When I bought my first kayak battery, I quickly realized that purchasing the best kayak trolling motor battery is confusing and frustrating.
I spent hours trying to decipher the abbreviations and different types of batteries.
After doing some research, I realized that there wasn’t a lot of good information out there about trolling motor batteries. The result is this guide.
By the end, you will know which trolling motor battery for a kayak is best, why I think it’s the best, and how to choose the best battery for your situation.
Don’t worry if you’re short on time. I rated the Dakota Lithium 12-volt 54Ah Battery as the best kayak trolling motor battery and the VMAX Trolling Motor Battery AGM Marine Deep Cycle Group 31 12V 135Ah is the most budget-friendly battery to make the list.
Keep reading to dive a little deeper into kayak trolling motor batteries!
Top 3 Best Kayak Trolling Motor Battery Options
Here are the top three picks if you’re in a hurry!
Table of Contents
How We Selected Our Favorites
Picking out the best battery for a trolling motor, whether it’s on a kayak or a pontoon boat, is a daunting task. There are a ton of them, from flooded lead-acid and AGM to lithium-iron phosphate and lithium-ion.
Finding the best one involves a lot of time actively using batteries in our kayaks.
Our primary focus is on weight (a significant decision in a kayak), followed by the depth of discharge, overall battery life, amperage hour ratings, and their footprint in the kayak.
- Weight: We’re talking kayaks here and you can’t afford to dump a ton of weight into these things. It affects balance and maneuverability to a high degree. Plus, large heavy batteries take up space and gobble up your gear-carrying capacity. The latter is a huge no-no for most anglers.
- Depth of Discharge: In layman’s terms, this is how much power the battery provides throughout its charge. Is it pushing the same amount of power at 100% charge as it is at 35%? It’s important to maintain capacity even as the battery is drained.
- Amperage Hour Rating: Longevity is everything and some anglers like to spend a couple of hours on the water while others will happily spend 8 to 10 hours out there. Not all of our choices feature a high AHR, but we’re focusing on the casual angler a little more for lower ratings.
- Footprint: In terms of space. I mentioned it in the weight bullet point but it deserves its own category. Fishing with a kayak means maximizing space and weight and these batteries, as much as they make our outings more convenient, can’t take up half the kayak.
- Viability: Not everyone can dump a ton of money into a high-end, lithium battery. If a more affordable, lead-acid, or AGM alternative makes for an outstanding battery for kayak anglers, it’s on our list.
BEST OVERALL KAYAK TROLLING MOTOR BATTERY
Dakota Lithium 12v 54Ah
Key Features
- 12v
- 54Ah
- 18lbs
- 2,000-cycles
- -20°F to 120°F Operating Temperatures
- Lithium-Ion battery
Pros
Cons
Why We Chose It
Dakota Lithium has become a respected name in the kayak fishing industry in the last several years.
They are backed by an incredible 11-year warranty, and their batteries also withstand 2,000+ charging and discharging cycles.
I’m a huge fan of LiFePO4 batteries, especially in their competitive battle with the slightly different, lithium-iron phosphate brands.
The biggest reason I love them? I have five kayaks and this particular LifePO4 battery has a place on all of them. It doesn’t take up much space and 18 lbs is no biggie.
As I said, it isn’t the lightest battery I have reviewed, but the weight should be fine for most kayaks for the amount of power it delivers.
What will be an issue for kayakers is the price. Dakota Lithium is proud of its products, as they should be, so they are not budget-friendly batteries.
If you need a battery with a longer run time, I recommend the Dakota Lithium 12v 100Ah Battery, but the 54Ah battery should last all day for most kayak anglers.
The Battery Management System is another way to help protect the battery from overheating or exploding, which is great when you’re on small boats like kayaks! I know I don’t want to be close to a battery if it explodes!
Yes, it comes at a higher price, but when you realize it lasts over ten years, the investment becomes a no-brainer. Say goodbye to battery replacements and hello to unmatched performance.
Upgrade now and experience power that lasts a decade!
BEST AGM KAYAK TROLLING MOTOR BATTERY
Optima Batteries Blue Top Starting and Deep-Cycle Marine Battery
Key Features
- 12-volt
- 55 Amp Hours
- Strong cranking amps (1125 A)
- 3x higher charging count than most AGM batteries
- Flat discharge curve
Pros
Cons
Why We Chose It
Optima Batteries is a brand trusted by professional anglers. Since the early 1990’s they’ve manufactured over 100 million high-quality individual spiral cells.
Spiral cell batteries are superior to flat plate AGM batteries because there is more surface area per plate in the same amount of space.
In theory, this means it will hold a charge longer than a battery of similar size.
The Optima BlueTop Deep-Cycle Battery is designed for durability and vibration resistance, which is great as your kayak bounces over waves or while it’s vibrating during travel.
Since it’s spill-proof and maintenance-free, you don’t have to worry about getting battery acid all over your kayak and ruining a day of fishing if it falls on its side.
I love the SpiralCell design, which resembles six, small cylinders stacked next to one another. It’s the perfect design for kayak use because it saves so much space.
With space a crucial factor on a kayak, the BlueTop design is a very welcome feature.
The 55Ah rating should last most of the day, even while heavily using the trolling motor, but at this price, I would like to see a 12v 100Ah battery so I can be sure it’ll last all day.
It boasts 800 cold-cranking amps, but in a kayak, that doesn’t matter so this battery might be a little overkill.
If 55Ah just isn’t enough and you need something a little more robust, the below-listed Tracker Marine Lithium includes 100 Ah batteries in their lineup.
Upgrade your kayak angling experience with the Optima Blue Top Marine Battery, the ultimate solution for trolling motors incompatible with lithium-ion batteries.
It features unparalleled performance and reliability, even in demanding conditions.
VMAX Trolling Motor Battery AGM Marine Deep Cycle Group 31 12V 135Ah
Key Features
- 12v
- 135Ah
- 77 pounds
- Pure power transfer capabilities
- 200-minute reserve capacity
Pros
Cons
Why We Chose It
The VMAX XRT31-135 is a heavy-duty trolling motor battery that can handle multiple kayak fishing trips. I like this battery because it’s tough, and you don’t have to be concerned with much battery maintenance.
Yeah, it’s 77 lbs and that’s quite a load going into the kayak. This battery is more for larger kayaks with flat hulls.
However, it’s an affordable and powerful battery, so I couldn’t resist throwing it out there for those anglers with a huge kayak and enough space to bring it along for the ride.
For kayaks that can handle the weight and bulkiness of the AGM battery, you will be able to run your electronics and trolling motor off of this battery all day and still have plenty of power left over for the next trip.
For those with small kayaks, the Lossigy 12v (covered in more detail below) is a 100 Ah battery that’s only 25 lbs and much smaller.
The VMAX XRT31-135 AGM Trolling Motor Battery is for the kayak angler who needs a long-lasting power source and isn’t concerned about the size and weight of their battery.
Get the VMAX XRT31-135 AGM Trolling Motor Battery today. Say goodbye to worries about charging and hello to long-lasting performance. Don’t let size or weight hold you back.
Tracker Marine Lithium Deep Cycle Battery
Key Features
- 12v
- 60Ah, 80Ah, or 100Ah
- 16lbs, 24lbs, or 30lbs
- Lithium-Iron Phosphate
Pros
Cons
Why We Chose It
Tracker Marine is a well-respected company in the boating industry. It’s only natural that they’ve expanded into manufacturing marine batteries.
They’ve taken their years of boating knowledge to craft an excellent lithium-iron-phosphate battery.
Lithium batteries are much lighter than traditional lead-acid batteries, so they are the best choice for kayak anglers who can afford to spend the extra money upfront.
The Tracker Marine Lithium Deep Cycle Battery has three ampere-hour rating options, so you can choose the 100Ah if you need a battery that’s going to last all day and then some, or if you only need the smaller 60Ah to save space, weight, and a little money.
This battery charges faster than lead-acid batteries, and if you happen to leave it off the charger for a long time, the dormant discharge rate is much slower than traditional batteries.
While it’s not the best warranty I’ve seen for a battery, the five-year warranty is better than most warranties for batteries.
The Tracker Marine Lithium Battery will benefit kayak anglers whose trolling motor and electronics can properly function off of a lithium battery.
What we mean to say is, your trolling motor will run just fine on lithium. However, lithium maintains a higher voltage for a longer stretch of time.
This means you can damage your trolling motor by simply overheating it, taking advantage of higher volts and runtime.
If you use a lithium battery, just be sure you’re careful not to overdo it on trolling motors that are designed for lead-acid and AGM batteries.
Elevate your game with the Tracker Marine Lithium Battery, designed specifically for trolling motors and electronics that thrive on lithium power. Don’t miss out on the incredible advantages this battery offers.
LOSSIGY 12v 100Ah Lithium Battery
Key Features
- 12-volt
- 100Ah
- 25 pounds
- Lithium (LiFePO4) battery
Pros
Cons
Why We Chose It
When we’re not dreaming of landing a monster fish, kayak anglers dream of a battery like the LOSSIGY Lithium 12-Volt 100Ah Battery.
This 100Ah battery will keep you on the water for as long as you need without adding too much weight to your kayak.
The five-year warranty means you won’t be paying to replace your kayak trolling motor battery as often as you would with other battery types like AGM.
So when you factor in the cost long term, you might be saving money when buying the more expensive Lithium battery.
If only all trolling motors were compatible with lithium batteries. From my review of Newport Vessels Trolling Motors, you can see that they don’t recommend using lithium batteries with their kayak trolling motors.
However, if your trolling motor is compatible with LiFePO4, batteries, I highly recommend purchasing them instead of AGM batteries.
As prices of lithium batteries are becoming more reasonable, we will see more kayak anglers switching to batteries like the LOSSIGY Lithium 12v 100Ah Battery because their benefits far exceed their drawbacks.
Say goodbye to limitations and hello to unmatched performance. Don’t miss out on the benefits that outweigh the drawbacks and purchase a LOSSIGY Lithium 12-Volt 100Ah Battery today!
ECO-WORTHY 12V 10Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery
Key Features
- 12v
- 10Ah
- 2.5 pounds
- Lithium-Ion battery
Pros
Cons
Why We Chose It
At 2.5 pounds, the ECO-WORTHY 12v 10Ah is the lightest kayak trolling motor battery. It’s compact and lightweight enough that you won’t notice it while you’re paddling.
The price won’t hurt your wallet either, so to counteract some of the cons, you could buy multiple batteries.
However, with the small size come significant downsides. It charges fast with the specialized lithium charger because there’s not much battery to charge.
So it won’t power a trolling motor for very long. I recommend using it as a backup battery or solely for your sonar electronics.
Because it’s a lithium-iron-phosphate battery, it should last you for several years and stand up to the abuse that kayak anglers tend to put their gear through.
The maintenance-free and spill-proof nature of the battery ensures you won’t have to worry about battery corrosion.
If you have limited space and weight because of a small boat, then the ECO-WORTHY 12v 10Ah LiFePO4 Deep-Cycle Battery is a good choice.
Be sure not to use your trolling motor too much as it draws more amps than your fish-finder.
The ECO-WORTHY is best when used as a backup unless all you need to do is putter around in your own pond.
If you need something with a little more built-in elbow grease, ECO-WORTHY offers 20 Ah and 30 Ah versions as well.
Maximize your limited space and weight with the ECO-WORTHY 12v 10Ah LiFePO4 Deep-Cycle Battery. Don’t compromise on power and reliability.
Make the smart choice today and unlock the full potential of your small kayak.
Anglers.com content creator Wes Littlefield walks us through three of the kayak batteries he uses while kayak fishing and which one he likes best.
The Best 12v Kayak Battery: Buying Guide
Because kayaks are relatively light compared to bass boats, they don’t need 80 lbs thrust trolling motors to propel them across the water quickly.
55lb thrust trolling motors are ideal for kayaks, and unlike bigger trolling motors, they only need a 12-volt battery to reach max thrust.
If you’re waiting to purchase the best kayak trolling motor, you should read my review, so you make the best decision possible.
One might think that only needing a 12-volt battery makes purchasing a kayak trolling motor battery straightforward; sorry to burst your bubble, but it’s not as simple as we’d like to hope.
Several factors are vitally important in determining how well your battery and trolling motor perform.
Add on a budget and the weight and size restraints of kayaks, and we have a much tougher decision than we initially thought.
Don’t worry; I’m going to break down the confusing jargon and the most critical factors so you buy the best kayak trolling motor battery for your situation. Let’s begin with the different types of batteries.
Deep-Cycle/Marine Battery
Deep-Cycle or Marine batteries are designed to be fully charged and then slowly drained. That’s why they’re perfect for trolling motors and other boating electronics.
Deep-Cycle batteries can be lead-acid wet-cell, AGM, or lithium which we will discuss in more detail.
Some batteries like the Optima Batteries are a hybrid between Marine and Starting batteries, but for the most part, batteries are one or the other.
Starting Battery
Starting batteries are designed to start engines and stay at a sustained charge by using an alternator.
A car battery is a starting battery; while it can be used as a trolling motor battery, it has a much short lifespan because it’s not designed to be run down like a deep-cycle or marine battery.
Starting batteries are rechargeable; however, the more they are run down, the weaker they become and eventually won’t hold a charge for long.
Lead-Acid Wet-Cell/ Flooded Lead-Acid (FLA)
The cheapest batteries, Wet-Cell or Flooded Lead-Acid batteries, have quickly become outdated technology. They are heavy and don’t hold a charge like the other types of batteries.
FLA batteries also need to be maintained by topping off the water level with distilled water.
While your grandpa might have gotten by using this battery style, there are better options on the market today. That’s why I didn’t include any in the list.
Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM)
An AGM battery is also a Lead-Acid battery; however, it is more efficient than a Wet-Cell battery. The Absorbed Glass Mat absorbs electrolytes and doesn’t allow them to escape as easily.
AGM batteries are corrosion-resistant, shock and vibration resistant, and maintenance-free.
The downside is they are heavy and bulky. Lead-Acid AGM batteries are cheaper than Lithium-Ion batteries and are compatible with nearly every trolling motor, but that’s all they have on LiFePO4 batteries.
Lithium-Ion (LiFePO4)
The best batteries available on the market today are Lithium-Iron-Phosphate batteries. They are more powerful, longer-lasting, have a longer run time and are more lightweight than AGM batteries.
The worst thing about Lithium-Ion batteries is their price and that not all trolling motors work properly when powered by a LiFePO4 battery. They require a special battery charger, but some batteries come with a charger.
As Lithium batteries are becoming more popular, it won’t take long for the prices to drop slightly and be more competitive with the price of AGM batteries.
However, when you focus on the long-term cost of batteries since lithium batteries last much longer than AGM batteries, they are cheaper in the long run than buying multiple AGM batteries over the years.
Charging Time
Charging time is a critical aspect to keep in mind because you want your battery to be fully charged before every use.
If you have a slow-charging battery, you might not have time to get it to full charge if you have a couple of days of fishing in a row.
Lithium batteries charge much faster than Lead-Acid batteries, just another reason why Lithium-Ion batteries are the best battery available on the market.
Weight
Kayaks are small boats with small weight capacities; as kayak anglers, we need to be shedding pounds when possible. A quick way to shed weight is by changing batteries.
Lithium batteries are the lightest and most powerful batteries available; that’s why I recommend so many of them.
However, they are also the most expensive, but when it comes to safety, price is one of my last concerns, and having a kayak that’s too heavy is a significant safety concern.
So purchase the lightest, most powerful battery you can afford. It’s typically a compromise between the two, but even a 100Ah lithium battery weighs less than a 55Ah AGM battery.
Dimensions
If weight matters because kayaks are small, then the dimensions of a battery will matter.
Many fishing kayaks have designed an area for a trolling motor battery, but they can only develop it so big before it begins taking up an unnecessary amount of space.
Measure the dimensions of the area you plan to place your battery and ensure it fits before you purchase!
Amperage Hour Rating
The ampere-hour rating is the measure of how long your battery will last. If your trolling motor draws ten amps, a 100Ah battery will last for 10 hours.
If your kayak trolling motor draws more than ten amps, then your battery won’t last as long, or if it draws fewer than ten amps, it will last longer.
Lightweight batteries tend to have a lower amp-hour rating than heavier batteries, so keep this in mind as you purchase your kayak trolling motor battery.
You’ll Also Need These Accessories
Assuming you’ve already bought your kayak trolling motor, if not, I’ll remind you again of my best trolling motors for kayaks review; there are a few other accessories that you’re going to need.
Every situation doesn’t require all of the following accessories; however, most do or are at least a good idea.
Battery Box
Purchasing a battery box to store your battery while it’s in your kayak helps keep things organized and strapped down.
There are simple battery boxes that only hold your battery, and there are more sophisticated battery boxes with a USB port and battery level indicator. Choose whichever one best fits your situation.
Battery Cables
If you need to mount your trolling motor and battery at opposite ends of your kayak, you will need longer battery cables.
Different batteries have different terminal styles, which might require you to purchase special connectors for your battery cables.
Circuit Breaker
Even if your battery has a Battery Management System, you should have a circuit breaker installed because the circuit breaker will protect your kayak trolling motor, not just your battery.
Even though it is more expensive, I prefer a circuit breaker over a fuse because a circuit breaker resets with the push of a button, whereas you must replace a fuse, which means you must carry replacements with you at all times.
Tiller Handle Extension
My trolling motor mounts to the transom of my kayak, and I need to sit towards the middle, but the tiller handles on my trolling motor don’t extend far enough for me to reach.
So I bought a tiller handle extension, and it’s a game-changer! Now I exclusively use the extension when I’m on the water. Unless you have a bow mount trolling motor, I recommend getting a tiller extension.
Paddle
Don’t forget your paddle, especially if you purchase a small battery. Even though your battery might last the entire time you’re fishing, I highly recommend having your paddle as a backup plan.
I’ve lost count of the times I’ve had to use my paddle to help maneuver out of a spot or because my battery died. I will not go anywhere without my kayak paddle.
Final Thoughts
The Dakota Lithium 12v 54Ah Battery is renowned for its exceptional performance and durability. If you’re seeking top-notch power and reliability, the Optima Batteries Blue Top is your go-to choice.
And for those on a budget, the VMAX Trolling Motor Battery AGM Marine Deep Cycle Group 31 12V 135Ah provides outstanding value without compromising on quality.
Whether you’re an avid angler or simply love exploring serene waters, these batteries are essential for maximizing your kayaking adventures.
Upgrade your trolling motor’s performance today and experience the ultimate power on the water!
