The Rundown
Best Overall: Garmin Striker 4 (click to view)
“Providing enhanced visual capabilities and ease of navigation using Clear Vu technology and GPS mapping, the Garmin Striker 4 also features a simple control interface – best for most users of fish finders.”
Best For Bank Fishing: ReelSonar Bluetooth Fish Finder (click to view)
“The ReelSonar Smart Fish Finder is Bluetooth-capable, has long battery life for all-day usage, and has 135’ maximum depth for ample versatility in freshwater – just what those who forgo the use of a boat and fish from the dock or bank need.”
Best Mid-Range Sonar: Garmin Striker Plus 4 (click to view)
“Featuring a dual-beam transducer, GPS mapping, and an ultra-bright 4.3″ display screen for ease of viewing with excellent picture definition as well as easy lake navigation – the Striker Plus 4 is perfect for anglers seeking a versatile, durable, yet easy-to-use fishfinder.”
For many avid anglers, the modern fish finder has become a valuable tool as a rod and reel.
Fish finders allow anglers to locate pockets of fish, as well as an underwater structure that offers significant promise. In our increasingly modernized world, fish finders are already a must-have whenever one heads for their nearest lake or river.
There are a lot of fish finders to choose from so we rounded up 10 of the best out there to help you decide. The best fish finders are highly reliable, produce quality images that are easy to decipher, and allow multiple waypoints to be marked for future reference.




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Table of Contents
Best Fish Finder Reviews
- Best Overall: Garmin Striker 4
- Best For Bank Fishing: ReelSonar Bluetooth Fish Finder
- Best Mid-Range Sonar: Garmin Striker Plus 4
- Easiest To Mount: Lowrance HOOK2
- Best Imaging: Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4 DI
- Most Powerful Output: Garmin Striker 4cv
- Best Budget: Deeper Start
- Best High End: Humminbird HELIX 7
- Most Reliable: Garmin Striker Plus 5cv
- Best Sonar: Lowrance HOOK Reveal 5x
Garmin Striker 4
Best Overall Fish Finder: Simple to use, yet comprehensive in features

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KEY FEATURES
- Clear Vu technology for enhanced visual capabilities
- GPS mapping for ease of navigation
- Simple control interface for ease of use
The Garmin Striker 4 is likely to be an excellent option for those new to fish finder use. This unit features a simple-to-operate interface, which should be easy to get the hang of for even the most inexperienced of users. In fact, with only an afternoon’s worth of use, most anglers become proficient enough in using this unit that they can operate it with little to no issue.
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ReelSonar Bluetooth Smart Fish Finder
Best Fish Finder For Bank Fishing: A simple fish finder that keeps bank and dock anglers in the game

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KEY FEATURES
- Bluetooth capable for easy pairing with all IOS and Android devices
- Lengthy battery life for all-day usage
- 135′ maximum depth for ample versatility in freshwater
The ReelSonar Wireless Bluetooth Smart Fish Finder should be a hit with all who forgo the use of a boat and fish from the dock or bank. This unit can be placed into the water from a fixed position, offering substantial opportunities for those who cannot use traditional fixed transducer units. Rather than using a control head like many competing sonar kits, the ReelSonar Smart Fish Finder pairs to a mobile device to provide real-time data.
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Garmin Striker Plus 4
Best Mid-Range Sonar: Rich in features, yet subdued in cost

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KEY FEATURES
- Dual-beam transducer for excellent picture definition
- GPS mapping for trouble-free lake navigation
- Ultra-bright 4.3″ display screen for ease of viewing
The Striker Plus 4 serves as a further extension of Garmin’s ultra-popular Striker line of fish finders and should be a perfect fit for any angler who is seeking a versatile yet easy-to-use fish finder. This unit utilizes a dual-beam transducer to produce vivid depictions with a substantial degree of definition. The Striker Plus 4 also offers extensive GPS mapping capabilities, allowing anglers to mark waypoints and observe contour lines on virtually any body of water.
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Lowrance HOOK2 4x
Easiest To Mount Fish Finder: A sonar unit that fits virtually every application

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KEY FEATURES
- Wide-angle sonar cone for a greater range of detection
- Auto tuning capabilities for ease of operation
- Multiple points of mount for ease of installation
The Lowrance Hook2 4X should be the perfect sonar unit for anglers who have previously become agitated with the complexities of less user-friendly fish finders. This unit features cell phone-like options menus, which promote ease of navigation and quick, efficient use. This simplicity of use is further aided by Lowrance’s Bullet Skimmer transducer, which provides a broad scope of detection.
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Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4 DI
Best Imaging Fish Finder: Imaging so good that you will feel like you are watching a movie

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KEY FEATURES
- Down imaging capabilities for a video like an image transmission
- Dual-beam transducer for enhanced viewing capabilities
- Large 4.3″ LCD screen for ease of observation
If you are looking for a highly detail-oriented fish finder that provides a significant degree of depth in its field of detection, then the Humminbird Piranhamax 4 DI is likely to become your new favorite form of sonar. It utilizes down imaging fish finder technology to give anglers a “bird’s eye view” of what lies directly beneath their boat. The Piranhamax 4 DI’s detection level is further bolstered by using a highly advanced dual beam transducer.
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Garmin Striker 4cv
Fish Finder With Most Powerful Output: A powerful unit that yields even more powerful results

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KEY FEATURES
- CHIRP Clear Vu sonar for enhanced image transmission
- Garmin Quickdraw Contour Maps for improved charting
- 300 RMS rating for improved output strength
The Garmin Striker 4CV is a detail-oriented fish finder that is highly comprehensive in its range of functionality. This should make the Striker 4CV ideal for die-hard crappie and bass anglers, who spend a significant amount of time structure fishing. This unit combines traditional CHIRP sonar and Garmin’s CHIRP Clear Vu sonar to provide rapid feedback and detail-rich image transmission.
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Deeper Start Smart Fish Finder
Best Budget Fish Finder: A fish finder that is sure to become a bank angler’s best friend

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KEY FEATURES
- Bluetooth capable for easy pairing with all IOS and Android devices
- 165′ depth of operation for adequate fresh water usage
- Long battery life for periods of extended use.
If you primarily fish from the shore or a dock and are looking to gain a slight competitive edge over your fishing buddies, then the Deeper Start Smart Fish Finder should be exactly what you have been searching for. This unit is a castable sonar solution for those fishing without a boat. The Deeper Start Smart Fish Finder pairs with an angler’s mobile device and provides reliable, real-time fish location in the immediate area.
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Humminbird HELIX 7
Best High-End Fish Finder: Two forms of sonar, twice the results

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KEY FEATURES
- Dual Spectrum programming for a custom viewing experience
- Crystal clear imaging for greater depth of data analysis
- Split-screen capabilities for efficient data management
The Humminbird Helix 7 CHIRP is perhaps the best choice for experienced anglers, who have used lesser sonar products in the past, and now demand nothing but the highest level of performance. This unit combines CHIRP sonar with down imaging detail to produce a fish finder capable of providing next-level image clarity. The Humminbird Helix 7 also possesses a deep level of mapping functionality.
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Garmin Striker Plus 5cv
Most Reliable Fish Finder: A reliable unit that allows you to fish with confidence

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KEY FEATURES
- Clear Vu scanning sonar for enhanced image transmission
- Quick Contour Mapping for simplified graphing
- Bright 5″ display for effortless viewing
The Garmin Striker Plus 5CV should be the perfect option for anglers looking for a feature-rich sonar unit at an economical price. This fish finder offers an extensive range of features, such as CHIRP Clear Vu scanning sonar, Garmin Quickdraw Contour Mapping, built-in GPS, and a sunlight-readable 5″ display. Together, these features should provide a highly efficient yet user-friendly interface that any angler could appreciate.
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Lowrance HOOK Reveal 5
Best Sonar: Sonar so efficient that fish light up on your screen

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KEY FEATURES
- Splitshot transducer for multi-level viewing
- FishReveal function for easier identification of fish
- GPS Plotter for simplified waypoint marking
The Lowrance Hook Reveal 5X SplitShot is likely to find favor among any anglers who are currently conflicted between whether to purchase CHIRP or down imaging sonar, as this unit possesses both capabilities. The Lowrance Hook Reveal 5X SplitShot uses a Splitshot transducer to cast both types of radar into the depths below, thereby providing anglers with a wealth of knowledge relating to fish location, bottom composition, and vegetation density.
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How To Choose The Best Fish Finder
When purchasing a fish finder, it is essential to recognize that no two units are the same. By giving ample consideration to each of the following factors, one can better select a fish finder that best suits their specific needs.
Cone Angles and Beams
Cones and angles are the meat and potatoes of fish finding units, which control how you see what lies beneath the water’s surface.
The best fish finder relies upon signals that are sent and received from a transducer. These signals are sent in the form of beams that deliver radio frequencies throughout the water. The width at which these beams cover is referred to as cones. The cone angle and beam count of a fish finder differ from one unit to the next.
Cone angles vary tremendously and generally range between 9 and 60 degrees. A wider cone allows a unit to analyze a greater area in a single scan. However, a wide cone does not provide as definitive of a view at deeper depths. On the other hand, narrow cones provide a clearer picture in deep water but cover a very limited area.
While the transducers of many standard fish finders emit only a single beam, more advanced units now possess multi-beam capabilities. As a unit’s beam count increases, so do a unit’s range of coverage. However, multi-beam units also cost significantly more than standard, single-beam units.
Frequencies
Choosing the right transducer frequency can be the difference between seeing what you wish to see and being left guessing.
The frequency of sonar that a fish finder emits also differs from one particular unit to the next. The most universally utilized sonar frequencies are 50 kHz, 83 kHz, 192 kHz, and 200 kHz. As a fish finder’s frequency increases, its ability to quickly cover water and avoid background noise. However, higher frequencies do not penetrate as deeply as lower-frequency outputs.
When fishing shallow water, it is best to use units with higher frequencies, such as those in the 192 kHz and 200 kHz range. Alternatively, when fishing deeper water, an output of 50 kHz is desirable. For an excellent compromise, an 83 kHz frequency can be quite employed.
Pixel Count
Pixels are a small part of the much larger story that your fish finder is attempting to tell you.
When seeking out the best fish finder to purchase, it is important to understand the role that pixel count plays in determining display quality. The picture that is shown on a fish finder’s display head is made up of many minuscule dots, called pixels. The more of these dots that a display presents, the better its picture will be. Therefore, one can refer to a fish finder’s pixel count in order to determine the clarity of its display.
However, one must always take cost into consideration. As a fish finder’s pixel count rises, so does its sales price. Those units which feature crystal clear displays, often retail at a premium price point. By account, it is always best to purchase a fish finder with the highest pixel account that you can afford.
Display Screens
Much like a TV, the quality of a fish finder’s display directly determines how easy its images will be to view.
Today’s best fish finders come in numerous display formats, with some being infinitely easier to view than others. The three main fish finder display types are black and white, color, and high-definition. Each of which can be imagined in parallel with subsequent development within the television market.
Fish finders with black and white displays are generally very affordable. However, they also leave quite a bit to be desired in picture quality. Color display sonar units are priced moderately and likewise offer a standard grade picture. On the upper end of the spectrum, high-definition displays are now offered for a top-tier price.
Transducer Wattage
A transducer’s wattage is one of the single biggest factors related to how well sonar frequencies penetrate through the water.
The wattage of a transducer carries an RMS designation. This designation directly reflects the amount of power that is being pushed through a transducer, and the unit’s ability to penetrate the depths below with its output. The higher a particular unit’s RMS rating, the easier it is for the unit transducer to deliver its output in less than ideal circumstances, such as extremely deep or silty water.
When fishing inland bodies of water, such as lakes or rivers, a 200 watt (RMS) rating is typically sufficient. However, when fishing in deep, blue coastal waters, the use of a unit with a rating of 1000 watts (RMS) or more is advised.
GPS Capabilities
GPS software turns the best fish finder into an invaluable tool that most anglers do not leave home without.
Today, we no longer live in the primitive age of fish finder use. Gone are the days in which fish finders served just a single purpose. Today, most units of this nature now feature a wealth of additional functions, with perhaps the most important of which pertaining to GPS use. The advent of GPS-capable fish finders has revolutionized the way that we fish and allowed us to be more efficient when on the water.
While non-GPS fish finders are still available for purchase, there are numerous reasons to spend the extra money in order to upgrade. The use of a GPS-enabled fish finder allows you to mark brush piles and other underwater covers as waypoints for future return. Many such units also depict underwater topography as well.
Water Resistance
It is immensely important to consider how you will be using a fish finder before making a purchase. Will you be fishing from a relatively stable bass boat, or do you plan to attach your fish finder to a kayak? This question is of value because its answer determines how much water exposure a particular sonar unit is likely to be exposed to. While some fish finders are impervious to the effects of water, others are not.
One should always consult a fish finder’s IPX rating before proceeding in the purchase process. A unit’s IPX rating designates how much water it can be exposed to without suffering adverse effects. The higher the number, the more water exposure a unit can handle.
The real-world application for this rating comes into play when determining what level of protection is needed, for the particular type of fishing that you intend to take part in. It is reasonable to assume that a fish finder used in a kayak would require a higher IPX rating, than a similar unit used in a significantly more stable bass boat.
Questions & Answers

What is the average cost of a fish finder?
Fish finders vary significantly in price from one end of the spectrum to the other. These prices can range from as little as $70 to as much as $5,000 or more. However, in the world of fish finders, you typically get what you pay for. Lower-end fish finding units offer little more than basic sonar, with little in the way of quality screen resolution. However, units at the top end of this price scale typically feature highly accurate side imaging capabilities, a full range of GPS capabilities, and second to none screen resolution.
Overall, the average cost of a moderate quality fish finder generally falls in the $300-$800 range. Units at this price point usually feature concise, reliable imaging, reasonably quick feedback, and color display screens.

Does it matter which brand of fish finder you choose?
While several quality fish finders are currently available from small or obscure companies, there is certainly something to be said for the products of any number of the most popular sonar manufacturers. In many cases, these companies have risen to prominence for a significant reason. Most have a stellar track record of quality customer service and excellence in their craft. This in itself can be a legitimate reason to buy predominantly from these larger, more established manufacturers.
In the world of fish finders, three leading companies dominate the landscape. Lowrance, Garmin, and Humminbird have all been mainstays in the fish finding industry since its inception. All three of these companies also have a reputation for producing some of the highest quality fish finders currently available.

Do fish finders make you a better angler?
Fish finders do not technically make you a better angler. That would be like saying that a road map makes you a better driver. However, using the fish finder does allow you to be a more efficient angler. Their use points you in the right direction to spend less time blindly casting where fish might or might not be. Instead, you can spend more of your time casting to the confirmed location of fish in the hopes of enticing a strike.
This is the same reasoning behind why tournament anglers rely so heavily upon their fish finders. While any such angler could locate and catch fish without any assistance, they simply choose to use a fish finder because they face a time limit. A day’s tournament ends at a set time when all anglers must return to have their fish weighed. Therefore, the best fish finders allow these anglers to make the most out of the limited time that they do have.

How long will a fish finder last?
There is no set rule as to how long a fish finder will or will not last. However, one must consider that a sonar unit is an electronic device and will eventually wear out or succumb to internal circuitry issues. On average, most fish finders seem to last 4-6 years, though some last significantly longer, and others are significantly shorter. Therefore, it is worth considering that heavily used fish finders will likely experience a shorter service life, though their total hours of operation will likely fall into the average tier.
In any event, one should take all possible measures to prolong the life of their fish finder. In order to facilitate this, make sure to place your fish finder inside of your home when not in use, protect your fish finder from significant water exposure when possible, and prevent any hard impacts that could damage such a unit.

Do fish finders come with a warranty?
Most of the best fish finders do come with a warranty of some type. However, the length and extent of this warranty are solely up to the manufacturer of the unit in question, and such circumstances can differ significantly from one fish finder to the next. Generally speaking, a 1-2 year warranty tends to be the industry standard for most fish finders.
It is also important to remember that most warranties will not cover any form of physical damage or neglect. Therefore, if a fish finder were to be damaged in an event outside of a manufacturer’s control, it is doubtful that it would be covered.