Best Portable Fish Finder in 2023 [Review And Buying Guide]

If fishing is one of your hobbies, sometime during your journey towards perfecting your craft, you may come across devices such as fish finders. Here is the review of Best Portable Fish Finder in 2023

What are these, exactly, and what do they mean for the end-user? While products in this line nowadays include a broad array of technological advancements which can significantly improve a fishing experience, almost all units rely on the same principle.

In other words, they are capable of discovering reflected pulses of sound energy, much like a sonar would.

Even though utilizing such a gadget seems like a complicated endeavor, in the beginning, many of the models we’ve come across are relatively easy to operate and their interface usually isn’t difficult to learn the works of.

Several portable options have been known to integrate features such as GPS, compass, radar, Wi-Fi, as well as social media sharing.

How do fish finders work?

In order to work, fish finders use sonar. Sonar was developed back in the course of the Second World War, for espionage purposes.

When it is being turned on, a handheld fish finder releases a sound wave that penetrates the water and detects various obstacles, be they rocks, fish, plants, and others.

The range is subsequently displayed on the screen of the fish finder, but this depends on the model you might be the owner of.

Fish can be presented in two main ways, depending on the type of unit you may have available. They may show up as arches or as fish IDs.

The higher the number of sonar beams, the greater the accuracy of the target’s position as the person using the fish finder will be able to determine whether the fish is located on the right, left, or even below the boat.

The transducer is the most important part of a fish finder as it is responsible for turning the electrical signal from the transmitter into sonar.

Portable Fish Finders – a Buying Guide

With the vast number of models that are available in today’s marketplace, it’s oftentimes difficult for a prospective buyer to choose the best portable fish finder for the money.

Fortunately for you, we’ve decided to take part in the hassle of your buying process by putting together a short guide that can help you understand the most important features of these units and whether or not they can be correlated with your needs and expectations.

Since every user’s different from the next, we recommend going through several portable fish finder reviews.

Type of transducer

As previously mentioned in the first part of the article, transducers aren’t created the same.

They may use a single beam, two beams, or multiple sonar beams in order to detect what’s going on under the water.

The dimensions of the cone are crucial as you will be able to see just the objects that are within its area.

Therefore, the wider the beam, the larger the area you’ll be able to cover using your fishfinder.

It might be worth noting that, with wide-beam alternatives, you won’t be able to target fish that prefers deep water.

On this account, the main disadvantage of using a multiple beam option is that it can be utilized mostly by individuals who fish in shallow water.

Display

When it comes to the screen of these devices, the matter’s quite simple: the bigger, the better.

For instance, if you take the time to analyze some of the top-rated fish finders, you’ll come to the conclusion that a big part of the decision of many buyers was the size of the display and whether or not it was any good at making it easy for the user to visualize the catch.

The resolution is another factor that should play a major role in your research, but we can’t give you straightforward advice on these terms as every user’s different.

Even so, the higher the resolution and thus, the higher the number of pixels on a screen, the more detail you’ll be able to look at.

Frequency and power

The higher the wattage in the best portable fish finder 2022, the better.

This is the golden rule for choosing a suitable alternative because nothing beats more power when you most need it.

However, the power should always be associated with the frequency you might be using at a given time because you’ll need a different one for shallow waters and a separate one for deep waters.

Portability, convenience, and ease of use

Just like we’ve mentioned earlier, dual-beam transducers are by far the most convenient options out there, considering that they can be utilized both in shallow and deep waters, so that they best accommodate the requirements of the user.

Portability is also a detail to consider, particularly if you don’t use your personal boat all of the time.

Some models come with transducers that can be attached to the transom using a suction cup and most of these will be battery-operated fish finders.

This way, you can unmount the transducer as easily as possible and use it with a different boat the next time.

As for ease of use, there’s a limited number of units that make it hard for the user to understand how to operate them.

In fact, several models we’ve stumbled upon during our research are so convenient and usable that they come with just the transducer which can be used via a mobile app.

Who makes the best fish finders?

We put a lot of time and effort into research regarding the best fish finders, depending on each category of fishing they have been designed for.

We’ve looked at the user feedback, several professional reviews, as well as the sales figures, and even the social media activity gathered around these units.

Following this research, we’re confident enough to recommend the most efficient models, many of which offer the best value for the price.

Garmin portable Fish Finders

Garmin has been on the market for quite a long time now, during which the company has gradually grown by focusing on core values such as superior quality and compelling design.

Nowadays, Garmin products can be categorized depending on their purpose and many of them are being used successfully in areas such as automotive, aviation, outdoor, sports, and recreation, health and wellness, as well as marine.

What’s more, the brand makes a big deal out of offering software updates to its users so that they are never left behind when it comes to the performance of their devices.

Since this company is world-known for the customer service it offers to its clients, buying a Garmin GPS fishfinder combo nowadays looks like a safe bet.

1. Garmin Echo 151dv Fish Finder

The Garmin Echo 151dv is by far the best product from the brand considering that it is one of the most affordable yet fully functional models in the line.

While it might look like a rather basic alternative, the fact of the matter is that the Garmin Echo 151dv is capable of doing the same things as high-end, significantly more expensive options.

The model has a dual-beam transducer of which frequency is either 77 kHz or 200 kHz, depending on the water one is fishing in.

The transducer comes with a suction cup for mounting.

rand	Garmin
Screen Size	4
Display Type	8-level grayscale FSTN
Item Dimensions LxWxH	2.8 x 4.1 x 5.8 inches
Mounting Type	Tilt
Scanner Resolution	160 x 256 pixels

The display unit is compatible with a dedicated Garmin 50/200 kHz transducer which can be purchased separately.

Even though the 256 by 160 grayscale display doesn’t look very impressive, it actually does what it’s supposed to do and does it well.

Lowrance portable fish finder

Another well-known brand you might have already come across is Lowrance. This company has been on the market ever since the middle of the 20th century.

After having developed its first recreational sonar in 1957, the manufacturer has gradually worked its way towards performance, with improvements such as DownScan Imaging and Broadband Sounder technology, some of which it has even gathered awards for.

Aside from Lowrance fish finders, the brand also manufactures products such as gauges, mobile applications, chart plotters, sonar modules, as well as devices destined for predicting the weather and entertaining their users.

As is the case with Garmin, showcased earlier on, Lowrance respects its customers by offering excellent customer support and advantageous warranties.

1. Lowrance Elite-3X Fish Finder

The Elite-3X has the reputation of being one of the most cost-efficient models out there, considering that the vast majority of online retailers usually sell it for less than one hundred dollars.

But the price isn’t all that important considering the number of specs and useful features packed in this unit.

For one, the model features a 3.5-inch LCD display that can make discovering your catch as easy as pie.

Second, the transducer provided in the pack is dual-beam, which means that owners can benefit from utilizing either 83 kHz or 200 kHz, depending on the waters they fish in.

Brand	Lowrance
Model Name	Lowrance ELITE-3X DSI Color Sonar 455/800kHz Fishfinder
Item Weight	1.02 Pounds
Item Dimensions LxWxH	10.7 x 9 x 4.4 inches

Besides, the mounting system is provided in the package, which is reassuring to know for people looking for an effortless installation.

Having gathered over one hundred positive Amazon reviews, it’s safe to say that this model is worth taking into account.

Portable Fish Finder from Humminbird

Compared to Lowrance, Humminbird is a fairly new manufacturer of fish finders.

However, thanks to its experience of over 40 years in the field, this brand has acquired an immense degree of appreciation thanks to the high quality of the products it launches. 

Humminbird fishfinder reviews recommend the company both for the smart technology and cutting-edge advancements in the industry and for its commitment to the customers.

The latest technological innovations from Humminbird include the Autochart life and Smartstrike, both utilized in cartography, and the branded Cross Touch Technology, which was uniquely designed to answer the needs of users who may benefit from multi-gesture control.

Plus, the quality of most of the displays of Humminbird GPS fishfinders as well as the Humminbird side imaging makes all of these products well worth every penny.

1. Humminbird 409720-1 HELIX 5

The 409720-1 is probably the best Humminbird portable fish finder for the money, as it meets and even exceeds the requirements of users all over the world.

The model offers the convenience and performance of a dual-beam Plus Sonar as well as GPS chart plotting.

In fact, this product comes with its own GPS receiver that can give a helping hand to any fisher who might be struggling with finding his way back home.

Over 2,500 waypoints, 50 tracks, as well as 45 routes come preloaded in this product.

Brand	Humminbird
Screen Size	5 Inches
Item Dimensions LxWxH	8.5 x 6 x 4 inches
Battery Life	360 Hours

As for the frequency of the transducer, you’re likely to run into no problems with this one, as the 83 kHz can be used in deep waters whereas the 200 kHz offers the best results when employed in shallow water.

Hawkeye Portable Fish Finders

Compared to the companies we’ve showcased above, Hawkeye is a relatively new brand. What’s more, the company hasn’t been on the market for such a long time as Lowrance or Garmin.

However, this does not mean that its products are any less good. In fact, a Hawkeye fish finder might surprise you when it comes to performance and convenience.

For example, some of its most esteemed units include handheld depth finders as well as portable fishfinders that offer accurate readings without sacrificing anything in terms of clarity.

The LCD display of most Hawkeye products makes it easy for a fisherman to understand the depth readout, the sensitivity settings, the fish depth indicators as well as the bottom contour.

1. Hawkeye FT1PXC (B016O5IDBW)

If you’ve been tossing and turning about which model to pick from the myriad that is available on the market today, perhaps you’d like to give a chance to the best Hawkeye fish finder.

The FT1PXC is, after all, one of the most critically acclaimed units considering that it has almost all the characteristics one might ever want from such a device.

For one, the model has a 100-level sensitivity adjustment, which goes to show just how customizable it is.

As is the case with other units we’ve seen, this one has a dual-frequency in that owners can choose either between 83 kHz or 200 kHz.

The main difference between the Hawkeye FT1PXC and other similar products is that it has audible depth and fish alarms that can notify the owner when a potential catch has been discovered by the beam.

Which Fish Finder is Right For me?

Fishfinders differ greatly from one model to the next, mainly because the purpose of one user can’t be compared to the ones of another one.

Some are anglers, whereas others may be interested in kayak fishing. Perhaps there are individuals who prefer ice fishing and need the specific characteristics of a unit built for this task exactly.

We’ve gone through a lot of information on the various types of fishing that are now preferred by people in the United States and Canada.

Our research could not have been complete if we hadn’t looked at what actual buyers had to say about the thousands of units we’ve considered, as well as how several expert review sites rated them.

Both the features and the benefits of kayak, ice fishing, GPS, and portable alternatives were carefully analyzed and compiled into the following paragraphs.

The Best Portable Fish Finder For Kayak Fishing

People who do their fishing in small boats and kayaks don’t require a 10-inch fish finder.

Not only would such a model look downright strange but it would also make operation tedious because the user would constantly have the tendency to protect the unit instead of tending to his or her hobby.

Screens of 4 inches or even less are by far the right alternative when you’re fishing in a kayak. If the model you’ve chosen has a display that exceeds 5 inches, it can end up being counterproductive.

In this case, you should consider the fact that the larger a unit, the heavier it’s likely to be.

Therefore, there’s a high chance you increase the weight of your kayak overall if you decide to purchase a model of which the screen is larger than 6 inches.

Don’t worry, finding a portable fish finder for a kayak isn’t all that complicated. All things considered, fish finders for kayaks usually feature transducers that can be either mounted through the scupper hole or inside the hull.

Since most small boats are made of plastic, the transducer will encounter no difficulties when getting the readings. Plus, many manufacturers nowadays offer suction cup mounts that make it possible for a kayak fish finder to become even more efficient.

Even though we might have mentioned this before, it goes without saying that choosing the proper model for your needs should occur after going through several fish finders for kayaks reviews.

1. Signstek FF-003 Fish Finder

The FF-003 is by far the best kayak fish finder for the money, as it is both compact and lightweight and knows how to do its job properly.

What’s more, it’s generally considered to be one of the most affordable options out there. The neat thing about this unit is that it’s precise and easy to read.

What’s more, it comes with a 240 by 160 pixel LCD display that’s easy to read both in direct sunlight or at dusk.

Brand	Signstek
Screen Size	2.4 Inches
Weight	0.99 Pounds
Item Dimensions LxWxH	12 x 3 x 8 Centimeters

Judging by the kayak fish finder reviews we’ve come across, this model seems to be the best fish finder for kayak fishing as it is easy to use, small enough to avoid interfering with any of your movements, and powered by just four standards AAA batteries.

The Best Portable Fish Finder with GPS

While prospecting the market, you may come across several cheap fish finders with GPS.

Are they any good or shouldn’t you waste time thinking about buying them? Regardless of whether you end up choosing a Garmin GPS fishfinder, a Lowrance fishfinder GPS combo, or a Humminbird GPS fishfinder, the bottom line is that the navigational advantage simply can’t be denied.

There are four main benefits why you should take these options into account. For one, such a model can allow you to save locations.

This includes waypoints and hotspots that you might utilize in the future. Second, nothing beats GPS when it comes to getting home safely.

Sure, some fishers may not even think about going fishing at sea when the water’s high and there’s a high chance of a storm coming up.

1. Raymarine Dragonfly-4

The Raymarine Dragonfly-4 is probably the best fishfinder GPS combo on the market today. If you’re wondering why that is, we’ll tell you.

First, the model features a 4.3-inch high-definition LED display that’s backlit and thus allows you to do your fishing both when the sky is up in the sky and in the middle of the night.

Second, the interface includes a variety of US rivers, lakes, as well as coastal maps.

Brand	Raymarine
Screen Size	6 Inches
Item Weight	1.45 Pounds
Item Dimensions LxWxH	13.78 x 13.78 x 13.78 inches

Additionally, the manufacturers have added a Wi-Fi capability in this fish finder so that users enjoy the convenience of visualizing the data displayed on any mobile device, via the Raymarine dedicated mobile app.

Best Fishfinder GPS Combo Under $1000

Icefish finders are different from other models destined for regular boats or kayaks. Most of the models we’ve come across can be split up into two categories.

Regrettably, there doesn’t seem to be a unit that combines both capabilities, as one has the freedom to choose between a flasher unit or a 2D sonar.

Flashers are somewhat older compared to their 2D sonar counterparts but they provide accurate readings when it comes to the bottom and everything that’s standing between it and the surface of the ice.

Although reading the data displayed might take some time to get used to, this seems to be the best choice for ice fishing.

While many 2D sonars can’t be considered the best ice fishing sonar for the money strictly because they don’t include the benefits of a flasher, some of them actually do.

So, whether you want to look at a graph or switch to the flasher mode, a 2D unit is probably the best fish finder for ice fishing you may need to prospect.

1. Humminbird ICE-35

The ICE-35 is one of the best fish locators for ice fishing, particularly if what you’re looking for is a three-color flasher.

Such a product is relatively easy to utilize, as the 3-color fiber optic display makes it a breeze for users to determine the approximate position of the fish they’re trying to catch.

The 200-ft depth capability as well as the fact that this is a selectable dual-frequency sonar make the ICE-35 a noteworthy alternative.

In addition, the flasher scale is set automatically by this product which makes operation hassle-free.

Brand	Humminbird
Model Name	407020-1
Screen Size	1 Inch
Item Weight	2.6 Pounds
Item Dimensions LxWxH	13.5 x 12.3 x 8.1 inches

The ICE-35 includes the transducer and comes with its own battery.

The Best Portable Fish Finder 2023

Portability significantly impacts the entire user experience. Not all fishers are created the same, just like not all fish finders have the same capabilities.

If you’re having trouble deciding whether or not you require a large screen that can, unfortunately, increase the core weight of the product, we recommend going to a store and testing some models out. 

You don’t have to purchase them right away because it’s only after you’ve made up your mind about your needs and preferences that you can make a good call.

Have a talk with a consultant and hold some units in your hand to see if they fit your expectations.

If you have no time or availability to drive to a shop and speak to a seller, you don’t need to worry about anything.

Some of the reviewers write detailed posts where they go into detail about the problems they’ve come across when operating the device.

1. Deeper Smart DP0H10S10-P

It comes as no surprise that some say that the Deeper DP0H10S10-P is the best portable fish finder in the world.

The neat thing about this model is that it comes just with a dual-beam transducer that relies on Bluetooth to offer readings via iOS and Android mobile devices.

Therefore, if you feel like using a 10 or 12-inch tablet to see what’s going on under your boat, you’re free to do so.

Buyers can choose between the 90 kHz and 290 kHz frequencies to make sure they get all the data they need when fishing in shallow and deep water.

The free app comes with this device and features a variety of functions such as weather, diary, maps, and activity calendar.

When it’s for sale, this is the best fish finder under 200 as it takes the cake when it comes to convenience, usability, and versatility.

What To Avoid When Buying A New Portable Fish Finder

Not all units in the line are worthy of a prospective buyer’s attention. Some of them might be too expensive whereas a fish finder for sale may not satisfy some of the most ardent needs of fishermen.

The first question you should ask yourself is how often you intend to utilize the device. Are you an occasional fisherman or an avid one?

Do you plan to organize fishing trips and expeditions along with your friends several times a month or have these experiences not even occurred to you by now?

An extra factor to ponder is the area you’ll do your fishing in. Are there any lakes or rivers in the proximity of your home?

How deep or shallow is the water?

This can help you figure out if you absolutely need the convenience of a dual-beam transducer or not.

For example, if you know you’ll be fishing in the same river for the rest of your days, perhaps you don’t require a dual-beam model at all and therefore, you’re better off with a more cost-effective option.

Ease of use and controls are two other things you have to analyze before settling for a model instead of another one.

Even though it’s very tempting, try to avoid choosing a unit by a relatively unknown brand, of which the fish finders haven’t even gathered reviews at all.

With trusted manufacturers such as Garmin, Humminbird, or Lowrance, you’re likely to run into no problem when it comes to the validity of your warranty.

A final piece of advice is to at least purchase the fish finder from a reputable online retailer such as Amazon because the marketplace would be responsible for returns and refunds if you fail to contact the manufacturer’s customer support.

Fish Finder Common Terms

To a certain extent, the terminology employed with most fish finders can be baffling, particularly for first-time buyers or users.

Even if we’ve already discussed some of the most common terms you might encounter while doing your research we’ve decided to go through them one more time.

Words like cone angles, fish targets, water clarity, thermoclines, transducer, frequency, mount, and LCD display should be no strangers to you.

Getting something out of the readings provided by the unit may look like a complicated thing. On the one hand, you won’t be looking at the actual image of the fish schools, plankton, and bottom of the water.

What you’ll be seeing are the echoes of the seabed and fish encountered by the signal.

How to Correctly Read The Information on the Screen

On the other hand, the owner needs to be aware of the fact that the data displayed isn’t static and thus will change quite often.

After all, fish don’t swim in the same place all day long, which is part of the reason fishing is so exciting.

The scrolling speed of some models can be adjusted in accordance with the requirements of the user.

That’s why looking at a small fish school when the scrolling speed is high can produce a large echo on the display of the device.

If you want to keep track of what’s actually happening in the water, you need to look in the right part of the screen because that’s where the new signals will be shown.

Moreover, not all fish finder screens are the same. The models that use traditional transducers usually show the water temperature and the depth of the current reading.

Fish are displayed like arches in this case. Down/Side Imaging fish finders offer accurate readings and the data is a lot clearer compared to the one provided by entry-level models.

In this case, fish are small dots instead of arches. Fishfinder/Chartplotter combos are the most advanced alternatives nowadays, as they combine the best of two worlds.

Users can even split the screen in two and compare the two views, just to get the most of utilizing the device.