The dash camera has been around for a long time and it’s always been a hit with car owners. It offers a total view of the windshield to help you see oncoming traffic from all sides and record everything that happens on the road.
However, finding the best dash camera is not as easy as it used to be. Back in the day, all you had to do was walk into a store and buy the latest model. Nowadays, there’s a multitude of options for consumers to choose from, with each brand releasing a different version every year.
Nevertheless, you have to find a way to choose the best dashcam for your needs because it could change your life. Not only will a dash cam provide you with valuable footage to use in case of an accident but it’s a great way to capture interesting sights when you’re on the road.
The following article is dedicated to helping you pick the best dash camera in 2019. Keep in mind that dash cams are special and quite different from the other types of cameras because they’re made for cars. This means they come with certain features and functions that are designed for optimal use in a vehicle.
How Do Dash Cameras Work?
A dash cam is designed to provide the driver with visuals of everything that happens on the road. They allow you to see events and incidences that you’d miss out on otherwise. A lot of people argue that they’d rather mount an iPhone on their car’s dashboard instead of buying a dash cam.
What these people don’t understand is that it wouldn’t be the same experience for a number of reasons:
A dash cam is unlikely to die out on you when you need it the most because its power source is long-lasting.
Dash cams can capture fast movements in a way that a smartphone can’t
Phone mounts are often unreliable, whereas a dash cam mount is designed to keep the camera in place no matter what
Plus, you have to consider the fact that dash cams offer a detailed and clear picture of everything. Even license plate numbers captured from a moving vehicle are clear to read and comprehend.
The best part about dash cams is that they’re easy to mount and they function in a way that’s simple and straightforward. All you need to do is to position and plug the dash cam into place using the included mount.
You can either plug them in through the cigarette lighter or USB openings, both of which are better than the less sturdy phone wire. Alternatively, you may hardwire you dash cam into your electrical system, and depending on your auto electrical skills, you may decide to DIY or hire a professional for this.
Once your dash cam is plugged in it will start to capture visuals like a regular camera would. They usually come with lots of storage space and even an SD card. Once the device has reached its memory threshold, you simply eject the SD card, transfer the data into your laptop before you delete it from the card and it will be ready to store more footage again.
Alternatively, if you feel like you have no need for the footage captured by the dash cam, you can simply leave it as is and the device will rewrite over it. Most dash cams come with a built-in rewriting feature that will record over existing footage once the device’s memory fills up. This makes life so much easier because you won’t have to constantly eject the card every time it’s full.
WheelWitness HD PRO Dash Cam
Well-priced
16 GB of memory and loop recording
170 degrees swivel
High-resolution picture quality
Vantrue N2 Pro Dual Dash Cam
Convenient parking mode
Time lapse feature
High-quality Dual capture
High-resolution
G-Sensor
Very well-made
HD recording for crisp picture quality
Storage capacity to 128 GB
GPS-Enabled
Easy mounting
Good for different light conditions
Lane & forward collision warnings
Best dash cam under 100
Reasonably priced Dash Cam
Parking mode
Wide angle lens
Who Needs a Dash Camera?
It’s better to have a dash cam than to not have one. Imagine having a camera that’s perfectly positioned to capture everything that happens on the road while you’re driving. Nothing beats the convenience of a dash cam and you never know when it’ll come in handy.
Generally, dash cams are good for scenarios such as:
Spotting random crimes
Capturing footage for recreational film-making
Capturing police interactions (you never know what might happen)
Capturing car accident footage (it may come in handy in court or for insurance purposes)
To record footage for pedestrian incidents
Of course, having a dash cam will do a lot more for you than the reasons outlined above. This is just the tip of the iceberg and some of the most common reasons why people choose to purchase dash cams.
Features to Keep in Mind When Shopping for a Car Dash Camera
In order to find the best dash camera for you, it’s important that you understand what’s expected in such a device.
Here are a few of the most important features that a dash cam should have:
High Video Quality
Clear footage is a must when it comes to your dash cam because you need to see every detail of the footage when you play it back. What’s the point of purchasing a camera specifically for capturing footage from your car if you’re just going to end up with mediocre visuals that look like they come from an old mobile camera? For the best results, look for a dash cam that comes with high-quality resolution.
Looping Feature
If you’re a regular driver then your dash cam is going to capture a lot of footage on a regular basis. That’s why you need a dash cam with a looping feature that will automatically record over old video when the memory gets full. That way, you’ll only transfer footage when you want to and not because you need to.
Emergency Record
Dash cams with an Emergency Record Feature come with a built-in G-sensor that permanently saves accident footage so that it’s not looped over. This is a very important feature because it will determine the usefulness of your dash cam in accident situations.
GPS
GPS capability enables the dashcam to track your location and your driving speed. That way, when you watch the footage later on, you’ll be able to see exactly where you were and how fast you were going.
Accessories
There are a few standard accessories that you shouldn’t compromise on. For example, a long power cable is useful because it allows the camera to reach the 12V socket.
Best Dash Cameras in 2019
Up until now, we’ve covered all the different aspects that go into making the best dash camera that money can buy. As you can see, this is not a complicated device and anyone can benefit from it. Now, let’s take a look at a list of what we consider to be the best dash cameras on the market at the moment, based on research and experience.
1 – WheelWitness HD PRO Dash Cam with GPS Review
Boasting high-resolution footage and three-way mounting, this is the best front and rear dash cam that you can find. It captures 2K visuals that are crystal clear, thanks to a high resolution of 2306 x 1296P.
With the WheelWitness dash cam, you’ll be able to capture all sorts of videos, from the most obscure license plate number to high-speed accidents that could happen near you.
It comes with features such as 170 swivel for customized viewing, HDR technology for balancing light and dark spots as well as improved exposure.
Although this is a good quality camera with great features, things get sort of complicated when it comes to the mounting. First of all, there are three mounting options to choose from, which seems like a good thing but that may not be the case.
The first mounting option is simple and easy enough because it only requires you to attach a suction cup on the inside of the windshield. This option works great but the complication comes with the additional two sticky mounts that are meant to move the camera around.
The problem in this case is that they don’t hold for long. Then there’s the hefty charging wire which rattles annoyingly. Other than that, this fantastic dash cam is tricked out with other more convenient features, like GPS that keeps track of your location while allowing you to share where you are with your loved ones.
This feature will come in handy when you’re going on long car rides in places you’re not familiar with. You’ll have a peace of mind knowing that there are people who know exactly where you are, and it’s useful for accident reconstruction purposes as well.
The WheelWitness HD PRO Dash Cam also comes with loop recording, a large memory capacity that’s complemented by a 16 GB micro SD card and a 1-year warranty.
PROS:
Well-priced
16 GB of memory and loop recording
170 degrees swivel
High-resolution picture quality
CONS:
Comes with a heavy wire that requires that you plug it into an adapter
Out of the three mounts that this comes with, one works well
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2 – Vantrue N2 Pro Uber Dual Dash Cam Review
The Vantrue N2 Pro Uber Dual Dash Cam is the best dash camera for amateur filmmakers that want to capture footage on the road. It ranks high on the list of best front and rear dash cams due to its ability to view windshield activity.
It’ll definitely come in handy if you get involved in a rear-end accident because it’ll capture all the footage perfectly to offer concrete evidence should you need it.
Some of the notable features of this camera include 2.5K video quality, a Sony sensor and IR LD lights for night vision and front and rear lens that offer you 140 to 170-degree positioning.
To mount this camera, all you have to do is plug it into the cigarette lighter which may cause it to dangle a bit but provides you with a convenient view of the interior.
It also comes with a fantastic G-sensor and the time-lapse feature is absolutely perfect for capturing footage for YouTube or social media. GPS is optional on this camera but it does come with a convenient ‘parking mode.’
PROS:
Convenient parking mode
Time lapse feature
Dual capture
High-resolution video
High-quality night capture
CONS:
Due to the picture quality, this dash cam eats up memory fast
It fits loosely on the cigarette lighter and comes with a falling risk
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3 – Rexing V1 Car Dash Cam Review
According to dashcam reviews, the Rexing V1 model is as impressive in its performance as it is in the looks department. It has a unique, low-profile design that gives it a discreet appearance so that no-one else but you will know that there’s a camera in your car.
It’s made from durable materials with a sturdy chassis, and it offers loop recording for ease of use and storage. However, this dash cam is unique in that it allows you to pick out five 3 ½ minute time blocks for videos that you’d like to keep.
It has a large storage capacity as well and can handle an SD card of up to 128 GB. But you’ll have to purchase the SD card on your own because it doesn’t come with one. However, it does come with a G-sensor that saves accident footage instead of looping over it.
Other features on this dash cam include Sony Exmor IMX323 imaging that enables HD recording for you to capture the perfect snap when you’re driving through rolling hills and majestic valleys.
Beware that this dash cam can only record 30fps (frames per second). But, it makes up for it with its six-layer lenses that offer a 170-degree angle. This means you’ll have a richer recording experience with lots of recording space.
PROS:
Loop recording makes provision for five 3 ½ minute increments
G-sensor
Very well-made from durable materials
HD recording for crisp picture quality
Has storage capacity of up to 128 GB
CONS:
It doesn’t come with a memory card so you have to purchase it separately
No high-speed recording, capped at 30fps
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4 – Garmin Dash Cam Review
Garmin is a famous name in the electronics industry. Many of us are familiar with their GPS products and now they’ve brought their innovation to dash cams with this marvelous unit. It’s not a perfect first attempt, but it offers high-performance and lots of great features.
This includes the revolutionary voice command feature which is the first of its kind and allows you to tell the camera when to start and stop recording, bring travel-lapse or take a picture.
In addition to being small and compact, this dash camera comes with a magnetic mount that makes it easy to install and use, and it offers 3.7 megapixels of picture quality, which means it’s as good as an average phone camera.
Amateur photographers will enjoy the lane departure and forward collision warnings because they’ll alert you whenever the camera is unstable so that you’re able to get clear footage that’s free from fuzziness.
This feature will also come in handy when you’re driving long-distance because it’ll let you know when you’re slacking off, so you can pull over and get some rest or stretch your legs. It’s a great way to avoid an accident, that’s for sure.
Being a Garmin device, it comes with GPS and it works for different lighting situations as well.
With that said, there are a few downsides to this dash camera like the fact that it will automatically shut down when you drive through elevated temperatures or higher altitudes. Otherwise, it offers good quality video capture, a slew of great features and rugged design.
PROS:
GPS-enabled
Magnetic attachment for easy mounting
Performs well in different light conditions
Comes with lane departure and forward collision warnings
CONS:
Dash cam reviews show that this unit has problems adapting to certain climatic conditions
The video quality could use some improvement
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5 – Z-EDGE Z4 2K Dash Cam Review
Z-Edge is a rather obscure brand we know, but this is a solid effort from them. This well-priced dash cam offers superior video quality with high resolution that’s so clear that you can make out the fine print on a license plate.
It comes with a G-sensor, 2K quality video, parking mode and it comes with a 16GB SD card. Although we should mention that the SD card is quick to run out of space so you might want to consider upgrading to a larger storage card.
Other than that, the Z-Edge will offer you the best footage to use in court or submit to your insurance company if you get into an accident. It has a scratch-resistant 2.7-inch LCD screen and color CMOS image sensors that are designed to clarify images. It also offers two power options, including a battery and a USB power cable slot.
Furthermore, this dash cam is backed by an 18-month warranty that covers parts and hardware, as well as a one-month satisfaction cash back guarantee. You’ll be glad to know that it has a maximum space capacity of 64 GB so you can easily upgrade from the included memory card, and it has a wide-angle lens to capture beautiful sunsets.
PROS:
Best dash cam under 100
Reasonably priced
Parking mode
Wide angle lens
CONS:
Difficult to mount
The memory tends to run out quickly
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6 – KDLINKS X1 GPS-Enabled Full HD Dashboard Camera Review
The KDLINKS X1 is hands-down one of the best dash cams to ever hit the market. That’s because it comes with all the features you would want in a dash cam and it delivers them in a beautiful package.
This includes full HD 1920x1080p resolution for detailed and rich video, excellent render that takes fantastic profiles, a 2.7-inch screen for easy viewing and an integrated 8GB SD card.
This is in addition to the night vision feature which makes it easy to capture high-quality footage at night. Then there’s the fact that it can handle almost any climate. In fact, it can handle temperatures as low as -40F and as high as 170F.
To top it off, this camera offers GPS functionality which you can connect to Google Maps, and it can rotate 165 degree. If that’s not epic we don’t know what is.
Additional features include an emergency lock button, G-sensor and a one-year warranty to cover all of its hardware.
PROS:
Unbeatable price for the quality
Backed by 1-year warranty cover for hardware
Emergency lock button
G-sensor for accident detection
Rugged construction
High-resolution video quality
CONS:
It has a thin casing
It’s difficult to switch out SD cards
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7 – OldShark Dash Cam – Best HD Car Recorder
For a camera of this size and quality, we were quite taken with how affordable this OldShark Dash Cam is. It’s one of the most stable dash cams on this list and it’s built for drivers who like to travel the road less traveled, off the beaten track.
Mounting this on your 4×4 should be easy thanks to the high-quality suction cup, and the body is build tough with a zinc alloy chassis. Take it on a test drive through a night safari and watch it deliver clear and detailed imagery thanks to the night vision feature, and there’s a 32 GB SD card for you to store as much footage as you like.
Just keep in mind that the high-resolution quality video tends to take up a lot of space, but this is a small price to pay for the end result.
Other features worth noting on this model include a 170-degree angle lens which enables you to capture a fuller picture and emergency lock mode which automatically stops the loop feature so that the accident footage cannot be overwritten.
When you’re ready to view the footage, you’ll see it on a comfortable 3.0-inch screen, and OldShark is one of the few companies that has managed to get the wire adapter right. It hangs down sturdily and reliably.
Lastly, this dash cam comes with icing on the cake in the form of lifetime customer service, an 18-month warranty and 45-day satisfaction guarantee. This means if you’re not satisfied with this dash cam you have a 45-day window to return it and get your money back.
PROS:
Wire adapter works great
Great value for money
G-sensor
Emergency lock
Supreme quality suction cup attachment for secure mounting
CONS:
Easy to spot because of its bulky design
Goes through memory quickly
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8 – YI 2.7″ Full HD Wide Angle Dashboard Camera Review
Y1’s 2.7-inch wide angle dashboard camera is the best dual dash cam for anyone that’s shopping on a budget. But, despite its low price tag, this dash cam offers construction quality and features that would rival even the most expensive competitors.
It comes with a convenient 165 wide angle lens, a G-sensor that prevents videos from being overwritten in accident situations, and a 2.7-inch screen from which you can view the footage. Y1 has also created an app to simplify your ability to operate this dash cam.
Other features of this dash cam include HD video capture, night vision mode that could use some improvement, and memory storage capacity of up to 64GB. On the downside, it doesn’t come with the USB card, which means you have to purchase it separately.
Plus, you can tell that the build is cheaply made by how flimsy it is, but this shouldn’t be a problem if your car doesn’t get into an accident.
The ADAS and real-time lane departure features are designed to identify the at-fault party when accidents happen, and the camera provides an impressive 60fps of recording. It’ll definitely put money in your pocket through the savings you’ll get from your insurer.
PROS:
Features 60fps of recording
Full HD quality video
Budget-friendly
Wide angle lens
G-sensor
CONS:
The color balance aspect of the night vision feature could use some improvement
A bit flimsy
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9 – Fliiners Mini LCD Car Dvr Camera Recorder Review
Fliiners’ Mini LCD Dash Cam is a nifty little device that offers superb mounting capabilities and several surprisingly awesome features.
We’ll start with some of our favorite features, which include a large LCD screen, night vision mode with superb color balance, loop feature and 1080p recording.
But, since this is a low-cost unit, it does come with a few sacrifices. For example, it has a memory capacity of only 32 GB and you have to buy the memory card yourself because it doesn’t come with one.
But they make up for it by offering 24/7 email support, excellent customer service, one-month cash-back guarantee and a 1-year warranty for quality assurance.
In a nutshell, the Fliiners dash cam is the perfect purchase for cash-strapped shoppers that want all the features and benefits of a dash cam without paying an arm and a leg for it. Plus, you’ll be saving money from your insurance once you show them that you’ve installed this reliable unit in your car.
PROS:
Budget-friendly
Full HD quality picture
Easy to mount
Excellent customer service
CONS:
It can be difficult at first to figure out the settings
The build quality could use some improvement- it should be sturdier!
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10 – AUKEY Dash Cam – Best Priced Dashboard Camera Recorder
AUKEY’s 1080p dash cam is a joy to record with. That’s because it features a Sony Exmor IM323 Sensor that gives you HD quality on every frame, with excellent nighttime vision that actually lives up to the hype.
The end result is crisp, clear and rich imagery that captures every detail, whether it’s day or night. Make no mistake about it; this is a proper camera that even comes with HDR and F/1.8 aperture.
It also comes with loop recording which is supplemented by emergency recording which is activated by sudden movements and collisions, thus preventing the footage from being overwritten. It’ll save incidents like sharp turns and abrupt stops so that you can review the situation later.
However, what really sets this model apart from the rest is that it’s built tough. In fact, we’ll go as far as to say that it’s the best dash cam for truckers because it can handle any terrain or weather condition.
But it really disappoints when it comes to the mounting system because it’s not as hard-wearing as the dash cam itself and is prone to falling apart.
The manufacturer should seriously look into improving this issue and make this the best dash camera for all occasions.
PROS:
Built tough to withstand harsh conditions
Emergency video lock saves footage that happens during and after sudden movements and collisions
Looping feature
HD video quality for both daytime and nighttime capture
CONS:
The mounting is flimsy
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Conclusion
Unbeatable price
Emergency lock button
G-sensor for accident detection
High-resolution video quality
Wire adapter works great
Great value for money
Emergency lock
Supreme quality suction cup
Features 60fps of recording
Full HD quality video
Best Budget-friendly Car Recorder
Wide angle lens Dashcam
Budget-friendly Dash Cam
Full HD quality picture
Easy to mount
Excellent customer service
Built tough to withstand harsh conditions
Emergency video lock
Looping feature
HD video quality
Well, there you have it! All that you need to know to find the best dash camera for your needs. We hope that this guide will make your search easier and that you’ll now make an informed decision.
We’ve covered pretty much every aspect of your shopping process, from the most important features to consider while looking for the dash cam, to a list of great options for you to look into.
If you’re still at a loss as to which dash camera you should choose from the top 10 list above, don’t despair. We’ve got just the suggestion for you. If we were to pick one dash cam to use for the rest of our lives it would be the OldShark Dash Cam.
It just ticks all the boxes with quality construction and excellent video quality. Plus, it comes with such great features as mounting stability through the high-quality suction cup, a zinc alloy chassis, night vision, a 3.0-inch screen and a complimentary 32 GB SD card.
Sure, it’ll go through your memory card quickly and it’s a bit bulky, but that’s what you get with a long-lasting and rugged unit like this one. You can take it with you on road trips, when you’re camping, hiking with friends, or just to capture footage while you’re going through daily traffic.
Other stand-out features that we like on this dash cam are the 170-degree angle lens, emergency lock mode, and it comes with a huge 3.0-inch screen. All in all, this is the best dash cam for car, 4×4 and truck use. It’s versatile, safe, durable, reliable and easy to use.
What do you get from three nerds (Joe, Ray, and Paul) that decide to create a functioning tech gadget review site? The first is data-driven arguments lasting way into the night. You can read more…
