GPS

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Sort our Ratings based on features, brands and other factors.

What's behind our GPS Ratings?

Experts at our National Testing and Research Center tested 124 models in GPS to see which ones perform best.

We look for:

Overall score
This score mainly reflects how easy a navigation system is to use, combined with factors such as information given, portability, and routing options. The displayed score is out of a total of 100 points.
Ease of use
Ease of use score is based on an assessment of the physical interface, touch-screen control, programming logic, and readability. Testing considers such things as whether the database allows dynamic searching for addresses, if unlikely letters are grayed out, ease of entering into navigation menus upon start-up, ease of finding points of interest, and ease of adjusting common functions like volume, brightness, and map zoom setting.
Routing
Our routing evaluation looks at the choices for fine-tuning a route and calculation time. Specifically, we factor multi-destination routing, avoidance of toll roads, biking routes, walking routes, RV/truck use, and availability of foreign map databases. In addition, we measure system response time when operating data-entry menus, such as POI searching.
Info for driver
Based on the on-screen and audible information given to the user during navigation. Includes type and font size of on-screen information, ability to speak proper street names, languages supported, and amount of audible information given including descriptions of the next maneuver, including lane assist and reality view.
Mount design
Considers how the mount is engineered, factoring size, security, and ease of installation.
Display
Based on brightness, contrast, and glare/reflections in bright sunlight. Considers ratio of screen size to overall device size for packaging efficiency.
Traffic interface
Rates the presentation of the traffic information and the ability to put the data into use. Rating factors include antenna design, color coding for traffic severity, depth of information, estimated time for delay, and tools for rerouting around congestion. However, we do not rate the accuracy or timeliness of the traffic information itself.
Tested battery life (hrs.)
After being fully charged, the length of time in hours that the unit remained on, while set to full brightness.

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Recommended GPS

Recommended GPS are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices, weigh features, price, and attributes that matter to you.

Recommended GPS

GPS buying guide

To find the GPS that is right for you, read our expert advice on which features to consider and how to find the best value.

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Why shop here?

In addition to finding Ratings for the latest models, you can now shop online using an ad-free interface where you can buy GPS in a safe-shopping environment.

Learn more about our Price & Shop program

A portable GPS system will usually guide you to your destination. The highest-rated GPS models make it especially easy to enter destinations and they give the most helpful directions. If you're looking for information about GPS systems, Consumer Reports is your best resource. Consumer Reports’ GPS reviews will give you honest buying advice that you can trust. Use our GPS buying guide to discover which features are most important to consider. We also provide unbiased Ratings and GPS reviews to help you choose the best GPS system for your needs.

Ratings & recommended GPS

GPS (115)

Portable GPS navigation systems can all provide nationwide route guidance to help you find long-distance destinations and local points of interest. Where they differ most is in ease of use and their features. For our ratings, we factor heavily the qualities that make it easy to input destinations and give the most helpful directions. The recommendations below break out the best performing models overall, and those that perform the core navigation chores well and do so at an attractive price point.

Other tested models may also appeal, if you place a high priority on secondary features, like MP3 playback and traffic services. It is worth scanning the ratings and reviewing the detailed model pages to find the right match for your needs. Use our GPS product selector to narrow down the rated units based on the parameters that matter most to you.

The Ratings rank models strictly on performance.

Handheld hiking GPS (9)

An advanced hiker will appreciate the ease of use, topographic maps, electronic altimeter and compass, and geocaching information offered on the top-rated Garmin models. For the enthusiast who demands the best, the Oregon 400t is the model to choose. On the other hand, most casual hikers would do fine with one of the less expensive units.

Recently reviewed GPS

TomTom EASE (Tested)

This TomTom has a 3.5-inch LCD screen. It is preloaded with maps covering the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

TomTom EASE

Garmin Nuvi 2555LT

TomTom One 140

Magellan Roadmate 2045

GPS buying guide

If you often travel to new places for work or pleasure, have trouble reading maps, or simply hate to ask for directions, you might consider a global positioning system (GPS) based navigator for your car. Once you put in a destination, the system will plot a route, give spoken turn-by-turn directions, and show your progress along the route. Most personal navigation devices (PNDs) let you choose your routing preferences, including the shortest distance, the fastest time, or even routes with no toll roads. Some portable units offer special ... Read more

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