Best Marine Batteries Reviews – Top Long-Lasting Deep Cycle & Cranking Batteries

Just like in your car, your boat needs a battery too.

The best marine battery is needed to start up your boat engine smoothly and operate all of its electronic accessories, a trolling motor, and any onboard appliances.

Marine batteries come in all shapes and types from starter crank batteries meant for just starting the boat to more powerful deep cycle batteries meant for running all the extra stuff on your boat.

There are different kinds of marine batteries out there that can make your decision difficult.

Your choice of the best marine battery will determine the overall boating experience, so you need to choose correctly.

If you are looking for the best marine battery, then you likely have a lot of questions.

Don’t worry; as we have scoured all the data and put together this list of the top 7 best marine batteries for your boating adventures.

These batteries are ranked based on their versatility, power, charging capacity, and overall quality.

Top Boat Marine Batteries of 2022 – Reviews & Ratings

 

The Odyssey battery 31M-PC2150ST-M is probably the best dual-purpose marine deep cycle battery that has great starting power.

Moreso, the unit is amazingly capable of deep cycling tasks.

It surpasses the other batteries by offering double the total power and tripling the lifecycle of a conventional marine deep cycle battery.

As the name says, you know what this battery is ideal for.

Apart from trolling, it also excels at starting and deep cycle powering onboard electronic components that boats plus recreational vehicles often have.

Using this battery, you can expect to achieve up to 400 cycles at an eighty percent depth of discharge, providing the dual-purpose battery with strong qualities not many batteries can offer.

It generates a highly stable voltage for a longer period of time, enhancing the engine’s performance.

It also offers high recharge efficiency, beating most sealed lead-acid batteries currently around the markets.

The dual-purpose battery is capable of having a one hundred percent recharge within 4-6 hours.

The design of this dual-purpose battery protects it from high vibrations and high impact shocks.

It tolerates extreme conditions, operating in temperatures from minus 40 to 80 Celsius degree.

During tough temperatures you might encounter in your way, this dual-purpose battery will not leave you hanging.

It has AGM technology features that eliminate the need for extremely secure storage measures.

There is no risk of an acid spill.

The terminals in this dual-purpose battery have brass materials capable of preventing corrosion.

It also has seals on its terminals to avoid expelling harmful gases.

Its plates use pure virgin sealed lead acid, which allows the battery to have an extremely good performance in its recycling.

Once the dual-purpose battery goes through its service life span and loses its functionality, you can easily dispose of it by taking it to a recycling center.

Odyssey batteries have a goal to deliver more power and 40 percent more reserve capacity than other batteries, and they succeeded at providing a satisfactory dual-purpose battery.

Specs and Features

• BM Part #: 31M-PC2150ST
• Voltage: 12 Volt
• Capacity: 100 Ah
• Type: AGM
• Cold Cranking Amps: 1150 CCA
• Shipping Weight: 82.25Lbs
• Item Dimensions: 16.8 x 11.1 x 11.9 inches
• 1150 CCA, 1370 MCA, 1150 HCA
• 2150 Cranking Amps for 5 Seconds
• 205 Minute Reserve Capacity
• Cycle life @ 77° F 400 at 100% DOD
• -40° F to 140° F Temperature Range

Pros

• 1150 CCA rating (cold cranking amp) quality
• Reaches 100% battery charge in low time
• 80% self-discharge rate depth
• perfect reserve capacity

Cons

• New battery models have different types of designs. If you’re looking to replace an old model, check if it’s compatible.

 

Another marine battery that is worth considering is the VMAX XTR31-135.

This one also provides a powerful performance without compromising its service life on the process. Just like all of the batteries here, the VMAX XTR31-135 doesn’t require maintenance.

Once it is installed in your boat, it will operate on its own.

It has a rugged construction so that it can withstand the test of the elements.

Furthermore, it has a great defense against vibration and impact–ensuring that all of its internal parts are secured.

Keep in mind that this one is an AGM battery. Therefore, besides being a reliable power source, it also allows multiple mounting positions.

You can install it from any angle without any problems.

Moreover, the VMAX XTR31-135 can be submerged in the water temporarily.

After all, it has a seamless shell that prevents water entry and other damaging elements.

This battery is robustly constructed with superior plates and float service application to give it a lifespan of between 10 to 12 years.

As far as power is concerned, this battery provides 6.75 amps per hour for over 20 hours and has a 135Ah rating.

This battery can last for 265 minutes when fully charged and can provide 10.5 volts when delivering a continuous current of 25 amps.

This battery may be meant for deep cycles, but can also be used for starting medium-sized engine motors in emergencies. Well, this is because it has a 730 amps CCA rating.

Specs and Features

• BM Part #: XTR31-135
• Voltage: 12 Volt
• Capacity: 135 Ah
• Type: AGM
• Cold Cranking Amps: 730 CCA
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Item Dimensions: 13 x 6.8 x 8.4 inches
• 730 CCA, 920 MCA
• 265  Minute Reserve Capacity

Pros

• ‍Very powerful
• Maintenance-free and spill-proof
• Robustly constructed and very tough
• Resistant to vibrations and shock
• Comes with an incredible reserve capacity of 265 minutes
• Has a lifespan of 10 to 12 years

Cons

• ‍Only has a one-year replacement warranty
• It takes time to charge this battery.

 

This Banshee Banshee LiFeP04 battery was designed specifically for marine applications. The dual post terminals are marine grade, making it a robust product.

It features a convenient LED voltmeter indicator to monitor your battery state of charge.

In addition, it comes with a handle and an emergency start button.

Regarding its performance, it combines high capacity (1.2kWh) and power output (1.2kW). On top of that, it comes with a 3-year warranty.

The Banshee also comes with a built-in voltage indicator that you can use to know the voltage of your Banshee battery at any time.

What’s great about this battery is that it has an emergency start function.

This means that if you accidentally run your battery down the emergency start-up function will kick in and allow you to get home safely and promptly.

With this battery, you won’t have to worry about any spillage because the battery is completely sealed.

This means that the battery is capable of being installed in any position.

What’s more the deep cycle marine battery is up to 60% lighter than lead and AGM batteries.

This is one of the best batteries that come with oodles of features.

Specs and Features

• BM Part #: LiFeP04
• Voltage: 12 Volt
• Capacity: 100 Ah
• Group Size: BCI: 31
• Cold Cranking Amps: 1200 CCA
• Warranty: 3 Year
• Item Dimensions: 12.99 x 6.8 x 8.66 inches
• Lightweight and stylish design
• Built-in voltage indicator
• Emergency start function

Pros

• True marine-grade lithium battery
• Powerful (1.2kW)
• 3-year warranty
• Connect in parallel/series
• LED voltmeter

Cons

• Expensive
• Can only be used in 12V single-use applications.
• Can not be used in series 24V or 36V Applications.
• Use only Lithium-Ion LiFeP04 chargers with this battery.

This is the best trolling motor battery for the money.

The X-900 is a pure lead AGM battery with a significantly faster recharge up against the competition. This battery cycles up to 900 times at 50% discharge and ranges from 1,010 to 1,370 marine cranking amps.

The manufacturer also offers a nice four-year warranty on the battery.

Since this one is designed with AGM technology it requires very little maintenance, a strong powerful turnover, and fast recharge.

This is an excellent battery for serious anglers who care about their fishing.

This battery will not leave you stranded out on the water.

The Pro Series X900 is the top-of-the-line marine battery for storage, vibration resistance, and power.

With 1080 amps at 10 hours capacity, the Pro Series X900 will last all day with 195 minutes of reserve capacity.

The high-quality construction and components allow the Pro Series X900 to be stored for a year without losing capacity.

Bass Pro Shops X900 Pro is their top-of-the-line Group 27 deep cycle battery.

With improved efficiency and storage, Group 27 is rated to fish all day and take a beating. The X900 Pro has a higher cold cranking rating and longer reserve time than lower-priced models.

Specs and Features

• BM Part #: AGM X-900
• Voltage: 12 Volt
• Capacity: 81 Ah
• Type: AGM
• Cold Cranking Amps: 930 CCA
• Item Dimensions: 2.44 x 6.77 x 8.75 inches
• Materials: Absorbent Glass Mat
• 1080 amps at 10-hour capacity
• Dual-purpose

Pros

• One year storage
• Excellent warranty
• 195 minutes reserve capacity
• Dependable in all temperatures
• Excellent CCA and MCA
• Great RC

Cons

• Expensive
• Heavy

 

Taking the 5th spot is yet another AGM battery that is quite popular among buyers.

This Mighty Max battery is yet another deep cycle one. It has been designed to withstand frequent discharges and charges without any issues.

Many batteries on the market have been unable to pick a charge after being drained completely. You need to stay away from those products.

But, Mighty Max and its 15 years of experience is something that can be trusted blindly.

This battery can be used with solar panels, inverters, trolling motors, and even lawnmowers.

Some of these tasks are pretty heavy-duty.

This means that the battery is capable of handling such loads.

The sealed design of the battery allows it to be mounted in any position except upside down. This makes it very convenient to use.

The rest of the offerings also ensure that the battery will turn out to be a great buying decision. It can work in extreme temperatures.

It will also last you for quite some time.

Specs and Features

• BM Part #: ML35-12
• Voltage: 12 Volt
• Capacity: 35 Ah
• Type: SLA, AGM
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Item Dimensions: 7.76 x 5.12 x 7.01 inches

Pros

• High performance in high and low temperature
• Valve regulated design
• Maintenance-free use
• Gets recharged in quick time

Cons

• Not Suitable for large applications
• No wire harness or mounting accessories included

 

The Optima Batteries 8006-006 34M BlueTop is designed for use as a starting battery.

It is a 12-volt marine battery that features 800 cold-cranking amps ensuring that it can start even in harsh weather conditions.

It has a dark grey case and blue top and is not supposed to be used for deep cycling applications.

You need to differentiate it from the other Optima blue top battery with a light grey case that can be used in deep cycling applications.

With three times more recharges when compared to other batteries and 100-minutes reserve capacity, the Optima Batteries 8006-006 34M BlueTop Starting Battery gives you a longer run time and consistent performance.

There is no maintenance required, which means you get to save on the extract maintenance costs required by other batteries.

This marine battery can be mounted in any position since its vibration-resistant and sealed.

This marine battery makes it to the out list due to the spiral technology used in its construction that is environmentally friendly and guarantees safe usage.

The high reserve capacity is equally a great feature because you get a longer shelf-life.

Specs and Features

• BM Part #: ‎OPT8006-006
• Voltage: 12 Volt
• Capacity: 50 Ah
• Type: AGM
• Cold Cranking Amps: 800 CCA
• Warranty: 2 Year
• Item Dimensions: 10 x 6.88 x 7.8 inches
• 800 CCA, 1000 MCA, 1230 HCA
• 100  Minute Reserve Capacity
• Chemistry: Spiralcell, Pure Lead AGM

Pros

• Highly durable construction that is vibration-resistant.
• Great for starting applications.
• Environmentally friendly design.
• Its high current is also enough to run a compressor.
• You feel safe in sharp turns because of its leak and spill-proof feature.

Cons

• Not used in deep cycle applications.
• Not compatible with all charger

 

The XS Power D6500 XS Series battery is a powerful battery that can be used as a backup battery or as a replacement for your starter.

It is one of the best batteries for an audio system as it provides a large number of amps.

This XS battery uses the absorbed glass mat technology, providing an extended battery life.

XS Power deep cycle batteries feature a sealed absorbed glass mat (AGM) design that incorporates special glass fiber mats that contain the acid electrolyte between the lead plates, rather than a standard flooded (liquid) design.

This leak-proof, non-hazardous configuration typically lasts longer than normal replacement batteries if properly charged.

These batteries actually store energy, so you don’t have to add a capacitor to your system to get a quick burst when you need it.

XS Power D6500 XS Series comes with a low resistance to increase output and power when using it.

The XS Power D6500 12-volt battery provides up to 3,900 maximum amps and has a capacity of 75 amp-hours.

A reinforced plastic case protects it in your passenger car and boat.

Specs and Features

• BM Part #: ‎D6500
• Voltage: 12 Volt
• Capacity: 86 Ah
• Type: AGM
• Cold Cranking Amps: 960 CCA
• Warranty: 3 Year
• Item Dimensions: 14 x 10 x 9.5 inches
• 960 CCA, 1070 CA, 3900 Amps (MAX)
• 150  Minute Reserve Capacity
• Reinforced ABS Plastic Case
• M6 Terminal Bolt
• 2 M6 bolts
• 2 Split lock washers
• D Series Instruction Sheet

Pros

• The D6500 has a durable build and stores energy effectively.
• AGM batteries technology.
• It operates on low resistance.
• It offers long-lasting battery life and recharges fast.
• It is leakproof and resistant to spills and vibrations.
• It has a 60-day money-back guarantee.
• Possesses an ABS plastic case.
• Can Be Mounted In Any Position.

Cons

• This battery is bulkier and more substantial than most batteries.
• You must use a terminal to use it as a starter.
• The amps of this battery are useless if your system doesn’t need them.

 

 

What You Need to Know When Choosing The Best Marine Battery

Battery Basics

Batteries are a simple idea: a way to store electrical energy so that you can use it later.

But to be realized, that simple idea demands some pretty complex chemistry.

A good basic grasp of battery technology can really help you make the best choice for your needs.

Batteries have three internal components that you need to understand: a negative and a positive electrode and an electrolytic medium.

In conventional batteries, these take the form of lead plates and an acidic liquid or gel.

In some very advanced batteries, these materials are replaced by carbon and lithium salts, respectively.

Battery Tech: Wet-Cell vs. SLA/VRLA/AGM vs. Lithium-Ion

Battery tech has come a long way over the last 20 to 30 years, and you may not be aware of the various kinds of battery systems on the market.

Understanding their strengths and weaknesses can help you pick the right one for your needs.

Sealed Lead-Acid (SLA), Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLA), and Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM)

Essentially three terms for the same chemical system, SLA/VRLA batteries use lead plates and acid as their basic components. AGM batteries add one additional chemical trick.

The result of this tech is that they’re all heavy and safe–and that they don’t require the maintenance of traditional wet cell batteries.

These batteries hold a charge well, but they are quite a bit more expensive than typical wet-cell alternatives, and they can be damaged by overcharging.

Gel batteries

Gel batteries also use lead plates and acid, but the addition of silica to the electrolyte turns it into a thick gel.

This provides them with superior long-term storage capacity, and like standard AGM batteries, they’re very safe and maintenance-free.

But they don’t like sudden, powerful discharges, which can lead to damage to the plates. And they must be recharged carefully, never exceeding a maximum charge.

Lithium-Ion (Li-ion)

These batteries trade up from lead and acid to carbon and lithium salts to deliver power. The result is that they’re easily rechargeable and generally smaller and lighter than the SLA or AGM batteries of the same power.

They’re simply better battery tech.

The downside?

They can be insanely expensive, and 12v systems designed for marine use can cost thousands!

Wet-Cell Batteries

Wet-cell batteries have remained pretty much unchanged since their introduction in the late 19th century.

Their low initial price-point has kept them popular, and if cared for, they can survive quite a few charging cycles.

They’re also resistant to damage from overcharging and weigh in a bit under typical SLA or AGM alternatives.

But they require proper ventilation, can leak and spill acid, don’t hold a charge as well in storage, and can be damaged by the vibrations typical in marine use.

Types of Marine Batteries

Before you decide to purchase a marine battery, you must understand the different kinds in the market.

Here is a complete rundown of all the marine battery types that you could buy:

1) Cranking or Starting Marine Battery

These batteries are designed specifically to crank/start the outboard and inboard motors.

Such marine batteries usually have a high CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) rating so that your engine can get started quickly.

However, you will need a separate deep cycle battery if you need to power 12V trolling motors and appliances. Most people buy the starting marine batteries because they already have a deep cycle battery.

2) Deep Cycle Marine Batteries

These batteries are created solely for providing consistent power for 12-volt trolling items and appliances.

Such marine batteries don’t deliver a sudden burst of energy and instead deliver a steady electrical flow.

Understand that deep cycle marine batteries are not designed to start engines, and you will need a separate battery.

3) Dual Purpose Batteries

The dual-purpose marine batteries are created to give the user both deep cycle and starting applications.

These batteries will deliver a high starting power amount while offering a large reservoir capacity to power appliances and trolling motors.

What you need to know is that the dual-purpose marine batteries will provide you with good performance but are not as effective as single-purpose batteries.

The advantage of dual-purpose batteries is that you don’t need to buy another battery.

Cold Cranking Amperage

If you plan to use your battery for starting the motor, Cold Cranking Amperage (CCA) measures the starting power that a battery has.

The number represents amps that a battery can produce over 30 seconds at 0°F while maintaining a voltage of at least 7.2V.

In most cases, anything with a rating of over 700 CCA should easily be able to start a motor on mid-sized boats.

Battery Capacity

This is one of the most important factors when choosing any battery, not just for marine purposes.

It’s measured in ampere-hours (Ah) and shows you the amount of power that you can get from your battery.

For example, if a battery has a 20Ah rating, it means that it has a max output of 20 amperes in an hour, or 1 ampere in 20 hours.

This parameter is more important for deep cycle batteries, especially if you have a lot of electronics. Of course, keep in mind that you won’t be draining the battery completely and that most batteries have a depth of discharge between 40 and 50%.

While a higher-capacity battery makes use more comfortable, it also means that the unit is larger and heavier.

If you need more power, it may be a better idea to connect several units than to buy the largest one.

Reserve Capacity

In addition to amp-hours, reserve capacity (RC) is another important factor when considering how powerful a battery is.

It’s measured in minutes and shows you how long a fully charged battery can provide 25 amps at 10.5 volts, until the voltage drops. Logically, a higher number means more power.

Vibration Resistance And Durability

Due to their contents inside, batteries can be sensitive to shocks and vibrations. This can lead to the battery not charging, short-circuiting, or even spilling.

Luckily, many of these problems are solved with sealed batteries, which are the best option for a boat.

Besides being sealed, it’s also important that the battery can be mounted in any position (this gives you flexibility and saves space).

Lastly, the casing should be made of tough plastic that will tolerate bumps and weather conditions.

Reliability in Marine Conditions

If you’re out on the sea and your marine deep cycle battery fails, you could be left without power for your equipment. Even worse, if the starting battery fails, you won’t have a way of starting the engine.

For this reason, it’s very important to buy a battery that is made specifically for the marine environment.

The key features to look out for are that the battery is sealed and that it’s resistant to shocks and heat.

We kept this in mind when making our list, and every battery we picked will work great on your boat.

Size and Weight Factor

Many boats have limited space onboard, so battery size might be something worth considering.

If you have a dedicated battery slot, always make sure that the model you’re buying can fit and be in the right position.

As for the weight, a heavy battery can be a problem if you have to get it on and off the boat often.

Like we’ve mentioned earlier, higher-capacity batteries are both larger and heavier, so you’ll have to find a balance.

Battery Boxes

Marine batteries are, by necessity, exposed to some nasty conditions. Unfortunately, batteries don’t do well with temperature fluctuations, saltwater, or rain.

Since most batteries are exposed to exactly these things, there must be a good way to protect them, right?

If your boat doesn’t already have a protected battery compartment, you may need to buy a battery box.

There are lots of them on the market but, before you go with the cheapest one, consider these ideas:

• Some battery boxes have USB charging ports
• Some battery boxes are more water-resistant than others
• Some battery boxes display info like battery health

A basic battery box should keep out rain and splashing water.

At the very least the box needs pass-through or external battery leads. On top of that, your battery box should be strapped or fastened down.

If you regularly take your battery out consider a quick strap and external thumb-screw battery leads.

This will minimize the number of steps it takes to remove the battery.

Few Safety Tips When Using a Marine Battery

• Don’t add new electrolyte
• Do not use an unregulated battery charger with high output
• Don’t detach battery cables while the engine is in use
• Don’t add tap water
• Regularly charge your battery
• Do not discharge more than you need to
• Always charge your battery if you purchase a new boat

Conclusion

Our extensive guide and in-depth review should come in handy when selecting the best deep cycle marine battery or dual-purpose battery for your needs.

Start by determining the amount of storage space that you have and your onboard power needs.

For a neat installation, keep things separate by buying both a deep cycle and a starter battery. However, some vessels have insufficient space, and a dual-purpose marine battery will do just fine.

Use our buyer’s guide and top eight list to determine the best marine battery for your needs.