Accessories

The 6 Best Marine Batteries in 2022

Discover the best marine batteries in 2022 for starting your engine or powering your onboard appliances. In this detailed buying guide, we will compare different products and also help you learn what to look for in a marine battery.

By: Kye Cardinalis Editor

If you are looking for a starting battery or deep cycle battery for your boat, you must choose a battery that can provide you with the power and performance you need for your engine or appliances.

At the same time, you will also need to consider additional features such as the battery management system, leak and vibration resistance, battery cycle life, and more. In this post, we will share our recommendations with you for the best marine batteries for trolling, cold climates, portability, and other categories.

To learn more about important considerations when choosing a marine battery, scroll down past the product overviews for the buying guide.

Best Deep Cycle Marine Battery

1. LOSSIGY Lithium Battery 12V 100Ah Lifepo4 Deep Cycle Battery

1. LOSSIGY Lithium Battery 12V 100Ah Lifepo4 Deep Cycle Battery

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What we like

  • Grade A cells.
  • Light and portable.
  • Built-in BMS.
  • Durable.
  • Nice customer service.

What we don’t like

  • Rarely, a short-life battery may appear.

Our top recommendation for a house battery is the LOSSIGY Lithium Battery 12V 100Ah Lifepo4 Deep Cycle Battery. This also is our top pick for a lithium battery, offering high discharge efficiency compared to a traditional lead-acid battery. We could also list it as our top pick overall, as we are impressed with its waterproof construction, built-in BMS, and extremely long potential lifespan.

Key Specifications

  • Available in 12.8V or 25.6 volts
  • Available in 8-400 Ah
  • Built-in BMS
  • 25 pounds
  • 4000-7000 cycles
  • IP 68 waterproofing

What We Like

  • This battery provides the reliable power you need to keep your boat appliances powered at sea. You’ll be impressed with the high energy density of the Grade A cells.
  • This battery is fairly lightweight and features a convenient carrying handle, making it more portable than some competing batteries.
  • BMS is built right into the battery, so it is safe from overcharging, short-circuiting and overheating.
  • If you take good care of this lithium battery, you can get up to a decade of life out of it. You can receive free service for 5 years after you purchase it.
  • You probably will not need to avail yourself of customer service, but if you do, you will be pleasantly surprised by how responsive, friendly and helpful the team is.

What We Don’t Like

  • Occasionally this product seems to quit after around six months. Most users do not report this, so it could be either a rare quality control issue or the result of user error.

Best Marine Starting Battery

2. Optima Batteries 8006-006 34M BlueTop Marine Starting Battery

2. Optima Batteries 8006-006 34M BlueTop Marine Starting Battery

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What we like

  • Vibration-resistant design.
  • Versatile mounting options.
  • Practically requires no maintenance.

What we don’t like

  • Sometimes, for some reason, Optima appears to send out outdated batteries.

The Optima Batteries 8006-006 34M BlueTop Marine Starting Battery provides the cranking power you need to start your boat engine. What we really like about this battery is how good a job it does holding a charge between uses (especially if you remember to disconnect it). They are a great choice for a starting battery all around, but those who only take their boats out occasionally will really appreciate the excellent charge holding.

Key Specifications

  • 12 volts
  • 800 cold-cranking amps
  • 10″ x 6 7/8″ x 7 13/16″
  • 38.4 pounds
  • 100-minute reserve capacity

What We Like

  • This starting battery is very robust thanks to its vibration-resistant design. It is also spill-proof.
  • The versatile mounting options should be a fit for just about any situation.
  • The spiral-wound continuous lead plates make for excellent precision in the manufacturing of the battery.
  • If you use the battery properly, it should require no maintenance.

What We Don’t Like

  • Occasionally for some reason, Optima seems to ship out old batteries when you order these. It is worth checking the date on your starting battery before you install it.

Best Dual-Purpose Battery

3. Optima OPT8016-103 Batteries D34M BlueTop

3. Optima OPT8016-103 Batteries D34M BlueTop

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What we like

  • Vibration resistance and a spill-proof design.
  • Zero-maintenance design.
  • Multifunctional.

What we don’t like

  • Some short-life battery may appear.

The Optima OPT8016-103 Batteries D34M BlueTop is similar to the Optima Batteries 8006-006 34M BlueTop Marine Starting Battery, with many of the same basic features. But unlike that battery, this one can be used as a starting and house battery.

Key Specifications

  • 12 volts
  • 750 cold-cranking amps
  • 10 inches x 6 7/8 inches x 7 13/16 inches
  • 43.5 pounds
  • 120-minute reserve capacity

What We Like

  • As with the other Optima battery we featured, this one offers superior vibration resistance and a spill-proof design.
  • The zero-maintenance design lets you focus on boating and not on battery upkeep.
  • The reserve this battery can hold is impressive given its lightweight design.
  • While a lot of dual-purpose batteries are not as good for either application as sole-purpose starting or house batteries, this one admirably pulls its weight in both departments.

What We Don’t Like

  • Now and again, one of these batteries will die around the 1-year mark. Thankfully, this is not common.

Best Trolling Motor Marine Battery

4. Odyssey 34M-PC1500ST TROLLING Thunder Marine Dual-Purpose Battery

4. Odyssey 34M-PC1500ST TROLLING Thunder Marine Dual-Purpose Battery

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What we like

  • Long-lasting.
  • Vibration-resistant build.
  • Extreme temperatures resistant.
  • Requires zero maintenance.

What we don’t like

  • Rarely malfunctioned batteries may ship.

Looking for a battery for a trolling boat? The Odyssey 34M-PC1500ST TROLLING Thunder is designed expressly for that purpose. With its high cranking power and reserve capacity and its impressive dual-purpose design, it can get your motor running and power your appliances for longer than many competing products.

Key Specifications

  • 12 volts
  • 880 cold crank amps
  • 13.25 x 11 x 9.5 inches
  • 49.5 pounds

What We Like

  • This battery can last for up to a decade. It also can go 2 years without recharging in storage.
  • The manufacturer states that this product features the “highest recharge efficiency of any sealed lead battery on the market.”
  • The vibration-resistant build offers excellent durability. It has a US Department of Transportation classification as being spill-proof as well.
  • You can use the battery in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit or as high as 176 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for all climates.
  • You never have to worry about putting water in this battery; it requires zero maintenance.

What We Don’t Like

  • As seems typical with marine batteries, there is sometimes a dud that will not hold its charge after some months go by. But most of these Odyssey batteries will stand the test of time.

Best Portable Marine Battery

5. ECO-WORTHY Portable 12V Lithium Battery

5. ECO-WORTHY Portable 12V Lithium Battery

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What we like

  • Lightweight.
  • Fast charging.
  • Built-in BMS.
  • 3-year warranty.

What we don’t like

  • Can be lacking the documentation to register the warranty.

If you are looking for a marine battery that is compact and easy to carry, the ECO-WORTHY Portable 12V Lithium Battery may fit the bill. At under 5 pounds, it is astonishingly lightweight and portable. Consider pairing it with one of the 60W or 100W solar panels the manufacturer makes.

Key Specifications

  • 12.8 volts
  • 20 Ah
  • 7.8 x 4.1 x 4.3 inches
  • 4.8 pounds
  • More than 4,000 cycles
  • Built-in BMS

What We Like

  • This battery is ridiculously lightweight. If you are carrying it in a backpack, you could easily forget it is even in there. Nonetheless, it can replace some heavier batteries on the market and offer just as much power.
  • Rapid charging means this battery is ready to use when you need it.
  • The clever design has holes built into it that allow heat to escape, preventing the battery from overheating during use. BMS is also built-in for added protection.
  • The product is backed by a 3-year warranty.

What We Don’t Like

  • When you receive this battery, it can be lacking the documentation you need to register for the warranty or get up and running with comprehensive instructions.

Best Marine Battery for Cold Climates

6. JITA Low Temperature Charging (-31°F) LifePO4 Lithium Battery

6. JITA Low Temperature Charging (-31°F) LifePO4 Lithium Battery

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What we like

  • Smart heating function.
  • Lightweight.
  • You can connect these batteries in parallel.
  • IP65 waterproofing.
  • Up to 10 years of life and 5-year warranty.

What we don’t like

  • Occasionally, a dud ships out.

If you need a battery you can charge in cold conditions, you can consider the JITA Low-Temperature Charging (-31°F) LifePO4 Lithium Battery. This product contains a heating film. When temperatures are below freezing, the BMS directs power to a heating film. It then switches the heat function off at 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This is an excellent premium feature that you will not find in just any marine battery.

Key Specifications

  • Available in 12, 12.8, or 24 volts
  • Available in 18 to 300 Ah
  • Up to 5,000 cycles

What We Like

  • Thanks to the smart heating function, you can count on this marine battery even on the coldest days.
  • The exact weight of the battery depends on the size you get, but in general, these are quite lightweight.
  • You can connect these batteries in parallel if you require more voltage.
  • The ABS hard case and IP65 waterproofing make for a rugged battery that can withstand rough seas.
  • You can get up to 10 years of life out of this marine battery, which is backed by a 5-year warranty.

What We Don’t Like

  • Occasionally, a dud ships out. The good news is that customer support is awesome about arranging swift exchanges if necessary. So, be sure to test your batteries when they arrive.

What to Look for in a Marine Battery

You have now had a chance to check out some of the most durable, powerful, versatile marine batteries on the market.

But if this is your first time shopping for a marine battery, you might not be sure which of the options we recommended you need. Below are some key considerations that can help you narrow down your choice.

– Marine battery purpose: The two main types of marine batteries are starting batteries and deep-cycle batteries (2). As you would guess, a marine starting battery is what you use to start the engine of the vessel. A marine deep cycle battery, on the other hand, is also called a “house battery.” Use it to power onboard appliances. Don’t have room for two batteries? Consider a dual-purpose battery that merges both functions.

– Battery type: You can choose between lithium, lead-acid wet-cell batteries, and absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries for your boat. You can go with lead-acid wet-cell batteries if you are on a budget, but AGM batteries are zero maintenance and last longer. Lithium batteries last the longest and are lightweight and powerful.

– Weight and Size: Make sure the marine battery you are thinking of buying will be the right size to fit in your vessel. Also, consider the weight; it is not uncommon for a marine battery to weigh in excess of 50 pounds. But some models weigh under 30 pounds or even less. A compact, lightweight design may also be important if you plan to move the battery around a lot (i.e. to use it for different applications such as your boat and your RV).

– Power: Choose a marine starting battery that has enough cranking power to get your engine running, even if it is cold. If you are shopping for a deep-cycle battery, pick one that will be sufficient to power your appliances. You will need to check your individual power needs to know how much power you require in a battery.

– Mounting requirements: Depending on the product you buy, there may be different mounting options available. Choose a product that is compatible with your needs.

– Vibration resistance: The more vibration a battery can withstand on a boat, the more durable its construction will be.

– Leak resistance: Get a battery that has a leak-resistant design so toxic chemicals will not escape the casing.

– Battery management system (BMS): Some batteries include a built-in system for battery management that helps to prevent overheating, short-circuiting, and other potential issues that could fry your battery. A BMS can protect the life of your battery and increase the safety of its use.

– Operating temperatures: If you live in a climate that regularly gets to be very hot or cold, it is important to know not all batteries will necessarily operate in your climate conditions. Be sure to check the full range of operating temperatures so you can get a marine battery suited to your region.

– Cycle life: The number of cycles tells you how many times you can charge and discharge the battery before its performance declines. The more cycles, the longer the lifespan of the product.

– Warranty: As batteries can sometimes quit a year or two in, the warranty is particularly important. If it is several years or longer, you can use your marine battery with greater peace of mind.

– Marine battery prices: Most marine batteries sell in the range of $100-$400, though some are more or less expensive. There are some surprisingly good budget options out there, but the best marine battery for the money often will fall into the mid-price range. You may need to purchase a premium battery for high Ah.

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