Dakota Lithium 12V 54Ah
#2 in SmallFull review
For kayak anglers, ice fishing and small portable setups that need a light battery with a long warranty.
TackleDirect $399 BatteryMart $410$399
The Dakota Lithium 12V 54Ah is the better 12V lithium battery overall, rated 3.5 to 3.2. The Dakota Lithium 12V 54Ah leads on output and warranty. The LiTime 12V 30Ah Self-Heating costs $189.01 less ($209.99 vs $399).
LiTime 12V 30Ah Self-Heating
#4 in SmallFull review
For ice anglers and kayakers powering a fish finder in the cold, who want a light battery that can charge below freezing.
LiTime $209.99$209.99
Prices were last checked October 31, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Which should you buy?
- Choose the Dakota Lithium 12V 54Ah for output (60 A continuous (about 770 W at 12.8 V) vs 20 A continuous (about 260 W at 12.8 V)) and warranty (11-year warranty vs 5-year warranty).
Scores side by side
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every small 12V lithium battery; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | Dakota Lithium 12V 54Ah | LiTime 12V 30Ah Self-Heating |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.5/5 | 3.2/5 |
| Value 35% | 50 $0.58 per rated Wh | 53 $0.55 per rated Wh |
| Tested capacity 15% | 50 not yet independently tested (neutral score used) | 50 not yet independently tested (neutral score used) |
| Output 15% | 50 60 A continuous (about 770 W at 12.8 V) | 0 20 A continuous (about 260 W at 12.8 V) |
| Warranty 15% | 100 11-year warranty | 50 5-year warranty |
| Cycle life 10% | 33 3,000 cycles, maker rating | 50 4,000 cycles at 100% depth, maker rating |
| Cold weather 10% | 50 low-temperature charging protection not stated (neutral score used) | 100 self-heating, so it charges below freezing |
Specifications
| Dakota Lithium 12V 54Ah | LiTime 12V 30Ah Self-Heating | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | ||
| Rated capacity | 54 Ah (691 Wh) | 30 Ah (384 Wh) |
| Nominal voltage | 12.8 V | 12.8 V |
| Chemistry | LiFePO4 | LiFePO4 |
| Rated cycle life | 3,000 | 4,000 at 100% depth |
| Price per Wh | $0.58 | $0.55 |
| BMS | ||
| Continuous discharge | 60 A | 20 A |
| Peak discharge | 100 A for 10 s | 100 A for 1 s |
| Max charge current | 27 A | 20 A |
| Low-temperature charging | - | Self-heating |
| Bluetooth monitoring | - | Yes |
| Series / parallel | up to 4 in series | up to 4 in series, 4 in parallel |
| Build | ||
| Case size | Group U1 | - |
| Dimensions | 7.75 x 5.3 x 7.5 in | 5.98 x 3.94 x 5.16 in |
| Weight | 14.3 lb | 6.2 lb |
| Terminals | M6 | F2 |
| Water resistance | - | IP65 |
| Warranty | 11 years | 5 years |
| Released | 2019-07 | 2026-02 |