Want to avoid traffic lights, queues and speed cameras? Here are the best portable sat-navs to guide you through the traffic.
Michael is a highly skilled automotive navigation systems engineer with extensive experience in testing and evaluating SAT NAV devices. With a strong background in GPS technology, map integration, and real-time traffic data analysis, he focuses on assessing the performance, accuracy, and usability of various in-car navigation systems.
These days, many people are happy to use their phone as their sat nav and rely on Google Maps or an app like Waze, but this comes with some drawbacks. It can be frustrating to have to fiddle around with your phone and try to read a map on a tiny screen when all you want to do is get started on your journey, especially for older drivers or those in large vehicles like trucks or motorhomes.
The best sat navs are more sophisticated than a phone app, giving you better traffic information without draining your battery or eating data.
Plus, unlike phones, they already have the maps installed on them, so you won’t be stuck if you’re in a 4G dead-zone. They have interfaces that are designed for car journeys, so they don’t distract you with beeps and notifications, while advanced models pack in useful features such as lane guidance and speed camera warnings and let you install extra maps for locales all around the world.
No matter where you’re traveling to, a sat nav is designed to make life easier and more relaxing. Guiding you through your journey step-by-step means the days of puzzling over tattered maps in lay-bys – or looking for non-existent road signs – are long gone.
Journeys have also never been quicker thanks to live traffic updates, diverting you away from congestion and accidents, which is useful on routes both old and new.
Some models can even tell you exactly where you’ve parked your car, with parking location guidance. Wave goodbye to wandering around the car park with your key fob in the air!
Road networks and transportation infrastructure frequently change; new roads, closed routes, and updated traffic signs can all impact navigation accuracy. Free lifetime map updates ensure that your device always uses the most up-to-date map data, preventing navigation errors caused by outdated maps.
A good sat nav should have an extensive list of points of interest (restaurants, gas stations, landmarks, etc.).
The ability to add custom POIs can be beneficial if you frequently visit specific locations.
We recommend screens with various sound outputs. Built-in speakers work for navigation, but having Bluetooth, AUX, and FM transmitter options means you can connect to any car stereo system perfectly.
A three-dimensional view of the route can make it easier to interpret. 3D helps you visualise where you’re going. This is very handy when directions get complicated, like when you’re traveling through junctions with lots of exits.
Most budget units have a four-inch touchscreen, with the more expensive ones featuring six- and seven-inch screens. A bigger screen gives you a clearer view of the route making it easier to see what’s going on at a glance.
Avoid sat navs that don’t offer Bluetooth or smartphone integration if you value hands-free calling or syncing your phone for easier navigation. Connectivity features can also help with map updates.
Avoid devices without clear voice guidance or voice control. Lack of voice prompts can make it harder to keep your eyes on the road, and unclear instructions could lead to missed turns.
We tested the latest SAT NAVs to see which ones truly deliver on performance, convenience, and connectivity-and which ones fall short.
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The NavQuest 7 Inch Sat Nav is an excellent navigation system for 2025, offering a wide range of features for both car and truck drivers. One of its key benefits is free lifetime map updates, ensuring you’re always navigating with the most current road information.
This sat nav excels in intelligent route optimization and lane guidance, helping you find the fastest or most economical route and stay in the correct lane at complex junctions. It supports navigation using postcodes, addresses, or coordinates, and provides helpful driver warnings and alerts for speed limits, traffic cameras, and road hazards, ensuring a safer drive. It can even connect to a wireless reversing camera.
With points of interest and the ability to save favorite destinations, the NavQuest makes it easy to locate important stops like petrol stations or restaurants. It offers multiple route modes, allowing you to choose between fast or fuel-efficient routes based on your preferences. The FM transmitter sends navigation audio to your car speakers for louder and clearer instructions, enhancing the driving experience.
Finally, the NavQuest features 2D and 3D map views and automatically switches between day and night modes for better visibility in different lighting conditions. Overall, this sat nav combines advanced navigation features with user-friendly functionality, making it a top choice for any driver in 2025.
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The Garmin CamperCam 795 is a feature-rich sat nav designed specifically for motorhomes and caravans, offering advanced navigation features tailored to large vehicles. It comes with a 7-inch touchscreen and includes preloaded maps for 46 European countries, custom routing based on the vehicle’s dimensions, and a built-in dash cam to record your trips, making it highly versatile and practical.
However, we found that the process of updating maps and software on the CamperCam 795 can be slow. This may become frustrating if you need to update the device right before a trip. Additionally, the real-time traffic updates may lag in certain areas, especially in rural or less urban regions.
This sat nav is specifically designed for larger vehicles like motorhomes and caravans, so if you occasionally use a car or smaller vehicle, it might not be as useful. Its specialized routing and warnings for large vehicles might not offer any additional benefit for regular car drivers.
The Ventura software allows you to input your caravan or motorhome profile details, including height, length, width, weight and axle type, which means you won’t be routed down unsuitable lanes and roads with low bridges etc. There’s even the option to add up to 10 different profiles to provide route information that’s specific for the vehicle selected.
The interface of the S6900 feels outdated compared to newer sat nav models. Its menus and overall navigation system could use a refresh to make it more intuitive and user-friendly. The old-school design might not appeal to drivers who are used to modern, smartphone-like interfaces.
The device’s battery tends to drain quickly, typically lasting only around 2-3 hours on a full charge, which is far from ideal for truck drivers on extended trips.
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