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Short List ↴ 1: Best Overall 2: Best for Security 3: Best for Price 4: Best Alexa 5: Best Review 6: Compact Design 7: Best for Security 8: How to Choose 9: FAQ 10: How to Test Us
Now you know what a DVR is. Mounted on your windshield, they record video of the road ahead and then store a portion of that video if a collision is detected, which can give you vital evidence to clear your name.
You may also be familiar with dual-channel dash cams, where the main unit is connected by a second camera facing the rear screen. What about a three-channel system? These shots use the first two frames (recorded forward and backward) and then add a third frame to the mix, this time an interior.
Aside from the obvious benefit to taxi drivers and rideshare drivers with unruly passengers, they can also be attractive to everyone else. You may be charged with causing a collision while distracted by your phone. Video recording of what is happening inside your car will help prove that you were not distracted at that moment. The interior view also captures encounters with pedestrians and other drivers through the side windows.
Many three-channel dashcams (also known as 3-channel dash cams) integrate their internal camera with a front-facing camera, which then connects to the rear camera in the traditional way via a long cable. Car cameras often use infrared night vision technology to capture detailed footage (albeit in grayscale) at night, and in some cases it can also be used to record car thefts. Some dash cams, such as Nextbase iQ, even allow you to watch the video stream in real time and sound an alarm if an intruder is detected.
The three-channel systems featured in this guide are from well-known dash cam manufacturers like Viofo and Nextbase, and cover a wide range of prices. Pros include high-resolution and frame-rate recording using a set of three wide-angle lenses, while cons include the lack of much-needed features. like GPS and the ability to record in Full HD or higher.
We also offer a Garmin dash cam, which is not sold as part of a two- or three-camera system, but can be connected wirelessly to up to three other cameras. This creates a synchronized four-camera system in which all four cameras record simultaneously. This is the most expensive route, but may be the best option for drivers who want the highest resolution, highest frame rate, and widest possible viewing angle. We could see this appealing to drivers of larger vehicles like trucks and SUVs.
In this article, we’ve rounded up the best three-channel dash cams on sale today, explained what each dash cam does, and given you the details you need to choose between them.
4K video and Sony’s latest Starvis sensor, plus the screen, HDR and compact design make Viofo’s latest flagship our favorite three-channel dash cam.
Despite its price, Nextbase’s newest dash cam is powerful, with 4G, 4K video and an always-on OBD cable for smartphone alerts.
The optimum ratio of price and quality. This dash cam represents great value for money with 1440p video recording, GPS, impressive night vision, USB-C connectivity and a very compact design.read more
Featuring a premium design, built-in 4K video, and Alexa voice control, this dash cam is the ultimate Amazon concierge in your car. learn more
Better viewing Wirelessly connect up to four Garmin dash cams to create synchronized 360-degree footage with HDR. There is also GPS and good voice control.read more
Best compact design. It won’t win a beauty pageant, but this dash cam is very nice and compact. It also features a 4K display and built-in internal cameras.learn more
Optimal Safety With optional vehicle and rear cameras, the 622GW automatically calls emergency services and reports your location when a serious collision is detected.read more
Alistair is a technology and car journalist who has reviewed dozens of dash cams over the years. Whether they cost $20 or $400, he’s tried dash cams from companies like Garmin, Thinkware and Nextbase, as well as lesser-known brands. Each model fits into his car and is used as if it were his own, then tested and assessed to see if it is suitable as a recommendation in one of our buying guides. Alistair has over ten years’ experience and has written for Wired, Forbes, T3 and The Independent. A typical week involves checking light switches, Lamborghinis and everything in between.
Why you can trust the world of digital cameras Our expert reviewers spend countless hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the ones that are right for you. Find out how we test.
Viofo isn’t as well-known as brands like Garmin, but it’s created some of our favorite dash cams over the past few years. The latest addition, the A229 Pro, is available as a three-channel system offering 4K (2160p) video from the main unit, 2K (1440p) video from the rear camera, and Full HD (1080p) video from the built-in camera. camera. What’s impressive is that all three use Sony’s second-generation Starvis image sensors and can produce HDR video.
While the aesthetics are more functional than pretty, we think the A229 Pro is a smartly designed dash cam that manages to squeeze a 4K sensor and 2.4-inch display into a relatively compact body. We also like that you can use voice control instead of pressing dashcam buttons, and that 5GHz Wi-Fi helps speed up video transfer when copying videos to your smartphone.
The package includes a polarizing lens for the front camera, designed to reduce dashboard reflections on the windshield. Parking mode is also available but requires an additional wiring kit (sold separately). It lacks the Nextbase iQ’s smart 4G connectivity and OBD power cord, but at just over £250 we think it’s good value for money.
The Nextbase iQ is a game-changer for dash cams with 4G connectivity, the ability to act as a parking camera, and the manufacturer’s promise to deliver new features through future over-the-air software updates. We like it, but due to its high price, it doesn’t rank first in this guide. If you want the 4K model with a rear camera, you’ll have to pay $900.
That’s a lot of money for a dash cam, and don’t forget that some 4G features also require a monthly subscription. Still, if you can stomach the price, there’s a lot to like here. The iQ’s 4K video is excellent, the hardware looks excellent, and we like how the camera receives constant power via the included OBD cable. This makes us wonder why all dash cams don’t do this.
There’s also a built-in car camera that works very well and makes your smartphone buzz when the iQ detects a stop or when it thinks someone is wandering near your car. You can then view the camera’s live feed over a 4G connection and even sound an alarm to deter potential thieves.
This triple-camera setup from UK-based Viofo doesn’t have a display, instead offering a fairly compact main unit with a front-facing camera that can record at 2K resolution (also known as 1440p).
It connects to a pair of nearly identical 1080p cameras using the included wires to capture rear and interior views. The latter is equipped with an infrared night vision sensor to capture higher quality video in dimly lit cockpits. GPS is included, and we like how the antenna is integrated into the head unit’s windshield mount. We also find it interesting how the interior and rear camera lenses can be rotated 360 degrees for the perfect view.
Another plus for us is the use of Sony’s Starvis image sensor, which provides high-quality recording at night. The Viofo’s front-facing camera lens has an angle of just 140 degrees (some competitors go as high as 180 degrees) and it doesn’t have a display, which will irritate some drivers.
We were impressed by the quality of the video captured by the Cobra dash cam. The 4K video from the front camera is some of the best we’ve ever seen from a dash cam, and the optional second and third channels record in perfect 1080p resolution. Not only is the resolution high, but exposure levels are good, white balance is well controlled and there is plenty of detail.
We also really like how the GPS antenna is neatly integrated with the magnetic dash cam mount on the windshield, and there’s Alexa for those who need it. We must remind readers that this dash cam is quite large; not as bulky as the Nextbase iQ, but much larger than anything from Garmin. Those with smaller cars and shallow windshields may want to look elsewhere, but otherwise this is a great (if quite expensive) piece of kit.
We’ve been big fans of Garmin dash cams for years and firmly believe the 67W is one of the best dash cams out there. From its compact design and superior magnetic windshield mount to its wide 180-degree lens, HDR video, and voice control, this is a dash cam every buyer should consider. And while it doesn’t have a built-in interior camera, and Garmin doesn’t sell a dedicated rearview camera, the company does have a system that can wirelessly connect up to four dash cams.
The result is simultaneous transmission of video from two, three or even four points of view around the vehicle. This makes Garmin’s multi-camera systems expensive and means you’ll have to power each camera rather than connecting them all to the main front-facing unit. But the 180-degree lens means you get a truly complete view of the front, back and inside of the car. Combined with GPS, optional online storage, and a suite of driver warning features, this dash cam is second to none. See our full review of the Garmin 67W.
Don’t get hung up on this dash cam’s 4K recording feature. Because while the front camera can handle 4K on its own, that resolution is no longer available when used with the rear camera, the built-in camera, or all three at the same time.
Being a triple camera system, you still see high resolution 1440p for the front view and 1080p for the rear and interior views. Like most other systems, this dash cam has a parking mode that starts recording when a collision is detected (but only if the dash cam is hardwired to your car’s fuse box to provide constant power, you may need a professional to perform this operation)). However, if you go the DIY route, you’ll be faced with a tangle of cables to power each camera; it can look cluttered, especially on a car with a smaller windshield.
There’s no GPS, so there’s no speed or location data in the video, but we think this kit is still worth the money, especially considering its compact size and small display. See our full Vantrue N4 review.
This DVR was originally a single channel system but can be upgraded thanks to its modular design. Nextbase sells an internal camera that connects directly to the 622GW itself and records 1080p video through a 140-degree lens. Then you can connect the proprietary rear view camera, which is glued to the rear window and connected to the 622GW with a long cable; it also shoots at 180p through a 140-degree lens.
Once you’ve done all that, you’ll have a three-camera system that costs less than the dual-camera 4K version of the Nextbase iQ. With the 622GW you also get Alexa control, digital image stabilization, What3words support, parking mode and a system that automatically calls emergency services and shares your location if a serious collision is detected.
We’ve always liked Nextbase dash cams, and for us the 622GW is a great setup with two or three cameras. The iQ means it’s no longer the flagship of the range, but the lower price combined with an excellent feature set and 4K video means the 622GW is still our highly recommended dash cam.
Since this guide is about a three-channel system, the first thing you need to consider is whether the dash cam you’re looking at can handle two additional cameras.
By checking this box, you can browse models that fit your budget and access their resolution, frame rate, and field of view. You need a high resolution (1440p, also known as 2K, works well), but you also need a high frame rate (30fps is fine, but 60fps is preferable) and a wide-angle lens (at least 140 degrees).
We encourage readers to think about how they plan to use their dash cam. Will you be using your smartphone to log in and set up all the driver assistance features? Or do you prefer to take a set-it-and-forget-it approach and only check the footage on the microSD card if the worst happens and it crashes? This will help you decide what you want from a dash cam.
Can not. Some DVRs only work on their own. Others can connect to the rear camera, and only a few can use the third channel. This is usually a view from the inside, usually from a second camera mounted on the main unit. In rare cases, such as Garmin dash cams, two, three or four cameras can be connected wirelessly to record video simultaneously.
The main unit mounts like any other dash cam, plugging into your car’s 12V outlet or OBD port (as is the case with the Nextbase iQ). Many dash cams can also be connected to the fuse box, providing constant power and parking mode.
The internal camera is usually integrated with the front camera, and a third rear camera is connected to the console using the included cable. They are usually very long and should be hidden behind the car’s interior trim panel (usually the headliner) for a neater, less cluttered surface. This setup (interior cameras combined together, rear camera connected to front camera) is powered by a single 12V outlet or a wired connection.
All dash cams featured in this guide were chosen because they have at least one feature that sets them apart. Some have 4K image sensors, others perform well in low light conditions or are more compact than the competition. Other dash cams deserve a spot on this list because they come with features like 4G, Alexa, and automatic emergency calling. Some even offer a fourth channel, providing a full 360-degree view around the vehicle.
Ultimately, the best option was selected as it provided the best balance between features, design, performance and price.
As with all types of dash cams, we installed all of these three-channel modes on our cars and used them for several days before we came to a conclusion. They were tested day and night to see how they react to different lighting conditions, and were also tried in different weather conditions. During our time with each dash cam, we evaluated the ease of installation and setup process, while focusing on video quality, ease of use, and the reliability of features such as 4G connectivity and smartphone app notifications.
When it comes to video quality, we care about the details. For a dash cam to score highly, license plates and road signs must be clearly visible day and night. These are the critical parts that buyers need to rely on in the event of a collision.
Especially for three-channel DVRs, we checked how each camera works and whether the quality of the front camera decreases when installing a second or third camera. Sometimes this happens, such as when the front panel resolution drops from 4K to 2K due to the processing demands of three cameras running simultaneously.
Now you know what a DVR is. Mounted on your windshield, they record video of the road ahead and then store a portion of that video if a collision is detected, which can give you vital evidence to clear your name.
You may also be familiar with dual-channel dash cams, where the main unit is connected by a second camera facing the rear screen. What about a three-channel system? These shots use the first two frames (recorded forward and backward) and then add a third frame to the mix, this time an interior.
Post time: Jan-11-2024