We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Products or services advertised on this page may be offered by an entity that is affiliated with us. Learn more about our process here.
I love to test new fishing gadgets and share my opinion.
Top Fish Finders by Price Range
Here’s a breakdown of all the fish finders that fall within a price range. Our experiences can be of good use for you and you can decide which device you are ready to buy. The names in the list are there because we found these fish finding devices to be better than the rest. The detailed reviews of these devices show that novice, as well as seasoned anglers will find these fish finders to be the best.
Best fish finders under 100: Deeper Fishfinder Start:
Deeper Fishfinder Start is an excellent castable device that will give you accurate locations, a strong connection and will also identify the fish for your convenience.
Best fish finders under 200: Garmin Striker Vivid 4CV:
This device is compact, has quick scan feature, and can be used for all kinds of fishing styles and weather conditions.
Best fish finders under 300: Deeper Sonar PRO+ 2:
This fishfinder is one of the few that will give you side, and down scan within a short while. Moreover, the display is on your phone screen which means that it will be convenient to use.
Best fish finders under 400: Lowrance Hook Reveal 5:
Lowrance is a reliable brand and this device comes with all the features that you require while fishing, including affordability.
Best fish finders under 500: Lowrance Hook Reveal 7:
Who doesn’t want a large screen and excellent sonar technology at a reasonable price? The Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 fulfills all your needs well and that is why anglers prefer it over other models.
Best fish finders under 600: Humminbird Helix 5 Chirp GPS G3 PT:
This device comes with GPS and a dual beam sonar which allows use in all kinds of lakes, streams, creeks and even at the shore.
Best fish finders under 700: Garmin Striker Vivid 9SV:
The biggest display among fish finders is a convenience feature. Moreover, it gives all users the flexibility to explore shallow and deep waters.
Best fish finders under 800: Lowrance Elite FS 7:
A complete fish finder with amazing features and a long life. This device can be your companion for years to come.
Best fish finders under 900: Lowrance Elite FS 9:
This fish finding device offers all the features and convenience that anglers seek. The brand is quite reliable and the fish identification is on point.
Best fish finders under 1000: Lowrance Hook Reveal 9:
Lowrance Hook Reveal 9 is a great fish finding device that will allow anglers to explore new places, find bigger fish and get more successful at getting numerous catches.
Best Fish Finders by Type
Table of Contents
Top 10 Most Important Features [That We Tested] Of a Fish Finder
Transducer
The transducer can be considered the main ingredient that makes any device a hit or a break. The right fish finder will have an efficient transducer that can create accurate, and live images.
Frequency
If you want to explore different rivers, streams, lakes or even the deep sea, frequency ranges will matter. Look for an affordable choice for this device and ensure that the frequency can get you more fish in deep as well as shallow waters.
Power
Power on the boat can be a reliable source to plug in the fish finder so that you get many hours of angling fun. However, if your gadget can use rechargeable batteries or has a long battery life, it will work equally well.
Cone Angle
The cone angle is the angle or spectrum of view from the transducer. This cone angle will determine the area that the device can scan. If the cone angle is wide, you got yourself a great device! However, some fish finders have narrow cone angle and the displays are accurate and clear.
Display
The display screen must be clear, with crisp colors and contouring that can get anglers closer to the fishing spots within minutes. Selecting a device that has a good display will cut the time for figuring out the fish locations while you can enjoy the sport.
Greyscale of Color
As explained earlier, the colors of the display can make a vast difference in finding fish. Any down scan fish finder must have vivid colors to help find the right spots on the screen, and hence in the water.
Screen Resolution
Any high-definition screen will be better for fish finders because if the imaging is not clear and the screen resolution is low, you will need more time to figure out the right spots. Pick a fish finding device that has high screen resolution.
Screen Size
There are a few fish finders that are compact and have a small screen. The screen size will automatically reduce the time it takes for anglers to locate spots where fish are gathered under water.
Size of the Fish Finder
Are you going kayak fishing? Or are you shore fishing? In both these styles, you would need a small sized device. However, the size of the fish finder should be selected according to your boat size and the style of fishing.
GPS
The GPS feature is a big advantage as it helps map waypoints so that you can find your way back easily. Many economical fish finders GPS combos can be a good purchase if you are exploring new water bodies
Top 19 Best Fish Finders Overall
Garmin Striker Cast - Kayak Fishing
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Castable Sonar: Yes
- GPS: Yes
- Ice Fishing Flasher: Yes
Pros
- Castable fish finder is suitable for kayak fishing, ice fishing and shore fishing
- Sonar technology is accurate and gives exact locations
- Garmin Striker Cast is built strong and can be used in rough waters
- Can be used in shallow and deep waters
Cons
- The Wi-Fi network can be lost if you cast it far away
- Some fish identification icons are not accurate
Deeper Fish Finder Start - Cheap and Portable Option
- Cutting Edge Technology: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Easy to Use: Yes
- App Connectivity: Yes
Pros
- Best fish finder for portability
- Accurate mapping
- Connection with Deeper app is a great tool
Cons
- The waterproof seal can break
- The device may take time to connect to the app, and the connection can break off quickly
FEATURES: Deeper Fishfinder Start is the best fish finder for people who do not want to waste time in setting up the device. It is a portable fish finder that will cover a vast area horizontally as well as vertically. The chirp sonar works well and the fish finder display is on your phone, which makes it an easier gadget because everyone is more comfortable with their phone screens.
Deeper Sonar PRO+ Fish Finder - For Advanced Anglers
- Castable: Yes
- Built-in GPS: Yes
- Fishing Mode Variety: Yes
- Onshore Mapping: Yes
Pros
- Real time data for better hooking
- Good for small boats due to castable quality
- Excellent for all water depths
Cons
- Detects debris as fish
- The bulky device creates noise to alert the fish
Deeper Chirp 2
WHY WE LIKE IT: We enjoyed working with this fish finder as it worked in shallow streams and creeks with the same accuracy as it worked in deep waters. This device is a good deal for a great price.
- Portable: Yes
- Castable: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Fast Charging: Yes
- Connectivity to App: Yes
Pros
- Portable device
- Wi-Fi connectivity is stronger
- Mapping technology is good
Cons
- The waterproofing is not the best
- The device can be heavy for shallow waters and causes a loud noise when you cast it
Deeper Sonar PRO+ 2 - High-End Castable Option
- Three Beam Frequencies: Yes
- Built-in GPS: Yes
- Target Separation: Yes
- Fish ID: Yes
Pros
- Portable castable for convenience
- Excellent GPS maps to mark waypoints
- Sonar technology for deep and side scan
Cons
- Not suitable for shallow waters
- Heavy device causes commotion when you cast it
Humminbird Piranhamax 4 - Portable Sonar
- Dual Beam Sonar: Yes
- Depth Down Imaging: Yes
- Interface: Keypad
- Mountable: Yes
- Screen Snap Shot: No
Pros
- Easy to use interface for new anglers
- Deep sonar will not leave out any fishing spot
- Excellent colors for clarity of display
Cons
- The screen size is smaller than other models so you cannot use it on a bigger boat where it is mounted far from you
- Bubbles and water disturbance can distort images
- Anglers have to assemble the fish finder
BUYING ADVICE: Anglers will like this device because it is accurate and has numerous advantages such as shallow and deep water scanning. Moreover, the price is great, which all these features are packed in this compact gadget is a treat for anglers.
Garmin Striker Vivid 4CV
- High sensitivity GPS: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Portable: Yes
- QuickDraw Contours: Yes
Pros
- High sensitivity GPS to mark waypoints
- Good coverage of fish locations as you move
- Compact for easy handling
Cons
- Too many buttons can be confusing
- The display becomes dull in sunlight
Garmin Striker 4
- Dual beam transducer: Yes
- Portable: Yes
- Keypad Operation: Yes
Pros
- Easy to operate
- Does not get damaged when off mount
- Can find fish in shallow and deep waters
Cons
- The display can be difficult due to small screen
- The screen can get glared in sunlight
Humminbird Helix 5 Chirp GPS G3 PT
- Humminbird Base Map: Yes
- SD Slot: Yes
- Interface: Keypad Control
- GPS: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Yes
Pros
- Portable carrying case makes it easy to use on various boats
- Dual beam sonar helps locate and identify fish
- SwitchFire Sonar improves imaging
Cons
- The display can be too small for some anglers
- The mount can be shaky in turbulent waters
BUYING ADVICE: We can advise this fish finder because it can perform all the functions easily. The view is always going to be clear due to the high number of scans per second. All in all, the reason this device is first on the list is because of its great price and has a lot of advantages.
FEATURES: Humminbird is one of the leading brands of fish finders and this one has a special place because it can be used for various kinds of fishing styles. The five inch screen offers a decent display and the GPS chartplotting works amazingly.
Garmin Striker Vivid 5CV
- Screen Size: 5 Inches
- High Sensitivity GPS: Yes
- QuickDraw Contours: Yes
- Traditional Chirp: Yes
Pros
- Sonar waves are going to be strong, which means the imaging will be great
- Garmin is one of the reliable fish finder manufacturers
- The side imaging sonar and down imaging sonar make it a good choice for deep and shallow waters
Cons
- The screen display gets darker with time
- If you fish in the sun, the display will be too dull to read
Lowrance Hook Reveal 5
- GPS: Yes
- Sonar Technology: Chirp integrated
- C Map Genesis: Yes
- Mountable: Yes
Pros
- Easy setup reduces time
- Good imaging with clear contours
- Excellent live positions
Cons
- Does not come with an SD card so you will have to carry one
- Maps are not saved on the device
Lowrance HDS 7 Live
- Bluetooth: Yes
- GPS: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- SD Card: Yes
- Chirp Sonar: Yes
Pros
- Easy to use
- No setup time required
- Horizontal scanning helps explore narrow streams and creeks
Cons
- Geofence might not allow access to maps
- Customer service is not reliable
Lowrance Elite FS 7 - Affordable For Ice Fishing
- GPS: Yes
- Bluetooth: Yes
- C-Map Contour: Yes
- Chirp Sonar: Yes
Pros
- Side imaging is available
- This fish finder device is one of the best portable fish finders
- High definition screen and excellent color palettes.
Cons
- Some anglers may find it hard to mount
- Requires a lot of complicated knowledge that the manual does not cover
Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 - Excellent Sonar And Transducer
- GPS: Yes
- C-Map Inland Charting: Yes
- SD Card: Yes
- Mountable: Yes
Pros
- Excellent imaging and clear screen display
- High-sensitivity GPS to map waypoints
- Auto-tuning sonar means you will spend more time enjoying the trip and less time focusing on the device.
Cons
- The mount is very rough and often gets stuck
- The C Map Genesis maps cannot be downloaded
Garmin Striker Vivid 7SV
- Built-in Receiver: Yes
- GPS: Yes
- Traditional Sonar: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Fish Symbol ID: Yes
Pros
- Seven-inch screen improves chances of spotting the best locations
- Excellent cone angle and transducer quality
- Good for all kinds of water bodies
Cons
- Too many buttons for every command
- No maps and no chartplotter
- The ClearVu and SideVu do not add much to the imaging quality
Garmin Striker Vivid 7CV
- Big Screen: Yes
- Deep Sonar: Yes
- ClearVu: Yes
- GPS: Yes
- Built-In Receiver: Yes
Pros
- Includes QuickDraw Contours
- Wi-Fi connectivity helps connect to the Garmin app
- Anglers can receive notifications from phone on this screen
Cons
- Interface is not strong
- Hard to use due to tiny buttons
Lowrance Hook Reveal 9
- Fish Reveal: Yes
- Downscan Imaging: Yes
- Chirp Sonar: Yes
- Preloaded Maps: Yes
Pros
- Excellent imaging
- Good fish finding ability
- Accurate locations will be clear due to frequent scans
Cons
- Difficult to set up
- Not user friendly due to complicated functions
Garmin Striker Vivid 9SV
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- GPS: Yes
- Built-in Receiver: Yes
- Garmin Features: All
- Chirp Sonar: Yes
Pros
- Big screen for better view
- Good area coverage and deep sonar for more fish spots
- A good fish finder for the money due to Garmin features in place
Cons
- The screen is not clear in sunlight
- The ClearVu and SideVu features are not efficient
- This GPS fish finder takes time to show maps and you cannot map waypoints
Lowrance Elite FS 9
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- SD Card Storage: Yes
- C-Map Contour: Yes
- Multi-Touch Touchscreen: Yes
Pros
- One of the best marine electronics due to deep imaging
- Can scan fish in any water depth
- High resolution screen is a big plus
Cons
- Not suitable for kayak fishing
- The mounting setup is hard for some anglers