The best dash cam 2024: finest car cameras for every budget - TechRadar
We're often asked about the best dash cams, but the truth is that no single dash cam is right for every driver and vehicle. Sure, there are some things that every good dash cam should do well, like shooting sharp footage of the road ahead. But the importance of other features will depend on your own needs and budget. That's why we've tested a whole range of dash cams, from entry-level models to premium recording systems.
Based on our in-depth reviews, we think the top choice for most people right now is the Nextbase iQ. It's one of the smartest dash cams we've tested, with a full suite of assistance and security features – and more on the way through firmware updates. That said, it's also one of the most expensive dash cams in our list, so you might prefer a different option.
We suggest reading our full guide for an overview of all the top dash cams in 2024. Our expert team assesses each model extensively, in the kind of scenarios you're likely to encounter. These real-world reviews cover everything from ease of use and setup, to the reliability of assistance features and overall video quality. We share both the positives and the negatives of each option, to make it as easy as possible for your to pick the right dash cam.
Tim is TechRadar's Cameras editor, with over 15 years in the photo video industry and most of those in the world of tech journalism, Tim has developed a deeply technical knowledge and practical experience with all things camera related. Tim notes, "many of the dash cams in this list have advanced features, such as GPS, surveillance and driver assistance modes. If you don't need these tools, you can save money by choosing a simpler model."
The quick list
If you want a shortcut to the best dash cams for every driver, our quick round-up below will give you an overview of the top options for every budget. When you find one that fits the bill, use the links beneath to jump down to our full write-up.
Best overall
If you're happy to pay for a subscription, the Nextbase iQ is a 4K dash cam that's easy to use and packed with clever features.
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Best budget option
Despite its tiny size, the Dash Cam Mini 2 records in Full HD with HDR, producing footage that's sharp enough to pick out key detail.
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Best for most people
With impressive 4K video quality and a flagship feature set, the Nextbase 622GW is the best dash cam you can buy right now.
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Best for high-mileage drivers
The Nexar Pro is a dual-cam solution aimed at those who spend extended periods behind the wheel, limited to 1080p.
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Best low-profile 4K cam
Neat and relatively compact, the Vantrue E1 is an attractive dash cam that's capable of recording quality 2.5K video at 30fps.
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Best for ease of use
With a large touchscreen and icon-based interface, the X1000 is simple to configure and you don't need to rely on an app.
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Best value dual system
Adding a 2K rear camera to a slick front unit with proven video quality, this dual-cam system represents great value.
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Best for ride-share drivers
Designed with taxi drivers in mind, the Vantrue N2 Pro forgoes many of the extras which your car is already likely to have.
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Best 360-degree
This unique 360 dash cam covers an omni-directional view, ideal for capturing both your journeys and your in-car karaoke.
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Best for analogue vehicles
A dash cam and sat nav combo, the Garmin DriveCam 76 is a feature-packed tool for vehicles without an infotainment system.
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The best dash cam in 2024
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Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best dash cams in our list. We've tested each one comprehensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best smart dash cam
✅ You want an all-in-on dash cam: With a comprehensive suite of clever safety and security features, the Nextbase iQ is the complete dash cam package.
✅ You want a future-proof model: Firmware updates are in the pipeline which will add additional functionality to the iQ's already impressive arsenal.
❌ You don't need a complex camera: If you only want to capture video of the road, there are simpler dash cam options for a lot less money.
❌ You want a subscription-free dash cam: Basic functionality is free, but you'll need to pay subscription fees for the full set of Nextbase iQ features.
A smart surveillance camera for your car, the Nextbase iQ is as feature-packed as dash cams come. Available in 1K, 2K and 4K variants, it's a premium solution with a suite of connected skills. That includes parking assistance, a voice-activated Witness Mode and the ability to check in on your vehicle via the Nextbase iQ app, as well as GPS, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. All three versions include an interior camera, and there's an optional rear-facing unit. You will need a paid subscription to get the full benefit of its abilities, which means the iQ can quickly become a costly bit of kit.
But our tests found that it's also an impressive one. Setup proved simple in our review, while the app made it easy to access its many features. Footage and audio from our 4K review unit was predictably excellent, too. Because powered is delivered directly from the car's battery, the system remains active even when the engine's off. It will be overkill for many road users, but if you want a complete, all-in-one camera to monitor your car at all times, the Nextbase iQ is as clever as they come.
The best budget dash cam
✅ You want a hidden dash cam: Compact dimensions mean the Mini 2 pretty much disappears behind your rear-view mirror, with no impact on forward visibility.
✅ You prefer a simple setup: Garmin keeps the Mini 2 simple, making it a reliable tool that's easy to install and runs faithfully in the background.
❌ You want a feature-packed model: Putting simplicity first means the Mini 2 doesn't offer options such as speed camera alerts or what3words integration.
❌ You need 4K video footage: The Mini 2 is limited to 1080p Full HD. You'll need to spend more on a premium model for higher resolution video.
The Garmin Mini 2 is tiny enough to disappear behind your car's rear-view mirror. Despite its size, it records in Full HD at 30fps with HDR. In our review, it produced footage sharp enough to pick out key details like registration plates, regardless of the ambient light and weather conditions. We found installation quick and simple in our tests, too. The plastic arm takes up very little windscreen space, while the ball-and-socket joint makes it easy to reposition.
The interface is similarly accessible: though there's no display, shortcut buttons let you save clips and mute the mic with one touch. We found that the Garmin Drive smartphone app (for iOS and Android) lets you easily change settings, review recordings and check the camera's view. While features are limited to voice controls and a g-sensor that can detect collisions, we felt that GPS was the only real omission. Unless you need the best dash cam with driver assistance functions, the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 will leave you wanting for very little. Simple, subtle and reliable, it's the definition of set-and-forget technology.
The best dash cam for most people
✅ You want emergency services on call: Thanks to what3words integration, the 622GW can pinpoint your location and instantly forward it to emergency services.
✅ You'd like sharp video footage: Harnessing a quad-core processor and six-layer f/1.3 lens, the 622GW can capture impressively detailed 4K footage.
❌ You want seamless connectivity: Connecting to a smartphone isn't always straightforward, with the Wi-Fi connection often failing to establish during our testing.
❌ You want built-in rear recording: There are rivals for a similar price with rear-view cameras as standard, but it's an optional add-on for the 622GW.
With impressive video quality and a flagship feature set, we think the Nextbase 622GW is the best dash cam you can buy right now. We found its 4K/30p footage almost cinematic in testing, with crisp definition and outstanding detail. Low-light and poor-weather algorithms also improve results in tricky conditions. Drop down to 1080p and we found that you can shoot 120fps slow-mo that makes it easier to pinpoint things like registration numbers. We were impressed in our review with how effectively the built-in polarizing filter reduced windscreen glare, too, and how well the digital image stabilization soaked up road vibrations.
Our tests did reveal that setup was slightly fiddly, and the 3-inch touchscreen requires obvious swipe inputs. We also had some trouble connecting to our smartphones to transfer video clips. That said, we still think the 622GW is a simple camera to use overall. We found its interface intuitive, while the display is big, sharp and clear. Footage is automatically saved when an incident is detected, and thanks to clever what3words integration, the 622GW can pinpoint the location of stricken vehicles and send it on to emergency vehicles. There are less bulky alternatives with better voice control, but if you want a dash cam that reliably captures clear 4K video, the 622GW is our recommendation.
The best dash cam for high-mileage drivers
✅ You want comprehensive coverage: The Nexar Pro records interior and exterior video out of the box, making it a total dash cam solution for any vehicle.
✅ You value cloud video backup: Unlimited free storage gives you peace of mind that all of your video clips are securely backed up to the cloud.
❌ You want a hands-off installation: Fitting the Nexar Pro isn't too challenging, but there's a fair amount of wiring to hide if you don't want cables trailing in the cabin.
❌ You want a simple solution: Nexar's app is home to a host of useful tools, but you'll find better value elsewhere if you only want a basic cam for recording the road.
Aimed at those who spend extended periods behind the wheel, the Nexar Pro is a dual-cam solution that can record video both inside and outside a vehicle. Comprised of two separate camera units connected by a cable, we found the setup to be pretty neat, even if it took up a fair bit of screen real estate. It doesn't record in 4K, but from our tests we found its 1080p video perfectly serviceable. The external camera fared well even in tricky shooting situations, from heavy rain to bright sunshine.
We found that the Nexar app is central to the twin-camera experience: it's where you can fine-tune settings, generate incident reports and back recorded clips up to the cloud (Nexar bundles cloud storage in for free). Other useful tools include break-in alerts if someone tries to tamper with your car, as well as GPS data logging. There are cheaper dash cams out there with fewer features to play with, but if the security of your car is crucial to your daily life, the Pro is hard to beat in terms of protection and overall value.
The best low-profile 4K dash cam
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