The Finest Handheld GPS of 2023

While smartphones and GPS watches are indeed useful for navigation, they can’t match the interactive and detailed capabilities of a handheld GPS. A high-quality handheld GPS allows you to view a layered overview of the terrain, insert waypoints, plan a route, and seamlessly log data.

Compared to a smartphone, a handheld GPS has some major advantages, including superior durability and much longer battery life. Simply put, no other kind of device on the market can take the place of a good handheld GPS.

Whether you’re trying to stay on course through a whiteout or chart an efficient path through the desert, the portable GPS devices on this list will get the job done. While we do still recommend bringing a map and compass as an analog backup in case technology fails you, the products on this list are high quality, and we stand by each one.

You’ll notice this list is dominated by Garmin products. We don’t have a special relationship with Garmin, nor do we have an inherent preference for the brand. Simply put, Garmin has a firm grasp on the handheld GPS market, and its products are top-notch.

Scroll through to see all of our recommended buys or jump to the category you’re looking for. At the end of our list, be sure to check out our comprehensive buyer’s guide, as well as our comparison chart. And if you have some questions, take a look at our list of frequently asked questions.

The Best Handheld GPS of 2023

Handheld GPS Comparison Chart

Why You Should Trust Us

The GearJunkie team is made up of hikers, cyclists, hunters, anglers, expeditionary explorers, and much more. GPS devices are essential tools for many of the activities that we love. Over the years, we have tested many different handheld GPS units, and this list comprises the best of the best.

Staff Writer Austin Beck-Doss dove headlong into the wilderness of Wyoming in order to test the majority of these GPS devices — and made it back out to report his findings. While testing handheld GPS devices in the field, we assessed durability, connectivity, ease of use, weight, and battery life. We’ve tested devices while navigating through slot canyons, dense woods, whiteout snow storms, and remote backcountry tundra.

Beyond our team’s experience, we also considered the most popular and bestselling devices on the market and a broad range of price points and features.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Handheld GPS Device

Though handheld GPS devices have been available for several decades, recent developments have vastly improved the capabilities of the options available on the market in 2023.

Some of the devices on this list focus strictly on providing quality GPS mapping and position tracking. Other options also offer a long list of additional features such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, touchscreen displays, satellite messaging, emergency features, altimeters, compasses, and more.

With so many available features and lots of high-quality options, it can be difficult to navigate the market and figure out which handheld GPS best suits your needs. Remember, the ideal device is the one that will add the most benefit to your life and your navigational pursuits.

Before you purchase, consider your needs. It may even be helpful to make a list of features that are non-negotiable for you. Determining your budget before you begin shopping may also help, as devices on the market vary wildly in price from $100 to over $700.

We recommend every device on this list. Through careful research and product testing, we have compiled a list of well-made, high-quality handheld GPS devices. Our guide for how to choose aims to explain various features and terminology you’re sure to encounter as you shop for a handheld GPS.

Reception

The positional accuracy of handheld GPS devices has improved steadily over the decades. Now, high-quality devices such as the ones on this list can pinpoint the user’s location within a margin of 10 meters or less.

According to Garmin, the manufacturer of multiple devices on our list, units that are equipped with the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) can be accurate to 3 meters or less. Most GPS units use one or two satellite systems to gather data, with the Garmin GPSMAP 66i using a whopping five different platforms to keep you on track.

Global Navigation Satellite Systems

While GPS (Global Positioning System) has become synonymous with satellite navigation devices, this is only one orbiting satellite system in a constellation of systems that are known as GNSS, or Global Navigation Satellite Systems.

The United States Global Positioning System is easily the world’s most utilized system but is joined by the Russian GLONASS, Chinese BeiDou, the European Union’s Galileo, and the regional Japanese system QZSS. In general, the more GNSS systems that a GPS device is capable of receiving, the greater the location fidelity. This is often denoted as ‘Multi-GNSS Capable’.

In recent years, GPS devices have begun to incorporate chipsets that take advantage of the different generations of satellites within individual satellite systems. These systems are constantly being updated, and new satellites are launched annually, so there are a number of different sets of satellites that a GPS can key in on. By broadening data collection, new GPS devices can eke out even more satnav horsepower.

In landscapes both urban and undeveloped, large features such as canyons and skyscrapers can degrade your signal and decrease the accuracy of your GPS device. To maintain a clear signal with satellites, it helps to carry your device on the exterior of your pack.

App Integrations

This is where things get interesting. When out in the field, you’re relying on your GPS. But when you get back home or even to camp, you can download an app to upload your tracks, waypoints, and everything the GPS recorded during your trip. 

Most GPS units can pair with your smartphone and even have the capability to connect via Bluetooth. This is especially beneficial with smaller units like the Garmin inReach Mini 2, where you can connect to your phone and use the bigger buttons on your phone to communicate two ways. 

Our testers often rely on this option during downtime in a tent when there’s blustery weather — much better to type on a phone instead of on a small screen. 

Satellite Navigation on Your Smartphone

As smartphones improve year over year, many backcountry users have taken to utilizing navigation apps such as Gaia GPS, CalTopo, or Avenza Maps to find their way. The benefit is that your phone often has a stout processor and expanded memory, which can make in-device navigation a much more enjoyable experience.

While many smartphones incorporate a rudimentary GPS chip for location finding, this is often augmented with cellphone tower pings to better triangulate your location. When you leave the coverage of cell towers, you lose this ability and with it, some accuracy. For those who don’t require pinpoint navigation, this level of information can often be adequate. But in many circumstances, having the additional data that a full GNSS receiver provides can keep you on track when it matters.

Ease of Use

Every handheld GPS device has a unique user interface you’ll have to learn as the device’s operator. Some devices, like the Garmin eTrex SE, are operated using a small number of simple buttons, while others, like the Garmin Montana 700i, rely on a large color touchscreen display.

No matter the configuration of your device, we recommend spending some time reading the user manual and practicing navigating with your device before you head out into the backcountry.

Displays and Buttons

Large touchscreens tend to offer a shorter learning curve thanks to their large, bright, and colorful displays. These kinds of devices are quick to learn for people familiar with smartphone use, but they also come with some downsides.

Most notably, touchscreen handheld GPS devices are difficult to use when the weather is cold or wet. While out hunting, fishing, or hiking, it’s likely that you’ll be wearing gloves. Simply put, you can’t operate a touchscreen without touchscreen gloves, which renders high-end devices like the Garmin Montana 700i warm-weather-specific.

For a super easy-to-use handheld GPS that utilizes buttons instead of a touchscreen, we recommend the simple and affordable Garmin eTrex SE.

To deal with the issue of glare and sunny-day readability, Garmin’s new models have been engineered with antiglare screens that make maps and data easy to decipher — even in the direct sun.

In-Device Navigation

Out of the box, most GPS devices come with a very simplistic map that displays little detail about the terrain. Some high-end devices come with multiple maps preloaded, each displaying certain information and landmarks such as roads, trails, and lakes.

Many devices allow you to purchase additional maps and upload them to the device. Some sources, such as the United States Geological Survey (USGS), offer free spatial data that can be added to your device.

Generally, the more data and information about the terrain that your device contains, the easier it will be to navigate using the mapping function of the device.

Satellite imagery, which is essentially aerial photos of Earth that have been stitched together, is usually difficult to see and utilize on a handheld GPS device. However, some devices with larger displays like the Garmin Montana 700i are more capable of making use of satellite imagery during navigation.

Most makers of handheld GPS devices have created their own software that’s used to organize and display the tracks and waypoints that you have saved using your device.

BaseCamp from Garmin is an excellent platform that provides everything you need as a GPS user. For example, using BaseCamp, you can overlay your waypoints and tracks onto Google Earth. This is especially helpful for devices unable to utilize satellite imagery on their own.

Battery Life

Many handheld GPS devices still rely on AA batteries, which are cheap, quick to replace, and easily accessible. However, if you’re heading out on a long expedition where access to a store is out of the question, you’ll have to bring a potentially annoying quantity of fresh batteries to keep your device working. While AA batteries remain an option, some manufacturers are now making devices with rechargeable battery packs as a practical alternative.

Rechargeable batteries can reduce weight and save money over time. Many outdoor professionals and recreationists carry battery packs or solar panels, which are compact ways of recharging a handheld GPS in the field. Many models have rechargeable batteries that are also compatible with AA batteries as a backup.

Depending on the length of the trips you’ll be taking with your device, aim for a handheld GPS that has a long battery life while in active GPS-enabled modes. Typically, one of the trade-offs of large touchscreen devices is that they tend to have a shorter battery life than button-operated alternatives.

Weight

Depending on where you’re going with your GPS and how you plan to get there, weight may be an important consideration. Some handheld GPS devices, like the Garmin inReach Mini 2 and Bushnell BackTrack Mini GPS weigh under 4 ounces. Others, like the Garmin Montana 700i, weigh over a pound.

Oftentimes, smaller devices will need to leave some features out in order to hit the profile they’re aiming at. When we are considering a GPS, we often weigh the ability of the GPS on its own, as well as consider if our phone will be needed to take full advantage of all of its features. A small GPS plus phone combo can be a powerful team, but many may instead opt for an all-in-one device, like the Garmin GPSMAP 66i.

Memory

Most information saved to handheld GPS devices comes in the form of routes or coordinates for a specific location you want to save for future use. For most trips, only a few waypoints are necessary.

Devices on this list are capable of saving between 500 and 10,000 waypoints at any given time, which should be more than enough — especially if you plan to clear this data or move it to another device between trips.

However, if you plan to save waypoints from multiple trips all at once, or if you want to be able to store lots of maps and satellite images on your device, look for options with plenty of storage space. High-end models often hold up to 16 GB of information, and many are also compatible with micro-SD memory cards for additional storage capacity.

Mapping

Every handheld GPS comes with a basic map, which is essentially a blank screen that includes the most noteworthy local features and nothing more. Many modern Garmin products come with a preloaded base map with contour lines that convey elevation, points of interest, and major trails and roads.

On most devices, maps can be added to improve on the default base-level map to create a more detailed layout of the terrain around you. Remember, additional maps take up memory, so be sure your device isn’t full if you want to add more maps.

Some simplistic devices like the Garmin Foretrex 601 aren’t able to accept new maps. Others, like the Garmin Montana models, can be thoroughly customized.

Satellite Messaging and Emergency Features

Satellite messaging devices have the ability to send (and sometimes receive) messages in areas where cellular devices don’t have reception. Now, many handheld GPS devices have been built with this capability to create a class of all-in-one backcountry navigation and communication tools.

To use these messaging features, a paid subscription is usually required which allows a limited number of messages to be sent and received each month.

For those who wish to communicate with others while out of cellphone range, this is an invaluable feature that can quell worry from afar and keep everyone in the loop. Some satellite messaging devices can be programmed to automatically send out predetermined messages at regular time intervals.

In the event of an emergency, you must be able to quickly signal for help. Some devices have an SOS button that can instantly trigger a response from local emergency medical services. On this list, the Garmin inReach Mini 2 has more communication features than navigation features, but it’s a great little device.

Geocaching

Geocaching is an increasingly popular outdoor activity that utilizes navigational tools to search for cool treasures that have been hidden all over the world. Most GPS units are suitable for assisting enthusiasts in this hobby, and some are even designed specifically for geocaching adventures.

The Garmin eTrex SE is a simple and excellent personal GPS tracker that serves as an affordable entry point into the exciting world of geocaching. It receives automatic cache updates from Geocaching Live, and allows you to upload your successful finds directly to your Geocaching profile from within the device.

Altimeter

Most handheld GPS devices include a barometric altimeter. When navigating, it’s often highly important to be aware of your current altitude with an accurate barometer. Using pressure sensors, an altimeter can also help you track weather patterns and trends, which is important information to have — especially in the mountains.

Compass

A three-axis compass, which is included in most midlevel (and up) handheld GPS models, allows you to read direction no matter how you’re holding the device. It’s a handy feature, though it’s not strictly necessary because it’s a good idea to carry a standard compass as a backup anyway.

What About GPS Watches?

In recent years, GPS watches have become smaller, faster, and more powerful than ever — now rivaling many of the functionalities of handheld GPS units. The same satellite navigation chipsets are used across both styles of devices. While a dedicated device will almost always be quicker, a GPS watch can have impressive tracking capabilities, especially if it is Multi-GNSS capable.

While those who are drawn to the more all-in-one GPS offerings — like the Garmin GPSMAP 66i or Montana 700i — likely won’t consider a GPS watch as a viable alternative, those who are looking into a smaller device that relies on a phone for expanded navigation capabilities may find them to be a possible alternative.

If you land in this camp, consider that a GPS watch will often have a shorter battery life compared to a small GPS unit. Also, their antennas are much smaller than a purpose-built device. This can mean a longer wait time when seeking out a location lock.

FAQ