Best GPS Handhelds of 2026
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GPS Handhelds are portable devices designed for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals who require accurate navigation and location data. These devices use satellite signals to determine the user's location, track their movement, and provide detailed maps and directions. GPS Handhelds come with a range of features, including touchscreen displays, Bluetooth connectivity, and long battery life. They are ideal for hiking, camping, hunting, and other outdoor activities, as well as for surveying, mapping, and other professional applications. With their rugged design, waterproof construction, and reliable performance, GPS Handhelds are a valuable tool for anyone who needs to navigate and explore the great outdoors.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 GPS Handhelds
Garmin eTrex SE Outdoor GPS Handheld
The Garmin eTrex SE is designed for outdoor enthusiasts. Its 2.2” high-resolution display ensures that you can easily read your location, even in bright sunlight. You will appreciate the long battery life, lasting up to 7 days in standard mode, providing reliable navigation on extended trips. With the ability to pair with the Garmin Explore app, you can enjoy wireless software updates and plan your adventures conveniently. Additionally, automatic cache updates from Geocaching Live keep you informed with the latest descriptions and hints, enhancing your geocaching experience.
Garmin eTrex 22x GPS Handheld Device
The Garmin eTrex 22x is an excellent handheld GPS device designed for outdoor enthusiasts. It features a 2.2-inch sunlight-readable colour display, making it easy for you to view maps even in bright conditions. With support for both GPS and GLONASS satellites, you can track your location in challenging environments, ensuring you never lose your way. The built-in 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter help you maintain your bearings, providing reliable navigation during your cycling or hiking adventures. Additionally, it comes preloaded with topoactive maps, offering you detailed routes and trails to explore.
Garmin GPSMAP 65 Handheld GPS Device
The Garmin GPSMAP 65 is designed with a large 2.6-inch sunlight-readable colour display, making it easy for you to view information even in bright conditions. Its advanced global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and multi-band technology ensure optimal accuracy in challenging environments like steep hills, urban canyons, and dense forests. The device comes pre-loaded with routable TopoActive mapping, which helps you navigate various terrains effortlessly. Additionally, it is compatible with the Garmin Explore website and app, allowing you to manage your tracks, routes, and waypoints effectively.
Garmin eTrex 10 GPS Handheld Unit
The Garmin eTrex 10 is a reliable outdoor handheld GPS unit designed to enhance your navigation experience. It features a 2.2-inch monochrome display that remains clear in various lighting conditions, ensuring you can read it easily. Its durable and waterproof construction means you can confidently take it on your adventures, regardless of the weather. The user-friendly interface allows you to navigate the device effortlessly, while support for geocaching GPX files enables you to download geocaches directly to your unit, making your treasure hunts more enjoyable.
Garmin inReach Mini 2 Satellite Communicator
The Garmin inReach Mini 2 is a compact and lightweight satellite communicator designed for outdoor enthusiasts. It enables you to send two-way messages and access an interactive SOS feature globally, providing peace of mind when adventuring. You can navigate back to your starting point with the TracBack routing feature, ensuring you never get lost. Additionally, you can share your location with loved ones back home through your MapShare page, keeping them informed of your whereabouts for added safety. Furthermore, the digital compass gives you accurate heading information, even when stationary.
Garmin GPSMAP 65s Handheld GPS with Altimeter
The Garmin GPSMAP 65s is designed for outdoor enthusiasts who need reliable navigation. Its large 2.6” sunlight-readable colour display ensures that you can easily view your route, even in bright conditions. With expanded GNSS and multi-band technology, this device provides optimal accuracy, helping you navigate through challenging terrains like steep hills and dense forests. The included routable TopoActive mapping allows you to explore various landscapes confidently. Additionally, the built-in 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter offer you precise orientation and elevation data, making your adventures safer and more enjoyable.
Garmin inReach Mini 2 Compact Satellite Communicator
The Garmin inReach Mini 2 is easy to use, making it ideal for anyone who wants a straightforward communication device while exploring the outdoors. Its good performance ensures reliable messaging and location sharing, so you can stay connected even in remote areas. The product's good quality means it is built to last, offering you peace of mind on your adventures. With this device, you can enjoy a compact and effective way to stay safe and in touch, wherever your journey takes you.
Garmin GPS 73 Handheld Marine and Sailing Navigator
The Garmin GPS 73 is a handy device designed with sailing and marine use in mind. Its SailAssist feature offers virtual starting lines, countdown timers, and tack assist, helping you navigate and race more effectively. The long battery life means you can rely on it for over 18 hours using just two AA batteries, so you won’t be left stranded. Marine features like man overboard alerts and anchor drag warnings add safety, while the easy-to-use interface with backlit buttons ensures quick operation, even in low light. This makes the Garmin GPS 73 a practical choice for boating enthusiasts.
Garmin inReach Messenger Plus Compact SOS Satellite Communicator
The Garmin inReach Messenger Plus offers reliable two-way text, photo, and voice communication even when you have no mobile phone signal, keeping you connected in remote areas. By pairing with your smartphone and using the Garmin Messenger app, you can easily share your adventures with multiple contacts, sending long text messages, photos, and voice clips. It also provides peace of mind by allowing you to activate interactive SOS alerts to a 24/7 emergency response centre if you need help. Additionally, you can quickly check in with preset phrases that don’t use your message allowance, making communication simple and efficient.
Garmin eTrex Solar Handheld GPS Device
The Garmin eTrex Solar is designed for outdoor enthusiasts, featuring a 2.2-inch high-contrast display that remains clear even in bright sunlight, ensuring you can easily read your maps and directions. With an impressive battery life of up to 200 hours without solar charging, you can confidently embark on long hikes. Its multi-band GPS provides enhanced positional accuracy by accessing various satellite frequencies, helping you stay on the right path. Additionally, pairing it with the Garmin Explore app allows for convenient wireless updates and trip planning, making your outdoor adventures more enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is a handheld GPS worth getting?
Is a Handheld GPS Device Better Than a Phone? For accurate navigation in regions where cellular service isn't available, handheld GPS devices are certainly better than smartphones for reliable mapping and positioning. Purpose-built GPS devices also tend to hold up much better to the elements than smartphones.
2. What is the most accurate GPS device?
The Garmin GPSMAP 66st is at the top of its class in terms of accuracy and reliability, earning it our top honors. It boasts a powerful quad-helix antenna and reliably connects to more satellite networks with greater accuracy than most other models.
3. What do hikers use for GPS?
A compass will guide you when reading a map and can help you get back on trail if you do get lost. While there's a variety of compasses on the market, the Suunto M-3 D Leader Compass is our top pick. For guidance on how to properly use compass and map navigation, check out our tutorial on navigation.
During our gps handheld research, we found 149 gps handheld products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 38,183 customer reviews through our big data system to write the gps handhelds list. We found that most customers choose gps handhelds with an average price of £234.90.
The gps handhelds are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of gps handhelds, including Garmin and more.
Luke is a runner, a climber, hiker, hunter, and a lot more. Luke Dobson is Celtic-born and has lived most of his life in Scotland. However, his sporting endeavours have taken him to several countries around Europe. He serves as a tour guide for countless companies and owns a couple of gyms and recreational centres in Scotland. Luke Dobson is proficient in 7 different languages. He maintains many sport article columns where he shares his wealth of experience in the sport industry.