Are you in the market for the best trolling motors? If so, you have come to the right place. A trolling motor will help your boat, vessel, or kayak move at a steady pace while you focus on your favorite hobby – fishing. Trolling motors are available in different models, types, and sizes.
Our comprehensive guide will let you opt for the best motor depending on your specific needs and budget. For example, If you are looking for speed, quietness, and cooler operation, you should opt for the Minn Kota Endura Mount Trolling Motor – which is our #1 product.
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Best Electric Trolling Motors
There are many features to look for in a quality trolling motor. Your research is important when choosing the right trolling motor to suit your needs. We have gathered information on some of the best trolling motors out there.
On the other hand, if you want to fish all day long without overheating the motor, you can invest in the NV-Series 36lb Electric Trolling Motor from Newport Vessels.
The Endura Shaft Thrust Trans MNT from Minn Kota is ideal for someone who wants a longer run time on a single battery charge. Here are the best trolling motors that we recommend.
| Trolling Motor | Basic Description | # Styles or Options | Avg. cost | Overall Grade |
 Minn Kota Transom Mount Trolling Motor | Best overall trolling motor balancing cost, power, quality construction, and ease of use. | 6 | $$$ | 9.6 |
 Newport Vessels Series NV 36lb Electric Trolling Motor | Outstanding trolling motor designed to hold up to use in saltwater – top saltwater trolling motor. | 5 | $$ | 9.2 |
 MinnKota Edge Bowmount Foot Control Trolling Motor | An outstanding option from Minn Kota, the foot control is a popular hands off model. | 5 | $$$$ | 8.8 |
 Goplus Electric Trolling Motor | While not premium level heavy duty, this is an exceptionally well-built trolling motor focusing on versatility. | 3 | $$$ | 8.8 |
 Minn Kota Endura Max in Shaft Thrust Trans MNT | One of the more popular Minn Kota models, was one of the highest rated but availability issues hurt the final score. | 6 | $$ | 8.2 |
 Cloud Mountain Thrust 8-Speed Electric Trolling Motor | Cloud Mountain makes a powerful trolling motor, was one of the highest rated but availability issues hurt the final score. | 7 | $$ | 7.9 |
Minn Kota Endura Mount Trolling Motor
Minn Kota builds innovative and robust trolling motors. The main feature of this product is the quiet operation. The engine has a unique bearing system to encourage a quieter and cooler operation.
The bearing system reduces friction in the engine and ensures a quieter operation compared to some of the other trolling motors on the market today.
The motor also has extra-large windings to easily dissipate heat produced by the engine. Many users have said that the Endura Transom Mount Trolling Motor from Minn Kota is the smoothest one they have ever used.
If you are looking for extended battery power, longer motor life, and quieter operation, you should definitely invest in this quality motor. The composite shaft is hard to break or corrode.
The motor has 5-speed settings forward and 3-speed settings reverse. The motor will work efficiently when moving your boat forward. But some users have complained about the reverse function of the motor. The motor is noisy on the reverse and isn’t very efficient.
This motor will use a lot of battery power to move your boat backward. You should use the fastest speed setting when operating the boat on the reverse. Another negative feature of the product is the non-inclusion of a battery-charge indicator.
But for the price of the product, the Minn Kota Transom Mount Trolling Motor is the top pick on our list.
Pros
- Five forward and three reverse speed settings
- Quiet, cool, and smooth operation
- Extra-large windings
- More battery power
Cons
- Battery charge indicator not included
- Not efficient and too noisy on the reverse
Click here for up to date pricing on Amazon.com
Newport Vessels Series NV 36lb Electric Trolling Motor
This is another great trolling motor on the market today. It is included in our list because of the many salient features of the product. The motor is relatively quiet and comfortable to operate. However, this can become a bit loud when operating on forwarding speeds. But the noise isn’t unbearable compared to some of the cheaper models out there.
On the other hand, the price and other positive features of the product help the user neglect the noise feature. One important feature of this motor is it will let you fish all day long without overheating. It’s excellent for your boat or kayak.
Many users are happy with how the motor holds up after being exposed to saltwater for a few years. Some users say that their motors have been very quiet even at full speed.
The motor comes with a high-strength fully-adjustable shaft that’s about 30 inches long. It’s ideal for depth-placement in all water conditions. The motor has 3 reverse speeds, 5 forward speeds, and an ergonomic extendable handle.
The mounting bracket of the motor is plastic and mostly unreliable – which is another negative feature of the unit. The hardware of the product is made from magnesium, zinc, and stainless steel – making the motor ready for fresh and saltwater.
Pros
- Ergonomic extendable handle
- 3 reverse and 5 forward speeds
- High-strength shaft
- Fish all day long without overheating
- The motor is fairly quick and lots of torque on all settings in the ocean
Cons
- The mounting bracket is plastic and not strong enough
- Can be somewhat noisy in forwarding speeds
Click here for up to date pricing on Amazon.com
MinnKota Edge Bowmount Foot Control Trolling Motor
MinnKota is a ridiculously dependable model and there’s a reason that this brand shows up on the list once again! This premium trolling motor has a variety of features that anglers will love while also providing the power needed to keep that steady perfect pace to catch decent sized fish while trolling.
This is another steady design form MinnKota that handles reasonable remands and offers 24 volts of power. This comes with four different shaft sizes ranging form 36 inches to 52 inches. The latch and door bracket make mounting easier.
With the right kit this can be changed to a permanent remote setup, although that is with a full kit. This can be a bit on the heavy side for a trolling motor at 45 lb so if you have a lightweight kayak, especially an inflatable kayak, this won’t be the best option.
That said, a very reliable trolling motor that has a lot of fans.
Pros
- Five different styles of setup to choose from
- Reliable and trusted name brand
- Multiple shaft sizes to choose from
- One of the better trolling motors for mildly choppy waters (within reason)
Cons
- Some reports of shipping problems with USPS
- Not a great option for
- Some report noticeable power drop after around 3 years of use
Click here for up to date pricing on Amazon.com
Goplus Electric Trolling Motor
The Goplus Electric Trolling Motor will make your entire fishing trip much smoother and easier. The motor comes with a six-inch telescoping adjustable handle to let you control the unit quickly.
The settings on the Goplus trolling motor gives plenty of options seeing as how it has 3 reverse and 5 forward speeds to make sure you have a smooth and easy-to-control ride.
Another great feature of the motor is the 3-bladed propeller. It guarantees a smooth movement for your boat even through marsh and grass. But the top head of the motor isn’t waterproof. Hence, water can leak there if you are not aware of the fact.
The ten-point LED battery indicator is another great feature of this motor. You can easily see how much battery is left with this feature. But one negative point of the motor is it drains the battery really quickly. The composite shaft of the motor is made of fiberglass and is corrosion-resistant. But the thrust isn’t that durable.
Some users have complained about the speed switch of the motor. They say that the telescoping handle causes some issues with the switch.
Pros
- Fiberglass corrosion-resistant shaft
- 3 reverse and 5 forward speeds
- Adjustable handle
- 3-blade propeller
- Easy control and smooth movement
- 10-point LED battery indicator
Cons
- The thrust isn’t that durable
- Drains the battery really quickly
- The top head of the unit is not waterproof
- The telescoping handle causes some issues with the speed switch
Click here for up to date pricing on Amazon.com
Former Top 5 Trolling Motors
Sometimes we run across a great outdoor product that has proven its value with campers, hikers, hunters, or anglers but then for whatever reason the model is discontinued.
Or there’s an issue in the factory.
Or there’s a freaking pandemic and they just can’t make more at the moment.
Whatever the reason if we check out and review a trolling motor that works great but is “Currently Unavailable” according to
Minn Kota Endura Max In-Shaft Thrust Trans MNT
The Endura Max MNT has large windings and commutators to dissipate heat and ensure that you get a cool operation. But this motor isn’t quiet compared to some of the other trolling motors from Minn Kota.
This product comes with extended battery power and longer motor life.
The digital maximizer of the motor provides up to five times longer run time on a single battery charge. You have the option of dialing your exact speed and get as much power as you need.
This helps conserve the battery even after a full day of fishing. The unit has a lever-lock bracket that is made of reinforced composite material to help resist flexing, warping, and UV damage.
One notable negative feature of the motor is the large amount of electromagnetic interference it emits. If you plan to use a fish-finder on your boat, the motor will make the fish-finder unusable when trolling. Some users complain the motor has a lot of vibration.
Pros
- The unit comes with a reinforced lever-lock bracket
- The motor will provide up to five times run time on a single battery charge
- Composite shaft
- Extra-large windings and commutators to dissipate heat
Cons
- A lot of vibration
- Has a large amount of electromagnetic interference
- Somewhat noisy compared to other trolling motors
Click here for up to date listing on Amazon.com
Cloud Mountain Thrust 8-Speed Electric Trolling Motor
This is another great trolling motor on the market today. It comes with a reinforced nylon bracket to ensure high-strength, excellent dimension stability, and good ablation resistance. The motor also has an ergonomic extendable handle to maneuver it easily.
The unit has 3-reverse and 5-forward speeds similar to most of the other units reviewed here. You will have a smooth and easy-controlled ride due to these salient features.
The motor is ideal for both saltwater and freshwater fishing since the hardware is made from quality stainless steel material. But one disadvantage of the motor is none of its bolts are made of stainless steel.
The mounting is made of plastic and can be unreliable at times. The ten-point LED battery indicator is a salient feature of this product. It lets you observe how much battery is left.
The fiberglass composite shaft is 28 inches and allows for proper depth-placement in all water conditions. All of the screw bolts can badly rust because none of them are made of stainless steel.
Many users have complained about this flaw in the motor.
Pros
- 10-point battery indicator
- Reinforced nylon bracket
- Reliable and stainless steel hardware
- Ergonomic handle
- Good for both freshwater and saltwater fishing
- Smooth and easy to control
Cons
- The mounting is made of plastic material
- None of the bolts of the unit are made of stainless steel and can rust easily
Click here for up to date listing on Amazon.com
How Does A Trolling Motor Work?
You should have a basic idea about how a trolling motor works to choose the right unit for your needs and budget. The power to operate a trolling motor comes from electricity – via a couple of deep-cycle marine batteries.
The power of the trolling motor is measure in pounds (thrust) compared to the power of an outboard motor which is measured in HP. The motor needs a special mount to install it on your boat or kayak.
Clamps are used for stability when mounting the motor on your boat or kayak. Brackets are used to pull the motor in and out of the water.
The direction of the trolling motor can be controlled via a hand tiller, foot pedal, or wirelessly. The motor will use cables to transmit commands to the control head of the unit.
This way the underwater propeller can be steered in different directions.
Important Features To Look For In The Best Trolling Motors
A trolling motor has many important parts. In fact, you will have to look for the best features when choosing the right trolling motor for your boat, vessel, or kayak. Here are some of the salient features to look for when choosing the best trolling motor for your vessel.
The Length Of The Shaft
The shaft length is important to determine the size of the mount you need to buy. The longer the shaft, the greater the distance between the bow and the waterline will be.
For example, if the shaft is 36 inches in length, the bow mount should be less than 16 inches. But the transom mount for a 36-inch shaft should be between ten and sixteen inches long.
Max Thrust
The power of the motor will depend on the size of your boat and whether you are fishing in freshwater or saltwater. The most powerful motor may not be the best option for your boat or kayak at times.
You also need to know the differences between freshwater and saltwater fishing before buying the best trolling motor for your vessel.
You should divide the weight of your vessel by 100 and multiply the number by 2 to calculate how much trust you need. In other words, you need a 2-pound thrust per every 100 pounds of vessel weight.
Remember that tides and flow direction also matter when calculating the thrust you require. In case you plan to fight currents all the time, you should opt for a more powerful motor.
Prop Style
Most propellers have two blades. The larger and more powerful motors will have three propellers. If you want the trolling motor to generate more than 90 pounds of thrust, you should opt for a propeller with 3 blades.
Battery Efficiency
Digital maximizer is a great feature that improves the efficiency of your battery. It will slow down the battery-draining process and provide increased run time. You should always opt for a motor with higher battery efficiency for your boat or kayak.
Speed Control
You have two options here such as fixed speed controls or digital variables. Digital variables will always score higher when it comes to the efficiency of the motor.
That’s why many buyers prefer this option. But digital variable motors are more expensive compared to fixed speed controlled motors.
Budget
Your budget also plays an important part when choosing the best trolling motor for your boat, vessel, or kayak. Make sure you shop around and choose the right motor that meets all your needs and budget.
How To Maintain A Trolling Motor?
Preventive maintenance will help maximize the lifespan and efficiency of your trolling motor. Trolling motors are expensive, and you need to follow the right procedure in maintaining it.
Here are some tips to consider when maintaining your trolling motor:
Recharge the battery before use and on a regular basis. Don’t use the motor when the battery isn’t fully charged. It can badly affect the lifespan of the unit. Make sure the battery is fully charged before you start the engine. This will improve efficiency as well as the lifespan of the motor.
- Check if the motor sounds right. If you hear cranking sounds, consider it a red flag
- Clean the trolling motor regularly. When you clean the motor regularly and keep it dirt-free, you will help prolong the lifespan of the unit. Make sure to wipe down the entire motor using an anti-abrasive solution after each use
- Keep an eye on the propeller of the unit. If the propeller is bent or chipped, it may affect the performance of the motor. Look for any signs of damage regularly to improve the efficiency and lifespan of the propeller as well as the motor.
The above guide provides a comprehensive review of some of the best trolling motors on the market today. They are some of the best we’ve used and if you go with one of these options chances are you’ll be very happy the next time you’re out on the water.
In Conclusion
There are some really good electric trolling motors out there. Anyone who has ever been stuck with a low power trolling motor knows how important it is to have a good one that gets it done.
An electric motor is supposed to go slower, keep those steady lower speeds that allow you to use crankbaits, spoons, and other trolling lures at the proper speed. That said, if the smallest of waves stops your boat cold when you’re trying to troll, that’s going to ruin a good day of fishing.
Whether enjoying your favorite annual walleye fishing trip or trying out some new northern pike fishing lures to see what they can do, make sure you have one of these high-quality electric trolling motors so you can hit that perfect speed to bring in the big ones!
