As useful as fish finders are, it's incredibly hard to find one with good specs. For example, you want a fish finder with both down-imaging and side-imaging capabilities. But the model that does feature it has poor coverage.
In a Hurry? See Our Top Picks!
If you can relate to this problem, you're at the right place! We've spent hours researching the top fish finders and came up with the best fish finder under 300.
Most of the fish finders we featured today will come with more than two thousand base maps of US rivers and lakes. But all of them will show real-time maps as you go! So, yes. We can say with confidence that you'll find the ideal fish finder right here!
Meanwhile, our fish finder guide will help you decide what type of sonar you need in a fish finder and what will work best in specific fishing situations. Keep reading!
6 Best Fish Finders Under $300 | Comparison Table | Complete Buyer’s Guide
Product Name | Preview | Display | Screen Resolution | CHIRP | Verdict | Price |
| 5" | 800 x 480 | YES | Best overall performance | ||
| 5" | 800 x 480 | YES | Best runner up | ||
| N/A | N/A | NO | Best castable option | ||
| 5" | 800 x 480 | NO | Best value for money | ||
| 4.3" | 480 x 270 | YES | Best budget option | ||
  | 3" | 320 x 240 | NO | Best option with pack |
Top 6 Best Fish Finder Under 300 Reviews:
1. Humminbird 410220-1 Helix 5 CHIRP DI GPS G2 | Best overall performance
The Humminbird Helix 5 is one of our go-to fish finders for its CHIRP sonar technology and built-in GPS. It offers two display modes- one with fish arches and one with temperature, turbulence, water depth, and area readings. Cool, right?
We like this portable fish finder for a couple of reasons. First, its dual beam sonar has ample coverage in every fishing situation. Whether you're out in the sea or kayaking in a river, you'll see the underwater base map in shocking detail!
Next, its CHIRP sonar is unlike any other sonar technology we've come across in fish finders. Does it make Helix 5 the best fish finder on the market? Hell, yes! This GPS fish finder puts forward the accurate imaging of every fish arch in the area.
What's more, you can narrow the beam down to get high-resolution feedback on the fish. As fishermen ourselves, we are big fans of the down imaging sonar of the Helix 5. The fact that it creates real-time maps of your fishing spot is the key takeaway for us.
Highlighted Features
- Real-time underwater mapping via Auto Chart Live.
- Dual-beam sonar for finding good fishing spots.
- High-sensitivity GPS with CHIRP benefits.
- Pin-points the fish location with dual-beam PLUS sonar.
Verdict
It's a reliable fish finder with a wide-angle sonar cone. We like its CHIRP depth range for kayak and ice fishing. You can monitor crisp fish arches on its 5-inch display screen. The screen resolution and sonar data are top-notch every time.
If you're on the hunt for the best fish finders under 300 bucks, the Hook Reveal 5 by Lowrance is a great option! Not only does it display fish arches from afar, but it also features a wide-angle CHIRP sonar.
This powerful fish finder comes with an auto-tuning sonar. It self-adjusts the display as you navigate the fishing spots. Fish finders like Reveal 5 are our top favorites for their quality transducers and sonar technologies. It performs brilliantly in not only shallow water but also deep waters.
The GPS plotter is one of the most amazing features of Lowrance fish finders, in general. It includes underwater maps and charts for the most common lakes and waterways in the USA.
Moving forward, this fish finder supports add-on mapping so that you can retrace your spots. It's not the first fish finder to have such advanced sonar technologies, but it sure sends those expensive fish finders on therun for their money.
Highlighted Features
- The GPS plotter can create personalized HD maps.
- Displays high-resolution fish-holding structure.
- Comes with four thousand maps of US lakes.
- Easy-to-use interface with a dedicated keypad.
Verdict
It's a budget-friendly fish finder GPS combo for kayak fishing. We like the GPS plotter on this portable fish finder and the fact that it supports add-on mapping. The Split Shot transducer is now complete with a CHIRP sonar- allowing you to see the down imaging of your fishing location.
With this castable fish finder, you can get fresh underwater imaging from the shore. This fish finder has the ability to scan up to 260 feet underwater and Wi-Fi that connects to your phone!
Thanks to the Deeper Smart Sonar Pro, you get to know about hot fishing locations even before you sail out! It's the best fish finder under 300 bucks for anyone who prefers a castable fish finder over a boat-mounted one.
You can create easy-to-read maps from the shore with its dual beam sonar technology. This great fish finder pulls fifteen scans a second allowing you to see fish arches, structures, and vegetation with great detail!
The fact that you can save, analyze and review all your maps is another reason why Deeper Pro+ is one of the finest budget fish finders. And no, you don't need the Internet or cellular data to work this fish finder. It's like a Wi-Fi hotspot with a rock-solid connection.
Highlighted Features
- Suitable for kayaking, ice, and boat fishing.
- Compatible with Android and iOS phones.
- Supports 330ft. casting range with a dual-beam sonar.
- Saves pins on previous fishing spots.
Verdict
If you like bathymetric maps and want to save them on Cloud, Deeper Pro+ is the best fish finder for you. This cartable fish finder has an incredible casting range of 330 feet and scans 260-feet-deep underwater.
We like the fact that it's compatible with both Android and iOS and saves previous scans on the Fish Deeper App!
This is one of those fish finders that bring out the angler in you. Compared to traditional fish finders, the Helix DI G2 puts forward an amazing sonar technology. For a decent GPS fish finder, its location feedback is extremely accurate in any situation.
This is a budget-friendly fish finder without the NOAA charts. On the plus side, you get a nice and sturdy mounting bracket with the fish finder. For experienced anglers, base maps are advantageous but not necessary.
You can save up to a hundred bucks on this compact fish finder if you can do without the base maps. Personally, we like the Humminbird DI G2 fish finder a lot. For one, it's a Lake Master-compatible unit with the popular Auto Chart Live.
It means the fish finder generates real-time maps as you paddle across the lake. Not to mention, you get all the mounting hardware with the best GPS fish finder. Its pc interface capabilities include a handy keypad and an X-Press Menu. What's there not to like?
Highlighted Features
- A dual-beam sonar for easy ice fishing.
- High-quality sonar signals for game fish.
- Decent screen resolution at deep water levels.
- Comes with mounting hardware, power cable, and transducer.
Verdict
Considered as the best budget fish finder, this finder-GPS combo offers dual-beam sonar with a 5-inch color display. It's the right fish finder for anyone who wants powerful sonar technology and ample depth range. You can see the arch of each individual fish and get photo-realistic images with the Helix DI G2.
If you want to identify small fish arches with premium accuracy, give Lowrance HOOK2 4X a try. With high-end sonar technology and a bullet transducer, HOOK2 4X beats most finders on the market.
This fish finder sports the latest CHIRP sonar technology. Paired with a built-in GPS, the fish finder performs incredibly well in deep water. We also liked its Down Scan and Side Scan features. The display screen does justice to its auto-tuning sonar.
So, if you're searching for the best value fish finder, it's more likely the HOOK2 4X than the Deeper Smart Sonar Pro. For one, it features the bullet skimmer transducer as many high-end fish finders do.
You get both the DI and the side imaging on this cheap fish finder. After all, Lowrance incorporated the best-in-class sonar in its fish finders. You'll be surprised how accurately this fish finder reloads its sonar history. That's right! Ice fishing just got a lot better!
Highlighted Features
- The best GPS fish finder with Down Scan and Side Scan.
- It's CHIRP sonar signals produce detailed underwater images.
- Suitable for a trawler, kayak, or small boat.
- You can mount its transducer to the trolling motor.
Verdict
This fish finder makes the most out of its CHIRP sonar by letting you add new waypoints for ice fishing. It also allows you to follow trails to fishing hotspots all over the USA. You'll love its on-point GPS if not the advanced Chartplotter the fish finder features.
Featuring an LED-backlit color display and a broadband sounder, Hook 3X is another best fish finder by Lowrance. This fish finder can easily identify fish arch from great depths- making your fishing trip a lot easier!
Compared to the previous Lowrance HOOK2, the Hook 3X wins the finest fish finder title with its amazing features. To begin with, it offers a high-quality imaging sonar with a 60-degree conical coverage. And the last time we checked, it's the most practical option for scanning large areas underwater!
Lowrance fish finders have an improved target separation compared to many high-quality fish finders. It's one of the many things we like about this fish finder apart from the cutting-edge screen resolution.
Besides, this boat-mounted fish finder displays spot-on fish icons on its 3-inch color screen. Let's not forget about its high-sensitivity GPS, shall we? Seriously though, if you want to catch more fish this season, HOOK 3X is hands down the best fish finder under 300.
Highlighted Features
- A 3-inch LED-backlit screen.
- Better fish-target separation for ice fishing.
- Comes with a battery, charger, and transducer.
- Shows great structure detail and bottom contours.
Verdict
Apart from the LED screen, we also liked its dual sonar. This fish finder packs a better sonar technology than the Deeper Smart Sonar Pro. You should find its scanning features more than decent while ice-fishing from a small boat.
What Should Know Before Buying A Fish Finder?
What Is Fish Finder & How It Works?
A fish finder is a GPS device for scanning underwater territories for fish, bait, and other objects. With the best fish finder under 300, you can see real-time maps- even from four hundred feet away!
Fish finders can scan what's underneath your boat and also what's all around it! If you want to know how a fish finder works, make sure to keep reading!
Down Imaging
When it comes to ice-fishing, you have to rely on the down imaging of your fish finder. It's how you get real-time maps in the first place.
A better quality sonar will reproduce better-quality imaging. The best fish finders can even show underwater rocks, timber, and vegetation. All thanks to the sonar, of course!
Side Imaging
If you want more underwater footage of the fishing locations, you'll love the side imaging feature on a fish finder. Before, you got a fish's eye view from the DI. And now, you get the side-view as well. It's quite useful when you're trolling from a small boat in shallow waters.
Castable Units
The thing with castable finders is that they don't mount to a small boat. Rather, you toss them underwater with your fishing line and see their findings on your cellphone. Modern castable units connect to your phone via Wi-Fi and send real-time images for you to see!
Dual-Beam Technology
With most fish finders, there will be a trade-off between the scanning area and the imaging. So, if you want hi-res feedback from your sonar, you should have a good fish finder to narrow down the beam. The wider beam is better suited for mapping large areas with decent detail.
Kayak Fish Finder Sonar Technology
Sonar technology has been used for many years by both the military and commercial fishing fleets. Today, this technology is available to recreational kayakers in the form of a kayak fish finder. A kayak fish finder is a small, hand-held device that uses sonar signals to detect objects under the water. Kayakers can use this information to find fish, navigate around obstacles, and avoid getting lost.
There are many different types of kayak fish finders on the market. Some use a transducer that is mounted on the kayak, while others use a sonar signal that is transmitted from a hand-held device. The features available on different models vary, but most include basic functions such as depth readings and water temperature.
Some kayakers find that a kayak fish finder is helpful for locating fish, while others prefer to use traditional methods such as bait and lures. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to purchase a kayak fish finder is up to the individual kayaker. However, it is important to remember that a kayak fish finder should not be used as a substitute for common sense and good judgement. Always use caution when fishing in unfamiliar waters, and remember that the best way to catch fish is to experiment with different techniques.
PORTABLE VS. FIXED-MOUNTED FISH FINDERS
There are two main types of fish finders: portable and fixed-mounted. Portable fish finders are hand-held devices that use sonar signals to detect objects under the water. They are typically smaller in size than fixed-mounted fish finders, and they are easy to transport from one location to another. Some models include basic features such as depth readings and water temperature, while others include more advanced features such as GPS.
Fixed-mounted fish finders are installed on a boat or vessel, and they use sonar signals to detect objects under the water. They typically have a larger display than portable fish finders, and they often include more advanced features such as GPS. Fixed-mounted fish finders are more expensive than portable fish finders, but they provide more information to the user.
The choice of whether to purchase a portable or fixed-mounted fish finder is up to the individual kayaker. However, it is important to remember that a kayak fish finder should not be used as a substitute for common sense and good judgement. Always use caution when fishing in unfamiliar waters, and remember that the best way to catch fish is to experiment with different techniques.
DISPLAY SIZE & QUALITY
When shopping for a kayak fish finder, it is important to consider the size of the display. Some small models have a display that is only a few inches wide, while others have a display that is several inches long. The size of the display will affect the amount of information that can be displayed at one time.
It is also important to consider the quality of the display. Some displays are black and white, while others are color. The quality of the display will affect the clarity of the images shown.
Ultimately, the decision of which kayak fish finder to purchase is up to the individual kayaker. However, it is important to remember that a kayak fish finder should not be used as a substitute for common sense and good judgement. Always use caution when fishing in unfamiliar waters, and remember that the best way to catch fish is to experiment with different techniques.
GPS & MAPS FUNCTIONALITY
Many kayak fish finders include GPS and mapping capabilities. This allows the user to see their location on a map, as well as the location of other objects in the area. This can be helpful for finding fish, navigating around obstacles, and avoiding getting lost.
Final Words
At the end of the day, you want a fish finder with great feedback and coverage and all the different types of imaging available.
The Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 is the best fish finder under 300, in our opinion. It has a GPS plotter and an auto-tuning sonar.
We like this feature on fish finders for two reasons. One- you can focus on fishing, and two- you are more aware of what's happening on the underside of your boat.
The Humminbird Helix 5 GPS G2 hit the ballpark with its Switch Fire sonar. However, if you're angling in deep waters, the Deeper Pro Smart Sonar will be a better fit!