If you love to drive, a great dash cam can help you a lot. These cameras can provide evidence in the event of an accident and prove that you were not at fault. But with so many varieties and options, choosing the right dash cam becomes a bit difficult. Don’t worry, we’ve reviewed many of the best dash cameras of 2024 and find out how they work and which one best suits your needs.
In general, you should get at least one front-facing camera that can take clear video in all weathers, day or night, summer or winter. These videos can help you in case of any accident. However, keep in mind that there are some more expensive cameras on the market that can record from the front as well as the back and inside the vehicle.
So, In this guide, I will show you the Top 5 best dash cam of 2024. After extensive research and testing, I have made this list of best dash cams that’ll meet the needs of different types of buyers whether you are a casual driver, rideshare driver, trucker, or someone who wants all-around protection, there’s a perfect dash cam for you on this list.
Content
1 – Vantrue N4 3 : BEST OVERALL
The Vantrue N4 3 is an exceptional value, offering a dash cam, cabin-facing camera, and rearview camera. It attaches to the windshield with a suction mount, and its cameras can be adjusted for optimal coverage. The front dash cam records at 2560 by 2160 pixels but drops to 2560 by 1440 when all three cameras are used.
The cabin and rear cameras have 1920 by 1080 resolution. The cameras have wide fields of view with minimal distortion, and the cabin camera includes infrared lighting for low-light conditions.
The N4’s integrated screen features a picture-in-picture mode that displays all three cameras’ feeds simultaneously, along with settings and recording modes. It offers low-frame-rate and low-bit-rate recording modes, but we found these can drain the car battery.
The device also includes collision and motion detection, automatically saving relevant footage. A 128 GB micro SD card holds about 6.7 hours of footage.
We picked the Vantrue N4 as our Best Overall dash cam mainly because of its value. It’s a strong competitor at a great price, with three cameras and lots of features, and it came in only slightly behind our top pick in image quality. Video quality was impressive across various light conditions, with good dynamic range and minimal noise reduction.
2. Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 : The best budget dash cam
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.
3 – Nextbase 622GW : My choice for The best dash cam for most people
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.
4 – Cobra SC 400D : Best premium dash cam
As far as pure visual performance, the Cobra SC 400D was the best dash cam we tested thanks to its 4K resolution. We agreed that its video footage genuinely looked the best too. We found the touchscreen to be easy to operate and responsive, and the Cobra uses its proprietary DriveSmarter app to provide police alerts and other driver reports.
If we had one minor grumble, it would be that the mount only swivels forward and backward, not side to side. However, the wide angle of the lens practically eliminates the need to do so. The Cobra secures to the windshield via a large sticky pad for the mount and a very strong magnet for the camera itself.
Of course, this kind of quality and sheer amount of features add up in cost, but if you’re serious about purchasing a dash cam, we loved this one.
5 . Vantrue N2 Pro : The best dual-view dash cam
If you’d rather save the hassle of having two dash cam modules to cover your front and rear, the Vantrue N2 Pro might be a sold option for you. Not only does it feature an additional lens to cover your rear, it lets you adjust the angle of that lens to better suit the interior of your car.
The overall footage isn’t the best quality, with some graininess and lens flare, you’ll still end up with crisp, clear videos to keep tabs on what’s happening on the roads around you. Of course it’s missing a lot of important things, like wireless connectivity of any kind, which will make accessing your videos a little bit more difficult.
But with all the basics on board, and a secondary camera included in the price, then this is a dash cam well worth considering. Especially for the price tag.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the dash cam market in 2024 boasts a wide array of choices to suit different needs and budgets. Budget-minded drivers can find reliable options like the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2, which captures clear footage despite its compact size. On the other hand, drivers seeking top-of-the-line features can opt for the Cobra SC 400D, which stuns with its exceptional 4K video quality and driver-assistance features.
Beyond these two examples, other factors come into play when choosing a dash cam. For instance, drivers who prioritize capturing events from multiple angles might consider the Vantrue N4 3, with its three-camera setup. Conversely, those who value a more streamlined design might prefer the Vantrue N2 Pro, which combines a front and rear camera in a single unit.
Ultimately, the best dash cam depends on your specific needs and priorities. By considering factors like video quality, resolution, number of cameras, and desired features, you can find the perfect dash cam to provide peace of mind on the road.
HOW WE TEST DASH CAMS
Every dash cam you see in this list has been tested and reviewed to ensure that the best dash cams really are the best. We look at every step involved in owning a dash cam, from setup all the way to actually having to pull your footage from the memory card.
The testing begins by setting up the camera, and judging it depending on how easy or difficult the whole process is. We also spend extensive time on the road, day and night, to collect footage and make an informed judgement on how each camera performs in a variety of real world conditions.
We also assess each camera’s design and companion software (if it has any) throughout this process, and asses what impact it has on day to day use. Finally we collect the footage from the camera, which can be via a companion app or by manually transferring the microSD card to a different machine.
The ease or difficulty in which this happens also factors into our final score, as do any additional features the camera may or may not have.