Dash cams have become an increasingly popular accessory for drivers looking to provide video evidence in the event of an accident or incident on the road. With so many models on the market ranging widely in price and features, it can be tricky to determine which one best fits your needs and budget.
In this comprehensive dash cam buyer‘s guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to select the right model, from video quality and features to ease of use and installation. We‘ll also provide detailed reviews of 10 top-rated options across various categories to help you compare the contenders.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Dash Cam
Before jumping into the dash cam reviews, let‘s quickly go over the key factors and features you should consider when comparing different models:
Video Quality: At a minimum, seek out full HD 1080p recording capability. Higher-end models offer super HD 4K video for clearer footage. Be sure to check the video resolution, as well as the field of view rating which determines how wide of an angle is captured.
Additional Lenses: Dual or triple lens set-ups provide a rear camera, inside cabin view or other angles along with the forward road view. These provide more comprehensive video documentation.
Night Vision: Look for night vision or low light capability with models that use Sony or Omni sensors specifically designed to improve visibility in dark conditions.
Screen Size: Bigger screens make it easier to align the position and view the footage directly from the dash cam system. But they can be bulkier. Small, stealthier cams often rely on smartphone connectivity to view or download video.
Detection Sensors: G-sensor technology detects impacts and collisions, automatically saving incident footage others might overwrite. Parking mode sensors can monitor activity if the vehicle is bumped while parked. GPS adds location and speed tracking data to your videos.
WiFi/LTE Connectivity: Models with WiFi allow you to connect to the cam directly from your smartphone to view, download and share videos and adjust settings. LTE connectivity provides access anywhere with cell service, offering remote monitoring.
Storage Capacity: Check both the supported memory card capacity and whether loop recording is offered to continuously overwrite old unused footage when the card fills up. Most models support standard SD cards up to 512GB.
Discreet Design: A stealthy, well-concealed dash cam deters theft and tampering. Sleek, integrated designs blend seamlessly into your vehicle???s interiors lines and mount out of sight.
Extras: Convenient extras like voice control, driver alerts to speed limits or red lights, parking monitoring while the vehicle is off, time lapse features, and buffered recording to capture footage a few seconds before an incident make advanced models more useful.
Now that you know what features to look for, let‘s get into the detailed dash cam reviews and performance comparisons.
Best Dash Cams for 2020 Reviews
Best Overall: Garmin Dash Cam 67W
Key Specs:
- Video Resolution: 1440p
- Field of View: 180 degrees
- GPS: Yes
- Display Size: 2 inches
- WiFi/LTE Connectivity: WiFi
The top-rated Garmin 67W stands out for seamlessly combining top-notch video and incident documentation with smart connectivity and vehicle awareness alerts to enhance driver safety.
Let‘s look at why it earns our Best Overall award:
Crystal Clear Video: Sharp 1440p video provides excellent detail and the extra wide 180 degree field of vision misses nothing within view of your windshield.
Smart Driver Alerts: Get warnings for upcoming sharp curves, intersections, collisions, lane departures and more thanks to integrated alerts that know your position and terrain. These can seriously prevent accidents if you are distracted or drowsy at the wheel.
Feature-Packed: Built-in WiFi for wireless smartphone connectivity, the Garmin Drive app offers full access for remote monitoring and video downloads, voice control operation, and custom drive event marking. The G-sensor and GPS automatically document location and g-force impact during collisions. And, parked recording mode provides 24/7 monitoring – catching vandals or hit and runs.
For these reasons, the Garmin 67W sets the standard for premium dash cams that go far beyond just video recording to provide innovative smart safety features you won‘t find elsewhere. It‘s the set-it-and-forget-it choice demanding drivers can rely on.
Check Price on Amazon
Best Budget: Anker Roav Dual Dash Cam Duo
Key Specs:
- Video Resolution: 1296p Front, 1080p Interior
- Field of View: 155 degrees Front, 162 degrees Interior
- GPS: No
- Display Size: 2 inches
- WiFi Connectivity: Yes
The best dash cams strike a balance between good video quality and smart features with an affordable price point for the average consumer. In this realm, the $150 Anker Roav Dual Dash Cam Duo prevails.
It records crisp 1296p full HD video of the road ahead and internal 1080p footage to capture passengers and conversations as backup. The wide angle lenses miss nothing, and night vision capability ensures visibility after dark.
While you don‘t get GPS capabilities or a rearview camera, key safety features like accident and red light warnings make this budget pick stand out. Easy over-the-air updates via WiFi keeps it current too.
For those that just want solid front and interior recordings without complex installed systems, the Anker ROAV Dual Dash Cam Duo proves you don‘t need to spend a fortune these days.
Check Price on Amazon
Best 360 Degree View: Vantrue N4 Three Way Dash Cam
Key Specs:
- Video Resolution: 4K 2880x2160P@24fps + 1080P Front & Rear
- Field of View: 310?? front + 140?? rear
- GPS: Yes
- Display Size: IPS Touchscreen
- WiFi Connectivity: Yes
Demanding premium protection and evidence documentation on all sides? Then it‘s hard to beat the $400 Vantrue N4 and its three channel comprehensive 360 viewing.
With three cameras, you get a sharp 4K forward view, Full HD backward view, and a latest interior view to capture cabin discussions and action. The 310?? fish-eye front camera really does capture your entire windshield view with no blindspots.
Integrated Sony night vision sensors provide excellent dash cam low light capability and the built-in GPS adds detailed location, route and speed tracking to document trip details, evidence, or provide accident reconstruction analysts critical data.
The downsides of such a complex system are size, installation, and a higher price tag. But if you want a true 360 viewing and evidence capturing system no matter what happens on the road, look no further than the Vantrue N4. It defines cutting-edge.
Check Price on Amazon
Best Front and Rear Coverage: Apeman C880 Dual Dash Cam
Key Specs:
- Video Resolution: 1080P Front, 720P Waterproof Rear
- Field of View: 170?? Front, 160?? Rear
- GPS: No
- Display Size: 3 inches touchscreen
- WiFi Connectivity: Yes
The best dual lens dash cams provide both front and rear coverage in one seamless system. The Apeman C880 nails this capability for under $120 – making it the top value dual lens choice.
It features full HD 1080p crisp front camera footage and a 720p waterproof rear camera you can install just about anywhere for comprehensive incident documentation.
For example, you can conceal the rear cam to capture hit and runs or vandals that strike when parked. Or mount it to record traffic stops when pulled over. The 170?? front lens catches action off to the sides from all lanes over a 3 inch touch display.
And if you witness an accident or crime nearby, the removable cameras make capturing additional incident footage fast and easy. Just switch to manual recording mode to document the scene from multiple angles.
Rounding out the features are motion detection parking mode, night vision and loop recording. For this price, its tough to beat the Apeman C880 for front and rear coverage flexibility!
Check Price on Amazon
Best Interior Cabin View: Apex 130 Degree Dash Cam
Key Specs:
- Video Resolution: 2560x1440P Front, 1920x1080P Interior
- Field of View: 130?? Front Lens
- GPS: No
- Display Size: 2 inches
- WiFi Connectivity: Yes
Dashboard cameras are notorious for failing to capture critical interior cabin details that provide context and backup during insurance investigations or legal proceedings following an accident or traffic incident.
A second interior lens dash cam eliminates this issue to cover all your basis at once. Of available dual setups, the Apex 130 Degree Dash Cam is the top bang for buckvalue.
The front 2560x1440p lens captures crisp footage of the road ahead over a very wide 130 degree range while a separate interior 1920x1080p lens records both cabin audio and passenger actions that may prove invaluable later.
While priced less than $100, key features like night vision mode, motion detection triggers, seamless loop recording, G-sensor incident detection, integrated WiFi for wireless connectivity and video downloads, and discreet compact sizing make this affordable dual cam a great choice.
Simply put – when you need it most following an accident or incident, the interior view backup this cam provides can save you thousands in legal and insurance headaches down the road.
Check Price on Amazon
Best Undetectable: Stealth Witness Hidden Lens Dash Cam
Key Specs:
- Video Resolution: 1080p Full HD
- Field of View: 125 degrees Ultra wide
- GPS: No
- Display: None
- WiFi Connectivity: No
For some, dual view dash cams remain too visible for use in certain city settings prone to break-ins and theft. Thus the need for discreet hidden lens mounts capturing out of sight exterior views through stealth pinholes.
This is the specialty of our dash cam hidden lens top pick – the Stealth Witness.
Screw the tiny 0.3??? inch lens and receiver into place behind your rearview mirror or other clever mounting points with stealth wiring to enable muscular 1080p filming undetectable by perps or passersby scanning for valuables.
Despite diminutive size, a 125 degree viewing angle sees more vs. visible cams, aided by night vision to capture critical details under darkness. Loop recording auto-cycles outdated footage and G-sensor based incident lock protection preserves important clips.
While streamlined, the Stealth Witness Hidden Lens Dash Cam still packs a potent protection and documenting punch where overt cameras simply won‘t work. For rideshare drivers and urban dwellers in particular, this camera presents a powerfully discreet solution worth considering.
Check Price on Amazon
Best Easy Installation: Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2
Key Specs:
- Video Resolution: 1080p
- Field of View: 140 degrees
- GPS: No
- Display: None
- WiFi Connectivity: Yes via smartphone
Small form factor cams appeal to those seeking low profile protection and easier setup. Of these models, the $130 Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 strikes the best balance of petite design with robust features.
It captures images at a sharp 1080p native resolution with a 140 degree viewing angle covering five full traffic lanes – ample for most forward incident views even with no display built into the cam itself.
Instead, connect via Mini 2‘s WiFi to the easy Garmin DriveTM app on your phone to view live footage, configure settings like night vision mode or collision alerts, and download key incident clips.
Setup takes minutes with adhesive magnetic mounting that‘s easily removable. Yet the cam stays put. And port level profile makes it far less visible to thieves.
For a tiny cam, the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 captures surprisingly comprehensive, high quality footage perfect for low profile documentation needs.
Check Price on Amazon
What To Look For When Buying a Dash Cam
Now that we‘ve covered some of the best dash cams out there today based on price, features and form-factors, let‘s recap what capabilities and characteristics you should evaluate when selecting between different models.
Video Quality: Prioritize 1080p or higher HD resolution with a viewing angle over 125 degrees wide. Ensure night vision mode is available for low light conditions.
Multiple Lenses: Consider both front and internal cameras if full contextual coverage is important. Rear lenses also provide alternate vehicle perspectives.
Streamlined Profile: Compact, well concealed designs blend seamlessly into your vehicle and protect against theft. But evaluate size tradeoffs versus features and display viewing.
Intelligent Alerts: Dash cams with smart, real time warnings for lane departures, upcoming collisions, speed limits and other hazards add huge protection value.
Connectivity: WiFi and LTE cloud connectivity enables remote system access from your smartphone to streamline video downloads and real time monitoring.
Ease of Use: Pick intuitive systems matching your comfort level – whether simple set and forget operation or feature-packed camera with companion smartphone interfaces for managing footage and system settings.
Prioritizing the capabilities and features that best match your usage needs and budget helps narrow the choices and identify the right dash cam for you.
FAQs and Troubleshooting Dash Cam Systems
How well do dash cams work in extreme cold and heat?
Look for models with an operating range between -10??F to 160??F like the Garmin and Apeman models. Battery powered cameras typically have more limited climate tolerance. Extreme heat or cold can damage li-ion batteries.
What size memory card is needed?
Most models support standard SD cards up to 512GB. The exact storage needs vary based on video resolution and frames per second. But expect roughly 1 hour of 1080p footage per 8GB – so a 128GB card provides 16+ hours of rolling footage.
Why do dash cam videos look blurry or unfocused?
Lenses may require periodic cleaning or have removable protective covers installed from factory. Check for debris or film on lens causing image distortion. Also ensure cam is mounted properly and stabilized for driving conditions.
My dash cam won‘t stay on when the car is off – why?
For continuous monitoring in parking mode, dash cams need a constant power source which most vehicle outlets do not provide when ignition is off. Hardwiring your camera directly to an unswitched fuse or battery source enables full-time operation.
How do I retrieve videos from my dash cam to view what was recorded?
This varies by model but WiFi connectivity makes downloading video clips to your smartphone easiest. For hardwired models, you may need to remove the SD card and access it directly through an integrated display screen or by plugging it into a computer.
Final Thoughts
Installing a quality dash cam that monitors the road and captures any collisions, traffic infractions and attempts to insurance scam you after an incident should be considered essential equipment these days much like replacing old tires or wipers.
Dash cam technology, video quality and smart safety features have advanced rapidly while prices stay affordable for most budgets. Identify what camera capabilities like comprehensive incident recording, driver alerts and remote monitoring match your needs – then use our dash cam reviews help zero in on the right solution!
Stay safe on the roads with the right dash cam for you!
