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Having a dash camera in your vehicle can be an incredibly valuable tool. It can act as an electronic eyewitness that provides instant video evidence in the event of a collision or wrongful run-in with law enforcement. Dash cam
Dash cams were once considered professional gear for truckers and others who drive for a living. Cheaper and improved camera technology have allowed them to become mainstream accessories. Fitting one to your personal vehicle is easy, can be very reasonable and could be considered insurance against having your actions misrepresented if a crash or traffic stop ends up in court.
Today, dash cam systems with both a forward- and rear-facing camera are common, affordable and accessible. Many include features like parking incident and collision detection, GPS, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity with smartphone app integration, expandable microSD-based memory and up to 4K video quality for the forward-facing cameras. Increasingly, these features are found at lower price points.
There are dozens of options. We carefully sifted through the huge selection to bring you our top five dash cam picks.
Built‒In WiFi & GPS, Built-in 3-axis impact G‒sensor, 180° Video Rotate feature
Triple channel dash cam, Infrared night vision, Low bitrate recording parking mode
Yes, 360° adjustable with 20ft extension cable
Tiny size - 1"D x 1"W x 2"H
140-degree lens records 1080p video, Live View for remote monitoring, Voice-activated controls
Voice control, 130° wide-angle FOV, Continuous OTA updates
2K QHD+ Front Recording at 1440P 60fps, Loop Recording & Emergency Lock, 140° wide-angle FOV
REDTIGER Front Rear Dash Camera
4K front, 2.5K rear recording, WiFi, HDR/WDR, Loop recording, Font 170°and rear 140°wide-angle dash camera
REDTIGER Front Rear Dash Camera
The Nextbase 622GW continues to withstand the test of time as one of the leading innovators in the dashcam space. It continues offering a plethora of features, making it the Swiss Army Knife of dash cams. Its basics keep setting the benchmark with super-sharp 4K video, a large touchscreen display, and a handy powered magnetic mount.
Plus, it includes image stabilization for smoother video, GPS tracking, wireless connectivity for a smartphone app, Amazon Alexa and What3Words integration. There’s even an Emergency SOS mode that can automatically summon help to the car’s location after a crash. You can also plug in any of the additional three rear camera modules to expand your view.
Cobra Smart Dashcam + Rear Cam (SC 400D)
The Cobra SC 400D features everything you’d expect in a dash cam plus more, including an excellent 4K forward-facing camera with a 1080p rear-facing unit, GPS, Wi-Fi connectivity, parking monitoring and collision detection. It’s all bundled with Cobra’s innovative smartphone app with Amazon Alexa integration and cloud video storage. Cobra’s app also features crowdsourced traffic enforcement, police alerts and GPS satellite navigation, which displays turn prompts on the front camera’s high-definition LCD. If you want to also record inside the vehicle, the SC 400D features expandability for a third camera, sold as a separate accessory.
Best for a Tighter Budget
Best for a Tighter Budget
The Kingslim packs a ton of features in a sleek and low-profile package and is one of the best value-for-dollar dashcams that we’ve ever experienced. Featuring an industry-standard wide 170-degree field of view from a 4K Sony Starvis sensor and a 150-degree rear full HD (1080p) camera that can also be wired to function as a reverse camera, a three-inch IPS-panel high-definition touchscreen, support for up to 256 GB, accident detection and parking monitoring, and smartphone, it is an incredibly hard bargain to beat.
Best Single View Dash Cam
Best Single View Dash Cam
The new Garmin 57 is an excellent dash cam, with sharp 1440P resolution, super-handy voice control, a compact size, an easy-to-use magnetic mount, GPS, Wi-Fi, and the ability to accept a whopping 512 GB SD card. But what makes it also stand out is its ability to let you see the camera’s view in real-time and store video in Garmin’s cloud service, which ensures that valuable footage won’t be lost to theft or a corrupted SD card.
Best for Recording a Vehicle’s Interior
Best for Recording a Vehicle’s Interior
If you want to record what’s going on inside your vehicle as well as in front, the Vantrue N2S is an easy choice. It records in sharp 1440P resolution in both cameras, or the front camera can be used on its own in super-sharp 4K resolution. The N2S also includes GPS tracking, a supercapacitor power supply, and infrared lights for the rear camera that lets it record in complete darkness. If you want to capture the rearview as well, we recommend the three-channel Vantrue N4.
Dash cams work in the same way as backup cams or webcams. They use a tiny, wide-angle, open-aperture lens to capture video. The main difference is that a dash cam stores video on internal memory or an SD card, can be activated by voice or at speed using GPS, and timestamps recorded video for playback.
Pricier dash cams can stream a live feed to a smartphone when the vehicle is parked. Some new cars have built-in video recorders that use cameras embedded into the front grille or the rearview mirror housing on the windshield. Some even use the cameras on the side mirrors and record a 360-degree video. But for most drivers, an aftermarket dash cam is the only way to add video recording capability to a car.
Built‒In WiFi & GPS, Built-in 3-axis impact G‒sensor, 180° Video Rotate feature
Triple channel dash cam, Infrared night vision, Low bitrate recording parking mode
Yes, 360° adjustable with 20ft extension cable
Tiny size - 1"D x 1"W x 2"H
140-degree lens records 1080p video, Live View for remote monitoring, Voice-activated controls
Voice control, 130° wide-angle FOV, Continuous OTA updates
2K QHD+ Front Recording at 1440P 60fps, Loop Recording & Emergency Lock, 140° wide-angle FOV
REDTIGER Front Rear Dash Camera
4K front, 2.5K rear recording, WiFi, HDR/WDR, Loop recording, Font 170°and rear 140°wide-angle dash camera
REDTIGER Front Rear Dash Camera
Dash Cams are designed to record video of the vehicle’s surroundings. But functions and capabilities vary greatly between each individual camera. Some record only when the vehicle is in motion while others provide sentry-like service while parked. Some use internal memory while others have memory cards and links to cloud storage. The number of cameras and views, resolution, lens angle and quality, and night vision capabilities are also very varied.
We evaluate all Dashcams based on these weighted metrics:
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Yes. States do not prohibit the use of a dash cam in a vehicle, but they do limit where it can be placed on the windshield. Here’s a state-by-state guide . If you plan to use a dash cam to record passengers in the interior of a vehicle, you should also be familiar with your state’s recording laws.
Resolution is one of the most important things to consider when buying because it can make a big difference in how well you can see fine details, such as other vehicles’ license plates. That can be critical following an accident. The resolution of most of today’s dash cams range from 1080P to 4K (2160P), although there are still a few 720P models. If your budget allows, we recommend getting a 4K or 1440P model. A 1080P model is the lowest resolution we suggest you consider. We don’t recommend any 720P model.
A dash cam’s field-of-view (FOV) typically ranges from about 120 to 180 degrees. Wider FOVs record more of the area on the sides of the road, but the wide-angle effect makes things look further away, which can make it harder to read finder details, such as license plates. Narrower FOVs make things look closer, but don’t let you see what’s happening further to the sides. We generally prefer more moderate FOVs of about 140 to 170 degrees.
Some insurers do offer dash cam discounts. The theory is if you’re willing to have your driving recorded, you’re probably a lower risk. Availability and amount of discounts vary. Check with your insurance company and consider shopping around.
Mounting the dash cam on the windshield is easy (see “Is it legal to use a dash cam?” for placement options). Hiding the long power cord(s) can be more challenging. For a forward-facing camera, you can typically tuck the cord into the molding along the edge of the windshield and then run it under the dash to the power source, which can be the car’s 12V power outlet (aka cigarette lighter), the fuse box, or, for some dash cams, the vehicle’s OBD II diagnostic port. For step-by-step details, check out this how-to guide.
If you’re installing a rear camera as well, you’ll also need to hide the cord running between the front and rear cameras, usually by routing it under the car’s trim and carpet. Some dash cams include a tool that makes it easier to tuck the cord into molding; for others, you can buy a separate kit. Powering the dash cam through the 12-volt outlet is the easiest solution, but it may prevent you from plugging in other devices unless you use a 12-volt splitter. That said, a few dash cams, like Garmin’s, include an extra USB port in the 12-volt plug, letting you charge your phone while the dash cam is plugged in.
To connect the dash cam to a car’s fuse box, you’ll need a hard-wiring kit, which is commonly available from any major dash-cam company. That’s not a difficult procedure as long as you have a basic familiarity with automotive electrical systems. Otherwise, you can take it to a car audio and accessory shop or Best Buy’s Geek Squad.
All dash cams include a “parking mode”, which lets it monitor the vehicle while it’s parked. But the systems vary a lot and many models need to be hard wired to the car’s fuse box (or plugged into its OBD II diagnostic port) for the system to work. Many dash cams rely on a g sensor to detect a bump or jolt. But even if detected, the camera(s) may not be pointing in the right direction to record what’s happening.
If monitoring your car when parked is a big concern, we suggest investing in one, such as the Garmin Dash Cam 57, that will notify you through your smartphone and, optimally, let you see the camera’s view in real-time.
Yes, it is legal to record police.
If you mainly want to record what’s happening at the driver’s side window, your best bet is a dash cam that records the vehicle’s interior. The model we recommend–the Vantrue N2S Dual –has a rear camera with a 165-degree field of view, which may be wide enough to cover both front windows, especially in a smaller car. If not, you can easily tilt it toward the driver’s side window if you get pulled over. Be sure to have audio recording turned on, too.
If you want to record what’s happening all around your vehicle, including the front, rear, and interior. In that case, we recommend the Vantrue N4, which is very similar to the N2S Dual, but with a rear camera added.
Rik is equal parts geek, gearhead, and driving enthusiast. He’s been reviewing cars, auto electronics, and car accessories for over 25 years, and he’s held staff positions with Motor Trend, Consumer Reports’ autos team, and Wirecutter, the NY Times Company’s product-review website. Rik has also written DIY auto-repair manuals for Haynes. And he likes nothing better than to be exploring new places in a great vehicle.
Dashcam Hardwire I’ve worked in automotive, aviation and marine media for more than a decade and reported on buying, selling and servicing cars for multiple industry publications, including Automotive News, Hagerty Media and WardsAuto. I also write about classic cars and love telling the stories of the people, trends and culture behind them. I’m a lifelong enthusiast who’s owned and worked on scores of vehicles—from 1960s Fiats and MGs to modern day machinery. Follow me on Instagram at @oldmotors and on Twitter at @SportZagato.