When it comes to choosing the best trolling motor battery there are three basic types:
- AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries
- Lead Acid Wet Cell batteries
- Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries
There are pros and cons to each type, which we explain below this panel giving our recommendations for the best product in each class.
Universal Power Group
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.
ExpertPower
Again, a clear first choice – the ExpertPower model is the top-selling Lithium Iron Phosphate battery on Amazon. It has a 10-year warranty, is lighter than its nearest competitor and there is no real difference in price.
Dakota Lithium
Dakota Lithium makes Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries that are purpose built for boats and kayaks and recreational fishers. These batteries have phenomenal performance and lifespan across a range of different temperatures and uses. They also come with a charger. A clear best choice for kayak fishers prepared to spend on a battery that will last 10 years. An AGM battery of the same size would be considerably cheaper, but have less than half the lifespan and the weight for the equivalent power output.
- Universal Power Group 12V 100Ah Trolling Motor Battery
- VMAX Charge Tank MR127 12 Volt 100Ah AGM Trolling Motor Battery
- Mighty Max Battery 12V 100Ah Trolling Motor Battery
- ExpertPower 12V 100Ah Lithium LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Rechargeable Trolling Motor Battery
- Renogy Li 12V 100Ah Smart Lithium Iron Phosphate Trolling Motor Battery
- Dakota Lithium (54Ah) Trolling Motor Battery
Trolling Motor Battery Choice Table
(based on a 12V 100Ah battery)
| Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) deep cycle | Lead Acid Wet Cell deep cycle | Lithium Iron Phosphate | |
| Price | ~$200 | ~$100 | ~$900 |
| Weight | 40lbs | >50lbs | 17lbs |
| Details | Completely sealed No maintenance needed Vibration and spill resistant Copes with frequent discharge and recharge Average lifespan (~5 years) | Cheap and readily available Copes with frequent discharge and recharge Prone to vibration Requires topping up Lower lifespan (~2 years) | 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 | NOT RECOMMENDED | BEST PERFORMANCE |
Choosing A Trolling Motor Battery
Follow this procedure (we’ve assumed a 12V motor and battery combo)
1. Find Trolling Motor Specs
Determine the max amp draw (effectively the power) of your trolling motor. For an 50lb thrust motor, this is roughly 50A.
2. Decide Battery Size
Trolling motor batteries for boats
This means a 50Ah battery will run at full power for one hour before the battery is drained. In practice, most people run their trolling motor at well short of full power.
As a general rule, you want to choose a battery that could run for two hours at full speed at a minimum – so that means a 100Ah battery for a 50lb thrust (50A) motor and a 50Ah for a 25lb thrust (25A) motor.
This is the minimum capacity we’d recommend. Many experts recommend a 100Ah battery as a minimum for modern trolling motors and we’d agree to ensure you get a good day’s fishing done and have enough reserve for windy conditions.
Trolling motor batteries for kayaks
Kayak trolling motors don’t require as much thrust as the kayak is lighter and more streamlined and doesn’t take as much power to move.
25-30lbs of thrust is sufficient for kayak trolling motors in our view. This means you can get away with a 50Ah battery.
3. Decide Battery Type
Consider the key criteria and in the table (weight, cost and features) and decide on the best battery for you.
Most people go with a AGM battery as it offers the best combination of value for money, weight and trouble free operation.
Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries are better in terms of durability and power-to-weight ratio and would be the number one choice if money were no object, but they are expensive.
It’s worth noting those who fish in really old conditions love these batteries as they still pump out good power in extreme cold.
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Trolling Motor Battery Tips
- Never mix battery types, nor old batteries with new batteries.
- Choose the correct charger for your battery:
AGM Battery charger
Lithium Iron Phosphate battery chargers (this model also works for AGM batteries and is well priced) - 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 Trolling Motor 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 reasons for our choices.
Best Trolling Motor Battery (AGM)
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 Trolling Motor Battery (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
Again, a clear first choice – the ExpertPower model is the top-selling Lithium Iron Phosphate battery on Amazon.
It has a 10-year warranty, is lighter than its nearest competitor and there is no real difference in price.
Best Trolling Motor Battery (Kayak)
Dakota Lithium makes Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries that are purpose built for boats and kayaks and recreational fishers.
These batteries have phenomenal performance and lifespan across a range of different temperatures and uses.
They also come with a charger. A clear best choice for kayak fishers prepared to spend on a battery that will last 10 years.
An AGM battery of the same size would be considerably cheaper, but have less than half the lifespan and the weight for the equivalent power output.
AGM Trolling Motor Batteries Reviewed:
Universal Power Group 12V 100Ah Trolling Motor Battery
Well priced, durable and reliable, Universal Power Group AGM batteries are a great choice for powering a trolling motor and fit in the Group 27 battery space (see here for a breakdown of dimensions for Group 27 batteries and all other types)
Key features:
- Sealed AGM construction is spill free and vibration resistant
- Light battery for the power produced
- Low self discharge
- Two-year warranty
VMAX Charge Tank MR127 12 Volt 100Ah AGM Trolling Motor Battery
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
- Fits Group 27 battery box
- One year warranty with reduced-value replacement on a sliding scale beyond one year
Mighty Max Battery 12V 100Ah Trolling Motor Battery
The Mighty Max is a popular trolling motor battery that fits a Group 27 battery box. It uses 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
Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries Reviewed:
ExpertPower 12V 100Ah Lithium LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Rechargeable Trolling Motor Battery
The top seller in the category on Amazon, the ExpertPower 100Ah battery has a 10-year lifetime warranty. It has a flat discharge curve holds above 12V for up to 95% of its capacity usage boosting run time over AGM batteries.
- Lightweight – 23lbs, less than half the weight of AGM equivalents
- Battery Management System (BMS) protects it from overcharge, deep discharge, overloading, overheating and short circuit
- The lithium battery’s unique built-in, and excessive low self-discharge rate ensuring up to 1 year maintenance-free storage
Renogy Li 12V 100Ah Smart Lithium Iron Phosphate Trolling Motor Battery
The Renogy Smart Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery is lightweight and durable and has an integrated smart battery management system to prevent damage and manage the charging/discharging process.
- Lightweight – 27 pounds
- Long cycle life and exceptional discharge performance
- Suitable for marine use
- Customer service not highly rated, warranty less comprehensive than others
Dakota Lithium (54Ah) Trolling Motor Battery
Dakota Lithium is a specialist manufacturer of Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries for trolling motors and other marine/fishing applications.
This battery – which is a 54Ah model versus the 100Ah models reviewed above – is an ideal trolling motor battery for kayak fishermen.
It has a class-leading 11 year warranty and performs better in cold conditions than competing batteries
- Activate battery management system to handle discharge and charge, prevent overload
- Includes charge
- Super lightweight at 16lbs
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