Torqeedo Vs Minn Kota | Which Should You Buy?
The product ranges from Torqeedo and Min Kota electric motor manufacturers are aimed at two very different markets. While they both produce electric outboard engines for leisure craft, only one product in each range overlaps the other.
With the ever-increasing price of gas and the need to reduce carbon emissions, an alternative power source for anglers and leisure boat enthusiasts is becoming an urgent requirement.
While gas-powered outboards will always hold a place in our hearts, electric outboard motors must be seriously considered when suitable replacement motors become available.
In this article, we will objectively compare the Torqeedo and Minn Kota electric marine motors, and in the case of the Torqeedo Travel 603 and Minn Kota E-Drive, we will provide an in-depth comparison.
🗝️ Key Takeaways
1️⃣ Torqeedo and Minn Kota have very different product ranges. For example, Torqeedo offers electric propulsion from 1hp to 80hp. At the same time, Minn Kota specializes in electric trolling motors (under two hp) and only has one two hp electric outboard motor (The E-Drive.)
2️⃣ On paper and in terms of the electric outboard motors’ pure specification (excluding Minn Kota’s trolling motors), the Torqeedo range is larger and meets the needs of a broader range of boaters.
3️⃣ The Torqeedo products cost less than Minn Kota (which only has one engine rated as a pure outboard) and are much lighter and easier to break down for storage.
4️⃣ A decision like this is never clear-cut, and this comparison is no different. The Minn Kota electric outboard E-Drive motor has twice the available running time than the Torqeedo equivalent product; it will push the boat slightly faster and is quieter than the Torqeedo Travel 603.
5️⃣ The final decision will be based on the available budget, the distance you intend to travel between charges, and whether you will remove the motor for the boat when it is not being used.
🗃️ Torqeedo vs. Minn Kota Product Range Comparison
The electric outboard motor product range of each manufacturer is as follows.
Minn Kota Product Range And Price
The Minn Kota product range includes the following electric trolling and outboard motors.
| Model | Horsepower | Battery Type | Recommended Retail Price |
| Ulterra Bow – Fresh Water, Bow mounted trolling motor | 1.5 HP | 24V, 36V (Customer supplies) | $ 2,649.00 |
| Ultrex Bow – Fresh Water, Bow mounted trolling motor | 1.5 HP | 24V, 36V (Customer supplies) | $ 2,699.99 |
| Terrova Bow – Fresh Water, Bow mounted trolling motor | 1.5 HP | 12V, 24V, 36V (Customer supplies) | $ 1,449.99 |
| PowerDrive – Fresh Water, Bow mounted trolling motor | 0.64 HP | 12V, 24V (Customer supplies) | $ 829.99 |
| Edge – Fresh Water Bow mounted trolling motor | 0.64 HP | 12V, 24V (Customer supplies) | Due to manufacturing backlogs, this is currently not available |
| Maxxum- Fresh Water, Bow mounted trolling motor | 1.1 HP | 24V Customer supplies | Due to manufacturing backlogs, this is currently not available |
| Endura Max – Fresh Water, Transom mounted trolling motor | 0.84 HP | 12V (Customer supplies) | Due to manufacturing backlogs, this is currently not available |
| Endura- Fresh Water, Transom mounted trolling motor | 0.84 HP | 12V (Customer supplies) | Due to manufacturing backlogs, this is currently not available |
| Traxxis- Fresh Water, Transom mounted trolling motor | 1.5 HP | 12V, 24V (Customer supplies) | Due to manufacturing backlogs, this is currently not available |
| Vantage- Fresh Water, Transom mounted trolling motor | 1.5 HP | 24V, 36V (Customer supplies) | Due to manufacturing backlogs, this is currently not available |
| Riptide Terrova – Saltwater, Bow mounted trolling motor | 1.85 HP | 12V, 24V, 36V (Customer supplies) | $ 1,749.99 |
| Riptide PowerDrive – Saltwater, Bow mounted trolling motor | 0.84 HP | 12V, 24V (Customer supplies) | $ 1,049.99 |
| Riptide Ulterra – Saltwater, Bow mounted trolling motor | 1.85 HP | 24V, 36V (Customer supplies) | $ 2,599.99 |
| Riptide Fortrex – Saltwater, Bow mounted trolling motor | 1.85 HP | 24V, 36V (Customer supplies) | $ 1,449.99 |
| E-Drive Electric Outboard | 2.0 HP | 48V | $3,249.99 |
Torqeedo Product Range And Price
The Torqeedo product range starts off where the Minn Kota finishes. Whereas Minn Kota supplies excellently equipped models from 0.84HP to 2.0HP, The Torqeedo range starts at 1.0HP. The highest-powered unit is the Deep Blue 50, rated at the equivalent of 80 HP.
| 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 |
There are two reasons why the Torqeedo Product Range is the winner in this section.
1️⃣ Torqeedo motors are generally cheaper than Minn Kota.
2️⃣ Torqeedo has a wider range of electric motors, whereas Minn Kota specializes in the trolling motor market and only has one conventional electric outboard.
Torqeedo Travel 603 vs. Minn Kota E-Drive
The side-by-side comparison of each company’s 2.0 HP product is provided in the table below.
| Torqeedo Travel 603 Outboard | Minn Kota E-Drive Electric Outboard | |
| Rated Power Output | 2.0 HP | 2.0 HP |
| Required Battey | Integrated 48V Lithium-ion batteries | 48V Lithium-ion batteries |
| Battery Included | Yes | No |
| Speed (Full Throttle) | 3.94 Knots (7.3 km/h) | 4.34 knots (8.04 km/h) |
| Range (Full Throttle) | 3.29 miles (6.1 km) | Not Available |
| Running Time (Full Throttle) | 00:50 minutes | 2:00 Hours |
| Weight | 34 Lbs. | 85 Lbs. |
| Remote Steering | No | Yes |
| Remote Speed Control | No | Engine Mount includes an 18′ long wire connected to a remote control. It enables the user to adjust the speed across a wide range of power settings in forward and reverse gears. |
| Power Tilt and Trim | Manual – no assist | Remote fully remote capability |
| Propellor material | Plastic/metal | Stainless Steel Prop |
| Digital Maximizer | No | The motor is equipped with a digital system that enables the battery to stay charged for five times longer |
| Fresh and saltwater use | Yes – Both | Only freshwater |
| Cost | $2,248.00 | $3,249.99 |
Based on range and additional extras, the Minn Kota E-Drive Electric Outboard is the winner in this section.
It must be pointed out that the Minn Kota E-Drive Electric Outboard costs 45% more, and it is twice as heavy.
⚒️ The Electric Outboard Motors Durability
Another way to persuade gas-powered outboard motor owners to switch to electric motors is to improve the general perceptions of the product’s durability.
Materials Used In Construction
The Minn Kota E-Drive Electric Outboard uses more composite aluminum and metal in the construction. In contrast, the Torqeedo Travel 603 Outboard is made from a combination of hardened plastic and aluminum.
Surprisingly, this includes the lower unit and propellor, where most wear and tear will be experienced.
In this metric, although the extensive use of metal increases the weight, the payoff is a more durable unit.
The downside of the motor being made extensively of metal is that it only restricts the use to inland, fresh waters. If the owner does use the motor in seawater, the warranty is voided.
The winner of the durability section is Minn Kota E-Drive due mainly to the steel propellor and the more extensive use of metals in its construction. However, this is a two-edged sword because it prevents the Minn Kota E-Drive from being used in saltwater.
Warranty Conditions
A comparison of warranty conditions between the two manufacturers is listed in the table below.
| Torqeedo Travel 603 | Minn Kota E-Drive Electric Outboard | |
| Length of warranty | Twenty-four months after the date on which the product was delivered | Limited Two-Year Warranty on the Entire Product |
| Warranty on shaft | No | Lifetime warranty on trolling motor shafts |
| Extended Warranty Period | No | No |
| Is warranty transferable | Warranty is transferable | The warranty is not transferable |
| Warranty on commercial operations | No | No |
| Sea water Use | Yes | No |
The winner in this category is the Torqeedo Travel 603 because there is no warranty restriction relating to the use in saltwater.
⚖️ The Pros And Cons Of Each Motor
Each motor has its pros and cons; deciding which is the overall winner is more challenging.
The Pros & Cons Of The Torqeedo Travel 603
The list below is the pros (positives of the Torqeedo Travel 603). In some instances, the pros are shared between each motor. The negative features of the Torqeedo Travel 603 are also listed below.
👍 Pros
- 2-year warranty.
- Freshwater or saltwater.
- The Torqeedo Travel 603 is more versatile because it can be run in fresh and saltwater.
- The throttle setting is displayed in the control panel.
- A Mobile Solar charging system is available.
- The Lithium-Ion Battery floats.
- Completely waterproof
- Easily dismantled and stored
- Breakaway feature
- The system has a smartphone app with full GPS functionality.
👎 Cons:
- While quiet by gas-powered outboard standards, it is noisier than the Minn Kota E-Drive Electric Outboard.
- Uses plastic extensively in construction.
- While neither motor can be accused of being fast, this is the slowest of the two.
- It runs for almost half the time between charges as the Shorter run time as the Minn Kota E-Drive Electric Outboard.
- Manual tilt and no remote option.
- Only tiller steering is available, with no remote controls available.
The Pros & Cons Of The Minn Kota E-Drive Electric Outboard
The list below is the pros of the Minn Kota E-Drive Electric Outboard. In some instances, the pros are shared between each motor. The negative features of the Torqeedo Travel 603 are also listed below.
👍 Pros:
- 2-year warranty
- Metal parts are used in the construction, which will positively impact the product’s durability.
- It has a greater range and runs twice the time between charges as the Torqeedo Travel 603.
- The company offers a remote throttle unit with a digital display providing essential information.
- Remote or tiller steering is available.
- It is the quietest of the two electric outboard engines.
- Electric tilt and trim are standard.
- The system has a smartphone app with full GPS functionality.
👎 Cons:
- No battery is included, which means this is an additional expense.
- The Minn Kota E-Drive weighs over twice as much as the Torqeedo Travel 603.
- As with all electric outboard motors at this level, it is slow (although slightly faster than the Torqeedo Travel 603.
- There is less flexibility because the metal construction dictates it can only be used in freshwater.
- No solar charging system is available; however, these can be purchased from third-party suppliers.
🏆 The Winner: Torqeedo Travel 603 Vs. Minn Kota E-Drive Electric Outboard
The score of wins by each motor is as follows.
Torqeedo Travel 603 – 2/0.
Minn Kota E-Drive Electric Outboard – 2/0.
The results are equal, with no outright winners.
The biggest drawback of owning an electric motor is the lack of range and time to recharge the battery compared to filling a conventional outboard motors gas tank.
With this in mind, if budget is not as much of an issue, I would still choose the Minn Kota E-Drive Electric Outboard over the Torqeedo Travel 603.
Which Is Best For A Buyer On A Budget?
The Torqeedo Travel 603 is the better option if the budget is tighter. There are many excellent features that make this motor a worthwhile choice in its own right. So if you fish relatively close to your base, the Torqeedo Travel 603 is a sound choice.
Which Is Best For A Buyer Needing Longer Range?
If the range of operation is an essential requirement, the Minn Kota E-Drive Electric Outboard is the optimal choice.
The Minn Kota E-Drive travels slightly faster and more than twice as long between charges compared to the Torqeedo Travel 603. That additional 1hr and ten minutes of running time will prove very useful to someone who needs the range.
Which Is Better For An Angler?
The Minn Kota E-Drive Electric Trolling Motor is the right choice for fishing boats in shallow waters where you may risk a prop strike.
Being the quieter of the two motors (neither motor is very noisy) means that you won’t be announcing your arrival the same way as a gas-powered outboard motor.
🗣️ Final Words
We recommend comparing Torqeedo and Minn Kota electric outboard motors. Then, check out these websites to learn more and find the authorized dealer nearest you.
Both sellers offer an e-store on their websites, which means when you make your choice if you can deal directly with the manufacturers (Link Torqeedo, Link Minn Kota)
If you would prefer to deal face-to-face with a salesperson, both manufacturers have extensive representation in America. The details of their dealer networks are contained on their respective websites.
We also recommend that you review the following comparisons.
Torqeedo Vs. Bixby
ePropulsion Vs. Torqeedo
If you are new to electric outboard motors, then this guide to electric outboard motors provides some helpful insight into the topic.
