Every power station on this site uses LiFePO4 — lithium iron phosphate, also written LFP. Ten years ago most used NMC. The switch happened for good reasons, and understanding them tells you what to look for in the specifications that are still inconsistent.
The comparison
| Property | LiFePO4 (LFP) | NMC | Matters because |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical cycle life | 3,000–6,000 | 500–1,000 | Decides how many years you get |
| Energy density | 90–120 Wh/kg | 150–220 Wh/kg | NMC packs are lighter |
| Thermal stability | High | Lower | Thermal runaway risk |
| Cost per kWh | Lower | Higher | Iron and phosphate vs cobalt and nickel |
| Cold charging | Poor below 0 °C | Poor below 0 °C | Both need protection |
| Cobalt content | None | Yes | Supply-chain and ethical concerns |
- LiFePO4 (LFP)
- 3,000–6,000
- NMC
- 500–1,000
- Matters because
- Decides how many years you get
- LiFePO4 (LFP)
- 90–120 Wh/kg
- NMC
- 150–220 Wh/kg
- Matters because
- NMC packs are lighter
- LiFePO4 (LFP)
- High
- NMC
- Lower
- Matters because
- Thermal runaway risk
- LiFePO4 (LFP)
- Lower
- NMC
- Higher
- Matters because
- Iron and phosphate vs cobalt and nickel
- LiFePO4 (LFP)
- Poor below 0 °C
- NMC
- Poor below 0 °C
- Matters because
- Both need protection
- LiFePO4 (LFP)
- None
- NMC
- Yes
- Matters because
- Supply-chain and ethical concerns
The cycle-life row is the whole argument. A pack rated for 4,000 cycles cycled weekly lasts about seventy-seven years — the warranty and the electronics will fail long before the cells. The same pattern at 800 NMC cycles lasts about fifteen.
The specification that actually varies
Here is the useful part, because the chemistry choice is now effectively made for you.
Manufacturers advertise cycle life as a single headline number — "4,000 cycles". That number is meaningless without the capacity it is rated to, and manufacturers do not use the same one.
| Unit | Headline cycles | Rated to | Capacity remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetti Elite 200 V2 | 6,000 | 80% | ~1,659 Wh |
| Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 | 4,000 | 80% | ~819 Wh |
| EcoFlow Delta 3 | 4,000 | 80% | ~819 Wh |
| Bluetti Elite 100 V2 | 4,000 | 80% | ~819 Wh |
| EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 | 4,000 | 80% | ~3,277 Wh |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | 4,000 | 70% | ~749 Wh |
| Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 | 4,000 | 70% | ~1,429 Wh |
| Bluetti AC70 | 3,000 | 80% | ~614 Wh |
- Headline cycles
- 6,000
- Rated to
- 80%
- Capacity remaining
- ~1,659 Wh
- Headline cycles
- 4,000
- Rated to
- 80%
- Capacity remaining
- ~819 Wh
- Headline cycles
- 4,000
- Rated to
- 80%
- Capacity remaining
- ~819 Wh
- Headline cycles
- 4,000
- Rated to
- 80%
- Capacity remaining
- ~819 Wh
- Headline cycles
- 4,000
- Rated to
- 80%
- Capacity remaining
- ~3,277 Wh
- Headline cycles
- 4,000
- Rated to
- 70%
- Capacity remaining
- ~749 Wh
- Headline cycles
- 4,000
- Rated to
- 70%
- Capacity remaining
- ~1,429 Wh
- Headline cycles
- 3,000
- Rated to
- 80%
- Capacity remaining
- ~614 Wh
So the question to ask is not "is it LiFePO4" — it will be. It is "four thousand cycles to what?"
Cold weather
Both chemistries share this problem, and it is worth understanding because it catches people out.
Lithium cells of either type must not be charged below about 0 °C. Doing so causes lithium plating on the anode, which permanently reduces capacity and can eventually cause an internal short. Every power station worth buying therefore refuses to charge when cold — which is correct behaviour, though it rarely explains itself clearly on screen.
Discharging in the cold is fine. You will see reduced capacity because the chemistry is slower at low temperatures, but the pack is not harmed and recovers when it warms.
Some units include pack heaters that let them charge in freezing conditions. If you camp or live somewhere that regularly drops below freezing, this is worth checking on the specific model, because it is not universal and it determines whether you can use solar on a cold clear morning at all.
Practical care
Storage charge. For long storage, keep LiFePO4 around 50–60% rather than full. Cells stored at 100% degrade faster.
Depth of discharge matters less than it used to. LiFePO4 tolerates full discharge much better than older chemistries. The battery management system already holds back a reserve — which is part of why you never get the rated capacity.
Heat is the real enemy. Cycling is what the cycle rating covers. Sustained high temperature degrades cells regardless of use. A power station in a hot car boot all summer ages faster than one in a cool garage.
Cycle counts are full cycles. Using 25% and recharging four times is roughly one cycle, not four.
FAQ
Is LiFePO4 better than NMC?
For a power station, yes, decisively — three to six times the cycle life and much better thermal stability. NMC's advantage is energy density, which matters in phones and cars but not in a box that sits in a garage. Every unit on this site uses LiFePO4.
How long does a LiFePO4 power station last?
At its rated cycle count, decades of normal use. A 4,000-cycle pack cycled weekly reaches its rating in about seventy-seven years — long after the inverter, screen and warranty. The rating describes the cells, not the appliance.
What does "4,000 cycles to 80%" mean?
That after 4,000 full charge-discharge cycles the pack should still hold 80% of its original capacity. Check that percentage: some manufacturers advertise the same 4,000 cycles rated only to 70%, which is a materially weaker promise.[1][2]
Can I charge a power station in freezing weather?
Usually not, and that is deliberate. Charging lithium cells below about 0 °C causes permanent damage, so units refuse. Discharging in the cold is fine. Some models include pack heaters that permit cold charging — check the specific model.
Should I keep it plugged in all the time?
For UPS duty, yes, that is what the mode is for. For storage, no: keep it around 50–60% and top it up every few months. Cells held at 100% for long periods degrade faster.
The cycle ratings above feed directly into the durability component of every score on this site, and matter most for off-grid living where the pack is cycled daily.
Sources
- Jackery. Explorer 1000 v2 — specifications. Manufacturer spec · accessed 5 September 2026
- Anker SOLIX. SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 — specifications. Manufacturer spec · accessed 5 September 2026
- EcoFlow. DELTA 3 Portable Power Station — specifications. Manufacturer spec · accessed 5 September 2026
- Bluetti. Elite 200 V2 — specifications. Manufacturer spec · accessed 5 September 2026