If you're looking for a 48V 20Ah battery on a budget, the LOLRKO 48V 20Ah battery is always near the top of the list for price-per-watt hour. On paper, 960Wh for a budget price is a nice bargain, but before you click order, there's a quirky thing you should know about this battery regarding the actual operating voltage vs. most others labeled "48V."
This is a universal rectangular battery (not a downtube or shark/hailong) designed to be mounted externally. Therefore, the only people who would be interested in this battery are those mounting their battery externally, bagging it, strapping it down or wiring it into a custom battery box or enclosure. If that describes you, then you'll probably love this battery. If you're after a slide-in replacement pack to fit a standard ebike frame slot, this isn't the one.
Specifications and What You Get
Core specifications: 48V rated voltage, 20Ah rated capacity, 960 watt-hours. 18650 cells are grade-A lithium-ion. The battery is rated for a BMS discharge of 20A continuous, which would handle a wide variety of 48V motors ranging from 250W to 1000W.
Physical Specifications
The physical dimensions of the battery are 4.96 x 2.68 x 9.84 inches and it weighs 8.36 pounds. This is somewhat lighter than many 960Wh battery packs and lithium-ion is generally much lighter than lead-acid battery packs at the same capacity. A charger comes with the purchase so you can start charging right away.
LOLRKO claims 1000+ charge cycles and 5 years lifetime for the grade-A 18650 lithium-ion cells. These claims are certainly reasonable for quality 18650 lithium-ion cells, but how long they last ultimately depends on how you store them and the percentage of charge you allow them to drop to when not in use. Allowing the battery to drop to the 40-80% charge range when you plan to store it for an extended period of time will significantly extend its lifespan. Also, if you frequently allow the battery to drain all the way to zero, you will shorten its lifespan.
BMS Protections
The 20A BMS provides all the necessary protections for the battery including overcharge, over-discharge, over-current, over-voltage, overload, and short-circuit protection. The battery itself has a water-tight seal around the case and plug to ensure it can withstand rainy weather and light water splashing during ebiking.
A Note on the Voltage Configuration
One reviewer noted something of interest, he said this battery is configured in a 15s cell configuration versus the 16s configuration found in some other packs. He referred to it as "lower voltage than most batteries claiming 48V", and acknowledged that the product description accurately indicates that it is 48V. For most riders this will make no difference, as your 48V controller will operate just fine. However, if you are building a more technical DIY project and require an exact voltage at full charge, you might want to note the configuration is 15s instead of 16s.
He also went on to say that his real world experience did not suffer due to the slightly lower voltage configuration as it "put out 20A with no issues."
Form Factor and Compatibility
The primary consideration for purchasing this battery is the fact that it is a rectangular box battery and does NOT fit into downtube mounts, rear rack mounts, or any type of shark/hailong frames. You will need to attach it to the outside of the bike via a rack, strap, bag, etc.
For whom is this battery best suited? It is a great option for DIY electric vehicle builders and custom EV projects utilizing 48V systems. Additionally, it is suitable for converting a bicycle, tricycle, or scooter to an ebike and utilizing a 48V pack that is mounted externally. It is also a great option for e-trikes, scooters and custom 48V projects.
Devices listed as compatible are electric bicycles, tricycles, electric motorcycles, and scooters. The battery is essentially a generic 48V energy source and is not specifically tailored to ebikes.
Hub Motor Compatibility
As previously discussed, the 20A BMS discharge rating will cover most hub motors from 250W to 1000W at 48V. If your ebike is either a 36V or 52V system, do not purchase this battery as it is not compatible with these systems. The 20A discharge rating is sufficient for most hub motors up to 1000W. However, if your ebike has a hub motor above 1000W, be sure to verify that your peak current draw will not exceed 20A.
Actual Real World Range
At 960Wh, expect approximately 20-40 miles of actual real-world range depending upon how aggressively you ride. This estimate assumes a very light rider on level terrain and minimal assistance. Adding hills, increasing weight, using a throttle or heavy assisting uphill will bring your estimated range closer to the lower end of the range.
In general, a 960Wh pack will provide adequate range for a commuter that travels 10-20 miles each way. Although 960Wh provides a large buffer, if you plan to travel farther than 20 miles each way, especially if you cannot recharge at work, consider a larger capacity pack such as a 25Ah or 30Ah pack.
Amazon Customer Reviews
Eight reviews averaging 5.0 stars. While this is a relatively small sample size, the overall sentiment seems positive: rapid delivery, performs as described for the specified motor range and appears to be well built. The reviewer that had the most detailed review was someone who converted a wheelchair to an ebike. They were able to confirm that the 15s voltage configuration resulted in no adverse effects, that the 20A output performed perfectly, and that the battery was well-built and sized appropriately. Despite providing the details about the voltage configuration, they awarded the product 5 stars, stating that the product description was entirely accurate.
Keep in mind that this is a new product (released December 2024), and therefore it is too early to determine any possible long term failure trends or recurring complaints. Check current pricing and reviews on Amazon as the review base grows and will provide a better understanding of the long-term reliability.
Who Should Buy This
Overall, the LOLRKO 48V 20Ah is a good value for DIY builders and custom EV projects that utilize 48V systems. If you are planning to convert a bike, tricycle, or scooter to an ebike and you plan to utilize a 48V pack mounted externally, this is a good option based on cost and performance per watt-hour. Other ebike battery reviews on this site address similar options in alternative form factors to compare.
It is not ideal for ebikers that are seeking to replace the stock battery on their ebike with a standard ebike frame-mounted battery. In that case, please refer to the battery comparison table and locate a battery with the correct form factor for your ebike.
If you are shopping for options in this capacity tier, browse 48V 20Ah batteries on Amazon and see how this battery compares to other alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this fit my standard ebike frame? Most likely not as a direct slot-in replacement. This is an external rectangular pack designed to mount on a rack or externally. If you need a frame-integrated fit, check out the battery comparison table and find the right form factor for your bike.
What connector does this battery use? The listing does not indicate what type of connector it uses, so double check with the seller before ordering if your bike needs something specific like XT60, Anderson, or a proprietary plug. It's worth knowing beforehand to avoid complications after delivery.
How long does it take to charge? Generally it will take 5-7 hours to charge from empty using the included charger. The higher the charger amperage, the less time it takes, however higher amperage also generates more heat. The included charger is designed for the battery's chemistry, so stick with it.
Is 960Wh enough for commuting? Most commuters doing 10-20 miles each way should have no worries with this size battery. 960Wh gives you a comfortable buffer at typical ebike efficiency. If your round trip is over 30 miles and you can't charge at work, consider whether you want the larger capacity buffer of a 25Ah or 30Ah option.
How many years will this last? LOLRKO states 1000+ cycles, and if you run it flat for a full charge a day, that's roughly three years. If you're only partially charging or not running it completely flat often, you'll easily get more than that. Storing at 40-80% charge and keeping it out of temperature extremes helps significantly.
Can I use this with a Bafang mid-drive motor? Yes, as long as your Bafang draws within the 20A BMS limit. Most Bafang mid-drives in the 250W-750W range operate comfortably below 20A at 48V. Peak current on a Bafang BBS02 or BBSHD can spike higher under load, so check your specific motor's peak draw to confirm before ordering.