The best sat navs you can buy

Satellite navigation, commonly known as sat nav, is now a staple of car journeys. Once a novelty in premium cars, sat navs, like dash cams, became mainstream in the mid-2000s, though early models were not always reliable.

Today, satellite navigation is integrated into most new cars and smartphones. Google Maps has transformed how we travel, offering free mapping to billions of users worldwide. So why buy a dedicated unit today?

“For customers whose vehicles don’t have a built-in navigation system, a sat nav is a simple way to upgrade their driving experience without replacing the car,” explains Yousaf Kharal, technology buyer at Halfords.

Prices range from under £50 to over £800, with leading brands including Garmin, TomTom and Spedal.

I tested the latest models to see if they are worth using instead of a mobile phone. You can read my reviews below. If you’re in hurry, here’s our top five.

The best sat navs, at a glance:

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How to choose the best sat navs

The biggest name in the sat nav market is TomTom, which has been selling navigation systems for over two decades. It’s joined by Garmin, a global giant best known for smartwatches and sports technology.

There are also thousands of smaller off-brand devices, many of which are obsolete. And then there’s the most obvious alternative: a smartphone capable of connecting to a dashboard mount, though this has its own downsides.

“Unlike smartphones, sat navs don’t rely on a mobile data connection, making them more reliable in areas with poor or no signal,” continues Kharal. “Additionally, it’s illegal to handle a phone while driving, whereas a sat nav is designed for safe, hands-free use and often has a clearer, more driver-friendly display.”

High-end sat navs can show live traffic updates and receive instructions by voice command. These cost hundreds of pounds. More affordable units have fewer features, but are a better price for occasional users.

Brands such as TomTom may also require you to pay a subscription fee and if you only need to get from A to B on simple routes, a cheap smartphone mount is an acceptable alternative. The OtterBox Car Vent Mount is my current favourite.

How we test sat navs