Know where to point the trolling motor before you drop a line

A trolling motor holds position. A fish finder tells it where.

Here's how the top-reviewed 2026 fish finders compare on sonar imaging, built-in GPS mapping, and price.

Compare the top fish finders

Quick answer: Our top pick for fish finder is the Garmin Echomap UHD2 63cv (Best Overall). If you're looking for best for side/down imaging, the Lowrance Elite FS 9 is a strong alternative.

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A trolling motor solves positioning, but not finding the fish

Reviewed by the TrollCove team

A trolling motor solves holding a position quietly over structure or a school of fish, but it can't tell you where that structure or school actually is. A fish finder handles that half of the equation, using sonar to show depth, bottom contour, and fish arches in real time as you move — information a trolling motor's GPS spot-lock can then use to hold you exactly there.

Garmin trolling motor owners in particular get an added benefit from choosing a matched Garmin fish finder: the two systems talk to each other, letting you drop a waypoint on the fish finder's screen and have the trolling motor navigate to and hold that exact spot automatically.

Screen size and readability

Larger displays (7-9 inches) make side/down imaging and chart detail easier to read at a glance, especially in bright sunlight, but take up more console space than compact 4-5 inch units.

Built-in mapping vs. add-on charts

Garmin and Humminbird both include substantial built-in lake/coastal coverage out of the box, while some budget units require a separate mapping card purchase for full functionality.

Side/down imaging vs. traditional sonar

Side and down imaging (strongest on Lowrance and Humminbird's MEGA Imaging) reveal structure and fish position beside and below the boat in far more detail than traditional 2D sonar alone.

Brand-matching with your trolling motor

Choosing a fish finder from the same brand as a GPS trolling motor (e.g., Garmin with Garmin) often unlocks direct waypoint-to-spot-lock integration that mixed-brand setups don't support.

Product Best For Price Rating
Garmin Echomap UHD2 63cv Best Overall $650 - $780 4.7/5
Lowrance Elite FS 9 Best for Side/Down Imaging $1,050 - $1,150 4.6/5
Humminbird Helix 7 Best Mid-Range $550 - $600 4.5/5
Garmin Striker Vivid 7cv Best Budget $230 - $270 4.5/5
Best Overall

Garmin Echomap UHD2 63cv

★★★★★ 4.7

A 6-inch GPS chartplotter/fish finder combo with built-in LakeVu maps covering 18,000+ lakes, giving Garmin trolling motor owners a matched, integrated system for navigation and sonar.

  • Built-in LakeVu maps for 18,000+ lakes, no extra card needed
  • Pairs directly with Garmin Force trolling motors and GPS anchor points
  • Clear, bright display readable in direct sunlight
  • Costs more than comparable non-mapping units
  • Advanced LiveScope imaging requires a separate, pricier bundle
$650 - $780 View on Amazon
Best for Side/Down Imaging

Lowrance Elite FS 9

★★★★★ 4.6

A 9-inch chartplotter/fish finder widely regarded for the sharpest side- and down-imaging in its price class, built for anglers who fish structure rather than open water.

  • Sharpest side/down imaging quality in this comparison
  • Large 9-inch display makes structure easier to read
  • Active Imaging sonar built in, no add-on transducer required
  • Highest price of the picks here
  • Larger footprint needs more dash or console space
$1,050 - $1,150 View on Amazon
Best Mid-Range

Humminbird Helix 7

★★★★★ 4.5

A 7-inch combo unit with built-in GPS, Basemap covering more than 10,000 lakes and coastal areas, and Humminbird's MEGA Imaging for high-resolution side and down scanning.

  • MEGA Imaging delivers some of the highest-resolution scanning available
  • Basemap covers 10,000+ lakes and coastal areas out of the box
  • Good balance of features to price
  • Screen is smaller than the premium 9-inch options
  • Menu system has a steeper learning curve than Garmin's
$550 - $600 View on Amazon
Best Budget

Garmin Striker Vivid 7cv

★★★★★ 4.5

A 7-inch entry-level unit with built-in GPS, CHIRP sonar, and ClearVu scanning imaging, giving new boat owners a capable fish finder without the cost of a full chartplotter.

  • Lowest price of any unit in this comparison
  • CHIRP sonar and ClearVu scanning imaging at an entry-level price
  • Simple interface, easy to set up on a first boat
  • No side imaging or lake mapping charts included
  • Smaller sonar range than premium units
$230 - $270 View on Amazon

Which one should you get?

You already run a Garmin Force trolling motor

The Garmin Echomap UHD2 integrates directly with it for waypoint-to-spot-lock navigation.

You mainly fish structure and need the clearest imaging

The Lowrance Elite FS 9's side/down imaging is the sharpest in this comparison.

You're outfitting a first boat on a tight budget

The Garmin Striker Vivid 7cv covers GPS and sonar basics at the lowest price here.

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