A dashboard camera—more commonly referred to as dash cams—is a video camera designed specifically to keep a record of your time on the road. Some people use a dashboard camera to record an incident, such as an accident or collision, or as a way to prevent theft (particularly those with night vision). Others may just want to keep an eye on the driver, whether your teenager is taking the car out for the first time or you’re lending the vehicle to someone.
What is a dashboard camera (dash cam)?
A dash cam is a specialized device that records footage from inside your car. It features a wide angle, front-facing lens, and commonly attaches to the dashboard, windshield, or rearview mirror via suction cup. Some dash cams feature two lenses: one facing the front of the vehicle for a view of the road, and one facing the back to capture the interior.
There are lots of reasons why someone might consider a dash cam. Namely, you can keep a recording in the unfortunate event of a collision and potentially settle insurance disputes down the line; you can deter theft with certain dash cams that offer night vision for overnight protection; you can monitor new drivers to make sure they’re being safe on the road; and in less dire circumstances, you can document your roadtrips or make automotive-related content with dash cam footage.
Dash cams vary in quality and features, but their primary purpose remains a commonality.
Best Dashboard Cameras for Your Car
Looking for the best dash cams you can get this year? Our dash cam buying guide has got you covered.
Minolta MNCD250 Full HD 12MP 2.2″ LCD Screen Dash Cam
The Minolta MNCD250 is a great entry-level dashboard camera. It’s cost effective and captures full HD video at 1080p through a wide 120-degree lens. The 2.2” LCD screen lets you review recordings at a glance right from the camera. Perhaps most importantly, you’ll never miss an emergency thanks to the camera’s built-in G-sensor, which detects collision force and automatically begins recording. Included is a 16GB memory card so you can make use of the dash cam right away.
Garmin Tandem Dual-Lens Dash Cam
One of the best ways to get the most out of your camera is to choose one that records both the front and interior of the car. That’s where this Garmin Dash Cam excels with its high-resolution 1440p front sensor and a 720p sensor on the back with wide-angle lenses. This camera also has automatic incident detection, Wi-Fi transfer, night vision, and GPS so you can easily get the right footage when you need it.
VIOFO A139 3-Channel Dash Cam
The A139 is VIOFO’s first three-channel dash cam, featuring two road cameras (front and back) as well as an interior cabin camera. The front-facing camera records at 2K 1440p, while each of the additional cameras shoots full HD 1080p video. It also includes Super Night Vision thanks to the Sony Starvis sensor, and infrared night vision to record cabin activity in total darkness. For comprehensive coverage, it doesn’t get much more advanced than the A139.
Cobra Dash 2208 Drive HD
If you’re shopping for the best dashboard camera while on a budget, the Cobra Dash 2208 Drive HD is a great choice. It has a high-res camera offering 1296p resolution, a built-in display, and automatic collision detection. It comes with an 8GB memory card as well, so you can deploy it quickly and then upgrade to more space when and if you need it.
VIOFO A119 V3 Car Dash Camera
The VIOFO A119 V3 Car Dash Camera supports high-resolution recording up to 1600p. Plus, its automatic collision detection keeps files safe if you have an accident, and there’s a nifty parking mode that keeps recording even when the engine is off.
VIOFO A129 Pro 4K Car Dash Camera
Or you can upgrade to the VIOFO A129 Pro 4K, which takes the A119’s features to the next level. It boasts recording resolutions up to 4K and some stellar features like dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth connectivity, and compatibility with an additional rear-facing camera upgrade.
VIOFO A129 Pro Duo 4K
For the most high-quality video you can get, the VIOFO A129 Pro Duo 4K takes the recording resolution up to 4K on the front camera. It also has the same great features as the 1080p model, including dual-band Wi-Fi and GPS built into this car camera.
Garmin Mini 2 1080p Tiny Dash Cam
Discretion is an important, and sometimes overlooked, feature of dash cams. At roughly the size of a key fob, the Garmin Mini 2 ticks every box of a high-quality dash cam with a tiny footprint. Record crisp 1080p footage from a wide 140-degree lens, complete with HDR optics for enhanced clarity and detail. If an incident occurs, the camera will automatically save recordings from before, during, and after the event, uploading to a secure cloud Vault for reference.
Thinkware Q8000 Pro
Another option from Thinkware is the high-end Q8000 Pro with a front camera capable of 1440p, and a rear camera capable of 1080p. The Q8000 Pro also has built-in GPS and a geo-fencing feature that can alert you when the vehicle goes out of a set area. It also packs in a 32GB memory card to capture your video recordings.
Thinkware U1000 4K
The Thinkware U1000 4K takes the video quality up another level, making it easily one of the best dashboard cameras of the year. With 4K support for the front camera and 1440p for the rear camera, you’ll be sure every detail is captured.
Garmin 67W 1440p Dash Cam
This Garmin 67W dashboard camera is sort of a best-of-most-worlds device with a focus on image quality and practical features. The super wide 180-degree lens records video at 1440p for stellar imaging during both day and night. You can use voice control for safe, hands-free camera operation, and the device even “talks back,” providing driver alerts for a little extra awareness in your vehicle.
What Should I Look for When Buying a Dashboard Camera?
Dash cams are simple bits of technology that you can place inside your car and just not think about. But these tiny cameras can be responsible for saving lives, settling insurance disputes, and proving fault in the event of an unfortunate accident. That’s why any serious motorist should find the best and most reliable dashboard camera possible.
When buying a dash cam, the critical role the device will play means it’s crucial to take some time to make the right decision. If you can spend a little more time doing research before you buy, you’ll be much happier with your choice once you’ve installed the product in your car or truck.
When you drill down into the attributes of different dash cams, there’s a lot to consider. The quality and resolution of the camera lens itself is a key factor. Beyond that you’ll have to think about the camera’s GPS abilities, its storage capacity, and extra features. You may want a dash cam with parking mode, for instance, or a rear-facing camera.
Beyond the core dash cam features, you’ll also find that cameras have different options for integrating with apps and smartphones, and they have varied choices for connecting to your vehicle. You don’t just have to figure out which features you need; you have to think about how the camera will fit into your car and your life, too.
Finally, look at your budget when buying a dash cam. Different units are available at a huge range of prices. You’ll find affordable options ideal for everyday users, along with pricier models that have the resolution and features to satisfy professional drivers.
Dash Cam Features to Consider
This dash cam buying guide highlights the features to consider if you want to find the best dash cam, so you’ll know exactly what to look for. As you shop, keep the following features in mind so you can get the best possible dash cam for your needs.
Image quality
Even the most affordable dashboard cameras run at 1080p, and that resolution is ideal for everyday use. If you’d like a more detailed picture, though, opt for a 1440p or 4K camera. A more detailed image can prove important if you’re involved in an accident or need to zoom in to identify a license plate.
If you’re buying a dash cam with a wider field of view, it’ll capture a wider image. A higher frame rate will deliver smoother video: 30fps is fine, for instance, but 60fps is slicker. Also, consider whether or not the camera has night vision and if you’ll need it.
Mounting options
You can easily mount dash cams to cars and trucks, and the majority of manufacturers rely on a couple of different methods to attach the cameras.
Some dash cams use a suction cup system. These are very easy to use: they attach to your dashboard or windshield and use the pressure created by the cup to stay in place. These days though, more and more dash cams use adhesive pads rather than suction cups. These pads are usually stronger and smaller than suction cups, but they can leave sticky residue behind when removed.
GPS & parking mode
If your dashboard camera has GPS capability, it can track your car’s location and speed. That data could be useful in the event of an accident. GPS hardware pays dividends elsewhere, too. It’s perfect if you want to track a work vehicle, or make sure your kids haven’t strayed too far from home.
A dash cam with parking mode is vital, too. This feature detects movement when your car is stationary, so it can record footage if another car bumps your vehicle when you’re not around. Some cameras can even send those captures to your smartphone. If you frequently park in public places, parking mode is a must.
Storage capacity
Video files take up plenty of storage space, so be sure to scrutinize the storage situation before you start using a dash cam. The majority of dash cams use memory cards for storage, so you’ll need either an SD card or a microSD card, depending on which dash cam you buy.
Some dash cams are sold as bundles with cards included. However, these included cards are often 16GB versions that don’t offer much video storage space. Instead, we recommend that you buy a card with at least 64GB of space to go with your new dash cam. That will give you enough capacity to comfortably record lots of video.
Integration with apps
Most dash cams work with apps on your smartphone or tablet. These can make using a dash cam far easier. They let you tap into the dash cam to view footage, no matter where you are or what you’re doing.
These dash cam apps can navigate, view, and save the video you already captured. You can also share clips with trusted contacts by sending them password-protected footage. If you want maximum versatility, a dash cam with app support is a must.
Who needs a dash cam?
Buying one of the most reliable dash cams is useful for a number of reasons. For parents with new drivers in their homes, a dash cam can act as a level of security to ensure your teenager avoids distractions while they’re behind the wheel. And if you’d like that same extra bit of security in case of an accident, many of these handy devices include tech that specifically captures real-time video footage upon detecting a collision.
As for the technical aspects to keep in mind, most people will get by just fine with 1080p video quality. However, if your budget can afford it, 4K resolution is definitely helpful to ensure you’ll get a clearer shot of a license plate.
Want to check out the choices before buying a dash cam? Browse our selection of dashboard cameras to find the right one for you, as well as any accessories, including mounts, suction cups, and microSD cards, that you may need.
Feature image via Shutterstock
