The 5 Best Trolling Motor Batteries | 2022 Product Selection
In the case of being out on the water, your trolling motor is only as good as the battery that is in it. Ready to spend some long sessions out on the water fishing? Then you will need a great motor, and the best trolling motor battery to get the best out of it.
Having a great trolling motor and not loading it with a brilliant battery can cause you serious problems. It’s like buying a brand new smartphone and loading it with a flimsy old battery that is not going to last you the full day. There are some confusing terms to get to grips with when understanding and calculating what your motor will demand from the battery.
So, what are some of the key considerations for your batteries, and how can you make sure you’ve got the correct model to match your motor and the power you need?
Related reading: The 6 Best Marine Batteries in 2022
The Best Trolling Motor Batteries Reviewed
Let’s jump into some of the best battery options for your motor.
Our Pick: Best Trolling Motor Battery
Ampere Time 12V 200Ah Lithium Iron LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery
Ampere Time 12V 200Ah Lithium Iron LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery
Shop nowWhat we like
- Lightweight.
- 10-year warranty.
- Vibration resistant.
- IP65 waterproof.
What we don’t like
- May not perform as well in low temperatures.
This automotive-grade lithium battery is a great option for those who want long battery life and plenty of power, which is why we’ve named it the best overall.
The clever LiFePO4 cells within have a high energy density to help to provide a power boost, and this also helps the battery to stay relatively lightweight so it doesn’t add to the bulk of your boat. The manufacturers claim that this is ⅓ of the weight of the average Lead Acid battery, which shows the huge difference in lithium.
The inbuilt BMS (Battery Management System) helps the battery to keep its operation in check at all times, reducing chances of overcharge, over-current, or even short-circuiting. As you’d expect, it is also IP65 waterproof which makes it an option for trolling.
We also like the fact that this battery has a 10-year warranty to protect the purchase. It’s built to last, and you don’t want to be replacing this kind of product every year or two.
What we like
- Lightweight when you consider the power level
- Battery management system helps to prevent some of the issues that other motor batteries have
- Generous warranty in a product that is built to last
- Vibration resistant which is great for motor use
What could be better
- May not perform as well in low temperatures.
Best Lightweight Trolling Motor Battery
Dakota Lithium 12V 54Ah LiFePO4
Dakota Lithium 12V 54Ah LiFePO4
Shop nowWhat we like
- Weight is impressively low.
- Performance in extreme temperatures.
- 11-year warranty.
What we don’t like
- Doesn’t come with a battery box to protect it.
If you’re on a relatively small vessel, the last thing that you want is for all of the equipment you put on your boat to weigh it down and make it harder to achieve an efficient and productive trip. This also puts much more demand on the motor. Dakota has created a solution for many, with a powerful motor that provides plenty of power, all while only weighing 8KG.
The deep cycle battery can deliver in excess of 2,000 cycles as long as you are using it within the manufacturer-approved conditions. It’s built to last and provide so much more value than previous battery technologies.
This is great for use as a trolling motor and can also be used for solar and off-grid applications. It performs well down to very low temperatures, something that can’t be said for all of the competing models.
Like many of the best motors for trolling motors, this comes with a BMS system to help control the cell balancing and prevent battery issues like short circuits.
It comes with a 10 Amp charger, and of course, you get a warranty, which stands at an impressive 11 years.
What we like
- The weight. Whether you struggle to lift or just want to reduce the load, the weight is impressively low
- Performance in extreme temperatures
- Very long warranty
What could be better
- Doesn’t come with a battery box to protect it from the elements
Best Low-Cost Trolling Motor Battery
Weize 12V 100AH Deep Cycle AGM SLA VRLA Battery
Weize 12V 100AH Deep Cycle AGM SLA VRLA Battery
Shop nowWhat we like
- Affordable.
- Vibration resistant.
What we don’t like
- No BMS system.
- Only a one-year warranty.
Not all boating enthusiasts have thousands to spend on items like the top trolling motor batteries. Fortunately, there are cheaper options out there that can still do a solid, reliable job in spite of costing a fraction of the price of some others. The Weize can be an option to provide 12 volts of power to your motor.
As well as being affordable, these batteries can be connected to devices in sequence or in parallel if required, for more power.
The dimensions are relatively compact, meaning that you can use the battery for trolling motors as well as other uses such as off-grid appliances.
It comes with a rugged container that is vibration resistant and built to last, and suitable for trolling use. There are some slight downsides, such as the fact that there is only a one-year warranty protecting your purchase (a fraction of some of the more expensive models) and the fact it weighs in at a pretty hefty 60lbs.
There is always likely to be a trade-off if you are looking for cheaper models, but this may be the best trolling motor battery under $200 and represent a big saving for people.
What we like
- Affordable, yet still has a rugged design
- Vibration resistant which means it is good for use on a boat
What could be better
- No BMS system
- Only a one-year warranty
Best 24V Battery For Trolling Motor
24V Lithium Battery 60Ah Lifepo4 Trolling Motor Battery
24V Lithium Battery 60Ah Lifepo4 Trolling Motor Battery
Shop nowWhat we like
- Lightweight.
- BMS does a great job to stop over-discharging.
- Can handle 70lb or 80lb.
What we don’t like
- Battery can drain pretty quickly if under strain.
You might be looking for the best trolling motor battery for 80lb thrust or for other high demands in terms of voltage. While a lot of the models on the list are 12V and will power the majority of trolling motors with no trouble, there are some motors that will demand more, and that is where this 24V option comes in.
For any thrust above 70lb, it is recommended to have a 24V battery. This LiFePO4 model does a great job of providing all that power without being too hefty, as it weighs in at around 30lbs.
As a lot of the best trolling motors do, it offers a BMS battery management system to stop over-discharging and other battery-related issues.
The five-year warranty helps to keep you protected, though doesn’t quite compete with some of the other models on the list. The product does have a 12V alternative, and this also comes with the same five-year warranty.
Plenty of boat owners have switched to this model and replaced their old lead batteries, and this can save you around 50lb in weight on your boat.
What we liked
- Plenty of power and can handle 70lb or 80lb of thrust with no problems
- Lightweight when you consider the 24V design
- Battery management system included
What could be better
- Battery can drain pretty quickly if under strain
Most Affordable Battery Compatible with Minn Kota Trolling Motor
Mighty Max 12V 100Ah Replacement Battery
Mighty Max 12V 100Ah Replacement Battery
Shop nowWhat we like
- Affordable price.
- AGM technology.
- Resistant to shocks and vibrating.
What we don’t like
- Heavy.
- Doesn’t come with any protective casing.
The Mighty Max battery has been designed with the Minn Kota trolling motor in mind, but it actually works with a variety of different motors and comes in at a relatively affordable price point.
Minn Kota motors are very popular and there are plenty of people looking to upgrade or replace older motors. The MightyMax can be a great option for this, especially if budget is one of your main considerations.
The battery has a calcium-alloy grid that does a very good job of providing power reliably for cyclic and float applications. Additionally, it has AGM technology (Absorbent Glass Matt) which makes it less likely to leak or require any form of maintenance.
These batteries can be used for a variety of different things, including trolling motors. The design is resistant to shocks and vibrating, which is great for boat users. It can also work at high and low temperatures, though may struggle in extremes.
The Mighty Max is quite a heavy battery, so consider this before you make your purchase.
What we like
- Reliable power and maintenance free
- Shock-resistant design
- Reasonably priced
What could be better
- Heavy
- Doesn’t come with any protective casing
Buying Guide – Choosing a Reliable Trolling Motor Battery
What are some of the things you should consider when it comes to buying a battery for your motor? This may be your first time buying a motor battery, and there are some new terms and measurements to be aware of.
Assuming you already have your motor in place, you need to make sure you buy a battery that is compatible and can provide the right level of power. The best trolling motor batteries for 50 lb of thrust may not be best for 80 lb.
Voltage
Voltage is about matching up the requirements of the motor to the battery. Usually, bigger motors with more power will have more intense demands when it comes to power.
Most trolling motors don’t need to do a great deal of pulling, and they don’t need to be super powerful. This means that the most common type of battery used on these boats is a 12V battery. However, some require 24 or even 36 volts of power if you are going to make full use of the motor. Be sure to check the rating of the motor before choosing the right battery.
Durability
There is no point in buying something that will break within no time. An IP rating for waterproof protection is especially useful when you consider the fact that you are going to be using it in wet environments. Waterproof casing is also often provided with these kinds of batteries.
Maintenance
Modern batteries should not need any maintenance other than recharging and storing. There is no physical need to tamper with the battery.
Many of the batteries on this list need periodical recharging (every 2-3 months) even if they are not in use, as the power can leak from the batteries.
For lithium batteries, you should ensure the battery is at around 50% of capacity when storing for long periods, and ensure it hits this level at least once every six months. It is also best to store between (40 °F and 68 °F) to ensure the longevity of the battery itself.
Weight
You can actually lose some of your power by having a heavy battery on board. Newer battery technology such as lithium means much lighter batteries. On average, they’re 55% lighter than SLA technology.
Lead acid batteries used to be the main technology used, but lithium is taking over. If this loses 40-50 lbs of bulk on your boat, you may well feel it with your trolling speeds.
Amp-Hours
Amp-hours have become the most common way to measure the capacity of a battery, and how long they can provide a steady output. This is one of the pieces of technical jargon you’ll need to understand before buying. Amp-hours is often abbreviated to AH.
The AH rating comes from a test of how fast the battery drains when using 5 amps. For instance, a 65AH battery could last 13 hours. 13 hours at 5 amps per hour is how we get our 65AH rating.
Generally speaking, a higher AH rating is preferable and will last you longer. Read more about how AH is calculated here (the context is car batteries, but the idea is the same).
Size
Of course, you need to make sure it comes at a size that is relatively compact and doesn’t take up too much valuable space on your boat.
Some options, such as 12V batteries that can run in a chain or in parallel, may seem like a great idea, but they may take up much more space in the process. A 24V battery might have been a better choice from the outset.
Measure the space on your boat where the batteries will be connected as this will help you to get some idea of whether you have room. In general, as with many technologies, the size of batteries is getting smaller.
Recharging
It is always good if you can make use of fast charging. Some AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) batteries have fast charging features that mean you can fully charge it in around an hour, ready to go back out on the water.
Check that the motor battery comes with the charger, and that it suits your requirements. This is linked to the capacity or amp-hours, too, as this will impact how long you can use the battery for.
Remember that batteries have a certain number of recharge “cycles” in their lifespan. The higher this number, the more likely it is that your battery can withstand being continually recharged with no loss of quality.
The Final Verdict
Choosing the best trolling motor battery is about matching up the requirements of your motor, and working out how much power and time you need when on the water. The Ampere Time 12V 200Ah Lithium Iron LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery is a great option for longer spells with low thrust. If you don’t have huge demands for your battery and want something that is super lightweight, the Dakota Lithium 12V 54Ah LiFePO4 could be a fantastic modern option.
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