Best Outboard Motors
Top outboard motors ranked by transparent trust scores.
8 products ranked
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Top Pick
9.4
Excellent
Honda BF2.3 Outboard
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
#1
9.4
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Legendary Honda reliability
- Air cooling means no water pump to service
- 5-year warranty leads the class
Cons
- Air-cooled buzz is louder than water-cooled rivals
- No neutral gear, clutch only
Don't buy this if…
- Don't buy for pushing heavy loads, since 2.3HP moves a light tender but strains against wind and current with four aboard.
#2
9.2
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #2 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Quiet water-cooled running
- Real neutral gear for docking
- OEM manufacturer value
Cons
- Heavier than the Honda 2.3
- Dealer network thinner than Mercury
Don't buy this if…
- Don't buy if the nearest Tohatsu dealer is hours away, since warranty service requires authorized shops.
#3
9.0
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #3 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Biggest dealer network in the country
- Proven Tohatsu-built powerhead
- Strong resale value
Cons
- Price premium over identical Tohatsu
- Tiller ergonomics merely adequate
Don't buy this if…
- Don't buy at full premium if a Tohatsu dealer is nearby, since the mechanicals are the same motor.
#4
8.7
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #4 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Silent, fume-free operation
- Battery floats if dropped overboard
- Regenerates power under sail
Cons
- Runtime limits range planning
- High upfront cost versus gas
Don't buy this if…
- Don't buy for long-distance runs without a spare battery, since full-throttle range ends near five miles.
#5
8.5
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #5 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- GPS range computer removes guesswork
- Established service and parts network
- Splits into light carry components
Cons
- Battery costs are steep
- Slightly less capacity than ePropulsion
Don't buy this if…
- Don't buy on specs alone if price-per-watt-hour matters, since ePropulsion delivers more battery for less.
#6
8.3
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #6 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Electric power at two-thirds rival pricing
- Removable battery charges indoors
- IP67-rated components
Cons
- Newer entrant with shorter track record
- Service is mail-in rather than dealer
Don't buy this if…
- Don't buy if local dealer service matters, since repairs mean shipping components back to Newport.
#7
8.1
Good
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #7 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Most horsepower per dollar in class
- Simple air-cooled maintenance
- Real 5HP for small skiffs
Cons
- 1-year warranty is short
- Parts support relies on generic components
Don't buy this if…
- Don't buy for critical-use boating, since budget QC and a short warranty make it a fair-weather motor.
#8
7.9
Good
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #8 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Cheapest real outboard power
- Simple two-stroke is field-fixable
- Parts are generic and cheap
Cons
- Two-stroke smoke and premix hassle
- Not emissions-legal in some states
Don't buy this if…
- Don't buy in California or for emission-regulated waters, since two-strokes like this fail CARB requirements.
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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