The Best Handheld GPS Devices for Camping, Hiking and Navigation
· Updated
For serious walking in the hills, a dedicated handheld GPS still beats a phone. It is rugged, waterproof, runs for days on a single charge, works where there is no mobile signal, and has physical buttons you can press with cold, wet, gloved hands. A phone can do the job for gentle days out, especially with Ordnance Survey maps downloaded for offline use, but it is fragile, thirsty on battery, and awkward in driving rain on a summit.
The best handheld GPS for most UK campers and hikers is a Garmin, either a full mapping unit like the GPSMAP 67 or the eTrex range, or one of the inReach devices that add two-way satellite messaging and an SOS for genuinely remote trips. If you already own a rugged multisport watch, a Garmin Fenix or a Coros can cover a lot of the same ground.
This guide is part of our look at kit and comfort, alongside our guide to electric hook-up and powering your camp, and it comes from Camping Sites in Britain, where you can find and compare campsites, caravan parks and glamping across the UK.
Do you actually need one, or will a phone do?
For a lot of camping, a phone with offline OS maps is genuinely fine. On waymarked trails near a campsite on a fair day, the Ordnance Survey app or a mapping app with maps saved for offline use will get you round without spending a penny on hardware.
A dedicated GPS earns its place the moment the walking gets serious: open moorland, mountain days, multi-day backpacking, winter, or anywhere the weather can turn. The reasons are practical:
- Battery life. A handheld unit runs for a day or more of active use, and far longer in low-power modes. A phone navigating all day with the screen on can be flat by mid afternoon.
- Toughness. These units are built to be dropped on rock and rained on for hours. Most Garmin handhelds are rated IPX7, meaning they survive being submerged in a metre of water for 30 minutes.
- Buttons. Physical buttons work in the wet and the cold when a touchscreen refuses to. You can operate a GPSMAP or an eTrex in gloves without looking.
- No signal needed. GPS positioning uses satellites, not the mobile network, so a dedicated unit locates you perfectly in a valley with zero phone bars. Your phone does this too, but only if you remembered to download the maps first.
The main types of GPS device
There are three broad categories, and the right one depends on how remote you go and whether you want messaging as well as maps.
Full handheld GPS units
These are the classic chunky units with a screen, a set of buttons and proper mapping. They are the most capable navigation tool of the three.
- Garmin GPSMAP 67 is the top of the range. It has a bright colour screen, multi-band GNSS for accuracy in tree cover and gullies, and a battery Garmin quotes at up to 180 hours in standard mode. The GPSMAP 67i version adds inReach satellite messaging and SOS built in.
- Garmin eTrex range is the long-running mid-market choice. The eTrex SE is the modern entry point, lighter and simpler, running on two AA batteries. The eTrex Solar tops up from daylight, which is brilliant for long trips off grid.
- The budget classic. Older eTrex models such as the eTrex 22x still sell new and do the core job well: they show you where you are on a map and let you follow a route. They are a sensible first GPS if you do not need messaging.
Most of these do not come with detailed UK mapping by default. You either buy Garmin's GB Discoverer Ordnance Survey maps, or load free open-source maps. Check this before you buy, because a GPS with a blank base map is far less useful.
GPS watches for hikers
A rugged multisport watch does much of what a handheld does, on your wrist. It is the neatest option if you already want a watch and your days are not extreme.
- Garmin Fenix is the flagship, with full colour maps, multi-band GNSS and multi-week battery life in smartwatch mode.
- Garmin Instinct is the tougher, simpler, cheaper line, with enormous battery life and breadcrumb navigation rather than full maps on the base models.
- Coros watches, such as the Apex and Vertix ranges, are strong on battery life and offer offline maps, and tend to undercut Garmin on price.
A watch screen is small and a handheld is easier to read at arm's length in bad weather, so plenty of walkers carry a watch for tracking and a handheld or phone for detailed map reading.
GPS devices with satellite messaging and SOS
These are the units that can save your trip when there is no phone signal at all. They connect to communications satellites rather than mobile masts, so they work in the middle of nowhere.
- Garmin inReach Mini 2 is a tiny two-way satellite communicator. You can send and receive text messages, share your location, and trigger an SOS to a 24/7 emergency coordination centre from anywhere with a view of the sky.
- Garmin inReach Messenger is a similar pocket-sized messenger, focused on messaging and SOS, and it can also relay messages through your phone when you do have signal.
Both need an active subscription to use the satellite network, billed monthly or annually. That is the real ongoing cost of satellite SOS, and it is money well spent if you head somewhere genuinely remote. For most UK campsite-based walking you will not need it, but for the Scottish Highlands, remote bothies or solo trips it is worth serious thought. Staying reachable off the beaten track is exactly what we cover in our guide to staying connected off-grid.
What to look for when choosing
Match the device to the terrain and the trips you actually do, not the trips you imagine. These are the features that matter.
| Feature | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Mapping | Does it take OS maps, or come with them? | A unit with detailed UK topo mapping is far more useful than a bare base map |
| Battery | AA batteries or rechargeable? | AA lets you carry spares off grid; rechargeable is cheaper day to day |
| Screen and buttons | Readable in sun, usable in gloves? | You will use it in rain and cold, not on the sofa |
| Waterproofing | Rated IPX7 or better? | British weather. Enough said |
| Satellite systems | GPS plus GLONASS and Galileo, ideally multi-band? | More systems means a faster, more accurate fix in valleys and woodland |
| Satellite SOS | Two-way messaging and SOS built in or separate? | Only essential for genuinely remote or solo trips |
On batteries specifically, AA power is a real advantage for long expeditions, because you can carry a fistful of spares and never worry about a plug. For weekend camping where you can charge in the car or from a power bank, a rechargeable unit is lighter and cheaper to run. Our guide to electric hook-up and powering your camp covers keeping everything topped up on site.
A GPS is a backup, not a replacement
This is the part people skip, and it is the most important on the page. A GPS, whether a handheld, a watch or a phone, is a backup to a paper map and compass, not a substitute for them. Batteries die, screens crack, and electronics fail in the cold at the worst possible moment.
Carry a proper OS map of the area and a compass, and know how to use them, before you rely on any device. The skills are not hard and they never run out of charge. If you are rusty, start with our guide to how to use a map and compass, then treat the GPS as the thing that confirms what the map already tells you.
It is also worth knowing what your phone can do before you spend on hardware. Our roundup of the best UK camping apps covers the mapping and navigation apps that turn a phone into a decent backup on easier days.
Frequently asked questions
Is a dedicated GPS better than a phone for hiking?
For serious walking, yes. A handheld GPS is tougher, waterproof, lasts far longer on a charge, and has buttons that work in the wet and cold. A phone with offline OS maps is fine for gentle days, but it is fragile and drains fast when navigating all day.
Do handheld GPS devices work without a phone signal?
Yes. GPS positioning uses satellites, not the mobile network, so a handheld locates you accurately even with no phone bars. Only satellite messaging and SOS features, like Garmin inReach, need a subscription to send and receive messages off grid.
Which handheld GPS is best for UK hiking?
The Garmin GPSMAP 67 for the most capable option, or the Garmin eTrex SE as a lighter, cheaper choice. Both are excellent once loaded with Ordnance Survey mapping. Choose an inReach-enabled model if you want built-in satellite SOS for remote trips.
Do I need satellite SOS for camping in the UK?
Not for most campsite-based walking, where a phone will usually reach help. It becomes worth it for remote areas like the Scottish Highlands, solo trips, or anywhere with no reliable signal. Two-way devices like the Garmin inReach Mini 2 need a paid subscription.
Can I use OS maps on a Garmin GPS?
Yes. Garmin sells GB Discoverer maps based on Ordnance Survey mapping, which you load onto the device. Many units ship with only a basic base map, so check whether detailed UK mapping is included or needs buying before you order.
Should I still carry a map and compass if I have a GPS?
Always. A GPS is a backup, not a replacement. Batteries fail and screens break, so carry a paper OS map and a compass and know how to use them. The GPS confirms your position; the map and compass get you home when it dies.
The short version
A phone with offline OS maps covers easy days near a campsite. For hills, moorland and multi-day trips, buy a dedicated handheld GPS, a Garmin GPSMAP 67 or an eTrex, and add inReach satellite SOS only if you go somewhere genuinely remote. Whatever you carry, pack a map and compass too.
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