What Is the Best Small Outboard Motor? Our Ranked Picks, No Fence-Sitting
You asked for the best, not a list of forty “great options”. Here are our winners by use case, the reasons they won, and the runner-up if the winner does not fit.
What is the best small outboard motor? For most people it is a 9.9 HP EFI four-stroke; our overall pick is the Mercury FourStroke 9.9 HP EFI. For lightweight use, the Honda BF2.3 wins; for silent lakes, the Torqeedo Travel 1103 CS.
The cottage association vote that ended in six minutes
The Loon Point cottage association had a problem. Their shared work boat, a 14 ft (4.3 m) aluminum hull used for hauling docks, fixing buoys and fetching the odd stranded kayaker, needed a new motor. The last meeting about it lasted two hours and ended with three members not speaking to each other.
This time the treasurer, Anik, brought one sheet of paper. On it: the jobs the boat does, the boat’s maximum horsepower, who would be starting it (everyone, including two teenagers and an eighty-year-old), and a single recommendation with one runner-up. No brand debate, no forum printouts.
The vote took six minutes. They chose a 9.9 HP EFI: light enough for two people to lift, no choke for the occasional driver to fumble, enough power to plane the boat with a dock section in tow at low speed. Anik was re-elected treasurer by acclamation.
“Best” means best for the job and the people using it. Here is our sheet of paper.
Which small outboard motor is best for each use?
Ranked by what matters most for each job: reliability, weight, ease of starting and value.
| Use case | Winner | From (USD) | Why it wins | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Best overall | Mercury FourStroke 9.9 HP EFI | $2,850 | EFI starting, no choke, planes most 12–14 ft boats | Suzuki DF9.9B |
| 2. Best value | Tohatsu MFS9.8 | $2,450 | Near 9.9 HP power for hundreds less | Tohatsu MFS8 |
| 3. Lightest gas | Honda BF2.3 | $1,200 | About 30 lb (14 kg), air-cooled, simple | Suzuki DF2.5 |
| 4. Best for cottage shuttles | Yamaha F15 | $3,650 | Room for passengers and groceries, smooth and quiet | Mercury 15 HP EFI |
| 5. Best for big lakes | Suzuki DF30A | $5,400 | Top of the small range with reserve for chop | Honda BF30 |
| 6. Best electric | Torqeedo Travel 1103 CS | $2,599 | Silent, no fuel, about 3 HP class push | Torqeedo Travel 603 S |
The winners, in stock
Every pick above is a real motor you can order today. Starting prices in USD.
How do you pick the best small outboard for you?
Use the rankings, then confirm with these checks.
- Name your main job. Fishing, shuttling, tender duty or big-lake crossings. Pick the matching row above.
- Check the capacity plate. Never exceed the boat’s maximum HP, whatever the ranking says.
- Measure the transom. About 15 in (38 cm) for short shaft, about 20 in (51 cm) for long shaft.
- Think about who starts it. Shared or occasional drivers are happiest with EFI or electric start.
- Check your lake’s rules. Some lakes limit horsepower or allow electric only; check your local boating rules.
- Every brand we sell has strong parts and dealer support.
- All our gas motors are four-strokes: quiet, efficient, no oil mixing.
- Electric picks pair with our spare batteries and accessories.
What is the best small outboard motor: FAQ
Which brand makes the best small outboard?
Mercury, Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda and Tohatsu all build excellent small four-strokes. Pick by model, features and local service support rather than badge alone.
Why is 9.9 HP so often recommended?
It planes most light 12 to 14 ft boats, stays liftable by two people, and fits many lakes with horsepower limits. It is the most versatile small size.
Is EFI worth it on a small outboard?
For most owners, yes. EFI starts easily without a choke, adjusts to temperature and altitude, and removes carburetor draining from winter prep.
Is an electric outboard better than gas?
For quiet lakes, short trips and low maintenance, often yes. For long range or heavier boats at speed, a gas four-stroke is still the practical choice.
Still between two winners? We will break the tie.
Send your boat, transom height and main job. We will name one motor, not a shortlist.