Top 10: Best dash cameras
There are tonnes of dash cams on the market, ranging from those that'll cost a tenner to those that'll set you back hundreds - so we've rounded up our top 10 dash cams in terms of features offered, price and value for money.
Top 10: Best value dash cams | Top 10: Cheap dash cams
Nextbase 522GW
The 522 features GPS, WiFi and Amazon Alexa connectivity. Resolution is 1440p @ 30fps with a 140-degree viewing angle and a built-in polarising filter. The 522GW also offers a new and improved 3-inch LED touchscreen, a new software suite to watch and edit your footage, and Emergency SOS so you can alert emergency services of your location in the event of an accident.
It isn't the cheapest dash cam around, but it offers a tonne of smart features for the outlay. Considering most people use dash cameras to protect themselves against false insurance claims or in the event of an accident, Nextbase has also renewed its partnership with SureThing, offering those who buy a 522GW - or any other Nextbase Series 2 dash cam - 25% off a SureThing policy.
Buy it now
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£159.95 |
YI Smart
The YI is an excellent dashcam for the money. It's fairly inexpensive but outperforms cameras that are more than twice the price. The footage is very good, it's easy to use with a simple menu layout and is proving reliable too. In our time testing the YI, we had no issues with it freezing or crashing, despite us changing SD cards repeatedly and playing with all the settings.
It's disappointing there's no suction mount, plus the lack of GPS is a drawback - but if that's not an issue for you, this is a no-brainer. YI also has excellent customer support and you only have to have a quick glance at the customer reviews on Amazon to see many satisfied buyers. This is one of the best non-4K cameras we have tested and, for the price, is superb value for money.
Azdome GS63H
While Azdome may not be a familiar name to many, the GS63H is a superb camera for the money. Given the price, it outperforms more expensive dash cams from many well-known brands, both in terms of features and the footage it captures.
Easy to set up, the GS63H is a camera you can leave in your car and not have to worry about. As soon as turn on the ignition it starts recording and you can forget about it. You can also set the screen to turn off when you're driving to make it less distracting - a little lights tells you it's still recording. With GPS, WiFi, an easy to use app and reliable software that works well, the GS63H is a great dash cam and one that's easy to recommend.
Buy it now
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£79.99 |
Garmin 55
The Garmin 55 offers 1440p resolution footage, forward collision and lane departure warnings, alerts for red light and speed cameras, WiFi and voice-controlled features like Travelapse. If you're looking for a top of the line, feature-packed dash cam then the Garmin 55 definitely fits the bill. Footage quality is excellent, as are the driver assistance systems you get included. And because it doesn't record in 4k resolution, it isn't quite as expensive as dash cams like the Nextbase 612GW.
There are definitely cheaper rivals that do the job, but the lower footage quality and lack of GPS signal (to show speed and location) discount some of these from providing viable footage to insurers in the case of an accident. If you can afford it, the Garmin 55 is a superb choice. Or, for £20 less you can get the Garmin 45, which offers roughly the same specs (slightly lower resolution at 1080p and no voice control capabilities).
Mio MiVue 766
The Mio MiVue 766 WiFi records in 1080p at 30fps to provide clear videos that make it easy to read number plates on playback. The GPS tracking also provides accurate location and speed details, while the WiFi function hooks the camera to a smartphone for mobile video playback and quick downloads.
The driver aids include pre-installed safety speed camera locations, digital speedo and a parking function that will record footage when the vehicle is unattended. The Mio isn't quite as polished as a Garmin or the new range of Nextbase dash cams, meaning the menu and button system feels a little old and the camera itself looks a bit cheap - but it does it's job well and that makes it east to recommend.
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Toguard CE680
The CE680 dash cam has a 120-degree lens to record up to 3 lanes of traffic in 1080P (average quality), with a 1.5-inch screen to playback footage. The compact design means it can be easily hidden behind the rear-view mirror while motion detection locks incident footage so it can't be accidentally deleted. The dash cam accepts micro SD card up to 32G, but a micro SD card isn't included.
Nextbase 612GW
Although not the most expensive camera from the manufacturer, the 612GW shows what Nextbase is capable of in terms of features. Amongst the big standard spec you get WiFi connection, a sturdy metal casing and a 150-degree wide-angle lens, although many of those are found lower down the Nextbase range.
What gives the 612GW the edge however is the headline-grabbing 4K Ultra HD resolution and the polarising filter that makes for excellent footage in dark or poor weather conditions. If you do a lot of driving at night or in the rain and you want to be as certain as you can that your dashcam will capture the crucial information, the 612GW is right up at the top of the pile.
Vantrue OnDash N2
The N2’s key feature is a wide-angle forward-facing camera that works in conjunction with an adjustable rear-facing camera. These allow it to capture a 310-degree view around the car. The Vantrue OnDash N2 is a capable, straightforward and feature-packed dash cam that offers plenty of functionality for a sensible price.
As a result, if you’re looking for an affordable and serviceable dual-camera unit, the OnDash N2 should be on your list. Vantrue, a brand that originates from China, also has a good reputation for support and service.
Z-Edge T4 Dual
Having both a front and rear camera makes a lot of sense, particularly when it comes to providing footage to the police or insurers. So we can see the appeal of a dual dash cam like the Z-Edge T4. The touchscreen is responsive and the menus are clear, but it isn't exactly the discreet option (the screen is very big).
While the footage is very clear, there's no WiFi or GPS - which isn't great going at this price. The former isn't too much of a loss, but the lack of GPS means that it will not display your speed and location, something that insurers often ask for in order to deal with claims more quickly. If that's not an issue for you, we can easily recommend the Z-Edge T4 - but there are other dash cams around at this price that will offer these features, although they may not be dual cameras.
Garmin 66W
The range-topping 66W model features an extra-wide 180-degree field of view, 1440p resolution footage, voice control (albeit limited) and safety speed camera alerts.
While footage quality is excellent, as are the driver assistance systems, the range-topping 66W doesn't record in 4k resolution - meaning we can't see why it sits at the £200 mark. And that high price will be a big hurdle for many buyers.
Buy it now
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£429.55 |
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