For most anglers, the best trolling motor battery is a 12V 100Ah lithium (LiFePO4) battery. It weighs about a third as much as a comparable AGM, gives you nearly all of its rated capacity instead of half, and lasts years longer.
Our picks at a glance
- Best overall: Dakota Lithium 12V 100Ah, for its 11-year warranty and built-in cold-charge heater
- Best value: LiTime 12V 100Ah TM, a trolling-motor model with IP65 water resistance and low-temperature charge protection
- Best premium 12V: Battle Born 100Ah 12V, with a 10-year warranty and a long track record
- Best for 36V motors: Ionic Lithium 36V 75Ah, one battery instead of three, with Bluetooth monitoring
Comparison
| Battery | Voltage | Capacity | Weight | Continuous | Cold charging | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota Lithium 12V 100Ah | 12V | 100 Ah | 27.55 lb | 100 A | Heater warms cells | 11 yr |
| LiTime 12V 100Ah TM | 12V | 100 Ah | 23.4 lb | 100 A | Stops below 32°F | 5 yr |
| Battle Born 100Ah | 12V | 100 Ah | 31 lb | 100 A | See maker | 10 yr |
| Ionic Lithium 36V 75Ah | 36V | 75 Ah | 45.2 lb | 80 A | Stops below 32°F | 11 yr |
Best overall: Dakota Lithium 12V 100Ah
The Dakota pairs a Group 24-size case with the longest warranty in this guide and a heater that makes cold-morning charging safe. It weighs 27.55 lb and is rated for 100A continuous with a 200A, 10-second pulse, which covers any 12V trolling motor.
When you charge below 32°F, the built-in heater warms the cells to 41°F before charging. The warranty runs 11 years.
Pros
- 11-year warranty
- Cold-charge heater
- Compact Group 24 footprint
Cons
- No built-in Bluetooth
- Premium price
Best value: LiTime 12V 100Ah TM
LiTime's trolling-motor model gives you the core features at a fraction of premium prices. It weighs about 23.4 lb in a Group 31 case, with a 100A BMS (300A for 5 seconds) and an IP65 water-resistance rating.
Charging stops automatically below 32°F and resumes at 41°F, which protects the cells. The warranty is 5 years.
Pros
- Lightest 100Ah battery here
- Low price
- IP65 and low-temperature charge cutoff
Cons
- Shortest warranty
- No Bluetooth
- Larger Group 31 footprint
Best premium 12V: Battle Born 100Ah
Battle Born is the battery many RV and marine installers have trusted for years. It weighs 31 lb and is rated for 100A continuous with a 200A, 30-second surge. The warranty is 10 years.
Its listed operating range is -4°F to 135°F. Check the maker's guidance on charging below freezing before relying on it for winter fishing.
Pros
- 10-year warranty
- Strong reputation and support
Cons
- Heaviest 12V lithium here
- Often out of stock at dealers
Best for 36V motors: Ionic Lithium 36V 75Ah
If you run a 36V motor, one 36V lithium battery replaces three 12V batteries, their series jumpers and a lot of weight. The Ionic weighs 45.2 lb, about what a single Group 31 AGM weighs.
It's rated for 80A continuous (350A peak for 60 seconds) and shows charge, current draw and temperature in the Ionic app over Bluetooth. Charging is blocked below 32°F. The warranty is 11 years.
Pros
- One battery for 36V
- Bluetooth monitoring
- 11-year warranty
Cons
- Needs a 36V lithium charger
- 75Ah may be short for all-day spot-lock
How to choose a trolling motor battery
Lithium or AGM
Lithium costs more up front but usually less per year of use. A LiFePO4 battery delivers 90% or more of its rated capacity, while an AGM should only be run to about 50% to protect it. A 100Ah lithium does the work of roughly a 200Ah AGM bank at about a third of the weight. AGM still makes sense for occasional use, tight budgets, or boats that need the ballast.
Match the voltage to your motor
A 12V motor runs on one battery. A 24V motor needs two 12V batteries in series or one 24V lithium. A 36V motor needs three, or one 36V lithium. Batteries in series must be the same type, capacity and age.
Size the capacity to your day
Runtime depends on your motor's draw, how fast you run it and how long you fish. As a rule of thumb, a 55 lb motor at half speed draws about 18–20A, so a 100Ah lithium lasts around 4–5 hours of continuous running. Use our runtime calculator for your exact setup.
Check the BMS rating
A lithium battery's battery management system (BMS) shuts it off if draw exceeds its rating. Pick one rated at or above your motor's max draw, plus about 10% headroom.
Plan for cold weather
Lithium can be discharged in the cold but should not be charged below 32°F. Look for a low-temperature charge cutoff or a built-in heater if you fish in winter.
Don't forget the charger
Lithium needs a charger with a lithium profile. An onboard multi-bank charger with a lithium mode is the easiest setup for 24V and 36V systems.
FAQ
How long will a 100Ah battery run a trolling motor?
At half speed on a 55 lb, 12V motor, about 4–5 hours with lithium and about 2 hours with a 100Ah AGM. Wind, current and heavy boats shorten that.
Can I use my old lead-acid charger on a lithium battery?
Only if it has a lithium (LiFePO4) mode. A standard lead-acid profile can undercharge lithium or trip its BMS.
Can I mix lithium and AGM in a 24V or 36V setup?
No. Batteries in series should be identical in chemistry, capacity and age.
Is group size the same as capacity?
No. Group size (24, 27, 31) describes the case dimensions. Lithium packs more capacity into a smaller case than AGM.
How should I store a lithium battery over winter?
Charge it to about 50–70%, disconnect it, and store it where it won't need charging below freezing.
Sources: manufacturer and dealer product pages for Dakota Lithium, LiTime, Battle Born and Ionic, checked October 2026.