Best Dash Cam

Far cheaper than many of its competitors the YI YI Smart Dash Cam provides wi-fi uploading, unique driving features, and covers all the essentials a solo dash cam should have. You can even upgrade to a version with a supercapacitor for around the same price as other solo models which is incredible. From all the dash cams we have looked at, this one came out on top.

It is the most expensive cam on our list, but if you don’t mind putting a bit more money in then you can’t find one better than the VANTRUE N2 Pro Uber Dual Dash Cam. Its 2560x1440p max video quality capability, adjustable fps, and overall “survivability” make it stand out among its competitors.

If you are looking for something special, the POAEAON Full Touch Screen Mirror Dual Dash Cam is the most technologically advanced and flashy cam on our list. If you want a cam that you can show off to anyone stepping into your car then this is the one for you. It offers a huge touch screen, high-res front and rear cameras as well as a rear view mirror attachment. We don’t expect this tech to be outdated in the near future.

How We Picked

Remember that video of a meteor falling out of the sky in Russia? Dash cam. Any highway arrest video you’ve ever seen? Dash cam.

Dash cam footage is all over the internet, whether for big events, laughs, or interesting video. Their main purpose though is ensuring you have liability insurance in the event of a crash or accident while driving. There’s no better way of protecting yourself against accidents caused by other drivers or scammers looking to steal your money.

Where would you start looking for one though? And how would you know which dash cam is a better fit for your needs? This list is going to help you find out just that with our carefully researched top eight dash cam picks. There is also a handy buying guide below if you have no idea what features, or aspects are important in buying a dash cam. Below that is a question and answer section that should take care of any other concerns that may come up.

REXING V1 Wi-Fi Car Dash Cam

Specs:

Video Quality: 1080p

FPS: 30

Cam Size: 3.5” x 2.5” x 2”

Warranty: 12 months

The first dash cam on our list comes from REXING. This company specializes in all manner of camera equipment from solo dash cams, dual dash cams, and even trail cams.

If you’re looking for a discreet dash cam that can capture a large field of vision, then look no further than the REXING V1 Wi-Fi Car Dash Cam. It comes equipped with a wide 170° angle lens and its small dimensions make it an unnoticeable observer on the road. You can set the recording to 1- or 3-minute intervals and it works with micro SD cards up to 256GB. The video loops as well, so if you use up all the storage space it will automatically overwrite the oldest video and continue recording.

The camera comes with an enhanced supercapacitor that allows it to function and withstand anywhere from -20 to 176°F. Unfortunately, the adhesive may not be able to withstand the higher temps along with the camera. For extra protection, the cam also preserves the current recording in the event of any collision, ensuring that you’ll have the footage that you need afterward. You can upload it all directly to your mobile device through a downloadable app as well, allowing for easy access. It also includes an optional GPS.

It’s a light-weight product, meaning that it will hang easily on your windshield. There is a bit of a delay when the camera auto-adjusts from bright light to dim, making it hard to capture video just going into or coming out of a tunnel, and it seems to struggle to capture licenses plates in the dark on occasion. You’ll have to purchase an appropriate SD card separately as well, which can be a hassle, but permits some freedom in choosing how much storage you’ll want. The camera comes with a parking mode and records 20 seconds of footage after any collision even when the car is off.

What We Like

This dash cam will preserve your footage no matter what with its collision protection and high operable temperature range, which can be indispensable in the event of an accident. Its discrete in terms of looks and easy-to-use and the upload system app makes reviewing footage simply.

Overall

If you’re looking for a dash cam that can weather anything that comes your way and captures a wide field of vision, then you should consider the REXING V1 Wi-Fi Car Dash Cam. While it doesn’t include an SD card with your purchase (most don’t) it is still one of the best cams for security on the road.

VANTRUE N2 Pro Uber Dual Dash Cam

Specs:

Video Quality: 1080p/1440p

FPS: 30/60

Cam Size: 3.8” x 1.5” x 1.5”

Warranty: 18 months

The next dash cam is a pricier one from VANTRUE. It is a dual dash cam and takes a video of the exterior and interior of your car.

If you want to record both interior and exterior footage the quality is 1920x1080p at 30fps for both, but if you only record exterior then the quality jumps to 2560x1440p at 30fps. If you want to make it easier to record license plates you can even switch the front camera to 1920x1080p at 60fps if only recording exterior footage. The flexibility in video quality coupled with the 170° angle front lens and 140° interior lens makes it easy to capture everything with this camera.

The interior camera also comes equipped with infrared night visions lights that capture the cabin even at night while the exterior camera balances changes in light automatically. While parked the front camera will record whenever it detects motion, even while the car is off. Footage loops, so you never have to worry about running out of GBs. The LCD light turns off while driving too so that you won’t be bothered by flashing recording light.

It is a durable camera and can survive in -4 to 158°F. The mount is problematic though, either not being able to stay on in high temps or flopping around wildly while you are driving, making it hard to capture a steady video. You will need to purchase a mini SD card for this model as well. The customer service from VANTRUE is fantastic though and they will address any issues you have quickly and efficiently.

What We Like

Wide-angle lenses, high-quality video with variable settings, and the ability to change fps are great features that make this one of the top-quality dash cams on the market. While there are some problems with the mount and charging options (must be running on battery power 24/7 to use the parking mode) while in use this cam is incredible.

Overall

The VANTRUE N2 Pro Uber Dual Dash Cam is a pricey cam but affords great video quality and adaptable features. Whatever issues you find with it, contacting customer service should solve whatever problems you have. Not afraid of spending money? This camera will be perfect for you.

CHORTAU Dual Dash Cam

Specs:

Video Quality: 1080p

FPS: 30

Cam Size: 3” x 1.6” x 0.6”

Warranty: 36 Months

That’s right, 3-year warranty. CHORTAU put their faith in their products which can clearly be seen in the warranty length.

This is a dual dash cam too, with a 170° frontal cam and a 130° rear one that both record in 1080p at 30fps. The rear cam is separate and waterproof for placement at the rear of the car, essentially turning any car into one with a rearview camera for easy reverse parking and removing blind spots. Footage loops, but the max storage card (not included) that this camera supports is only 32GBs, so you shouldn’t expect to keep old video for too long.

The CHORTAU comes with G-sensor collision recording and motion sensing for parked mode, so it will automatically start recording if anything moves or hits your car even while the car is off. It is easy to install with instructions for connecting the rear camera in the user manual. The cameras have some trouble recording at night though, and while they are advertised to work in -86 to 158°F there have been some issues with the camera and mounts working in high heat.

What We Like

The rear camera addition makes for a nice back up camera at an affordable price. While it is not of the highest quality, the camera records well in most conditions and loop recording doesn’t hurt either.

Overall

While this product is not of the highest quality, the low cost and long warranty make it an easy buy if you are concerned with expense in buying a dash cam. Looking for the value option with maximum return on investment? You should look into the CHORTAU Dual Dash Cam.

YI Smart Dash Cam

Specs:

Video Quality: 1080p

FPS: 30/60

Cam Size: 6.7” x 4.4” x 2.4”

Warranty: 12 Months

Halfway through our list comes the YI Smart Dash Cam. YI specializes in all manner of cameras from dash cams to home security cams.

This Smart Dash Cam is slightly different from other cams in that it comes with ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) which consists of visual recognition algorithms to provide real-time lane departure and forward car proximity warnings. This dash cam acts as a watchful navigator while recording footage for collision security, but the lane departure feature can get annoying as it notifies you every time you switch lanes. You can shut the ADAS off whenever you want too though, so you won’t have to commit to an annoying aide. It covers a wide area with a 165° lens and the 60fps captures license plates and accident information in high definition.

The screen and cam take up more space than most cams, and it can fall from the mount if jostled due to its weight. With a high sensitivity lens, it captures detail in the dark or day and the G-sensor with adjustable sensitivity ensures that you’ll retain footage in the event of any sort of collision. Footage also loops for no-hassle video overwriting.

You’ll be able to get about two hours of battery life on the YI Smart Dash Cam before needing to plug it in and charge. It also comes with wi-fi and an app so you can directly upload the footage from the cam to your phone. The warranty isn’t as long as some other models either, but it’s long enough that any problems that will come up should in the period.

What We Like

The cam’s low cost and added features make it a decent product for the price and the video quality is considerable. Smart features and a large display make it easy to drive safely with and a breeze to install.

Overall

While it is not the highest quality, this cam works well considering its low cost. The extra ADAS features and wi-fi connectivity are helpful additions that make this a great value product to choose. If you’re looking for an affordable cam with lots of high-tech features, then this is the one for you.

APEMAN C450 Series A Dash Cam

Specs:

Video Quality: 1080p

FPS: 30

Cam Size: 4.9” x 4” x 3.8”

Warranty: 12 Months

The next dash cam on our list is one from APEMAN, a company that specializes in all manner of camera technology and video projectors.

This is another relatively large solo dash cam with a large 3” display that makes playback easy even while driving. With a 170° angle forward-facing camera that records in high-quality 1080p at 30fps you’ll be able to capture any incident that occurs on the road. Video loops, so you never have to worry about losing current footage and the highly sensitive G-sensors make sure that footage is preserved in the event of any collision.

For the low cost of the APEMAN C450 Series A Dash Cam, the high quality of the video at night is exceptional with its F1.8 aperture, HDR, and WDR. Installation is simple as well and despite the larger display, the cam fits neatly behind your rearview mirror. An SD card is not included, but this APEMAN Dash Cam isn’t pricey enough that you’ll mind.

There are some problems with formatting the recommended 32GB SD cards that leads to it not saving footage, so you might want to find one with 64GBs and set your loop to 3 min with G-sensors on the lowest sensitivity. If you were hoping to avoid any obnoxious cords, then I’ve got more unfortunate news; you have to keep the camera plugged in to record while driving as the battery is only used for emergency file backup. However, the quality of video and ease of use makes these things minimal issues.

What We Like

The nighttime picture quality is incredible considering how much you’re paying for it, even compared to some pricier models. It is particularly helpful with the parking mode at night to capture any hard to see collisions or vandalism.

Overall

The APEMAN C450 Series A Dash Cam is an affordable, high-quality camera that can capture detailed video even in low-light scenarios. It’s wide display and easy installation also make it a simple cam for those who have never owned one before. If you aren’t looking to bleed your wallet dry or are a first-time dash cam buyer, then this one is perfect for you.

AUKEY DRO2 Dashboard Camera

Specs:

Video Quality: 1080p/720p

FPS: 30/60

Cam Size: 2.2” x 2.2” x 1.2”

Warranty: 24 Months

AUKEY is all about providing you with the best devices for your technological life. From chargers to cameras to earbuds, you can find just about any device you’d ever want in their product list.

If you’re looking for a stealthy solo camera to fit neatly behind your rearview mirror and not stand out, then the AUKEY DRO2 Dashboard Camera might be what you’re looking for. With a wide, 6-lane 170° angle lens and the ability to select either 1080p at 30fps or 720p at 60fps, you can capture anything you need to with this discrete cam. The lower resolution option can be used if you’re worried about capturing quick motion while the higher works perfectly for most everyday driving.

Recorded footage loops so you won’t have to worry about the lost video, no matter the SD card size, but the cam does come with a max 128GB SD card compatibility if you want to save as much video as possible. It comes equipped with G-sensors too and automatic footage protection for security. As an addition to survivability, it has a supercapacitor that allows it to function in -22 to 167°F temperatures.

The cam is powered by any standard car 12/24V socket by a mini-USB cord, which can seem a bit outdated compared to the micro-USB common today. Also, while the footage in daylight is great, the footage at night is not as clear or defined as it could be. It also doesn’t come with an SD card, which is never great, but common with other dash cams. Installation is easy with a sticker mount and cable clip.

What We Like

The AUKEY DRO2 Dashboard Camera is small and stealthy while still retaining a wide-angle of high-quality video. Video quality and fps options make it an adaptable model for any customer’s needs.

Overall

Cheap and quality don’t always go hand-in-hand, but they do in the case of this dash cam. While it seems slightly older than other models, its functionality is equivalent even without flashy features, making it a dependable cam for anyone.

POAEAON Full Touch Screen Mirror Dual Dash Cam

Specs:

Video Quality: 1296p/1080p

FPS: 30

Cam Size: 10.1” x 3.8” x 1”

Warranty: 24 Months

For our next entry, you might have to dig deeper into your pockets, but the features that POAEAON provides with this mirror dash cam are fantastic and worth the added expense.

Unlike other dash cams, the POAEAON Full Touch Screen Mirror Dual Dash Cam straps onto your rearview mirror and the display takes up the full space of your mirror. Before you worry though, you can still use the rearview mirror as intended with the camera’s screensaver on. It’s simple to switch between the front and rear view with the touch screen and the high resolutions of both cameras are some of the best in the market with the front facing camera having a 1296p with a 170° angle lens and the rear 1080p with a 160°.

You can use the rearview camera as a backup assistant as well, but the display guidelines that it comes with don’t adjust like they would in a modern car’s reverse assistance camera. It captures clear quality night or day and includes G-sensor and looping technology to keep your footage secure no matter what. The features on this cam are almost limitless, with adjustable rearview angle, flexible front cam, survivability in 4 to 158°F, parking mode, and an upgraded version you can purchase for forty dollars extra with a GPS system.

One of the main snags with this dash cam, other than price, is difficulty installing and understanding the touch screen controls. Also, if you are using the rearview cam to reverse and then begin driving forward the cam doesn’t automatically switch to mirror mode, which can be annoying to deal with every time. However, after getting the hang of the system the video quality and high-tech display are unbeatable. Of course, you must buy and format your SD card separately though.

What We Like

The video quality of the POAEAON Full Touch Screen Dual Dash Cam is impressive to say the least and its attachment to your rear-view mirror makes it a pleasing, welcome presence while driving. Though there may be some problems getting used to the formatting of the touch screen, it is also a major selling point that makes accessing and switching between video easy.

Overall

This is an expensive, unique, and complicated dash cam that you should review thoroughly before purchasing. It won’t be right for just anyone, but for those who like the design and large number of features will undoubtedly find themselves utilizing this cam as often as they can to make driving easier and keep the benefits of a dash cam’s video security.

CROSSTOUR CR700 Dash Cam

Specs:

Video Quality: 1080p

FPS: 30

Cam Size: 1.9” x 1.6” x 3.9”

Warranty: 12 Months

Our last dash cam returns to your average dash cam design with CROSSTOUR, who specialize in cameras for on-road or off-road capturing.

The six glass, 170° lens records clearly and captures a wide stretch of area in front of your vehicle. It comes with two infrared lights to give the cam better quality and picture even in the dark with WDR for accurate color and detail.

G-sensor collision protection ensures that your footage will remain protected and secure after an accident. There is also a motion-detection feature that records within three meters while in parking mode. Your max SD card size with this model is only 32GBs however, and of course, you have to purchase it yourself too, but the loop recording feature ensures that no important footage will be lost.

While all these features are great, the user’s manual included with the camera is astoundingly complex and seems meant for those with PhD’s in rocket science. However, setting the model into your car is easy enough with a flexible car mount. The 2” screen doesn’t show true quality of video, meaning you’ll need to wait till uploading video to your computer for full quality. That doesn’t mean that the display quality is terrible, only below actual footage quality.

What We Like

The cam, outside of the manual, is easy to use and records well under most conditions with its wide-angle lens and night vision capabilities. While the max capacity of the SD card is small, the looping capability means that you won’t be bothered by it in the long run.

Overall

If you are looking for an affordable dash cam to start out with, then this one would be perfect for your needs. While it doesn’t come with some of the flashy features of other cams, it is dependable and will protect important footage in the event of any collision.

Buyer’s Guide To Find The Best Dash Cam

Video Quality

Probably the most important thing to consider in terms of buying a dash cam is the video quality of the footage. This is measured in pixels, with higher pixel counts leading to a clearer and more detailed images. So, a dash cam recording in 720p will have a lesser video quality than one recording in 1080p.

It seems obvious that you’d want the highest video quality always in your dash cam, and it is obvious, the better the quality the better the video. It’s important to consider it with fps though, which can make a lower quality camera better for capturing the footage you’ll want.

FPS

Speaking of fps, the next criteria to consider is exactly that. FPS (frames per second) is what determines the speed and smoothness of your cam’s video. If you have a camera that records in 1080p at 15fps, it might be worse than a camera recording 720p at 60fps.

If you’re worried about missing important details in your footage, then you should seek out the higher fps rates in your dash cams. It’ll still be a balancing act with the video quality in order to capture usable video though, so make sure to take both into account when looking for your dash cam.

Lens Angle

Another important factor to consider in buying a dash cam is the angle of the lens. The wider the degree angle of your dash cam the more area in front of your car you’ll be able to see with it. Most dash cams sit around the 160° to 170° area, allowing for a wide field of vision. Though the difference between 165° and 170° may seem small, it could make all the difference in visibility during an accident.

You should weight the lens angle against all the other factors in this guide when buying. Sometimes less in one area results in better in another, so be sure to examine all of them together when making your purchase.

Solo/Dual

You might have noticed that some dash cams in our list were labeled as “solo” or “dual” cams. This refers to whether a dash cam offers a rear-view camera alongside the regular front-facing one. Sometimes this can mean an interior camera or an exterior one, so it’s important to figure out just which is meant when looking at a dual dash cam.

Though not necessary, sometimes a second camera inside the car or on the back of it can be a nice addition and make driving easier. You should weigh the benefit of having a dual dash cam against the price increase from a solo, or simply whether you’re looking for the simplicity of a solo cam instead.

Dark Detail

So, you’ve found a dash cam with high video quality, high fps, and every other criterion you were looking for when you set out to buy. While all of that may be perfect, it won’t count for much if it loses all those good features as soon as the sunsets. The ability of your dash cam to retain its sharp detail and vision in dim light or the dark of night is incredibly important, especially if you find yourself driving after daylight hours consistently. Even if your dash cam captures a collision that wasn’t your fault at night, it means nothing if you can’t make out any detail from it.

You should always review the nighttime capabilities of the dash cam you’re interested in before adding it to your cart. While it isn’t the most important consideration, it is important enough that it can make or break a dash cam’s suitability for you.

Survivability

Combined in this category are several different facets that determine not only the survivability of the device itself but of the important footage, you’ll want to have after an accident occurs. Whether a dash cam has a supercapacitor that can keep it running even in the most extreme of temperatures, the ability of its G-sensors to detect movement or a collision and protect the current video footage, and whether it has a parking mode that can record collisions even when you aren’t around are all important factors to consider when looking for the perfect dash cam.

While most dash cams have many of these features, it is in varying degrees so you should be extra careful in picking the most survivable of dash cams.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dash Cams

Q: Why should I buy a dash cam in the first place?

A: If you’ve made your way to this list you have probably already decided to buy one, but there are plenty of reasons for owning one that probably hadn’t even crossed your mind.

• Liability protection for accidents
• Protecting your vehicle while it’s parked
• Protection and evidence for malicious road action (road rage, hit, and runs, etc.)
• Liability protection for taxis and other ride-share employees (UBER, LYFT)
• Cargo protection against theft or damages to goods
• Family protection (with teen drivers or elderly drivers)
• Ensuring industry compliance (proof of work done for snowplows, garbage trucks, etc.)
• Capturing funny videos to upload on the internet

Q: Will a dash cam drain my car’s battery?

A: This question has several different answers. In the case of powering your dash cam through the accessory or ignition (essentially when the cam is only powered on while your car is) it will not drain your battery, as shuts off whenever you leave your car. However, this doesn’t allow you to utilize the parking mode of most models. If you have a cam that draws from a constant power circuit in your car then it will steal power from your battery even while the car is off, but you will be able to use parking mode. This could drain your battery unless you have a power management device attached to your dash cam or the dash cam itself has a power management system to prevent draining. If you were to connect your always-on dash cam to an exterior battery pack though, then you will be able to use parking mode and prevent it from draining your battery.

Q: What is the parking mode?

A: If you were wondering what exactly parking mode is at any time reading our list or the answer just above this, then don’t worry. Parking mode is essentially a setting on your dash cam that allows it to record in the event of a collision even while the car is turned off. As shown above, you can either have it connected to your car battery to utilize this feature or you can use an exterior battery, but the dash cam must have a power source for parking mode to be enabled. While it is, your cam will automatically record a section of video whenever the G-sensors are activated or (if applicable) the motion sensors detect something within their range. This will protect your car from damage and vandalism even when you aren’t around.

Q: Why should I buy a dual dash cam instead of a solo one?

A: If you’re wondering why exactly you should shell out extra money for a dual dash cam, there are several specific reasons why you might.

• Protection in event of a rear-ending (the most common type of car collision)
• Viable reverse guidance camera if your car doesn’t have one
• Clears blind spots behind you on the road
• In general, provides extra coverage around your vehicle in case of collision or damage

Q: Should I be worried about the increased chance of theft?

A: While it may seem that having an expensive device placed where people could see in your car would increase the likelihood of thieves trying to break in, that isn’t the case. Most dash cams are discrete and stealthy in their design, making them almost impossible to see after installation. There is a slight risk with bulkier models that someone might take notice of it, but even then, dash cams are attached tightly with adhesive and cables, making it difficult to remove one.

Q: What kind of SD card should I buy? How much storage will I need?

A: It is highly recommended that when buying an SD card for your dash cam you look to established and dependable brands such as THINKWARE, SANDISK High Endurance, or SAMSUNG Pro Endurance. Using an off-brand SD card in your cam can either result in the finicky video, no video at all, or at worst disable the camera entirely. Make sure to format your SD card appropriately and periodically as well to preserve files and ensure easy recording.

In terms of capacity, you should look to grab a card of the highest capacity that your dash cam can utilize. This will maximize video storage and ensure that your cam doesn’t run into any potential functioning issues as well. Make sure to look for the maximum capacity before purchasing your SD card.

Conclusion

All the dash cams you see on this list were decided upon after carefully evaluating the product quality, survivability, ease-of-use, additional features, and overall impressiveness. Order in the list doesn’t represent any dash cam’s advantage over another; each one has its own strengths and weaknesses that you should evaluate in deciding which one is perfect for you.

If you want to understand exactly what criteria we used in deciding on dash cams, then please refer to the buyer’s guide included above. You can also look through it if you are still unsure of what qualities you should prioritize in your search. Afterward, you can come back to our list and definitively decide which model fits your needs. If you have any questions you still need to be answered after looking through our question and answer section, then feel free to let us know about them so we can include them in our future lists.

Product Boxes: Last updated on 2021-03-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API