TomTom and Garmin dominate the sat nav market in the UK and for good reason too. They are at the forefront of GPS technology and offer unbeatable support that no other brand can match. Therefore, it’s for this reason why we are only recommending sat navs that are designed and developed by the two brands.
If you require a quick answer, the best TomTom sat nav is the TomTom GO 620, which is an affordable option with worldwide lifetime maps that can be updated with ease using the built-in WiFi. It’s also compatible with Siri and Google Now for instant voice control whilst driving too. However, if you are looking for the best Garmin sat nav, the DriveSmart 65 MT-S ticks all the boxes and also features an extra-large 6.95-inch display.
To rate the sat navs within our roundup, we based our recommendations on testing, our experience of using multiple devices, the latest research and several factors. Some of the factors that we considered included the screen size, ability to update the maps, ease of operation, additional functionality, connectivity, mounting options, warranty and value.
Best Sat Nav Overview
- Best TomTom: TomTom GO 620
- Best Garmin: Garmin DriveSmart 65 MT-S
- Best Budget: TomTom Start 52
- Best With Dash Cam: Garmin DriveAssist
- Best For Motorhome or Caravan: Garmin Camper 770 LMT-D
- Best HGV: Garmin Dezl 780 LMT-D
Below is a list of the best sat navs that are developed by the highly reputable Garmin and TomTom brands.
The Best Sat Navs
1. Best TomTom: TomTom Car Sat Nav GO 620
TomTom is arguably the most well-known sat nav brand in the UK and they produce a wide range of models. The GO series is their most popular and this 620 version is packed full of intuitive features such as Siri and Google Now.
Unlike older models, the new and improved GO series has built-in WiFi, which means you can perform map and software updates without needing a computer.
- Excellent smartphone connectivity
- Hands-free calling and text message read-outs
- Compatible with Siri and Google Now
- Lifetime free updates to maps and speed cameras
- Accurate real-time traffic reports via a smartphone connection
- MyDrive cloud application for saving or syncing data
- Active magnetic mount
- Lacks larger screen sizes when compared to Garmin sat navs
To conclude, the TomTom GO 620 is an excellent all-round sat nav that combines performance with value for the money. It ticks all the boxes and comes with worldwide lifetime maps, which can be updated using the built-in WiFi.
2. Best Garmin: Garmin DriveSmart 65 MT-S Sat Nav
Another highly reputable and well-known brand is Garmin and they produce just as many sat navs. Their DriveSmart 65 MT-S is the most popular model they produce and it features a sleek edge-to-edge 6.95-inch high-resolution display.
In terms of controlling the device, it has built-in voice control for directions, POIs and other features. It also has Alexa built-in, which you can use to play music, create to-do lists and even control smart home devices.
- Large 6.95 inch display
- Garmin and Alexa voice control
- Great smartphone connectivity
- Hands-free calling and notifications
- Real-time traffic, weather and parking
- Built-in WiFi for map or software updates
- Free lifetime map updates
- Relatively expensive when compared to the alternatives
The larger screen of the Garmin DriveSmart is highly desirable and it makes a huge difference in terms of its usability. It also includes the desirable smartphone and Alexa connectivity for controlling the device and other features too. Although the DriveSmart comes with a premium price, it’s one of the best options on the market that’s packed full of features.
3. Best Budget: TomTom Car Sat Nav Start 52
For those that rarely use satellite navigation and want the best value, the Start 52 model by TomTom is a great option to consider. It’s available with a 4.3, 5 or 6-inch screen and the choice of European or UK-based maps.
Although there isn’t built-in WiFi with this model, it takes just two minutes to connect it to your computer. Once set up, you can perform free software updates and download the latest maps.
- Multiple screen sizes available
- Free lifetime maps and software updates
- Enhanced lane guidance
- TomTom MyDrive to plan routes
- 3 months speed camera updates
- Integrated reversible mount
- User interface isn't as fast when compared to the alternatives
Overall, the TomTom Start 52 is the best value sat nav that comes with free lifetime updates. Although there are cheaper sat navs available, they aren’t produced by the reputable TomTom brand for complete peace of mind.
4. Best With Dash Cam: Garmin DriveAssist With Dash Cam
The use of dash cams is becoming increasingly more popular and there are now many sat navs that include built-in dash cams. The DriveAssist is a great example and it saves the cost of purchasing a separate dash cam for your car.
In terms of the satellite navigation capabilities, it’s pre-loaded with lifetime maps of the UK and Europe and it has built-in WiFi for updating the maps or software.
- Desirable sat nav with dash cam
- Smart notifications from your smartphone connection
- Bluetooth hands-free calling
- Built-in WiFi for map or software updates
- Free lifetime maps and traffic updates
- Needs to be fixed in position so that it doesn't effect the dash cam footage
Although there are many premium alternatives with built-in dash cam functionality, the DriveAssist model provides the best bang for your buck. It’s also able to receive updates using the built-in WiFi, which is another great bonus.
5. Best For Motorhome or Caravan: Garmin Camper 770 LMT-D Sat Nav
The Garmin Camper 770 LMT-D is an excellent option for those driving a motorhome, caravan or towable trailer. This is thanks to the ability to set custom routing and trip planning based on the size and weight of your vehicle.
Unless you already have the option of a reversing backup camera, the brand offers the option to include it with this sat nav. It simply connects wirelessly and automatically switches the display once you begin to reverse.
- Custom routing and trip planning
- Edge-to-edge 6.95 inch touchscreen display
- UK and European maps
- Digital traffic via DAB
- Hands-free calling
- Voice activated navigation and control
- Built-in WiFi for map and software updates
- Backed by a two year warranty
- Expensive when compared to other sat navs that offers similar functionality
If you drive a caravan or motorhome, the Garmin 770 LMT-D is the best option and it even comes with a directory of campsites from ACSI, NKC and MHF. The only main drawback is the premium price tag but it’s a worthwhile investment that you won’t regret.
6. Best HGV: Garmin Dezl 780 LMT-D Truck Sat Nav
Another custom vehicle sat nav by the Garmin brand is the Dezl 780, which is designed for trucks or HGVs. It allows you to input the size, load and weight of your truck and also includes extra notifications such as upcoming bridge heights, sharp curves, steep gradients and so much more.
Depending upon your budget, there is a choice of a 5 or 7-inch display and a built-in dash cam. We strongly recommend the larger display because it makes the device far easier to use and navigate.
- Custom Truck or HGV routing
- Size, load and weight inputs
- DAB and smartphone connectivity
- Truck and trailer directory
- Bluetooth hands-free calling
- Built-in WiFi for maps and software updates
- Backed by a two year warranty
- Optional built-in dash cam
- More expensive than other HGV based sat navs
For truck or HGV drivers, this is the best sat nav on the market that provides custom routing based on your vehicle. It also comes with the choice of a built-in dash cam, which is another great bonus for those without one.
How We Rated
Whether we are exploring Devon and Cornwall or travelling to the South of France, our sat nav is an essential product for the journey. TomTom and Garmin have been our “go-to” sat nav brands over the years and every year, they always seem to release a great range of new features to the latest models.
We’ve attempted to try other branded sat navs before but they simply weren’t up to the standards of the TomTom and Garmin alternatives. For example, we found that the interfaces weren’t as user-friendly or fast to use, the GPS signal/directions always seemed to take a while to re-route and the map updates weren’t clear at all.
As you can see in the above photo, we currently own an array of sat navs that we have tested and assessed for this article. With regards to the HGV sat nav, we asked a family friend who is an HGV driver to give his verdict on our recommendation and he agreed with all of our points. The other sat navs within this article were all tested by our team over several months of driving in the UK and Europe.
To keep up our commitment to reviewing and testing the latest sat navs (for this article), we are continually testing the latest offerings from Garmin and TomTom. This means that when we notice that they have released a new model, we will attempt to get our hands on it for testing.
As well as our experience of using a range of sat navs, we also based our recommendations within this article upon hours of research and several factors.
Some of the factors that we considered included the screen size, ability to update the maps, ease of operation, additional functionality, connectivity, mounting options, warranty and value for the money.
Conclusion
Every year, both TomTom and Garmin release new models and we aim to keep the above list up to date with the best. To avoid disappointment, we strongly recommend purchasing a sat nav from either of the brands. Not only are they high-quality devices but they both also offer plenty of UK support and online documentation if there are any issues.
If you require further information regarding our sat nav recommendations, feel free to get in touch and we will try to provide our assistance where possible.
