A battery for trolling motor use is a deep cycle battery that supplies steady power to an electric trolling motor for hours, rather than a short burst like a starter battery. The main choices are AGM lead acid batteries, which cost less and weigh more, and lithium iron phosphate batteries, which are lighter and last longer but cost more. Voltage, amp hour capacity, weight, size and the motor thrust you run matter most.
What is the best battery for a trolling motor? Based on ratings and rating volume, the Renogy 12V 100Ah AGM battery and the Mighty Max AGM batteries have the strongest rating volume here, while Litime lithium batteries are a lighter option rated 4.6 to 4.7.
In short, the best battery for trolling motor use is a deep cycle AGM or lithium with the right amp hours: match the battery voltage to your motor, choose AGM for lower cost or lithium for less weight, and check the size, capacity and charger needs on the exact listing.
Check your trolling motor voltage, since 12V, 24V and 36V motors need matching batteries or banks. Compare amp hour capacity with how long you fish, and check that the battery fits your boat and its weight. Use a charger made for the battery chemistry and wire it as the motor maker advises.
This guide was written by researching customer ratings and product listings, not by testing each product ourselves. Below you will find our top three, how we chose, a comparison table, nine picks with honest pros and cons, a buying guide, tips and answers to common questions.
Recommended Batteries for Trolling Motors
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. These are research-based picks, not products we have tested. How we choose.
Our Top 3 Picks
BEST OVERALL Renogy 12 Volt 100Ah Deep Cycle AGM Battery. A Renogy 12-volt 100Ah deep cycle AGM battery for trolling motor and RV use, rated 4.4 across about 3,500 ratings.
BEST MID-SIZE AGM Mighty Max Battery 12V 55Ah Power Boat Electric Trolling Motor. A Mighty Max 12V 55Ah AGM battery for power boats and electric trolling motors, rated 4.6 across about 1,700 ratings.
BEST MIGHTY MAX 100AH Mighty Max Battery 12V 100AH Deep Cycle. A Mighty Max 12V 100Ah deep cycle battery, rated 4.4 across about 535 ratings.
How We Chose These Products
We started from Amazon listings for batteries for trolling motors and kept products rated 4.3 stars or higher, favoring those with at least 500 ratings. We allowed no more than two products per brand. B0CT43QFML,B0HD7C6FPS picks have fewer than 500 ratings and are marked as such in their notes.
Comparison Table
| Pick | Type and capacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Renogy 12 Volt 100Ah Deep Cycle AGM Battery | 12V 100Ah AGM | Value |
| Mighty Max Battery 12V 55Ah Power Boat Electric Trolling Motor | 12V 55Ah AGM | Smaller boats |
| Mighty Max Battery 12V 100AH Deep Cycle | 12V 100Ah AGM | Longer outings |
| Litime 12V 100Ah Trolling Motor LiFePO4 Battery | 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 | Light weight |
| Litime 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery Group 27 | 12V 100Ah, Group 27 | Tray fit |
| WattCycle 12.8V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery BCI Group 24 | 12.8V 100Ah, Group 24 | Smaller trays |
| ECO-WORTHY Portable 12V Lithium Battery 20Ah | 12V 20Ah lithium | Small motors |
| Newport 12V 50Ah Deep Cycle AGM Marine Battery | 12V 50Ah AGM | Small boats |
| 24V 50Ah Lithium Trolling Motor Battery | 24V 50Ah lithium | 24V motors |
The 9 Best Batteries for Trolling Motors
1. Renogy 12 Volt 100Ah Deep Cycle AGM Battery
BEST OVERALL
A Renogy 12-volt 100Ah deep cycle AGM battery, rated 4.4 across about 3,500 ratings.
Best for: Value
2. Mighty Max Battery 12V 55Ah Power Boat Electric Trolling Motor
BEST MID-SIZE AGM
A Mighty Max 12V 55Ah AGM battery for power boats and electric trolling motors, rated 4.6 across about 1,700 ratings.
Best for: Smaller boats
3. Mighty Max Battery 12V 100AH Deep Cycle
BEST MIGHTY MAX 100AH
A Mighty Max 12V 100Ah deep cycle battery, rated 4.4 across about 535 ratings.
Best for: Longer outings
4. Litime 12V 100Ah Trolling Motor LiFePO4 Battery
BEST LITHIUM
A Litime 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 trolling motor battery, rated 4.7 across about 650 ratings.
Best for: Light weight
5. Litime 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery Group 27
BEST GROUP 27 LITHIUM
A Litime 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery in Group 27 size, rated 4.6 across about 570 ratings.
Best for: Tray fit
6. WattCycle 12.8V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery BCI Group 24
BEST GROUP 24
A WattCycle 12.8V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery in BCI Group 24, rated 4.3 across about 590 ratings.
Best for: Smaller trays
7. ECO-WORTHY Portable 12V Lithium Battery 20Ah
BEST COMPACT
An ECO-WORTHY portable 12V 20Ah lithium battery for trolling motor use on kayaks, rated 4.5 across about 530 ratings.
Best for: Small motors
8. Newport 12V 50Ah Deep Cycle AGM Marine Battery
BEST NEWPORT AGM
A Newport 12V 50Ah deep cycle AGM marine battery, rated 4.4 across about 460 ratings.
Best for: Small boats
9. 24V 50Ah Lithium Trolling Motor Battery
BEST 24V
A 24V 50Ah lithium trolling motor battery, rated 4.4 across about 400 ratings.
Best for: 24V motors
How to Choose a Battery for Trolling Motor Use
| Factor | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Voltage | Match 12V, 24V or 36V to your motor setup. |
| Capacity | Higher amp hours run longer between charges. |
| Chemistry | AGM costs less; lithium is lighter and lasts longer. |
| Size and weight | Check that it fits the boat and its weight limit. |
| Charger | Use a charger made for your battery type. |
Buying and Care Tips
- Check your motor voltage first.
- Use the right charger for AGM or lithium.
- Do not discharge lead acid batteries too deeply.
- Secure the battery in a vented box or tray.
Honest Limits
- We did not test these products. The notes come from listings and customer ratings.
- Only a limited number of trolling motor batteries met our rating and volume rules, so this list has nine picks instead of ten.
- Two picks have fewer than 500 ratings.
- We allowed two products each from Mighty Max and Litime, which is within our two-per-brand limit.
- No single authority source covers every trolling motor battery.
- B0CT43QFML,B0HD7C6FPS picks have fewer than 500 ratings, so their scores are less reliable.
- Prices, colors, sizes and bundles change often on Amazon, so check the current listing.
- There is no single official authority source for this topic, so this guide relies on listing details and ratings.
Who Should (and Should Not) Buy a Lithium Battery for Trolling Motor Use
A lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery for trolling motor duty makes the most sense if you fish several times a month, carry the battery in and out of a small boat or kayak, or run a 24-volt or 36-volt system where lead acid weight adds up fast. The weight saving is dramatic: a 100Ah lithium pack weighs roughly a third of a comparable AGM.
On the other hand, an AGM battery is still the better buy for occasional anglers, for boats that sit unused all winter, and for anyone who already owns a good lead acid charger. Lithium also needs a charger with a lithium profile and a motor that tolerates its higher voltage. Minn Kota, for example, recommends a deep cycle marine battery of at least 110 amp hours for its motors and advises running at or below 85 percent speed on lithium (see Minn Kota battery recommendations). Whichever battery for trolling motor use you choose, a starting battery is never the right pick, because it is built for short bursts rather than long, deep discharges.
Battery for Trolling Motor Capacity by Boat and Thrust
Capacity needs depend on motor thrust, how fast you run and how long you stay out. Consequently, size the battery to a full day at moderate speed rather than to the motor label alone.
| Setup | Motor thrust | System voltage | Suggested capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kayak or canoe | 30 to 45 lb | 12 V | 50 Ah lithium or 55 to 75 Ah AGM |
| Jon boat or small aluminum boat | 45 to 55 lb | 12 V | 100 Ah lithium or 100 to 120 Ah AGM |
| Bass boat, bow mount | 70 to 80 lb | 24 V | Two 100 Ah batteries in series, or one 24 V 100 Ah |
| Large bass or walleye boat | 100 to 112 lb | 36 V | Three 100 Ah batteries in series, or one 36 V pack |
As a rough rule, a motor drawing 30 amps at full speed empties a 100Ah lithium battery in about three hours, but at half speed the draw falls sharply and the same battery can last a full day. Most anglers run well below full throttle.
Common Mistakes When Buying a Battery for Trolling Motor Power
- Using a car or starting battery. It will work for a few trips, then fail. Deep cycle construction is essential.
- Comparing AGM and lithium amp hours directly. Lead acid should only be discharged to about 50 percent, so a 100Ah AGM delivers roughly the usable capacity of a 60Ah lithium.
- Ignoring continuous discharge rating. A lithium battery whose BMS is limited to 50 amps will shut down under a 36-volt motor at full power. Match the rating to the motor peak draw.
- Mixing old and new batteries in series. The weakest battery limits the set and can be damaged. Replace series batteries together.
- Skipping the charger upgrade. A lead acid charger may never fully charge lithium, and some will trigger the BMS. Use a charger with a LiFePO4 mode.
Battery for Trolling Motor Care and Charging
Charging habits decide whether a battery lasts two seasons or ten. First, recharge after every outing; Minn Kota notes that leaving lead acid batteries discharged for more than a day is the leading cause of early failure. Then follow this routine:
- Use an onboard or smart charger that matches the chemistry, and let it finish the full cycle.
- Keep terminals clean and tight, and coat them lightly with dielectric grease to slow corrosion in a damp bilge.
- Secure the battery in a box or tray with a strap. A loose battery can short against the hull or tip in rough water.
- Store AGM batteries fully charged, topping up monthly. Store lithium at around 50 to 70 percent charge in a cool, dry place.
- Check voltage before each trip. A 12-volt AGM at rest should read about 12.7 volts; a lithium about 13.3 volts.
How to Spot a Low-Quality Battery for Trolling Motor Listing
Battery listings are full of inflated numbers. Therefore, look for these warning signs:
- No continuous discharge current or BMS rating given for a lithium battery.
- Cycle life claims above 5,000 with no depth-of-discharge figure.
- No UL, IEC or UN38.3 test markings for lithium cells.
- A group size that does not match the stated dimensions.
- Reviews that mention the battery arriving with low voltage, swelling or the BMS cutting out under light loads.
Alternatives to a Dedicated Battery for Trolling Motor Use
If you only fish a few times a year, renting or borrowing a boat with its own electrics may beat owning a battery that sits idle. Kayak anglers with short outings can use a small 20Ah lithium pack like the ECO-WORTHY above, and a portable power station with a 12-volt output can double as a camp power source. For late-season trips, a reliable headlamp and a packable rain poncho matter as much as runtime, and a 12V heater run from a separate battery keeps cold mornings bearable without draining the motor supply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best battery for a trolling motor?
Based on ratings and volume, Renogy, Mighty Max and Litime lead this list.
AGM or lithium?
AGM costs less; lithium is lighter and lasts longer.
What voltage do I need?
Match your trolling motor voltage, such as 12V, 24V or 36V.
How many amp hours?
More amp hours run longer; match it to your fishing time.
Can I use a car battery?
A deep cycle battery is made for steady discharge.
What charger do I need?
Use one made for your battery chemistry.
Can I mix batteries?
Use matching batteries in a bank, as the motor maker advises.
How long do they last?
It depends on chemistry, use and care.
Are they safe in a boat?
Secure them and follow the maker instructions.
Are the lower-rated picks worth buying?
All picks are rated 4.3 or higher.
How many amp hours should a battery for trolling motor use have?
Around 50Ah lithium for a kayak, 100Ah for a small boat with a 12-volt motor, and 100Ah per battery for 24 or 36-volt systems. Size for a full day at moderate speed.
Can I run a trolling motor on a lithium battery?
Yes, provided the battery continuous discharge rating exceeds the motor maximum draw and the motor maker allows it. Some brands advise keeping speed at or below about 85 percent on lithium.
How long does a battery for trolling motor use last?
A well-maintained AGM lasts about three to five seasons. A quality LiFePO4 battery is typically rated for 3,000 or more cycles, which is ten years or more of weekend fishing.
The Bottom Line
For most anglers, the Renogy 12V 100Ah AGM battery is a safe value pick here, and a Litime lithium battery is a lighter option.
Whatever you choose, match the voltage to your motor and use the right charger.
Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.