If you are interested in replacing the cells in your ebike battery, the Varstrom 48V 10.4Ah is likely the least expensive route available to you to obtain 499Wh of 48V lithium. However, the price of this pack is largely due to the fact that it is simply the cell pack and a BMS board and charger, nothing else. There is no downtube housing, no shark pack enclosure, and no mounting brackets. Therefore, you will need to know exactly how to properly install and connect these components to ensure they function correctly and safely.
Varstrom is primarily known for designing and manufacturing ebike mid-drive conversion kits and hub motor systems, and they are quite familiar with ebike electronics. This battery appears to be designed as an internal replacement pack, something that would replace the worn-out cells inside an existing battery case that has been used for a couple of years. Based upon the pricing of this battery, it may be economically advantageous to purchase this pack and build your own internal replacement, versus purchasing a new battery and case together for approximately double the cost. You can see how it stacks up against every other 48V option on our comparison table.
Specs and Value
The numbers: 48 volts nominal, 10.4 amp-hours, which works out to about 499 watt-hours. The cells are Grade-A lithium pouch cells, as opposed to the cylindrical 18650 cells found in most budget batteries. Pouch cells are generally more energy dense than cylindrical cells for the same volume, which is part of how this pack stays compact enough to fit inside existing housings.
Physical specs
The listing indicates that it will work with motors from 0 to 1200 watts, covering the vast majority of 48V hub motor applications. The included charger is a 54.6V 3A unit. Many batteries in this price range only come with a 2A charger, so the faster charging capability is a nice touch. The recharge time from fully dead to fully charged runs 6 to 7 hours. However, it is rare to ever ride your ebike until the battery is completely drained, so in reality the recharge times are typically shorter.
The AC input on the charger is 110-240V, 50/60Hz, making it suitable for international use if you choose to travel with it. The maximum charging voltage of 54.6V is consistent with a 48 volt (13S) lithium pack.
BMS and motor range
The 30A BMS is a very common specification for a BMS in the price range of this battery. It provides overcharge protection, over-discharge protection, short circuit protection, and temperature monitoring. At 30 amps continuous discharge, the math says it can push up to about 1440 watts peak, though the listing specifically limits the motor range to 1200W systems. A 30A BMS will easily support many mid-drive configurations as well as some larger hub motor configurations.
According to Varstrom, this battery will provide 1000+ deep charge cycles with greater than 80 percent capacity retention. Assuming a reasonable charge and discharge pattern, this could equate to 2+ years of daily use for many ebikers. However, actual longevity will depend on how you store and maintain the battery.
Form Factor and Fit
As stated earlier, this battery comes with absolutely no form factor or fitment solutions. It is simply the cell pack, the 30A BMS, and the charger. If you are looking for a complete, plug-and-play ebike battery with a case and mounting bracket, then this is NOT the correct choice. However, if you already have a battery enclosure and simply need a reliable source of 499Wh of 48V lithium, then this could be a great choice.
In particular, this battery is designed to be a replacement for worn-out cells in an existing battery enclosure. As such, it is perfect for those who want to save money by rebuilding an existing battery rather than purchasing a new one. For example, one Amazon customer purchased this battery as a replacement pack for his Heybike battery. He indicated that he pulled the old cells out of the original Heybike battery enclosure and installed this pack. According to him, everything worked perfectly and he rode his ebike for three weeks before checking again to see how things were going.
While this battery may not be ideal for those building a custom ebike from scratch, it is a solid solution for those who already have a custom frame and need a reliable battery. Many DIY builders opt to use weatherproof cases, frame bags, or custom 3D-printed mounts to house the battery. But if your plan is to strap this to a rear rack or zip-tie it to your downtube without any protection, that's a bad idea. Bare cells need proper enclosure for both safety and longevity.
Real-World Range
Based on the 499Wh capacity of this battery, you can expect a real-world range of anywhere from 15 to 30 miles, depending on a variety of factors including rider weight, terrain, amount of throttle use vs. pedal assist, wind resistance, tire pressure, and efficiency of the motor. For example, on flat ground with moderate pedal assist and a light rider, you may be able to achieve a range of 25 to 30 miles. Conversely, heavy throttle use or hilly routes may reduce that range to 15 miles.
The 10.4Ah capacity of this battery is on the lower end of the spectrum for 48V lithium packs. However, it is perfectly adequate for commuters who do 10 to 15 mile round trips, or those who top off at work. Those requiring a longer range will need to consider a 20Ah or higher pack in our comparison table. This battery is optimized for value per watt-hour, not raw capacity.
What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying
The Varstrom 48V 10.4Ah has a 4.0 star rating on Amazon, though the total review count is still low since this is a relatively new listing. The reviews indicate that the product is functional, although the reviewer did note that they had to install it themselves. Specifically, the reviewer stated that the 10.4Ah pack was the only option that would physically fit inside his original Heybike battery enclosure. The reviewer indicated that he had operated the ebike for three weeks after installing the pack and that everything continued to operate normally. The reviewer also noted that only time would tell regarding the long-term durability of the pack.
Varstrom primarily specializes in creating and selling mid-drive conversion kits and hub motor systems. Due to their experience in developing and marketing ebike components, there is a certain degree of comfort in purchasing a product from them as opposed to a completely unknown supplier. The battery is produced by Dongguan CZM Technology Co., a company that supplies lithium packs for the ebike industry.
Who Should Buy This
This battery is best suited for a particular group of buyers. Specifically, if your existing ebike battery is failing and you wish to replace the internal cells of that battery without purchasing an entire new battery and enclosure, then this may be the least expensive method available to you to acquire 499Wh of 48V lithium. The compact nature of the pouch cells allows it to fit inside enclosures where a standard 18650-based replacement cannot. Additionally, the 30A BMS will support most 48V configurations.
This is also a viable option for DIY builders who have developed a custom enclosure for their ebike battery and simply require a reliable source of lithium cells. The included 3A charger is a nice bonus that saves you from buying one separately.
But if you need a complete battery with housing, mounting hardware, and plug-and-play compatibility with your bike, look at enclosed options on our battery comparison table instead. And if you're not comfortable working with bare lithium cells and wiring connectors, this isn't the right product for you. Bare cell packs need proper handling and installation knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this battery on any 48V ebike? Yes, it will work with any 48V controller and motor rated up to 1200 watts. However, you will need to install and connect it yourself as there is no enclosure or mounting bracket supplied with this battery. You will also need to either adapt the existing wiring to fit the connections on this battery, or use connectors that fit both the battery and your ebike.
How long will it take to charge this battery? Approximately 6 to 7 hours using the included 54.6V 3A charger. In reality, most ebike owners don't deplete their battery to zero percent, and therefore the recharge time is usually shorter than this estimate.
Will this battery fit inside my existing ebike battery case? Possibly. It will depend on the interior dimensions of your existing case. One Amazon reviewer successfully installed this battery into the original Heybike battery housing that came with a 15Ah pack originally. Because this battery uses compact pouch cells, it should fit into most standard ebike battery enclosures. However, please measure the interior of your case before placing an order.
How many charge cycles will this battery last? Varstrom indicates that this battery is designed to last for 1000+ deep cycle charges with greater than 80 percent capacity retention. That represents a very large number of years of daily ebiking use. Real-world longevity will depend on how you treat your battery, meaning you should avoid long-term storage in a fully charged or fully depleted state and keep it at moderate temperatures.
Is it safe to use a bare cell pack without an enclosure? From an electrical standpoint, yes. The BMS will protect the cells from overcharge, over-discharge, and short circuit conditions. But from a physical standpoint, lithium cells should always be housed in a proper enclosure. Impacts, moisture, and heat exposure can all create safety risks with unprotected cells. Always install this inside a case or weatherproof enclosure before riding.
What is the difference between pouch cells and 18650 cells? Pouch cells are flat, flexible lithium cells wrapped in an aluminum laminate pouch rather than a rigid metal cylinder. They tend to be lighter and more space-efficient, which is how this 10.4Ah pack stays compact enough to fit inside existing battery housings. The tradeoff is they need more careful physical protection since they lack the rigid metal casing that 18650 cells have built in.