Best Marine Batteries of 2023

Batteries are now lighter, more powerful, and have Bluetooth connectivity

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Choosing the best battery for your boat used to require relatively few brain cells or discretion, as there were few choices. That led many anglers and boaters to take a defeatist attitude—they’d choose the cheapest one, believing that just about all of them would die prematurely, so they factored a replacement (or multiple replacements) into the calculus. That’s no longer a wise tact. Not only are there exponentially more specialized choices, but also different needs for every boat.

Say, for example, you use a small kayak or canoe. A 90-pound lead battery will take up space and compromise maneuverability, so size and weight may be your main considerations. Meanwhile, someone running three or four 12-inch graphs and a livewell all day needs max power. Add into this the proliferation of lithium options, and batteries can do more with less (weight) than ever before and maintain their strength for more cycles, but all of that comes at a cost.

Figure out what you need, what you can afford, and then consider stepping up to your max range. Sure, those cheapo batteries get replaced numerous times for the cost of the more premium models, but that doesn’t help you when you’re 30 miles up the lake or out at sea. It also can’t give you back the lost time. Batteries may not be as sexy as high-tech graphs or a new trolling motor, but those two accessories—and many others—are useless without them.

For years it was almost a parlor game among boaters to see who could get the most while spending the least—with a side hustle of complaining about how quickly their batteries went down. Now most of us have wised up, and buy purpose-driven power sources with less regard (but not none at all) for cost. With more options, though, it’s easy to overspend.

I’ve gone from lead acid to AGM to a combination of AGM and lithium batteries in my boats. That last step was a tough one, because it required a four digit outlay to get properly outfitted. The nice thing in this case was that not only do I have more power, but it takes less weight to get there. Your equation may not have the same variables, but it’s nice to know that there are ample choices, and some very good ones, at just about every price point. I used my experience trying various batteries with over a decade of boat ownership to make my choices for the best marine batteries.

Optima

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The Optima was the first “premium” battery to attract a wide swath of recreational boaters, capturing their attention with its atypical, colorful looks, and earning their loyalty with long-lasting performance. It comes in a variety of sizes and strengths and is particularly attractive if you have limited space to mount it, as it has a small footprint and can be mounted in virtually any position. They’re also readily available from wide variety of sources, so if you do run into an issue it can be taken care of pronto.

Deka

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I ran Dekas for years because they were easy to find and always seemed to exceed my expectations. In fact, while I typically planned to replace them every three to four years, oftentimes they were still at near 100 percent abilities at that point, and the only reason I swapped them out was fear that I was taking my chances. I don’t believe I ever ran one of their lead acid batteries to its death. They’re readily available through all sorts of marine dealers, auto parts stores, and even hardware big boxes, so if you do run into a problem, a replacement is never far away. You can get cheaper batteries in this category, but several of the best known have crapped out on me, and I’d bet my best day on the water on this cost-effective option.

Dakota Lithium

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Key Features

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Dakota Lithium’s kayak-sized 12 volt batteries may not be able to handle three big graphs and a livewell, or cranking up a 250-horse outboard, but they do what they’re meant to do perfectly and without obstructing your range of motion or slowing you down. They’ll easily power kayak fish finders and trolling motors. They’re ideal for squeezing into any small boat, including but not limited to kayaks, and then forgetting about them. The last longer and weigh less than a lead acid battery, and have an 11-year warranty against manufacturer defects. Put one in your small boat and prepare to have more power than you need.

Pro-Guide

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These batteries are knuckle busters if you need to remove them from a tight bilge compartment, but the good news is that you won’t have to do so for a long time. I found that out the hard way when my 4-year-old propeller threw a blade six miles from the ramp. I fished my way back with the trolling motor at a pretty fast clip and still had more than enough juice to spare when I got to the dock, so of course, I fished some more. Pro Guide is a smaller company, so they may not get the press of some others, but everything they make has been exceptional. I’m tough on batteries by using crappy hotel power sources, fishing late in to the evening, and driving in rough water, but nothing I can do seems to take a toll on these AGMs. If you have some reason not to move up to lithiums, this is the next best thing, and it’s proven technology.

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Increased power demands mean that anglers constantly live in fear of being unable to operate their accessories or, worse yet, getting stuck. Newport handles that by pairing an easy-to-use app with a battery management system. The latter not only reports back on how much power is available, but also optimizes performance. That means more time on the water using all of your power-sucking accessories. Extremely short charging times enhance that benefit. If you want more time on the water but also constantly need to know what you have in reserve, this is your best choice. It also comes with a five-year warranty, so if the cost may be a deterrent, that should provide a certain level of comfort.

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Key Features

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Cons

The first Space Shuttle may not have had as much computing power as this new lithium battery, and if you have the bucks and your livelihood depends on constant reliable power, then it may be a wise investment. With optional Wi-Fi connectivity and 4G cellular service, you can truly trick it out, but even the most “basic” versions come with a matching Bluetooth app to keep you constantly informed. There are also automatic firmware updates, a reset button that precludes the need for jump starts, and 24/7 technical support and cloud monitoring of all functions. In the highly unlikely case that something goes wrong, it’s probably operator error more than anything. There’s even GPS tracking so if someone steals your batteries, or the boat they’re mounted in, the authorities can track them.

Purpose

Different batteries do different things well. For example, a cranking battery provides short bursts of heavy-duty power, while a deep cycle battery gradually discharges with small expenditures. There are dual purpose options but don’t get something that compromises on all fronts. Figure out what you need it for and buy the tool that’s built for that task.

Power Needs

The right type of battery is a good starting point, but you’ll have to figure out how much juice you’ll need to generate, whether in quick bursts or over a longer period of time. If you go for the bare minimum, expect to be let down. Assume that some power is lost in transmission, too, so make sure that you have the proper types of connections and wire of an adequate gauge.

Budget

There are still sub -$100 batteries out there that are good for some purposes and ideal for some users, but with newer lithium models extending up into the thousands, it’s easy to stretch your wallet. Remember, there’s not just the initial cost, either. If you have to replace them every year while others last 10 years, there’s the convenience factor plus replacement costs. Don’t forget to factor in the proper charger, either. Different types may require altogether different units – failure to use the right one can damage or undercharge your power plants.

Space Constraints

The space available on a center console is likely far different than that on a canoe or kayak, as are the power needs. Even within the same class of craft, however, all battery compartments are slightly different. You’ll want to be able to get to your batteries for easy rigging or replacement, and mount them in a safe and secure position, because a 60-pound hunk of lead flying around your bilge compartment in 6-footers is not a good situation.

To maintain a marine battery, keep the connections clean, fully charge it, and keep your battery box dry with good ventilation.

Lithium batteries are more expensive, but they are also lighter and more compact that lead acid.

Whether you need the best marine battery with features like app connectivity, or a budget-minded lead acid option, one of the above marine batteries will keep your boat and electronics running for years.

Pete Robbins is one of Outdoor Life’s fishing tackle specialists and angling travel experts. He has written extensively about the bass tournament scene for nearly two decades. Recently, he’s expanded beyond that niche to include adventure travel and bluewater angling.

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