When making the choice of the best kayak fish finder battery for your needs, it is worth noting at the start of the process that there are three basic types:
- AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries
- Lithium Ion batteries
- Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries
There are important advantages and disadvantages to each type, which we have tried to summarize in the table below.
The Universal Power Group battery is our clear winner here. All three products are similar in terms of performance and features, so it comes down to price and warranty. With the cheapest price and a two-year warranty, this product wins out.
A standout winner here is the FPV lithium-ion battery – it is purposely designed for kayak use. It’s an Australian-made product that’s 100% safe and tested in the most grueling marine conditions. A great product.
We haven’t listed any others as it is so hard to go past the Dakota Lithium model with its proven reputation, great performance, and 11-year warranty. The clear choice in this category, and comes with the appropriate charger.
- Universal Power Group 12v 15ah Kayak Fish Finder Battery
- Mighty Max Battery 12V 15Ah Trolling Motor Battery
- VMAX Charge Tank 15Ah Kayak Fish Finder AGM Battery
- FPV-Power Lithium-ion 17.5ah Battery (With Charger)
- Dakota Lithium 12V 10Ah
Kayak Fish Finder Battery Choice Table
(based on a 12V 15Ah battery)
| Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) deep cycle | Lithium Ion | Lithium Iron Phosphate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$40 | ~$200 | ~$100 |
| Weight | 9lbs | 1.2lbs | 6lbs |
| Details | Completely sealed No maintenance needed Vibration and spill resistant Copes with frequent discharge and recharge Average lifespan (~5 years) | Extremely lightweight Quick to charge Good discharge performance Great lifespan | More than twice as light as AGM Charges far faster than AGM Good performance Copes with frequent discharge and recharge Long lifespan (~10 years) Expensive |
| Verdict | BEST CHOICE FOR COST-CONSCIOUS | BEST CHOICE | ALSO CONSIDER |
Choosing a Kayak Fish Finder Battery
1. Decide Battery Size
Let’s assume a kayak fish finder draws no more than one amp of power. That means for a battery life of 10 hours, you can go with a 10Ah battery.
That’s probably sufficient for one-day trips, as even in the most comfortable Hobie kayak, you wouldn’t want to be sitting in it for that amount of time.
For multiple-day trips where you may not have access to a charger, you could consider a 15Ah model, as we have done in the comparison table above.
2. Decide Battery Type
Consider the key criteria in the table (weight, cost, and features) and decide on the best battery for you. For us, it is a choice of two – AGM or lithium-ion.
We have some of each, to be honest. The lithium-ion models are very light, but we are fine with 7Ah batteries for short trips, so the AGM batteries are light enough and considerably cheaper.
Kayak Fish Finder Battery Tips
- Never mix battery types or old batteries with new batteries.
- Choose the correct charger for your battery: AGM Battery chargers or lithium Ion Phosphate battery chargers.
- Charge batteries as soon as possible after each use – leaving batteries in a discharged state will decrease their longevity and performance.
- Check terminal connectors periodically for signs of corrosion – clean with a paste of baking soda and water.
- Store batteries in a cool, dry place in the off-season and maintain a trickle charge.
Our Best Kayak Fish Finder Batteries – The Verdict
Selecting the correct trolling motor battery type and size is an important choice, and we are confident this guide has made this much easier for. We outlined our top picks in each class in the box at the start of this article. Here, below, we spell out the reasons for our choices.
Best AGM Kayak Fish Finder Battery
The Universal Power Group battery is our clear winner here. All three products are similar in terms of performance and features, so it really comes down to price and warranty. With the cheapest price and a two-year warranty, this product stands head and shoulders above the other two.
Best Lithium Ion Kayak Fish Finder Battery
A standout winner here is the FPV lithium-ion battery – it is purposely designed for kayak use. It’s an Australian-made product that’s 100% safe and tested in the most grueling marine conditions. A great product.
Best Lithium Iron Phosphate Kayak Fish Finder Battery
We haven’t listed any others as it is so hard to go past the Dakota Lithium model with its proven reputation, great performance, and 11-year warranty. The clear choice in this category comes with the appropriate charger.
RELATED POSTS: Best Kayak Fish Finder — Best Kayak Trolling Motor — Inflatable Kayaks
Kayak Fish Finder Batteries Reviewed:
Well-priced, durable, and reliable, Universal Power Group AGM batteries are a great choice for powering your kayak fish finder
Key features:
- Sealed AGM construction is spill-free and vibration resistant
- Light battery for the power produced
- Low self-discharge
- Two-year warranty
The Mighty Max is a popular kayak fish finder battery that is reputable and well-priced.
These batteries use a state-of-the-art, heavy-duty, calcium-alloy grid that provides exceptional performance and service life.
Key features:
- Rechargeable spill-proof battery
- High discharge rate
- Wide operating temperatures, long service life and deep discharge recover
- One year warranty
The VMAX Charge Tank is a marine-grade AGM battery. It is completely sealed and maintenance-free and involves no contaminants.
Key features:
- Fast recharge
- Sealed construction
- One-year warranty with a reduced-value replacement on a sliding scale beyond one year
These batteries are completely safe and come with a IP67 rated hard case and battery plug with a Battery Management System (BMS) that cuts off the power if there is an external short and protects the battery from over discharge when in use and overcharge when charging.
- Purposefully designed for kayak use
- High quality Japanese Li-Ion cells
- Feather weight, durable and long-lasting
- Comes with charger
Dakota Lithium is a specialist manufacturer of Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries for trolling motors and other marines/fishing applications. This 10Ah model is ideal for powering a kayak fish finder.
It has a class-leading 11-year warranty and performs better in cold conditions than competing batteries.
- Active battery management system to handle discharge and charge, prevent overload
- Includes charger
- Super lightweight
- Cheaper than lithium-ion
