Rexing V1 Car Dash Cam
Rove R2-4K Dash Cam
Crosstour Dash Car Cam
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Every driver has experienced moments on the road where it would’ve been helpful to have a camera on your dashboard. Whether you’ve been in an accident, seen other accidents happen in front of you, or simply wanted to capture surprises and unexpected incidents while you’re behind the wheel, there’s now a technology that allows you to do that: dash cams. Easy to install and affordable enough for any driver to own, today’s dash cams can capture absolutely everything that happens while you’re on the road. Especially handy when you need to report an accident or figure out who’s at fault in a fender bender, dash cams can be incredibly useful whether you’re running errands or heading out for a long drive. Check out our picks for the best dash cams right here.
The Best Dash Cams
1
Rexing V1 Car Dash Cam
Looks like something James Bond would use, right? The Rexing V1 Car Dash Cam is discreet, it’s powerful, and it’s got a few kinks we’ll get to in a moment. Rexing crafted this ultra-high durability dash cam with discretion in mind. If you get into an auto accident and you’re recording the outrage of an altercation with another individual, you don’t exactly want them to know that you have a dash cam.
Apart from the design and sturdy chassis, you get loop recording for your older videos to be erased with new videos put in. This one is unique in this regard—you can select five or three-and-a-half minute blocks of time to be recorded instead of a continuous loop. While you can support up to 128GB in an SD card, this model doesn’t come with any standard memory, not even a little 8GB SD card like most of the other models come with.
Discreet design; perfect for those who don’t want to advertise the fact that they have a dashcam
HD 1080P
Six-layer lens for optimal recording
Best dash cam for the money
- BrandREXING
- ModelV1
- Weight11.2 ounces
Durable as they come
G-Sensor for accident detection
Loop recording in five or three-and-a-half minute increments
Only records up to 30fps; not high-speed at all
Supports up to 128GB SD cards, doesn’t include any memory, you have to buy that separately
2
Rove R2-4K Dash Cam
The Rove R2-4K dashboard camera offers excellent value for the money. Sure, it’s not the cheapest, but it’s packed with features that are typically found only in high-end cams. With 4K ultra HD recording and a 150-degree wide-angle lens, the R2-4K model captures most of the road around you and produces crisp clear footage (216p resolution!). Thanks to its Super Night Vision technology, it also provides great video and image quality in low light conditions.
The camera comes with built-in WiFi so you can use Rove’s app to view and control your dash recordings via your phone (both Android and iOS are supported). This also allows you to download 4K videos to your smartphone and share them with whomever you like. There’s also a built-in GPS that records your driving location and speed – super useful if your kid is driving the car.
2160p resolution
Excellent night vision
WiFi and GPS
Numerous useful features, including G sensor, parking mode, motion detection, loop recording and other
- BrandRove
- ModelR2-4K
- Weight3.2 ounces
Fantastic value for money
Comes with many helpful features
Connects to a smartphone, allows video downloading
Durable, with intuitive design
To keep the cam in the right position, the set screws need to be tightened now and then
3
Garmin Dash Cam
Garmin makes killer electronics, and it stepped into the car space with this excellent dash cam model. Like any Garmin product, there are a few kinks, but the high-performance and unique features are bound to impress. This is the first dash cam we’ve seen to include voice commands—tell it to start or stop recording, take a picture, or begin and end the travelapse photo capture feature. It’s all up to you.
You get a magnetic mount for this ultra-small camera, giving you full discretion and a unique way to grab and go. Its 3.7 megapixels still rival the quality of your phone, while the forward collision and lane departure warnings keep you stable when you’re on the road. It may be enough to help you realize you’re tired, pull over, and avoid an accident altogether.
3.7 Megapixel camera
Voice control for certain features
Best discreet dash cam
- BrandGarmin
- Model010-01750-10
- Weight2.08 ounces
High-performance in low light
Magnetic attachment for mounting
GPS-enabled
Not the best video quality for the price
Slight software issues for different climates
4
APEMAN Dual Dash Cam
The Apeman C860 comes with a front and rear camera that will help keep you and your vehicle as safe as possible. Both cameras have 1080p dual lenses that monitor the road ahead and behind you with clear video definition. The front camera records in 1440P; however, this is only possible when it works by itself – if both rear and front cams are used simultaneously, then 1080p resolution is automatic. This is still very good as the definition is crisp clear. Night vision is also great as the camera automatically adjusts exposure in low light conditions, capturing even smaller details easily.
The C860 has the ability to take up to 12 mp images and also record audio inside the vehicle. There’s also a mute function in video mode if you don’t want to hear what was said at the time of recording. More importantly though, there is a built-in G sensor, which detects the sudden vibrations around the car, locking the collision footage that you can use as proof for preventing disputes in emergencies.
Front cam 1140p, rear cam 1080p
Clear night vision
Can take 12 mp images and record audio
Built-in G sensor, motion detection, loop recording, wide dynamic range
- BrandApeman
- ModelC860
- Weight1 pound
Solid video quality on both cams
Various useful features, including the emergency accident lock
Easy to install
No parking monitoring
The suction cup could be sturdier
5
Crosstour Dual Dash Car Cam
The Crosstour CR900 is a reliable, capable dual dash camera that is more than reasonably priced. It’s small and compact, so doesn’t take up much space, yet it has a nice and clear three-inch screen that you can use to view videos on the go. Video quality is good as the cam records in 1080p – this goes for both the front and the rear one. As for night vision, while the not the best you can find, the footage quality is solid, showing license plate numbers even in low light.
The CR900 model features Novatek Chip Car Camera as its CPU, which determines the basic performance of a recorder, including frame, resolution, etc. Both cams adopt F1.8 aperture and high dynamic range (HDR), which is great news. And with dual 170-degree wide-angle, both cameras provide comprehensive vision, covering up to six lanes.
1080p, front and rear camera
Uses Novatek chip
Emergency locking sensor (G sensor) and optional GPS
Solid night vision
- BrandCrosstour
- ModelCR900
- Weight1.3 pounds
Solid video quality on both cams
Compact, with intuitive design
Wide lens on both cameras, with front lens being able to swivel up and down
Night vision gets quite a bit of glare
Comes with only basic features
6
Vantrue N2 Pro Dash Cam
Thorough folk and filmmakers alike are going to fall head over heels for this model. A contender for the best front and rear dash cam, this device allows you to record your windshield activity and your cabin, mounted perfectly to also record what goes on in the rear windshield. This is essential if you’re the victim of a rear-ender fender bender and you need some concrete evidence.
We can’t say enough good things about this camera—for one, you get 2.5K quality, while your front and rear lens sit at 170 degrees and 140 degrees, respectively. Plug it into the cigarette lighter, and you’re good to go. The odd placement of this, while convenient, means the cable dangles a little bit and has been known to be knocked out. Use with caution.
2.5K quality
Night vision mode
Loop recording
Best dual dash cam with parking mode
- BrandVANTRUE
- ModelN2 Pro
- Weight3.52 ounces
Dual capture; windshield and cabin
Timelapse feature; collide weeks of road trips into epic video
Parking mode
Loose fit on the cigarette lighter adapter
Uses up memory fast; needs 64GB for 4-5 hours of recording
7
OldShark 3” Dash Cam
There are a few seriously epic features about this dash cam—we are shocked at how inexpensive it is. Between the superior suction cup mount and quality build of the zinc alloy chassis, you get stability on and off the road. Flip this into night vision to continue your ventures, but just know that higher res quality recordings really eat up memory. You get a 32GB SD card in this model, so be certain to utilize that.
A 170-degree angle lens allows for a wide range of recording, while the accident lock/emergency mode secures your video from being overwritten when an accident occurs. Playback is a sinch to view on the three-inch LCD screen, and for once, we’re actually happy with the way the adapter wire hangs down.
Night vision
Loop recording
1080P HD Quality
- BrandOld Shark
- ModelGS505
- Weight4.3 ounces
Killer price for the quality
Most durable suction cup attachment of any unit
Emergency accident lock filtered by G-sensor
Seriously eats up memory quickly
Very conspicuous model
8
APEMAN Mini Dash Cam
If you’re looking for an affordable but reliable dash camera, check out Apeman’s C420 model. Similar to their C860 model, only smaller and cheaper, the C420 camera can be perfectly hidden behind a rear mirror. It produces 1080p recordings, which is pretty solid overall, including the night vision. High-definition and a wide-angle camera of 170 degrees is what allows both day and night footage quality to be good.
Despite its low price, this dash cam comes with various useful features, including emergency accident lock and motion detection. The built-in G sensor tech automatically locks the footage in the emergency events, preventing deletion and tampering. There is also 24-hour parking monitoring for protection and loop recording that ensures the SD card is never filled up and you’re always able to record the latest footage.
1080p resolution
Bulit-in G sensor and emergency accident lock
Loop recording and 24 hours parking monitoring
Solid night vision
- BrandApeman
- ModelC420
- Weight11 ounces
Affordable price
Comes with several useful features
Compact and lightweight, can be hidden behind a rear mirror
The cam case feels a little cheap
The instructions could be clearer
9
TOGUARD Mirror Dash Cam
The Toguard CE35 is a seven-inch touch-screen mirror dashboard camera that can help double your safety with simultaneous recording in front and backup cameras. The device records in 1080p resolution, producing solid, clear footage no matter the light conditions. The display for video recording, photo taking, playback and general settings are on the mirror, which makes the whole adjustment process convenient and easy.
The CE35 model comes with a number of features, including a reversing camera kit for safe parking, G sensor or emergency recording, and loop recording, which will help keep you safe at all times. There is also the parking monitor feature and motion detection, which further add to the security of your vehicle.
Front cam 1080p, rear cam 480p
7” touch screen on the mirror
G-sensor and loop recording
Parking monitor and motion detection
- BrandTOGUARD
- ModelCE35
- Weight1.85 pounds
Beautiful design
Good quality front footage
Simple installation and intuitive design
Low quality footage on the rear cam
The G-sensor is a little too sensitive
10
YI Smart Dash Car Cam
Budgeters, you can breathe now—this handy little model comes with a lot of the rivaled features of its more expensive counterparts and is probably one of the best dash cams for those looking for a cheap option. An enhanced G-sensor allows you to lockout your videos and keep them from being overwritten, while the 165 wide angle captures just about everything that’s going on.
The 2.7-inch LCD screen gives you a good look into what’s going on around you, while the dashcam app helps with everything else. While the night vision mode is there, the color balance can take a few extra seconds, giving you glares and issues with streetlights. HD video capture supports up to 64GB SD memory, although this unit doesn’t come with a standard card like we see with most. You have to buy all of your removeable memory separately.
G-sensor
Dashcam app from YI
Emergency video lockout
Best budget dash cam
- BrandYI
- Model89006
- Weight11 ounces
Most inexpensive model on our list
Full HD
60fps of recording
Fragile chassis; be careful
Color balance in night vision mode can be a bit dodgy
11
Crosstour Dash Car Cam
If you’re after a cheap but reliable dash cam, the Crosstour CR300 is a fantastic option. With a 170-degree wide-angle lens, 1080p HD video resolution and 12 mp image resolution, this camera produces great quality footage and images, plus allows a large viewing angle (4 lanes). Thanks to big aperture and wide dynamic range, the night vision is also good, showing smaller details like license plates with no issues.
The CR300 model comes with a built-in G sensor, which means it automatically detects sudden shakes and collisions, locking the footage to prevent it from being tampered with or deleted. Despite its low price, the camera boasts many great features, including loop recording, motion detection, time stamp, screen saver and others. It also comes with a micro USB cable, car charger and easy to understand user manual.
1080p resolution
Built-in G sensor, motion sensor and loop recording
On/off audio, time stamp, screen saver and other features
- BrandCrosstour
- ModelCR300
- Weight8.2 ounces
Affordable and easy to use
Produces solid video quality
Simple installation, secure suction
The cam case feels a little cheap
Night vision could be clearer
12
Z-Edge Dash Car Cam Front and Rear
Durable, classy-looking, easy to use, with crisp clear footage, the Z-Edge T4 dash cam checks (almost) all boxes. This model comes with a four-inch touch-sensitive screen with intuitive design and a 1080p rear camera. The front one? Even better – with a 2560x1440p video resolution and a 155-degree viewing angle, the camera captures most of the world around you. Thanks to the WDR technology, the night vision is almost equally good, so the dash cam captures even the smaller details in low light conditions (car license plates are always very clear).
Z-Edge T4 comes with a G sensor, which monitors and detects unusual shakes and vibrations, triggering the emergency video protection in case of an accident that cannot be overwritten. Loop recording allows for seamless overwriting of oldest footage upon filling a card to its max (up to 256 GB card). There is also parking monitor feature that is powered by the internal rechargeable battery.
Front cam 1440p, rear cam 1080 p
WDR tech, excellent night vision
G-sensor, loop recording, parking monitor
Supports up to 256 GG cards, comes with a 32 GB card
- BrandZ-Edge
- ModelT4-001
- Weight1.4 pounds
Durable and reliable dash cam
Excellent day and night video quality
32 GB card is included
No GPS
Too long rear cam cord
Specification
Best Dash Cam Buying Guide & FAQ
Electronics of any nature require an in-depth approach to how they work, what they’re used for, their durability—basically, anything and everything you could think of. To find the best dash cam, we’ve done all the legwork for you; read on, and make an educated decision based on the products we’ve provided, and you can’t go wrong.
A dash cam makes parking your car way more convenient.
How do Dash Cams Work?
Basically, their main function is to provide you with visual feedback on your auto adventures. You’re going to hear a lot of arguments like, “Just get a mount for your phone and use that.” There’s a bunch of reasons why they’re not the same thing, including:
- Dash cams are designed for faster movements; your iPhone isn’t
- Your phone mount won’t necessarily hold; dash cams have a specific mounting protocol
- Dash cam power sources are sturdier than standard lightning or micro USB charging; you don’t want your phone to die when you need footage the most
Apart from that, they provide greater detail to get information such as license plate data and allow people’s profiles to show up better. All the things that you need with a dash cam. Now, for how they work, it’s rather quite simple:
Plug in your dash cam camera and position it using its specific mount, and you’re done. They capture high-speed visuals and decent level audios. Dash cams are either plugged-in through a USB into the cigarette lighter (sturdier than phone wires) or they’re hardwired into your electrical system. This can be done yourself, or you can hire a professional to handle it for you.
They operate just like a standard video camera. They record information, storage fills up, and you eject the SD card when you need it. Which brings us to our next topic: what are you doing to do when your dash cam’s virtual memory fills up?
Don’t worry; creators have already thought of that problem way ahead of time. While you’re mostly going to see this in built-in models, your dash cam comes with a feature that rewrites old data. If you can get three hours of recorded footage, it will start rewriting that first minute, moving forward and so on. Either way, you’ll have X amount of previous footage to reflect on. If you need that footage ASAP, such as after getting into an accident, just pop out the SD card, put it somewhere safe, and put the alternate SD card in.
Do I Need a Dash Cam?
They’re quickly becoming a necessity among drivers. Doesn’t matter if you have a compact car or a rig—they’re invaluable when the SHTF. There are zero instances where you’ll stop and say, “Damn, I have a dash cam,” and a hundred occasions where you’ll think, “Thank God I bought that dash cam.”
They’re exceptionally good for:
- Recording information for playback regarding pedestrian incidents
- Car accidents to decide who’s at fault
- Police interactions (we’re all a little sketched-out by them)
- Spotting random crimes
- Gathering footage for the amateur filmmaker
There are a bunch more reasons, including keeping you alert as a driver. When you have that constant reminder that your actions behind the wheel are also being recorded, you’re more likely to remember to follow the rules of the road.
The best dash cams come in all different shapes, sizes, and models.
Features to Look For When Buying the Best Dash Cam
Front-Facing vs Dual-Facing Cameras
Most basic dash cams are front-facing, which means they’re equipped with one front camera. A front-facing camera mounts on your windshield and captures everything that happens at the front of your vehicle. Dual-facing cameras, which are also called 2-in-1 dash cams, capture more area. A dual-facing cam features two built-in cameras: one that’s mounted on your windshield to capture the road ahead and one that captures either what’s happening inside the vehicle. This can give you an extra layer of visibility and safety if anything happens on the road.
Resolution
While this one may seem obvious, people actually overlook this quite a bit. Resolution isn’t just about having a prettier picture—you need to be able to make out details on license plates, facial profiles, and your general surroundings to better determine what happened, no matter what your needs are for playback. When we’re in the car, the camera sometimes has to see pretty far in front of us, whereas when we use a phone or video camera, our target is generally pretty close to us.
Night Vision
This is by no means a “small feature.” Accidents happen more frequently during the day on average, but 54% of all car accidents that do occur at night, are alcohol-related. You can picture it now—messy, messy crashes and a lot to look at. A dash cam without night vision is essentially useless; it’s like having weekend insurance (is that still a thing?)—it’s just not a good idea to go without it.
Wiring
Bit of a car guru? Following the car bible? Depending on how comfortable you are with the electrical components to your vehicle, this decision will be impacted. You have two basic options: hardwired, or charger wired (USB into the car lighter adapter/USB slot in the dash). If you’re comfortable with wiring or you know a professional that won’t rip you off, hardwired is a better option, in our humble opinions. No fear of coming unplugged, and they generally come with rewritable data for continuous video capture.
Warranty
This is essentially on parts and rarely on anything else, so don’t expect to have the warranty put into place if you get into a wreck and the camera gets totaled. However, when electrical parts fail you, having at least a one-year warranty on your dashcam (most come with one year of standard warranty coverage) can be a real saving grace when you need it.
Top Recommendations
By Price
Up to $60
- OldShark 3” Dash Cam
- Apeman Mini Dash Cam
- Toguard Mirror Dash Cam
- YI Smart Dash Car Cam
- Crosstour Dash Car Cam
$60 - $150
- Rexing V1 Car Dash Cam
- Rove R2-4K Dash Cam
- Apeman Dual Dash Cam
- Crosstour Dual Dash Car Cam
- Z-Edge Dash Car Cam Front and Rear
Over $150
Best Budget Dash Cam Under 100
- Rexing V1 Car Dash Cam
- Apeman Dual Dash Cam
- OldShark 3” Dash Cam
- Crosstour Dual Dash Car Cam
- Apeman Mini Dash Cam
- Toguard Mirror Dash Cam
- YI Smart Dash Car Cam
- Crosstour Dash Car Cam
Best Dash Cam Front And Rear
Best Dash Cam FAQ:
Q: Will My Dash Cam Record Inside my Car?
Nine out of ten dash cam models are mounted to your windshield (on the interior) with the focus looking outside of your car. Imagine that your windshield was a camera, and you were always looking through the lens. Reversal dashcam models are usually for vloggers and filmmakers. Either way, the presence of a dashcam helps improve your driving.
Q: Is a GPS Function Important when Buying the Best Dashcam?
Your GPS tracking is able to look at where you are, where you were, and what happened following an accident. It uses Google Maps (most models) to track your location as you drive, allowing you to pinpoint the exact location of a car accident or event on the map. This isn’t a crucial feature, but it is a convenient one for the models that do possess it.
Q: Can a Dash Cam Be Used to Incriminate Me?
Short answer: yes. If you possess a dashcam, that information could be used against you. Even based on front-facing video only, your dashcam shows enough information to be damning. One perk of this is that you’re a lot more responsible behind the wheel, which can help avoid accidents altogether.
Q: How do Dash Cams Help Reduce Insurance Premiums?
Some insurances can offer up to 12.5% of a discount on your insurance premiums. If you’re a new driver or you’re under twenty-five-years-old, your insurance usually starts off pretty damn high. 12.5% can be a real lifesaver when it comes time to pay the tab.
Since your car dash camera can usually determine who was at fault during an accident, it could help you keep discounts for “No Accident” or whatever your current car insurance calls it. Furthermore, it’s able to settle a claim a hell of a lot faster. You get your money, you fix your car, and you’re on your merry way—sealed and over with.
Our good friends at carinsurance.com have a nifty database of no-fault and at-fault states in America, allowing you to prioritize having a dashcam based on your state jurisdiction.
Q: What do you do when your dash cam’s virtual memory fills up?
Don’t worry, creators have already thought of that problem way ahead of time. While you’re mostly going to see this in built-in models, your dash cam comes with a feature that rewrites old data. If you can get three hours of recorded footage, it will start rewriting that first minute, moving forward, and so on. Either way, you’ll have X amount of previous footage to reflect on. If you need that footage ASAP, such as after getting into an accident, just pop out the SD card, put it somewhere safe, and put the alternate SD card in.
Q: Which dash cam has the best night vision?
The Rove R2-4K Dash Cam is an excellent choice for night vision. With quality 4K ultra HD recording and Super Night Vision technology, this little camera can deliver clear, reliable video and image resolution even in the dark.
Q: How long do Dash Cameras record for?
A dash cam’s recording capacity depends on a few different factors, like the size of the memory card and whether the camera is battery-powered or wired to your vehicle. Wired cameras can record continuously, turning on and capturing video any time your car is running. Battery-powered models will be limited. However, your memory card also determines how long your camera can record for before it begins looping or recording over any older video footage. For example, a 128 GB memory card can get up to 18 hours while a 16 GB version will capture only 3 hours.
Q: Can you get a dash cam without wires?
Most dash cameras get their power from your vehicle’s ignition, which means they need wires and cables. Battery options do exist, but they cannot run for as long as wired cameras — you will only get a few minutes or hours of capability from a battery-powered, wire-free dash cam.
Our Top Pick
While all dash cams on our Top List are excellent, reliable products, the Rexing V1 Car Dash Cam takes the crown. Why is that, you ask? For one, this camera is incredibly durable, guaranteed to last for several years. It also comes packed with great features, including a parking monitor, loop recording, G-sensor, motion detection, WiFi connection, and others. But what sets this model apart from all others is its ability to withstand extreme temperatures (-20 to 176°F) for long periods of time – and this is exactly what allows it to be so long-lasting and reliable. The REX-V1 model supports memory cards up to 256 GB, which is quite a lot, especially when compared to 32 GB models. All in all, one of the best dash cams on the market, hands down.
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Sources:
- How do Dash Cameras Work? - Lifewire official website
- 7 Reasons to Use a Dashboard Camera - Insurance.com official website
- Most Dangerous Times to Drive - Forbes
- Dashcam Discount - Swiftcover
- No-fault States: Which States are No-fault and What Does it Mean? - Carinsurance
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