Motorists are flocking to the roads in droves these days, to make getting behind the wheel more hazardous than it’s been in a decade, as recently reported in Car & Driver magazine. When traffic is heavy, frustration can build quickly, leading to aggressive driving and road rage—both of which are on the rise.
One essential tool to help keep you safe under such conditions is the trusty dash cam. Initially designed for police use to catch traffic violators, advances in technology now permit widespread operation, to offer the average citizen a visual record in case of a collision or other roadway incident. While using a dash cam won’t lower your insurance premiums—at least not yet—it can count for a lot if there’s a dispute over liability. However, on the flip side, the footage can also offer proof of culpability if you’re the one at fault.
What to Look for When Shopping for a Dash Cam
A basic dash cam has four main parts: the camera itself, a digital memory card, a power connection cable that commonly plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter, and some kind of bracket to mount the camera on the car’s windshield or dashboard—generally either a suction cup with an easy-release button or an adhesive tape mount. Under basic conditions, the dash cam will automatically start recording once the vehicle ignition is turned on, capturing short video clips on a continuous loop until the engine is turned off.
Resolution
The camera is equipped with a sensor to record footage. Image resolution is key in the event of an accident or an incident requiring verification, since the larger the sensor, the clearer the picture, with less noise. Full HD 1080p is recommended as a minimum to ensure that details such as license plates are captured clearly. On the high end, 4K capture will yield clearer, sharper images with more detail and better clarity when zooming in, yet this also means larger files, needing more storage capacity.
File Storage and Loop Recording
Speaking of storage, most dash cams come with a basic memory card out of the box, which records footage in short intervals, generally from one to eight minutes. Once the memory card reaches maximum capacity, the camera will loop the footage and record over your earliest clip first rather than deleting everything at once. A day’s worth of video will likely fill at least a 32GB card, and many units also offer storage plans for backing up your data to the cloud. But since you never know when an incident that needs saving might occur, it’s a good idea to purchase additional cards in the largest capacity your camera can handle, to give you the longest loop possible. Check your dash cam’s product specs for the type, format, size, and speed of memory card your unit requires for compatibility before you accessorize.
Frame Rate
Another important spec in a dash cam is the frame rate, which indicates the number of frames or images taken per second to make up a video. A rate of 20 fps or lower will have noticeable flicker or choppiness, while 30 fps or faster is generally sufficient for smooth video—and shooting at 60 fps will allow you to zoom into a shot better and make out crucial details such as license plates.
Angle of View
Depending on the model and brand selected, your dash cam will offer an angle of view between 120 and 180 degrees, with the lower number capturing the scene directly in front of your vehicle and the higher number extending out to the sidewalks. Keep in mind that a larger field of view will increase the amount of distortion and decrease image resolution, particularly around the edges; therefore, a wider-angle field of view isn't necessarily better.
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS
Dash cams that incorporate Wi-Fi can communicate with a smartphone app, allowing you to use the screen on your phone to set up your camera, control settings, view footage, and then upload files to a cloud service or otherwise share. This is a particularly important feature in compact units that don’t feature a built-in screen. Bluetooth will allow your dash cam to connect to your phone automatically when you enter the car, and dash cams with GPS—either built-in or an external module—will capture date and time and verify your speed and location coordinates in recorded video footage.
Power Source
All dash cams have a built-in power source, either a battery or a capacitor—the more durable and heat resistant of the two options—and your best bet in hot climates. Built-in power aids in saving the footage you just recorded once the car engine turns off, while also allowing presets to be retained, thus avoiding a return to default settings.
Hardwiring and Parking Surveillance Features
Since your cigarette lighter will only power the camera when the ignition is on, if you want to keep tabs on your car 24/7, you should opt for a dash cam with a motion detection or parking surveillance mode, time-lapse video recording, and, most importantly, requiring a hardwiring kit to enable extended duration power. This generally needs professional installation, since hardwiring your dash cam connects it to the fuse box, where it draws continuous power from the car battery, while also monitoring the voltage level to prevent vehicle battery drain.
Gravity/Shock Sensor Feature
In the event of a crash or other detectible force, a dash cam equipped with a G-sensor (sometimes called a gravity or shock sensor) feature will measure the movement of your vehicle through three axes, triggering the unit to save the recorded footage automatically—typically from 10 seconds before an incident to a minute afterward—and store it in a protected section of memory. This information can help you verify and/or report details of a collision, vandalism, or other such event after the fact.
Night Vision Features
Visibility on the road decreases substantially after dark, which makes it essential for your dash cam to function well in such conditions. Many units incorporate night-vision features such as wide dynamic range (WDR) technology (similar to HDR) and infrared LED lights, used in cameras set up to record inside a car’s passenger cabin.
Audio Recording
While all dash cams capture video, some also have an audio recording feature. This can be helpful in recording conversations during traffic stops, or audio happening around the car, but keep in mind that privacy laws or eavesdropping statutes in some states make it illegal to record a conversation in your vehicle without the knowledge of all participants.
Dual Camera Setups
Most drivers likely only need to record the action outside their car; however, some people—like ride-hailing drivers, or parents with driving-age teens—may find the need to record inside the car using a dual camera setup, with one camera sensor pointing out the front windshield, and one covering the passenger compartment. Alternatively, other dual camera systems cover the road ahead, as well as a rear view in a manner similar to a back-up camera. These systems generally cost more, and there’s an added expense to capturing and storing double the footage, but, in many cases, the added surveillance could be worth it.
Now that you know what to look for in a dash cam, here are some recommendations for the best units we offer suited to a wide variety of needs and budgets.
Best Budget-Friendly Dash Cam
Transcend DrivePro 250
SPECS
Image Resolution: Full HD 1080p at 60 fps Viewing Angle: 140 Degrees Memory: 128GB MicroSD Capacity
PERKS
+Affordable Cost
+Built-In 2.4" LCD Screen
+60 fps Frame Rate for Enhanced Detail
+Built-In Wi-Fi & GPS
+Lots of Driver-Assistance Features
+Parking Mode and Time-Lapse Recording (requires hardwiring)
DRAWBACKS
-No Bluetooth
-No Built-In Microphone
-No Super Capacitor
Drivers seeking an economical option with some notable specs and a host of driver-assistance features need look no further than the DrivePro 250 1080p Dash Cam, from Transcend. While many models sacrifice a built-in display for a compact form factor, the DrivePro 250 features a 2.4" color LCD for ease of setup, configuration, and viewing without the need for a smartphone app. The camera’s 140-degree diagonal field of view enables you to capture the road ahead in Full HD 1080p video at a frame rate of 60 fps to ensure smooth footage and slow-motion playback. Driver-assistance features include built-in GPS, lane departure and forward collision warnings, headlight reminders, and driver fatigue alerts to help keep you safe while driving. In the event of a collision or impact, the unit’s G-sensor will begin emergency recording, which is automatically saved to prevent crucial data from being overwritten. And, when paired with Transcend’s optional hardwiring kit, the DrivePro 250 will monitor your vehicle while it’s parked, recording any impacts using an energy-saving time-lapse recording mode.
Best Compact Dash Cam
Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2
SPECS
Image Resolution: Full HD 1080p at 30 fps Viewing Angle: 140 Degrees Memory: 512GB MicroSD Capacity (card not included)
PERKS
+Discreet Form Factor
+Affordable Cost
+Built-In Capacitor
+Built-In Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
+Voice Control
+Vault Storage (24 hours free storage; extended plans cost extra)
DRAWBACKS
-No GPS Tracking
-No Built-In Screen
-No Built-In Speaker
-No Night Mode
Drivers seeking to minimize distractions while keeping an eye on safety will appreciate the discreet form factor of the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2, which keeps tabs on the road ahead from its hiding place behind your rear-view mirror. Featuring a wide 140-degree lens, the Mini 2 records continuously while you drive, capturing Full HD 1080p video at 30 fps, and looping onto a separately available microSD/SDHC/SDXC card up to 512GB. A G-sensor automatically saves captured video from a collision or impact, while a parking guard feature watches over your vehicle 24/7 when the unit is connected via the optional Constant Power Cable. Driver-assistance features include speed camera and stoplight notifications, forward collision and lane departure warnings, and the unit’s built-in microphone enables a host of voice control functions for when you’re on the move. Wi-Fi connectivity makes it easy to upload saved videos to your iOS or Android device via the Garmin Drive app. Additionally, you can back up captured data to the cloud through Garmin’s free 24-hour Vault storage service, with extended subscriptions available for longer storage periods.
Best Dash Cam for Hot Weather Environments
Thinkware U1000
SPECS
Image Resolution: 4K UHD Video at 30 fps (2K Quad HD video in rear) Viewing Angle: Front Camera: 150 Degrees (Rear camera: 156 degrees) Memory: 128GB MicroSD Capacity
PERKS
+Compact Wedge Design
+Built-In Wi-Fi & GPS
+Remote Live View
+Lots of Driver-Assistance Features
+Parking Mode and Optional Radar Module
+Included Hardwiring Kit
+Built-In Super Capacitor
DRAWBACKS
-No Built-In Screen
-Hardwiring Requires Professional Installation
-Higher than Average Price
Motorists with vehicles that regularly endure extreme heat and cold will appreciate Thinkware’s U1000, which combines the reliability of a super capacitor with true 4K image resolution from an 8.42MP Sony STARVIS sensor recording at 30 fps. At the helm of the unit’s compact wedge design is a front camera featuring a 150-degree diagonal field of view. A built-in GPS tracks your vehicle's location, speed, and direction of travel, while advanced driver-assistance features help keep you safe on the road. Parents of teen drivers can benefit from remote Live View functionality, featuring alerts such as Geo Fencing to monitor potential issues when others are driving. And if you want full video coverage, the U1000 is also available in a dual dash cam setup featuring a 2K Quad HD rear camera with a 5.14MP Sony STARVIS sensor that covers a 156-degree viewing angle behind you. Other useful accessories include Thinkware’s optional TWA-RDR radar module, which works with the U1000’s Energy-Saving Parking Mode 2.0 to extend the device’s parking surveillance duration while also reducing power consumption.
Best Dash Cam for Ride-Hailing Drivers
Garmin Dash Cam Tandem
SPECS
Image Resolution: Quad HD 1440p Front-Facing, HD 720p Interior, Both at 30 fps Viewing Angle: Dual 180 Degrees Memory: Up to 512GB MicroSD Capacity
PERKS
+Compact Dual Lens Unit
+Clip-In Mount for Easy Removal
+Built-In Wi-Fi, Bluetooth & GPS
+Voice Control
+Built-In Super Capacitor
+Picture-In-Picture Multi-Camera Video Recording
DRAWBACKS
-No Built-In Speaker
-No Built-In Screen
A trusty dash cam is an essential tool of ride-hailing and taxi drivers since this job regularly involves ferrying unknown passengers to uncharted destinations. Conditions like this call for the blanket coverage of Garmin’s Dash Cam Tandem, which enables you to record in front of and inside your vehicle simultaneously. Each camera covers a 180-degree field of view, thanks to the unit’s compact dual-lens design, with the front-facing lens recording exterior surroundings in Quad HD 1440p and the second lens capturing activity inside the cabin at HD D720p, illuminated by infrared NightGlo technology. The unit’s built-in microphone captures audio of your ride, while built-in GPS tracks your location, and a G-Sensor feature records critical details surrounding an impact. Although the Tandem’s all-seeing design doesn’t allow for a screen, built-in Wi-Fi lets you upload saved videos to your iOS or Android device via the Garmin Drive app, and a picture-in-picture viewing option allows you to watch front-facing and interior footage simultaneously.
Best Dashcam for Bikers and Open-Air Roadsters
Thinkware M1 2-Channel Motorsport
SPECS
Image Resolution: Full HD 1080p at 30 fps Viewing Angle: 140 Degrees Memory: 64GB MicroSD Card Capacity
PERKS
+Weather and Dust Proof
+Identical Front and Rear Road Coverage
+Electronic Image Stabilization
+Built-In Wi-Fi and GPS Antenna
DRAWBACKS
-No Built-In Screen
-Needs to Be Hardwired
Bikers and other open-air vehicle riders face increased risks on the road—all the more reason to make Thinkware’s M1 2-Channel Motorsport a staple on your every road trip. The M1’s dual camera system allows you to capture front and rear views in Full HD 1080p footage at 30 fps, with 140-degree viewing angles and wide dynamic range (WDR) for enhanced image capture in any environment. After hardwiring the M1 to your vehicle’s battery, the unit starts automatically with the ignition and stops when the engine is killed. While it functions like a standard dash cam in many respects, motorcycle units face constant exposure to harsh temperatures and weather conditions. The M1 can stand up to a beating with its IP66 water-resistance rating and a thermal capacitor to handle temperature extremes. When it comes to the footage, the camera’s advanced electronic image stabilization (EIS) feature reduces motion blur and vibrations to ensure smooth recording on any terrain, while Super Night Vision 2.0 technology reduces noise and enhances image quality in low light. In most motorcycle dash cams, GPS functionality requires an external plug-in, yet the M1 boasts a built-in GPS antenna to track your speed while saving space on your bike.
What’s your favorite dash camera, and what do you like most about it? Please let us know your recommendations by leaving a comment below.
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