Like a good co-pilot, a dash cam sees what you might miss. The best dash cams also never sleep, so they’ll keep an eye on your car even when you’re nowhere near it, and record everything that happens, with a memory that’s much better than yours. Don’t feel bad, human memory is a fickle thing. Really, you shouldn’t be driving without a dash cam active these days, even just a quick trip to the grocery store. Many come with dual cameras that capture both what’s happening inside the vehicle and outside at the same time. The footage captured serves as evidence when you need it. It can also be a deterrent for potential events, like insurance fraud attempts. And it may help frame what happened in a fender bender, proving who was — or wasn’t — at fault.
But as you might expect, not all dash cams are created equal. We here at Digital Trends took the time to explore some of the best out there and share our thoughts, particularly on our top picks. Let’s dive in.
Our top pick: Vantrue E360 Panoramic
Why we like it: You simply cannot beat the 5.2K panoramic views. In most cases, panoramic is a gimmick but not here. It makes perfect sense to capture anything and everything all at once with a dash cam.
While the specs are impressive, one of the primary features of the Vantrue E360 is the panoramic support. It delivers smooth, crisp 360-degree panoramic recordings at a 5184 by 1944P resolution — or 5K. It leaves no blind spots and nothing to the imagination. In a pinch, or when you really need to show what went down, this camera captures everything. It also features a 24/7 buffered parking mode, which captures anything suspicious around your vehicle while active and auto records when a window is broken.
You can control the entire system with smart voice and touch controls which makes configuring the various settings super easy, especially before a long trip. It supports multiple voice languages too from Japanese to German and English. Dual STARVIS 2 technology, HDR, IR night vision powered by 8 infrared lights, 5GHz WiFi, and a dual-system GPS module round out the list of features. There’s a reason why this is our top pick.
The best dash cam under $100: Miofive S1 (4K)
Why we like it: It’s affordable and capable. With 4K and 2160P recording, wide-angle views, a parking mode, night vision, and so much more. You’re not sacrificing anything by grabbing this dash cam for less and that’s just the way we like it.
If you’re on a tight budget the goal is to spend as little as possible, but sometimes, when you do that, you’re sacrificing access to a lot of great features you’d find in more expensive models. That’s not the case at all here. The Miofive S1 is a fully capable, reliable, and feature-rich dash cam for a super reasonable price. In fact, it’s downright giftable even at its regular price, so on sale, let’s just say you shouldn’t pass up a great deal.
Back to what it offers: You get true 4K UHD recording — 2160P at 30 frames per second — with crystal clear views, built-in GPS, loop recording, and more. It even comes with a 32GB microSD card so you can start using it and recording footage right out of the box. It also has 5G WiFi, Bluetooth, and multiple parking modes. But again, that price is where it’s at.
The best compact dash cam: Garmin Mini 3
Why we like it: It’s a full-featured 1080P dash cam with mobile app sync via Garmin Drive.
Although it might be ultra-compact, the Mini 3 is packed to the brim with features. It records 1080P full-HD video with a wide-angle view of 140 degrees. That means it will capture quite a bit in front of your vehicle. It utilizes the Garmin Clarity polarizer lens so windshield glare won’t ruin the quality of the footage or cause issues with the camera. Moreover, you can control the entire thing using voice commands in several languages, including English, Spanish, German, Italian, and more.
It also has Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB connectivity. But by far the best feature is the sync functionality with the Garmin Drive app. You can use that app to access the dashcam remotely, download footage, and more. When parked, you can activate a special parking guard feature that sends notifications to your phone if or when an incident is detected. You’ll know right away if something happens to your vehicle.
It’s easy to setup, easy to use, and the remote and mobile app functionality adds a modern spin to the whole experience. Plus, the price is reasonable.
The best dual-view setup: 70mai A810-2
Why we like it: The 70mai A810-2 is reliable, capable, and feature-rich. It will do more than capture footage, it will even alert you to hazards and more. The footage lock is a game-changer.
This dual-camera system features a true 4K quality front-facing camera and a 1080P HD rear-facing camera. That means it captures everything happening during your drive, night or day. The dual HDR super night vision works wonderfully in low-light conditions, which is important when you need to make out critical details. More importantly, it supports loop recording, overwriting old unnecessary video on the SD card, and has an emergency button that locks essential footage.
Additional features include smart app sync, full GPS tracking, an optional LTE module (sold separately, however), and a parking monitor to keep your car monitored and protected no matter where it’s parked. The Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) even delivers real-time alerts on driving hazards, lane departures for vehicles around you, and front-of-vehicle movement. It’s like having a vigilant sidekick active and alert while you drive.
For a limited time — until December 4 — you can use code 70MAI24BFCM to save 25% on this 70mai dash cam.
The best dash cam for safety: Thinkware U3000
Why we like it: You want front and rear video surveillance for maximum safety.
The U3000 is expensive, but it’s also the best all-around, do-it-all dash cam that safety-conscious drivers will love thanks to its second rear-facing camera lens and impressive video quality.
The front camera records in 4K UHD resolution, while the rear camera shoots in 2K QHD at 30 frames per second. Wi-Fi connectivity, built-in GPS, and a G-sensor are also included along with a unique low-power parking mode. Also, the low-light recording quality is better than most because the dash cam uses a Sony Starvis 2 image sensor. The dash cam also comes with driver-assist features via the THINKWARE app, including strong impact notifications, parking notifications, remote live view access, vehicle status, driving history alerts, and captures images of your most recent parking space.
Get this. The built-in GPS even tracks the speed and time data of your trips with real-time alerts for upcoming red light cameras and speed cameras. The smart parking mode will automatically snap a picture of your surroundings if it detects a bump during parking. Moreover, there are multiple parking mode functions. This dash cam will keep you honest that’s for sure.
An old favorite: Garmin Dash Cam 56
Why we like it: It boasts a robust set of features that actually work as intended.
The Garmin Dash Cam 56 offers a ton of useful features and above-par quality for a reasonable price. The new 56 boosts the field of view from 122 degrees to 140 and adds a Clarity HDR feature, for higher contrast recordings day and night. In a crowded market, it takes more than just being good — and the unique attributes of the Dash Cam 56 give it an edge.
At 1440p HD resolution and 30 frames per second, the Dash Cam 56 shoots in stunning quality during the day and respectable quality at night. Like some other dash cams on the market, the Dash Cam 56 offers innovative driver aids, but unlike other cameras, its alerts are often relevant (instead of driving you nuts with false alarms). And, thanks to a slew of voice-activated functions, it lets drivers focus on the road ahead. Also, the nifty Travelapse feature makes cool time-lapse videos that can easily be shared on social media via the app.
The Garmin Dash Cam 56 looks great, feels sturdy, and has better features than competitors costing far more. What’s not to love?
How do I install a dash cam?
There are two basic ways to install a dash cam. The first and simplest solution is to plug the cam’s power cord into your car’s 12-volt outlet. To do this, use the suction cup that most dash cam manufacturers include with their device to attach it to your car’s windshield. Make sure it has a clear view of the road ahead, and double-check that it’s not in your field of vision. Run the cord from the cam to the 12-volt outlet — which is normally located on the center console — and you’re good to go. It’s not the neatest solution, but it works.
For a cleaner look, you can hard-wire a dash cam into your car. This solution requires a handful of tools, a little bit of time, and a basic knowledge of how a car’s electrical system works. Again, start by positioning the dash cam on your windshield using the suction cup. Carefully tuck the power cord under the front part of the headliner, and run it down the A-pillar by sliding it under the panel that covers it. Use a fuse tap — which you’ll need to buy online, or from an auto parts store — to plug the wire direction into your car’s fuse box.
What does a dash cam record to?
Though some dash cams come with a small amount of internal storage, a vast majority of the devices on the market save the footage they record onto a micro SD card. Most cams feature a loop function that automatically overwrites older footage when the card reaches its capacity, though users who don’t want to lose their files can turn this feature off. If the loop function isn’t on, users will need to either empty the SD card or insert an empty one to keep recording.
How long can a dash cam record?
The amount of footage a dash cam can record varies depending on the size of the SD card that’s in it, and the resolution selected. If the loop function is on, meaning old footage gets overwritten when the card is full, the cam will keep recording indefinitely as long as it’s connected to a power source. If you want to save every file the cam records, keep in mind an 8 GB memory card stores approximately 20 minutes of footage recorded at 1080p resolution in AVI format. Upgrading to a bigger card — like a 16 or a 32 GB unit — and lowering the resolution will help you save more footage.
Do dash cams have night vision?
Like humans, dash cams don’t see as well in the dark as they do during the day, and they rely on a car’s headlights and other sources of lights (like street lights) to capture footage at night. Recent advances in sensor technology helps them record increasingly clear footage after the sun goes down, but the quality depends on the model purchased. Some of the more expensive units on the market come with night vision technology that automatically adjusts lighting levels to provide the best possible picture, but it’s not going to be as clear as what they record in broad daylight.
Broadly speaking, your dash cam sees about as well as you do. If you drive out to the Nevada desert on a cloudy night and turn your headlights off, don’t count on your dash cam to back up your claim of shaking hands with a jackalope.
Can dash cams tolerate extreme heat or cold?
The simple answer is yes. Dashcams are extremely resistant to heat and cold. Much like modern in-dash navigation systems, dashcams can withstand a wide range of temperature changes. That means you can leave them in your car without fear, unlike your smartphone.
While all dashcams can withstand harsh environmental conditions, exact tolerances will vary by model. Devices that use a capacitor rather than a battery are better at tolerating extreme temperatures. The capacitor allows your camera to record the last few moments of footage when turning your camera off since there is no built-in battery.
While a dash cam that includes a capacitor will be more expensive, it’s worth the money if you live in a climate that experiences extreme temperatures. Its design makes it more durable than basic models, so you’ll pay once for a cam that lasts longer than those that run on batteries.
Can dash cams work with Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant?
When it comes to smartphone integration, the dashcam industry still has a long way to go before it catches up with in-dash audio. You can find some expensive cams that have voice activation features, but none are fully equipped to link up with Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant.
The Garmin Speak Plus is the only cam on the market that came close to being fully integrated with voice commands. This tiny device supports a wide range of Alexa features, allowing you to access news reports, stream audio, communicate with your home, and carry out a host of other actions as you move.
