The Best Dash Cam (Review) in 2020

Looks like something James Bond would have, eh? It’s discreet, it’s powerful, and it’s got a few kinks we’ll get to in a moment. Rexing crafted this ultra high durability dashcam 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 dashcam.

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.

You do get the addition of a G-sensor, which is essentially the gravity-detecting unit that knows when you’re been in an accident. It keeps the video locked, so you’ll be protected no matter what—that video clip isn’t going anywhere. No chance of being overwritten or anything.

HD recording, thanks to Sony’s Exmor IMX323 imaging, allows you to capture stunning quality, which you definitely need when you’re dealing with various landscapes and lighting changes. We were a bit disappointed to learn that this only records in 30fps (frames per second), because it doesn’t really go with the quality of the cameras. This feature leaves something to be desired, though it will still do its job fine, and it actually allows for more video to be written to your removable storage device. Six-layer lenses and a 170 degree angle gives you crisp quality while giving you optimum recording space.

Kicking off our dash cam review in style, the cream of the crop, the king of the hill and one of the best dash cams on the market —KDLINKS brings us all the features you want in one package, all without breaking the bank. This comes in full HD 1920 x 1080p, giving you excellent details on your surroundings, and the profiles of individuals you may need on camera if you use your dashcam in an emergency situation. Excellent render.

Apart from the quality of the video capture, you get a 2.7” screen to view it on. This unit comes with an 8GB SD card that’s preformatted to work with your dashcam straight out of the package. If your package doesn’t arrive until nightfall, don’t worry—the night vision on this camera surpasses any other night vision we tested. Couple that with the dynamic range capabilities, and there’s nothing this camera can’t capture.

Ready for this? Works up to 170F, and as low as -40F. Unless you keep the doors open in the arctic or you’re trying to boil water, you’re not going to even come near these temperatures. This will last through anything. Your built-in GPS function allows you to track your movements on Google Maps; an invaluable tool for figuring out the at-fault party during an accident.

Apart from these eccentric and epic features, you get a full one-year warranty on all hardware. The only time you may need to call upon that is if your commute takes you over a bunch of bumpy roads; enough turbulence could cause the chassis to fracture. Other than that, this is the best dash cam, the one that goes up to 165 degrees of rotation, the one with a G-sensor and emergency lock button—it’s the one you need.

The Rove R2-4K dashboard camera offers excellent value for money. Sure, it’s not the cheapest around, but it’s packed with features that are typically found only in high-end cams. With 4K ultra HD recording and 150° 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 Wi-Fi 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 which records your driving location and speed – super useful if your kid is driving the car.

Garmin makes killer electronics, and they stepped into the car space with this excellent dashcam 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 dashcam 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. 3.7 megapixel stills 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.

GPS-enabled and boasting excellent performance in adverse lighting situations are both fantastic features, but there are a few bugs. If you hit certain altitudes or elevated temperatures, the software would shut down. Even after the fix, a few users have reported the same issue. In total, you get good quality, great features, and a grab-and-go camera that’s going to capture it all.

The Apeman C860 comes with a front and rear camera which will help keep you and your vehicle as safe as possible. Both cameras have 1080p dual lens 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 the 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 the 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.

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 3” screen which 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° wide-angle, both cameras provide comprehensive vision, covering up to six lanes.

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.

Night vision with a Sony sensor ensures you’ll be getting clear quality picture while also utilizing the four interior IR LED lights. Everything on the interior will be visible. Even in the dead of night, the excellent quality will capture license plate information clearly, thanks to light and dark balance.

Parking mode and a killer G-sensor add safety and accountability to the at-fault party, while the timelapse feature is certain to get the attention of amateur filmmakers and vloggers alike. Good for -4F up to 158F, optional GPS.

There’s a few seriously epic features about this—we were shocked at how inexpensive it was. Between the superior suction cup mount and quality built of the zinc alloy chassis, you get stability on and off the road. Flip this into night vision to continue your ventures, just know that higher res quality recordings really eat up memory. They give you a 32GB SD card included in this model, so be certain to utilize that.

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 3.0” LCD screen, and for once, we’re actually happy with the way the adapter wire hangs down.

You get an 18-month warranty, lifetime customer service, and 45 days to choose if you want it, or your money back. You get a lot of standard features with this camera, but if you’re hunting down an insurance premium reduction, going with this model is an inexpensive and simple way to go about it. One of the top picks in our dash camera reviews. 

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° 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 hours parking monitoring for protection, and loop recording which ensures the SD card is never filled up and you’re always able to record the latest footage.

The Toguard CE35 is a 7-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 itself, which makes the whole adjustment process convenient and easy.

The CE35 model comes with a number of features, including the reversing camera kit for safe parking, and 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.

One of the more expensive dash cams on our list, the OwlCam comes with a host of interesting and above all useful features. Most dash cams constantly record in case there is an accident, but they have basic and rather simplistic features. Owlcam is different – not only does this device record inside and outside with great resolution (1440p out, 720p inside), it alerts you via your phone when it senses motion, impact and broken glass. It also allows for live viewing no matter where you’re at.

The camera offers maximum security thanks to its two crash features. One: when an accident is detected, the video is immediately sent to the driver’s phone, serving as evidence that can be shared with police and insurance companies; Two: a live agent then calls the driver through the cam to see if help is needed. These features make the Owlcam one of the safest cameras on the market, hands down. But that’s not all, of course – the model also deters thieves by flashing green light and then bright LED floodlights that let them know they’re being recorded.

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. 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” 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.

Realtime lane departure detection and the ADAS give insight as to the at-fault party, so your dashcam can do all the work of a quality witness in just about any situation. The chassis is a bit flimsy, so once you mount is, try to leave it be. This model is more likely to get wrecked in a serious accident than others on our list, but for this price, you’ll still get insurance premium deductions (check with your insurance company first) and reap the rewards of more cash in your pocket every month. This could pay for itself in one summer.

If you’re after a cheap but reliable dash cam, the Crosstour CR300 is a fantastic option. With170° 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.

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 4-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 round 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 which is powered by the internal rechargeable battery.