What Is the Best Small Outboard Motor? Our Ranked Picks by Use
No hedging, no “it depends” without an answer. Here is the one motor we would buy for each job, and why it beat the rest of our range.
What is the best small outboard motor? For most owners it is the Suzuki DF15A: light for a 15 HP, easy on petrol and strong enough to plane a loaded 4 m tinnie. For tenders, the lightweight Suzuki DF2.5 or Honda BF2.3 wins.
The boat ramp debate that finally got settled
Every Friday arvo at the boat ramp, the same four blokes had the same argument. Baz swore by one brand, Deano by another, Chook said the only good motor was the one his grandfather owned, and young Ella said nothing because she was busy launching.
One week Ella brought a notepad. She asked each of them one question: “What do you actually use it for?” Baz towed a tube for his kids in the bay. Deano trolled a dam. Chook ran a tender to his yacht. Ella fished the estuary alone at dawn.
Four uses, four different best motors. Baz needed torque; Deano needed silence; Chook needed something he could lift one-handed off a swinging dinghy; Ella needed a motor that would plane her 4 m tinnie and still sip petrol. The argument ended because the question changed.
That is how we built the list below. “Best” only means something once you say “best for what”.
Which small outboard is best for each job?
Here is our decisive pick for each use, with the runner-up if the winner is out of stock.
| Rank / use | Our pick | From (USD) | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Best overall | Suzuki DF15A | $3,400 | Mercury 15 EFI |
| 2. Best value | Tohatsu MFS9.8 | $2,450 | Tohatsu MFS8 |
| 3. Lightest for tenders | Suzuki DF2.5 | $1,080 | Honda BF2.3 |
| 4. Best for inflatables | Yamaha F6 | $2,010 | Mercury 6 |
| 5. Best for family tinnies | Mercury 30 EFI | $5,800 | Suzuki DF30A |
| 6. Best for yachts | Torqeedo Cruise 6.0 RL TorqLink | $3,799 | Honda BF10 |
| 7. Best electric for small boats | Torqeedo Travel 1103 CS | $2,599 | Travel 603 S |
Why did these motors win?
- Suzuki DF15A (best overall). Around 44 kg (97 lb), fuel-injected efficiency and a power-to-weight ratio that suits the most common small boat, a 3.7–4.3 m tinnie.
- Tohatsu MFS9.8 (best value). A full 9.8 HP for less than most rivals’ 8 HP, and light enough to lift with a mate.
- Suzuki DF2.5 (lightest). About 13.5 kg (30 lb) with an integral tank. The cheapest way onto the water in our range.
- Yamaha F6 (inflatables). Smooth, quiet and enough thrust to plane a light inflatable with two aboard.
- Mercury 30 EFI (family tinnies). Strong low-down pull for full crews and chop, with easy EFI starting.
- Torqeedo Cruise 6.0 RL (yachts). Long shaft, remote control, silent, no petrol stored aboard.
- Torqeedo Travel 1103 CS (electric). Breaks down to fit a car boot, integrated battery, GPS-based range display.
The winners, ready to order
Starting prices in USD.
What is the best small outboard motor: FAQ
What is the most reliable small outboard brand?
Mercury, Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda and Tohatsu all build dependable four-strokes. Reliability depends more on maintenance and local service support than on the badge.
What is the best small outboard for a 4 m tinnie?
A 15 HP such as the Suzuki DF15A, provided your capacity plate allows it. It planes two adults and gear easily while staying light at the transom.
Is Honda or Yamaha better for a small outboard?
Both are excellent. Honda’s BF2.3 is air-cooled and very simple; Yamaha’s F-series is smooth and widely serviced. Pick whichever has the closer service agent.
Is an electric outboard better than petrol?
For quiet water, short trips and yacht tenders, often yes. For speed, range and tidal runs, a petrol four-stroke is still the better tool.
Stop arguing at the ramp. Start launching.
Tell us your use and we will confirm the winner for your boat.