Trolling motor batteries are a necessary, important tool for many watercraft.
Usually small and light, these batteries are a great option to throw in a kayak to power a trolling motor for a weekend fishing trip.
This article will detail the best-of-the-best batteries available for trolling motors today.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Trolling Motor Batteries
- OUR TOP PICK: WindyNation 100 amp-Hour 112 Volt AGM Deep Cycle Battery
- RUNNER-UP: Mighty Max Battery 12V
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: ExpertPower EXP12180-2
Comparison of the Best Trolling Motor Batteries
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What Size of Battery Do I Need?
When you’re thinking about getting a trolling motor battery, you’ll need to know what size you’re looking for. First, you should find out how much power you’ll need to power your motor, and you can go from there.
Take a look at your boat and flocate where you will place your battery. Many boats have a designated battery section, unless you’re in a kayak or other small watercraft. From there, you’ll decide what “group size” you need. This is the standard sizing for marine batteries that includes the dimensions: length, width, and height.
How to Choose a Trolling Motor Battery
When choosing a trolling motor battery, there are several things you should keep in mind. Not only are there different styles of batteries that can be suitable for your motor, but there are also features you may want to have included. Here are a few aspects to consider:
Battery Type
There are several popular battery types you’ll find on the market. The most common are starting batteries (most commonly found in vehicles), deep cycle batteries, and dual-purpose batteries. For a trolling motor, you’ll either want to choose deep cycle or dual-purpose, as they act as the continuous, long-lasting power source needed to start the boat and supply power to the additional accessories throughout the day.
Battery Chemistry
AGM, flooded, gel, and lithium-ion batteries are the different chemical-type models you’ll come across. While each has it’s own advantages and disadvantages, AGM is one of the most popular styles for marine batteries. It utilizes two thin sheets of fiberglass to contain the electrolyte and is virtually maintenance-free.
Size & Shape
The last thing to consider is the size and shape of your battery. This will depend heavily on your boat’s size— don’t get something too bulky and heavy if you’re putting this battery in a kayak. Conversely, don't purchase a battery that will be too small to power the items in a larger boat.
Review of the Best Trolling Motor Batteries
We’ve selected five of our favorite trolling motor batteries. Take a look and see if any would be the right fit for you!
Best Overall:
WindyNation 100 Amp-Hour 112-Volt AGM Deep Cycle Battery
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers who went for the WindyNation Deep Cycle Battery had very positive feedback concerning its performance. Although some said it was a little out of their original price range, they were happy they splurged for this high-quality product. Users praised the long-lasting, powerful charge but wished some design elements were better thought out.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This battery earned the top spot on our list because it provides incredible, consistent performance on the water. With this product, you don’t have to worry about how many people are on your boat or how long your day of fishing will last. The WindyNation battery provides a reliable charge and will have you covered.
Who Will Use This Most
The WindyNation Deep Cycle Battery is a good fit for anglers who have a larger trolling motor that requires a bit more power. This battery has a great power output with a low discharge rate that can keep a boat running for quite a while. It is on the pricier end of the spectrum, so be prepared to invest with this product.
Bottom Line
We’re happy to give the WindyNation the top spot on our favorites list. This is a great option for anglers who need a reliable, heavy-duty power source. It is a little heavy, so make sure you have some muscles to hoist it into your watercraft.
Runner-up:
Mighty Max Battery 12V
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Our runner-up, the Mighty Max Battery is an awesome option for anglers looking to power trolling motors. Those who purchased were very pleased with the convenient design and consistent recovery from a dead charge. One complaint that came up was issues with the charge not lasting as long as some anglers would like.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We gave this AGM battery the second-place spot on our favorites list because we’re big fans of the overall value this tool presents. AGM-style batteries are often very expensive due to their maintenance-free design, but this Mighty Max Battery can fit in many angler’s budgets. The shape and power capacity of this battery are also to be admired.
Who Will Use This Most
We’d recommend the Mighty Max to anglers who own smaller boats or kayaks and want a compact, convenient power source for their trolling motor. While the charge can’t compete with those of large batteries, it’s still an admirable option for short fishing day trips.
Bottom Line
The Mighty Max stays true to its name— it is small but mighty. Try this battery on your kayak with a trolling motor for your next day trip and you might be pleasantly surprised. This battery is the perfect size and shape for convenient storage without compromising on power capacity to keep your watercraft moving.
Best for the Money:
ExpertPower EXP12180-2
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The majority of feedback from users of the ExpertPower Battery was very positive. Buyers loved the overall value of this AGM-style battery, praising the long-lasting charge and convenient design. Some users reported that, as the years passed, the battery lost some of its power capacity, which was a bit disappointing.
What Recent Buyers Report
We included the ExpertPower as our budget pick for a couple of different reasons. First, we appreciate the user-friendly design and long-lasting charge. We also love the fact that it can fit into a variety of angler’s budgets, a quality not common with AGM-style batteries.
Who Will Use This Most
The ExpertPower Trolling Battery is a great fit for any angler looking for more bang for their buck. This tool is a very reasonable price for an AGM battery, and it does not compromise on performance. While it may not be as durable as some other models, it’s still an excellent option for many.
Bottom Line
Although this may not be the most durable battery on the market, it has many excellent qualities that make up for this. All in all, the ExpertPower battery is a great pick for anglers on a budget who want a reliable, long-lasting charge for days on the water.
Best Marine Battery for Trolling Motor:
Optima Batteries 8016-103 D34M Battery
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Those who purchased this Optima Deep Cycle Battery gave positive feedback about several aspects of the design. Many were pleased with the battery’s operating time and the fact that it could recharge very quickly. There were some complaints about the overall voltage level, but for those operating trolling motors, it wasn’t as prevalent of an issue.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This Optima battery is a stand-out tool for several reasons, but it earned a spot on our favorites list because it is an excellent all-in-one purchase. This battery provides long-lasting power, is very quick to recharge to original levels, is leak-proof, and handles extreme temperatures well.
Who Will Use This Most
This is a great fit for anglers who need an exceptional charge that can last for several hours on a long fishing trip. Although this isn’t the cheapest option available on the market, those who purchased seemed to think that it was worth it for the overall value.
Bottom Line
With awesome features like safety precautions, quick recharging, and a durable build and finish. While it may not have the voltage power of some larger deep cycle batteries, this choice from Optima is still an awesome option for many.
Best Deep Cycle Battery for Trolling Motor:
VMAX MR127 12 Volt Deep Cycle Battery
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers of the VMAX Deep Cycle Marine Battery were happy with its general performance and power output. Some reviewers weren’t satisfied with the size and weight, which is pretty heavy for a trolling motor. Users had good things to say about the durable construction and reliable charge.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We gave this battery a slot on our favorites list because it provides reliable, heavy-duty power with consistency that can be trusted. As long as you know you’ll have to use a bit of brute strength to get it into your boat, once this battery is in place, it does its job very well.
Who Will Use This Most
The VMAX battery is a good choice for boaters or anglers who need a consistent, reliable power source that can hold a charge for long periods of time. This definitely isn’t the best choice for very small boats, but for watercraft with a little more space, this would be a really great fit.
Bottom Line
Despite the hefty weight, this marine battery is an excellent option for a deep cycle battery. It provides a steady stream of power and a reliable charge. The VMAX is a battery that could fit seamlessly into many anglers’ gear.
Perks of Getting a New Battery
When you are looking to purchase a new trolling motor battery, you should definitely consider buying a new battery rather than getting one that is used or some sort of cheap knock-off. This isn’t always an easy decision, especially because high-quality batteries are often an investment. Here are some reasons why you should splurge this time:
Durability
Unfortunately, many batteries lose some effectiveness over time, no matter the style or chemical makeup, especially if they’ve been ill-maintained. This is why you’re better off getting a brand new battery, as you’ll be in full charge of the battery’s care, giving you the opportunity to maintain it well over time.
Hold a Steady Charge
There’s nothing worse than to have to turn back around or even get stranded on the water because your battery has failed. You run a much lower risk of this happening if you’re using a high-quality, new battery. They’ll most often hold a strong charge for extended periods of time.
Convenience
Many new batteries have awesome convenience factors, like spill-proof designs or maintenance-free components, much more convenient than the marine batteries of old.
Types of Batteries Great for Trolling
As aforementioned, there are several different battery styles common for marine use. But for trolling motors, two stand out over the others.
Gel Battery
These batteries are sealed and use silica to convert sulfuric acid into a jelly-like substance. The goo is utilized as the battery’s electrolyte. Gel batteries are praised for their strong internal construction but have a slightly lower power capacity than others. They shouldn’t be exposed to extreme amperage, as it can result in internal damage, scarring the jelly inside.
Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Battery
AGM batteries are the power source of choice for many trolling motor users. They utilize a fiberglass separator to keep the liquid electrolyte in place with lead plates. AGMs are packed super tight, creating a lot of damage resistance to impact. They’re very durable and long-lasting, and a huge draw for some as they require barely any maintenance. These batteries are also known for their low internal resistance, which results in less charging time, increased power voltage, and less heat loss.
Conclusion
Great trolling motor batteries aren’t hard to find on today’s market— the difficult part is finding one that will be the perfect fit for you. Hopefully, this article gave you some helpful insight into the qualities to keep an eye out for and some choices that may strike your fancy.
People Also Ask
Batteries are a confusing tool— if you still have questions, take a look at the section below. We’ve answered some of the inquiries that may still be on your mind after reading our article.
How Many Amps Do Trolling Motors Draw?
It depends on the size and voltage of the battery you purchase. The typical range is between 30-116 amps.
How Long Can a Trolling Motor Run on a Deep Cycle Battery?
The length of the motor operation will depend on the battery you purchase. In general, the larger your battery, the longer it will run. Expect four hours of run time from every 25 amps.
Why are Deep Cycle Batteries Best for Trolling Motors?
Deep cycle batteries are a great fit for trolling motors because they dispense energy gradually, allowing you to stay out on the water for anywhere from 6-8 hours without a new charge. Traditional batteries use up their power much too quickly for trolling motor operation.
How Long Will My Trolling Motor Battery Last?
Great batteries can last for many years, but the longevity and durability will rely on your maintenance of the tool. If you’re worried about the durability of your battery, make sure you look into the warranty before purchasing.
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