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Hiking and exploring nature is an excellent pastime, as it lets you disconnect from the grid and just enjoy the outdoors. Whether you like to summit peaks at the end of your hiking trails or just spend a few days camping in the woods near your home, staying safe should always be a priority. Even if you’re not an experienced hiker or backpacker, one of the best tools you can have is a reliable GPS device that lets you plot your route and retrace your steps easily. Many of them even have two-way satellite communication, allowing you to call for help if you need it. If you’re preparing for your next trip, here is our list of the best-rated GPS devices of 2026 to help you decide which one to bring with you.
Garmin inReach Mini 2 GPS
Starting off our list is both our highest rated and most popular GPS device, the Garmin inReach Mini 2. This small, handheld device is designed to be as durable and rugged as possible while maintaining a slim frame and low overall weight to make sure it doesn’t crowd your pack. With a perfect 5 star rating, many of our customers agree that this small device is both crucial and useful, even if you don’t encounter an emergency situation. Plus, it’s packed with features that allow you to explore to your heart’s content while helping you stay on track and preventing you from getting lost.
For example, the inReach Mini 2 utilizes TracBack routing to help you retrace your steps back to your starting point easily, ensuring you get back to the trailhead or parking lot without issues. It also functions as a two-way satellite communicator, so you can reach out to friends and family even when you’re far away from the nearest cell tower. Plus, you can actively share your location with loved ones so that they can watch along on your journey or send them map coordinates to specific spots you find and want to explore together in the future. Even more importantly, the two-way communication allows you quick access to emergency services and features SOS capabilities, letting you broadcast your position when you need help. Alternatively, if you’re looking to rely on your capabilities and only use the GPS device in case of emergencies, the Garmin inReach Mini 2 has a built-in compass that will let you orient yourself and move however you’d like. Whether you’re an experienced outdoorsman or are planning to embark on your first trip with friends, you can’t go wrong with the inReach Mini 2 helping to keep you safe.
Bushnell BackTrack Mini GPS Navigator
Modern technology can be extremely expensive, especially for products that are designed to keep you safe in emergencies. However, this isn’t the case when it comes to the Bushnell BackTrack Mini GPS Navigator. Designed to be as reliable and affordable as possible, this small, handheld GPS device is built from the ground up to give you simple navigation even when you’re deep in the wilderness. Unlike smartphones or watches, the Bushnell BackTrack Mini GPS is rugged and waterproof, ensuring it survives alongside you while you’re hiking through the backcountry or exploring the peaks and valleys of a mountain range.
With a 5 star rating, this GPS device is known for being the perfect companion on your next adventure. It features a battery life of up to 35 hours, giving you plenty of time to return to your starting location and get to safety. Bushnell also made sure it has plenty of on-board sensors to display the current temperature, your elevation gain or loss, and the barometric pressure, letting you keep tabs on everything so that you know when a storm is approaching or you’re no longer where you wanted to be. Plus, with the ability to easily plot waypoints and trips, you can keep track of specific landmarks or even share your entire route with others when you connect the Bushnell BackTrack Mini to your smartphone through Bluetooth! And, best of all, the easy to read screen keeps your map handy so that you can follow along easily without having to unfold a paper topographic map that could easily get lost or damaged. As the lowest-priced GPS device on this list, it is an excellent option for both new hikers who aren’t sure what they need yet, as well as experienced outdoorsmen.
Garmin Montana 760i Rugged GPS Handheld Navigator
Closing out our list of the most popular GPS devices is another option from Garmin that also has a 5 star rating. The Garmin Montana 760i is both the most expensive option on this list and also the most feature-packed. It’s no surprise Garmin dominates the market for GPS devices when you look at the Montana 760i, as this device packs everything you need to keep track of where you are into a small package. Featuring a full-color touchscreen and 32 GB of memory capacity, you can store countless maps, routes, and waypoints on the Garmin Montana 760i for all of your favorite spots in nature. It even has a built-in camera to connect your waypoints with local landmarks so that you can keep your memories stored next to each other and reference them whenever you need to.
And while these features are fantastic, they aren’t what makes the Montana 760i really impressive. That has to do with the survival features, such as live TopoActive mapping. With this, you get up-to-date info about the topography of your hike, letting you easily spot where the elevation changes even if your surroundings are unclear. Additionally, as a two-way satellite communicator, you can easily send text messages to loved ones if you’re delayed or need anything. And, when you pay for the inReach subscription, you get access to location tracking from their Iridium global satellite network as well as the Garmin ResponseSM team, which is an international, 24/7 emergency response coordination center. This means that no matter where you are or what time it is, you can instantly get in contact with emergency services that will coordinate your rescue. The Garmin Montana 760i is a GPS device that provides peace of mind on all your adventures.
Explore the Great Outdoors With a Reliable GPS Device!
As the old saying goes, “an ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure,” and a GPS device is the best way to prepare before you head out on your next adventure. And while you’re getting ready for the backcountry, make sure to pick up some reliable camping gear and survival gear to keep you as safe as possible. We also have tons of men's hiking boots and women's hiking boots available to keep your feet safe and secure wherever you explore. Check out everything we have to offer at OpticsPlanet today!
