The best handheld GPS to navigate anywhere in the world

Conquer the unknown with pinpoint accuracy and go-anywhere durability.

By Zach Faulds

Updated on Aug 19, 2022

Best Handheld GPS

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A handheld GPS unit can be a tremendous asset in the field, but you’d better know what you’re doing if you’re going to use one effectively. That starts with understanding the basics of what makes them tick and how to navigate without one. 

The GPS (Global Positioning System) network includes 31 satellites owned by the United States. Alternative networks include China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, the European Union’s Galileo system, Russia’s GLONASS, India’s IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System) and NavIC (Navigation Indian Constellation), and Japan’s QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System).

We found reliable devices that tap into a variety of these networks to bring you accurate, dependable location data all over the world. Whether you’re coordinating troop movements overseas or just finding a great hunting spot, these handheld GPS devices have you covered.

Best Overall

Garmin Montana 700i

Pros

  • Add map layers for public lands, marine navigation, and more
  • Offers topographic maps and satellite imagery
  • Expedition Mode stretches battery life beyond a week

Cons

  • Subscription required to unlock the full potential
  • You can find a lot of handheld GPS devices for less than $700

Product Specs

  • Satellites: GPS, Galileo
  • Battery life: More than a week (in Expedition Mode)
  • Memory: 16 gigabytes internal, 32 additional gigabytes in a removable SD card

Why It Made The Cut

  • This was an easy choice; Garmin makes the best handheld GPS navigation systems and the Montana 700i is the best Garmin. If you have the money, your search ends here.

Best Budget

Garmin Foretrex 601

Pros

  • Simple controls almost eliminate the learning curve
  • Does everything you need to navigate accurately
  • Screen is easy to read in sunlight or with NVGs

Cons

  • Compass lacks a sighting mechanism to shoot an azimuth
  • Old-school display is a clear cost-saving measure

Product Specs

  • Satellites: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo
  • Battery life: 48 hours (with GPS active)
  • Memory: Not specified

Why It Made The Cut

  • This simple, sturdy, old-school GPS unit is ready for duty in a military environment. Save money and get down to business by opting out of features you don’t need.

Best Value

Garmin GPSMAP 65s

Pros

  • Tap into four satellite networks for incredible accuracy worldwide
  • Stay in command with the large, color display
  • Unlock even more features with the Garmin Connect app

Cons

  • Takes some time to master all the capabilities
  • A rechargeable battery would be nice

Product Specs

  • Satellite: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS
  • Battery life: 16 hours
  • Memory: 16 gigabytes

Why It Made The Cut

  • This is one of the most accurate handheld GPS devices you can get. It’s weatherproof and offers full-color topographic maps. How it costs less than $400 is beyond us.

Best for Hunting

onX Hunt

Pros

  • Easy to use since it operates on your smartphone
  • See public and private land boundaries
  • Packed with hunting-specific features

Cons

  • Relies on your smartphone’s GPS
  • Gets pricey fast if you want to use it in more than one state

Product Specs

  • Satellites: Depends on your device
  • Battery life: Depends on your device
  • Memory: Depends on your device

Why It Made The Cut

  • This app is full of features that would have sounded like science fiction a few years ago. Access your route, property lines, and data on game animals in real-time.

Best for Hiking

Garmin inReach Mini 2

Pros

  • Super light and compact
  • Use satellite messaging and the emergency signal anywhere in the world
  • Let the TracBack feature guide you home

Cons

  • Satellite messaging requires a subscription
  • Small, simple display provides minimal detail

Product Specs

  • Satellites: GPS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou
  • Battery life: Up to 30 days (using a 30-minute tracking interval)
  • Memory: Not specified

Why It Made The Cut

  • When you want to stay light and move fast, this tiny handheld GPS unit can keep you on track and in touch with the rest of your group.

Things to consider before buying a handheld GPS

Modern handheld GPS navigation systems are very capable, but some are better suited to certain tasks than others. Are you following a trail into the wilderness, finding grid coordinates on a map, or looking for a reliable safety net that can bring you back to the trailhead in a pinch? Once you understand the following factors, you’ll be equipped to choose the best handheld GPS for you.

Satellite networks

GPS has become a ubiquitous term for any kind of digital navigation, but reality is a little more complicated than that. A more accurate term would be GNSS, or global navigation satellite system. This catch-all category includes all satellites used to provide location data.

In most cases, handheld GPS devices designed to work with the U.S. network are able to access other networks, as well. This may not translate to greater accuracy in the U.S., but it will eliminate blind spots and allow you to get accurate readings around the world.

GNSS options include:

  • GPS (United States)
  • Galileo (European Union)
  • GLONASS (Russia)
  • QZSS (Japan)
  • IRNSS and NavIC (India)
  • BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (China)

Memory and waypoints

Once you know where you are in the world, your next step is probably going to be plotting a route to your destination. That usually involves a series of waypoints, and some GPS units can do that better than others. Most manufacturers will specify how many waypoints can be stored. That number will be dictated by how much internal memory the device has.

Altitude, barometer, and compass

The satellites that support your GPS device can determine your altitude, but an onboard barometer can improve accuracy. It can also monitor changes in air pressure to help you monitor the weather and prepare for incoming storms. A built-in compass can be very useful for orienting yourself and moving on the fly. Sight-and-go navigation provides the speed of glancing at a lensatic compass with the accuracy of GPS.

Messaging

Satellite communicators and personal locator beacons can be used anywhere in the world and are not reliant on cellular networks or data plans. That makes them invaluable for people working in remote areas. Some handheld GPS devices incorporate this feature and can even exchange location data with other users. Be aware that this service isn’t cheap; you’ll need to pony up cash for a subscription to take advantage of this capability.

FAQs about handheld GPS

Q: How much does a handheld GPS cost?

A: Garmin is the brand to have in the GPS world, and its most affordable unit costs $110. Handheld GPS prices go up to $800 for the Montana 750i or GPSMAP 276Cx.

Q: Which handheld GPS is the most accurate?

A: All of the handheld GPS devices on this list are very accurate. What varies is the source of that positional information — there are other satellite networks besides GPS. The Garmin GPSMAP 65s can communicate with four satellite networks, which is the most of any product here and should provide the broadest coverage. 

Q: What is the easiest handheld GPS to use?

A: The easiest handheld GPS for beginners is probably the phone you use every day. Standard navigational tools like Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Maps.me are fine for everyday use but they aren’t great outside city limits. If you want to experiment with handheld GPS on a budget, check out the Gaia GPS app. 

Final thoughts

The Garmin Montana 700 series is the best you can get right now. Whether you prioritize outright navigating power, detailed maps, long battery life, or physical toughness, this handheld GPS has you covered. If you can afford the premium price tag, you’ll end up with an undeniably capable piece of gear.

Methodology 

As much as I trust and respect Garmin, I went out of my way to look for alternative brands that might get overlooked based on name recognition. The truth is that no other manufacturers can really go toe-to-toe with Garmin at the moment. 

With that established, I conducted a virtual Garmin handheld GPS comparison to determine which ones were best for use in a military environment. I wanted to find products that you can trust in the field, then use to explore the world on your own time. Durability was obviously important in this process, but so was global usability. Finally, I looked for products across the price range because you shouldn’t have to choose between the very best or nothing. There are great handheld GPS units for every budget, and that’s what you see here.

Zach Faulds Avatar

is a Task & Purpose contributor and highly dedicated professional writer based in Asheville, NC. Recognized for work with reputable companies including Bleacher Report, The Wall Street Journal, Time Inc., Merck & Co., and the United States Golf Association, Zach has a proven track record of writing, driving social media interaction, and increasing brand awareness.