Every electric outboard gets a score from 0 to 100% built from five factors, which maps onto the 5-point rating shown on the site (a 0% score would be 1.5 stars; a perfect score, 5). Each factor is scored against fixed reference points, not against the other products in the list, so adding a new model never moves another model’s rating. Motors are grouped by power, up to 1.5 kW and over, and value and weight have their own scales for each group.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per kilowatt of motor power | 30% |
| Battery | battery capacity included in the price | 15% |
| Weight | motor weight per kilowatt | 20% |
| Saltwater | rated for use in saltwater | 10% |
| Warranty | warranty on the motor | 25% |
Where the numbers come from
Power, weight, battery capacity, saltwater rating and warranty come from the maker’s spec sheet, manual or product page. Prices are checked at Amazon, the maker’s own store and marine retailers, and the lowest is used.
The factors
Value is the current price divided by the rated input power in kilowatts, on a log scale, so halving the price per kW always counts the same. Small motors cost more per kW to build, so up to 1.5 kW, $5,000 per kW scores zero and $1,000 full marks; over 1.5 kW, $2,000 and $500.
Battery is the battery capacity included in the price, per kilowatt of motor. A motor sold without a battery scores zero; 1 kWh of battery per kW of motor, about an hour at full power, scores full marks.
Weight is the motor’s weight per kilowatt, with its battery when the battery mounts on the motor. Up to 1.5 kW, 45 lb per kW scores zero and 15 lb full marks; over 1.5 kW, 25 lb and 8 lb.
Saltwater scores full marks when the maker rates the motor for saltwater, and zero when it’s for freshwater only.
Warranty is the warranty on the motor: 1 year scores zero and 4 years full marks.
What isn’t scored
Thrust, the gas outboard a maker says it matches, voltage, shaft length, steering, GPS and app features are listed but not scored. Range depends on the battery and the boat, so it isn’t scored either; independent range and speed tests are shown on the product page when there are any.
Missing data
If a figure isn’t published, that factor gets the neutral middle score (50) and the product page marks it as estimated.
Ties and discontinued models
Products are ranked by score within each group. Discontinued models stay listed but rank below every current model and can be hidden with the “Hide discontinued” filter.