More than 200

Best buy
Garmin Nuvi 3790T
Price 278.50 (Amazon.co.uk)
For Super-bright screen; excellent voice control; lightweight; sexy looks
Against The price
Verdict

If you've got big bucks to spend, theres no better sat-nav than this Apple iPhone lookalike from Garmin. At just 9mm thick and weighing in at an anorexic 116 grams, the 3790T is a seriously desirable piece of kit.

What makes it so good? Well, the touchscreen is sensitive and super-bright, and you dont need a degree in IT to find your way around the responsive menus. The maps are simple to follow and the windscreen mount is a doddle to setup and holds the Garmin rock solid. Most impressive of all is the ability to control the unit using only your voice. Say voice command and it will listen to what you have to say. You can program a destination, adjust the volume or make a detour.

Other features include free traffic updates for life and Bluetooth connectivity. You also get an application called ecoRoute, which calculates the most fuel-efficient way to get where youre going.

Runner-up
TomTom Go Live 1000
Price 280 (est out in September)
For Sharp screen; clear voice
Against Bulky next to the Garmin
Verdict

We were hugely impressed by the Go Lives super-sharp glass screen and crystal clear spoken instructions which dont distort even when the volume is turned up high. However, its much bulkier than the nvi 3790T, yet doesnt offer a larger display, and its voice control isnt as good as the Garmins.

Recommended
Navigon 70 Premium
Price 259.99 (Navigon.com)
For Detailed maps; sturdy mount
Against Rivals are more user-friendly
Verdict

We like the clear and detailed maps and the sturdy windscreen mount, but the Navigon isnt special enough to justify its high price. Its menu system is clunky compared with the user-friendly interfaces of the Garmin and TomTom. Its a decent navigator, but no match for the best.

More than 200 also rans
Motorola Motonav TN765T
Price 279.99 (Motorolamotonav.co.uk)
For Lots of features; can be wired into cars stereo system
Against Pricey; dull display
Verdict

Similar to the TN555 in the 125 to 200 budget, but this one comes with a whopping 5.1-inch widescreen and adds traffic updates to the features list. Its a decent navigator, and we like some of the unique features. Problem is, better sat-navs cost about the same amount of money.

Clarion MAP790
Price 238.99 (Clarioncaraudioonline.co.uk)
For A decent navigator
Against Too expensive; not very user-friendly
Verdict

Weve tested Clarion sat-navs in the past, and have always been impressed. Unfortunately, since then other brands have made massive improvements in usability and added lots of handy features. To put it bluntly, Clarion hasnt and that makes the MAP790 appear expensive and outdated.

Snooper S7000 Syrius
Price 369.99 (Snooperdirect.com)
For Seven-inch screen has its pros and cons
Against Massively expensive; big screen can block view of the road
Verdict

The Snoopers big talking point is its whopping seven-inch screen. The upside is that its extremely visible, but the drawback is that it can block your view of the road particularly if your car has a low-down seating position. The Snooper is also by far the most expensive sat-nav we tested, and while the screen might be big, it isnt very bright.