By Ann Young 4 days ago Photography Gear
The best dash cameras to protect your car.
A dash camera is an indispensable device for every driver that allows timely recording of incidents within its field of view. Such records often become decisive for determining the degree and character of involvement of one participant or another in a collision or other road adventures.
Dash cameras are the best assistants for drivers. Below, I will list the best dash camera options that far surpass the common cheap devices with capabilities but remain affordable despite that.
Video quality: 1440p | Viewing angle: 140 degrees | GPS tracker: Yes | Memory: Micro SD card (not included) | Voice Control: Yes
⊕ Compact size
⊕ Good sound recording
⊕ Broad-angled lens
⊕ Assisted by Alexa
⊖ Not found
This model has very satisfactory basic features and a few helpful additional ones, unmet mostly in this price segment. Recording in 1440p HD, the single model can be expanded into a tandem through the incorporated port.
This dash camera has been supplemented with the virtual assistant from Amazon. With it, the user becomes able to exercise voice control through the camera and receive a wide range of extra commands.
Here is the first device to ever introduce the possibility to urgently transfer the footage to your insurer through the Bluetooth 4.2 and Quick-Link Wi-Fi modules that automatically sync your camera and phone. The latter can serve to shorten and clarify a portion of the footage in the controller app.
Video quality: 1440p front-facing lens | Viewing angle: Dual 180 degrees | GPS tracker: Yes | Memory: Micro SD card provided | Voice Control: Yes
⊕ Dual lens
⊕ Widest coverage
⊕ Voice control
⊕ Simultaneous viewing
⊖ Not the best night visibility
The tandem recorder is a great help for professionals like hired drivers because it shows both the footage of the exterior and the interior, thus observing the actions of the passenger, not just other vehicles.
The main camera records in exceptionally clear 1440p HDR that captures small details and the secondary lens provides 720p footage of the entire salon even when it is very dimly lit.
The control is executed through an app supported by any mobile system. This allows the user to access the history of recordings without removing the memory card. In addition, the app allows for simultaneous viewing of the clips made by different cameras during the same stretch of time.
Video quality: 4K Ultra-HD | Viewing angle: 162 degrees | GPS tracker: Yes | Memory: Micro SD card included | Voice Control: Yes
⊕ Excellent shooting quality
⊕ Stylish design
⊕ Broad-angled
⊕ Cloud storage
⊖ High price
Being the top dash cam model, it is supplied by a considerable price tag, but that is fully justified by its widest functionality. The system consists of two cameras so regardless of which end has been impacted by an accident, comprehensive evidence will be provided.
The 4K UHD extension produces surprisingly clear images of even distant objects such as car numbers, road signs, etc. The frontal piece of the recorder captures video with a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels with a30-fps rate.
Establish a Wi-Fi connection and you will acquire access to both the storage with the old clips and the on-line surveillance from any point.
Video quality: 1440p | Viewing angle: 180 degrees | GPS tracker: Yes | Memory: Micro SD card (not included) | Voice Control: Yes
⊕ Easy installation
⊕ Wide functionality
⊕ Ultra-wide view
⊖ Complex setting up
⊖ Unreasonable voice control
The Garmin Dash Cam 66w is an assistant with complex and useful functions for the driver. For example, unlike many simpler models, it is able to independently commence recording before a collision thus storing important footage without your interference. Moreover, this system is ready to issue sound alerts to drivers who violate the rules of road safety.
There is introduced a unique Travelapse feature which allows you to easily create an interesting video about your adventures, converting hours-long travel footage into short videos with highlights.
Many users list voice control as a drawback because some commands have to be repeated several times before they are finally processed and carried out.
Video quality: 4K UHD Front + 2K QHD Rear | Viewing angle: 150 degrees | GPS tracker: Yes | Memory: Micro SD | Voice Control: Yes
⊕ Cloud file storage
⊕ Broad-angled lens
⊕ High-quality shooting
⊖ High cost
⊖ Insufficient quality of night shooting
This is the best dash camera model to record any relevant evidence in detail. Throw an additional 2K QHD recorder to cover your back into the delivery set and you get equipment that can pick up any undesirable activity around the vehicle without interruption, 24/7.
The battery capacity and engagement are exceptional. So, while the car remains still and empty, the power consumption will be significantly reduced by the camera. Despite this, in case of possible danger, the sensors trigger it immediately into action.
Video quality: 1440p | Viewing angle: 170 degrees | GPS tracker: Optional tracker | Memory: Micro SD | Voice Control: No
⊕ Convenient file storage
⊕ High shooting quality
⊕ Stylish design
⊖ Need for additional power supply
⊖ Not very high-quality night shooting
A lightweight and simple in operation dashboard camera that delivers excellent results in a variety of changeable modes and in the automotive environment.
The strongest feature, noted down in the real dash camera reviews, is the build of the 6-element frontal glass lens. Reaching the astonishing f/1.8 aperture, the camera creates clear footage in the dark where you can distinguish details.
Protecting the driver in the salon, too, the supplementary f/2 lens with 4 IR lights captures what the passengers are doing while the incorporated microphone supplies that footage with sounds.
Video quality: 2K QHD+ Front | Viewing angle: 140 degrees | GPS tracker: Yes | Memory: Micro SD | Voice Control: Yes
⊕ High-quality recording
⊕ Low cost
⊕ Strong parking features
⊖ No WiFi connection
⊖ No cloud storage
This budget dash cam model is still supplied with various handy features that you wouldn’t expect to find in it for this price. Firstly, the footage quality is 2K QHD+ with or without sufficient light. The device is easy to install with the suction mount that enables transporting between cars and quick to remove with a release mechanism.
The developers put extra care into the parking mode of operation. If suspicious activity is noticed near the car, the camera will automatically start video recording.
The main disadvantage of the camera is the lack of wireless Internet connection. Accordingly, cloud storage is also not provided.
Video quality: 2K QHD Front + Full HD Rear | Viewing angle: 140 degrees | GPS tracker: Yes | Memory: Micro SD | Voice Control: Yes
⊕ Cloud file storage
⊕ Smart parking program
⊕ Stylish design
⊖ Small viewing angle
⊖ High cost
⊖ Not very user-friendly interface
This high-quality model records clear 2K QHD 1440p footage. The delivery set can be extended with an additional recorder to be installed on the back, turning the overall arrangement into the best car camera protection system. Among the 2-channel rivals, this model is keeping the leading position due to its capable 5.14MP sensor that maintains high image quality even when there is insufficient light.
An extra layer of security is enacted by a standalone mode that is capable of recording collisions inflicted by other moving vehicles while you’re out of the salon and even an act of vandalism by a passer-by.
Video quality: 1440p | Viewing angle: 180 degrees | GPS tracker: Yes | Memory: Micro SD | Voice Control: No
⊕ High definition frames
⊕ Concise stylish design
⊕ Low price
⊖ No screen
⊖ Not very high-quality night mode
⊖Bundle lacks a memory card
This affordable device has one very noticeable minus: this camera completely lacks a digital screen. All control and all interaction with the device must come from a connected smartphone only.
Make sure that you have a large capacity microSD since the kit includes no storage unit. Adding 16GB would cover around 106 minutes of traveling and once the storage is full, the camera will start erasing the older data for preserving the current recordings. By default, all recording happens at continuous 3-minute segments.
Video quality: 1440p (Full HD) | Viewing angle: 144 degrees | GPS tracker: Yes | Memory: Micro SD and internal memory | Voice Control: Yes
⊕ Convenient file storage
⊕ High-quality shooting
⊕ Auto recording
⊖ Not very high quality of night shooting
⊖ Annoying notifications
⊖ Inconvenient menu navigation
This broad-angled camera (144°) records 2560x1440 high-definition video (2K Wide Quad HD). In addition, the best car dash cam has been supplemented with an HDR feature which allows you to obtain sharper and brighter video even in low light.
As for the shortcomings, the menu navigation is not very convenient, proving to be too difficult to understand in many cases without first studying the manual. Additional driver assistance issues warnings whenever you are rolling off your lane or risking to bump into an object directly in front, although some users claim those to be more annoying than helpful.
Video quality: Full HD Front + Rear | Viewing angle: 150 degrees | GPS tracker: Yes | Memory: Micro SD and internal memory | Voice Control: Yes
⊕ Wide coverage
⊕ Top-quality of shooting
⊕ Elaborate parking program
⊖ No connection to a cloud
⊖ Afraid of severe frosts
⊖ Unstable internet connection
The laconic and stylish design is feature-packed to the brim and has not only a Wi-Fi connectivity module and a stunning X-Vision sensor for simplified parking but other great things, such as a digital assistant, that much improve the driver’s experience while ensuring protection.
The biggest drawback here is the possible malfunction of the web-connectivity module. Zit sometimes requires the button to remain pressed for several seconds until the device pushes the appropriate notification.
Image | Name | Features | |
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Nextbase 522GW
OUR CHOICE |
Check PRICE → | ||
Halfords HDC400
BUDGET |
Check PRICE → | ||
Garmin Dash Cam Tandem
3 POWER OPTIONS |
Check PRICE → |
The extensive selection of recorders provides drivers with ample choice but still complicates the search for the perfect option. What criteria is the most essential for distinguishing the best dash camera models out of this endless supply of similar alternatives?
The quality of the video. Some list entries above can shoot 2K video. More modern models guarantee shooting in up to 4K quality. In any case, the buyer should decide how important the clarity of images, their detail, and quality are important to him. This is what should become the key factor of choice.
Availability of cloud storage. Almost all cameras from this top list provide the user with the ability to store footage in the cloud. This provides huge benefits: for example, the resulting files can be accessed anytime, anywhere.
Viewing angle. In the case of a dashcam, the wider the viewing angle, the better. For good models, it should be at least 140 degrees. Such a camera should capture not just the road, but also sidewalks and other areas near the car. The ideal option is the tandem cameras, in which there are two devices performing the simultaneous surveillance of the space in front and behind the machine.
Additional options. Most modern devices have a voice control function. Most of the latest dashcams can start recording themselves in suspicious situations. The buyer should decide how important such options are to him and pay attention to the additional functionality of the device.
Ann Young
Hi there, I'm Ann Young - a professional blogger, read more