Gone are the days of casually looking at the 150-yard marker and guessing the yardage you have left. You can now zap a pin with a laser rangefinder or look at exact yardages on a handheld or watch GPS.
Our recent NCG DMD survey revealed your most popular device is the GPS watch, followed by the laser rangefinder and finally the handheld GPS.
There are a huge number to choose from on the market, so which are the best in class for each category? We took to the fairways of Leeds Golf Centre to find out.
What is Best in Class and how do we test?
Best in Class is our review series where we put equipment through data-led testing to find the standout performers.
We’ve already looked at putters and wedges and now we’ve tested 14 laser rangefinders, six handheld GPS devices and four GPS golf watches – evaluating them across five categories: ease of use/speed, display quality, value for money, information provided and design/practicality – to produce a best performer in each category.
Rather than relying on a single scratch golfer, we used five testers spanning a range of handicaps and ages to give us a fuller picture of how each device performs for different skill levels.
Testing was carried out at Leeds Golf Centre over 18 holes, as well as from fixed points, to see how they performed.
What are the best DMDs of 2026?
What follows is the result of that testing: the top 10 rangefinders, top four watches and top four handheld GPS devices. The complete list of winners across all categories is expanded upon in the YouTube video below, where Nicola Slater goes through the full testing process and the results in more detail.
During the next couple of months, we’ll also be tackling Best Balls and Electric Trolleys, so be sure to watch this space.
The Top 10 Rangefinders 2026
Best Overall
Garmin Z82
The Garmin Approach Z82 takes the top rangefinder spot in our Best in Class DMD testing, with an overall average score of 8.58 out of 10.
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The Z82 is a laser rangefinder with GPS built in. Looking through the viewfinder, you’re hit with so much information. Firstly, there are 43,000 pre-loaded courses and the full view of each hole is displayed for you to see. The clear coloured display scored 9/10 in our display category.
When you laser the flag, the GPS helps to calculate the front, middle and back numbers. The Z82 also offers slope information and, when connected to the Garmin Golf app, can provide a whole host of information, including the wind. Based on all of those features, it wasn’t a surprise it scored 9.5/10 in the ‘information provided’ category.
Despite being heavily packed with tech, the Garmin Z82 was surprisingly easy to operate. The GPS connected with the course automatically and the three buttons made for easy navigation.
This is a great rangefinder that certainly doesn’t lack tech but, of course, that doesn’t come cheap. If you’re a golfer wanting a simple point-and-shoot laser, the Garmin Z30 or Z10 are a better place to look. But for the quality and information the Z82 gives, it is worth the premium price.
Read the full review here.
2nd
Bushnell Tour V7S
Bushnell is known for premium rangefinders that offer both high-quality build and information. The V7S certainly does that, scoring 8.5 out of 10 and ranking the second-best laser in our testing.
The strongest scoring category for the Bushnell Tour V7S was ease-of-use, with an average score of 9.38/10. The two-button design has one for lasering the flag and a second to change the setting or to recall the previous reading.
On the side is a sleek ‘shift’ switch that lets you turn the slope function on and off and, while the Tour V7S can be linked to the Bushnell app to provide more information, the rangefinder itself doesn’t overcomplicate.
A visual jolt confirms the flag has been locked in to give golfers confidence in their measurement. The dual colour OLED display clearly displays the slope and PlaysLike distances.
The design and practicality of the V7S were highly rated by our panel, scoring 8.88/10. Weighing 190 grams, the weather-resistant build feels robust and the BITE magnetic mount is also a useful addition.
The Tour V7S doesn’t disappoint.
Read the full review here.
3rd
Garmin Approach Z10 GPS
Third place in our Best in Class testing goes to the Approach Z10, Garmin’s entry-level laser. Unlike the Z82, this laser is built around simplicity, targeting the golfer who still desires the quality build of a Garmin but with less information.
The Approach Z10 scored 8.88 out of 10 in our ease-of-use category. Contained in a sturdy Garmin carry case, the Z10 is armed with only two buttons: a power button which is used to laser the flag and a mode button to change the measurement unit and to turn the slope mode on and off.
That simplicity saw it score 8.13 out of 10 in our design/practicality category. In terms of size, it’s much more compact than the Z82 yet still keeps the same sleek design with handy rubberised grips. Garmin has also added a magnetic cart mount on the side.
While this is Garmin’s entry-level laser, it still offers useful features, such as the slope mode, which gives golfers PlaysLike distances. If you’re looking for more information on the course, connecting to the Garmin Golf App can reveal further access to distances from the pin to the front, middle and back of the green.
The Garmin Z10 is a quality rangefinder that is simple and easy to use but can be elevated with the Garmin Golf app to access more features. Retailing at £259.99, and scoring 8.38/10 in our value category, it’s a great option for many golfers.
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4th
Garmin Approach Z30
The Garmin Z30 sits between the Z10 and Z82. Ease of use was a standout feature, scoring a strong 9 out of 10 from our panel. And, like the Z10, the two-button design makes things very simple for golfers.
Compared to the Z10, the Z30 offers an upgraded OLED display, which helped it receive an average score of 8.13/10 from our testers. The Z30 is fractionally bigger and heavier than its contemporaries but has a better waterproof grading. It still matches up for looks with the rest of the Garmin range.
In terms of information, the Z30 doesn’t provide a great deal more than the Z10. The distance range is slightly greater, but the slope/PlaysLike function remains the top feature. Again, when connected to the app, there is a whole host of other information to unlock.
This is a great laser that is accurate in comparison to others we tested. As a standalone rangefinder, it does an excellent job but, as a mid-range Garmin product, it sits in a gap. It can’t compete with the features of the Z82 but doesn’t offer much more than the Z10.
Our full review is available here.
5th
NAVEE Mini
Fifth place in our DMD laser testing goes to the NAVEE Mini. After a successful entry into the golf market with their trollies, the Chinese company has branched out further and the Mini is their first laser.
Weighing just 116 grams and fitting comfortably in the palm of your hand, it rightly earns the ‘mini’ title. This was something our panel loved, and it scored an average of 8.75 out of 10 for design. NAVEE has kept the build simple with only two buttons, power and mode, which saw it score 8.75/10 for ease of use.
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But Mini doesn’t mean it can’t pack a tech punch. There is standard distance measurement, a slope compensation feature and, more interestingly, a Triangular distance measurement feature.
This could prove a really handy feature for golfers, especially when players need to stick to paths. Simply laser from you to the ball (point A) and from you to the flag (point B) and the NAVEE Mini works out the distance from your ball to the flag.
The display is crisp and clear, thanks to an OLED screen which is designed to stay bright no matter the lighting conditions.
This is an impressive first attempt from NAVEE and one that will save a lot of golfers many steps!
Read the full review here.
6th
Blue Tees Captain Air
The Blue Tees Air is all about lightweight portability. Its distinctive grey design looks smart and sets it apart from many traditional laser rangefinders.
It sits as the mid-range laser in the Blue Tees line up and excelled in our ease-of-use category. Its point and shoot function was excellent, with flag lock vibration to confirm you’ve got the pin. There’s also a slope mode with a slider on the side to turn on and off. Beyond the basic, out of the box function, Blue Tees has a whole ecosystem powered via their app. This allows all devices to connect and also unlocks a whole range of features ,including a GPS on the app, front, middle and back distances through the viewfinder lens, and AI club recommendations.
While the laser is a great standalone product, the app elevates the information on offer without upping the price tag. The Air retails at £250, which received high value for money marks of 8.25/10 from our panel.
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7th
Bushnell Pro X3+
Our testers are a mixed bunch of golfers who are all looking for different levels of information and the Bushnell Pro X3+ sits at the top end when it comes to features.
The first thing you notice with this rangefinder is the robustness, it’s heavy and it’s solid – it feels like it will last forever! Unlike many of its rivals, the slope isn’t a simple flick of a switch. It sits at the top of the lens and requires a little more effort to change. But the Pro X3+ design was rated well by the panel, scoring 7.88/10.
It’s straightforward to use out of the box – point and shoot at the flag and you get a visual jolt to confirm the target is locked in.
Beyond that the ProX3+, when paired with the Bushnell app, unlocks a whole host of wonderful information. This includes wind speed and direction, temperature, a GPS of the course and club recommendations from Foresight launch monitor data. This requires more time and effort to set up but is great for the golfer who likes plenty of numbers.
This is a premium rangefinder which, when connected to the app, is a huge source of information but which comes at a higher price point.
8th
Blue Tees Captain Pro
The second Blue Tees entry in our laser testing is the Captain Pro, which is their premium rangefinder. Compared to the Blue Tees Air, the Pro has a sleeker rubberised design with a higher waterproof rating.
The navy colourway clearly distinguishes the two, with the Pro featuring a side button that lights up to indicate which mode it’s in.
Ease of use was the highest rated category for the Captain Pro. Out of the box it’s very simple, you can turn slope mode on and off via the side button and on top is the power button.
Accessing the more advanced features means connecting the laser to the Blue Tees app through Bluetooth. Golfers who do this can access front, middle, back of the green distances, AI club recommendations, and true distances taking wind, temperature and slope into consideration. Our panel rated the information provided a strong 8/10 and gave this rangefinder 8.38/10 for ease of use.
The Captain Pro has an upgraded OLED display with four levels of brightness, which is another upgrade on the Air. Our panel were impressed with the £299 retail price and rated the Pro 8.13/10 for value.
Read the full review here.
9th
Mileseey IONME 2
Ninth place goes to the very compact Mileseey IONME 2. Our panel rated it 7.75 out of 10 overall, with ease of use, design and display quality being some of its best categories.
The display scored an impressive 8.38. Through the viewfinder is an OLED display with green and red features. It is crisp and has automatic brightness adjustment to help with visibility in different light conditions. In terms of range, the IONME 2 only measures up to 500 yards, which is much less than others we’ve tested, but it does well when locking in flags and giving vibration confirmation.
The IONME 2 is easy to use with just two buttons. Beyond the standard distance and slope, there is Ball-to-Pin™ technology. This allows you to measure the distance between two points on the course – from you to your ball and from you to the flag – and it will calculate the distance from your ball to the flag.
The pocket sized design of the IONME 2 is very handy and, while we didn’t go throwing it around, Milessey says it is drop-resistant from 1.5 meters.
This is a great pocket-sized laser rangefinder packed with impressive technology but, with a retail price just shy of £400, it certainly comes at a premium.
You can check out the full review here.
10th
Mileseey GenePro G1
From one Milessey laser to another, the Genesonic G1 is certainly a different offering. The G1 combines a traditional rangefinder with a GPS located on the side panel. This combination of technology allows golfers to get an exact measurement as well as a full visual of the hole with the touchscreen GPS.
In terms of the laser, you get the exact measurement, slope and the same Ball-to-Pin™ technology as the IONME 2. This is complemented by the GPS, which grants you subscription free access to 43,000 courses. The GPS has a 2.13 inch full colour display which gives a full-hole view with front, middle and back of the green measurements.
Course strategy can be planned by getting measurements to hazards and lay-ups. You can connect the Genesonic G1 to the Milessey app for performance tracking and much more.
This is a very impressive rangefinder that offers so much information and was rated 9 out of 10 in that category by our testing panel.
We found the GPS placement on the side of the unit could be accidentally touched when using the laser.
Retailing at £499, it’s an amazing two in one device but is one that’s an investment for the golfer who loves plenty of information on the course.
Read the full review here.
The Top 4 GPS Watches of 2026
Best Overall
Garmin Approach S70
The best performing watch in our Best in Class testing was the Garmin Approach S70. It would be disservice to the S70 to claim it is a solely as a golf watch as it ticks all the boxes a smartwatch would. That means it comes with a more hefty price tag.
Looking at the golf only features, the S70 excelled in the ease of use category, scoring 8.88 out of 10. Its 1.4 inch touchscreen AMOLED display was not only bright and clear but it was easy to press on hazards to get more precise distances, as well as being able to move the pin on the green. It was no shock to see it score 9.13/10 for display quality.
The GPS feature allows golfers access to 43,000 pre loaded courses and shows a full hole display. There is front, middle and back distances and PlaysLike distances with the slope mode enabled.
The PinPointer feature is handy when playing blind shots to point you in the right direction and auto hole progression is effective. Information provided was ranked 9.25/10 by our panel and that list barely skims the surface of what the S70 is capable.
If you’re looking for ‘smartwatch’ with a strong golf function and battery life, the S70 is a great investment.
Read the full review here.
2nd
Garmin Approach S44
Second place in our watches category goes to the Garmin Approach S44. In comparison to the S70, the S44 is slightly smaller and hosts a 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen display. Again, this is more than a golf watch and can be worn as your day-to-day smartwatch.
On the course, the S44 offers a full hole display you can move around to get distances to specific points. Front, middle and back numbers are provided, and slope mode gives you the PlaysLike distances. The S44 also gives golfers a round timer, swing-tempo tools, and many other features unlocked within the Garmin Golf app.
The S44 is slimmer and sleeker than the S70, making it very comfortable to wear when out on the course. Our panel gave the design of this watch an average score of 8.13/10.
The S44 is a strong performing all-rounder of a smartwatch and is ideal if you’re a golfer looking for something to wear beyond the course. It scored 8.13/10 in our vale for money category.
Check out the full review here.
3rd
Shot Scope G6 GPS
The very golf specific Shot Scope G6 GPS has a 1.65-inch display which is operated with four different buttons around the watch’s perimeter.
Armed with 36,000 preloaded courses, this allows access to a full hole view, front, middle and back of the green distances, hazard information and lay up points – all of which is subscription free. The Shot Scope app can also be linked to keep track of your rounds and to also add as a larger GPS.
The G6 isn’t touchscreen, which took a little working out when first testing because each button has a different function. Once set up into your desired mode, such as switching auto hole progression on, the G6 was very manageable.
The Shot Scope G6 is a great lightweight golf watch, which is available in many different strap colours and display screens options.
Read the full review here.
4th
Blue Tees Playmaker+ Touchscreen GPS
The Blue Tees Playmaker+ doesn’t look like every other golf watch in the market. Its 1.74-inch AMOLED touchscreen is an oval shape which sits well on the wrist. It is designed for minimal interference. The screen is made using Gorilla glass to give added protection against wear and tear. The display is bright and clear, and works well in different light conditions.
Being part of the Blue Tees family means the Playmarker is Bluetooth connectable to the app. This means you have access to the app GPS, AI club recommendations and more.
As a standalone device, it comes with 42,000 preloaded golf courses and gives hazard and green information. The Playmaker offers more than golf specific information, allowing you to control music, track steps and display the weather forecast.
Our tester rated its ease of use at 7 out of 10. While it is touchscreen, and there was only one button, it did require a bit of trial and error when first using.
Overall, this is a great lightweight golf watch that offers a little more than merely golf but doesn’t overwhelm you with tech.
The Top 4 Handheld GPS devices of 2026
Best Overall
Mileseey Genesonic Go Golf
Our best ranked handheld GPS is the Mileseey Genesonic Go. Previously this was only available with the Genesonic Pro speaker, which can be attached magnetically to a golf cart when on the course.
Now sold as a stand alone product, the Genesonic Go is a lightweight pocket-sized GPS.
A full picture of the hole shows distances to hazards, front, middle and back of the green, as well as keeping track of your stats and score. It scored 8.38 out of 10 for information provided and an impressive 8.63/10 for ease of use. The touchscreen display makes it easy to operate, with only one button for power.
The Genesonic Go’s 3-inch display provides a clear picture of the hole, which you can move to find the distance of specific areas on the course. The sleek design was something our panel really enjoyed, scoring it 9 out of 10.
if you’re looking for a handheld GPS the Mileseey Genesonic Go is a high quality, compact option. Priced at £229.99 it is great value for money.
You can read the full review here.
2nd
Garmin Approach G82
The second best ranked handheld GPS we tested is the Garmin Approach G82. This isn’t just a GPS, it is also a portable launch monitor. That comes with a price tag, but it is an amazing bit of kit.
It has a huge 5-inch colour touchscreen display, which provides incredibly clear graphics. Much like many of the other Garmin products we tested, the G82 is not short of tech. The screen displays a full hole view, which you can move around to get whatever measurement you desire on the hole. Green view allows you to manually input the pin placement for more accurate distances and the Virtual Caddie feature uses wind and elevation to create a PlaysLike distance.
The G82 is also a portable launch monitor offering golfers ball and club speed, smash factor, tempo, carry and total distance. It also has a handy putting feature.
This is a fabulous multi-functional device which is packed with features. The downside is that it’s big, bulky, and comes with a premium price tag. If you’re just looking for a GPS you might find the price on the steep side but, as an all-rounder, it’s a great investment.
Read the full review here.
3rd
Blue Tees Ringer Handheld GPS
Third place in our handheld GPS testing is the Blue Tees Ringer. It’s a compact GPS that fits very much in the palm of your hand. It’s lightweight and features a 2.5 inch colour touchscreen display. This was the cheapest handheld GPS we tested, retailing at £149.98 (and found cheaper on many websites).
The Ringer offers more basic information, suited to those golfers who desire front, middle and back of the green measurements and hazard distances. It comes with 42,000 preload courses and you can also keep track of your score and even control your music.
As with all of the Blue Tees products, the app elevates the products capability by displaying additional information on your phone and which comes subscription free.
Our panel scored the Ringer 8.13 out of 10 for value for money. It doesn’t offer lots of information, but it does the basics well, something many golfers will appreciate.
4th
Shot Scope H50 GPS
In fourth place is the Shot Scope H50 GPS, which scored consistently across all of our categories. The H50 is a compact GPS which features a 4.3-inch colour touchscreen display that is loaded with information. It’s not as slim as some devices we tested but its design feels robust.
On the display is a full hole view. This gives you an interactive map of the hole that you can move to find the measurement to your desired spot. The front, middle and back of the green distances are also displayed.
A standout feature is the green contour map, with a detailed green view and the ability to customise pin placement. Alongside the 42,000 pre-loaded courses, the scorecard feature and shot tracking, the H50 scored a strong 8.13 with our panel for information provided.
Other features of the H50 include its magnetic back, which is useful if you play with a buggy or trolley or to stick onto a handle. But it’s also not too heavy to take out carrying, scoring 7.63/10 for design/practicality.
The Shot Scope H50 is a great handheld GPS. It offers a good size touchscreen display that is simple to operate and gives all the info golfers need out on the course.
Best Distance Measuring Devices 2026
Distance measuring devices are the third category in NCG’s Best in Class series, following our putter rankings and our wedge rankings. The idea is the same each time: test equipment properly, so you get honest answers instead of big claims. We put laser rangefinders, GPS watches and GPS handhelds through the same checks, so you can see which ones help you out on the course.
Knowing how far you are from the pin is one of the easiest ways to pick the right club, so we scored each device on what matters when you’re out playing: ease of use, how clear the screen is, value for money, the information it gives you, and how well it’s designed and how practical it is to carry and use. A device that packs in lots of features but is fiddly to use mid-round, or one that works well but costs a lot for what you get, will show up in its score.
This series is still growing, and we’re already planning which parts of the bag and kit to test next. But if you’ve ever stood on the fairway unsure of the yardage, or wondered whether your device is really the right one for you, we hope Best in Class helps you choose with more confidence.
As always, nothing beats trying one yourself, so if you can, give a few a go before you buy. We hope you find the rankings useful, and we’d love to hear what you’d like us to test next.
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