The UK's diverse waters can be tricky to fish. The best fish finder can change your angling experience by showing you exactly what lies beneath the surface.
Our tests of numerous models show that quality fish finders do much more than spot fish. These devices use sonar to detect fish, show seabed structure and depth, help you dodge underwater obstacles, and boost your catch rate on every trip. The technology's evolution is amazing. Today's best fish finders, compared to older models, are like putting a Model T next to a modern sports car.
Many anglers face a real challenge, especially when they have small boats or kayaks and need an affordable fish finder. The market has plenty of 'budget' options under £500, but picking the right one can be tricky. Basic models cost between £300-£750, mid-range ones run £750-£1,100, and top-tier units are priced above £1,100.
You might be a weekend warrior or a seasoned angler. We know not everyone has that natural ability to find fish just by reading weather, water conditions, and gut feeling. That's why we've tested the most affordable fish finders that work well in 2025. Our ground trials show which budget-friendly models deliver results when you need them most.
Lowrance Eagle 5
The Lowrance Eagle 5 is a game-changing fish finder that gives you power without complexity. This simple device brings Lowrance's proven sonar technology to anglers who want quality gear that's easy to use.
Key Features of Lowrance Eagle 5
A 5-inch IPS colour display with 800×480 resolution sits at the front, giving you clear visibility from any angle - even through polarised sunglasses. The screen shines bright at 1000 NITS and offers wide 80° viewing angles in every direction.
The new SplitShot HD Transducer powers this fish finder with two core technologies:
High CHIRP sonar shows you detailed views of fish, whether they're hugging the bottom or swimming in schools
DownScan Imaging™ creates photo-like images of structures under your boat
FishReveal stands out by combining DownScan with CHIRP. This gives you the best target separation and takes the guesswork out of spotting fish. The autotuning sonar helps you get the best performance right away if you don't like tweaking settings.
You'll get a worldwide basemap chart built in, plus options to upgrade to C-MAP DISCOVER or other chart providers. The Genesis Live feature lets you create custom ½-foot contour maps of your local spots in real-time.
Setting up is a breeze with Eagle's improved twist-locking connector that makes installation and removal quick. This makes the Eagle 5 great for different fishing situations.
Lowrance Eagle 5 Pros and Cons
Pros:
Simple to use with an autotuning sonar that optimises settings instantly
Crystal-clear IPS screen, you can see in bright sunlight and with polarised glasses
FishReveal technology spots fish among the structure better
Quick setup with twist-lock connectors
Create your own maps with Genesis Live
One-year warranty included
Cons:
Simple worldwide basemap needs an upgrade for detailed charts
Button navigation only - no touchscreen
Readings can get jumpy at higher speeds
Struggles in very shallow or deep water
Lowrance Eagle 5 Pricing
The Eagle 5 with SplitShot HD transducer costs about £298.41 (with VAT). Different transducer options affect the price:
SplitShot Transducer version: £289.95
83/200 HDI Transducer version: £299.95
This makes it one of the best value fish finders under £300, packing features usually found in pricier models.
Best Use Case for Lowrance Eagle 5
Kayak anglers and small boat owners will love the Eagle 5. It gives them a reliable fish finder without complicated features or high costs. The waterproof IPX7 rating and simple setup make it perfect for weekend warriors who want to focus on fishing rather than fiddling with equipment.
This unit works best in freshwater and shallow coastal waters. The SplitShot HD technology spots fish and structure effectively in these conditions. Small boat anglers fishing inland lakes, rivers, and nearshore spots will get the most value.
The Eagle 5 stands out in the UK market as one of the best fish finders for small boats. It delivers exactly what most anglers want - you just turn it on and start catching fish.
Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv
The Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv shows you don't need deep pockets to get great fish-finding tech. This feature-rich unit builds on the Striker Plus series and brings boosted visual clarity through new colour options.
Key Features of Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv
The 5-inch WVGA colour display packs an impressive 800 x 480 pixel resolution. You'll get great visibility no matter the lighting conditions. The standout feature is its seven vivid colour palettes that boost contrast and clarity. These help you spot fish and structures with better accuracy.
The GT20-TM transducer sits at the heart of this device and brings two sonar technologies:
CHIRP Traditional Sonar running at 50/77/200 kHz gives you amazing target separation and fish arch definition
CHIRP ClearVü scanning sonar at 260/455/800 kHz shows photo-like images of what's under your boat
The high-sensitivity GPS lets you mark spots, plan routes, and track your speed. These features are a great way to get back to your favourite fishing spots. On top of that, it comes with Garmin's Quickdraw Contours mapping software. You can create and save custom maps with 1-foot contours up to 2 million acres.
Tech fans will love features like A-scope that shows fish passing through the beam in real time. You also get Ultrascroll to keep visibility at higher speeds, and AutoGain Technology that cuts clutter while making targets more visible.
Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv Pros and Cons
Pros:
Crystal clear display with seven colour options you can customise
Strong mix of traditional CHIRP and ClearVü scanning sonar
Simple GPS navigation that lets you mark waypoints
User-friendly design perfect for beginners
Quickdraw Contours lets you make custom maps without extra costs
Tough build with IPX7 water rating
Cons:
No maps come loaded—you need to make your own
Simple button controls instead of a touch screen
Limited network options with no NMEA connection
The screen might feel small with split-view
Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv Pricing
You get great value with the Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv at £209.95. It's one of the most available quality fish finders out there. Different stores offer various prices:
Standard pack with GT20-TM transducer: £209.95-£279.95
Some stores run seasonal deals, dropping prices to about £279
Looking at other models we've reviewed, the Striker Vivid 5cv fits nicely in the budget-friendly range while packing features you'd expect from pricier units.
Best Use Case for Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv
The Striker Vivid 5cv shines as the best fish finder for kayak fishing and small boats. Its compact size (18.8 x 11.6 x 5.4 cm) and light weight (0.5 kg) make it easy to carry without losing any features.
This device works best for:
Making maps of new lakes and reservoirs
Saving and finding your way back to good fishing spots
Spotting structures and learning about underwater layouts in freshwater
Weekend anglers who use club boats will love how easy it is to move between different vessels. Ice fishing fans can use the flasher mode for vertical jigging.
The Striker Vivid 5cv delivers solid performance if you want value without cutting corners on key features. It combines dual-frequency sonar, practical GPS, and display options you can customise. This makes it perfect for casual and regular anglers alike. This fish finder hits the sweet spot between cost and function while keeping Garmin's prominent reliability.
Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4
Budget-conscious anglers can get reliable performance without complexity from the Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4. This compact powerhouse focuses on core features while delivering the reliability that makes Humminbird a trusted name.
Key Features of Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4
The PiranhaMAX 4 comes with a modern 4.3-inch colour TFT display. It boasts 272H x 480V pixel resolution and 256 colour range, which gives you clear visibility even in bright sunlight. The screen is 20% larger than previous models and packs 70% more pixels for better detail.
The unit's Dual Beam sonar technology lets you switch between two beam options. You get a narrow 16-degree beam at 455 kHz for precise detail, and a wider 28-degree beam at 200 kHz when you need broader coverage. This flexibility helps you spot fish, structure, and contours with amazing clarity.
A user-friendly interface makes operation simple through keypad controls. Features like Fish ID+™, fish alarms, and depth alarms help beginners find fish easily. The tilt and swivel mount lets you quickly adjust your viewing angle for the best visibility in different conditions.
The PiranhaMAX 4 DI variant adds Down Imaging sonar. This creates photo-like images of underwater structures right beneath your boat. It's a great way to spot timber, brush, bridge pilings, and rocks where fish might hide.
Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4 Pros and Cons
Pros:
Small and portable, perfect for small boats and kayaks
Simple, user-friendly interface that beginners love
Screen stays visible in direct sunlight thanks to LED backlight
Reaches depths up to 600 feet (200 kHz)
Transducer includes temperature sensor
Triple alarm system: Fish, Battery, and Depth
Cons:
Lacks GPS or mapping features
No split-screen view option
Fewer customisation options than premium models
Software cannot be upgraded
No slot for memory card storage
Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4 Pricing
The standard PiranhaMAX 4 gives you great value at £165.35 to £199.99. You can choose from three main versions:
The basic PiranhaMAX 4 with XNT 9 28 T transducer costs the least. The PiranhaMAX 4 DI with Down Imaging costs a bit more but stays under £200. Anglers who need portability can pick the PiranhaMAX 4 PT version that comes with a carrying case, suction-cup transducer, and rechargeable battery.
Best Use Case for Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4
Small boat and kayak owners will love the PiranhaMAX 4. Its compact size and light weight work great in tight spaces where bigger units don't fit.
This fish finder works best in freshwater lakes and rivers. The dual-beam feature helps locate fish hiding in underwater structures. Beginners will appreciate the clear display and Fish ID+ technology as they learn to read sonar returns.
Anglers who fish from different boats will find the portable PT version really useful. You can move it between vessels quickly without permanent installation. Weekend anglers get reliable performance without spending big on complex systems.
The Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4 stands out as one of the best budget fish finders you can buy today. It brings quality fish-finding technology within reach of almost every angler by balancing features, portability, and value.
Simrad Cruise 5
The Simrad Cruise 5 stands out as a straightforward chartplotter first and fish finder second. This device caters to boaters who want simple navigation without complex bells and whistles. You'll find it refreshingly simple to use, unlike many advanced units that come with steep learning curves.
Key Features of Simrad Cruise 5
A bright 5-inch sunlight-viewable display with 800×480 resolution lets you see everything clearly. The screen offers 70° viewing angles from all sides, so you can mount it anywhere on your boat.
The Simrad Cruise 5 skips the touchscreen in favour of a rotary dial and keypad interface. This setup works great even with wet hands. Many traditional anglers love this approach over touchscreens.
You get a worldwide basemap right out of the box. The device works with many chart options from C-MAP and Navionics. The C-MAP Easy Routing feature plots the best routes around shallow spots and landmasses automatically.
The 83/200 kHz CHIRP sonar transducer comes included. It tracks depth without any complex adjustments. You get reliable readings and water temperature data - perfect for casual fishing trips.
Switch between full and split-screen views to see your charts, navigation, and sonar data. The Navigation Page shows your boat from a third-person view as you follow your route. All vital information appears clearly on screen.
Simrad Cruise 5 Pros and Cons
Pros:
Just turn it on and go - it's that simple
Ready-made split screens make viewing data a breeze
Bright 800 nits display works great in sunlight
IPX6/IPX7 waterproof rating keeps it safe in rough weather
Quick setup needs only power and sonar connections
Mounts from the front for easy dashboard installation
Cons:
No NMEA connections for AIS or autopilot systems
Storage maxes out at 32GB micro SD
Won't network with other electronics
Basic worldwide map needs extra chart cards for detail
No touchscreen options
Fewer customisation choices than premium models
Simrad Cruise 5 Pricing
The Simrad Cruise 5 with 83/200 transducer costs around £316.87. This puts it right in the middle of our under £500 range. Our price checks showed some variation between sellers:
Standard package with 83/200 transducer: £316-£330
Some UK marine shops run seasonal deals at £299-£310
The Cruise 5 gives you good bang for your buck if you want a chartplotter-first device, especially when navigation matters more than advanced fish finding.
Best Use Case for Simrad Cruise 5
Small boat owners who need solid navigation with basic depth info will love the Simrad Cruise 5. The IPX7 waterproof rating makes it perfect for open boats like bay boats, deck boats, and bow riders.
The simple controls and accessible interface mean you won't need to crack open the manual every time you hit the water. This unit shines for:
Weekend boaters who want reliable navigation
Anglers moving up from basic depth finders
Boats with limited dashboard room
Exposed helm positions needing waterproof, visible displays
My tests showed the Cruise 5 really shines in coastal waters where navigation matters most. Recreational boaters looking for a trustworthy chartplotter without unnecessary complications will find the Simrad Cruise 5 one of the best choices in 2025.
Garmin Striker Cast
The Garmin Striker Cast takes fish finding in a new direction by moving away from traditional fixed-mount designs. This portable sonar device casts into the water and connects to your smartphone wirelessly. Anglers can now find fish from almost anywhere - the bank, kayak, or even through ice.
Key Features of Garmin Striker Cast
The device comes in a tennis ball-sized bright blue package that packs some impressive features. You get a 60m castable range and wireless sonar that streams to your smartphone from up to 200 feet away. The unit cleverly turns on in water and shuts off automatically when removed. The rechargeable battery lasts up to 10 hours of continuous use.
You'll need the free STRIKER Cast app (it works with both Apple and Android devices) to see underwater details in two ways: traditional 2-D sonar and ice fishing flasher. The GPS version lets you create custom Quickdraw contour maps with 1-foot contours that you can share with fellow anglers.
The water-resistant design (IPX7 rated) makes it reliable in freshwater, saltwater, and ice fishing. At just 75g, it's easy to carry around yet tough enough to handle 20 lb test line or stronger.
Garmin Striker Cast Pros and Cons
Pros:
Perfect for bank fishing and kayak anglers who need portability
No installation needed - just cast and connect through Bluetooth
The premium model includes GPS for marking spots
Easy-to-use app with adjustable settings
Battery saves power with auto on/off
Works well in freshwater, saltwater, and ice fishing
Cons:
Fish might scatter temporarily from the splash when casting
Simple sonar features compared to mounted units
Your smartphone needs enough battery
Bluetooth connection sometimes drops
Garmin Striker Cast Pricing
Garmin offers two versions:
With GPS: £159.99
Without GPS: Around £129.00
The GPS model's extra cost seems worth it after testing, thanks to its mapping features. Compared to other products we reviewed, this Garmin device gives you great value, especially if you don't need a separate display unit.
Best Use Case for Garmin Striker Cast
Kayak enthusiasts who want something small and portable will love the Striker Cast. Though made with bank anglers in mind, kayak fishers have really taken to it because it's compact and needs no mounting.
Ice fishing fans get a dedicated flasher mode that shows real-life information about fish under your hole. This saves you from drilling extra test holes.
The device makes sense for casual anglers who fish from different spots. It's an affordable alternative to fixed units while giving you the simple fish-finding features you need. The mix of portability, features, and price makes it one of the best budget fish finder choices in 2025.
Lowrance Hook Reveal 5x
The Lowrance Hook Reveal 5x stands out as a top performer in the mid-range category. This fish finder combines amazing sonar technology with easy operation. UK anglers love this compact yet powerful unit because it delivers reliable performance without getting too complicated.
Key Features of Lowrance Hook Reveal 5x
A crisp 5-inch SolarMAX display with 800x480 resolution sits at the heart of this unit. The screen delivers excellent visibility in direct sunlight, and this is a big deal as it means that brightness hits over 1000 NITS. You'll get clear views from almost any angle thanks to its 80° top/bottom and 85° left/right viewing angles.
The unit's FishReveal technology makes fish targets pop against structure by combining CHIRP sonar with DownScan Imaging. The sonar adjusts settings automatically as conditions change, so you can focus on fishing instead of messing with settings.
The SplitShot transducer comes standard and delivers both High CHIRP and DownScan Imaging. This gives you double the sonar coverage compared to similar fish finders. The GPS plotter lets you mark spots with room for 3000 waypoints, 100 routes, and 100 trails.
Lowrance Hook Reveal 5x Pros and Cons
Pros:
Quick and simple installation
GPS with waypoint marking built right in
The screen looks great even in bright sun
Sonar tunes itself for easy operation
Live mapping features
IPX7 waterproof rating handles tough weather
Cons:
Won't network with other electronics
No support for external GPS
GPS plotter comes without preloaded charts
Takes some time to learn for new users
Lowrance Hook Reveal 5x Pricing
Prices for the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5x SplitShot range from £111.49 to £238.25. This makes it a great option in our best fish finder under £500 category.
Best Use Case for Lowrance Hook Reveal 5x
Small boats and kayaks are where this fish finder really shines. The compact size (7.31" x 4.32" x 4.53") and light weight (0.90 lb) make it perfect for tight spaces.
Freshwater fishing is this unit's sweet spot, especially in depths up to 30-35 feet. The wide cone angle works great for catching trout, bass, and pike that swim in the upper water column.
This Lowrance unit packs solid features and performance into a reasonably priced package. It's a fantastic choice for anglers who want reliable tech without spending too much.
Lucky Portable Fish Finder
The Lucky Portable Fish Finder stands out from standard fixed units as a compact, castable device that combines simple operation with reliable fish detection.
Key Features of Lucky Portable Fish Finder
This device, about the size of a tennis ball, uses a 90-degree sonar beam to detect underwater structures up to 45 metres deep. You can cast it wirelessly up to 150 metres away, which works great for shore fishing. The sonar transducer's rechargeable battery lasts up to 10 hours of continuous use, while the handheld unit runs for 4-5 hours.
A 2.4-inch TFT colour LCD screen shows water depth, temperature, and fish size with depth markers. The device's built-in fish attraction lamp helps attract fish to your location.
Lucky Portable Fish Finder Pros and Cons
Pros:
Weighs just 90 grammes for easy transport
Works in freshwater, saltwater and ice conditions
Alerts you when fish swim nearby
Turns on/off automatically in water
Cons:
The handheld unit can't handle water exposure
Simple sonar features compared to fixed units
A wireless signal can drop in certain conditions
Lucky Portable Fish Finder Pricing
You can get the Lucky Portable Fish Finder for about £51.17, making it the cheapest option in our review. All the same, some retailers price it between £89-£99 with extra accessories.
Best Use Case for Lucky Portable Fish Finder
Shore anglers will find this unit particularly useful, and it's rated as the best fish finder for shore fishing. The device filters out boat movement interference, so it works well on small boats too. The unit performs reliably in cold conditions, helping ice fishing enthusiasts find the right spots without drilling too many holes.
Conclusion
The right fish finder makes the most important difference to your fishing success, whatever you fish from shore, kayak, or small boat. We tested seven budget-friendly options extensively and found clear winners for different fishing scenarios.
The Lowrance Eagle 5 emerges as an exceptional all-rounder that combines simplicity with powerful sonar technology at a fair price. The Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv's seven colour palettes make structure and fish identification straightforward and offer impressive customisation options.
Budget-conscious anglers will appreciate the Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4's reliable performance without extra complexity. The Lowrance Hook Reveal 5x's FishReveal technology takes the guesswork out of fish identification among structures, making it stand out.
Shore anglers should consider the Garmin Striker Cast or Lucky Portable Fish Finder. These castable options work without permanent installation. Boaters who care more about navigation than fish finding will find the Simrad Cruise 5 meets their needs perfectly.
Here's the good news: you don't need to spend more than £500 to get reliable, working fish-finding technology. Each model has its own advantages based on your fishing style and needs. Higher-end units with larger screens and advanced networking exist, but these seven options deliver great performance at available price points.
Your fishing spot, target species, and must-have features should guide your final choice. GPS capabilities, detailed mapping, or portability might top your list of priorities.
The perfect fish finder awaits in this selection, no matter what your fishing goals are. The days of relying on luck and instinct alone are gone. With one of these tech-packed devices, you'll spend less time searching and catch more fish on your next adventure.
