Dirt Cheap 12V Battery Review: Redodo Mini 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery
When it comes to compact lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, Redodo's Mini 12V 100Ah battery has recently emerged as a popular and budget-friendly option.
Not only does Redodo offer affordable batteries that are marketed for solar and backup power applications; they’re a brand that's been gaining popularity with a younger demographic due to their colourful branding and social media advertising. More importantly than the branding is the fact that they seem to be offering a really lightweight battery with decent specs at a very appealing price point.
With all of that said, we aren’t sure if this little battery actually lives up to the hype. In this review, we'll break down the specs, what we like about it, what concerns us, and our overall assessment of the Redodo Mini’s performance.
Is this battery all hype and flashy branding, or is it actually a practical, budget-friendly power storage solution? Let’s find out!
Quick Breakdown of The Specs
Before diving into the nitty-gritty of our review, let's quickly cover the specs according to Redodo:
Weight: 19 lb
Storage Capacity: 12V 100Ah (1,280Wh)
Charge and Discharge Rate: Continuous 100A, max discharge 250A for 5 seconds
Cycle Life Rating: 4,000 cycles at 100% depth of discharge, 15,000 cycles at 60% depth
Waterproof (IP) Rating: IP65 (not fully submersible, but water resistant)
Regular Price: $238 (approximately 18 cents per watt-hour)
Like the specs suggest, this is a compact and lightweight battery, making it easy to handle and ideal for space-constrained setups like small camper vans, boats, or smaller off-grid cabins. But how does it actually perform in the real world? To find out, we put it through some tests.
Testing Results and Our Main Concerns
While the Redodo Mini definitely has some notable strengths, which we will discuss below, our testing revealed a few concerns that potential buyers should be aware of:
Very Basic Battery Management System:
The Battery Management System (BMS) in the Redodo Mini is pretty underwhelming. During our testing, we pushed the battery with a 170A load, and while it managed to handle it for about 10 minutes, it got extremely hot, reaching temperatures as high as 129°F (54°C).
The BMS eventually shut the battery down, but it took over 10 minutes to reset and allow the battery to come back online. This slow response time could be problematic in real-world scenarios, especially if you're relying on the battery in an emergency situation or for your main source of power.
2. Cold Weather Performance:
The battery's cold weather performance was another area that left us a little bit concerned. According to Redodo, the battery should not charge if it's below 32°F (0°C), and should not discharge if it's below -4°F (-20°C). However, in our cold weather test, where we placed the battery in a deep freezer at -13°F (-25°C), the battery accepted a charge without any issues—a dangerous situation for the battery cells, and something that could really impact their long-term performance.
It’s worth mentioning that it did refuse to discharge when cold, which was expected, but the charging behavior was concerning. Again, it’s probably a reflection of the poor BMS the battery is outfitted with.
3. The Lack of Advanced Features:
In an age where most dedicated solar batteries come with smart apps for monitoring and management, the Redodo Mini feels pretty basic, and actually a bit outdated. There’s no app, no external button to turn the battery on or off, and no advanced monitoring features.
While you don't necessarily need an app to use a battery, having one makes it easier to monitor performance and ensure everything is running smoothly. We assume this basic style is part of the reason why they were able to keep the cost down, but it’s still a bit of a letdown.
4. Official Website and Brand Confidence:
Another issue is the overall presentation and branding of Redodo. The company's website contains spelling errors and unclear information, which can be unsettling from a potential buyer’s perspective. Sure, the battery itself has some colourful branding, which is nice compared to the plain black and dark grey colour schemes you usually get with batteries, but this seems pretty surface-level when you take a deeper dive into the company behind it.
The battery also appears to be a white-labeled product, similar to other budget battery brands like CHINS. While this doesn't necessarily affect performance, it does raise questions about quality control and the level of attention given to the product. Are they just slapping a bit of colour on a cheap battery and sending out the door as a branded product? Difficult to say, but we wouldn’t rule it out.
What Did We Like About the Redodo Mini?
The Compact Footprint:
The smaller size and compact dimensions you get with this battery are a major plus. It's significantly more slender than typical 12V 100Ah batteries, making it easier to fit into tight spaces.
This is particularly beneficial if you plan to expand your system, as multiple Redodo Minis will take up less space than other batteries of similar capacity. We would imagine these small batteries would be perfect for those living the ‘van life’, or for those with tiny homes.
2. PErfect Efficiency:
In our testing, the Redodo Mini lived up to its advertised efficiency rating. We ran a 97A load on this 100Ah battery, and it lasted 62 minutes, which is spot-on for a 100% efficient battery!
This is exactly what you'd hope to see, especially at this price point. We’ve tested plenty of batteries in higher price brackets that don’t achieve this.
3. Affordability:
At a regular price of just $238, this battery is an excellent entry-level option for those looking to get into LiFePO4 batteries without breaking the bank. It's a great price for a battery with this capacity and efficiency, making it accessible to a wide range of users. In fact, we’d probably say the low price point is the best thing this battery has going for it.
Our Final Verdict
The Redodo Mini 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery is a solid choice if you're looking for a cheap, compact, and efficient battery. Its small footprint and lightweight design make it ideal for space-constrained setups, and it performs well in terms of efficiency.
With that said, expect a pretty basic product. Its limited BMS, poor cold weather performance, lack of advanced features, and the overall brand presentation may make a few potential buyers hesitate.
Basically, if you're on a tight budget and need a simple, no-frills battery, the Redodo Mini could be worth considering. But for just a little bit more, you could get an EG4 12V 100Ah Battery from Signature Solar, which offers much better protection features, a Bluetooth app, and more robust support.
At the end of the day, the Redodo Mini does its job and it’s really small, but there are better-performing options out there for those willing to spend just a little more.
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