Cost Analysis: Mercury OptiMax 2-Cycle Oil vs. AMSOIL HP Marine

Updated: July, 2026

If you’ve got a Mercury Marine OptiMax outboard engine and are looking at 2-stroke injector oil options. Let’s compare Mercury OptiMax/DFI 2-Cycle Oil with AMSOIL HP Marine Synthetic 2-Stroke Oil on both features and cost.

About Mercury OptiMax/DFI 2-Cycle Oil

OptiMax DFI 2-Stroke Oil is formulated for Mercury’s direct fuel-injected OptiMax series of 2-stroke outboard engines. The OptiMax Oil is a synthetic-blend injector oil formulated to minimize deposits and prevent wear in these high-output motors. It also contains additives to prevent rust and corrosion of internal engine parts.

About AMSOIL HP Marine Synthetic 2-Stroke Oil

HP Marine is AMSOIL’s premium 100% synthetic 2-stroke oil for direct fuel-injected outboard engines. HP Marine was formulated specially for the hostile operating conditions of DFI 2-stroke engines. This has been verified by exhaustive field testing. The full-synthetic formula reduces friction for maximum performance and fuel efficiency. The hallmark of HP Marine is clean, deposit-free operation for maximum performance and engine life. HP Marine also contains a powerful anti-rust and corrosion package for in-season and off-season protection.

Why Is Mercury Optimax 2-Cycle Oil A Synthetic Blend?

Mercury has long been an advocate of using semi-synthetic blends for both their premium 2-stroke and 4-stroke engine oils. Is there a particular benefit to using synthetic-blend oils in Mercury Marine engines? The short answer is no. There are no mechanical, metallurgical or any other functional reason for synthetic-blends to be any sort of advantage in Mercury outboard engines. Mercury does not offer any sort of explanation for this reasoning.

It’s a safe to assume that Mercury uses synthetic-blends rather than full-synthetic oils because it keeps input costs down. As synthetic oils are irrefutably proven to be superior in high-performance 2-stroke marine, snowmobile and motorcycle applications, there is absolutely no other basis for Mercury to take this route. Lastly, Mercury’s literature offers that Optimax/DFI 2-Cycle Oil is graced with a “carefully modified base stock blend with a synthetic additive package”. There is absolutely no implication that this product is 50% synthetic. In fact, the overwhelming majority of products labeled as “synthetic-blend” contain far less than 50% synthetic base oil.

Price Of Mercury OptiMax/DFI 2-Cycle Oil In Canada And USA

Below is an average of suggested retail prices found at random Mercury Marine dealerships. Prices may vary in your region. Mercury OptiMax/DFI 2-Cycle Oil is sold in 1-US gallon (3.78L) and 2.5-US gallon (9.46L) jugs in the United States and Canada.

Canada (CAD$)

• 3.78-litre jug- $104.99
• 9.46-litre jug- $198.99

United States (USD$)

• 1- US gallon jug- $70.95
• 2.5 US gallon jug- $164.99

Price Of Mercury OptiMax/DFI 2-Cycle Oil Versus AMSOIL HP Marine

AMSOIL prohibits us from publishing their wholesale prices, but we can illustrate on a percentage basis how the price of AMSOIL HP Marine Synthetic 2-Stroke Oil compares to Mercury OptiMax/DFI 2-Cycle Oil. The AMSOIL HP Marine pricing data below is based on wholesale prices when purchasing a full case of 4X1 US gallons with free shipping. Remote destinations may have extra shipping charges. HP Marine comes in US-quart and US-gallon formats and beyond that, they step up to kegs and drums.

Canada 

• 3.78 litre jug- OptiMax/DFI 2-Cycle Oil costs 72% more than AMSOIL HP Marine
• 9.46 litre jug- OptiMax/DFI 2-Cycle Oil costs 31% more than AMSOIL HP Marine

United States

• 1- US gallon jug- OptiMax/DFI 2-Cycle Oil costs 50% more than AMSOIL HP Marine
• 2.5-US gallon jug- OptiMax/DFI 2-Cycle Oil costs 40% more than AMSOIL HP Marine

Again, the AMSOIL prices in this comparison are based on wholesale prices when purchasing a full case of four gallons and with free shipping (to most locations).

Where To Buy AMSOIL HP Marine 2-Stroke Oil For Optimax Engines?

We can sell AMSOIL HP Marine at wholesale prices to the public in the US and Canada. Contact us for a wholesale price list using the form on this page or call us at 1-800-748-5781. We’ll show you how easy and cost-effective it is to upgrade your Mercury OptiMax outboard engine to AMSOIL HP Marine Synthetic 2-Stroke Oil. We ship from warehouses in Canada and the United States.

Conclusion

Consider that AMSOIL’s HP Marine 2-Stroke Injector Oil is a full-synthetic formula that is designed to be safe and highly effective in the newest DFI 2-stroke engines. Yet it costs considerably less than the synthetic-blend Mercury OptiMax/DFI 2-Cycle Oil found at boat dealers. In our opinion, AMSOIL’s delivers legendary quality and is a great value at any price. The quality of OEM oils tends to be adequate, while the price tag tends to be eye-watering. Just because Mercury puts their name on the jug does not mean that it is the best oil for your engine.