It is difficult to imagine how things were before we had GPS. Many do not realize it but a GPS is almost essential even when trying to find a certain place in your own city. Traveling proves even better how essential GPS units are for both driving and visiting a city on foot. We have smartphones and Google maps that can be true life savers but they are not that accurate or convenient when driving. For drivers, getting a stand alone GPS unit is a much better option.
One of the main advantages of an individual GPS is the battery life and larger screen size. Also they tend to connect faster to the GPS satellite and they do not lose the connection all that easy. Most individual GPS units come with lifetime updates for maps which is a welcomed bonus. Their pricing is quite reasonable and the reliability is superior when compared with smartphone GPS applications.
Best GPS Units Comparison [year]
For our list we selected 10 different GPS units. The market is dominated by several major brands which make it seem like there is not much of a choice in terms of diversity. However we were able to find some decent models that are worth looking at. With no further ado here are the top 10 best GPS units in [year] reviews.
- Bright, high-resolution 5” glass capacitive touchscreen display lets you easily view your route
- Get more situational awareness with alerts for school zones, speed changes, sharp curves and more
- View food, fuel and rest areas along your active route, and see upcoming cities and milestones
- View Tripadvisor traveler ratings for top-rated restaurants, hotels and attractions to help you make the most of road trips
- Directory of U.S. national parks simplifies navigation to entrances, visitor centers and landmarks within the parks
- 7” high-resolution navigator includes map updates of North America .Special Feature:Easy-To-Read Display; Voice Assist; Hands-Free Calling; Live Traffic and Weather; Traffic Cams and Parking; Smart Notifications,Driver Alerts; Tripadvisor; National Parks Directory; Find Places by Name; Garmin Real Directions Feature.
- Hands-free calling when paired with your compatible smartphone with BLUETOOTH technology and convenient Garmin voice assist lets you ask for directions to places you want to go
- Road trip–ready features include the HISTORY database of notable sites, a U.S. national parks directory, Tripadvisor traveler ratings and millions of Foursquare POIs
- Driver alerts for things such as school zones, sharp curves and speed changes help encourage safer driving and increase situational awareness
- Access live traffic, fuel prices, parking, weather and smart notifications when you pair this navigator with your compatible smartphone running the Garmin Drive app
- 5" GPS navigator with driver alerts and travel data.External memory storage: This USB mass storage device is compatible with Windows XP or newer and Mac OS X 10.4 or later..Control Method:Touch.Special Feature:Touchscreen.
- Easy-to-use 5" GPS navigator includes detailed map updates of the U.S. and Canada
- Simple on-screen menus and bright, easy-to-see maps
- Garmin Traffic is ready to use right out of the box — without use of a smartphone
- Road trip-ready with The HISTORY Channel database of notable historic sites, a U.S. national parks directory, TripAdvisor traveler ratings and millions of Foursquare points of interest (POIs).Included Components: Garmin Drive 52, Vehicle Suction Cup Mount, Vehicle Power Cable, Usb Cable, Quick Start Manual. Display Size 4.4"W x 2.5"H (11.1 x 6.3 cm); 5.0" diag (12.7 cm)
- Practical GPS Navigation: Providing Intelligent Current Speed Camera Alerts, Sound Warning, Route Planning, Street Names Broadcast, Current Speed and Active Lane Assistant, Display Remaining Distance, telling Estimated Arrival Time
- Car GPS Function: ①Support Postcode, Address, Coordinates, Favorite and POI Search. ②4 Routes Options: Fast/Green/Short/Easy. ③Support FM broadcast, but FM not mean FM radio, just for transferring the gps sound to your car
- Custom settings: You can customize a better route according to your vehicle’s weight, length, height and width, thus avoiding the roads which have width restrictions or height restriction or weight restriction, etc. Supports 7 vehicle type: Car, Truck, Bus, Taxi, Emergency, Bicycle, Pedestrian
- Lifetime Map Updated for Free: Pre-installed with the most up-to-date 2025 maps, including: United States, Canada, Mexico. And you can contact us to download the map of Europe(Such as,Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, etc. ). Life time free maps update, please feel free to contact us to update
- What You Get: ①GPS Navigation with CE & RoHs Certificate ②Car Charger ③USB Cable ④Suction Cup Mount ⑤Back Bracket ⑥User Manual. (Common questions and operates are in user manual, please read it carefully before or while you use your navigation. If you need further help, please feel free to contact us. )
- 5” glass, pinch to zoom display with dual-orientation
- FOURSQUARE - Search million of additional new and popular restaurants, shops and more with Foursquare
- DIRECT ACCESS - Simplifies navigating to select complex destinations, like malls and airports
- LIFETIME MAP UPDATES - Businesses open and close. New roads are built. Be confident your routes reflect the latest map data available. LIFETIME TRAFFIC - Free lifetime traffic avoidance, no ads or subscription fees
- GARMIN REAL DIRECTIONS - Garmin Real Directions guides like a friend using landmarks and traffic lights
- Map Updates: The latest 2025 map of North America (USA, Canada, Mexico) is already preloaded; downloadable but not preloaded maps are for the UK, Europe and other regions; suitable for cars, trucks, buses, cabs, bicycles, first aid and pedestrians, etc
- Customized Route: GPS navigation supports four route options: fast/ green/ short/ convenient; truck gps can customize the route according to the weight, length, height and width of the vehicle to avoid roads with width/height /weight restrictions
- Intelligent Voice Navigation: GPS navigation system provides current speed camera reminder, route planning, road name broadcasting, current speed and lane assistance, displaying remaining distance, informing estimated arrival time and other functions
- Vehicle GPS Function: GPS support zip code, address, coordinates, favorites and POI search. Intelligent error correction, if the route is incorrect, the system automatically generates a new route; rely on gps signals to provide accurate navigation
- Packing List: GPS navigator, car charger, usb cable, suction cup holder, rear holder, sun visor, user manual. We have a professional team to provide you with excellent after-sales service
- Map Updates: The latest 2025 map of North America (USA, Canada, Mexico) is already preloaded; And you can contact us to download maps of other countries.(Such as european countries ). Life time free maps update, please feel free to contact us to update
- Intelligent Voice Navigation: GPS navigation system provides Intelligent Current Speed Camera Alerts, Sound Warning, Street Names Broadcast, Route Planning, Current Speed and Active Lane Assistant, Display Remaining Distance, telling Estimated Arrival Time
- Customized Route: ①GPS navigation supports four route options: fast/ green/ short/ convenient; ②truck GPS can customize the route according to the weight, length, height and width of the vehicle to avoid roads with width/height /weight restrictions
- Car GPS Function: ①GPS support zip code, address, coordinates, favorites and POI search; ②Intelligent error correction, if the route is incorrect, the system automatically generates a new route; rely on GPS signals to provide accurate navigation
- What You Get: GPS navigator, car charger, USB cable, suction cup holder, rear holder, sun visor, user manual. We have a professional team to provide you with excellent after-sales service. If you need further help, please feel free to contact us
- Map Updates: The latest 2025 map of North America (USA, Canada, Mexico) is already preloaded; downloadable but not preloaded maps are for the UK, Europe and other regions; suitable for cars, trucks, buses, cabs, bicycles, first aid and pedestrians, etc
- Customized Route: GPS navigation supports four route options: fast/ green/ short/ convenient; truck gps can customize the route according to the weight, length, height and width of the vehicle to avoid roads with width/height /weight restrictions
- Intelligent Voice Navigation: GPS navigation system provides current speed camera reminder, route planning, road name broadcasting, current speed and lane assistance, displaying remaining distance, informing estimated arrival time and other functions
- Vehicle GPS Function: GPS support zip code, address, coordinates, favorites and POI search. Intelligent error correction, if the route is incorrect, the system automatically generates a new route; rely on gps signals to provide accurate navigation
- Packing List: GPS navigator, car charger, usb cable, suction cup holder, rear holder, sun visor, user manual. We have a professional team to provide you with excellent after-sales service. If you need help, please contact us
- Practical GPS Navigation: Providing Intelligent Current Speed Camera Alerts, Sound Warning, Route Planning, Street Names Broadcast, Current Speed and Active Lane Assistant, Display Remaining Distance, telling Estimated Arrival Time
- Car GPS Function: ①Support Postcode, Address, Coordinates, Favorite and POI Search. ②4 Routes Options: Fast/Green/Short/Easy. ③Support FM broadcast, but FM not mean FM radio, just for transferring the gps sound to your car
- Custom settings: ①You can customize a better route according to your vehicle’s weight, length, height and width, thus avoiding the roads which have width restrictions or height restriction or weight restriction, etc. ②Supports 7 vehicle type: Car, Truck, Bus, Taxi, Emergency, Bicycle, Pedestrian
- Lifetime Map Updated for Free: Pre-installed with the most up-to-date 2025 maps, including: United States, Canada, Mexico. And you can contact us to download the map of Europe(Such as,Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, etc. ). Life time free maps update, please feel free to contact us to update
- What You Get: ①GPS Navigation ②Car Charger ③USB Cable ④Suction Cup Mount ⑤Back Bracket ⑥User Manual. (Common questions and operates are in user manual, please read it carefully before or while you use your navigation. If you need further help, please feel free to contact us. )
- 【Lifetime Map Updated for Free】Aonerex GPS Navigation has been installed with the latest North American maps, including the United States, Canada and Mexico. We offer free lifetime map updates to all customers. Page 9 of the user manual is about map updates. You can update maps of Europe, Australia, Africa, South America, etc
- 【GPS Satellite Navigation】Unlike map software on mobile phones, Aonerex navigation does not require any network data and performs positioning and navigation by communicating with satellites. So that you will not get lost anywhere and reach your destination smoothly
- 【Many Navigation Function】①Support Postcode, Address, Coordinates, Favorite and POI Search. ②4 Routes Options: Fast,Green,Short,Easy. ③Support GPS time or Map time setting. ④Support FM broadcast, but FM not mean FM radio, just for transferring the gps sound to your car.⑤Providing Intelligent Current Speed Camera Alerts, Sound Warning, Route Planning, Street Names Broadcast, Current Speed and Active Lane Assistant, Display Remaining Distance, Estimated Arrival Time
- 【Portable Easy to Use】Aonerex GPS navigation is equipped with a 7-inch high-brightness touch screen, which can be displayed clearly even in sunlight. The suction cup bracket can be easily installed on the car center console or windshield. Packing List: ①Car Navigation ②Car Charger ③USB Cable ④Suction Cup Mount ⑤Clip Holder ⑥User Manual ⑦sunshade
- 【Excellent Manufacturing Process】Aonerex has always adhered to the high-quality manufacturing concept. The navigation uses a high-strength ABS shell that is stamped in one piece, which is strong and durable. There will be no problems with long-term use in the car
Best GPS Units Reviews [year]
Magellan Roadmate 5520-LM GPS Unit with Free Lifetime Maps
- 5" Touchscreen Display With Day & Night Views & Auto Night View
- Free Lifetime Map Updates
- Junction View Provides Realistic Images Of Freeway Signs & Arrows To Make Driving Easier & Less Stressful
- Best Parking Provides Parking Garage Locations, Hours Of Operation & Directions To The Entrance
- Traffic Camera Alerts By Phantomalert Provide Audible & Visual Warnings Of Red Light & Speed Cameras At No Charge For 1 Year
Magellan 5520-LM Roadmate is a great companion for any kind of trip. It is a simple GPS unit with a lightweight construction and a large 5 inch touchscreen. This makes it very simple to use and surprisingly the unit is quite responsive.
The model comes with lifetime map updates. It is capable of finding parking spots and other locations of interest. It has visual warnings and audio alerts. The product comes with a decent battery size that makes it usable for several hours even when not plugged in.
ZXLine 7″ 4GB Car GPS Navigation
No products found.
ZXLine is a rather unknown brand but it offers decent products. Their ZXLine GPS navigation unit is reasonably priced and comes with some useful features. It actually comes with a rear camera that can help when parking.
The model has a thin bezel and a lightweight construction. Its screen size measures about 7 inches and it comes preloaded with maps. Similar to other GPS units it comes with free updates and additional maps can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website.
Magellan 9400-LM RoadMate GPS Navigator
- 7" Touchscreen Display - Extra-large, vibrant, display with day and night views for easy visibility. Perfect for all cars, RVs, SUVs and trucks.
- Free Lifetime Map Updates - Never worry about out-of-date maps again. Download the latest map information (up to 4 times a year) for the life of your Magellan Road Mate navigator.
- Traffic Camera Alerts by Phantom ALERT - Avoid costly traffic tickets. Receive audible and visual warnings of red light cameras and speed traps. Additional alerts are available including, school zones, railroad crossings, dangerous curves, and more.
- Landmark Guidance - Receive directions using landmarks (such as gas stations and grocery stores) as your guide versus street names for an easier and more intuitive way to navigate.
- Speed Limit Warnings - Manage your speed along your route with optional settings for visual and audible alerts.
Magellan RoadMate 9400-LM is a premium models amongst several others in our list that comes with a glossy bezel and a large 7 inch touchscreen. The GPS is extremely responsive making it very simple to use and due to the screen size it is a rather convenient replacement to a smartphone GPS.
Part of the retail package the manufacturers included free lifetime updates for their maps and additional maps can be found online. The device can help find locations of interest and even packing areas. Similar to most GPS units it has sound and visual alerts.
EASYOWN G7050 GPS Navigation System
- Bracket Cradle Replacement is compatible with EASYOWN GPS G7050/CS7001 (7 Inch)
- Function just like original Bracket (just snap it in)
- It is easily removable so you can take it from car to car. No Tools required easy install
EASYOWN G 7050 GPS unit is a great product for the ones that have a limited budget and want to get the best value for their money. It is a simple GPS device that runs on Windows CE 6.0. Its touchscreen is almost lag free and reasonably responsive.
Straight out of the box the GPS comes with multiple maps already installed. The announcer voice is available in multiple languages and more can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website. In terms of features the GPS can plan routes based on road type, conditions and other factors that can be set by the user.
Carelolve 7″ Silky Appearance Car GPS Navigation 8G 256M Touch Screen Multimedia Player Lifetime
Clearlolve offers a great GPS unit for the ones that have a really limited budget. It is a simple model with a large 7 inch HD screen. It is actually a touchscreen and the unit itself can also be used as a media player.
The GPS unit comes with preloaded maps and unlimited lifetime updates. Its media player feature supports many different file formats and it comes with a built-in 8 GB internal storage memory that cannot be expanded. As for the GPS the model is quite accurate with an average error that does not exceed 5 meters.
Cobra 5600PROLM 5″ Pro Driver Navigation GPS with Lifetime Maps
- Unused, unscratched
- Perfect Condition
Cobra 5600PROLM a smaller yet reliable GPS unit. It is still quite expensive for its size but its performance and accuracy makes it a great travel companion. The model has a small 5 inch touchscreen and a thin bezel.
In terms of performance the GPS is quite accurate with a rather low error margin. It includes preloaded maps and lifetime updates. An interesting fact about it is that the device allows multi-point routes and custom optimizations that can be defined by the user.
Magellan 5230T-LM RoadMate GPS Navigator
- Free Lifetime Traffic Alerts
- Receive directions using landmarks as your guide versus street names, making it a more intuitive way to navigate
- Provides parking garage locations, hours of operation and directions to the entrance
- Vibrant 5-Inch touch screen for easy viewing
Magellan RoadMate 5230T-LM is a simple GPS unit that will impress with its responsiveness and route customization options. The software was made to allow as much freedom as possible while still keeping track of road conditions, points of interest and many others.
The model has a 5 inch LCD touchscreen. Its maps are quite detailed and as with all their other products the GPS includes free lifetime updates. It includes garage locations and other points of interest.
Garmin 55LM GPS System
No products found.
Garmin 55LM is a great little GPS unit that is mostly recommended to the ones that need something compact to replace their smartphone while driving. It has a small 5 inch LCD touchscreen and a thin bezel. The body of the GPS is quite thin making it one of the more compact models in our list.
The device comes with several complex route customization features but the default settings work just as good. It includes warning zones and multiple languages for the announcers. Map updates can be found online for free on the manufacturer website.
TomTom VIA 1505M World Traveler Edition GPS
- Free Lifetime Map Updates
- Split Screen
- Points of Interest
- IQ Routes
- 5″ Touchscreen
TomTom VIA 1505M Word Traveler Edition is a rather expensive model. It comes with some advanced features that many might not even use but the greatest thing about it is the responsiveness of the touchscreen and the accuracy of the device.
In terms of maps the TomTom GPS includes lifetime updates and it comes with some preloaded maps straight out of the box. The LCD screen measures just 5 inches but it is large enough to make it easy to see while driving.
Garmin nüvi 2597LMT 5-Inch Portable Bluetooth Vehicle GPS
- Easy-To-Use, Dual Orientation, Touchscreen Interface;The Traffic Feature Does Not Require A Subscription. There Are No Additional Fees For This
- Garmin Real Directions With Garmin Real Voice Guide Using Recognizable Buildings And Landmarks
- Photoreal And Bird'S Eye Junction Views Offer Detailed Images Of Junctions Along Your Route, To Ease The Stress Of Merging On Or Off A Roadway
- Up Ahead Displays Nearby Services Info Including Restaurants, Stores, Hospitals And Fuel Alongside Your Map And Updates As You Drive Your Route
- Smartphone Link Is A Free Mobile App That Connects Your Nüvi With Your Smartphone. When Paired, Your Nüvi Can Use Your Phone’S Existing Data Plan To Share Information - Such As Where You Parked, Pois And Your Destination
Garmin 2597LMT is by far the most popular model made by the manufacturer. Even if it looks quite similar to some of their other GPS units, the software it uses comes with some rather interesting features.
The model has a traffic features that requires a subscription but the additional maps and map updates are free. Its 5 inch touchscreen is extremely responsive and the GPS itself is one of the most accurate models available.
Conclusion
There are plenty of GPS units to choose from. For most part they tend to have the same maps but the features are quite different. Some models are a bit more responsive than others when it comes to their LCD screen and everyone knows how annoying it is to struggle to find a location or set a route. Responsiveness has been an important factor when choosing the models for our picklist. All the models come with free maps and lifetime updates.