Best GPS Trolling Motors (2026)

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The short answer

For most freshwater bass boats, the Minn Kota Ultrex QUEST is the best GPS trolling motor you can buy: brushless efficiency, Spot-Lock GPS anchoring, a foot pedal that feels natural to tournament anglers, and built-in MEGA Side Imaging in this version. If you prefer a remote and a lift-assist deploy, the Minn Kota Terrova QUEST is the better fit. Garmin owners should look hard at the Garmin Force Kraken, and Lowrance owners at the Lowrance Ghost.

Our picks at a glance

Pick	Model	Thrust (rated)	Steering	Best for	Amazon
Best overall	Minn Kota Ultrex QUEST 90/115 (MEGA SI)	90/115 lb, 24/36V	Cable-steer pedal + remote	Bass boats	Check price
Best remote-steer	Minn Kota Terrova QUEST 90/115	90/115 lb, 24/36V	Wireless remote + pedal	Multi-species boats	Check price
Best for Garmin boats	Garmin Force Kraken 63″ (GT56UHD-TR)	Brand-rated by voltage	Wireless pedal + remote	Garmin-networked boats	Check price
Best for Lowrance boats	Lowrance Ghost 47″	97/120 lb, 24/36V	Configurable pedal	Lowrance-networked boats	Check price
Best new Lowrance	Lowrance Ghost X 47″	See listing	Configurable pedal	Active Imaging nosecone	Check price
Best value	MotorGuide Xi5 54″	105 lb peak	Wireless pedal + remote	Budget GPS anchoring	Check price

How we picked

We compared manufacturer specifications, owner reviews and published reviews from established bass-fishing and boating outlets. The factors that matter most with a GPS trolling motor are anchor accuracy in wind and current, brushless efficiency and battery life, how the motor steers (pedal feel and remote range), deploy and stow mechanics, durability on rough water, and whether it networks with your fish finder. We stuck to freshwater bow mounts here; for coastal fishing see our saltwater trolling motor picks.

1. Minn Kota Ultrex QUEST with MEGA Side Imaging — Best overall

The Ultrex has been a fixture on tournament bass boats for years, and the QUEST generation adds a brushless motor that Minn Kota says runs longer on a charge than the previous brushed design. You still get the cable-steer foot pedal that many anglers prefer for its direct feel, plus Spot-Lock GPS anchoring that holds you on a spot hands-free.

This version builds MEGA Side Imaging and Down Imaging into the motor, which feeds a compatible Humminbird display. Minn Kota rates the QUEST 90/115 at 90 lb thrust on 24V and 115 lb on 36V, so you can choose your battery system.

Good to know: the Ultrex’s cable steering is a plus for feel but means a heavier pedal setup than a wireless motor. Pair it with a Humminbird display to get the most from the built-in imaging and One-Boat Network.

Check the Minn Kota Ultrex QUEST on Amazon → →

2. Minn Kota Terrova QUEST — Best remote-steer

The Terrova QUEST uses the same brushless QUEST motor family but steers electronically by wireless remote or optional pedal. That makes it the better match for anglers who move around the boat, troll for walleye or fish from the back deck. Spot-Lock, Jog and route-following features are included, and this version builds in Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar.

Good to know: electric steering feels less direct than the Ultrex’s cable for flipping and pitching. If you mostly fish shallow cover from the front deck, the Ultrex may suit you better.

Check the Minn Kota Terrova QUEST on Amazon → →

3. Garmin Force Kraken — Best for Garmin boats

The Force Kraken is Garmin’s second-generation trolling motor and a strong alternative to Minn Kota for anglers already running Garmin chartplotters. It’s brushless and known for being exceptionally quiet. This 63-inch version includes the GT56UHD-TR transducer built into the motor for ultra high-definition ClearVü and SideVü imaging. Anchor lock, heading hold and route following integrate with compatible ECHOMAP and GPSMAP units.

Good to know: the Kraken’s wireless pedal is a different feel from cable steering. Garmin also offers a 75-inch white Kraken without a transducer for taller bows.

Check the Garmin Force Kraken on Amazon → →

4. Lowrance Ghost 47″ — Best for Lowrance boats

Lowrance designed the Ghost from the ground up as a brushless, quiet motor, and it quickly earned a following for power and battery life. Lowrance rates it at 97 lb thrust on 24V and 120 lb on 36V. The configurable foot pedal lets you assign shortcut buttons, and the motor networks with HDS and Elite FS displays for anchor and autopilot features. This version includes an HDI sonar nosecone.

Good to know: the Ghost’s anchor mode and networking are at their best with a Lowrance display. Check shaft length; 47 inches suits many bass boats, but taller bows need the 52- or 60-inch.

Check the Lowrance Ghost 47″ on Amazon → →

5. Lowrance Ghost X 47″ — Best new Lowrance

The Ghost X is the updated version of the Ghost, sold with an Active Imaging nosecone and the configurable foot pedal. It’s aimed at anglers who want the latest Lowrance trolling motor and imaging in the nosecone without adding a separate transducer.

Good to know: as a newer model, the Ghost X has a shorter track record in owner reviews than the original Ghost. Compare the listings to decide whether the updates are worth it for you.

Check the Lowrance Ghost X on Amazon → →

6. MotorGuide Xi5 — Best value

The Xi5 is a long-running wireless GPS trolling motor with Pinpoint GPS anchoring, and it often sells for less than the Minn Kota, Garmin and Lowrance flagships. This 54-inch freshwater version is rated at 105 lb peak thrust and includes built-in sonar. Owners like its simple, durable design and wireless pedal.

Good to know: the Xi5 is an older, brushed design, so it isn’t as efficient as the brushless motors above. Networking with fish finders is more limited, too.

Check the MotorGuide Xi5 on Amazon → →

Buying checklist for a GPS trolling motor

• Thrust and voltage. Match thrust to boat weight and choose 24V or 36V accordingly. Our guide on what size trolling motor you need walks through the math.
• Shaft length. Too short and the prop cavitates in waves; too long and it drags in shallow water. Measure from the mount to the waterline.
• Brushless vs. brushed. Brushless motors run longer per charge and are quieter. They cost more up front.
• Steering style. Cable steer (Ultrex) feels direct; electric steer (Terrova, Kraken, Ghost) frees up the deck and works by remote.
• Built-in sonar. Many motors include a transducer in the nosecone. Make sure it matches your display brand.
• Ecosystem. Anchor and route features work best with the same brand as your chartplotter.

Batteries and wiring for a GPS trolling motor

A premium trolling motor is only as good as the batteries behind it. GPS anchoring keeps the motor working constantly to correct for wind, so a weak battery bank shows up quickly as a motor that drifts off the spot by early afternoon. Most anglers running a 36V motor use three deep-cycle batteries wired in series, and many are switching to lithium because it saves a lot of weight and holds voltage more evenly through the day.

Use the wire gauge and circuit breaker the manufacturer specifies for your motor and cable run. Undersized wire wastes power as heat and can cut thrust. If you run electronics from the same boat, keep the trolling motor circuit separate from your fish finder’s power to reduce sonar interference. That’s especially important with live sonar mounted on the motor shaft, which our forward-facing sonar guide covers in more detail.

Finally, plan for a quality onboard charger sized for your battery type. A charger matched to lithium or AGM chemistry keeps the bank healthy and ready for the next trip.

Cable steer or electric steer?

Choose cable steer (Minn Kota Ultrex) if you fish from the front deck all day, pitch and flip around cover, and want instant, physical feedback through your foot. Choose electric steer (Terrova, Kraken, Ghost, Xi5) if you want a wireless remote, fish from different spots in the boat, or troll for long stretches. Both styles offer GPS anchoring in the models above.

FAQ

What is Spot-Lock on a trolling motor?

Spot-Lock is Minn Kota’s GPS anchoring feature. The motor uses GPS to hold the boat in place, automatically correcting for wind and current. Garmin, Lowrance and MotorGuide offer similar features under other names.

Is a brushless trolling motor worth it?

For most anglers who fish long days, yes. Brushless motors run more efficiently, so batteries last longer, and they tend to be quieter. They cost more than brushed motors.

Can I use a Garmin trolling motor with a Humminbird fish finder?

The motor will steer and anchor on its own, but networking features such as route following from the display and built-in imaging work best with a same-brand display.

Do I need 24V or 36V for a GPS trolling motor?

Many premium motors run on either. 36V gives more thrust and is common on bass boats over about 18 feet; 24V suits lighter boats and saves the weight of one battery.

How long do trolling motor batteries last?

It depends on battery type, capacity, thrust and how much you hold anchor in wind. Lithium batteries and brushless motors together give the longest runtimes, often a full tournament day on a well-sized system.