Suzuki, Mercury and Tohatsu all build fuel-injected four-stroke 9.9 hp outboards, and any of them is a sound choice for a small fishing boat, jon boat, sailboat or kicker. The practical differences are in the versions each brand offers: Mercury has high-thrust Command Thrust and ProKicker models for pushing heavier boats; Suzuki offers the widest spread of trim, tiller and shaft combinations in our listings; Tohatsu offers both a lighter 9.8 and a larger 9.9 plus remote-steering bundles. Dealer support near where you boat matters as much as the brand.
9.9 hp outboards compared (our listings)
| Suzuki DF9.9B | Mercury 9.9 | Tohatsu 9.9 / 9.8 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | EFI | EFI | EFI |
| Shafts listed | 15″, 20″, 25″ | 15″, 20″, 25″ | 15″, 20″, 25″ |
| Options listed | Manual or electric start, power trim and tilt, tiller | Manual or electric start, Command Thrust, ProKicker, power trim | Manual or electric start, remote-steering bundles |
| Listed price range | $2,655.00 to $3,205.00 | $2,865.00 to $3,745.00 | $2,600.00 to $3,848.99 |
Suzuki 9.9 vs Mercury 9.9
Both are two-cylinder fuel-injected four-strokes. Choose the Mercury if you want a high-thrust gearcase or a purpose-built ProKicker for trolling with a larger boat. Choose the Suzuki for the range of trim and tiller versions at a lower listed starting price. See Suzuki vs Mercury outboards.
Suzuki 9.9 vs Tohatsu 9.9
Tohatsu’s 9.9 shares its family with its 15 and 20 hp EFI engines and is heavier for it; if weight matters most, Tohatsu’s 9.8 is the light option. See Tohatsu 9.8 vs 9.9 and Suzuki vs Tohatsu.
Mercury 9.9 vs Tohatsu 9.8
The Tohatsu 9.8 is the one to carry; our listed Mercury 9.9MH weighs 84 lb, close to the 9.8’s roughly 80 lb, while offering more versions. See Tohatsu vs Mercury.
How to choose a 9.9
- Shaft length to suit the transom.
- Starting: pull start is lighter and simpler; electric start helps on kickers and for anyone who struggles with a cord; see electric start vs pull start.
- Thrust: high-thrust gearcases suit heavier boats and pontoons.
- Steering: tiller or remote; see tiller vs remote outboards.
The letters in each model code tell you the shaft length, starting and trim; see Mercury outboard model codes for how they work, and match the shaft to your transom with the outboard shaft length guide.
Examples from our listings
- Suzuki DF9.9BS: $2,655.00
- Suzuki DF9.9BTHL: $2,995.00
- Mercury 9.9MH EFI: $2,865.00
- Mercury 9.9EXLHPT-CT-PK-EFI: $3,745.00
- Tohatsu MFS9.9ES: $2,600.00
Browse all 9.9 hp outboards, and if you are deciding between sizes, see 9.9 vs 15 hp.
More guides: 20 hp outboards compared · outboard motor prices by HP · outboards for sailboats.
Shipping is a flat $80.00 per order to US addresses, with 15-day free returns. Questions? Ask a parts specialist.