This article explains everything you need to know about gel batteries vs. lead-acid batteries.

There’s much confusion about these two types of batteries.

So we hope this will clear it up.

In this article, you'll learn:

  • The relationships between gel, AGM, and lead-acid batteries
  • The advantages and disadvantages of each battery
  • How to charge gel batteries
  • The answers to common questions about each battery

Let's dive in!

Lead-Acid vs. Gel vs. AGM Batteries: What’s the Difference?

Lead-acid batteries are the most common in the market.

But, there are several variations of lead-acid batteries, including:

  1. Flooded
  2. Sealed. These are also called valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) or sealed lead-acid (SLA) batteries

Usually, when talking about lead-acid batteries, people mean flooded lead-acid.

Whereas, gel and AGM batteries are types of sealed batteries.

So Is a Gel Battery Lead-Acid? And Are AGM Batteries Lead-Acid?

The answer to both questions is yes.

To recap, AGM, gel, and flooded batteries are all types of lead-acid batteries.

A flowchart showing the relationship between the types of lead-acid batteries

For the most part, the contents and electrochemical workings of these lead-acid batteries are very similar.

But there are some important differences, which we’ll cover next.

What’s the Difference Between Flooded and Sealed Batteries?

The main difference between flooded batteries and sealed batteries is the electrolyte.

Flooded batteries are filled with a liquid electrolyte solution.

A flooded lead-acid battery
An example of a flooded lead-acid battery

On the other hand, sealed batteries have a solid electrolyte.

AGM batteries are filled with a glass mat substance.

An AGM lead-acid battery
An example of an AGM battery

And gel batteries are filled with silica to coagulate the electrolyte.

A gel lead-acid battery
An example of a gel battery

Besides that, sealed batteries are virtually immune from spills and leakage.

As a result, they can be used in any position or orientation without worry.

But flooded batteries are not sealed and thus liable to spills and leakage.

Furthermore, they require regular watering.

Conversely, sealed batteries do not.

And that makes them virtually maintenance-free.

What Are Flooded Batteries?

Invented in 1860, rechargeable flooded lead-acid batteries are the most common and widely used type of lead-acid battery.

Flooded batteries are composed of alternating lead and lead oxide plates along with liquid electrolytes (sulfuric acid and water).

Using an electrochemical process, these components react to produce energy.

How Do Flooded Batteries Work?

First, they are called "flooded batteries" because the liquid electrolyte is free to move within the cell.

What does that mean?

Inside the cell, the alternating lead plates are immersed in the electrolyte solution.

An illustration of the inner workings of a flooded lead-acid battery
Flooded batteries produce electricity through the reaction of liquid electrolyte and lead plates

As the electrical current passes through the battery, the electrolyte interacts with the lead plates.

The plates are then converted into lead sulfate.

And it’s through this reaction that chemical energy is converted into electrical energy.

But this process is reversed once the battery is charged.

The charging breaks down the lead sulfate, turning it into pure sulfuric acid and lead.

Also, the water in the electrolyte splits, and hydrogen gas is released.

So, to prevent the hydrogen gas build-up (and avoid battery explosions), flooded batteries have a vent to exhaust the gas and relieve the pressure.

A flooded lead-acid battery with the vent caps pointed out
Vent caps, as shown here, help prevent a build-up of hydrogen gas in flooded batteries

But this process also leads to water loss.

That’s because the hydrogen doesn’t have a chance to recombine with oxygen and settle back into the electrolyte solution as water.

Thus, it creates a need to regularly water the battery.

This process is why, although they are the cheapest, flooded batteries require more battery maintenance.

The user must access individual cells and top them up using distilled water as the battery dries out.

Flooded Battery Advantages

Widely available

Relatively cheap

Available in different sizes and capacity

Provides good deep-cycle performance

Flooded Battery Disadvantages

Requires regular watering and strict maintenance

Requires charging in designated and ventilated rooms

Liable to cause injury and corrosion due to spills and leakage

Requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling

Vents out substantial quantities of flammable hydrogen gas

Easily damaged if left to over-charge

Prone to high self-discharge rate

Considered hazardous material when transporting

What Are Flooded Batteries Used For?

Large flooded batteries are often used in industrial equipment, like forklifts.

Additionally, they’re a popular solution for cars, solar power energy, and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).

What Is a Gel Battery?

A gel battery is a maintenance-free, valve-regulated, sealed lead-acid (SLA) battery.

First conceived in the 1930s, gel battery technology wasn't perfected and commercialized until the 1980s.

How Do Gel Batteries Work?

As the name suggests, gel cell batteries are fitted with an immobile and highly viscous electrolyte.

This jelly-like electrolyte is composed of silica and sulfuric acid.

The gel is similar to silicone gel in appearance and composition and is used as a thickening agent.

A drop of gel
The gel in gel batteries is composed of silica and sulfuric acid

This helps to enhance the gel-type battery’s internal structural integrity.

And it holds the lead plates and active material in position.

How?

The gel 'glues' onto the lead plates, essentially combining the electrolyte and plates into one single piece.

Sealed gel batteries are also recombinant batteries.

This means that the negative plate absorbs the oxygen produced on the positive plate during discharge, thanks to the seal and the pressure valve.

Now, instead of producing and releasing hydrogen gas, the negative plate produces water.

A water faucet with a red circle around it
Gel batteries do not lose water, requiring less maintenance

This prevents water loss and maintains the battery's water content.

For these reasons, gel battery maintenance is virtually non-existent.

Gel Battery Advantages

Maintenance-free, with no need for regular watering

Spill- and leak-proof

Can be mounted in any position

Offer more resistance to extreme temperatures

Better withstands shock and vibration

Classified as non-hazardous materials for road transportation

Offers extremely low self-discharge rates

No gassing, making them safe to install in places with limited ventilation

They do not experience corrosion

Offers excellent deep-cycle performance

Can be installed or used near sensitive electronic equipment

Gel Battery Disadvantages

More expensive than flooded lead-acid

Sensitive to overcharging. Requires special SMART chargers and regulators

What Are Gel Batteries Used For?

Gel batteries are used in low power demanding equipment like:

  • Floor scrubbers and sweepers
  • Walkie pallet jacks
  • Wheelchairs
  • RVs
  • Cars
  • Boats
  • Cell phones

How Long Can a Gel Battery Last?

The answer to this question depends on:

  • How it's charged
  • How it’s used
  • The working temperature
  • The charge capacity

If you charge a normal 12-volt gel battery to 90% charge capacity and keep it unused in the charged state, it will last up to 6 years and while retaining up to 80 % of its original capacity.

Now, what is the life expectancy of a gel battery?

Gel batteries can last up to 20 years with up to 5,500 charge cycles.

A person holding a small hourglass
Gel batteries can last up to 4 times longer than flooded batteries

Compared to flooded batteries’ 1,000 to 1,500 charge cycle (3 to 5 year) lifespan, that’s much longer.

And that’s because gel batteries resist sulfation and are maintenance-free.

Charging Gel Batteries: Everything You Need to Know

Charging gel batteries is a little more complex than charging flooded lead-acid batteries.

Here's what you need to know...

You’ll first need a specialized gel battery charger (or SMART charger).

Why?

Because gel batteries are susceptible to voltage spikes.

A warning sign of electricity
Gel batteries should be charged carefully to avoid damaging voltage spikes

And these specialized chargers have specific settings that prevent these spikes.

Secondly, when charging a gel battery, you need to give it extra time.

That’s because gel batteries require slow, constant voltage charging cycles.

And charging the battery at the wrong voltage can damage it, cause battery failure, or shorten its lifespan.

Third, you'll need to constantly monitor the charging process and take off the charger as soon as charging is complete.

If you don’t, you can create pockets in the electrolyte.

And this can cause irreversible damage to the battery.

Can You Charge a Gel Battery With a Regular Charger?

Yes, you can.

But, charging gel batteries with a flooded lead-acid charger is risky.

Why?

Gel batteries like to be charged slow and low.

A battery with a battery charging sitting on top of it
You can use regular chargers with gel batteries, but it’s very risky

So, when charging a gel battery with a lead-acid charger, you must be extra cautious.

Ensure that the peak charging voltage does not exceed 14.7 volts.

Otherwise, you can end up with a dried-out, non-conductive gel.

How to Charge a Gel Battery With a Regular Lead-Acid Charger

  1. Attach the lead-acid battery charger to your gel cell battery. Ensure you connect the terminals correctly. The red cable goes to the positive terminal. And the black cable goes to the negative terminal

  2. Switch the charger settings to deep cycle (for example, to 2 amp /12 volt). This will help mimic the charging characteristics of a constant voltage charger (CVC) that is used to charge deep cycle gel batteries

  3. Next, switch the charger to manual instead of auto. If you leave it on auto, it may taper its voltage when the battery reaches full charge

  4. Now, monitor the battery closely as it charges for 7 to 12 hours. Make sure the voltage output never exceeds 14.7 volts

  5. Once the battery charging reaches 95%, remove the charger

What Are AGM Batteries?

AGM (or absorbed glass mat) is a type of sealed lead-acid battery.

AGM batteries were invented in the late 1970s for use in military aircraft, traffic signals, telecommunications systems, and other devices.

But they were not used commercially until the mid-1980s.

How Do AGM Batteries Work?

First, the composition of AGM batteries looks likes this:

  • Fiberglass mats
  • Lead plates
  • Electrolyte
  • Pressure control valve

The microfibre fiberglass mats, placed between the lead plates, absorb and immobilize the electrolyte.

The glass mats also act as separators and insulators between the positive and negative plates.

This design is what makes AGM batteries spill-proof.

Water droplets with a crossed-out circle around them
AGM batteries - like gel batteries - are sealed and spill-proof

Like gel batteries, AGM batteries are recombinant.

What does this mean?

The safety pressure relief valve prevents the release of hydrogen and oxygen gases.

Instead, they’re able to recombine during charging.

And this helps prevent subsequent water evaporation from the cells.

Also, the glass mats wrapped around the battery's positive plate help prevent damage from vibration and impacts.

An illustration of a vibration
The glass mats in AGM batteries protect it from vibrations

They also help extend its cycling.

Plus, AGM batteries have a lower internal resistance.

This lower resistance reduces losses to heat as power flows through the system.

And that’s why AGM batteries have more output voltage and lower charging times.

AGM Battery Advantages

Sealed, allowing gasses to recombine and eliminating the need to add water

Maintenance-free

Spill- and leak-proof design. There’s no mess while charging and no corrosion risks

Impact-resistant and greater vibration resistance, reducing battery failures

Superior cold-weather performance

Well suited for high current applications

Little internal resistance for more power output. That means less charging time and reduced losses due to heat

Not considered hazardous material

Do not require ventilation

Flexibility to mount in any position or orientation

AGM Battery Disadvantages

Higher initial cost than flooded batteries

Performance suffers in warmer temperatures. Most AGM manufacturers recommend stopping the charge after 120°F (49°C)

Sensitive to overcharging

What Are AGM Batteries Used For?

AGM batteries can be used in many of the same applications as gel batteries.

Some popular uses include:

  • Cars
  • Boats
  • Snowmobiles
  • Motorcycles
  • ATVs
  • Solar power

Are All AGM Batteries Deep Cycle?

No, not all AGM batteries are deep cycle.

But many are.

After all, they do have a greater ability to deep cycle discharge.

Four batteries at various states of charge
Not all AGM batteries are deep cycle. But those that are perform much better than flooded batteries

In fact, AGM batteries' specified depth of discharge (DoD) stands at 80% compared to the 50% DoD of flooded batteries.

Moreover, they can charge up to 5 times faster than flooded batteries.

Do AGM Batteries Last Longer?

An AGM battery can generally last between 3 and 5 years and up to 8 years if the battery is used properly.

That’s about two to three times longer than a flooded battery.

But overall, their lifespan depends on several factors, including:

  • How it's charged
  • How it’s used
  • The working temperature

If these items are done improperly, that will shorten the battery’s useful life.

Are AGM Batteries Better Than Gel Batteries or Flooded Batteries?

The fact is, AGM batteries are better than flooded batteries - if you’re prepared for the extra cost.

A money bag balancing against an hourglass
Gel and AGM batteries perform better than flooded batteries. But it comes at a greater price

However, they are comparable with gel batteries.

Despite their different composition, both offer benefits like:

Better charge capacity

Prevention of spillage and leaks

Better electrolyte volume

Superior life expectancy

No maintenance requirements

Overall, the debate between AGM vs. gel batteries comes down to your budget, needs, and what serves you best.

Conclusion

That's it.

You now know the difference between gel, AGM, and flooded lead-acid batteries.

Now, we'd like to hear from you.

Do you use any of these battery types?

Which do you prefer?

Let us know in the comments section!