Whether you’re boating or fishing, you know that your trusty battery is silently doing its job.
As a savvy angler, you understand the importance of having the best trolling motor battery. You need dependable power to get where you want to go.
When it comes down to it, your trolling motor battery is like an insurance policy for success. So, it’s more than the looks you’re after when shopping for a trolling battery.
After all, who wants their boat dead in the water while trying to hit their favorite fishing spot?
Luckily, plenty of amazing trolling motor batteries are available these days with leading technologies specifically designed for marine use.
Read on if you’re curious about which ones offer optimal performance and how YOU can pick them out from the crowd.
Best Trolling Motor Battery Comparison Table
| Name | Features | Review |
|---|---|---|
| Optima BlueTop D34M best overall | Battery Cell Composition: Lead Acid Battery, Technology: Spiral Cell, Voltage: 12 Volts, Weight: 43.5 Pounds, Cranking Amps: 870 Ampere, Cold Cranking Amps: 750 Ampere, Reserve Capacity: 120 Minutes | Review |
| Dakota Lithium best lightweight | Battery Cell Composition: Lithium Metal, Technology: LiFePO4 and Battery Management System, Voltage: 12 Volts, Weight: 17.6 Pounds, Amp Hours: 54, Reserve Capacity: 80% | Review |
| Mighty Max Battery ML55-12 best budget | Battery Cell Composition: Sealed Lead Acid, Absorbed Glass Mat, Amp Hours: 55, Voltage: 12 Volts, Weight: 38.58 Pounds, Terminal: Nut & Bolt | Review |
| LOSSIGY | Battery Cell Composition: Lithium-Phosphate, Voltage: 12 Volts, Weight: 24.7 Pounds, Terminal: Stud Terminal, Service Life: 10 years, Max Charging Current: 100 A | Review |
| Weize | Battery Cell Composition: Lithium Phosphate, Voltage: 12 Volts, Weight: 60.6 Pounds, Nominal Capacity: 36-100 Ah, Standard Charge Current: 6 Ah to 20A | Review |
How to Choose a Battery for a Trolling Motor?
Here are a few important factors to keep in mind when choosing the best battery for trolling motor:
Types of Batteries
When choosing, make sure you look for the best deep-cycle trolling motor battery. They offer extended longevity while consuming minimal energy.
The main types of deep-cycle 12-volt batteries that have been making waves for years are:
Lead Acid Wet-Cell Batteries
These batteries are affordable and reliable. Depending on their quality, you can expect them to last between 2-3 years.
But keep an eye out for maintenance, such as topping off the water level regularly or dealing with leaks.
On the plus side, most trolling motors come with a built-in battery gauge that helps you to monitor the charge level and avoid overcharging.
AGM Batteries
AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) Batteries are all the rage if you’re looking for long-lasting power. They last much longer than a standard lead acid wet-cell battery. And, with up to three or four years of life span potential – that’s double the juice.
Since they are sealed, the AGM trolling motor batteries don’t require maintenance.
But AGMs easily cost up to two to three times more than traditional batteries.
Lithium Batteries
Nobody’s ever accused a lithium battery of being cheap. But you get what you pay for.
Lithium trolling motor batteries offer the longest life – around ten years. Plus, they store more energy with significantly less weight. And they also come with warranties that are often longer than those of other battery types.
Battery Ampere-Hour Rating
When you’re deep in the water, all it really matters is that the battery keeps the motor running.
To accomplish this, you need the right combination of voltage and amp-hour ratings (Ah).
The bigger the Ah rating, the longer your battery will last.
For example, a 12-volt battery with a 100 Ah rating would offer three to four hours of run time.
But be careful not to get too overzealous when bumping up the Ah rating, as it could add more weight and bulk to the battery.
Battery Group Size
Not sure how to tell the size of a trolling motor battery? Fear not! Group size is an industry-standard way that helps determine whether your desired power source fits in marine or automotive applications. While there’s quite a variety, most commonly, you’ll find 24, 27, and 31 sizes. So, get out those measuring tapes for accurate calculations. Also, please remember that the battery size for trolling motor does not have to match the group size of your current battery.
For my needs, I choose a 12V battery for trolling motor in size 27 that has an amp hour rating of no less than 110.
Best Trolling Motor Battery Reviews
Jump to- Optima BlueTop D34M – best overall
- Dakota Lithium – best lightweight
- Mighty Max Battery ML55-12 – best budget
- LOSSIGY
- Weize
Optima BlueTop D34M – best overall
If you need a dependable power source for your boat, then an OPTIMA BlueTop is the best trolling motor battery out there. With its powerful performance and fast recharge time, this AGM marine battery will have your craft ready to go in no time!
Not only that, but it’s also vibration resistant. So, say goodbye to those costly repairs caused by rattling batteries! Get back on the water faster with an optimal combination of cranking amps and running hours. It means more fun and less fussing over maintenance and unreliable operation.
Features:
- Battery Cell Composition: Lead Acid Battery
- Technology: Spiral Cell
- Voltage: 12 Volts
- Weight: 43.5 Pounds
- Cranking Amps: 870 Ampere
- Cold Cranking Amps: 750 Ampere
- Reserve Capacity: 120 Minutes
Before purchasing the battery, I recommend inquiring about the manufacturing date. It’ll help with the warranty. Plus, make sure you have enough room onboard for this hefty 43.5-pound battery powerhouse!
Also, if you leave your battery dormant for a year or so, you might face issues with it holding charge. So, consider your usage and storage habits before investing.
- 99% pure lead
- Mounts in any position
- Expensive
- Doesn’t hold a full charge
If you want to peacefully fish for 12 hours on a windy day without any problems, Optima BlueTop D34M is reliable. It's pricey, but with its long life span and powerful performance, this powerhouse is worth every penny.
Dakota Lithium – best lightweight
Dakota is the best lithium battery for trolling motors out there. It’s engineered with LiFePO4 technology, so you get double the juice. Also, if you’re looking for a lightweight trolling motor battery, this is it!
Plus, it offers up to 4 times longer life than a typical lead-acid battery! It also charges 5X faster.
With 100Ah of capacity included, you’ve got enough oomph for all your boating adventures. This bad boy comes with warranty coverage that lasts 11 impressive years and a charger.
Features:
- Battery Cell Composition: Lithium Metal
- Technology: LiFePO4 and Battery Management System
- Voltage: 12 Volts
- Weight: 17.6 Pounds
- Amp Hours: 54
- Reserve Capacity: 80%
It’s a long-term rock-solid investment that can easily replace multiple deep-cycle lead acid batteries. Since it’s lightweight, you can even mount it on kayaks and other small boats. The battery easily runs for four days, even on windy days. You’ll only have to charge it once, which is good if you ask me.
Compared to the Optima BlueTop, it’s a lot lighter and has double the amp hours. And it’ll also charge faster in case you need to get going again.
- Long-lasting power
- Comes with a charger
- High price tag
- Charger might malfunction
Dakota is a pretty decent buy if you're looking for a lightweight trolling motor battery that'll last longer. And who doesn't like good customer service, right? And, in case you're worried about the price tag, think of it as an investment that'll help you get back on the water faster and with zero worries!
Mighty Max Battery ML55-12 – best budget
When you need power, the Mighty Max ML55-12 will have your back. I know for sure. This 12 Volt with its 55 AH calcium-alloy grid will give you exceptional performance that no other battery can provide! Not only is it reliable and maintenance-free, but this Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) technology fits into narrow spaces, unlike any other battery. And you can use it for just about any application imaginable.
Features:
- Battery Cell Composition: Sealed Lead Acid, Absorbed Glass Mat
- Amp Hours: 55
- Voltage: 12 Volts
- Weight: 38.58 Pounds
- Terminal: Nut & Bolt
Mighty Max is a budget trolling motor battery for all anglers with a limited budget. It’s also easy to maneuver and carry around without any hassles. Plus, with its low self-discharge rate, you can expect a better, longer cycle life.
That said, although it’s lighter than Optima BlueTop, it’s not the lightest option in the market. So, consider your space before investing in it. I think if this battery gives you 6 to 7 hours of performance on a windy day, it’s a good purchase.
- Weather resistant
- Spill-proof, mount as you like
- Poor connection with the charger
- Heavier than other batteries
Considering the price tag and the deep charge recovery, Mighty Max Battery ML55-12 is a long-lasting trolling motor battery. It's not the lightest option out there, but if you're looking for a reliable budget-friendly option, this is the one. I assure you won't find a price as competitive as this. Plus, it's powerful enough to tackle all your boating adventures worry-free. Do check certain details like the charging time, self-discharge rate, and other technical stuff before making a purchase. So, if you're an angler who needs a battery to sustain them throughout the day, go for it!
LOSSIGY
LOSSIGY has come up trumps with their 100 Ah battery – breaking into the market at a competitive price whilst still maintaining premium quality. For me, its sleek design and stylish colors are what set it apart from other similar products around.
It is designed to give you that high-end feeling without burning your pocket! I’ve heard only good things about this battering ram of power storage. We all know how reviews consistently report reliability, stability & strength. But I wanted to experience firsthand how much bosh these bad boys could really handle, and boy, oh boy, did they not disappoint.
Features:
- Battery Cell Composition: Lithium-Phosphate
- Voltage: 12 Volts
- Weight: 24.7 Pounds
- Terminal: Stud Terminal
- Service Life: 10 years
- Max Charging Current: 100 A
Although LOSSIGY easily qualifies as a good battery for trolling motor, I’d recommend you consider the importance of cold charge for you. That’s one thing you won’t find in its features. Plus, the terminal isn’t easy to access at times – so you’ll have to be a bit extra careful when installing it.
When you compare it to BlueTop, the pricing is almost the same. But BlueTop is a trusted name with years of reviews backing it. It makes it a better choice. But if weight is your main concern, LOSSIGY is the next best after Dakota.
- High thermal performance
- The nylon handle makes portability easy
- No cold charge technology
- The handle gets uncomfortable soon
For me, the best part about LOSSIGY is that you can charge it with any 14.2-14.6V charger. It's also the best deep-cycle trolling motor battery in terms of appearance and durability. But if you live in an area where the temperature falls below freezing quite often, this battery won't be of much use to you.
Weize
Weize has long been a leader when it comes to power, but they recently pulled out all the stops with their first-ever lithium iron phosphate battery. It’s an amazing choice for anyone looking for maximum cycle life and minimum upkeep – you won’t need to worry about frequently charging because QW12-400 charges up faster than any other on the market right now!
Features:
- Battery Cell Composition: Lithium Phosphate
- Voltage: 12 Volts
- Weight: 60.6 Pounds
- Nominal Capacity: 36-100 Ah
- Standard Charge Current: 6 Ah to 20A
If you’re in the market for a dependable, powerful trolling motor battery that won’t disappoint when your adventure gets rolling, look no further than Weize. It’s heavier than BlueTop and all the rest of the names on the list, but it will last – and it’s definitely fast! You’ll get full power within an hour, with charging time so short you can almost ignore it. Plus, the 10-year warranty means this one is designed to always have your back.
- BMS system ensures overload protection
- Big capacity
- Too heavy for boats with limited space
Weize comes with an affordable price tag when compared to the other brands, which is excellent considering the reviews. But the weight is a bit too much for some, so if you're looking for something lighter, then Weize might not be the right choice.
FAQs
Yes, deep-cycle batteries are recommended for use with trolling motors. A trolling battery requires a steady source of power to keep the boat moving at a slow speed. A deep-cycle battery is ideal for a trolling motor because it provides a steady amount of power over longer periods and is rechargeable.
Yes, AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries are totally worth it for trolling motors. For one, they generally last longer than regular lead-acid batteries. Plus, AGM batteries don’t require a lot of maintenance either.
Probably the only thing that can keep you from buying an AGM battery is that they tend to be pricier than traditional lead-acid batteries. This is because the cost of manufacturing these batteries are high.
It depends on the power or thrust of your trolling motor. A single deep-cycle 12-volt battery would be enough for 55 lbs. thrust or less. If your motor has a higher thrust, you’ll need two batteries. Both batteries should be the same size, age, type, and manufacture.
No, automotive batteries aren’t designed for trolling motors. They provide a large amount of power for a short time to kick-start the vehicle’s engine. Trolling motors need a small amount of power at a steady rate.
The longevity of a battery depends on how you use the trolling motor. At maximum speed, it may only offer a couple of hours, whereas you can expect it to run for around 5 hours at a moderate speed.
Yes, you can overcharge a trolling motor battery. In fact, frequent overcharging tends to reduce the lifespan of a marine battery and can even render it useless. So, avoid charging your trolling motor battery overnight.
Typically, a trolling motor battery should be recharged after every use. Plus, leaving a battery uncharged for long periods can shorten its lifespan. So, use a trickle charger to keep the amperage flowing during the off-season.