Both flooded and AGM golf cart batteries are lead-acid. The difference is where the acid sits. Flooded batteries have liquid you can see. AGM batteries hold the acid in a glass mat, and the case is sealed.
Day to day
Flooded batteries need distilled water after charging, clean tops, and an equalize charge on the schedule in the manual. AGM batteries skip the water and the equalize. Both types sulfate if you park them dead. Plug the cart in after you drive it.
Use a charger profile that matches the battery. A charger set for flooded batteries and left in equalize can cook an AGM. Check the charger manual when you change chemistry, even when you stay with lead-acid.
Cost and the core
AGM costs more up front and usually tolerates sitting a little better. Flooded costs less and lasts when someone actually waters it. Neither one is a lithium battery. Each lead-acid battery, flooded or AGM, adds an $18 core charge at checkout, refunded when we get the old battery back.
Shop flooded or AGM, or compare both with lithium on the lead-acid vs lithium page.
