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.
Written by
Larry Stark, Founder / Main Editor
Professional fisherman, who loves to review new fishing gadgets.
As an avid angler, I’ve always been cautious about the fish finder I bring on a fishing trip. I’ve always prioritized performance and advanced fish finder technology, which have always attracted a higher price point. However, it dawned on me that even the most budget fish finders have excellent features allowing them to go toe-to-toe with premium fish finders. That’s why I decided to test and review some of the best fish finders under $300. I focused on how the high-quality fish finders performed, their features, and what I liked most about every fish finder. Based on our review, we’ve selected top-performing fish finders by focusing on their performance and advanced features.
Best Overall Fish Finder Under $300
Deeper Sonar PRO+ 2
- Accurate sonar readings
- iOS and Android compatible
- Long battery life
Best Garmin Fish Finder Under $300
Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv
- A-Scope feature
- User-friendly interface
- Dual-frequency support
Best Humminbird FIsh Finder Under $300
Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv
- Easy installation process
- Quick-release mounting
- Dual Beam sonar technology
How We Choose The Best $300 Fish Finder
I’ve relied on my years of fishing gear knowledge when choosing the best fish finder under $300. I spent countless hours researching and testing each fish finder, and I’ve included the ones that impressed me the most in this roundup. I also brainstormed with some of the best anglers I know for their opinion on the best fish finder, not to mention reading buyers’ reviews to get a different point of view. Every fish finder on this list is well-researched and tested vigorously to determine strengths and weaknesses.
- Deeper Sonar PRO+ 2 – Best Overall Fish Finder Under $300
- Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv – Best Garmin Fish Finder Under $300
- Humminbird Piranhamax 4 – Budget Humminbird Fish Finder Under $300
- Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv – Runner-Up
- Deeper Fishfinder START – 2nd Runner-Up
Best Fish Finders Under $300: Reviews & Recommendations
#1
Best Overall Fish Finder Under $300
Deeper Sonar PRO+ 2
WHY WE LIKE IT: We like the advanced GPS capability combined with mapping options for precise navigation. The Deeper Sonar PRO+ 2 also utilizes a wireless connection and is compatible with mobile devices, making it easy to transmit data on the go. The scanning capabilities ensure we locate the best fishing spots, eliminating the guesswork and time wastage. The user-friendly interface makes it easy to use, even for a first-timer. Wireless connectivity ensures real-time data transfer, which influences our decision-making.
- Screen Size: N/A
- Product Dimensions: 2.55 diameter inches
- Display resolution: N/A
- Weight: 0.2 pound
- Mounting Options: Smartphone mount
- Touchscreen: N/A
- Display Type: N/A
- GPS: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Waterproof: Yes
Pros
- Accurate sonar readings
- iOS and Android compatible
- Portable and lightweight
- Long battery life
Cons
- Limited depth range
- Mobile device dependency
- Narrow sonar cone
- Bathymetric mapping limitations
My Experience: Having used the Deeper Sonar PRO+ 2, I found it impressive in scanning for underwater constructions and finding fish. The precise GPS functionality performs excellently, allowing me to find my way even in new territories. I loved the simple and compact design with fewer functionalities, making it easy to use and operate.
The lightweight design makes it a portable fish finder, easing the load when planning to be on the water for a long time. I appreciated the longer battery life. When buying this fish finder, we considered factors like advanced scanning technology, wireless connectivity, portability, and an affordable price range. It’s a tremendous ice-fishing fish finder.
Features: We found the built-in GPS provides precise navigation, allowing us to venture into new fishing territories. Bathymetric mapping allowed waypoint marking, allowing us to mark favorite fishing spots.
The Dual Beam sonar provides detailed underwater images to help catch fish and the best fishing locations. It also came in handy in target separation, ensuring we identified the suitable fish species. The wireless connectivity provides real-time data transmission, helping reduce time wastage and improve the fishing experience. The iOS and Android compatibility ensured we could connect with our smartphones and use them as additional displays.
#2
Best Garmin Fish Finder Under $300
Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv
WHY WE LIKE IT: We loved the high-resolution color display, enabling us to see and interpret sonar data accurately. The Vivid 5cv is among the top-notch Garmin fish finder models, as it utilizes a powerful sonar, allowing us to detect and find fish effortlessly. The small, lightweight design makes it easier to carry around than a bulky fish finder. Its impressive battery life ensures we remain functional for hours.
- Screen Size: 5 Inches
- Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 4.5 x 2.1 inches
- Display resolution: 800×480 pixels
- Weight: 1.0 pounds
- Mounting Options: Flush, tilt/swivel
- Touchscreen: No
- Display Type: WVGA
- GPS: Yes
- Wi-Fi: No
- Waterproof: Yes (IPX7)
Pros
- A-Scope feature
- CHIRP sonar technology
- Dual-frequency support
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- Limited mounting options
- Limited waypoint storage
My Experience: After countless hours of testing the Striker Vivid 5cv, I’m impressed by its balance of advanced features and performance. The combination of traditional CHIRP and ClearVu sonar provides detailed underwater images, allowing us to find fish, identify underwater terrain, and identify our target fish.
The clear and colored display ensures we didn’t miss any crucial details from the sonar. The built-in GPS provided accurate navigation, ensuring we remained on course. Temperature sensors came in handy in determining the ideal water temperature for fishing. The interface is easy to use and requires a few interactions to master its controls. I considered this fish finder’s advanced sonar capabilities, price points, and mapping options.
Features: The high-resolution and colored display provides clear and detailed images that are easy to interpret. Doing so ensures we can differentiate between fish species and underwater structures. The longer battery life makes it possible to remain on water for long without recharging the battery. The GPS fish finder and Quickdraw Contours ease navigation and allow waypoint marking. With all the mentioned features, we can consider this device among the top rated 5-inch fish finders in the market.
#3
Best Humminbird Fish Finder
Humminbird Piranhamax 4
WHY WE LIKE IT: We love the fish finder’s compact design that is light and small for carrying and storing. The design is also waterproof, ensuring we could use it even during the rainy season without worrying about the fish finder getting damaged. The Humminbird Piranhamax 4 has a user-friendly interface, making it easy to operate without much knowledge. The sonar capabilities provided clear, detailed underwater images to help us locate the best fishing spots. It’s also perfect for ice fishing.
- Screen Size: 4.3 Inches
- Product Dimensions: 3.91 x 7.34 x 3.62 inches
- Display resolution: 480×272 pixels
- Weight: 2 pounds
- Mounting Options: Gimbal / In-Dash Mounting Kit
- Touchscreen: No
- Display Type: Color TFT
- GPS: No
- Wi-Fi: No
- Waterproof: Yes (IPX7)
Pros
- Easy installation process
- Quick-release mounting
- Depth capacity
- Dual Beam sonar technology
Cons
- No mapping capability
- No networking options
- Limited transducer options
- Limited screen size
My Experience: When buying this fish finder, we considered our fishing needs, advanced features and price points. The Humminbird Piranhamax 4 stands out as one of the best Humminbird fish finder, thanks to impressive features, like the DualBean sonar, that provide clear underwater images to help us find the best fishing spots. It also has a precise built-in GPS, helping us find our way even in new territories. The quick-release mounting option ensures a smooth installation process without needing any experience. It’s a waterproof fish finder capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions.
Features: The Humminbird fish finders have impressive features, such as sonar capability and a color display, that enhance the fishing experience, and the Piranhamax 4 model is no exception. The Dual Beam sonar provides detailed and accurate underwater information, including fish and aquatic structures images, to help us find the best fishing spots. It’s an excellent choice for ice fishing.
The screen displays the information from the sonar, helping with target separation and fish identification. Finding our way around new territories wouldn’t be possible if not for the built-in GPS functionality. The compact design and quick-release mounting options ensure quick installation, which came in handy when we switched fishing boats frequently. Its lightweight design makes carrying easy.
#4
Runner-Up
Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv
WHY WE LIKE IT: What we liked the most about this fish finder is its vivid color display and outstanding sonar technology, providing precise and detailed underwater images. The user-friendly interface becomes easy to use once we got used to it. The Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv has a compact design, making it easy to carry around.
- Screen Size: 4.3 Inches
- Product Dimensions: 3.9 x 6.9 x 1.8 inches
- Display resolution: 272 x 480 pixels
- Weight: 0.7 pound
- Mounting Options: Flush, tilt/swivel
- Touchscreen: No
- Display Type: QSVGA
- GPS: Yes
- Wi-Fi: No
- Waterproof: Yes (IPX7)
Pros
- Clear color display
- Quickdraw contours
- CHIRP sonar technology
- Waypoint storage capacity
Cons
- Limited screen size
- Transducer cable length
- No touchscreen interface
My Experience: Based on my experience using the Striker Vivid 4cv, I believe it has the right features, offers optimal performance, and is affordable without compromising performance. The advanced sonar technology provided us with detailed underwater imaging. The built-in GPS fish finder functionality combines Quickdraw contour mapping to provide precise navigation and waypoint marking. CHIRPsonar technology was helpful in providing detailed underwater images for an optimal fishing experience. When buying this fish finder, I considered features like the display size, usability, and price point. It’s built for performance and longevity. It’s an excellent choice for ice fishing.
Features: The CHIRP sonar capabilities provide detailed underwater features, helping us identify fish species, submerged structures, and fish movement. The precision eliminates the guesswork, ensuring we locate the best fishing locations. The GPS comes in handy in providing precise coordinates for navigation. The Quickdraw Contour mapping allows us to mark favorite fishing spots for future visits. Garmin Striker has an excellent depth capacity, ensuring we maximized the chances of fish finding, especially when they hide in deep places.
#5
2nd Runner-Up
Deeper Fishfinder START
WHY WE LIKE IT: We like the fish finder’s price point, making it the best-budget fish finder in the market. The Deeper Fishfinder START’s portable design made it easy to carry around and didn’t take up much space in our supply bag. The wireless connectivity comes in handy when sharing data in real-time, helping us make quick decisions.
- Screen Size: N/A
- Product Dimensions: 2.3 diameter inches
- Display resolution: N/A
- Weight: 0.14 pound
- Mounting Options: smartphone mount
- Touchscreen: N/A
- Display Type: N/A
- GPS: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Waterproof: Yes
Pros
- Convenient smartphone integration
- Real-time sonar readings
- Wireless connectivity
- Portable and compact
Cons
- Limited depth range
- No mapping features
- No GPS
My Experience: We considered fishing needs and advanced features when buying the Deeper Fishfinder START. After hours of testing the fish finder, we found the wireless connectivity useful in transmitting real-time information and keeping us updated.
Despite not having a display, connecting with a smartphone and sharing details on its screen is an added advantage as we preferred using our smartphones. The fair price point makes it the best value fish finder as we were operating on a budget. Its small and compact design makes it portable and easy to install. It was the right fish finder for its price compared to all the fish finders in its class.
Features: The wireless connectivity options let us pair it with our smartphones, providing an intuitive interface for viewing sonar images. It’s also lightweight to carry and use, one of best castable fish finder in its price range. The feature eliminates the need for an additional display device, as you can turn any iOS or Android device into a sonar display. It’s also perfect for ice fishing.
The real-time sonar transmission ensured we received accurate and timely information regarding the underwater activities and fish movement. The feature enhanced target separation, ensuring we found the right fish species.
My Verdict
In our comprehensive roundup of the top fish finders under $300, we’ve identified some exceptional options. The Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv and the Deeper Sonar PRO+ 2 both stand out as top choices, boasting advanced sonar, GPS functionality, and excellent connectivity for superior performance. Nevertheless, the other contenders also deliver outstanding performance within their category, and their affordability remains a noteworthy feature.