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Buying a trolling motor battery can be very confusing with all the different types and abbreviations on the market today. It’s taken me a while to grasp all the ins and outs of batteries, but I’m happy to pass all this knowledge onto you in this article to decide what the best trolling motor battery is for your circumstance.
I’ve selected seven of the best batteries for trolling motors to help make your decision easier!
If you’re in a hurry, I chose the VMAX 12V 120Ah AGM Battery as the overall best deep cycle battery for a trolling motor and the Mighty Max Battery 12 35Ah as the best budget trolling motor battery.
If you’ve got a minute let’s find what other batteries made the list so you choose the right one for your situation.
Comparison Table – The Best Trolling Motor Batteries
| Image | Features | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best 12v  | Optima 12v 55Ah Blue Top Starting and Deep Cycle Battery
| 9.7 | View Details |
Best Overall  | VMAX MR137-120 12V 120Ah AGM Deep Cycle Marine Battery
| 9.5 | View Details |
Best 24v  | Lossigy 24v 100Ah Lithium Ion Battery
| 9.1 | View Details |
Best Lithium  | Tracker Marine Lithium Deep Cycle Battery
| 8.8 | Bass Pro |
Best Budget  |
| 8.6 | View Details |
Best Kayak  | Dakota Lithium 12V 54Ah LiFePO4
| 8.2 | View Details |
Best AGM  | Weize 12V 100AH Deep Cycle AGM Battery
| 8 | View Details |
- Comparison Table – The Best Trolling Motor Batteries
- Reviews For The Best Deep Cycle Battery For A Trolling Motor
- Optima 12v 55Ah Blue Top
- VMAX 12V 120Ah AGM Deep Cycle Marine Battery
- Lossigy 24v 100Ah Lithium-Ion Battery
- Tracker Marine Lithium Deep Cycle Battery
- Mighty Max Battery 12V 35AH
- Dakota Lithium 12V 54Ah
- Weize 12V 100AH Deep Cycle AGM Battery
- Buying Guide: Factors to Consider Before Buying a Trolling Motor Battery
- You'll Also Need
- Final Thoughts
Reviews For The Best Deep Cycle Battery For A Trolling Motor
Optima 12v 55Ah Blue Top
BEST 12-VOLT TROLLING MOTOR BATTERY
Specs
- 12-Volt batteries
- 55Ah
- 43.5 Pounds
- Lead-Acid
Pros
- Well recognized brand
- Starting and deep cycle marine battery
- Spillproof, mount in many ways
- Maintenance-free
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Only 55Ah
Why We Chose It
Optima Batteries is a well-respected brand in the battery industry. They are highly trusted by many professional anglers, who demand the most from their trolling motor batteries.
The Blue Top is designed to be a boat or RV battery, so it’s sealed, and you can mount it nearly any way you need to, besides upside-down. I like this battery. After all, it can double as a starting battery if other batteries fail because it has 870 cold-cranking amps.
The downside to this battery is that it’s only 55Ah, so it won’t last for a long time if you’re trolling motor pulls a lot of amps, which most do when moving a bass boat. However, the heavy-duty battery is maintenance-free, so you only have to be concerned with keeping it charged and ready for a fun day of fishing.
The Optima 12v 55Ah Blue Top is the best 12-volt trolling motor dual-purpose battery because it doubles as a starting and deep cycle battery. If you own a brushless trolling motor, buying two or three of these batteries will give you the maximum power you need.
VMAX 12V 120Ah AGM Deep Cycle Marine Battery
BEST OVERALL TROLLING MOTOR BATTERY
Specs
- 12-Volts
- 120Ah
- 75 pounds
- Lead-Acid AGM
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Maintenance-free
- Shock and vibration resistance
- Mount in any position
Cons
- Heavy
- Need two for 24-Volt trolling motors and three for 36-Volt trolling motors
Why We Chose It
The VMAX AGM Deep Cycle Marine Battery offers any angler long last power. I love the fact that it’s maintenance-free. That’s one less thing to worry about!
The weight of the battery is less than ideal, especially if you need two or three to power your trolling motor. However, they can be mounted in any position so that you can maximize the space in your boat.
The Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) in the VMAX makes it superior to Wet Lead-Acid Batteries because it is more resistant to shock and vibrations, which happens a lot in a boat bouncing across the top of waves.
The VMAX AGM Deep Cycle Marine Battery is for anglers who need a long-lasting trolling motor battery. So if you like to use your trolling motor constantly, then you should at least one up, and maybe two or three depending on the voltage of your trolling motor.
Lossigy 24v 100Ah Lithium-Ion Battery
BEST 24-VOLT TROLLING MOTOR BATTERY
Specs
- 24v
- 100 amp hour
- 50lbs
- Lithium-Phosphate
Pros
- Single battery for 24-volts
- Lighter than other 100Ah batteries
- Long-lasting
- Maintenance-free
Cons
- Expensive
- Bulky
- It needs a special lithium-ion compatible battery charger.
Why We Chose It
The Lossigy 24v trolling battery is surprisingly lightweight than 24v lead-acid batteries or two 12v batteries. This means you can add more tackle in your boat instead of worrying about going over the weight limit because your batteries are so heavy.
When running a trolling motor that requires at least 24-volts, I prefer one battery to keep things simple. However, this means I could run out of juice and cut my trip short. That’s why the 100Ah is excellent; you’re very unlikely to run the battery down in a single trip if it’s fully charged.
Some trolling motors are not compatible with lithium-ion batteries, so check your trolling motor recommendations to be safe.
The Lossigy 24v 100Ah Lithium-Ion Battery is for anglers who own a trolling motor that requires at least 24-volts to power it and is compatible with lithium-ion batteries.
Tracker Marine Lithium Deep Cycle Battery
BEST LITHIUM BATTERY FOR TROLLING MOTORS
Specs
- 12-volt
- 60Ah, 80Ah, 100Ah
- 20lbs
- Lithium-iron phospahte
Pros
- Lightweight
- Long-lasting
- 5,000 charging cycles
- Mount in several positions
- Maintenance-free battery
Cons
- Expensive
- Needs lithium charger
- Not all trolling motors are compatible
Why We Chose It
Lithium batteries are slowly taking over because they are lighter and longer-lasting than lead-acid batteries. The Tracker Marine Lithium Deep Cycle Battery is no different. They claim you can eliminate 200lbs from your boat with a four battery system by switching to this battery.
I love that you have options in which group size of batteries you want. Group 24 is 60Ah, Group 27 is 80Ah, and Group 31 is 100Ah, so you can pick exactly how long you need to stay on the water.
Because some trolling motors aren’t compatible with lithium-ion batteries, like I discussed in my Newport Vessels Trolling Motor review, you must check to ensure your trolling motor is compatible with this battery. Otherwise, it won’t function properly.
I recommend the Tracker Marine Deep Cycle Lithium Battery to any boater looking to save weight and have a powerful, long-lasting battery. It is the best 12v 100ah lithium battery for a trolling motor.
Mighty Max Battery 12V 35AH
BEST TROLLING MOTOR BATTERY ON A BUDGET
Specs
- 12v
- 35Ah
- 23lbs
- Lead-acid
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Maintenance-free
- Spill-proof
- Mount in any position
Cons
- Only 35Ah, so it doesn’t last long
- Heavy for the amount of power
Why We Chose It
The Mighty Max Battery 12v 35Ah is the best budget-friendly trolling motor battery. It’s very inexpensive compared to other deep-cycle batteries. However, that means there are some drawbacks.
The battery won’t last long if you’re continuously running the trolling motor, so you might need to purchase another for a backup. Still, if you’re going to do that, you might as well spend the extra on a higher-quality and longer-lasting battery.
Because it is spill-proof, you can mount it just about anywhere you need, and you won’t have to worry about getting to it for maintenance purposes.
The Mighty Max 12 35Ah Battery is for anglers and boaters on a budget. It’s also a decent option to power a kayak, though it is a little heavy, which is why it’s not the best kayak trolling motor battery; it is excellent for small boats.
Dakota Lithium 12V 54Ah
BEST KAYAK TROLLING MOTOR BATTERY
Specs
- 12v
- 54Ah
- 17.6lbs
- Lithium
Pros
- Battery Management System (BMS)
- 2,000 charging cycles
- Lightweight
- Maintenance-free
Cons
- Expensive
- Requires a LiFePO4 battery charger
- It isn’t compatible with all trolling motors
Why We Chose It
The Dakota Lithium 12v 54Ah battery is excellent for kayak anglers because it’s lightweight and compact. We’re limited on space and weight as kayak anglers, so we must maximize both when given the opportunity because of our smaller boats.
The Battery Management System protects the battery from high temperatures, short-circuiting, and low/high voltage cutoff. It’s just another feature that helps protect your battery so you can focus on fishing.
The two major sticking points are the price, and they’re not compatible with every kayak trolling motor, which you can read further in my best trolling motors for kayaks article. Dakota recommends their LiFePO4 charger to avoid harming the battery. Using a traditional lead-acid battery charger could reduce the life of the lithium battery.
The Dakota Lithium 12v 54Ah Battery is for any kayak angler who owns a small trolling motor compatible with LiFePO4 batteries.
Weize 12V 100AH Deep Cycle AGM Battery
BEST AGM TROLLING MOTOR BATTERY
Specs
- 12-volt batteries
- 100Ah
- 60 lbs
- Sealed lead-acid
Pros
- Maintenance-free
- Long-lasting charge
- Spillproof
Cons
- Heavy
- According to a couple of reviewers, labeling is misleading, technically a 50Ah.
Why We Chose It
For the price, the Weize 12v 100Ah AGM Deep Cycle Battery is tough to beat even though it’s heavy and doesn’t last as long as the description claims. It’s a sealed lead-acid battery, so it’s spill-proof and maintenance-free, so that’s two fewer things to worry about for your boat maintenance.
Because it is a lead-acid AGM battery, it’s heavier than lithium batteries of equal power, but it’s also cheaper. The Absorbed Glass Mat is a step up from traditional Wet Cell Lead-Acid batteries, but it’s not the latest technology on the market.
After testing it, some reviewers concluded it was closer to a 50Ah battery than a 100Ah so that it won’t last as long as other 100Ah batteries.
The Weize 12 100Ah AGM Deep Cycle Battery is for the angler still skeptical of lithium batteries or can’t afford to spend a fortune on trolling motor batteries.
Buying Guide: Factors to Consider Before Buying a Trolling Motor Battery
One might think that buying a trolling motor battery is straightforward. Oh, how I wish that were the case. Several considerations must be taken to ensure you purchase the best trolling motor battery for your circumstance. Understanding some of the terminology used will go a long way to helping you make the best decision.
Let’s start with the different types of trolling motor batteries available.
Lead-Acid Wet-Cell
Lead-acid wet-cell batteries are what your grandpa and dad probably used. They are generally cheaper, but they have some significant drawbacks, including weight, maintenance, and spillage.
Wet-cell batteries are heavy, and you must mount them upright to keep them from leaking all over your boat. They also require a little maintenance, meaning you need to top off the water and keep them free of corrosion.
Wet-cell batteries rarely last longer than four years, so you will replace them more often than a Lead-Acid AGM battery.
Lead-Acid AGM
Your father and grandfather probably currently use a Lead-Acid AGM battery; at least mine does. The AGM stands for Absorbed Glass Mat. The AGM coats the lead plates inside the battery, making these batteries more efficient and having longer lifespans than Wet-Cell batteries.
AGM batteries are just as heavy as Wet-Cell batteries, but they last longer, don’t require maintenance and are spill-proof. This means you can mount them any way you might need (except upside down) to make them fit into your boat.
Though AGM batteries are a step up from Wet-Cell batteries in many areas, they still fall short of Lithium-Ion batteries in nearly every way.
Lithium-Ion (LiFePO4)
The best trolling motor batteries on the market today are Lithium-Ion batteries. They are usually half the weight of Lead-Acid batteries and have a battery life twice as long due to their durability. Lithium batteries don’t need to be maintained, and they can be mounted in nearly any position. The one con for LiFePO4 batteries is the price.
The price is hard to swallow because it’s often double the price of AGM or Wet-Cell batteries. If you’re just getting into fishing and using a trolling motor, it’s probably best to buy a different type until you figure out precisely what you need from your trolling motor battery.
While Lithium-Ion trolling motor batteries are the best, they are not the most popular because they cannot be run alongside Lead-Acid batteries, and they need a special LiFePO4 battery charger. So the old-timers are reluctant to switch over but more and more realize the significant benefits Lithium batteries offer.
Ampere Hour (Ah)
The Ampere Hour is the amount of energy stored in the battery. So the larger the Ah the longer the runtime you will get out of the battery. Let’s imagine your trolling motor draws 10amps, it will run for 10 hours on a 100Ah battery but if it draws 50amps it will only run for 2 hours on the same battery.
It’s crucial to the amperage your trolling motor will draw so you can purchase your trolling motor batteries’ amp hour rating accordingly.
Maintenance-Free
When buying a trolling motor battery I prefer it to be maintenance-free. Maybe because I’m a little lazy but mostly because I’m forgetful and would rather focus on other priorities than topping off my trolling motor battery water levels.
I want to charge it and use it. Keep it simple!
Weight
Your boat has a weight limit, and you want to stay as far below that limit as possible. However, batteries are heavy and necessary so the best way to cut weight is to purchase lightweight batteries.
More weight no longer equals better battery performance. When boaters have switched from Wet-Cell and AGM batteries to high-quality Lithium-Ion batteries, they saved 100-200 pounds by switching four batteries.
You’ll Also Need
Assuming you’ve already purchased a trolling motor, there are a few other accessories you will need to purchase.
Battery Charger
Some batteries come with a battery charger, however, most do not. The best practice is to fully charge your battery before your initial use. Buying a trickle charger is another wise investment to ensure your battery is always topped off without overcharging it.
Lead-Acid batteries require a different charger than Lithium-Ion batteries. I use a charger that will charge either as long as the settings are selected for the type of battery you’re about to charge.
Battery Box
If your boat doesn’t have an area designed to hold your trolling motor batteries buying a battery box for each battery can help keep the batteries secure. You will still need to secure the battery box but it offers another layer of protection for your battery.
Battery Cables
Depending on where you place your batteries and if you’re running multiple batteries in series to boost the power you might need battery cables. Having spare cables is always a good idea if a wire begins to short out.
Battery Leads/Connectors
You need a way to connect the battery cables to the battery, that’s where battery leads or connectors come into play. Battery leads won’t be as secure,e but they will quickly connect or disconnect the battery.
Circuit Breaker/Fuse
A circuit breaker is a must to protect your trolling motor. If you get a power surge the breaker will trip instead of burning up your motor. I’d much rather flip a switch or press a button than replace a trolling motor! Heck, replacing a fuse is much better than replacing a motor so at least use a fuse to protect your trolling motor.
Final Thoughts
No matter your price range you can find the best trolling motor battery for your situation. I recommend the VMAX MR137-120 12V 120Ah AGM Deep Cycle Marine Battery if you need the best overall.
However, if you’re like me and stick to a budget I would go with the Mighty Max Battery 12V 35AH it’s a great battery unless you’re going to be heavy on the trolling motor.
If you think we didn’t mention the best trolling motor battery, then leave us a comment below telling us what it is!
