Best Trolling Motors
Top trolling motors ranked by transparent trust scores.
8 products ranked
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Top Pick
9.4
Excellent
Minn Kota Terrova 80
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
#1
9.4
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Spot-Lock is the category's killer feature
- Deep Humminbird integration
- Massive dealer and parts network
Cons
- Manual stow requires some muscle
- Big investment for occasional anglers
Don't buy this if…
- Don't buy the 24V 80-pound version for boats over 21 feet, since heavy hulls in wind need 36V and 112 pounds of thrust.
#2
9.2
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #2 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Brushless motor is efficient and silent
- Runs on 24V or 36V flexibly
- Best-in-class Garmin ecosystem tie-in
Cons
- Premium pricing
- Newer platform with fewer service centers
Don't buy this if…
- Don't buy if your electronics are Humminbird or Lowrance, since the ecosystem synergy is the price justification.
#3
9.0
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #3 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Top-tier thrust and near-silent running
- Built-in sonar nosecone
- Programmable foot-pedal feel
Cons
- Requires Lowrance ecosystem for full features
- Breakaway mount replacement parts are pricey
Don't buy this if…
- Don't buy for saltwater flats poling-skiff duty, since the Ghost lacks a purpose-built saltwater corrosion package.
#4
8.7
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #4 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- True GPS anchoring on a kayak
- Quiet, compact 12V system
- Wireless remote included
Cons
- Pinpoint ecosystem smaller than i-Pilot
- Kayak transom brackets sold separately
Don't buy this if…
- Don't buy for a full-size bass boat, since the 36-inch shaft and 55 pounds of thrust are kayak-scaled.
#5
8.5
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #5 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Cheapest route to i-Pilot Spot-Lock
- Powered deploy eases solo fishing
- Minn Kota parts availability
Cons
- No foot-pedal steering option with i-Pilot
- 12V thrust limits windy-day control
Don't buy this if…
- Don't buy for boats over 18 feet, since 55 pounds of 12V thrust loses the fight in real wind and current.
#6
8.3
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #6 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Digital Maximizer stretches battery life
- Bulletproof simple design
- Telescoping tiller comfort
Cons
- No GPS features at all
- Transom steering less precise than bow mount
Don't buy this if…
- Don't buy if you want spot-lock convenience, since this analog classic predates GPS positioning entirely.
#7
8.1
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #7 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Strong thrust per dollar
- Corrosion-resistant hardware for the price
- Simple reliable operation
Cons
- No variable speed control
- Mount hardware flexes under hard turns
Don't buy this if…
- Don't buy for all-day battery efficiency, since fixed-speed switching wastes power compared to Digital Maximizer motors.
#8
7.9
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #8 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Under 5 pounds total weight
- Rock-bottom price
- Perfect canoe and float-tube match
Cons
- 24 pounds of thrust is minimal
- Bracket hardware feels budget
Don't buy this if…
- Don't buy for anything bigger than a kayak or canoe, since 24 pounds of thrust can't push real hulls.
Quick Comparison
How We Rank
Composite trust score from expert reviews, user sentiment, complaint analysis, and value assessment.
Trust Score
Weighted composite of all factor scores
Expert Score
Aggregated expert review ratings
User Sentiment
Community votes and review analysis
Value Score
Price-to-performance ratio
Freshness
Recency of reviews and data
Change Log
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