Even though many new cars sold today have the option of adding an in-dash navigation system, nothing beats the convenience of having a portable unit. However, one glance at the market can confuse anyone who simply wants a GPS navigator with useful features and good performance. We’ve narrowed down the selection and categorized them with respect to their particular advantages. For more information about how to pick a good GPS, have a look at the buyer's guide below.
Best all-around GPS:
The following picks were selected due to their outstanding combination of features, performance, and value for money. They are not necessarily the absolute best, but you'll likely want to consider these models first before anything else.
Garmin nuvi 2460LMT GPS
The Garmin nuvi 2460LMT offers a large screen size, quick operational speeds, tons of features, and free lifetime map and traffic updates. Voice activation is a nice bonus, and the lane guidance is backed up by a junction view that minimizes guesswork in unknown areas Read Full Review »
Amazon.com$216.47
Garmin nuvi 1490LMT GPS
The Garmin nuvi 1490LMT combines useful features into a user-friendly package with a 5-inch touchscreen for a much lower price than you would expect. This model offers lifetime map updates and free FM traffic updates like the more expensive models, and comes loaded with detailed maps for North America. Other features include text-to-speech, lane guidance with junction view, and Bluetooth hands-free communication. At this price, the Garmin nüvi 1490LMT is one of the best value GPS units on the market today. Read Full Review »
Best Value GPS under $200:
Buying a GPS unit for under $200 is a bit of a stretch, but be assured that it can be done. While something in this price range will not have all the features of the top-of-the-line models, you still get what you need from a GPS unit: GPS navigation with guidance. Manufacturers often have several models aimed squarely at this market, and most choose to leave off complicated and distracting bells and whistles to provide the basics as fully as they can. Each of these units can be had for under $200, but be assured that they are all full-featured GPS navigation systems and not stripped-down boxes.
Garmin nuvi 1490LMT GPS
The MSRP for the Garmin nüvi 1490LMT may be well over $200, but this GPS can be easily found for much less. The nüvi 1490LMT is absolutely packed with features, including text-to-speech guidance and lane guidance with junction view. It’s also eligible for up to 4 free map updates per year for life, and is equipped with an FM receiver that can provide live traffic updates without requiring a paid subscription. Read Full Review »
Tomtom XXL 550TM GPS
The TomTom XXL 550 TM comes with truly desirable features such as a large 5-inch touchscreen, easy-to-read maps, intuitive interface, and high overall performance. Tomtom’s MapShare allows users to make edits to the map and share changes with others, so you don’t have to wait for updates. TomTom still offers up to four free map updates per year for life, and lifetime free traffic updates can keep you away from heavy traffic. Read Full Review »
Garmin nuvi 1350LMT GPS
If you don’t need features like built-in Bluetooth or voice-activated navigation, the Garmin nüvi 1350LMT is one of your best bets. Garmin offers lifetime map updates and live traffic feeds for this model, so it should stay in service for a very long time. For the money, the nüvi 1350LMT is a no-brainer. Read Full Review »
Buydig.com$138.99
Tomtom XXL 540TM GPS
TomTom’s XXL 540 TM is still considered a top-rated GPS navigator, despite it having been replaced by a newer model. Naturally, this means that prices have fallen, making this an absolute bargain. The large screen paired with the colorful, detailed maps and first-class guidance makes the XXL 540 TM easy to use, and the lifetime map updates and live traffic feed makes the deal even sweeter. Read Full Review »
Garmin nüvi 265WT GPS
Garmin's 265WT is one of the highest rated GPS systems on the market thanks to its crisp 4.3-inch widescreen display, great navigation features, and included FM traffic receiver that relays traffic information in real time. It also boasts text-to-speech, Bluetooth connectivity, and 6 million points of interest, all for an affordable price. Read Full Review »
Best Real Time Traffic GPS:
Nothing is more frustrating than being stuck in dense traffic while watching the minutes tick by. Recently, navigation systems have started to appear with real-time traffic information, allowing you to avoid traffic before you even see it. This is a feature that has you wondering how you ever lived without it. There are already several options on the marketplace for in-car GPS navigation systems with real time traffic, and it is important to consider whether the service is offered for free or through a subscription.
Garmin nuvi 3790LMT 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator
Garmin’s top-of-the-line nüvi 3790LMT is one of the best GPS navigators that offer real-time traffic updates. The FM-based feed means the service is free, though the trade-off is the fact that only major roadways are covered. The slim design resembles a smartphone, and supports multi-touch gestures and 3D geography. It’s pricey, but this is the best there is when it comes to portable GPS. Read Full Review »
Garmin nuvi 2460LMT GPS
The Garmin nüvi 2460LMT is loaded with features like a large 5-inch touchscreen, voice-activated navigation, and built-in Bluetooth phone pairing, so it certainly is not short on features for the price. The lifetime live traffic updates are obtained using an FM receiver, which means you won’t have to pay extra for the service. It works well, and the 2460LMT can effectively route you around heavy traffic. Lifetime map updates also ensure that you’re never caught off-guard, since your maps will stay current. Read Full Review »
Amazon.com$216.47
Garmin nuvi 1490LMT GPS
Despite its lower price tag, the Garmin nüvi 1490LMT boasts a nearly identical feature set as its more expensive sibling, the 2460LMT. The built-in FM receiver allows free traffic updates for life, and works effectively on major roads in the U.S. and in Canada. For the price, the nüvi 1490LMT is an excellent value. Read Full Review »
Tomtom XXL 550TM GPS
The TomTom XXL 550 TM is a great choice for value-conscious drivers who want an easy-to-use GPS navigator that performs well. The free FM-based live traffic updates provide a continuous feed, which means the 550 TM will automatically route you around heavy traffic to your destination. TomTom's MapShare allows you to make quick edits to maps, and is a good alternative to waiting for map updates. Read Full Review »
Garmin nuvi 1350LMT GPS
The Garmin nüvi 1350LMT is one of the least expensive GPS navigators to offer free lifetime traffic updates, which makes it an excellent value. The lower price means you won’t get high-end features like voice-activated navigation or built-in Bluetooth, but desirable navigation functions like text-to-speech guidance and easy-to-read maps make the nüvi 1350LMT a good choice overall. Read Full Review »
Buydig.com$138.99
Best GPS for Europe
The GPS models selected here come pre-loaded with road maps of most of Europe, which saves time and money compared to having to download maps individually.
Garmin nüvi 2370LT Portable GPS Navigator
Frequent travelers to Europe will be happy to learn that the nuvi 2370LT comes with maps of Europe, even though Garmin does not offer lifetime map updates on this model. Otherwise, the nuvi 2370LT is a full-featured GPS device that offers up useful convenience features like voice-activated guidance, text-to-speech, and lifetime FM traffic for US and Canada that make it a top contender for best GPS.
Tomtom XXL 540TM World Traveler Edition Automobile Portable Navigator
The TomTom XXL 540TM WTE comes preloaded with detailed maps of Europe as well as North America, and is much more affordable than the Garmin alternatives. The guidance performance is high, and the 540TM WTE offers features like lifetime map updates (North America only) and free live traffic that extend its functionality when you’re traveling closer to home.
Best Cheap GPS
If you don’t want to spend too much money on a GPS, these models the way to go.
Garmin nuvi 255W GPS
Though it may be less expensive than many of Garmin's current GPS systems, the 255W is still a feature-packed, reliable product. This model is very easy to use and features a crisp 4.3-inch display, detailed maps, over 6 million points of interest, and text-to-speech turn-by-turn directions. Available for less than $100 online, there’s no doubt that this is an excellent value. Read Full Review »
Finding the Best GPS
When selecting a portable GPS unit, it's important to consider several important factors before making a decision. Some of the best GPS units strike a good balance between performance, features, price, and value. You want to make sure that the GPS unit you're potentially going to live with for the next couple years or so has all of the features you want, but you also want to make sure that you aren't overpaying for a feature-laden unit which performs poorly. All of the picks here approach that 'ideal' balance in different ways, so here's how we rate each according to our criteria.
Performance
Any good GPS unit will offer outstanding performance. We, like everyone else, prefer a GPS system that processes data quickly. A GPS unit with good performance will obtain a GPS lock relatively early, and will be able to plot routes and directions without much delay. The interface must be intuitive and responsive, and system slowdowns and crashes are not considered acceptable. Detailed maps are a must, and missing or incomplete streets are penalized.
Features
Another side of the equation is features. Simply having quick performance does not necessarily make a GPS unit a 'Best Pick'. The best GPS units will have widescreen displays, text-to-speech directions with spoken street names, lane guidance, and a high POI count (6 million or more). Better GPS units offer even more such as Bluetooth phone pairing, live traffic feeds, user-adjustable maps, and multiple guidance modes and capabilities. The general rule with features is 'the more, the merrier'. But, be sure that the features you want are also features that you truly need and will actually be used, or you may end up overpaying for your GPS.
Price
That leads us neatly to the price aspect. It's relatively easy for a manufacturer to offer a GPS unit that has blazing performance and tons of features, but these units usually end up costing much more than what most people are willing to pay. On the other end of the scale, there are bare-bones models which seem attractively priced at first glance. In a nutshell, what we're looking for when judging price is if the features justify the investment.
Value
Finally, a 'Best Pick' must offer outstanding value. A GPS unit priced at $1500 which offers the best performance and most features is not a good value simply because the price is too high. Likewise, a GPS unit that costs $80 but does not offer much in the way of features or performance is not considered a good value because there are much better options available. But when it comes to judging value, it's important to not get too hung up on the price. A GPS system which is loaded with features and performs well is a better value at $300 than one which has few features and basic maps for $150. A good value offering can also be referred to as a 'good deal' - you know it when you see it.
Each of our picks approaches this equation in its own unique way. Garmin's products dominate the market simply because they do things better. The highly detailed maps and long list of user-friendly features that come with each Garmin GPS unit are the gold standard in this market. The only flaw is the fact that not all of Garmin's products can be considered to be the best value when compared to the competition.
I currently have a TomTom XL IQ Route Edition.The menu interface is fine,along with most of the options selections.My 2 points that I don't care for is it does not give me Real Time Traffic Updates and it doesn't store enough Favorites for what I need. I need to store at least 125 to 150 Favorites since I'm an outside salesman and I'm tired of reloading an address over and over.Will any of your Best Picks meet my needs?Thanks.
Can anyone tell me just where Garmin, tomtom, Magellan & Mio are manufactured? I have been told that they were all made in China. Could that be true?
i lost my sd card for my garmin nuvi gps , what type of sd card will i use and where to buy this?
You can use any SD card you can find, but make sure it's large enough to hold all of the map data that you'll need to download from Garmin directly or through a third-party service.
I am going to Europe this June, and i would like to have a GPS with me, any recommendations . All the GPS here are for the U.S/Mexico/Canada, I would rather buy here vs there since the dollar is soooo low
You can load Europe maps onto any GPS unit, but you'll have to buy the maps. TomTom GPS models are popular in Europe, so you may want to head over in their direction first.
Planning a coast-to-coast trip this summer - want to enjoy myself! On google-maps, there is an option for "avoid interstates and toll roads" when planning a route. Does any GPS offer this same option? If someone who knows could tell me, I'd sure appreciate it!
I believe most (if not all) Garmin units offer this feature. It's usually buried somewhere in the settings menu. You can set the guidance to avoid interstates or toll roads, or both.
Keep in mind that it doesn't truly avoid interstates - if there is no other route to your destination, the GPS will put you on an interstate for the shortest amount of time possible. For avoiding toll roads, the GPS will go out of its way to get you around those, including detours which can add anywhere from a few hours to several days to your trip.
With that said, I hope you have fun on your road trip!
Any tests on the XXL550TM?
What is that (avoid toll/interstate) function called, exactly?
Also - is there a website one can go on to "spot check" how a specific GPS works?
Have to agree with the choices
If it isn't a Garmin, don't waste your money buying it!
These may be "best budget GPSs" but they are certainly not the "best GPSs overall".Garmin 765T for example is better than any of these.