Tohatsu vs Mercury Outboard: 7 Honest Differences, Motors From $885

If you’re torn on Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard, you’re in good company. It’s one of the questions we hear most at our shop in Fresno, California. We sell both brands, so we don’t care which one you pick. We just want you to end up with the right motor. Right now we have 49 Tohatsu models and more than 150 Mercury models listed, from the little Mercury 2.5 at $885 all the way up to big Verados, and we ship worldwide.

Here’s the short version. Under 30 HP, the Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard choice is a lot closer than people expect, and in a few sizes it’s nearly the same motor. Over 30 HP there isn’t much of a fight, because Tohatsu’s range runs out where Mercury’s is just getting going. The long version, with specs and our prices, is below.

Tohatsu vs Mercury Outboard: The Quick Answer

If you only read one part of this page, read this table. It’s how we’d split it for most buyers.

That’s the gist of Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard for most people. Now let’s look at why, size by size, with the motors we actually have in stock.

Who Makes Tohatsu and Who Makes Mercury?

To understand Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard properly, start with who builds them. Tohatsu is a Japanese company based in Tokyo. It started out in the 1920s and has been building outboards since the 1950s. It’s a much smaller company than Mercury, and it has always focused on small and mid size motors. A lot of their motors go to work boats, fishing fleets and rental outfits in places where nobody babies an engine.

Mercury Marine is American, based in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and it’s part of Brunswick. It’s one of the biggest outboard makers in the world. Mercury builds everything from 2.5 HP portables to huge V8, V10 and V12 Verados that sit on offshore boats.

So when people compare a Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard, they’re comparing a small specialist with a giant that does everything. That matters less than you’d think in the small sizes and a lot more in the big ones.

Do Tohatsu and Mercury Share Motors?

Yes, in some sizes. Tohatsu has built some of Mercury’s small portable four strokes for years. If you put a Mercury 4, 5 or 6 HP next to a Tohatsu of the same size, a lot of it looks very familiar, and both use a single cylinder of about 123cc. The 3.5 HP motors are in the same boat.

This is why the Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard question is so hard to answer in the 2.5 to 6 HP range. You’re often looking at close cousins with different paint, different decals and different prices. When that’s the case, buy on price, shaft length and the features you want, and don’t lose sleep over the badge.

From 15 HP up, the two brands go their own way. Mercury builds its own 15, 20, 25 and 30 HP EFI motors, and Tohatsu builds its own as well.

Tohatsu vs Mercury Outboard Range Compared

You can browse every model on our Tohatsu outboards page and our Mercury outboards page. Prices on each listing are our real prices.

2.5 to 6 HP: Dinghies, Tenders and Small Jon Boats

This is where the two brands are closest. Both 3.5s weigh about 17 kg and use a small single of roughly 86cc. Both 6 HP motors use the same size 123cc single and weigh in the mid 20s in kilograms. They’re pull start, carbureted, and very easy to live with.

The real differences are small things. Tohatsu offers Sail Pro versions of the 5 and 6 HP with a high thrust prop, a charging coil option and an extra long shaft for sailboats. It also sells propane versions of the 5 HP. Mercury has propane and Sail Power versions of its 5 HP too.

• Mercury 2.5MH, $885
• Tohatsu MFS2.5CS, $1,020
• Mercury 3.5MH, $1,030
• Tohatsu MFS3.5CS, $1,120
• Mercury 6MLH, $1,335
• Tohatsu MFS6DWS, $1,695
• Tohatsu MFS6DWSPROL Sail Pro, $1,860

Our take on Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard at this size: buy the Mercury if price is the main thing. Buy the Tohatsu Sail Pro if it’s going on a sailboat. Either way you get a good little motor.

8 to 9.9 HP: The Most Popular Size

This is where most of our phone calls come from. A lot of lakes cap motors under 10 HP, and a 9.9 is also the classic kicker size.

Tohatsu 9.8 and 9.9

Tohatsu has two different motors here. The MFS9.8B is a 209cc carbureted twin that weighs about 37 kg in short shaft manual form. It’s simple, light and easy to fix, and a lot of people who know motors ask for it by name. Then there’s the MFS9.9E family, which is a bigger twin of about 351cc shared with the Tohatsu 15 and 20. The EF versions are fuel injected. Because it’s a bigger block running at 9.9 HP, it’s relaxed and has lots of low end grunt, but it’s heavier.

Mercury 8 and 9.9

Mercury’s 8 and 9.9 four strokes use a 209cc twin and weigh about 38 kg in manual tiller form. Then there’s the ProKicker version with Mercury’s Command Thrust gearcase, a bigger lower unit with lower gearing built to push heavy boats slowly. If the motor is going on the back of a big walleye or salmon boat, that’s the one we’d pick.

So which wins the Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard fight at 9.9? On price, Mercury, easily. On fuel injection, Tohatsu, because the EFI Tohatsu 9.9 starts and idles better than any carbureted motor after it’s been sitting. We wrote a full Tohatsu 9.9 HP buying guide and a roundup of the best 9.9 HP outboard picks if you want to go deeper.

15 to 20 HP: Small Boats That Need to Plane

At 15 and 20 HP both brands have fuel injection that doesn’t need a battery to run. You can pull start them like an old carb motor and still get the easy starting of EFI.

The Mercury 15 and 20 EFI use a 333cc twin and weigh about 45 kg in manual tiller form, which is light for a 20. The Tohatsu MFS15E and MFS20E use the 351cc twin, also with an EFI option, and weigh a little more. In the water, this Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard pair feels very alike. The Tohatsu has a touch more low end shove. The Mercury feels a touch lighter on the transom.

• Mercury 15MH EFI, $1,727
• Mercury 20MH EFI, $2,013
• Mercury 20ELHPT EFI with power trim, $2,438
• Tohatsu MFS15ES, $3,070
• Tohatsu MFS20EEFS EFI, $3,680
• Tohatsu MFS20EEFTL EFI with power tilt, $4,050

In our store the Mercury 20 is a lot cheaper, so for a 14 foot aluminum boat we’d usually point people to the Mercury. If you’re in a part of the world where Tohatsu dealers are easier to find than Mercury dealers, the Tohatsu is the smarter buy. More on that below.

25 to 30 HP: Bigger Jon Boats, Skiffs and RIBs

Both brands use three cylinder motors here, which run smoother than the old twins. Mercury’s 25 and 30 EFI use a 526cc triple. Tohatsu’s MFS25D and MFS30D are also three cylinder motors, with EFI on the EF models. Both weigh roughly the same, around 70 kg in manual tiller form.

For the Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard match at 30 HP, we think it’s close on quality and Mercury wins on price. Check our Tohatsu 30 HP listings and the Mercury 25 HP listings side by side before you decide.

40 HP and Up: Mercury Has the Field to Itself

Tohatsu does make bigger motors in some markets, but the range is small and we don’t stock them. Mercury, on the other hand, goes from 40 HP right up to the V8 and V10 Verados. If you need 40, 60, 90, 150 or 250 HP, the Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard question kind of answers itself, and you’d be comparing Mercury with Yamaha or Suzuki instead.

• Mercury 40 HP outboards from $3,093
• Mercury 250 HP outboards, and our Mercury 250 HP buying guide
• Mercury Verado for sale and Mercury Pro XS for sale

Reliability: Which Lasts Longer?

We get asked about Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard reliability every week, and the honest answer is that both are reliable when they’re looked after. Small Tohatsus have a reputation for being nearly impossible to kill. You see old ones running on fishing boats all over Asia, Africa and the Pacific that have had very little care. Mercury’s small four strokes are also solid, and its EFI 15 to 30 HP motors have been good to the people we’ve sold them to.

What kills small outboards isn’t the brand. It’s old fuel sitting in a carburetor, salt left inside after use, and a water pump impeller that never gets changed. If you flush the motor after salt water, run it dry or use stabilizer before storage, and change the impeller and gear oil on schedule, either brand will outlast your boat. That’s the truth about Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard reliability.

Weight and Portability

If you carry the motor by hand to a dinghy or a rental boat, weight matters more than almost anything. It’s a big part of any Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard comparison for small boats. At 2.5 to 6 HP the two brands are close. At 9.9 the Tohatsu 9.8B and the Mercury 9.9 are both light, while the Tohatsu 9.9E is heavier because it’s built on the bigger block. At 15 and 20, the Mercury is a bit lighter. At 25 and 30 they’re about even. Always check the exact model, because electric start and power tilt add weight to both brands.

Fuel Injection, Starting and Fuel Use

Carburetors are fine if you use the motor often and run it dry before storage. If your motor sits for weeks at a time, fuel injection is worth paying for. Both brands offer battery free EFI from 15 HP up, and Tohatsu also offers EFI on its 9.9. Fuel use is close between the two in every size we sell, so fuel use won’t settle the Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard question either way.

Both brands run on regular unleaded fuel. Don’t use fuel with high ethanol if you can avoid it, and add a stabilizer if the motor is going to sit.

Parts and Service Around the World

This one gets overlooked, and in our view it’s the most important part of the Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard decision for buyers outside the US. Before you choose, find out which brand has a dealer near you. In some countries Mercury dealers are everywhere and Tohatsu parts are hard to get. In others, especially in island nations and parts of Asia and Africa, Tohatsu is the common motor and every mechanic knows it.

Things like impellers, spark plugs, fuel filters and gear oil are easy to find for both. It’s the less common parts that can take time. You can check the official sites of Tohatsu and Mercury Marine to find dealers in your country. If you tell us where you are, we’ll also tell you which brand our customers there tend to run.

Tohatsu vs Mercury Outboard Prices in Our Store

Prices change, so check the listing for the current number. But you can see the pattern. In our store, Mercury is the cheaper buy in every size. The Tohatsu earns its price with things like the Sail Pro models, the 9.8B, and the EFI 9.9. If budget is tight, our cheap outboard motors for sale page is a good place to look.

Tohatsu vs Mercury Outboard Specs Side by Side

Here are the numbers people ask us for most. Weights are approximate for the lightest manual tiller version, and they go up with electric start and power tilt.

Look at those two 9.9 class motors and you’ll see why the Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard debate gets heated on fishing forums. On paper they’re almost twins. The gap is in price, features and who services them near you.

What We See From Real Buyers

A customer in the Caribbean bought a Tohatsu 30 for a fishing skiff because every mechanic on his island works on Tohatsus. He didn’t even ask about Mercury. That’s the right call. A guy in Michigan went the other way and bought a Mercury 9.9 ProKicker for his walleye boat because the dealer down the road stocks Mercury parts and the big gearcase holds his speed in wind. Also the right call.

The mistakes we see come from people picking on badge alone. One buyer wanted a Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard comparison for a dinghy and ended up ordering an electric start 20 that was too heavy to lift into the tender. A 6 HP would have done the job. Think about how you’ll use the motor before you think about the brand.

Common Mistakes When Choosing Between Them

• Wrong shaft length. Measure your transom first. A 15 inch motor on a 20 inch transom will cavitate and run poorly.
• Too much motor. Check your boat’s capacity plate before you pick a size.
• Ignoring service. The best Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard is the one your local mechanic can fix.
• Skipping fuel injection to save money. If the motor sits a lot, EFI pays for itself in fewer headaches.
• Buying pull start for a heavy motor. Pull starting a 30 HP gets old fast. Electric start is worth it from 25 HP up for most people.

Running Costs Over Five Years

Routine service on a small four stroke costs about the same for either brand. Expect to change gear oil and engine oil every season or every 100 hours, a water pump impeller every two to three years, plus spark plugs and fuel filters. Parts prices are close. Labor depends on your mechanic, not the brand. So on running costs, Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard ends in a tie. The purchase price is where most of the money difference shows up.

Which One Should You Buy?

For a sailboat

For a sailboat, our Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard pick is Tohatsu. The 6 HP Sail Pro with the long or extra long shaft and the high thrust prop is made for it. Mercury’s Sail Power 5 HP is a good second choice. Our long shaft outboard guide covers shaft lengths in detail.

For a dinghy or tender

Either. This is the size where the Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard choice matters least. Get the lightest motor that does the job, and buy the Mercury if you want to save a bit.

For a 12 to 14 foot jon boat

A Mercury 15 or 20 EFI is hard to beat for the money. A Tohatsu 9.8B is great if you’re on a lake with a 10 HP limit.

For a trolling kicker

Mercury’s 9.9 ProKicker. Tohatsu’s EFI 9.9 with power tilt is a strong second.

For commercial or hard use

Tohatsu, especially where Tohatsu parts are common. These motors are built to be worked hard.

For anything over 30 HP

Mercury, or look at Yamaha and Suzuki.

How to Order From Us

1. Pick your motor from the links on this page, or browse the shop.
2. Measure your transom so you get the right shaft length.
3. Order on the product page, or call or WhatsApp us on +1 209 690 5983.
4. We confirm stock and shipping for your country before anything is final.
5. Your motor ships in its crate with tracking.

If you’ve never bought a motor online, our guide on how to buy outboard motor online walks you through it, and our free shipping page explains delivery.

Tohatsu vs Mercury Outboard FAQ

Is Tohatsu as good as Mercury?

In the small sizes, yes. Some small Mercury and Tohatsu motors are close relatives. Tohatsu has a strong name for toughness. Mercury has a much bigger range and is cheaper in our store.

Does Tohatsu make Mercury outboards?

Tohatsu has built some of Mercury’s small portable motors. Mercury builds its own 15 HP and bigger motors.

Which is lighter, Tohatsu or Mercury?

It depends on the size. They’re close at 2.5 to 6 HP. The Mercury is a little lighter at 15 and 20 HP.

Which brand is easier to get parts for?

It depends on your country. Ask us and we’ll tell you what our customers in your area use.

Is a Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard 9.9 better?

Mercury for price and the ProKicker. Tohatsu for the EFI 9.9 and the light 9.8B.

Which is cheaper in a Tohatsu vs Mercury outboard comparison?

In our store, Mercury, by roughly $90 at 3.5 HP and close to $1,500 at 9.9 and 25 HP. Prices move, so check each listing.

Do you ship worldwide?

Yes. Tell us your country and we’ll confirm the cost and timing before you pay.

Final Word on Tohatsu vs Mercury Outboard

You can’t really go wrong with either brand under 30 HP. Pick Mercury if you want the lowest price or a ProKicker. Pick Tohatsu if you want a Sail Pro, the little 9.8B, or the brand that’s easier to service where you live. Over 30 HP, it’s Mercury. Every motor on this page links to its listing with our current price. Questions? Call or WhatsApp +1 209 690 5983, use our contact page, read our customer reviews, or learn more about us.