TripSavvy Trip Planning The 6 Best Marine Batteries of 2023 By Jessica Macdonald Jessica Macdonald Facebook LinkedIn King's College London Jessica Macdonald lives in South Africa's Eastern Cape province and has been TripSavvy's Africa Expert since 2016. She also covers travel products and has written about everything from camping knives to climbing chalk. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 12/22/22 Share Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Tripsavvy / Chloe Jeong No proper scuba diving trip is complete without things like depth finders, underwater cameras (of course!), marine stereos, and a battery. Choosing the correct marine battery is a difficult task and one that takes into account several factors. The first step is deciding whether you need a cranking or deep-cycle battery. The former’s sole job is to provide the short, sharp burst of power required to start your inboard or outboard engine. A deep-cycle battery delivers less energy over a long period and is used to power your trolling motor and/or onboard electronics (like a marine stereo). Alternatively, some marine batteries fulfill both purposes. Key features to look out for include the battery’s cold cranking amps or CCA (how much power it can supply within a short period), its reserve capacity (the length of time a fully charged battery can deliver 25 amps of power before being discharged to 10.5 volts), and its amp hours (the number of amps it can deliver in a 20-hour period). There are different types of marine batteries, but the best are generally AGM or absorbed glass mat batteries. We researched the top options, considering these features and their weight, size, and price. The Rundown Best Overall: Odyssey Marine Dual Purpose Battery at Amazon "Fulfills the twin roles of a cranking and deep cycle battery with incredible efficiency." Best Budget (Dual Purpose): Bass Pro Shops Battery at Bass Pro Shops "Built to withstand repeated deep discharges." Best Budget (Trolling): Mighty Max Deep Cycle Battery at Amazon "Despite its affordable price, the battery offers all the benefits of AGM construction." Best Trolling (Small Motor): Mighty Max Trolling Battery at Amazon "An affordable, effective option for those that want to power a small to medium trolling motor." Best Cranking (Medium Power): Optima Marine Battery at Amazon "Delivers more power in a single burst than conventional flat-plate batteries." Best Cranking (High Power): Bass Pro Shops X-900 AGM Battery at Cabelas "Stands out for its high CCA rating of 1150 amps." Best Overall: Odyssey 31M-PC2150ST Marine Dual Purpose Battery Courtesy of Amazon Buy on Autozone.com What We Like Efficient Good for winter Long battery life What We Don't Like Expensive Odyssey’s Marine Dual Purpose Battery fulfills the twin roles of a cranking and deep cycle battery with incredible efficiency. It offers 1150 CCA, giving it a massive cranking power capable of starting any recreational inboard or outboard motor, even in cold weather. It also has impressive deep cycling capability, lasting up to 400 cycles at 80 percent depth of discharge and a reserve capacity of 142 minutes. Rated to 100Ah, it should deliver 5 amps of current per hour for 20 hours, giving you plenty of time to troll your local lake, river, or ocean to hang with a variety of marine life without recharging. A full recharge takes just four to six hours. The battery’s AGM design means that you don’t have to top it up with distilled water or worry about spilled battery acid as you would with traditional wet-cell batteries. AGM batteries are also more resistant to shock and vibration and have a lower self-discharge rate. Although expensive, it’s still cheaper than purchasing separate cranking and deep cycling batteries of the same quality. Price at time of publish: $529 Dimensions: 13 x 6.8 x 9.4 inches | Weight: 77.8 pounds Best Budget (Dual Purpose): Bass Pro Shops Pro Series Deep-Cycle Marine Battery Courtesy of Bass Pro Shop Buy on Basspro.com What We Like Long life Sturdy What We Don't Like Not good for high horsepower engines If you have a small to medium horsepower engine that doesn’t need all of the cranking power provided by the other dual-purpose batteries on this list, you can save big bucks with the Bass Pro Shops Pro Series Deep-Cycle Marine Battery. Despite a retail price of around $200, it has a CCA rating of 545 amps and a reserve capacity of 120 minutes at 25 amps. Once your engine has started, the battery’s deep-cycling capabilities power your trolling motor and other electronics (your fish finder or electric radio, perhaps). It is built to withstand repeated deep discharges and is conveniently quick to recharge. You can rely on the durability and vibration resistance of the AGM construction, while the dual terminal design makes installation easy. A one-year free replacement and a 36-month pro-rated marine battery warranty back your purchase. Price at time of publish: $200 for group 22, 40 pounds Dimensions: 6.75 x 8.75 x 10.87 inches | Weight: 56 pounds Best Budget (Trolling): Mighty Max Battery ML35-12 Deep Cycle Battery Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart What We Like Affordable Low maintenance What We Don't Like For small boats only Well under the $100 price point, the Mighty Max ML35-12 Deep Cycle Battery costs less than a sixth of the price of the most expensive battery on this list. It is made with small-thrust trolling motors like the Minn Kota Endura C2 in mind and is rated to just 35Ah. Some customers recommend wiring two batteries together to provide 70 amp hours for less than the price of a top-brand single battery. Despite its affordable price, the battery offers all the benefits of AGM construction, including zero leaking or maintenance. It doesn’t require any ventilation and can be mounted at almost any angle—making it easier to fit it around other accessories when deck space is limited. Its durable calcium-alloy grid promises excellent performance and extended service life. Price at time of publish: $75 Dimensions: 5.16 x 7.68 x 7.13 inches | Weight: 23.25 pounds Best Trolling (Small Motor): Mighty Max Battery 12V 55Ah Trolling Battery Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart What We Like Long lasting Durable What We Don't Like For small boats only The deep cycle Mighty Max Battery 12V 55Ah Trolling Battery is an affordable, effective option for those that want to power a small to medium trolling motor. Depending on the size of your motor and the speed at which you plan on traveling, it can last for a weekend-long fishing vacation without needing to be recharged. It's ideal for tenders, inflatables, fishing kayaks, and canoes. The battery has a 55Ah amp hour rating, 350 CCA, and AGM technology. Sealed, spill-proof batteries are a reliable, environmentally conscious choice that requires zero maintenance and can be stored at any angle in an unventilated battery box. The Mighty Max battery has a wide operating temperature range, making it a good choice for year-round use. The manufacturer's one-year warranty protects you if you're not completely satisfied with your purchase. Price at time of publish: $130 Dimensions: 9 x 5.4 x 9.1 inches | Weight: 38.58 pounds The 7 Best Boat Waxes of 2023 Best Cranking (Medium Power): Optima 34M BlueTop Marine Starting Battery Buy on Amazon What We Like Quick recharge Durable Long life What We Don't Like Expensive If your sole reason for buying a marine battery is to start your medium-power inboard or outboard engine, the Optima 34M BlueTop Marine Starting Battery is a trustworthy choice. It has a 100-minute reserve capacity, 50Ah amp hour rating, and a CCA rating of 800 amps—more than enough to start most recreational engines, even in winter. The battery’s patented SpiralCell technology delivers more power in a single burst than conventional flat-plate batteries and allows for triple the number of recharges. It also recharges faster. The battery’s tightly wound construction keeps plate movement to a minimum and offers 15 times the vibration resistance for reliable cranking power even in rough conditions. The sealed AGM batteries are spill-proof and maintenance-free (a win for vulnerable marine ecosystems like coral reefs), and you can mount them in whatever position best suits your boat’s configuration. Infrequent boaters will appreciate the battery’s super-low rate of self-discharge, which means that it can hold its charge for up to a year as long as it’s kept at room temperature or lower. Price at time of publish: $300 Dimensions: 6.88 x 10 x 7.8 inches | Weight: 38.4 pounds The 9 Best Boat Covers of 2023 Best Cranking (High Power): Bass Pro Shops X-900 AGM Battery Courtesy of Cabelas Buy on Basspro.com Buy on Cabelas.com What We Like Long life Good for big boats Quick recharge What We Don't Like Expensive For bigger engines that require extra cranking power to get started, choose Bass Pro Shops X-900 Pure Lead AGM Battery in the Group 31 size. A dual-purpose battery capable of deep cycling to run your trolling motor and electric appliances once the engine has started, it stands out for its high CCA rating of 1150 amps. It can provide up to 1370 amps of electrical current in warm weather. It has a 220-minute reserve capacity, keeping you out on the water longer, and a shock-resistant AGM design that works well in rough conditions. Lab testing has proven that the battery is capable of 900 recharge cycles at a 50 percent depth of discharge. It can be stored for up to a year without recharging, and when you do charge it, it charges five times faster than regular wet-cell batteries. It is protected by reinforced plastic housing and a three-year warranty. Price at time of publish: $350 for group 24, 45 pounds Dimensions: 6.77 x 9.78 x 13 inches | Weight: 65 pounds What to Look for in Marine Batteries Type There are three types of marine batteries: cranking, deep cycle, and dual. Cranking is perhaps better known as the starting battery. On the other hand, deep cycle marine batteries supply the devices (think lights, fans, plumbing, GPS, etc.) on your boat with constant, even power. A dual, as the name suggests, is both. You can't substitute a cranking for a deep cycle or vice versa. It's best to install separate batteries, but if your boat is small and there's only room for one, go ahead and get the dual-purpose battery. Weight and Size Marine batteries come in a myriad of weights and dimensions. Sizes are usually categorized by groups, including 24, 27, 31, 4D, and 8D. You should check the dimensions of your existing battery to see what group your new battery will fall into. Making sure you pick the right one for your boat sets you up for a good day on the lake. Without the proper power, you likely won't be able to start your engine or run gadgets like GPS. Price Marine batteries can cost upwards of a few hundred dollars. However, they're worth investing in if you use your boat often. Cheaper batteries may not have as much power or last as long and may need more repairs than expensive ones. Frequently Asked Questions How long do marine batteries last? Generally speaking, marine batteries will last anywhere between two to five years. However, that's entirely dependent on how well the battery is maintained. You can extend the life of your boat's battery by connecting it to a charger when not in use. How do you charge a marine battery? If you're looking to boost your marine battery, so it runs like new, it's possible to give it a charge. It's best to start by switching the battery off and removing it from its box. From there, ensure you have the correct charger for your battery size and connect the charger clips to the battery's terminals. Then switch on the battery—it should start charging. Smart battery chargers with LED displays will let you know when your battery is fully charged. When it is, switch it off, disconnect the clips, and place the battery back in its box. It's as simple as that. Why Trust TripSavvy Author Jessica Macdonald is a freelance writer specializing in travel, scuba diving, and wildlife conservation. She is a two-time winner of The Telegraph's Just Back travel writing competition and has written extensively for various magazines, travel agencies, websites, and PR companies. The 4 Best Bass Boats of 2023 Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! 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