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Having a dash cam installed in your car can be an extremely valuable tool. It can act as an electronic witness, providing instant video evidence in the event of a collision or unauthorized encounter with law enforcement.
Dash cams were once considered specialized equipment for truck drivers and others who drove for a living. Cheaper and better camera technology has made them a popular accessory. Installing it on your personal vehicle is easy and very smart, and can be considered as a form of insurance to prevent your actions from being distorted if you get into a car accident or traffic jam and end up in court.
Today, dashcams with front and rear cameras are common, affordable, and easy to use. Many of these features include features such as parking and collision event detection, GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as smartphone app integration, expandable microSD storage, and up to 4K video quality for the front-facing camera. These features are increasingly being sold at lower prices.
There are dozens of options. We’ve carefully sifted through a huge selection to bring you the five best dash cams.
4K Front Recording, 2.5K Rear Recording, Wi-Fi, HDR/WDR, Loop Recording, Wide Angle DVR Front 170°, Rear 140°
As one of the leading innovators in the dash cam industry, the Nextbase 622GW continues to stand the test of time. It still offers a ton of features that make it the Swiss Army Knife of dash cams. Its core features continue to set the standard, including ultra-clear 4K video, a large touchscreen display, and a convenient magnetic motor mount.
It also includes image stabilization for smoother videos, GPS tracking, wireless connectivity for smartphone apps, Amazon Alexa and What3Words integration. There is even an SOS mode that automatically calls for help at the vehicle’s location after a collision. You can also connect any of the three optional rear camera modules to expand your field of view.
The AD353 has everything you’d expect from a dash cam, including a stunning 4K front camera and 1080p rear camera, GPS, Wi-Fi connectivity, parking monitoring and collision detection. It’s all connected to the innovative Cobra smartphone app, integrated with Amazon Alexa and cloud video storage. The Aoedi app also includes crowdsourced traffic control, police alerts and GPS satellite navigation that displays turn-by-turn directions on the front camera’s HD LCD display. If you also want to shoot in the car, the SC 400D can be expanded with a third camera, sold as a separate accessory.
Packing a ton of features in a stylish and discreet package, the Kingslim is one of the best value dash cams we’ve ever tried. Industry standard 170-degree wide-angle camera and 150-degree Full HD (1080p) rear camera with Sony Starvis 4K sensor (can also be connected as a rear camera), three-inch high-resolution touchscreen with IPS panel and lifting support. up to 256GB, accident detection and parking monitoring, and a smartphone, it’s an incredible deal.
The new Aoedi AD361 is a great dash cam with crisp 1440P resolution, very user-friendly voice control, compact size, easy-to-use magnetic mount, GPS, Wi-Fi, and SD card support up to 512GB. But what also makes it stand out is its ability to let you see the camera feed in real time and save the video to Aoedi’s cloud service, ensuring that valuable footage isn’t lost due to theft or damage to the SD card.
If you want to record what’s happening inside and in front of your car, the Aoedi AD362 is an easy choice. Both cameras record in clear 1440P resolution, and the front camera can also work standalone in ultra-clear 4K resolution. The AD362 also includes GPS tracking, supercapacitor power, and infrared illumination for the rear camera, allowing you to record in complete darkness. If you also want to capture the rear view, we recommend the Aoedi AD362 3-channel camera.
A dash cam works just like a backup camera or webcam. To shoot video, they use tiny wide-angle lenses with open apertures. The main difference is that dash cams store video on internal memory or an SD card, can be quickly activated by voice or GPS, and also have a timestamp of the recorded video for playback.
More expensive dash cams can transmit real-time information to a smartphone while the car is parked. Some new cars have built-in dashcams using cameras built into the grille or rearview mirror housing on the windshield. Some people even use cameras on their rearview mirrors to record 360-degree videos. But for most drivers, aftermarket dash cams are the only way to add video recording capabilities to their vehicles.
4K Front Recording, 2.5K Rear Recording, Wi-Fi, HDR/WDR, Loop Recording, Wide Angle DVR Front 170°, Rear 140°
DVRs are designed to record video of what is happening around the car. But the features and capabilities of each camera vary greatly. Some only record while the vehicle is moving, while others provide a Sentry-like service while it is 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 also vary.
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Yes. States do not ban dash cams in vehicles, but they do restrict their placement on the windshield. Here’s a state-by-state guide. If you plan to use a dash cam to record passengers in your vehicle, you should also check your state’s recording laws.
Resolution is one of the most important things to consider when purchasing as it can greatly affect how well you can see details such as license plates on other vehicles. This can be critical after an accident. Most dash cams today range from 1080P to 4K (2160P), although there are still a few 720P models available. If your budget allows, we recommend purchasing the 4K or 1440P model. The 1080P model is the lowest resolution we recommend you consider. We do not recommend 720P models.
The field of view (FOV) of a dash cam is typically between 120 and 180 degrees. The wider field of view captures more area on both sides of the road, but the wide-angle effect makes objects appear further away, making viewfinder details such as license plates difficult to read. A narrower field of view makes things appear closer but prevents you from seeing what’s happening next. Typically, we prefer a more modest viewing angle – from 140 to 170 degrees.
Some insurance companies offer discounts on dash cams. In theory, if you are willing to record your driving, your risk may be lower. Availability and discount amount vary. Check with your insurance company and consider shopping around.
It is easy to install the dash cam on the windshield (for placement options, see the section “Is it legal to use a dash cam?”). Long power cords can be more difficult to hide. For the front camera, you can usually tuck a wire into the molding along the edge of the windshield and run it from under the dash to a power source, which could be the car’s 12-volt outlet (also known as the cigarette lighter), the fuse box, or for some dash cams – vehicle OBD II diagnostic port. For step-by-step instructions, check out this how-to guide.
If you also have a rearview camera installed, you’ll also need to hide the wires between the front and rear cameras, usually running them under the car’s upholstery and carpeting. Some DVRs come with a tool that makes it easier to lay the wires into shape; for others you can buy a separate kit. Powering the dashcam through a 12-volt outlet is the simplest solution, but it may prevent you from connecting other devices unless you use a 12-volt power strip. However, some dash cams, such as those from Garmin, have an additional USB port in the 12-volt plug that allows you to charge your phone while the dash cam is connected.
To connect your dash cam to your car’s fuse box, you’ll need a wiring kit, which can usually be purchased from any major dash cam company. If you have a basic knowledge of your vehicle’s electrical system, this is not a difficult process. Otherwise, you can take it to a car audio and accessories store or Best Buy’s Geek Squad store.
All DVRs have a “parking mode” that allows you to monitor a parked car. But systems vary widely, and many models require a hard connection to the vehicle’s fuse box (or connection to the OBD II diagnostic port) to operate. Many dash cams rely on AG sensors to detect collisions or shakes. But even if detected, the camera may not be pointed in the right direction to capture what is happening.
If keeping an eye on your car while it’s parked is a big concern, we recommend purchasing something like the Garmin Dash Cam 57, which notifies you via your smartphone and ideally allows you to see the camera feed in real time.
If you primarily want to record what’s happening from the driver’s side window, your best option is a dash cam that records the interior of the car. Our recommended model, the Vantrue N2S Dual, has a rear camera with a 165-degree field of view that can be wide enough to cover both front windows, especially in smaller cars. If not, you can easily angle it toward the driver’s side window when you get pulled over. Be sure to turn on the recording.
If you want to record what’s happening around your car, including the front, back and inside. In this case, we recommend the Vantrue N4, which is very similar to the N2S Dual but has a rear camera.
Rick is a geek, geek and driving enthusiast. He has reviewed cars, auto electronics and auto accessories for more than 25 years and has served on the staff of Motor Trend, the automotive team of Consumer Reports, and Wirecutter, the product review site of The New York Times Company. Rick also writes a DIY auto repair guide for Haynes. He loves nothing more than exploring new places behind the wheel of a great car.
I have worked in the automotive, aviation and marine media for over a decade, covering car buying, selling and repair for several 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 and have owned and worked on dozens of cars – from 1960s Fiats and MGs to modern cars. Follow me on Instagram: @oldmotors and Twitter: @SportZagato.
Post time: Nov-23-2023