While much debate seems to circle fish finders, they are one of the best ways to improve your efficiency on the water. And have become invaluable for learning fish behavior and migrations. What started simply as a way to tell how deep the water was around you, over generations, has morphed into one of the most elaborate tools for finding fish and learning a fishery. It took breaking down massive reservoirs and made it manageable for anyone without decades of personal experience on those lakes. So knowing the best fish finders will give you better insight into which units fit your type of fishing and budget to be more effective on the water.
Fish finders can do so much now to help your fishing and the amount of options seems limitless anymore.
The ability to add other technologies to your sonar like mapping, 360 imaging, side imaging, down imaging, forward facing sonar, boat control elements and more obviously make fish finders very scalable but also add to the expense. So we will aim to give you not only what the top of the line fish finders are but also what the best budget options are and what the best options in different. We tried to narrow down the hundreds of options to a handful of what we think are the best options out there for different types of fishing.
OUR PICKS FOR BEST FISH FINDERS
- Best Definition Chart plotters – Garmin GPSMAP 8616, Humminbird APEX 13
- Best For Side Imaging – Humminbird XPlore 12 CMSI+
- Best Big Screen Fish Finder Value – Lowrance HDS Live 16
- Best for Live Imaging – Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 2
- Best Kayak Depth Finder – Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 73sv
- Best Portable Kit – Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 LiveScope Plus Ice-Fishing Bundle LI
- Best Value Ice Kit – Humminbird ICE-55 Flasher
- Best Barebones Option – Humminbird HELIX 5 DI G2
- Best Castable Finder for Phone – Garmin STRIKER Cast
BEST DEFINITION CHARTPLOTTER
Garmin GPSMAP 8616
The Garmin GPSMAP 8616 offers anglers an incredibly fast, clear and advanced fish finder with one of the clearest pictures we’ve seen. There are units in bigger and smaller footprints in the GPSMAP 86XX Line-up. But the 8616 is the perfect blend of high resolution and clear glass without distortion from screen size. And the unit is very powerful so your updates are quick and real time without delay which is critical for things like lining up on a waypoint or hitting a moving fish on Livescope Plus. It is packed with features, screen real estate to be able to split multiple ways but still have great size and viewing angles.
The touchscreen makes it a fast, responsive user experience, with easy to use menus and quick back and forth between screens thanks to their handling of before and after screen switching and saved favorite screens. Wired2fish Publisher, Jason Sealock, runs this exact unit on the bow of his boat and says this is the best fish finder he has used in three decades of fishing with and filming with hundreds of fish finders. The price is steeper than some of the competitors at the 1920×1080 resolution and comparable screen sizes, but Sealock firmly believes this is the highest performing unit at the flagship level of fish finders because of the Full HD In-plane switching LED screens. They look good at any angle and this size coupled with the crisp definition lets you see the minutest of details in real-time.
Features and Specs:
- Full HD IPS LED displays
- 1920. x 1080 resolution
- 15.6-inches of viewing area (diagonally)
- 15.1 inches x 10.3 inches x 3 inches (13.6-inch x 7.7-inch viewing)
- Full HDMI and BLUETOOTH Support
- Touchscreen is fast and responsive
- Lots of networking options
- Great mounting system for flush and gimbal mounting
Pros:
- Best in class displays
- Very responsive units
- Big viewing area
- Good on bright days
Cons:
- Price (paying extra for high quality IPS LED display, resolution and processing power)
Humminbird XPLORE 12
The Humminbird® XPLORE™ 12 CMSI+ CHIRP MEGA SI Fish Finder boasts faster user interface powered by a quad-core processor. It features quick access to everything through a lightning-fast touch screen and shortcuts for your favorite tools and technologies. Includes transducer for MSI+, MDI+ and Dual Spectrum CHIRP 2D Sonar. These units are optimized for the latest generation of forward facing live sonar and of course features some of the best mapping in the fishing space.
Features
- Intuitive Cross Touch display and Quick Launch home screen
- Ultra-bright HD screens engineered for polarized eyewear and exceptional viewing in direct sun
- Plug-and-play Minn Kota compatibility
- Support for MEGA Side Imaging, MEGA Down Imaging, and Dual Spectrum CHIRP
- Optimized for forward-facing sonar, including MEGA Live 2 and MEGA Live
- Includes LakeMaster and CoastMaster maps
- Includes transducer for MSI+, MDI+ and Dual Spectrum CHIRP 2D Sonar.
Pros
- New interfaces are fast and smart
- Very bright nice screens
- Optimized for live imaging
Cons
- Not compatible with Helix units
BEST BIG SCREEN FISH FINDER VALUE
Lowrance HDS LIVE 16
Another solid option from Lowrance, the HDS LIVE 16 fish finder gives you Active Imaging, StructureScan 3D with Active Imaging, FishReveal, and LiveSight sonar plus C-MAP® Genesis Live mapping and LiveCast™ smartphone integration. Dedicated buttons for Waypoint and Zoom put navigational command at your fingertips. This premier Lowrance HDS LIVE finder lets you have up to 5 user-programmable options for things like waypoints, favorite-page quick access, Power Pole up/down (anchor not included), audio controls, and more. The included Lowrance LR-1 Bluetooth Remote lets you take control of your HDS LIVE display from virtually anywhere on your vessel, making this Lowrance chartplotter the best way to upgrade your boating and angling.
Features and Specs:
- Massive 16-inch crisp, hi-res display
- StructureScan 3D with Active Imaging
- C-MAP Genesis Live mapping
- LiveCast smartphone integration
- C-MAP US enhanced, preloaded Coastal and Inland Coverage maps
- Dedicated buttons for Waypoint and Zoom
- 5 user-programmable options for waypoints, favorite-page quick access, Power Pole up/down, audio controls, and more
- Lowrance LR-1 Bluetooth Remote for control from anywhere on the boatmizable function buttons for quick swapping of screens
Pros:
- Great images
- Fast processor
- Smartphone compatability
- Bluetooth and wifi connectivity
Cons:
- Great picture and screen size
BEST UNIT FOR LIVE SONAR
Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 2
This is another one of the most popular units among avid and professional fishermen, that just got upgraded to a newer version with improved technologies and build. Kyle and Jason have run the original ECHOMAP Ultras for a long time and both rave about how good those units have been with quality of the image as well the quick release cradles that makes removing your graphs when you park a breeze. They network together really well.
With the addition of wireless networking, multi-band GPS and a new user interface, the new ECHOMAP Ultra 2 series is even more versatile and easier to use than before. You are also going to be able to record your screens now on the Active Captain app so you can playback your Livescope Plus catches when you get home and share on social media. And your position accuracy will be second to none now with the multi-band GPS of the Ultra 2 units.
Features and Specs:
- Wireless Networking: Share sonar, waypoints and routes with another ECHOMAP Ultra 2 or ECHOMAP UHD2 chartplotter on the boat without the difficulty and clutter of running cables
- Position Accuracy: Multi-band GPS technology with fast 10Hz updates not only provides improved position accuracy, which can benefit anglers particularly in areas like under bridges, along bluffs or in coves with tree cover.
- Screen Recording: Using the ActiveCaptain app, capture what’s on the chartplotter screen, including fish catches seen on LiveScope sonar (if installed) to share via text or social media.
- Ease of Use: Featuring a modernized operating system with updated graphics, menus and a new homepage, anglers will appreciate how intuitive and easy-to-use the Ultra 2 series is.
Pros:
- wireless networking
- dual band GPS is super accurate even in cluttered areas
- great looking screens
- quick release brackets to lock up fish finders in seconds when not in use
- compatible with all Garmin technologies
- Easiest to configure
- Good price for value
Cons:
- availability limited for another month
- can only wireless connect to other Ultra2 or UHD2 units
BEST KAYAK DEPTH FINDER
Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 Touch 73sv
This is a great quick affordable option for anglers wanting a capable unit for their kayak that won’t break their bank. This unit can do SIDEVÜ, CLEARVÜ and CHIRP Sonar, comes with Navionics Inland, has a touchscreen with key assist, comes with the quickly accessible cradle to remove the graphs while traveling easily with an 800×480 resolution. So not as clear as the higher end units but very doable when you’re sitting so close to your screen while sitting in a kayak and it on a gimble mount. If you step up to the 9 inch you will get increased resolution of 1024×600.
Features and Specs:
- SIDEVÜ, DOWNVÜ, and CHIRP SONAR ready
- 800×480 resolution
- Quick release cradle mount
- Navionics Inland mapping
- 10Hz GPS
- Touchscreen with key assist
- Easy setup
- Active Captain app
Pros:
- Quick setup
- Good functions at a low price point
- Easy take down and setup for portability
- Touchscreen
Cons:
- lower resolution
OTHER OPTIONS:
See our full buyer’s guide on the best kayak fish finders.
BEST PORTABLE KIT
Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 LiveScope Plus Ice-Fishing Bundle LI
This is the top-of-the-line in portable fishing bundles in our minds. The Livescope Plus functionality as well as Navionics+ mapping, custom combos, mountable arm and enclosed lithium battery with easy charing access, makes this the total package for finding and tempting fish quickly and easily. We have taken this with us traveling and fishing out of boats in remote places with no fish finders. Using a trolling motor mount and PVC pipe we made a quick arm that attaches quickly to pretty much any boat.
We’ve used it ice fishing and we love how much we are able to learn about uncharted waters with this setup. The higher price comes from the bundle kit which is the battery and Livescope Plus advanced functionality as well as the ice mount. So this portable fish finder is made for exploration and dissecting uncharted waters in great detail in real time.
Features and Specs:
- 9-inch ECHOMAP UHD2
- Navionics+ mapping
- Livescope Plus
- Cradle, bag and included 16.5 Ah lithium battery
- Quick and easy charging and long runtime
- Ice fishing pole mount
- 1024×600 resolution
Pros:
- Long runtime
- Good screen
- Very good real time sonar
- Easily transported
- Quickly in operation
Cons:
- Price
OTHER OPTIONS:
See our full buyer’s guide on the best ice fish finders.
BEST BAREBONES FISH FINDER
Humminbird HELIX 5 DI G2
This unit will get harder to find but there are still a few out there and if you just need a unit to show you depth and also give you a decent Down Imaging picture, you can hardly go wrong with this small unit. The resolution is not the best and your DI will be a little more grainy than other units but you will get a good enough picture to show you what’s beneath you. It’s a second Generation Helix so it’s a little dated in terms of technology and doesn’t work with the newer technologies like MEGA Live or Mega Imaging+. This is a bare bones unit good for small boats, pontoons and even an infrequent kayak use. But you will save a ton if you can live with the lower resolution picture.
Features and Specs:
- Dual-beam plus sonar
- 800×480 resolution
- Original Down Imaging
- 1 year limited warranty
Pros:
- affordable depth finder
- good enough down imaging picture
Cons:
- low resolution
- not compatible with newer imaging technologies
- a little slower than current units
BEST CASTABLE UNIT FOR BANK ANGLERS
Garmin STRIKER Cast
For those just wanting to see how deep a small lake or pond is or want a little bit more information when fishing a big lake from the bank, Garmin made the STRIKER Cast which is a castable beacon that can then relay what is under it back to your smartphone. We played with this some when it first came out and it’s neat for seeing a little more of what is around you on the water when fishing from a bank. It’s not a bad tool when fishing off of a dock either. Help you look around a big dock structure more than just probing with your rod and a jig. It’s pretty durable although we don’t recommend slinging it against the rocks or docks too much. But it does have a protective shell that does well enough. It’s recommended you cast it on 20-pound line. So bring a rod just for this as well as the rods you intend to fish.
Features and Specs:
- 200-foot range
- durable waterproof shell
- low power consumption
- Gives accurate sonar readings
- flasher mode (ice unit in a pinch)
Pros:
- good range
- low price (on sale now)
- depth readings from the bank
- durable enough
Cons:
- low resolution
- casting not always convenient
- picture not clear in waves
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN YOU BUY FISH FINDERS
Buying a fish finder certainly provides an investment into your future fishing, the goal of which is to make your time on the water more productive. Obviously there are hundreds of options to consider and that can make it daunting. A few words of advice to make the process a little easier. Here’s an easy approach to buying fish finders that fit your needs.
- Establish your budget
- Leverage an existing system
- Buy pixels not screen size
- Go with technology that fits your fishing
- Don’t chase latest and greatest
The best starting point in buying a fish finder begins with setting your budget. Ask yourself how much you are willing to spend to get your boat or portable system outfitted to have a better picture of the water around you. Then from there you can start to narrow down your choices. One way to lower the cost is to choose smaller units. And to use units without as many technologies. You can also save some money if you are able to use existing transducers or networking to existing systems. That means your are only looking at a replacement or additional fish finder head unit (which most of these prices start at — a head unit with no transducers).
Guys will often get caught up trying to get bigger screens. But bigger screens don’t always mean better picture. Ever go into Best Buy and stare at the wall of TVs and notice that some of the mid-size TVs look better than the big screens. That’s generally because they have a combination of better resolution and better glass. And often, with two TVs with the same resolution but different sizes, the smaller screen looks better. So keep that in mind. You might get in a series that has 3-5 different sizes of screens and the lower to middle ones look better than the big ones. So pay attention to resolution over screen size.
Another thing to consider is how far the unit is from your eyes. At my console my graph is a foot or two from my eyes. On my bow, my graph is 5 feet from my eyes. So I run a single 16 at my bow and a single 12 at my console. In a kayak, I often run a 9 inch screen. Because again I’m so close to my unit.
If your a guy that runs and guns and just likes to see what is going on in an area when you get there, then technologies like Forward Facing Sonar and 360 Imaging will be more appealing. If you like slowly and methodically mapping out an area and finding schools of fish off the beaten path, then technologies like Down and Side Imaging will be more important to you. If you fish primarly shallow water and just need to know depth to avoid danger, then a bare bones fish finder might make sense.
And a graph is an investment. I tell people this all the time. I found more bass on Kentucky Lake with a Lowrance LSS2 Side Scan Module and an 8-inch HDS Gen 1 unit than any other graph I’ve owned. So chasing the latest and greatest doesn’t necessarily make you the better angler. Spending the time learning the areas does. And you can get by with smaller screens just fine. Most of the elaborate setups on fishermen’s boats are just matters of convenience. They want to make fishing more convenient and more efficient. But don’t think you can’t be very effective with a 7-inch unit and some old Gen 1 technology.
WHY YOU SHOULD TRUST WIRED2FISH ON MARINE ELECTRONICS
We are not just creators but avid anglers and super users when it comes to marine electronics and technology in fishing. We hold NDAs with most of the major manufacturers and have access to these electronics long before the public does. We’ve been instrumental in helping many of these companies improve their offerings with our feedback. We’ve sat in the room with the engineers and shared suggestions and real on-the-water observations and scenarios to help them build better products.
Beyond that, we have probably been hands on with more fish finders and marine electronics than most anglers in the world, let alone in the US or on the internet. We work with not only the manufacturers, but also with hundreds of anglers who all have varying degrees of setups and implementations of the electronics. We also work with many of the top installers around the country and have firsthand knowledge on the best ways to install and configure these electronics. And we do that from a basis of being on the water fishing a lot.
We are adamant about being hands on with as many products as possible, so that when we give recommendations, it’s from a base of knowledge of a wide array of options. We don’t write clickbait pieces for numbers. We generate honest feedback to help the angling community, and we try to learn as much as we can from other good anglers to improve our knowledge of these electronics in real fishing situations.
So trust us when we recommend technology. We have put in decades working with hundreds of people in and around marine electronics to get to this level of expertise on this topic. And we are all very accomplished and avid anglers who use these technologies to make a living in the fishing industry.
