Best Dual Purpose Marine Battery Reviews 2023

A marine battery is designed to either start or power a trolling motor and its appliances. Therefore, if you have a trolling boat or bass boat, you will need to install both starting and deep cycle batteries. Installing a starting battery only will drain your power quickly and you won’t be able to use the boat for long. For individuals with small boats, this might be quite challenging as installing both starting and deep cycle batteries on your boat might take up a lot of space and add weight.

Instead, one should pick a dual purpose battery for both starting and deep cycling functions. In this review, we’ve selected the best dual-purpose marine batteries for small and medium-sized boats. The batteries are sturdy, powerful, maintenance-free, and have great reserve capacity. They are also offered by the top battery brands in the market which are Odyssey and Optima.

Table showing the best dual-purpose marine batteries

Best Dual Purpose Marine Battery Reviews 2023

Odyssey 31M-PC2150ST-M Trolling Thunder Marine Dual Purpose Batteries

The Odyssey 31M-PC215OST-M trolling thunder marine dual-purpose battery is the best marine battery on the market. This is because it comes with a high CCA of 1150 and has a longer cycle of up to 400 cycles at 80 percent depth of discharge. On top of that, it has the highest recharge efficiency of any sealed lead-acid battery as it can be fully recharged within 4 to 6 hours.

Technical Specifications of the Odyssey Marine Battery-31M:

Moreover, the Odyssey 31M-PC215OST-M marine battery can be mounted in any position as it neither leaks nor spills. It is also maintenance-free and protects against impact shock and vibration. Just like most of the top marine dual-purpose batteries, this unit can work very well in extreme temperatures of -40 degrees F and +176 degrees F.

With the addition of a 3 and 4-year warranty, this is a great investment for serious anglers who want to spend a substantial time in the water. However, this battery is on the higher end and quite heavy.

Pros:

• Durable plastic handle for easy carrying
• Sturdy outer plastic construction to withstand tough conditions
• Excellent starting power with 1150 CCA
• 70 percent longer life cycle when compared to traditional deep cycle batteries
• It can be installed in any position
• Maintenance-free battery
• Tolerates extreme cold and hot temperatures
• Impact shock and vibration resistance
• 3 and 4-year limited warranty

Cons:

• It is expensive
• Very heavy

Optima Batteries 8014-045 D34/78 YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery

Optima is a top brand that has been in existence since the early 1990s. The Optima Batteries 8014-045 D34/78 YellowTop dual-purpose battery model is of their best marine batteries. This is a compact but powerful battery that can start and power devices on a trolling boat. It has 750 cold-cranking amps which are more than enough for small to medium-sized boats. It is also well made to withstand tough conditions as it features a sturdy propylene construction.

Technical Specifications of the Optima Batteries 8014-045 D34/78 YellowTop:

This battery is designed to start and deep cycle your devices. It has up to 3 times longer lifespan than traditional marine batteries. The battery can be mounted in any position as it is of AGM type. This means it that it won’t spill or even leak. Also, it is maintenance-free and recharges quickly. The manufacturer provides a 3-year warranty, which is one of the best in the industry.

Pros:

• Excellent reserve capacity of up to 2 hours
• Performs very well even in very cold conditions
• Outstanding 750 CCA for starting your trolling motor
• Provides 15 times more vibration resistance than other batteries
• Durable propylene construction
• Can be mounted in any position
• Recharges within a short period
• 3-year warranty

Cons:

• Some users say that the customer support is poor and not helpful

Odyssey 34M-PC1500ST Trolling Thunder Marine Dual Purpose Battery

Even though not as powerful as the Odyssey 31M-PC215OST-M trolling thunder marine dual purpose battery, the Odyssey 34M-PC1500ST is still another quality battery from Odyssey. It is also sturdily made and delivers excellent cranking amps of up to 880. Besides, it has a longer shelf life of up to 2-years. This means it can be kept for two years without recharging and still function very well.

Technical Specifications of the Odyssey Marine Battery-34M-PC1500ST:

The Odyssey 34M-PC1500ST dual purpose battery is totally maintenance-free as it is both spill-proof and leak-free. Also, it can be mounted at any angle as it features a sealed design. Furthermore, the battery can function well in extreme temperatures, and that’s why it is great for marine use. With reserve capacity of 135 minutes, you can go fishing or have fun in the water without worrying about the battery leaving you hanging in the middle of nowhere.

Pros:

• Functions perfect in extreme temperatures
• Carry handle for easy transportation
• Maintenance-free battery
• Resealable venting systems prevents leaks and spills
• It can be installed at any angle
• High recharge efficiency
• Longer shelf life of 2-years
• 3 and 4 years warranty

Cons:

• The battery is slightly expensive when compared to similar models
• It is also heavy and quite challenging to transport

Optima Batteries 8052-161 D31M BlueTop Starting and Deep Cycle

This is one of the best dual purpose batteries on the market. Delivering up to 900 CCA, this unit can start a wider range of devices due to its excellent outburst. It also has an outstanding reserve capacity of 155 minutes, which is enough time if you intend to spend some time in the deep waters. The marine battery is also compactly designed for easy installation even in small vessels.

Technical Specifications of the Optima d31M Battery:

Whether you’re operating good or bad weather, this unit will still perform at a high level where other marine batteries won’t. Also, it is 15 times more vibration resistant than other traditional batteries. Due to its AGM design, this dual purpose battery can be installed in any position without worrying about leaks or spills.

So, if you’re looking for a powerful and reliable dual purpose battery that will offer optimal performance in bad weather, then the Optima 8052-161 D31M BlueTop battery is the best choice.

Pros:

• Great power outburst
• 15 times more resistant to vibration than other marine batteries
• Compact design for ease of installation
• Performs well even in bad weather
• Outstanding reserve capacity of 155 minutes
• Mountable at any angle
• No leaks and spills
• 2-years warranty

Cons:

• Once purchased it cannot be returned
• This is a heavy unit weighing 59.8 pounds

Optima Batteries 8042-218 D75/25 YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery

Last but not least, we’ve got The Optima batteries 8042-218 D75/25 YellowTop dual purpose battery. This may not be the most powerful battery on this list but it still great for small trolling motors and vessels. Thanks to its 620 CCA which is great for starting most trolling boats. Apart from that, the battery can be utilized to power the boat and even run appliances on the boat.

Technical Specifications of the Optima Batteries I 8042-218:

The Optima batteries 8042-218 YellowTop dual purpose battery is easy to install as it can be set up in any position. This is because of its AGM design that neither spills nor leaks. In addition, maintain this battery is easy as you don’t have to fill it with liquids. The battery is also well made as it resists vibration 15 times more than conventional marine batteries.

Among the various batteries that we’ve looked at on this list, the Optima batteries 8042-218 D75/25 YellowTop battery is one of the lightest at 37.8 pounds. To add, this battery recharges quickly and has a great reserve time of 100 minutes. With a 2-year warranty, this is a good investment for anglers.

Pros:

• Sturdy and compact design
• Great reserve capacity of 100 minutes
• Can be installed at any angle
• Maintenance-free battery
• Outstanding CCA of 620
• Faster recharging
• Leak-free and spill-proof
• 2-years warranty

Cons:

• Not the best battery for people who want great power for large vessels
• Quite expensive

What to consider when picking a dual purpose battery

There are several things that you should look at before jumping on any battery on the market. These are as follows:

Type of marine battery

What type of battery is it? There are different types of batteries and they include AGM/sealed lead-acid batteries, flooded/wet batteries, and lithium-ion batteries. Most of the marine batteries are made of AGM as it doesn’t spill/leak, mountable in any position, and recharge quickly.

Usage

Pick a marine battery depending on what you intend to use it for. If it’s turning on the boat engine, then you need a starting battery. If you want to provide power to run the boat or power onboard devices, then the deep cycle battery is the best. But if you want to perform both functions, then you need a dual purpose battery.

Cold-cranking amps

Cold-cranking amp is the rating of the starting power of a battery. Actually, it is the amount of amperage the battery can deliver for 30 seconds maintaining not less than 7.2V at a temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit. The bare minimum required to start an engine is 300 CCA. However, the higher the CCA the better.

Capacity

Another vital feature to look out for is the battery capacity. This is measured in Ampere hours (Ah) and the higher the capacity the longer your appliances or boat will run. A good battery should have at least 50Ah or more.

Reserve capacity

This is the number of minutes a battery can run before falling below the minimum.  Never let a marine battery fall below the minimum as this will shorten the lifespan and efficiency of the battery.

Bottom line

Picking the right battery for your marine activities and boat or trolling motor is vital. Different anglers and water vessels have different needs. So, consider the features that you desire in a dual purpose marine battery before selecting one. The batteries that we’ve discussed above are some of the best and are very reliable in performance. However, most of them are ideal for small to medium-sized water vessels and not the large water vessels. This is because they don’t last for long as most of them have a reserve capacity of fewer than 3 hours.

FAQs

How does a dual-purpose battery work?

Unlike a starting battery or deep cycle battery, a dual purpose battery performs the functions of both the starting and deep cycle batteries. This means that it delivers strong cold-cranking amps and delivers the power to handle prolonged use consuming lower amps or power. Also, it can power devices on the boat or trolling motor for several hours before having to be recharged. Therefore, a dual purpose battery acts as a helping hand where two different batteries are required such as in marine applications.

What are the different types of marine batteries?

There are 3 different types of marine batteries. These include starting batteries, deep cycle batteries, and dual purpose batteries. Starting batteries are only for starting the boats or trolling motors while deep cycling is for delivering power in lower amps to last longer. On the other hand, dual purpose batteries perform both the functions of starting and deep cycle batteries. However, dual purpose batteries are not very effective in either starting or deep cycling and shouldn’t be used for larger water vessels. But for smaller boats and trolling motors, they are the best.

Can I use any charger to recharge my dual-purpose marine battery?

One of the most important things to do if you want your dual purpose marine battery to last longer is selecting the right charger. Ensure that you pick a charger that has AGM charging capability for the longevity of your dual purpose AGM marine battery.