Bixby Vs Torqeedo | Which Should You Buy?
In this article, we evaluate and compare four ultralight electric outboard motors, namely the Bixpy J-2 Motor, against three Torqeedo trolling motors (Ultralight 403 A, Ultralight 403 AC, Ultralight 1103 AC.)
The ultralight (3hp and less) electric outboard motor market is well-serviced by several manufacturers, each of which offers viable products for small vessels (such as kayaks) requiring low-power-assisted solutions.
At last count, ten established electric outboard motor manufacturers produce electric motors producing three horsepower or less. Several manufacturers have deployed traditional established technology, whereas Torqeedo and Bixpy have developed unique solutions.
🔑 Key Takeaways
1️⃣ Bixpy’s win in this comparison on almost every metric. They have achieved such a positive score not only because they cost so much less than the Torqeedo motors but they are also highly versatile and can be used to power almost any floating object.
2️⃣ The Bixpy company threw out the rule book when they designed the Bixpy J-2 Motor. Instead of dictating that it should be mounted on a traditional transom-type position.
3️⃣ They offer 19 different mounting methods, including the boat’s underside, rubber duck, canoe, or fishing kayak.
In the article, we take you through the different comparisons, and we think you will be surprised at how some of the products faired in the final scoring.
🏞️ A Brief Background Of Bixpy And Torqeedo
Both manufacturers have grown from start-up workshops in their private home garages, and each one has entered the market because, at the time, there was no alternative solution.
Bixpy
Bixpy was established after the founder, Houman Nikmanesh, found himself drifting off the San Diego coast in a Hobie Island sailboat, exhausted and battling to get home.
When he eventually reached land, he started investigating the technologies available to retrofit kayaks and small dinghies with low-powered, highly efficient electric motors.
The first product was launched in 2017. Bixpy makes a small electric motor system that can be used on kayaks, rubber ducks, conventional boats, canoes, and paddleboards.
The company also manufactures battery technology and accessories to support the product.
Torqeedo
Torqeedo was founded in 2004 in a small garage on Lake Starnberg in Southern Bavaria, Germany, by Dr. Christoph Ballin and Dr. Friedrich Böbel.
The name “Torqeedo” refers to the high torque values this manufacturer’s products produce.
Torqeedo electric motors are brushless and deploy magnets that rotate around the stator, which Torqeedo claims produce higher levels of torque than equivalently sized electric outboard motors from other manufacturers.
Part of the increased torque is due to the rare earth magnets Torqeedo uses. They claim that these magnets installed on the motor stators have 5 to 6 times the strength of regular batteries.
The result is that Torqeedo claims their electric motors produce up to twenty times (20X) more torque than the equivalent competitor products.
Today the German manufacturer is considered one of the leaders in the electric marine motor propulsion industry and sells some of the most advanced electric outboard motors ranging in power from 1hp to 80 hp.
🏷️ Product Range And Prices
These are two vastly different companies.
Bixpy
Bixpy has concentrated on developing a single motor and related accessories for powering kayaks, inflatable boats, canoes, and paddleboards.
The details of the Bixpy motor are listed below.
| Model | Horsepower | Battery Type | Recommended Retail Price |
| Bixpy J-2 Motor | 1.0 HP | 6-volt LiFePO4 cells (Lithium Ion battery cells) | $519.00 |
| Mounting adaptor | $127.00 | ||
| Bixpy Outboard Battery Without Remote | $479.00 | ||
| Total | $1,125.00 |
Torqeedo
Torqeedo has developed an impressive range of ten electric outboard motors, three electric inboard units, and three pod drives for sailing boats from three to ten tons.
The Torqeedo range is listed below.
| Model | Horsepower | Battery Type | Recommended Retail Price |
| Ultralight 403 A/AC | 1.0 HP | Integrated Li-ion battery | $1,999.00 |
| Ultralight 1103 AC | 3.0 HP | Integrated Li-ion battery | $2,899.00 |
| Travel 603 | 2.0 HP | Integrated Li-ion battery | $2,248.00 |
| Travel 1103 C | 3.0 HP | Integrated Li-ion battery | $2,948.00 |
| Cruise 3.0 | 6.0 HP | External Power 24-3500 battery or AGM / lead-gel battery (Customer supplies) | $4,298.00 |
| Cruise 6.0 | 9.9 HP | External Power 48-5000 battery or AGM / lead-gel battery (Customer supplies) | $4,298.00 |
| Cruise 12.0 R Torq Link | 25.0 HP | External Power 48-5000 battery or AGM / lead-gel battery (Customer supplies) | $4,898.00 |
| Cruise 12.0 FP Torq Link | 25.0 HP | External Power 48-5000 battery or AGM / lead-gel battery (Customer supplies) | $4,898.00 |
| Deep Blue 25 | 40.0 HP | A high-voltage battery, part of the Deep Blue Lithium high-performance battery system (Customer supplies) | $10,599.00 |
| Deep Blue 50 | 80.0 HP | A high-voltage battery, part of the Deep Blue Lithium high-performance battery system (Customer supplies) | $10,599.00 |
The winner of this section is Bixpy due to the low cost of their solution, even when considering that the motor does not come standard with the same level of equipment as the Torqeedo models.
Bixpy is the winner in this category.
📊 Technical Specifications Of The Bixpy And Torqeedo Motors
The following list is a comparative overview of the Bixpy J-2 motor compared to the three Torqeedo Ultralight models.
| Bixpy J-2 Motor | Ultralight 403 A | Ultralight 403 AC | Ultralight 1103 AC | |
| Width along thruster body: | 80mm (3.14 inches) | 95 mm (3.75 inches) | 95 mm (3.75 inches) | 95 mm (3.75 inches) |
| Width along the output nozzle: | 91mm (3.59 inch) | 145 mm (5.7 inches) | 145 mm (5.7 inches) | 145 mm (5.7 inches) |
| Length: | 281mm (10.75 inches) | 323 mm (12.7 inches) | 323 mm (12.7 inches) | 323 mm (12.7 inches) |
| Height (including adapter): | 143mm (5.75 inches) | 622 mm (24.4 inches) | 622 mm (24.4 inches) | 622 mm (24.4 inches) |
| Weight: | 0.93 kg (2.0 lbs.) | 8.8 kg (19.4 lbs.) | 15.3 kg (33.7 lbs.) | 11 kg (24.2 lbs.) |
| Power Output | ||||
| Max output: | 450 watts | 180 watts | 180 watts | 540 watts |
| Thrust equivalent: | 33lb (15 kg) | 33lb (15 kg) | 33lb (15 kg) | n/a |
| Water movement: | 500 L/min 130 GPM | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Maximum propeller rpm | n/a | 1200 | 1450 | 1200 |
This list shows the differences between the two manufacturers’ products.
The Bixpy J-2 Motor is almost 1/10th of the weight of the ultra-light Torqeedo Motors while also producing 450 watts of thrust compared to the Torqeedo models, which range from 180 watts to 540 watts.
The Bixpy J-2 Motor is also more compact than the Torqeedo Motors.
Bixpy is the winner in this category.
⛽ Electric Outboard Range
A key concern of boaters switching from gas-powered motors to electric energy is the reduction in range and the long time taken to recharge the motors.
The range-relevant performance of each motor is listed below.
| Bixpy J-2 Motor | Ultralight 403 A | Ultralight 403 AC | Ultralight 1103 AC | |
| Power | 1 HP | 1 HP | 1 HP | 3 HP |
| Range | Up to 28 km | up to 35 km | up to 100 km | up to 53 km |
| Running Time | Up to 12 hours | Up to 8 hours | Up to 24 hours | Up to 9 hours |
| Speed – Slow | 2.4 km/h | 4.2 km/h | 4.2 km/h | 5.8 km/h |
| Speed – Half | 6.4 km/h | 6.0 km/h | 6.0 km/h | 10.9 km/h |
| Speed – Full | 10.4 km/h | 9.3 km/h | 9.3 km/h | 12.5 km/h |
Please note the above performance data is dependent on the boat onto which the motors are installed. All quoted figures are based on the manufacturers’ specifications.
There is no decisive winner in this category. The Bixpy J-2 Motor has a shorter range than the Torqeedo Motors. In its favor, however, is that it has a higher top speed than the two 1 hp Torqeedo Motors and a slightly higher range than the Ultralight 403 A.
This category is a draw.
🔋 Recharging Bixpy And Torqeedo Batteries
Both electric motors are supplied with standard wall battery chargers. Each manufacturer also offers optional solar panels, enabling the motors to be recharged while on the water.
Bixpy J-2 Motor
The Bixpy recharging system enables a full recharge of its lithium batteries in 5 -6 hours.
Torqeedo Motors
Torqeedo Motors offers several different 110-volt and 220-volt chargers, which can replenish a battery with zero electrical charge in 2.5 to 11 hours, depending on the model recharger.
The winner in this category is Bixpy.
📦 Equipment Included As Standard
Both manufacturers include essential equipment as standard. However, Torqeedo motors have the largest selection of accessories provided as standard equipment.
| Bixpy J-2 Motor | Ultralight 403 A | Ultralight 403 AC | Ultralight 1103 AC | |
| Integrated Battery | Extra | Yes | Yes | 915 W high-performance lithium battery |
| Remote Throttle | Yes (Wireless) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| On-Board Computer | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| GPS-Based Range Calculation | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency Stop Key | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Charger | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Solar Panels | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Smart Phone App | No | TorqTrac | TorqTrac | TorqTrac |
The Torqeedo motors have a wider range of accessories as standard making this company the winner for this section.
The winner in this category is Torqeedo.
🧘 Flexibility Offered By The Bixpy And Torqeedo Motors
The Bixpy J-2 Motor has 19 different adaptors enabling it to be retrofitted to almost any boat. The adaptors include the following.
| Product | Type of kit | Type of boat |
| NuCanoe Quick Connect Adapter | Mounting, Steering, And Retracting The Bixpy Motor | NuCanoe Frontier 12 Or The NuCanoe Unlimited |
| Hobie® Pro Angler Adapter | Motor Mount | Kayak |
| Hobie® Compass Power Pole Adapter | Motor Mount | Kayak |
| ThruHull™ Pod Adapter – | Clip On Motor Mount | Feel free Kayaks |
| ThruHull™ Pod Adapter | Clip On Motor Mount | Bonafide Kayaks |
| Hobie® Outback Power Pole Adapter | Motor Mount | Kayak |
| Power Pole Adapter | Motor Mount | Kayak |
| Transom Adapter | Motor Mount | Any Transom Equipped Boat |
| Low Profile – THRUHULL™ PEDAL DRIVE ADAPTER | Replaces Foot Pedal Drive | Most Fin Pedal Kayaks |
| Hobie® Mirage, Vibe X-Drive, Pelican HD, Lightning | Replaces Foot Pedal Drive | Most Fin Pedal Kayaks |
| Universal Rudder Adapter | Rudder Motor Mount | Vibe kayak and other kayaks |
| Universal Kayak Adapter | Motor Mount | kayak, canoe, or small watercraft |
| DIY (Do It Yourself) ThruHull™ POD Adapter | Pod Motor Mount | Mounting On A Dry Pod Or Flat Surface Of Any Craft |
| DIY Fin Adapter for Inflatables | Underside Pod Mount | Inflatable Or Paddleboards |
| Hobie® Twist & Stow Rudder Adapter | Rudder Mounted Pod | Replaces Hobie® Rudder (Kayak) |
| Flip & Lock Fin Adapter | Motor Mount | Paddle Board Or Kayak |
| Slide & Lock Fin | Motor Mount | Paddle Board Or Kayak |
| US Fin Adapter | Motor Mount | Paddle Board Or Kayak |
| Flat Surface Bracket | Motor Mount | Any boat with a flat surface |
Torqeedo Motors
The Torqeedo motors include a unique mounting system for boats, canoes, and kayaks.
| Product | Type of kit | Type of boat |
| Torqeedo Mount | Motor Mount | kayak and canoes |
| Ultralight Kayak bracket | Motor Mount | kayaks |
The winner of this section is Bixpy, with its 19 different mounting methods enabling the motors to power anything from paddleboards and rubber ducks to transom-equipped boats.
The winner in this category is Bixpy.
🌊 Use In Fresh Water And Sea Water
Both Bixpy And Torqeedo make extensive use of plastics in the construction of their products, and each advertises that their products are suitable for use in both fresh water and seawater.
There is no winner in this category.
💎 Durability Of The Electric Motors
Both Bixpy And Torqeedo use plastic to house the motor bodies (in gas-powered outboard motors, this is called the skeg).
The propellors on each unit are made of plastic. However, the Bixpy J-2 motor’s propeller is covered by a shroud. In essence, this makes it an impeller.
Being plastic, the Torqeedo propellor (which is not protected by a shroud) is vulnerable to damage when used in shallow waters.
Bixpy is the winner in this category.
🏆 Torqeedo Motors Vs. Bixpy J-2 Motor: The Winner
With a score of 5/8 against 1/8 plus 2/8 draws, Bixpy is the clear winner in this comparison.
Although it may come as a surprise considering the range of motors produced by Torqeedo, the flexibility, lightweight, low cost, and robust performance criteria win the day for Bixpy.
We also recommend that you review the following comparisons.
Torqeedo Vs. Elco
ePropulsion Vs. Torqeedo
Torqeedo Vs. Minn Kota
If you are new to electric outboard motors, then this guide to electric outboard motors provides some helpful insight into the topic.
Which Is Best For A Buyer On A Budget
At almost half the price of the lowest-cost Torqeedo Ultralight 403 A motor, the Bixpy J-2 Motor is suited for people who are buying a motor on a strict budget.
Which Is Best For A Buyer Needing Longer Range
While this is true in Bixpy’s target market, the Bixpy J-2 Motor is the better deal. However, there are some instances where a Torqeedo trolling motor may be the better option.
In particular, if a long range is required, the “up to 100km” of the Torqeedo Ultralight 403 AC motor is worth consideration.
Call To Action
The marine electric motors described in this article represent the latest generation of units capable of powering small boats, kayaks, and canoes.
In particular, the Bixpy J-2 Motor allows you to retrofit the power unit onto almost any floating object. It can be mounted underneath a rubber duck, underneath a canoe, or on the back of fishing kayaks.
If you have a suitable craft and are tired of being caught away from the shore and battling winds and currents to get home, this type of electric motor is an excellent investment. Likewise, kayak anglers will benefit greatly from the Bixby J-2.
Both manufacturers offer online sales through their websites:
