Speed camera alerts, bus lane warnings, ULEZ zone awareness and live London traffic — find the right device for the capital.
📍 Why London needs a different sat-nav approach
London's road network is unlike anywhere else in the UK. Bus lane cameras, moving traffic violations, Congestion Charge Zone boundaries, ULEZ boundaries, red routes, low-emission zones and the sheer density of junctions mean you need a sat-nav that's genuinely up to date with current restrictions — not just basic map data.
Live traffic: Essential in London. A sat-nav without live traffic data is significantly less useful in the capital. Look for TMC or connected (app-linked) live traffic.
Speed camera database: London is dense with fixed and mobile speed cameras, average speed checks and red light cameras. A regularly updated camera database prevents nasty surprises.
Congestion Charge Zone awareness: Some sat-navs flag when a route takes you into or through the CCZ, helping you make an informed decision about your route.
Bus lane warnings: Bus lane PCNs are extremely common in London — some premium devices now include bus lane camera alerts.
Map update frequency: London's road network changes frequently — new one-ways, low-emission zones, lane changes. Choose a device with free lifetime map updates.
Screen size: London's complex junctions benefit from a larger screen (5–7") so you can see the full layout of upcoming manoeuvres.
Feature Comparison
Device
Live Traffic
Speed Cams
CCZ Alert
Map Updates
Screen
Garmin DriveSmart 86
✓ Connected
✓
Partial
Free lifetime
8"
TomTom GO Expert 6"
✓ TomTom Traffic
✓
✓
Free lifetime
6"
Garmin Drive 53
Limited
✓
✗
Free lifetime
5"
TomTom GO 620
✓
✓
Partial
Free lifetime
6"
Google Maps (Phone)
✓ Excellent
Partial
✗
Automatic
Varies
Waze (Phone App)
✓ Excellent
✓ Community
✗
Automatic
Varies
Our Top Picks for London
TomTom GO Expert 6"
~£180
⭐ Best Overall for London
The TomTom GO Expert is specifically designed for professional and high-mileage drivers, which makes it excellent for complex urban environments like London. Its TomTom Traffic live data is genuinely excellent — TomTom has one of the best live traffic datasets in the world from their fleet data. The GO Expert also flags when routes pass through the London Congestion Charge Zone boundary, giving you the chance to reroute or prepare to pay. The 6" screen gives a clear view of complex junctions, and the "My Drive" connected companion app syncs favourites and live traffic to your phone.
TomTom Traffic LiveCCZ Zone AlertSpeed Cameras6" ScreenFree Lifetime MapsWi-Fi Updates
Garmin's DriveSmart 86 offers an enormous 8" screen — genuinely useful on London's complex multi-lane roads where junction detail matters. The Garmin Connected app links your phone's data connection for live traffic, hands-free calling and smart notifications. The voice assistant integration is best-in-class, and the lane guidance and junction views are among the clearest available. A top choice for regular London motorway and A-road commuters who want the best possible view of what's ahead.
If you want a reliable dedicated sat-nav without paying a premium, the Garmin Drive 53 is a dependable choice. The 5" screen is compact but clear, it includes a speed camera database (subscription-free updates available), and Garmin's map data quality is excellent for London's streets. It lacks live traffic data on its own, but if you're mainly concerned about accurate routing and camera alerts rather than real-time traffic, it does the job well.
Phone vs Dedicated Device: Which Is Better for London?
This is genuinely a matter of preference and use case. Here's an honest comparison:
Phone apps (Google Maps, Waze): Best live traffic data in London. Free. Always up to date. Uses mobile data. Can overheat on a hot London summer day with screen-on navigation. Legal mounting required — you cannot hold a phone while driving.
Dedicated devices: Don't drain your phone battery. More reliable in extreme heat (important in parked cars). Clearer mounting positions. Generally better screen for dedicated navigation use. Better for Bluetooth hands-free calling. Worth the investment for daily drivers.
For the majority of London drivers who use navigation occasionally, Google Maps or Waze on a properly mounted phone is perfectly adequate and free. For daily commuters or professional drivers, a dedicated device is a worthwhile investment.
Best Free Navigation Apps for London
Waze: Best community-sourced speed camera alerts, police reporting, incident warnings and real-time hazard data. Excellent live traffic routing. The best choice if you prioritise live incident awareness. Note: requires a data connection.
Google Maps: Best overall map data quality for London. Integrates public transport, cycling and walking options. Excellent at complex multi-modal journey planning. Live traffic is very good.
Apple Maps: Significantly improved in recent years and now a genuinely good option for iPhone users. Good London detail and live traffic data.
TomTom AmiGO (free): Free version of TomTom's app with speed camera alerts. A good option if you want TomTom's camera database without paying for a device.
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