Best satnav 2023: Get from A to B without the stress
Dodge the traffic and avoid those one-track country lanes with the top satnavs from TomTom and Garmin
Does anybody still need a satnav? Now that many cars are sold with built-in navigation and any decent smartphone can do the job, you might think the answer would be no. However, there’s still a lot to be said for the best satnavs. For a start, not all new cars include navigation in their entry-level models, while older, secondhand models might have an outdated satnav – if they have one at all. And can you remove your car’s built-in satnav and take it on your holiday in a rental car?
Meanwhile, smartphones aren’t always reliable when it comes to getting a GPS signal or even, in some cases, making sure that their internal compass is pointing in the right direction. The best satnavs work, and if you’re already used to Garmin or TomTom’s interface and systems, you might not want to switch to something new.
What’s more, today’s satnavs have learned some lessons from their smartphone rivals, and they’re packing in bigger, better screens, additional features and useful live services. We’ve picked out the best satnavs you can currently buy to help you make the right choice.
Best satnav: At a glance
- Best budget satnav: Garmin Drive 52 | £120
- Best mid-range satnav: TomTom Sat Nav Go Essential | £190
- Best value satnav: Garmin DriveSmart 66 | £200
- Best TomTom satnav: TomTom Go Discover | £280
- Best big-screen satnav: Garmin Drivesmart 86 | £319
How to choose the best satnav for you
The key thing is, how easy are they to operate? The best satnavs make it as straightforward as possible to find your destination, pick a route and locate nearby amenities.
Of course, having a screen in the car can be a distraction, so the interfaces are designed to minimise driver interaction. In fact, many now include voice controls that can help you avoid using the touchscreen quite so often, and with better integration with smartphones and voice assistants, these are becoming more dependable. When you do reach for the screen, you will appreciate having one with the same capacitive technology used by smartphones. Cheaper and older models tend to have resistive touchscreens, which need more pressure when you hit a key and don’t provide such a clear or vibrant image.
How will satnavs make my journey smoother?
All satnavs receive signals from GPS satellites, from which they can calculate where you are and in which direction you’re moving. They use this data within its maps to plan a route to your destination and track your progress along it, providing directions for when and where you need to turn, change lanes or take a roundabout exit.
Even basic satnavs now come with lifetime map updates, so you shouldn’t be confused by different road layouts or the appearance or disappearance of roads and roundabouts along your route. What’s more, the two leading manufacturers – Garmin and TomTom – have now had years to hone their map displays and voice guidance, with clear, timely directions that take you through what you need to do and when.
Where there are differences, they come down to things such as 3D junction displays that show your path through a series of turns or complicated junctions, which can make all the difference when you’re on an unfamiliar road or surrounded by fast-moving traffic. Some Garmin satnavs also offer street views as you approach your destination so you don’t miss the building or a final turning. They might also use visual cues to help you, like suggesting that you turn after a landmark such as a church.
The biggest time-saving feature is live traffic updates, which you will even find on some affordable satnavs these days. The big manufacturers monitor traffic on major roads and proactively send warnings so you can avoid any major hold-ups while you plan or even as you drive. Speed camera alerts are another useful bonus, although you may have to pay a subscription to keep them up to date.
Is there anything else worth looking out for?
Satnav manufacturers aren’t blind to the ubiquity of smartphones, and now pitch their satnavs as devices that work with your smartphone, to give you not just navigation but a range of smart features designed for in-car use. Some double as in-car Bluetooth systems, enabling you to make and take calls via the built-in microphone and speaker. They might even relay notifications or incoming texts to save you taking sneaky peeks down at your phone screen. Some use your mobile connection for live traffic updates, fuel prices, and advice on parking spots, and we’re even seeing some incorporate Amazon Alexa, so that you can go beyond basic navigation commands to request streaming music or use Alexa skills.
We’re also seeing satnavs that hook into other services, using the likes of Tripadvisor and Foursquare to take you to restaurants, takeaways, cinemas and other points of interest in the nearby area. Again, this isn’t anything you can’t do on your phone, but it’s nice to see it integrated into your satnav, particularly if it can help you find a bite to eat or a rest stop when you’re driving longer distances or going on your hols.
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The best satnavs you can buy in 2023
1. Garmin DriveSmart 66: Best satnav for value
Price when reviewed: £200 | Check price at Halfords 
Voice control isn’t the DriveSmart’s biggest strength – recognising town names and addresses was hit and miss and you have to look at the screen to make a selection. However, planning routes is easy, and the integration with Tripadvisor and Foursquare helps when you’re trying to find a coffee or snack en-route. And while you will need to find an extra £20 for a version with Amazon’s Alexa, even the basic model includes Bluetooth calling and smartphone notification support. Pay more to get a bigger screen and extras, but this is a rock-solid satnav at a nice, affordable price.
Key specs – Screen: 5.7in 1280 x 720 capacitive touchscreen; Navigation features: Live traffic data, live parking and weather, lifetime map updates, POI from Tripadvisor and Foursquare, junction assists, driver alerts; Smart features: Bluetooth calling, notifications, voice commands
2. Garmin Drive 52: Best budget satnav
Price when reviewed: £120 | Check price at Halfords
There are some compromises on usability, however. The screen is noticeably dimmer than the display on Garmin’s DriveSmart models and has a lower (480 x 272) resolution. It’s resistive rather than capacitive – although it’s surprisingly responsive by those standards – and you will also need to hook it up to a PC over USB to download updates. Spending more will get you a stronger all-round satnav, but for £120 it’s hard to grumble.
Key specs – Screen: 5in 480 x 272 capacitive touchscreen; Navigation features: Live traffic data, lifetime map updates, POI from Tripadvisor and Foursquare
3. TomTom Go Classic 6in: Best cheap TomTom satnav
Price when reviewed: £140 | Check price at Halfords 
The real key here, though, is that you’re still getting TomTom’s excellent maps and guidance, in a device that feels relatively nippy and doesn’t leave you too frustrated every time you search for a destination. It also updates over Wi-Fi and comes with a decent windscreen mount. Move up to the Essential for a better all-round experience, with voice control and a better touchscreen, but this wallet-friendly option won’t let you down.
Key specs – Screen: 6in 800 x 480 capacitive touchscreen; Navigation features: Live TomTom traffic, lane guidance, destination prediction; Smart features: Text message readout, integration with MyDrive app
4. TomTom Go Essential 5in: Best mid-range TomTom
Price when reviewed: £190 | Check price at Halfords
The Essential also packs in a wider range of smartphone features. You can make hands-free calls and get your satnav to read out messages, but it can also trigger Siri or the Google Assistant on your phone if you need some extra help. TomTom’s maps, live traffic info and guidance are as dependable and clear as ever, and the Essential also comes with the excellent snap-in, snap-out magnetic mount. Garmin’s DriveSmart 66 has the edge with its crisper, high-resolution screen, but if you prefer TomTom’s software, the Essential is a fine alternative.
Key specs – Screen: 5in 480 x 272 capacitive touchscreen; Navigation features: Live TomTom traffic, live parking and weather, lane guidance, destination prediction, voice control; Smart features: Hands-free calling, text message readout, integration with Siri, Google Assistant and MyDrive app
5. Garmin DriveSmart 76: Best all-rounder
Price when reviewed: £210 | Check price at Halfords 
Voice commands suffer from the same issues as with the DriveSmart 66, and it’s particularly frustrating that you can’t choose from a range of search options without glancing at the screen. However, the spoken and visual guidance is excellent, making good use of street names and landmarks. On rural journeys there are still some odd omissions, not to mention situations where a bear right becomes a right turn or vice versa. It’s here, rather than in the towns and on the major roads, where TomTom has a slight edge. That’s emblematic of the stiff competition the DriveSmart 66 is getting from the similar TomTom Go Discover, but the Garmin is slightly cheaper and, as an all-rounder, hard to beat.
Key specs – Screen: 6.95in 1024 x 600 capacitive touchscreen; Navigation features: Live traffic data, live parking and weather, lifetime map updates, POI from Tripadvisor and Foursquare, junction assists, driver alerts; Smart features: Bluetooth calling, notifications, voice commands
6. TomTom Go Discover: Best TomTom satnav
Price when reviewed: £280 | Check price at Halfords 
You also get live traffic data through your smartphone and lifetime map updates for the UK and Europe, while live speed camera alerts, live fuel prices and off-road parking are thrown in for the first year (you will need to pay a subscription after that). TomTom’s voice controls remain a bit restrictive, not to mention hit and miss on the recognition front, but this is the best of its satnavs for navigating your way around, and a great – if more expensive – rival to the Garmin DriveSmart 65.
Key specs – Screen: 6in or 7in capacitive touchscreen; Navigation features: Live traffic data and lifetime map updates, live speed camera alerts, fuel prices and off-road parking (1yr), voice control
7. Garmin Camper 780: The best satnav for campervans and caravans
Price: £360 | Buy now from Amazon
A standard satnav is fine for a car, but bulkier vehicles may struggle to negotiate narrow lanes, tight village roads and tricky one-way systems. The Camper 780 is the answer: it’s a camper-friendly version of the DriveSmart 65, with maps and navigation systems optimised for campervans and caravans, to ensure you can get to your next stop without getting stuck or causing a commotion. What’s more, it comes with a database of relevant points of interest, so campsites and campervan-ready rest stops appear directly on screen.
It comes with all the same bells and whistles as Garmin’s car satnavs, including hands-free calling, built-in traffic alerts, 3D visuals, smart notifications and voice commands. You can also buy it in a pack with the BC40 Backup Camera, which can be mounted on your rear number plate or boot to gain a handy rear view for parking.
Key specs – Screen: 6.95in 1024 x 600 pixel capacitive; Navigation features: Live traffic data, live parking, lifetime map updates, speed camera alerts, POI from TripAdvisor and Foursquare, voice control, vehicle-specific guidance, campsite database
8. Garmin DriveSmart 86 with Amazon Alexa: Best big-screen satnav
Price when reviewed: £319 | Check price at Halfords 
Another key selling point with this model is its built-in Amazon Alexa features, although these are available as an extra on the smaller DriveSmart 76. It’s useful for quick questions, controlling audio playback and searching for nearby petrol stations, food outlets and other points of interest. It’s just a shame that, while Alexa’s smart enough to read through the results so that you don’t have to take your eyes off the road, you still need to tap the screen to select the right one. It really helps if you have a front seat passenger.
All in all, though, this is a cracking satnav, and one of the nippiest and most responsive we’ve ever used. If you’re happy with the price and a big display, this is the one to buy.
Key specs – Screen: 8in 1280 x 800 capacitive touchscreen; Navigation features: Live traffic data, live parking and weather, lifetime map updates, POI from Tripadvisor and Foursquare, junction assists, driver alerts; Smart features: Bluetooth calling, notifications, Amazon Alexa
