A brushless trolling motor uses electronic commutation instead of carbon brushes to switch current in the motor windings. Compared with a traditional brushed motor, it is usually more efficient, so it runs longer on the same batteries, runs quieter, and has no brushes to wear out. Brushed trolling motors are simpler and cheaper, have a long track record, and are easy to service. Brushless designs are increasingly common on premium models.
Brushless vs brushed
| Brushed | Brushless | |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency and run time | Good | Usually better |
| Noise | Low | Lower |
| Wear parts | Brushes wear over time | No brushes |
| Electronics | Simpler | Needs a motor controller |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
Advantages of brushless
- Run time: less energy is lost as heat, so the same battery bank lasts longer.
- Stealth: quieter operation can matter in shallow, clear water.
- Durability: no brushes to wear, and less heat in the motor.
Advantages of brushed
- Cost: brushed motors cost less for the same thrust.
- Proven: decades of use and widely available service parts.
- Simplicity: fewer electronics to fail.
Which brushless trolling motors are there?
Brushless motors appear on premium lines such as Minn Kota’s QUEST models and the Garmin Force. See brushless trolling motors and Garmin Force trolling motors.
How brushes wear
In a brushed motor, carbon brushes rub against a rotating commutator to switch the current. Over many hours they wear down and leave carbon dust, and eventually need replacing; a motor that loses power or runs intermittently can have worn brushes. A brushless motor switches the current electronically, so there is nothing to wear in that way, but it relies on a controller that must be protected from water and heat.
Is brushless worth it?
If you fish long days, run GPS anchoring often or want the longest run time from your batteries, a brushless motor can be worth the extra cost. If you fish occasionally from a small boat, a brushed motor does the job for less. Battery choice matters as much as motor type for run time; see trolling motor battery life and lithium vs lead-acid.
Thrust and voltage still come first
Whatever the motor type, choose thrust for your boat’s loaded weight and the voltage your batteries can supply; see trolling motor size guide. Brushed models in our range start with the Riptide Maxxum 55 at $899.99; browse all trolling motors.
Maintenance
Both types need the same basic care: keep the prop clear of line and weeds, rinse after saltwater use, and keep battery connections clean; see trolling motor prop and trolling motor troubleshooting.
More guides: Maxxum vs PowerDrive · how long trolling motors last.
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