Electric Trolling Motors: Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Picks (2023 Updates)

The electric trolling motor has evolved greatly in the past decades to be much more powerful, efficient, and easy to use, making it an indispensable piece of equipment for angler boats, kayaks, canoes, and other smaller boats.

Looking to get a decent electric trolling motor for your boat?

You will possibly get lost in the endless trolling motor options on the market, with similar designs, various features, different specs and in a wide price range across different brands.

So where should you start to get the best electric trolling motor that suits your specific needs?

No worries. I’ve done all the research for you and compiled this comprehensive guide to help you get started and make a wise pick.

In this post, you will learn all the basics about electric trolling motors, the top things to consider before buying an electric boat motor outboard, the best motor recommendations, pro tips to save money, etc.

Note: Click the links below to jump to the right piece of information you need:

Table of content:

• Get Started: Electric Trolling Motor Basics
• Are Electric Trolling Motors Worth It?
• Buying Guide: Top 5 Things to Consider
• Best Electric Trolling Motors with Reviews
• How to Save on Buying Electric Trolling Motor?
• Frequently Asked Questions (Updating)

Electric Trolling Motor Basics

First things first, let’s learn some fundamental basics about electric trolling motors to make sure we are on the same page for further discussion.

1. What is an Electric Trolling Motor?

An electric trolling motor is a small self-contained motor that provides clean, quiet, and consistent propulsion for boats at low trolling speeds. There are several crucial things you need to know about the small electric trolling motor for boat:

#1. Bow Mount vs Transom Mount

There are bow and transom mount electric trolling motor types depending on where the motor mounts to the boat.

The bow mount electric trolling motor is located at the front of the boat which hauls the boat through the water. It’s especially popular among anglers (almost exclusively used for fishing) with versatile features and controls.

The transom mounted outboard clamped on the rear of the boats which pushes the boat through the water. It’s usually used as general boat propulsion.

#2. Hand, Foot & Remote Control

Usually, you have three different control options for the electric trolling motor, including hand control (via the built-in tiller), foot control (via foot pedal), and remote control (via remote controller).

#3. 12V, 24V & 36V Trolling Motor

If you’ve searched around, you will find three electric trolling motor options: 12-volt, 24-volt and 36-volt ones.

What’s the difference?

To put it easily, the voltage implies the power level (lbs of thrust). The more voltage the electric trolling motor is labeled with, the higher power and longer battery life it has.

Another important thing to note is that a 12V small electric trolling motor only requires one battery, whereas a 24V one requires two batteries and 36V requires three to work.

Wondering how big of an electric trolling motor you need? Continue reading our buying guide for quick answers.

#4. Electric Trolling Motor vs Outboard

Remember that electric trolling motors are not outboards.

Although coming with similar designs and looks, trolling motors and outboards are different things for various purposes.

Electric trolling motors (where the output is measured in lbs. of thrust, typically 30 lbs to 112 lbs) provide low trolling speed for small boats (kayak, canoe, and small fishing boats), while electric boat motor outboards (where the output is measured in HP, typically 1 HP to 10 HP) are much more powerful and are used as the vessel’s primary source of propulsion.

You can feel the speed and performance difference immediately if you get a chance to have a test ride.

According to our test on the Hobie pro angler, an electric outboard can get to 6.1 mph, towing at 4.1mph, while the small electric trolling motor tops out at 4 mph.

That being said, the electric trolling motor still provides sufficient power for a lot of applications, including fishing, with a bunch of useful features, at more affordable prices.

2. How Does Electric Trolling Motor Work

Electric trolling motors work in a simple way with easy operation.

Generally speaking, an electric trolling motor consists of the shaft, thrust, control, propeller, motor, battery charger, and the terminal end (to connect to the battery).

In theory, the electric current creates a magnetic field that powers the permanent magnet motor in the propeller hub, which turns the propeller.

To make the small electric trolling motors work, you just need to control the outboard through its handle (or foot pedal/remote) and the propeller will twist in the water to provide propulsion for the boat.

Considering the way electric trolling motors work, the bare bone you will need to start your fishing is a basic trolling motor pack (such as the 100 dollar Minn Kota Endura) and a deep cycle battery (such as the 80 dollar Miady battery). This will be the lowest-cost setup.

From here, you may upgrade to more versatile packages such as the 100 Ah lithium battery pack with an XI3 GPS electric trolling motor. That way, you can have spot lock and hand held remote but the price will amount to over $1000.

Click to see more electric trolling motor recommendations with reviews.

Are Electric Trolling Motors Worth It?

These days, electric trolling motors are getting prevalent, and a basic setup can cost hundreds (even thousands) of dollars.

No one wants to waste their hard-earned money on some useless water toy. Are electric trolling motors worth it?

In fact, the value of electric trolling motors depends on your applications.

For anglers, the electric trolling motor is a game changer. It not only provides quiet propulsion (that won’t spook fish) with easy control, but also makes your fishing more efficient than ever before:

For example, the spot lock feature allows you to stay in one spot against current or wind without deploying a physical anchor. More importantly, it provides a superior boating experience with no smell and no noise, so you won’t spook fish.

It’s also perfect for smaller boats (such as tenders, dinghies, kayaks, canoes, pontoon boat, etc) or if you want to boat on small lakes just for cruising. A lot of users are surprised by its performance after they tried it:

For example, the Newport Vessels Kayak Series, a basic 55-pound thrust electric trolling motor, can go 5 miles per hour in smooth water and last 2 hours. If you adjust the speed to lower settings, it can last up to 16 hours!

However, if you are planning to go for long trips as the main power source, the electric trolling motors might not be an option due to their limited range, speed, and energy (compared with the outboard motor).

Why are trolling motors so expensive?

Electric trolling motors for boats sell at a higher price for some good reasons: electric boating is a relatively new technology that involves a lot of R&D investment. The good news is that the price is likely to decrease in the future as technology becomes more mature and on a larger scale.

Also, the batteries used to power electric trolling motors are expensive. However, you can save on gasoline bills, making it a cost-effective option in the long run.

Anyways, electrification is the trend and electric trolling motors have already got their place in a lot of boating applications, and they are still evolving to satisfy your demands at a faster speed than you think.

Click here to learn some pro tips to buy cheap electric trolling motors.

Buying Guide: Top 5 Things to Consider for Best Picks

Frustrated in searching for ideal electric trolling motors among so many options available on the market?

Reading our exhaustive guide helps you save time to target the best motor and spend the money wisely.

Now let’s go through the top 5 considerations one by one to narrow down your options effectively.

#1. Thrust & Voltage

How big of an electric trolling motor do I need?

You need to make sure that the electric trolling motor is powerful enough to overcome the possible winds and currents, but without being an overkill.

The rule of thumb is to have at least 2lb of thrust for every 100lb of gross weight of the boat (including people and gear). If there is any significant wind or current, you will need more thrust.

In terms of voltage, it indicates the power your trolling motor requires from the battery. You will need one battery for every 12 volts of the electric trolling motor. The higher voltage, the greater the motor thrust (and more batteries).

Combining the correlative information of thrust, voltage, boat weight, and length, here is a simple chart that indicates the size of electric trolling motor for different boat ranges:

Boat Weight (lb)	Maximum Boat Length (ft)	Motor Thrust (lbs)	Motor Voltage (v)	Number of Battery
1500 or less	14	30	12	1
2000	17-18	40-45	12	1
2500	20-21	50-55	12	1
3000 – 3500	23	70	24	2
4000	25	80	24	2
4500 or more	25+	101-112	36	3

Notice: More thrust is not always better, and increasing thrust does not necessarily mean higher speed. In fact, a 55 lbs thrust electric trolling motor will not move a boat much faster than the 30 lbs counterpart. The extra thrust is mostly intended for heavier boats instead of faster speeds.

#2. Shaft Length

The next important thing you need to decide on is the electric trolling motor shaft length.

If it’s too long (with the motor being too deep in the water), it will produce more drag that affects speed and drains your battery life. If it’s too short (with the motor head being too shallow), it will produce cavitation bubbles and noise that spook the fish.

The rule of thumb is to submerge the center of the motor section at least 12” of water. Remember to add an extra 5” if you fish in rough waters.

In real-world applications, you need to measure from the mounting surface to the water surface and add 20” to get the minimum shaft length.

With that measurement, you can also use the table below to find the right electric trolling motor shaft length:

	Mounting Surface to Waterline	Recommended Shaft Length
Bow Mount Electric Trolling Motor	0” to 10”	36”
	16” to 22”	42” to 45”
	22” to 28”	48” to 52”
	28” to 44”	54” to 72”
	45”+	87”
Transom Mount Electric Trolling Motor	0” to 10”	30”
	10” to 16”	36”
	16” to 22”	42”
	22”+	Consult Factory

Further Reading: How to Measure Outboard Shaft Length

#3. Freshwater or Seawater

Now a lot of electric trolling motors are available in both freshwater and saltwater versions to satisfy anglers fishing in different waters.

The main difference is their ability to resist corrosion. The saltwater electric trolling motors are designed with protective layers on all metallic parts and fully-encapsulated electronics to guard against corrosion, and thus, they are more expensive compared with their freshwater counterparts.

It’s an easy and straightforward choice depending on your specific use cases.

Wondering about using a freshwater trolling motor in saltwater to save some money?

Although it works, the electric trolling motor might not last as long and will lose the warranty.

Personally, I don’t think it’s worth the risk and will choose to upgrade to a saltwater version.

If you just use the trolling motor occasionally on saltwater, it should be good to go with proper precautions. For example, use fresh water to rinse the motor and cover the metal parts with oil or grease.

#4. Functionality

The electric trolling motor price eventually comes down to the features you need.

A basic trolling motor costs around $100, while a fully furnished one can cost over $3000.

Here are some features you might consider adding to your electric trolling motor setup:

• Remote Control: It allows you to control the outboard wirelessly
• Auto-Deploy: It allows the motor to drop in the water automatically at the push of a button
• Spot Lock: It allows you to lock onto fishing spots without touching the electric trolling motor
• GPS: It helps record and retrace paths on the water
• Fish Finder Sonar: It can detect fish and underwater topography, providing you with a clear picture underneath your hull

You may check and mark the features important to you and select the best electric trolling motors on the list below accordingly. That way, you can get an ideal electric trolling motor that’s customized to your needs and make the best use of it.

#5. Dealer Support

Last but not least, you need to check the accessibility of dealer support if anything goes wrong.

People tend to overlook the importance of a nearby dealer network which could cause potential trouble and pain in the future, especially if you are not technically inclined.

That’s where big brands shine.

If budget allows, buy electric trolling motors from big names with a long history, such as Minn Kota, MotorGuide, Newport Vessels, etc. They are more experienced in dealing with all kinds of customers’ queries with reliable warranty and after-sales policy (Note: Two-year warranty is standard in this industry).

The best scenario is that you can find a dealer nearby who can handle your inquiries and help troubleshoot any problems that may occur. You can easily confirm this by visiting their official website.

Best Electric Trolling Motors: Our Top 5 Picks (with Reviews)

So now, with enough knowledge, we’ve got to the most crucial step: browse all electric trolling motor options and select the one that suits you best.

It could be a pain for you to go through websites, read catalogs, manuals, and reviews to compare all models.

To make things easy for you, we’ve tested and selected the best electric trolling motors based on the features, specs, prices, as well as real-world users’ experiences.

Rest assured, they are all from reliable brands with solid support and hundreds and thousands of happy customers worldwide.

1. Minn Kota Endura C2 Transom Mount Trolling Motor

This Minn Kota setup is one of the most popular electric trolling motors in the business. Selling at an affordable price, it’s ideal for people who simply want a quiet and discreet ride with adequate power.

The small electric trolling motor is available in a wide power and shaft range to accommodate different boat sizes. However, remember that it’s designed for freshwater use only.

This electric trolling motor is also beginners friendly. The 12V system only needs one battery to work, making it easy to install and mount – there is no complex wiring as the 24V or 36V trolling motor requires.

It features a five-speed control system with smooth and simple operation. If you are looking for a reliable, easy-to-use and efficient electric trolling motor for your small boat, the Endura C2 is a great option.

Note: Although this is a transom mount trolling motor, you can still use it as a bow mount. You just need to remove the control head and reconnect it backward.

Customer Review:

“My notion is that if you have a 14ft boat or less, this engine is adequate. No need to break the bank if you’re on a budget. For my purposes, it is perfect!“

Further Reading: Check out our comprehensive product review to learn more about this electric trolling motor.

2. Minn Kota Terrova iPilot Trolling Motor

If you are looking for a more versatile electric trolling motor, the Minn Kota Terrova won’t let you down. Featuring the advanced i-Pilot system, it will make your fishing trip more enjoyable and fruitful than ever before.

This electric boat motor kit is easy to operate with the wireless remote and foot pedal (not included).

It features a lot of smart designs to make boating faster and easier. For example, the spring loaded lift-assistant allows you to deploy and lift the motor out of water effortlessly. The push-to-test battery meter keeps you informed of the remaining battery life, offering a piece of mind especially when you forget to charge the batteries.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Digital Maximizer claims to prolong the runtime 4 times since it only draws as much power as you need. So less worry about battery life.

The highlight of this electric trolling motor is the GPS i-Pilot system which offers a bunch of innovative features:

• Spot lock: This amazingly accurate GPS anchoring locks the boat into your favorite fishing spot
• Jog: It allows you to adjust your spot-lock location by moving five feet in any direction
• Record path: You can mark your productive fishing route and come back to the exact spot next time
• Auto pilot: It ensures you stay in the desired spot all the time regardless of the wind and current
• Sonar Imaging: a new fish finding technology that delivers a crystal clear view of what’s underneath the water
• Compatible with Hummingbird Fish Finder

All these features help you catch more fish.

With multiple power options available, you are sure to find the right model that fits your style of fishing perfectly.

Note: This model adopts electric steering, which may require some time to get used to if you are just switched from cable steering. They just don’t feel the same. Electric steering is not as responsive but will cause less fatigue.

Customer Review:

“Great purchase! The Terrova is much easier on the battery, super easy to deploy and stow, has no trouble in the wind, and autopilot and spot lock are absolute game changers.“

If you intend to use the electric trolling motor for saltwater use, check out its saltwater version Riptide Terrova.

3. Haswing Cayman 12V Bow Mount Trolling Motor

Haswing is also a reputable manufacturer known for producing high quality electric outboard motors since 1995. Although it doesn’t come cheap, it’s a cost-effective option given all the benefits and features it provides.

Similar to the Digital Maximizer from Minn Kota, Haswing allows for variable speed which lets you dial at your desired speed with lower power consumption. Therefore, the battery life is extended greatly.

Controlling the electric outboard motor is super easy with long-range remote control (164 ft the farthest). So you can even control it offshore. Or you can use the cable wired foot pedal to operate and release your hands when fishing.

The quick release bracket is also a useful and highly-praised feature that helps you install and remove the electric trolling motor easily. With the built-in 5 level battery status indicator, you will know when it’s time to charge.

Different from the spot lock that keeps you staying at a particular spot, the Haswing features Cruise Control. It allows you to stay at the desired speed all the time, so you can be more focused on fishing.

Another big plus for this electric trolling motor is that it’s designed for both freshwater and saltwater.

Customer Review:

“After looking around a ton, this one stuck out to be a nice value. The parts feel quality, the wires are thick and the trolling motor is responsive.“

This electric trolling motor is suitable for boats weighing up to 2750 lbs. If you are looking for more powerful options for heavier boats, check out this 80 lbs model.

4. Newport Vessels NV Series Trolling Motor

This is one of the best selling electric trolling motors with thousands of positive customer reviews on Amazon. If you want a reliable and affordable trolling motor (with no need for fancy GPS navigation), be sure to check it out.

The NV Series electric trolling motor offers a wide range of thrust options for you to choose from. The most popular model is 55 lb, suitable for small and medium sized boats (such as fishing kayak, inflatable dinghy, jon boat), providing a top speed of 4 mph.

Designed for use in both freshwater and saltwater, this motor is ready to tackle any environment. The fiberglass shaft, stainless steel hardware and corrosion proof designs make it durable in all applications.

The 5-point LED battery meter lets you know the battery status, so no worries about battery life, since you can always plan ahead of time. For example, adjusting to a lower speed to greatly extend its range or having it charged timely before it dies.

It requires only one deep cycle battery (either lead-acid or lithium battery type), which can save your day if you are not comfortable with doing the wiring work. If you’ve decided on the 86lb 24v model (2 batteries required), check out our step-to-step guide for easy wiring.

This electric trolling motor is popular for its performance-to-price ratio. If you want good value for the money and don’t care about the fancy GPS feature, the Newport Vessels NV Series is an excellent choice.

Customer Review:

“This is the best trolling motor I have ever owned. Very powerful and salt water does not have any effect on it. The reverse is just as powerful. This motor performs just as well as the high dollar motors.“

5. Motorguide Xi3 Kayak Trolling Motor

If you are looking for an electric trolling motor to motorize your fishing kayak or canoe, we recommend Motorguide Xi3 for its easy maneuverability and great versatility.

For kayak anglers, it’s important to find an electric trolling motor with a proper shaft length. With a 36” shorter shaft, Xi3 offers a perfect fit for your fishing kayak. The 55 lb trolling motor is efficient and powerful enough to move the kayak fast (at a top speed of about 4.4mph when fully loaded, according to our test).

It’s easy to use. Just bolt on the motor base, connect it to a 12V battery, and you are ready to go.

This kayak electric trolling motor doesn’t come cheap, mainly because it features a lot of premium features of larger trolling motors, including GPS navigation, virtual anchor, route record, auto pilot, heading lock, LED display, wireless remote control, fish finder compatibility, etc.

As an electric motor for fishing kayaks, it will definitely help you catch more fish.

If you just want a specialized trolling motor on kayak (or canoe) to offer some relief on long paddles, the Newport Vessels Kayak Series would be a better choice. It’s much lighter and cheaper with a shorter adjustable shaft length, suitable to be used as a canoe electric trolling motor. As a plus, you can use it in both freshwater and saltwater.

All the recommendations are available worldwide with free shipping, so don’t worry if you want to order the electric trolling motor in Canada, Ontario, Australia, NZ, or Europe.

If you have other specific requirements for the electric boat motor kit and couldn’t find the one that suits your needs, feel free to leave a comment below and I will get back to you ASAP with recommendations.

Useful Accessories:

There are also some useful accessories that you may want to add to your shopping list:

• Quick Release Mount: It allows you to quickly remove the electric trolling motor from or reattached it to a boat
• Battery Box: It provides a clean, easy and safe way to store and carry your battery to the boat
• Extension Handle: It extends the length of the handle, allowing you to control it from the center of the boat
• Kayak Mount: It makes adding an electric trolling motor to your kayak easy without screwing

Also, don’t forget the most important add-ons to your trolling motor setup: batteries. Unfortunately, you can not have the whole setup (electric trolling motors with battery) from the same manufacturer, and it requires you to do more research. Check our previous dedicated guide to find the best pick for your boat.

How to Save on Buying Electric Trolling Motor?

Looking for electric trolling motors for sale near you? It’s true that trolling motors don’t come cheap, but there are still some handy tips to help cut down your boating expenses:

• Learn to do maintenance by yourself. The maintenance bill can accumulate to a large number over time. If you can learn some basic tasks (including cleaning and waxing the hull), you will save big in the long run.
• Buy a used electric trolling motor. There are some used trolling motors sold still in good condition but only at a fraction of the cost. If lucky enough, you might find something just as good as brand new in the second hand market.
• Trade or swap with others. If you have a gas outboard or an old electric trolling motor, see if you can trade it out and get the new one for less. If you have some skill or service to offer, you may try to get the outboard from other boat owners by providing valuable services.
• Join a boating club or online community. Online platforms such as forums and groups provide a good channel for people to spread information and exchange ideas. You might discover a good valued trolling motor through word of mouth or find a nice electric trolling motor for sale.
• Compare different platforms. You may compare the prices of electric trolling motors on Amazon, Walmart, and other channels to get the best offers.

FAQs About Electric Trolling Motor

Here I collected the hottest questions concerning electric trolling motors for boats with quick answers, in case you share the same confusion. Feel free to let me know in the comments if you have any more specific questions.

1. How fast do electric trolling motors go?

Generally speaking, electric trolling motors can go about 4-5 miles per hour depending on the boat type, load, weather, etc. A typical 55 pound thrust trolling motor can go up to 5 mph.

2. How long do electric trolling motors last?

How long a trolling motor can run on a batter mostly depends on the speed. If you run the electric trolling motor at top speed (5 mph), it can last about 2 hours. However, if you adjust the speed to lower settings, the runtime will extend greatly. You can troll with an electric motor for up to 16 hours.

Take the Minn Kota Endura as an example. Here is its runtime for different speeds (5 speed available):

Speed Setting	Hours
5 (Top Speed)	2
4	4
3	8
2	12
1 (Lowest Speed)	16

3. Are trolling motors electric?

Yes, all trolling motors are electric.

4. How to use an electric trolling motor?

It depends on the types of electric trolling motor you are talking about:

With a tiller steered trolling motor, you need to pull or push the tiller to control the direction. Grab the tiller and twist it clockwise (or counter-clockwise) to increase (or reduce) speed.

There are also trolling motors controlled by a foot pedal (where you need to push the pedal up and down to steer the motor) and a wireless remote (where you can steer the boat at your fingertips).

5. What’s the most powerful electric trolling motor?

By far, the most powerful and fastest electric trolling motor is 112 lbs (36V) models, including Ultrex and Terrova, both from Minn Kota.

6. Can 2 electric trolling motors be used simultaneously?

Yes, you can run two trolling motors simultaneously, but that won’t increase speed much.