Best Outboard Motors

Review & Comparison, Last Update December 26, 2023
Outboard motors turn the least impressive boats into the most capable watercrafts. The best outboard motors will let you easily sail all waters. These are the motors you'll see on this list. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Displacement
Max Speed
Ignition System
Cooling System
Fuel Type
Fuel Tank Capacity
Weight
Warranty
 
PROS

The air cooling tech allows the engine to avoid overheating, basically eliminating the pump section and making sure the engine lasts. The motor can be partially tilted upwards, letting you easily sail shallow waters. The 360-degree steering rotation mechanism lets you reverse without shifting gears.

CONS

The air filter is difficult to replace. 

OUR VERDICT

LEADALLWAY 4HP Boat Engine can be installed onto most small fishing boats, kayaks, canoes, and inflatable boats. You'll have no issues installing this engine and starting it. The product's entire construction is corrosion-resistant. 

detailed parameters
Displacement

52 cc (4 HP, 4 strokes)  

Max Speed

5000 RPM 

Ignition System

CDI 

Cooling System

Air cooling 

Fuel Type

Gasoline 

Fuel Tank Capacity

0.37 gallons 

Weight

22.7 lbs 

Warranty

3 years 

PROS

Able to reach 6,000 RPM, this engine will have no issues propelling most sailboats, fishing boats, inflatable kayaks, and canoes. The air filter system will be able to reduce debris income and extend the components' service life. 

CONS

The motor's fuel consumption is not that great. 

OUR VERDICT

SEA DOG WATER SPORTS 4 Stroke 4.0HP Superior Engine will let you cruise freshwaters and saltwaters. Its 360-degree rotary handle enables easy maneuverability. The self-locking mechanism will be able to prevent any accidents. 

detailed parameters
Displacement

53.2 cc (4 HP, 4 strokes)

Max Speed

6000 RPM 

Ignition System

CDI 

Cooling System

Air cooling 

Fuel Type

Gasoline 

Fuel Tank Capacity

~0.35 gallons

Weight

24 lbs 

Warranty

1 year 

PROS

The Start-In-Gear protection/clutch mechanism will be prohibiting prop rotation when idling, so you won't have to worry about electricity flowing through the ignition switch when the switch is in the starting position and the engine is in gear.

CONS

It might take you some time to get used to starting the engine.

OUR VERDICT

Cozyel 4HP Boat Motor is what we would recommend to beginners first and foremost. This engine is easy to assemble (all the necessary hardware comes with the purchase), easy to use, and easy to maintain. Its performance will also be able to attract experienced customers.

detailed parameters
Displacement

~52 cc (4 HP, 4 strokes)

Max Speed

6000 RPM 

Ignition System

CDI 

Cooling System

Air cooling 

Fuel Type

Gasoline 

Fuel Tank Capacity

0.32 gallons 

Weight

22 lbs 

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy 

PROS

The water cooling system will be able to make sure the motor does not overheat even when regularly used to its full extent. The propeller has been made from one tough aluminum alloy that resists corrosion and deformation. 

CONS

The clutch mechanism is weak. 

OUR VERDICT

HANGKAI Outboard Motors are available ranging from 3.5 to 18 HP. The CDI ignition system will present no challenges even to complete newbies. The 2-stroke mechanism is reliable enough to last years coursing saltwaters.

detailed parameters
Displacement

55 cc (3.6 HP, 2 strokes)

Max Speed

5000 RPM 

Ignition System

CDI 

Cooling System

Water cooling 

Fuel Type

Gasoline 

Fuel Tank Capacity

~0.34 gallons 

Weight

~25 lbs 

Warranty

3 years 

PROS

The handle is length-adjustable.  You can turn the knob to move forward or reverse. The motor offers three reverse speeds adding to five forward speeds and three reverse speeds. The three-blade propeller secures smooth movement through marsh and grass. 

CONS

The bearings are noisy. 

OUR VERDICT

Goplus Electric Trolling Motor is more environmentally friendly than gasoline engines and much less demanding maintenance-wise. You'll be able to control and manage this motor with confidence and ease. 

detailed parameters
Displacement

N/A 

Max Speed

8 speeds (5 forward and 3 reverse speeds) 

Ignition System

N/A 

Cooling System

Air cooling 

Fuel Type

N/A (electric - requires 24 V battery) 

Fuel Tank Capacity

N/A 

Weight

22 lbs 

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy 

X

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LEADALLWAY 4HP

Leading the Way

LEADALLWAY 4HP Boat Engine looks cool, something that we cannot say about all outboard motors. Its visual appearance does not define the product though.

Before anything else, what defines this motor is probably the air cooling tech that avoids overheating, pretty much eliminates the pump section, and makes sure the motor lasts.

Apart from that, the CDI ignition system makes this model easy yo start manual. You can partially tilt this thing upwards to sail shallow waters. The motor has no issues with most depth conditions. Plus, there's also the quietest 360-degree steering rotation mechanism that enables reversing without gear shifting.

From the construction standpoint, the whole thing is rust- and corrosion-resistant. Also, the extra propeller is spare, enabling long-term use coursing freshwaters and saltwaters.

Last but not least, the advanced fuel-saving tech makes this engine very efficient in terms of gasoline consumption, only spending 0.8 liters per hour.

The air filter is somewhat difficult/tiresome to replace though but that's not something that even remotely offsets the engine's advantages.

In other words, LEADALLWAY 4HP Boat Engine is about as good as any high-end outboard motor despite the relatively modest price.

Review of LEADALLWAY 4HP Outboard Motor

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B07SNG9N3Y

 

SEA DOG WATER SPORTS 4HP

6,000 Revolutions per Minute

SEA DOG WATER SPORTS 4 Stroke 4.0HP Superior Engine is, indeed, superior to most outboard engines. The differences are subtle but substantial enough to justify the superior notion/claim.

First, this engine is able to produce 6,000 revolutions per minute, enough to propel most inflatable kayaks, fishing boats, sailboats, and canoes and reach solid speeds (these will heavily depend on the boat).

At the same time, the model is relatively lightweight (24 pounds) and compact (the transom plate measures ~28 inches height-wise).

The starting carburetor circuit uses the choke valve starting approach, letting you quickly and easily start the engine with no issues.

The fuel tank's capacity is 0.35 gallons, which is better than most outboard motors, so you'll be able to sail further. The motor's fuel consumption is not that great though, so we wouldn't necessarily call this motor economical.

On the upside, the air filter system works wonders filtering the incoming air, making sure that there's very little debris coming and that the components last.

To sum everything up, what we have here is a really good engine that will be able to accommodate most watercrafts and prove easy enough to attract beginners and good enough to satisfy experienced sailors.

Review of SEA DOG WATER SPORTS 4HP Outboard Motor

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $419.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B07DW3HZ1P

 

Cozyel 4HP

No Prop Rotation While Idling

Cozyel 4HP Boat Motor is pretty inexpensive, which is great given that this product is about as good as most high-end outboard motors.

It might take you some time to get used to starting the engine despite the standard CDI ignition system but that's something that most people should be able to figure out quickly enough.

We especially like the 360-degree steering rotation implement that allows you to reverse without shifting the gears.

That being said, from where we're standing, what defines this engine before anything else is the Start-In-Gear protection/clutch feature that is able to prohibit prop rotation while idling, preventing engine start while in gear.

The engine's capable, we can certainly say this much. It is able to produce 6,000 revolutions per minute and even its idle speed reaches somewhere around 2800 RPM.

You shouldn't face any challenges assembling and installing this engine since all the necessary tools and instruments come supplied with the package. Plus, a funnel comes with these instruments too, so you'll be able to pour fuel without spilling.

Bottom line, Cozyel 4HP Boat Motor performs as well as the next outboard motor except that this model is likely less expensive than that proverbial motor.

Review of Cozyel 4HP Outboard Motor
Last updated price $379.09
Stock In stock
ASIN B07MCN4PX2

 

HANGKAI 2-4Stroke

Best Outboard Motor for Saltwater

HANGKAI Outboard Motors go from 3.5 to 18 HP, so you can select whichever satisfies your needs and preferences. We'll be reviewing the 3.6-HP, 2-stroke version here though.

First and foremost, this engine will be able to output 5,000 revolutions per minute, which is pretty good compared to most boat motors within this price range.

The CDI ignition system will prove easy enough even for complete beginners who have never used these motors before. The clutch mechanism is pretty weak though, so you'll have to apply some pressure there.

Somewhat offsetting this downside is the water cooling system that does an excellent job preventing the motor from overheating even during the biggest, most intensive loads.

The motor weighs somewhere around 25 pounds, not necessarily lightweight compared to most outboards motors but not especially heavy either.

We can pretty much extend the same sentiment towards the engine's 0.34-gallon fuel tank capacity, which is pretty good but nothing to write home about.

You can, however, write home about the propeller since this thing is rugged and durable enough to cruise saltwaters for years to come without any issues.

In short, there are not too many customers that won't be able to benefit from this outboard engine.

Review of HANGKAI 2-4Stroke Outboard Motor
Last updated price $299.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B07GTX3QJP

 

Goplus 86 LBS

Going Electric

Goplus Electric Trolling Motor is different from all the other motors on this list.

First, it is electric, making the engine more environment-friendly. Second, it is much more manageable and maneuverable.

The six-inch telescopic adjustable handle will let you control this motor with comfort and ease.

You can make this handle pretty much as long and short as you want to match your needs/preferences. You can also adjust the knob to easily move forward or reverse.

You'll have at your disposal five forward speeds and three reverse speeds, enabling smooth and easily controlled ride.

At the same time, the three-blade propeller will be ensuring the smoothest movement even through grass and marsh. You'll be able to adjust its depth moving the clamp's position to accelerate or slow down.

The bearings are somewhat noisy though but that's not something that will make any performance difference.

The model is tough. The reinforced nylon bracket boasts high strength, excellent abrasion resistance, and solid dimension stability. Meanwhile, the fiberglass composite shaft adds high tensile strength and corrosion resistance.

Last but not least, the 10-point indicator with LED lights will be giving you information regarding battery life.

Review of Goplus 86 LBS Outboard Motor
Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B07TRQ517J

 

What Is an Outboard Motor?

Outboard motors are any motors that you can assemble and install onto boats, from sailboats and canoes to inflatable boats, kayaks, fishing boats, and more.

These portable boat motors are usually lightweight (somewhere between 20 and 25 pounds) and compact (less than 30 inches height-wise). At the same time, these engines are usually able to produce around 5,000 revolutions per minute, turning sluggish boats into fast watercrafts that let you quickly move through/across the water.

More often than not, these engines are gasoline, though there are electric motors available too. As you would imagine, gasoline engines are usually more impressive from the performance standpoint, while electric outboard motors are more environmentally friendly and, from some perspectives, more reliable.

These days, outboard motors usually incorporate CDI ignition systems, so they're not even remotely as difficult to start as those old motors were back in the days.

Setting all these parameters aside, the cooling system will be determining how long the engine will last, so look into that first and foremost.

Again, you can install these motors onto most boasts, including tandem kayaks and even these inflatable boats.

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Publish Date: 2020-02-06 10:54:26