Best Trolling Motor Battery

(Last Updated On: September 1, 2020)

You cannot run a trolling motor without batteries.

And finding quality batteries is important if you want to run your boat for hours.

There are different types of batteries available for trolling motors.

The most common ones are lead-acid batteries, AGM batteries, and Lithium-ion batteries. Each of these batteries has its advantages and disadvantages.

You just need to do your research to see which type of battery meets your needs. If you are looking for batteries that have a long life and deliver excellent performance, consider buying AGM batteries or Lithium-ion batteries.

But if you are looking for cheap batteries that can also deliver decent performance, lead-acid batteries would be the ideal option.

With that said, here are some of the best trolling motor batteries you can buy.

Top Pick

Optima Batteries 8016-103 D34M

• 750 Cold Cranking Amps
• Optimal Starting Power
• Up to 3x More Recharges

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Trolling Motor Batteries Comparison Chart

5 Best Trolling Motor Batteries (as of April, 2024):

1. Optima Batteries 8016-103 D34M – Best Trolling Motor AGM Battery With More Than 50 amps Review

The Optima Batteries 8016-103 D34M is your go-to battery for starting as well as deep cycling.

It is an AGM battery, which stands for absorbed glass mat.

And AGM batteries have an advantage over standard batteries in that, the lead plates inside the batteries are cushioned with a fiberglass mat.

Lead plates tend to break down quickly due to heavy vibration when the boat is at top speed. These vibrations tend to shorten the life of the lead plates. So the fiberglass mat helps resist the vibrations thereby lengthening the life of the battery.

The plates and the mat are packed so tightly together that the whole unit is literally resistant to impacts and vibrations. And since the unit is tightly and completely sealed, the is no chance of leakages.

So you can literally mount it in any position, which is quite beneficial if you don’t have much space on your boat.

The Optima Blue Top D34M has 5/16 inches studs for attaching an AGM charger. They are threaded so you can permanently attach your charger and power cables.

The D34M has CCA ratings of 750 amps, which is more than adequate to start just about any outboard. It is a dual-purpose battery so you can use it to run other electronics.

It is lightweight and it has a reserve capacity of 120 minutes, which is quite impressive. The downside is that it a small battery, so you cannot use it in big boats like bass boats, but you can use it in small boats like pontoon and other small fishing boats.

Main Features

• 12-Volt, 750 Cold Cranking Amps
• 55 Ah C20 Capacity
• Reserve Capacity Of 120 Minutes
• 15 Times More Resistant To Vibration
• Cranking Amps – 870 Ampere
• Marine Cranking Amps – 870 Ampere
• Optimal Starting Power Even In Bad Weather
• Mountable In Virtually Any Position
• Works Well As a Boat Battery Or RV Battery
• Dual SAE & 5/16″ Stainless Steel Stud Posts
• Size: 10″ x 6 7/8″ x 7 13/16″
• Weight: 43.5 pounds

2. Weize 12V100-1 – Best Trolling Motor Battery For The Money 100 Amh Review

Weize 12V100-1 is a dual-purpose AGM 12v battery that you can use to power a boat, golf cart, electric car, UPS system, wheelchair, and travel trailer just to name a few.

It is also used to power solar power systems because of its high performance.

The battery has a deep discharge recovery and a deep cycle.

So you can rely on it to run your boat and other electric equipment and tools for hours. And with a capacity of 100AH, you can fish for more than 5 hours before the battery needs a recharge.

The Weize 12v deep cycle battery weighs 60 pounds, which is heavier than many other similar batteries, but it’s built to give your years of service. So weight should not be an issue.

The dimensions of the battery are 12.09 x 6.65 x 9.17 inches, so it can fit just about any trolling motor.

There is an absorbed glass mat sealed inside the battery to keep the lead plates from breaking down quickly. This makes the battery resistant to vibrations and shock. And it is tightly sealed to prevent leakages.

So you can place it in any position on your boat without worrying that the fluid inside is going to leak.

It has a lead plated silver terminal that helps reduce power loss and ensures that you get the power that you need to run your boat.

It has an anti-overheat cover to protect the battery from overheating. This is essential because an overheated battery can be dangerous.

And lastly, the battery comes with screws for installation. But it does not come with the mounting equipment, so you would need to buy that separately.

Main Features

• Deep Cycle Battery 12V 100 Amp Hour
• Absorbed Glass Mat Technology
• Lead Plated Silver Terminal
• Valve Regulated Design
• High Performance
• Long Service Life
• Deep Discharge Recover
• Screws Included
• Size: 12.09″ x 6.65″ x 9.17″
• Weight: 60 pounds
• 30 Day Refund Policy & 1 Year Warranty

3. VMAX MR127 MA – Best Trolling Motor Battery For 80 lb Thrust Review

The VMAX MR127 MA is a 12v battery with a capacity of 100Ah.

On a single charge, this battery can run your boat for hours.

So if you are out fishing with family or friends, you can enjoy hours of fishing without needing to recharge the battery, which is a huge plus. 

VMAX 12v battery uses an electrolyte suspension system, which consists of an absorbed glass mat that absorbs vibrations.

By doing so, the mat protects the lead plates inside from touching each other thereby protecting the plates from deteriorating quickly extending the lifespan of the battery.

Another great design feature is that battery’s grid is made of tin alloy to keep the battery in excellent working condition and to give it a long life.

So this is a battery you can rely on to give you years of service. Some say it can last up to 8 years, which is incredibly impressive.

It is a heavy-duty battery, so it can produce adequate power to run your boat for hours as well as other electronics. It’s quite big in size and it weighs 68 pounds but it comes with handles for easy portability.

Main Features

• 12 Volt, Capacity of 100Ah
• Group 27 Marine Deep Cycle Battery
• Maintenence Free Battery
• Absorbed Glass Matt Of A High Porosity
• Heavy Duty Lead Tin Alloys Grids
• Ideal For a 80lb Thrust Trolling Motor
• For Extreme Weather Conditions
• Fits The MinnKota Trolling Motor Power Center
• Weight: 68 pounds
• Includes Carrying Handles

4. Odyssey 31M-PC2150ST-M – Best Trolling Motor Battery Dual Purpose Review

If you are looking for a battery that you can depend and rely on, the Odyssey 31M-PC2150ST-M Trolling Thunder Marine dual-purpose battery is just it.

The battery has a CCA of 1150amps, so its starting power is excellent.

The Odyssey has an extremely long life cycle.

It has a 70% longer life cycle, compared to other similar batteries, and it has 400 cycles at a depth of discharge of 80%.

The battery is leak-proof, thanks to the absorbent glass mat inside the battery which also protects the lead plates from grinding on each other.

When lead plates come into contact with each other, this can drastically reduce the life of the battery. So the mat not only protects the battery from leaking, but it also extends the lifespan of the battery.

If cared for properly, this battery can give you 10 years of service. Not many deep cycle batteries can last that long.

So this is definitely the type of battery you want if you go out fishing on a regular basis. It also doesn’t cost much to maintain the battery. So the maintenance cost is relatively low.

Aside from being spill-proof, the battery has a plastic exterior to protect it from scrapes and other damage. So if you accidentally bump the battery on something, it is not going to get damaged.

The battery does not take long to charge. It only takes about 4 to 6 hours for the battery to fully charge. And the charge lasts for hours even days before you need to recharge the battery, which is remarkable.

And lastly, the battery comes with a 4-year warranty. Honestly, most deep cycle batteries come with a 2-year warranty. So it’s great to see that Odyssey provides a better warranty than most batteries.

Main Features

• Cold Crank Amp (CCA) Of 1150 Amps
• Non-Spillable Design
• Vibration Resistance-Design
• Extreme Temperature Tolerant
• Operating Temperatures from -40°C (-40°F) to 80°C (176°F)
• Capable of 100% Recharge in 4-6 Hours
• 400 Cycles At 80% Depth Of Discharge
• Service Life Of Up To 10 Years
• 4 Year Full Replacement Warranty
• Size: 16.8″ x 11.1″ x 11.9″
• Weight: 77.8 pounds

5. Interstate Batteries DCM0035 – Best Trolling Motor Battery For a Small Motor Review

If you use a small trolling motor on your boat, then consider getting the Interstate Batteries DCM0035.

The 12v batteries are great for small trolling motors.

And they are popular with anglers because they are reliable, and they cost next to nothing to maintain.

These are dual-purpose batteries. You can use them to power a scooter, hoveround, wheelchair, and other electronics.

The batteries are leak-proof. It utilizes an absorbent glass mat which not only absorbs vibrations, but it also protects the battery from leaking.

The mat separates the plates inside the battery protecting them from coming into contact with one another thereby extending the battery’s life.

Both the mats and the plates are so tightly packed together that there is no chance of the fluid inside leaking. The last thing you need is a battery that leaks easily because you cannot place it in a position you like.

This is not the case with the Interstate Batteries, which you can place in any position in your boat because the battery is spill-proof.

The batteries charge quickly, which is a good thing since you don’t need to wait long before they fully charge to use them. And they keep a charge for long.

If you have a kayak that has a 24-pound thrust motor, you can low speed drive it for more than 2 hours and the batteries are still going to be at full charge.

So if you plan on going on a fishing excursion that is going to take hours, then these would be the best batteries to use. But keep in mind that these batteries are only suitable for small trolling motors, which are installed in small boats.

And finally, the batteries come with a 3-year warranty which is pretty great since many similar products come with a shorter warranty.

Main Features

• 12 Volt 35 Amp Hours Sealed Lead Acid Battery
• Absorbed Glass Matt Technology
• VRLA Valve Regulated Technology
• Spill Proof & Charges Quickly
• Vibration & Shock-Resistant
• Maintenence Free Battery
• Long Life For Deep Discharge Usage
• Size: 7.68″ x 5.16″ x 6.42″
• Weight: 22.9 pounds
• 3 Year Warranty

Buyer’s Guide

Deep cycle batteries are capable of powering your boat for hours. Many of them are dual-purpose, so they can power your boat and other electronics.

Some have a service life of up to 10 years, but this may depend on use and how well you maintain the battery. Many deep cycle batteries deliver 200 cycles and others even more before the cycle gradually declines.

So the best time to replace a deep cycle battery is when its capacity falls below 60%. And depending on the use and how you maintain it, this can happen in 2 years or 10 years.

When it comes to choosing a trolling motor battery, you need to know what you are looking for. Buying a trolling motor battery is not that straightforward. There are factors that you need to take into consideration.

So let us review these factors.

Type of Battery

The three most common types of deep cycling batteries used in trolling motors are  Lead-acid batteries, AGM batteries, and Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Lead-acid batteries are the most common. They are cheaper than AGM batteries but have a shorter life span. Lead-acid batteries can last for two years at best, but AGM batteries can last for more than 5 years.

Lead-acid batteries also heavier than AGM batteries because the lead plates inside are flooded with water. They also need maintenance because you need to check for corrosion as well as the fluid levels. Plus they are prone to leakages.

AGM batteries are leakage-free. They utilize an absorbent mat glass which protects the plates inside the battery from wearing quickly by preventing them from touching each other.

The batteries are also tightly sealed to ensure that the fluid inside does not leak. The downside is that they are quite expensive.

Lithium-ion batteries are lighter than both lead-acid and AGM batteries. They also charge more quickly and have a longer life than the two batteries. The downside is that they are expensive.

So your choice of battery is going to depend on what you can afford. If you want a battery that is durable and delivers excellent performance, AGM batteries would be the best choice.

Battery Size

Trolling motor batteries are available in different group sizes. To know which battery group size to buy depends on the size of your trolling motor.

You need to ensure that they are the right ones for your motor system and you also need to check if you have adequate space on your boat.

When it comes to battery group sizes, there are quite a number of options available. Think of the amperage hour rating when deciding on which size to buy. 

If you have a small trolling motor, to get a good run time on the motor you need a group 24 battery size, which delivers up to 85 amps per hour.

If you have a bass boat or other medium-sized boat, you need a group 27 battery size, which is capable of delivering 110 amps per hour.

For a large boat, you need a 31 group size battery, which can deliver up to 125 amps per hour. So it all depends on the amount of power you need based on the size of your boat.

Reserve Capacity

Reserve capacity is another important factor when choosing a trolling motor battery. This capacity is the amount of time a fully charged battery can last until its voltage starts going down.

A trolling motor that is 30 pounds has a maximum draw of about 30 amps. So you can run your motor continuously, for about three hours. If your trolling motor is 110 pounds, it is going to have a maximum draw of 52 amps.

So get a battery that has a high reserve capacity because it can run longer than one that has a small capacity. But this is going to depend on your needs. If your boat is for.

Weight

With deep cycle batteries, bigger is always better because that means there is more lead inside. And with more lead, it means the battery can run for a longer time before the next recharge.

If you can use a battery for long without needing to charge it, you can extend the life of the battery. Recharging a battery regularly can reduce its life.

The only problem with a large battery is that it’s heavy and carrying it around is not easy.

Charger

Using the wrong charger or a damaged charger can result in a low charge. You may charge your batteries for hours, only to find that they have a little charge or none at all.

And this can also reduce the lifespan of your battery because you have to charge it regularly.

So make sure that you buy the right charger for your batteries even if they are expensive. Otherwise, you may end up buying new batteries which is more costly.  

Warranty

Some batteries have 10-year warranties, others have 3 months warranties. You want to go with batteries that come with a good warranty. Anything above two years is great.

The Best Way to Store a Trolling Motor Battery

Proper storage of a trolling motor battery can extend its lifecycle. So here are some helpful tips on how to properly store one:

• Before you store a trolling motor battery, always make sure you have charged it. If you store it without charging it, there is going to be a sulphate build-up which can cause corrosion. As a result, your battery is not going to hold much charge. Also if the battery is corroded, its life reduces significantly.

• When a battery is stored in a hot environment, it is going to expand pushing out energy more quickly. So its discharge rate is going to be high and it may also lose its electrolyte. If you store in a cold environment, this is going to result in a low discharge rate. So the battery is forced to work harder straining the battery and as a result, reducing its lifespan. So store your battery in an environment where temperatures are not too low or high to keep in good condition and to extend its lifecycle.

• When you store your battery, don’t neglect it. Just because you are not using it doesn’t mean that you should not clean it.  Make sure to remove it occasionally for a good clean and ensure that it is fully charged.

Conclusion

AGM batteries are some of the best batteries you can buy for your trolling motor. They may be expensive, but they are leak-proof, deliver excellent performance, and have a long lifespan.