The best dash cam for you is out there, you just have to know where to find it. To help, we've gathered up the best dashboard cameras available so you don't have to go sniffing around every corner of the internet.
Though slightly less glamorous than the now-ubiquitous action camera, the dash cam performs some crucial functions. Whether making insurance claims go more smoothly or providing essential evidence in the case of an incident on the road, dash cams have proven to be a handy bit of kit for many car owners.
There's hardly been a better time to consider a dash cam, not just for legal and insurance reasons, but also for peace of mind. Many insurance companies across the globe are reporting an increase in 'cash for crash' scams, or when a fraudulent motorist deliberately slams on their brakes to make the car behind run into the back of them.
In some places, there's also a bizarre craze in which pedestrians fake hit and run accidents. Dashcam footage, then, provides essential evidence that an incident was faked, as well as entertaining YouTubers in the process.
Typically quite diminutive, the dash cam isn't like your standard video or action camera. For one, it records smaller bits of footage (usually one to two minutes) at a time. A dash cam continually records over the oldest clip in order to keep the memory card from filling up with pointless footage as soon as you set out on the road.
Older models typically required the user to manually save or tag the appropriate clip in the event of an accident, but new G-Sensor-based incident detection technology has taken over, and now does this automatically.
What to look for
Most dash cams use similar camera technology, and are usually mounted somewhere on the front windscreen, or windshield. You will have to make sure it doesn't block the view ahead, of course.
There are also dash cams that boast additional features that, characteristically, see the price increase.
These extra features can include multiple lenses for front and rear-facing coverage, improved sensor and image quality (HD recording, for example), night vision, built-in Wi-Fi for easy file transfer and numerous parking modes that use a time-lapse feature as a surveillance function to capture details of those irksome car park prangs when the owner is off shopping.
1. Nextbase Duo
Offers both front- and rear-facing cameras
Sensor: 720p | Viewing angle: 140 degrees | GPS tracker: Yes | Memory: MicroSD card (included)
+ Two cameras in one
+ GPS functionality
- No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity
- Low image resolution
Nextbase has long been a leading name on the dashcam market, and this dual camera unit offers both front- and rear-facing coverage in one simple unit, as opposed to running unsightly wires to a separate unit in the rear windscreen.
The Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) image processor makes low light and night time recording possible, while the crystal clear two-inch display makes it simple to interact with menus and change settings before setting off.
At 720p resolution, the footage isn't the sharpest on the market, but the unit cleverly stitches both front and rear imagery together into one handy, side-by-side film for easier reviewing.
Naturally, the Nextbase features a loop recording function, which will automatically delete older files as required. But it will also automatically detect and incident and save important clips to the on-board microSD card.
It also features a built-in GPS module, which allows for the vehicle's exact route, speed and position to be recorded, while a date and time stamp embedded on to the recorded footage provide further additional evidence.
Unfortunately, there isn't any Wi-Fi or Bluetooth compatibility, so retrieving footage will require extraction of the memory card and synching up with a laptop or PC.
2. Thinkware TW-F770
Onboard Wi-Fi for quick video transfer
Video quality: 1080p Full HD | Viewing angle: 140 degrees | GPS tracker: Yes | Memory: MicroSD card (included) and internal memory
+ Crystal-clear footage
+ Great night mode
- No rear camera
- Buttons fiddly
+ Great night mode
- No rear camera
- Buttons fiddly
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The super 2.19MP Sony Exmor CMOS sensor provides excellent quality from this sleek and diminutive package, while the additional extra flourishes are an added bonus .
Designed to be mounted just beneath the rear-view mirror, the TW-F770 features just a few small buttons and no external screen – this is because it can be linked to a smartphone via its on-board Wi-Fi.
Designed to be mounted just beneath the rear-view mirror, the TW-F770 features just a few small buttons and no external screen – this is because it can be linked to a smartphone via its on-board Wi-Fi.
This enables clips to be quickly and easily sent to a smart device, should you need to access them quickly, for example, but it does add an additional step to any settings and menu changes.
A Super Night Vision feature boosts low-light settings for improved image quality at night, while a neat Time Lapse feature acts as a CCTV camera when the vehicle is parked.
Bear in mind, though, that this mode will require hard-wiring the unit into the vehicle's power supply, as is the case with most cameras featured on this list, rather than simply using a standard 12V lighter adaptor .
An on-board GPS tracker, as well as speed and upcoming red traffic signal warnings make this a very accomplished piece of kit.
3. BlackVue DR650S-2CH 32G Dash Cam
The choice of professional drivers
Video quality: 1080p Full HD | Viewing angle: 129 degrees | GPS tracker: Yes | Memory: MicroSD card (included)
+ A professional solution
+ Full HD recording
- Expensive
- Initial set-up can be tricky
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Often cited as one of the best solutions for regular or professional drivers, the dual-camera BlackVue covers many bases and boasts numerous additional features that go some way to justifying the lofty price tag.
To get the most out of its features, including a detailed parking surveillance mode, the cameras require hard-wiring to the car's power supply, but BlackVue makes this easier with an OBD II port converter, which plugs into most vehicle on-board diagnostics ports with ease.
The 2MP CMOS sensor and 129-degree lens capture excellent-quality HD video footage from the front camera, while a smaller unit at the rear records in 720p, with incident detection technology automatically flagging the appropriate video footage.
The BlackVue's clear advantage over some of the rivals listed here is its Over-the-Cloud abilities, which mean drivers can check live footage from the car via a smartphone, laptop or PC, even when it's parked.
The small, sleek unit is also neat and doesn't look out of place on modern vehicles, although the lack of screen and limited buttons mean it does require smartphone tethering to adjust settings .
4. Mio MiVue 698 Dual 1080p
It may be getting old, but it's still one of the best
Video quality: 1080p Full HD | Viewing angle: 150 degrees | GPS tracker: Yes | Memory: MicroSD card
+ Great all-round package
+ Crisp video footage
- No memory card included
- Starting to age
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Although the Mio MiVue 698 has been on the market for a year or so, it still remains one of the best packages around, offering superb image quality, front and rear coverage and a clear touchscreen for simple control.
The screen automatically blacks out when it detects movement, to abide with some country's road laws and avoid unwanted distractions, but clear audio prompts take over to warn of upcoming speed traps once the screen is dimmed.
Built-in GPS takes care of speed and location video overlays, while built-in Wi-Fi makes video and image transfer to smartphones and other devices simple.
Above all else, the extra-wide 150-degree lens does an excellent job of capturing the action, while a high-performing sensor ensures the resulting video footage is some of the best around.
5. Z-Edge Z3
Simple to use with razor-sharp images
Video quality: 2K and 1080p Full HD | Viewing angle: 145 degrees | GPS tracker: No | Memory: MicroSD card (included)
+ Superb image quality
+ Easy auto operation
- Fewer features than rivals
- No GPS tracker
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With its sharp 'Ultra 2K HD’ image quality, broad 145-degree field of view and super-simple user interface, the Z-Edge Z3 has regularly been voted one of the best devices in its class
The CMOS sensor and advanced image processor ensure the resulting footage is razor sharp, making it easier to read licence plates and capture incidents with superb clarity.
A 3-inch touchscreen display makes interacting with the camera extremely easy, although you'll likely just set the camera up and let it do its thing, as most of the functionality has been automated for ease of use.
Like most cameras on the list, the unit will power up and instantly start recording when the ignition is switched on (so long as it's plugged into a power source), and turn off when power is cut.
Memory is managed via a loop recording function, and incident detection ensures vital clips aren't erased.
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