I prefer Shorai, as their technology seems specific to motorsports etc. But, to get the cold cranking amps I need, there wasn't a good option in the Shorai line. In fact the Ballistic option was less expensive than the Shorai at that level.
The 12 cell Ballistic is 4.5" x 3.5" x 4.25" and weighs 2.44 pounds. Has 20a/h and 410cca - $190 MSRP - I paid $180 shipped to Canada on eBay
The Shorai LFX21L6-BS12 is 5.8" x 3.2" x 5.5" and weighs 3.04 pounds. Has 21 a/h and 315cca - $230 MSRP - Bigger, heavier, more expensive, same a/h and much lower cca.
The Shorai LFX27A3-BS12 is 6.55" x 3.4" x 6.55" and weighs 4.2 pounds. Has 27a/h and 405cca - $276 MSRP - Way bigger, way heavier, way more expensive, higher a/h and same cca.
So at the higher capacities, Ballistic has Shorai beat by a wide margin both in terms of size and cost.