The global marine electronics industry converged on the Hilton West Palm Beach in Florida for the 2025 NMEA Product of Excellence Awards, held as part of the 2025 NMEA Conference & Expo. The annual awards celebrate innovation, safety, and reliability across every major electronics category used on boats worldwide, shining a light on the products that professionals and recreational boaters depend on most.
What gives these awards particular credibility is who does the voting. NMEA members and certified marine installers cast the ballots, meaning the winners reflect genuine trust from the people working with this equipment day in, day out.
"These awards showcase the very best in marine electronics technology," said Mark Reedenauer, President and Executive Director of the NMEA. "Every year, our members and certified installers select products that they trust and rely on to deliver performance, safety, and innovation."
Garmin was the night's dominant force, collecting wins across the fishfinder, autopilot, multi-function display, AIS, and safety product categories. The Garmin GPSMAP 9227 Premium 27" Chartplotter stood out as a flagship navigation achievement, while the Reactor 40 Hydraulic Corepack with SmartPump v2 continued to set the bar for autopilot performance. Garmin's inReach satellite communicators swept both the satellite communications and safety product categories, a result that speaks to the brand's standing when it comes to emergency and safety gear. Garmin also took home Manufacturer of the Year at Level 3, the tier for large-scale producers, rounding out an exceptional evening.
Furuno gave an equally impressive account of itself. The Japanese electronics manufacturer claimed the radar category with its DRS4DNXT Solid-State Doppler Radar, added a live sonar win, and secured the commercial product award with the high-powered FAR2228NXTBB radar. The results reaffirm Furuno's position at the forefront of both recreational and commercial navigation technology.
Several newer and more specialised categories drew attention to the directions in which boating technology is heading. Digital Yacht's BilgeIQ took out Best New Product, a smart bilge monitoring system that reflects the industry's growing focus on preventative safety rather than reactive measures. The Technology Award went to OhNoH2o's WIF-Pro, recognising continued innovation in water integrity and vessel safety. The Specialty Product award went to a wearable navigation device, illustrating how marine electronics are moving beyond the helm and onto the sailor themselves.
Comfort and onboard entertainment also had their moment. Fusion's Apollo RA770 Marine Stereo earned recognition in the entertainment category once again, while the FLIR M364C thermal camera system underlined its value for visibility and security. Seatronx's PHT-19 pilot house touchscreen display claimed the display category, and GOST's Specter Ai won the monitoring systems award, pointing to strong demand for sophisticated safety and control interfaces across all types of vessels.
The evening also recognised the businesses that support the industry behind the scenes. CWR Wholesale Distribution was named Distributor of the Year, while Actisense claimed Manufacturer of the Year at Levels 1 and 2, acknowledged for the innovation it delivers as a smaller operation. Garmin's Level 3 win completed a clean sweep of the manufacturer honours.
For New Zealand boaties, these results are directly relevant. The majority of this year's winning products are available locally through chandleries and marine electronics distributors, and names like Garmin and Fusion are well established among Kiwi skippers. As the summer season approaches and owners weigh up upgrades, the 2025 NMEA Product of Excellence Awards offer a reliable guide to gear that has been tested, trusted, and endorsed by marine professionals across the world.
