Lithium Battery Cost: $/Wh Table, Real Market Examples & How to Buy Smart
ZacharyWilliamUpdated: October 22, 2025 · Home energy & mobile power
Detailed USD/Wh Price Table (Market-researched)
| Segment | Representative products / scope | Price used | Capacity | USD/Wh | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wholesale pack average | Global Li-ion pack average (multi-sector) | $115/kWh (2024 avg) | — | $0.115 | BloombergNEF 2024 survey |
| 1 kWh class portable power stations (LFP) | EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic | $409 (sale) | 1024 Wh | $0.399 | EcoFlow US store |
| BLUETTI AC180 | $499 | 1152 Wh | $0.433 | BLUETTI US | |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus | $999 | 1264.64 Wh | $0.790 | Jackery US | |
| Observed range in 2025 retail (mid-size, LFP, before tax) | $0.32–$0.80 | Derived from listings above | |||
| UDPOWER (LFP) | UDPOWER S1200 | $379.99 | 1190 Wh | $0.319 | UDPOWER official |
| UDPOWER C600 | $299.99 | 596 Wh | $0.503 | UDPOWER official (collection) | |
| UDPOWER C400 | $179.99 | 256 Wh | $0.704 | UDPOWER official (collection) | |
Notes: (1) USD/Wh is computed as price ÷ watt-hours, excluding tax/shipping. Promo pricing can shift quickly. (2) Wholesale pack averages (BNEF) reflect multi-sector purchasing and do not include inverters/enclosures typical of consumer systems. (3) Application pricing differs; IEA reports PHEV packs (small, high power) cost far more per kWh than BEV packs. See EV battery section of IEA Global EV Outlook 2025 for context.
Why retail $/Wh differs from wholesale
Integration & certification
Finished systems include inverters/chargers, BMS, thermal design, UL/CE testing, enclosure, after-sales support, and warranty reserves.
Channel & region effects
Duties, freight, retailer margins, MAP policies, and regional incentives create bands around “headline” cell/pack numbers.
Reference: 2024 global average pack price ~$0.115/Wh, the largest annual drop since 2017, driven by LFP adoption, lower materials, and overcapacity. BEVs tend to achieve the lowest pack $/kWh versus PHEVs. Sources: BloombergNEF; IEA Global EV Outlook 2025.
How to evaluate value: TCO per delivered kWh (not just $/Wh)
| Metric | Why it matters | Good in 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Cycle life (to ~80%) | More cycles → lower cost per delivered kWh | ~3,000–4,000+ (LFP) |
| Round-trip efficiency | Higher saves energy every charge | ≥85–90% typical for quality units |
| UPS-like transfer | Protects PCs/CPAPs | <10 ms is strong |
| Charge speed | Convenience/preparedness | ~1–2 h to high SoC (mid-size) |
Low-key UDPOWER examples (verified specs & prices)
- UDPOWER S1200 — ~1,190 Wh LFP, 1,200 W inverter (up to ~1,800 W), ~4,000+ cycles, ~<10 ms UPS-like transfer; $379.99 ⇒ $0.319/Wh.
- UDPOWER C600 — ~596 Wh LFP, 600 W class, fast AC charge; $299.99 ⇒ $0.503/Wh.
- UDPOWER C400 — ~256 Wh LFP, ultra-compact; $179.99 ⇒ $0.704/Wh.
Pricing and specs pulled from the official UDPOWER store; confirm current availability before purchase.
FAQ
- Why is my portable power station’s $/Wh higher than headlines?
- Headlines cite pack averages (bulk) while retail systems include inverters, safety testing, enclosures, support, and retail margins.
- Do deals materially change $/Wh?
- Yes. Seasonal promos can shift $/Wh by 10–30% for the same model—always recompute price ÷ Wh at checkout.
- Is LFP always the cheapest?
- Often at cell/pack level, though regional tariffs and brand strategies can narrow or invert gaps in retail offers.
