology, unique to Allied, that discharges a chemical that acts as a shield in the rare case of excessive heat. That, plus its thick steel case (the only 30ah solution that has this), makes it the safest lithium battery. But, we’re also impressed with Eco Battery’s advanced CAN integration and firmware. This allows for safer experiences as the battery gets low on power. Eco also has higher quality internal components than most. For these reasons, we decided to make it a tie, as both brands bring unique safety features to the market.  

Thumbs down  - Any batteries that:
- are 65+Ah with plastic casing
- do not have a smart BMS
- do not have EVE Grade A cells

These traits often describe the batteries you’ll find on Amazon. Metal casing is much safer than plastic casing as batteries that draw high amperage create heat. Not having a smart BMS means your battery may not shut off when it needs to. Batteries that do not say EVE Grade A cells likely have a lower quality of Grade A cells which mostly negatively affects durability, but also safety.

Budget Brand:

Good  - Sonny Power

Sonny Power is very new to the market. Still unproven. TBD on their likelihood to still be around years from now to honor the warranty. But if price is most important to you, they could be worth taking a chance on. Above average battery specs with above average kit. 

Better  - Epoch Batteries

Epoch makes a quality product that is currently the price leader of stateside brands. They are a company that will likely be around for the long haul with ties to Roypow. We still believe there are better batteries for your dollar than Epoch. And they have not focused on golf cart specific features and benefits as much as Allied has. But if the lowest price, while still reliable, is most important to you, these guys are one of the top two brands to consider.

Best    - Allied Battery

Allied’s pricing has come down recently, turning them into more of a budget brand. They’ve been around a while with a strong network of customers. With all their upgraded features like thick steel casing, fire suppression technology, and a proprietary solenoid that prevents unwanted battery draws, they are the best budget brand for the price sensitive customer. 

Thumbs down  - The “Amazon Brands”, like DC House, Ogrphy, Cloud Energy, Vatrer, Mosasaur, Enjoybot, Chins, LiTime, etc (new ones pop up monthly)

No doubt, they all have attractive pricing. These brands are not USA-owned & operated, which increases risks of company stability, battery durability concerns, subpar customer service, and warranty recourse. Almost all of them are not golf cart experts either, which affects the design of their battery, their chosen battery specs and internal components, and definitely, their post-order triaging of performance issues. If you absolutely were dead set on taking on these risks and going this route, we would recommend companies that have been around long enough to have some stability, like LiTime, and maybe Vatrer.

Things to know specific to your Cart Model

On top of the guides above, here are extra considerations that are specific to your golf cart make & model, that might influence your purchasing decision. If your cart is not mentioned below, that means there is no cart specific nuance that we know of that should affect your lithium battery decision.

Advanced EV

• Go with Eco Battery. Especially if you have a 2021 Advanced EV or newer.

• Eco Battery’s the only brand that integrates with their display, their controller, and their regen system. The result is more accurate readings AND greater safety (with Advanced EV’s regen motor, you need this greater safety on carts 2021 or newer).

Bintelli

• Would recommend Eco Battery as they are the only ones with a cart specific kit for the Bintelli

Club Car DS 36v/48v

• Important to know: it is OK to place your battery on those center rails that are slanted. 
• Space might seem to be an issue, but most brands have a solution for this. You’ll be fine :)
• Easiest install, if you’re fine drilling through metal, is Eco Battery’s DS specific install kit. 
• No, you will NOT need to bypass your OBC when installing the charger for these kits: Eco Battery, Bolt Energy, Lithium Rhino, Epoch Batteries
• If you have a Club Car H frame (uncommon), we recommend using Eco Battery for their Club Car H frame specific bundle.
• Since your cart is more than 6 years old, we would strongly recommend getting a heavy duty solenoid with the purchase of your new lithium battery setup

Club Car Precedent / Onward / Tempo

• Although all lithium brands will work great with your Precedent, the value of Eco Battery’s cart specific install shines brightest with the Precedent/Onward. You can keep your existing tie rod. Their Thru Hole 105ah slides right over it. They provide you with the single nut you’ll need to fasten to the tie rod. No drilling through metal needed. Easiest install we’ve seen for any cart and any brand.

• Any bundle that says it’s for the Precedent, will also work for the Onward and Tempo

EZGO RXV 

• There’s space issues in the RXV. Each brand accounts for this differently in the RXV. But general rule of thumb is to stay with a 105ah sized battery to ensure fitment.
• RXV with plastic tray: most brands are of similar level of installation difficulty here
• RXV with metal tray: Eco Battery makes the install easiest, as they include an entirely new battery tray. However, that means you’re paying more for it.    
• Due to the RXV stock controller being 350, anything less than an 80ah solution is strongly advised against. The battery would be drained quickly, leaving you with potentially less than 10 miles per charge.
• Lithium Rhino is the only brand that claims their low AH option (48v 65ah) will work with the RXV

EZGO TXT 36v / 48v

• 48v. Although any lithium brand will work, the best optimization of space and easiest installation will be if you go with a thin or skinny shaped battery. Bolt Energy and Eco Battery carry these. 

• 48v & 36v. If you’re doing the install yourself, there’s a small thing you need to know:

• You will need to do the charger interlock. Here’s what to do: (feel free to call us also if you need help)
  Coming off the original charger there should be 3 wires. One of them is a smaller wire with a connector to it. You will need to cut the wire at the connector, put a ring terminal on it, and take it to the positive battery terminal. Done! That wire needs to see voltage to it or the cart will not move.

Icon

• Go with Eco Battery. Period. Especially if you have a 2021 Icon or newer. Here’s the Icon specific Eco Battery bundles page.
• Eco Battery’s the only brand that integrates with their display, their controller, and their regen system. The result is more accurate readings AND greater safety (with Icon’s regen motor, you need this greater safety on carts 2021 or newer).

Kandi

• Would recommend Bolt Energy as they have the most experience with the Kandi carts.

Polaris Ranger EV

• Yes, a 105ah can work. Just know you might not get more than 25 miles per charge
• Doubling up 2 105ah thin or skinny batteries is most recommended. Bolt Energy and Eco Battery have this option and the slender shape of battery you’ll need.
• Here’s the most popular lithium option for Polaris Ranger owners: the Eco Battery 48v 160ah

Bad Boy Buggies, Coleman, Epic, GEM, Madjax, Navitas, Tomberlin, Trojan EV, Vivid EV, Yamaha

• All of these brands will work with, and have support for, Eco Battery, Bolt Energy, and Lithium Rhino. You will need to do additional research for other lithium brands to ensure fitment.

Our Reviews & Ratings of each Lithium Battery Brand

First, you need to know a couple things that significantly influence our ratings. 

• We put significant weight in product performance, company stability, proven track record, safety, value for the $.  
• From our years of experience, we have concerns in dealing with non USA-owned & operated companies. Their risks of company stability, battery quality, and customer service issues, all make us uncomfortable recommending them in good conscience. As a result, these companies have been downgraded in our ratings.

Eco Battery - Our Rating: 4.9 

Review highlights:

● Easiest install with cart specific hardware
● Best battery engineering & firmware
● Top notch customer service
● Will likely be around for the long haul
● One of the safest batteries with its advanced CAN connection
● When buying, make sure you’re buying from golf cart experts. Eco allows almost anyone to sell their product
● Average warranty. Installation manual online only; no physical copy included

Bolt Energy - Our rating: 4.9 

Review highlights:

● Most powerful battery
● Best overall kit, with thoughtful accessories for install
● Solid down-to-earth company
● Tied for Best Warranty in industry
● Outstanding customer service & warranty support
● For some golf cart owners, depending on your needs and values, you could be overpaying for what you need

Lithium Rhino - Our rating: 4.6

Review highlights:

● Noble cause & innovative company
● Great install kit with a lot of extras
● Widest selection of battery range options available (like 50ah & 120ah options)
● Tied for Best Warranty terms
● Lower rating due to being so new to the market. Does not have as much experience as the 4.9 brands.

Trojan Lithium - Our rating: 4.4 

Review highlights:

● Top tier luxury 48v 105ah “One Pack” option with advanced safety features
● Uses Lester smart charger in their lithium bundles
● Strong company stability
● Parts in kit are more confusing than most lithium install kits
● Customer service is average

Skunkworks Lithium - Our rating: 4.3

Review highlights:

● Custom lithium batteries. One of the only stateside companies to do this.
● Great reputation and customer service
● Not as easily accessible and lacks user-friendly ordering process
● Better overall experience if you’re in Tennessee

Allied Lithium - Our rating: 4.2 

Review highlights:

● Company has been around since beginning of lithium craze
● The only 30ah drop-ins with steel casing, which is a strong plus
● Nice safety features like Fire Suppression Technology
● Its popular 48v 105ah is trustworthy. Can’t go wrong, unless you have 500+amp controller
● Customer service & warranty support are subpar

Epoch Batteries - Our rating: 4.2 

Review highlights:

● 48v 30ah drop-ins are best of the drop-in brands in power & in price
● Company stability strong
● Single power bank batteries are of average quality components
● Company’s focus is more on marine than golf cart
● Company has ties to Roypow
● Average level of customer service

Big Battery - Our rating: 4.1 

Review highlights:

● Best solutions for scenarios needing > 300ah
● Above average stateside engineering
● Company stability seems to be strong, with success across multiple industries
● One of the best self-heating options on the market
● Average specs on their popular batteries; which could be why their price is slightly lower than the premium brands
● 12-year warranty. But has received many complaints about their terms
● Polarizing reputation. We’ve heard many positives and many negatives (primarily regarding handling of post-order issues)

Roypow Lithium - Our rating: 4.0 

Review highlights:

● Luxury product features (ex: Remote on/off)
● Forward-thinking overseas engineering, that has set the bar for innovation in the past
● Has a strong dealer network if you ever need a mechanic who knows Roypow
● Reputation of having BMS issues w/ high amp controllers (however, they may have fixed this recently)
● Warranty support is subpar. For example, they are starting to phase out warranty support for less common batteries like their 36v 105ah.
● Not worth the $, in our opinion, when there are other great lithium options
● Not USA-owned, which comes with its own set of issues (ask us for stories if you have a few hours:)

Dakota Lithium - Our rating 3.9 

Review highlights:

● One of the longest warranties in the industry
● Primarily a marine battery company
● Install kit is rated last amongst the stateside brands
● Its popular 48v 96ah costs similar to others’ 105ah

BatteryEvo - Our Rating: 3.7

Review highlights:

● Attractive price if willing to take the risks
● Original manufacturers of Big Battery’s batteries that are now doing their own thing
● Pricing seems too good to be true; heard of issues with low-quality battery cells
● Not USA-owned. From our experience, this often comes with difficulty resolving golf cart issues, questionable company stability, and complaints surrounding warranty claims.

Relion - Our Rating: 3.5

Review highlights:

● Luxury battery; great specs
● If you look at their homepage, you can tell golf carts are an afterthought
● If you were willing to pay that amount, there are other brands we would recommend before them
● Buying experience is subpar

Patriot Power - Our Rating: 3.5 

Review highlights:

● Good people. Family owned.
● Strong customer service
● Battery options are series wiring hookup instead of parallel. Parallel is better. Series hookup is not recommended for golf cart lithium batteries.
● Definitely not a ‘best bang for your buck’ candidate

Vatrer - Our Rating: 3.0 

Review highlights:

● Good battery specs at an attractive price
● Most reputable of the ‘Cheap Amazon Brands’
● One can tell they are not golf cart experts compared to all the brands above with higher ratings
● Lithium industry’s rule of thumb: “If you don’t know what the name means, stay away”
● Install kit is bare bones. No bracket; just screws.
● Not US-owned or operated. From our experience, this often comes with difficulty resolving golf cart issues, questionable company stability, and complaints surrounding warranty claims.

LiTime - Our Rating: 3.0 

Review highlights:

● Attractive price point if willing to take the risks
● Used to be Ampere Time. Been around a while. Decent sized customer base in US.
● Specs & plastic casing on popular options are risky for golf carts (except for perhaps 2-seaters in flat areas)
● Not USA-owned

Chins - Our Rating: 2.7 

Review highlights:

● After many years, they finally got a safer golf cart option with steel casing
● Most of their options are not good for golf carts. Unless you’re a stock 2-seater in a flat area.
● Concerning they do not have a website and are an Amazon seller only. This casts heavy doubt on quality of customer service 30 days post purchase, and long-term warranty integrity.

Cloud Energy  - Our Rating: 2.2 

Review highlights:

● Bare bones install kit. Be prepared to get creative in how & where you install it
● Most of their marketing and product content copycats other existing lithium brands
● Not USA-owned and operated. From our experience, this often comes with difficulty resolving golf cart issues, questionable company stability, and complaints surrounding warranty claims.

DC House - Our Rating: 2.0 

Review highlights:

● If you are only needing your cart for only a year or two, and aren’t concerned with the negatives & risks below, the price is incredibly attractive
● Uses a metal casing, which is safer than its plastic battery peers
● Their warranty policy is nowhere to be found on their website
● 3-year warranty, which is the shortest in the industry, reflects the lack of confidence in the durability or performance of their battery
● Sloppiness throughout their communications & content on their site
● Concerns of integrity and compromising on quality. Lithium is a premium product that can be dangerous around high power uses like golf carts. Their aggressive price point brings down the high amperage lithium market, but not through innovation and efficiency. Advertising a high-powered product, at that low of a price, suggests they are skimping on making the necessary investments to ensure customer safety & satisfaction post-purchase.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the right lithium battery for your golf cart isn’t just about finding the "best" option—it’s about finding the best fit for you. Whether you prioritize range, power, durability, or budget, the key is to align your battery choice with your specific needs.

If you want the most reliable, long-lasting performance with industry-leading safety features, premium brands in our "Best" category are your go-to. If you're looking for a balance of value and quality, the "Better" options will serve you well without breaking the bank. And if you're simply looking for a functional upgrade from lead-acid on a budget, the "Good" choices will still provide a solid improvement.

The one thing we can’t stress enough: avoid cutting corners with cheap, low-quality lithium batteries. They may seem like a great deal upfront, but poor build quality, weak warranties, and unreliable performance will cost you more in the long run.

At the end of the day, the best lithium battery is the one that keeps you driving farther, longer, and safer—so choose wisely. If you're still unsure, reach out to us, and we’ll help you find the perfect match for your cart and lifestyle. Your golf cart deserves the best power source, and with the right lithium battery, you’ll never have to worry about performance again.