JUMP TO Section Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.- Here are the best dash cams of 2021
- The best dash cam overall
- Best mid-range dash cam
- Best 4K dash cam
- Best budget dash cam
- Other dash cams we tested
- Dash cams we're testing next
- FAQ
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- Dash cams can be extremely valuable if you ever find yourself in an accident.
- The best dash cam overall is the Nextbase 522GW for its excellent video quality and user-friendly design and app.
- The Nextbase 222 is an excellent budget dash cam that covers the basics, and it has a screen.
Dash cameras, commonly shortened to "dash cams," are the single most undervalued and underused piece of tech that Americans can buy for themselves and their car.
A dash cam can help prove you didn't cause an accident, especially if other drivers involved are untruthful, uncooperative, or simply unaware. Dash cam footage can be valuable in an insurance claim to settle contrasting accounts of what happened or even avoid insurance fraud. It can even capture the license plate information of a hit-and-run driver.
It can also prove that you caused an accident, but that's not the dash cam's fault. And depending on how you were driving at the time of an accident, dash cams might not help you even if you didn't cause the accident. Regardless, having one of the best dash cams is incredibly useful for responsible drivers around the world.
Here are the best dash cams of 2021
- The best overall dash cam: Nextbase 522GW
- The best mid-range dash cam: Vantrue T3
- The best 4k dash cam: Nextbase 622GW
- The best budget dash cam: Nextbase 222
The best dash cam overall
The $260 Nextbase 522GW is pricey, but it delivers the best combination of video quality, simplicity, features, and upgradability for the price than other dash cams we've tested.
- Video: 1440p, 30fps, 140-degree FoV
- Ease of viewing footage on the road: Touch screen and app/built-in WiFi makes it easy
- Parking mode: Yes, runs on built-in camera battery. Optional hardwire kit with low-voltage protection enables constant recording without draining car battery too far
- Rear camera module support: Yes
- Automatic collision detection: Yes
- Memory card included?: No. Quality branded Class 10 or U3 type microSD card recommended by Nextbase. Company recommends its own branded cards for best longevity. Supports up to 256GB cards
- Special features: Touch screen; Alexa support for recording controls; Emergency SOS response (subscription required); Built-in polarizing filter to tackle windscreen glare
Pros: High-quality video, easy to use, touch screen, simple mounting system, upgradable with rear/rear-view/cabin view camera modules, WiFi and app, often discounted
Cons: Pricey, no storage card included
When making our top overall recommendation, we're not trying to race to the bottom in terms of price. That's why we recommend the $260 Nextbase 522GW, even if it is a little expensive. That's also why we have a "best mid-range dash cam" recommendation below, in case the Nextbase 522GW is too pricey.
This is the best dash cam for most people, based on our testing. But if you want the absolute most in terms of hardware, you can see our pick for the best 4K dash cam below.
The Nextbase 522GW beat similar models we tested from Garmin (67W) and Vantrue (T3), even though they offer similar video quality. What sets the 522GW apart is its support for rear/rear-view/cabin view camera modules, which you can buy later should you want to upgrade. The large, 3-inch touch screen compared to the smaller non-touch screens on the Garmin 67W and Vantrue T3 is also a bonus.
Its built-in polarizing filter that reduces windshield glare and reflections and results in a clearer picture is a bonus.
Plus, the Nextbase 522GW is often discounted down from $260 to $210 at Best Buy and Nextbase's site. If it's not discounted when reading this, you could wait for a little to save $50 and get a great deal on an excellent dash cam.
Nextbase 522GW dash cam sample footage
Check price at Amazon Check price at Walmart Check price at Best BuyBest mid-range dash cam
The $170 Vantrue T3 isn't loaded with features like the similarly priced Garmin 47, nor does it even come with GPS. But it's a simple, high-resolution dash cam with better video quality that gets the job done well for under $200.
- Video: 1520p (2,592x1,520), 30fps, 160-degree FoV
- Ease of viewing footage on the road: Screen makes it easy
- Parking mode: Yes, only works when using the included OBDII power adapter. Low voltage protection.
- Rear camera module support: No
- Automatic collision detection: Yes
- Memory card included?: No. Company recommends its own branded cards for best longevity. Company doesn't recommend cards from SanDisk or Transcend. Supports up to 256GB cards
- Special features: Screen
Pros: High-quality video, screen, easy to use, ultra-wide 160-degree FoV
Cons: No storage card included, Vantrue says not to use popular SanDisk cards, microSD card can get stuck in the socket if not inserted correctly, no WiFi or app
The $170 Vantrue T3 is a worthy cheaper alternative to the Nextbase 522GW. You'll find more features in the Garmin 47 for the same price, but the Vantrue T3 takes much sharper and better quality video — the Garmin 47's 1080p video quality is disappointing.
Indeed, the Vantrue T3 has excellent video quality with an odd 1520p resolution that's ever-so-slightly sharper than the Nextbase 522GW's 1440p resolution. The footage below will look jumpy because I was driving a sports car (Mazda MX-5 Miata) with stiffer suspension than the average car.
Vantrue offers a separately sold GPS mount for $20, giving the T3 GPS functionality and bringing the T3's price to $190. At that price, if you want GPS, you might as well get the Nextbase 522GW when it's discounted down to $210.
Vantrue T3 dash cam sample footage
Check price at AmazonBest 4K dash cam
The Nextbase 622GW is the ultimate splurge for its crisp 4K video quality, simple mounting system, and touch screen that makes it incredibly easy to use and view footage on the road.
- Video: 4K, 30fps, 140-degree FoV
- Ease of viewing footage on the road: Touch screen and app/built-in WiFi makes it easy
- Parking mode: Yes, runs on built-in camera battery. Optional hardwire kit with low-voltage protection enables constant recording without draining car battery too far
- Rear camera module support: Yes
- Automatic collision detection: Yes
- Memory card included?: No. Quality branded Class 10 or U3 type microSD card recommended by Nextbase. Company recommends its own branded cards for best longevity. Supports up to 256GB cards
- Special features: Touch screen; Digital image stabilization; Alexa support for recording controls; Emergency SOS response (subscription required); Built-in polarizing filter to tackle windscreen glare
Pros: Excellent video quality, easy to use, touch screen, simple mounting system, upgradable with rear/rear-view/cabin view camera modules, WiFi and app
Cons: Pricey, storage card not included
If you're looking for the absolute most from a dash cam, and you don't mind paying top dollar for it, the Nextbase 622GW should be at the top of your list.
The main reason you'd buy the Nextbase 622GW over our top overall pick — the Nextbase 522GW — is for its 4K resolution and fantastic video quality. The Nextbase 622GW also includes digital image stabilization that reduces vibrations, making details even clearer. With this kind of video quality, the Nextbase 622GW could be used to capture a beautiful drive — depending on the amount of storage in your microSD card.
Otherwise, both the Nextbase 622GW and 522GW come with identical features. Spending an extra $200 for the 622GW does represent diminishing returns — you'd have to truly value 4K resolution to justify the expense.
Nextbase 622GW dash cam sample footage
Check price at Walmart Check price at Best Buy Check price at TargetBest budget dash cam
The Nextbase 222 has surprisingly sharp video quality for its price, and it can be all you need if you're looking for a simple tool to visually tell your side of the story in an accident.
- Video: 1080p, 30fps, 140-degree FoV
- Ease of viewing footage on the road: Screen makes it easy
- Parking mode: Yes, runs on built-in camera battery. Optional hardwire kit with low-voltage protection enables constant recording without draining car battery
- Rear camera module support: No
- Automatic collision detection: Yes
- Memory card included?: No. Quality branded Class 10 or U1 type microSD card recommended by Nextbase. Company recommends its own branded cards for best longevity. Supports up to 128GB cards.
- Special features: Screen, compatible with polarizing filter (sold separately)
Pros: Sharp video quality for the price, easy to use, screen, simple mounting system, inexpensive
Cons: No GPS, no WiFi or app, storage card not included
If spending over $100 for a dash cam is out of the question, the $80 Nextbase 222 comes highly recommended for its surprisingly sharp video quality for the price, although it struggles a little with mixed lighting. Still, it easily captures enough detail to reliably tell you what happened in case of an accident.
It's also compatible with Nextbase's $30 polarizing lens that helps reduce windshield glare and reflections.
A major reason why the Nextbase 222 comes recommended in the budget range is for its screen that lets you watch recorded footage on the road, despite its lower price. There's no GPS here, nor is there an option to add it with a module or accessory, so don't get this camera if you value GPS.
Unfortunately, the Nextbase 222 doesn't support adding rear or cabin cameras in Nextbase's lineup, making it more suitable for those who firmly believe they won't want to add a rear-view camera in the future.
Nextbase 222 dash cam sample footage
Check price at WalmartOther dash cams we tested
In the Garmin lineup, we tested the Garmin Mini 2, Garmin 47, and Garmin 67W. The Garmin 67W is a great dash cam that's sincerely worth your consideration if you're looking for a more discreet dash cam than the Nextbase 522GW. The Garmin 67W has great 1440p video quality, a screen, a compact design, a simple mounting system, and many features. Just note that it doesn't support rear camera modules for future upgrading.
Garming 67W dash cam sample footage
The Garmin 47 is also a decent dash cam, but its price is high for a 1080p dash cam, as well as its lesser video quality — the Vantrue T3 beat it out for its superior 1520p resolution for the same price.
Garmin 47 dash cam sample footage
The Garmin Mini 2 is not recommended due to its high price for a 1080p dash cam and its poor video quality. It perfectly shows how much video quality can differ, even between two cameras with the same resolution.
Garmin Mini 2 dash cam sample footage
We also tested the high-end 4K Blackvue 900S, which has competing video quality to our top 4K pick — the Nextbase 622GW. It didn't make the cut as it doesn't have a screen, the app is complicated, and the mount's sticky pad couldn't handle the heat when I parked my car in the hot sun, and the camera fell. We also tested the Blackvue 590, but its comparatively poor video quality didn't match its price tag.
Blackvue 900X dash cam sample footage
We were somewhat disappointed with a popular and well-reviewed model called the Nexar Beam, which goes for $140. It offers good 1080p video quality for the price, especially when it's discounted down to $110 from retailers like Walmart. However, it doesn't have a screen for reviewing footage on the road, which Nexar tries to remedy with its app and phone solution. It works by connecting the Beam to your phone over a WiFi/Bluetooth connection for an entire drive and saving the drive onto your phone's storage. You can also upload clips to the cloud via your phone's data connection, or when you get to a known WiFi connection. The Nexar app and screenless solution feels clunky and confusing, and it's not something I'd want to deal with after an accident. It's best used as a simple dash cam that lets you review footage on your computer. For the price, you can find something with a screen and near-equal video quality, like the Nextbase 222.
Nexar Beam dash cam sample footage
We tried the Vantrue N2S, which is a dual-lens dash cam that records inside the car. It's a great dash cam, but we still need to test more multi-lens dash cams to determine whether it's worth buying.
Dash cams we're testing next
After a good experience with Nextbase dash cams, we plan to test out its full lineup, including the 122, 322GW, and 422GW.
We're also planning on trying out more models from Vantrue in the budget and premium range. Vantrue has lots of models with multiple camera lenses, too.
Viofo and Thinkware are other popular dash cam brands, and we're looking to try out some of their cameras.
We're also going to try more 1080p dash cams under $150 to find 1080p models worth buying.
FAQ
What is a dash cam?
A dash cam is a small video camera that you stick to your windshield that records video footage when you're driving. Dash cams are used to capture a video of what happened in case of an accident, as video footage can be more reliable than driver accounts of what happened.
How much is a dash cam?
Dash cams vary in price according to the video resolution and set of features, much like anything else. We've seen some dash cams as low as $55 and some as high as $400.
The ideal sweet spot is between $170 and $260, according to our testing and the dash cams we've reviewed so far.
What microSD card should I buy for a dash cam?
Standard vs endurance microSD cards
Dash cams put an unusual amount of stress on microSD cards, as they're continuously recording over older footage, which wears out storage cards faster. A standard microSD card may not last as long as endurance models designed for heavier workloads. Endurance microSD cards are more expensive, but they may save you money in the long run.
Instead of endurance microSD card models, you could opt for high-capacity cards like 128GB (or 256GB if your dash cam supports it). The theory is that higher capacity cards don't overwrite old footage as often as lower capacity cards, thus leading to less wear and tear.
The "U" rating
Not all microSD cards can reliably record all video resolutions, as cards with different "U" ratings store data at different speeds. For 1080p cameras, microSD cards with a U1 rating will suffice. For 1440p and higher resolution dash cams, microSD cards with a U3 rating are usually recommended. You'll be able to tell the U rating of a card by the little "U" symbol and the number inside of that U.
How much storage capacity you should use
Some dash cams include microSD cards with all the necessary features, like high endurance and proper U ratings. Unfortunately, those included microSD cards are often low on storage, like 16GB and 32GB. Those lower capacities can be OK with a dash cam's automatic collision detection feature, which automatically saves and secures accident footage from being overwritten. Still, for peace of mind, we'd recommend going for higher capacity cards to avoid overwriting footage you wanted to keep from an event that involved light contact or no contact. For example, a gentle sideswipe may not trigger the collision detection feature on some cameras. 64GB cards are mostly recommended, with 128GB cards being a good option for 4K dash cams.
Storage cards from dash cam companies
Some dash cam companies like Nextbase recommend using their own cards, but they're comparatively expensive. Unless the company specifically says not to use specific brands, you'll be fine with a brand of your choice.
Vantrue claims that cards from SanDisk and Transcend aren't compatible with its dash cams, which is an odd claim. Still, it's better to avoid buying something that a manufacturer warns against. For Vantrue users, microSD cards from Vantrue and other trusted brands like Samsung, Lexar, and Kingston are likely your best bet.
What we look for in a dash cam
Sufficient video quality
Almost any dash cam has decent enough video quality to at least show you and any interested parties what happened, so you don't necessarily need an expensive model with 4K resolution. Still, a clear picture showing as much detail as possible, like license plates and street and road signs, is more valuable than a blurry one — higher quality video will have a better chance of capturing relevant details. With this in mind, we prefer higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K, as the video quality on most 1080p models we tested was pretty poor.
Automatic collision detection
A dash cam should also have an automatic collision detection feature that automatically saves video footage of an accident into a secure folder that won't get recorded over.
Screens
We also value ease-of-use and the ability to watch footage from the dash cam itself with a built-in screen. Screens can make it easier to review footage immediately after an accident rather than fumbling around an app you rarely use when nerves are frayed.
WiFi
Many dash cams come with apps and the ability to broadcast their own WiFi networks that let you transfer clips to your phone. This is a great option to have alongside screens, as you'll be able to save that footage to your phone and reduce the risk of overwriting important clips on your dash cam. It also lets you watch clips on a bigger phone screen when you're on the road.
Upgradeability
Some dash cams support add-on camera modules for your car's interior and/or the rear. Having that option is valuable, as it avoids buyer's remorse if you got a front-facing dash cam but wished you got a front/rear model later on.
GPS
We leave that up to you. The debate of whether speed data from GPS can be your friend or your enemy is hotly contested. One argument for GPS speed data suggests it can prove you weren't speeding. On the other hand, insurance or police can penalize you for speeding, even if you weren't speeding by very much and/or going with the flow of traffic. It's often an option on many dash cams that you can disable should you not want it.
How to install a dash cam
Installing a dash cam can be as simple as sticking the camera to your windshield, connecting the power cable to the camera, and plugging in the power adapter to your 12V power socket, which is also known as the cigarette lighter. That's fine, but it leaves a dangling cable that looks messy, and can even be distracting.
The best and cleanest way to install a dash cam is to route the power cable by routing the cable from the camera to the 12V power socket by squeezing it inside your car's interior trim pieces. It can be daunting, and depending on the car, it can be difficult. Dash cam user manuals give you instructions, and the video below gives you a good idea of how it's done. If it seems too daunting or you're afraid of damaging your car's interior, you can get your mechanic or dealer to install it for you. They'll likely charge you a (hopefully small) fee for the service.
Antonio Villas-Boas Senior Tech Reporter Antonio is a senior tech reporter for Insider's Reviews team, where he helps lead coverage, reviews, and guides of smartphones, tablets, accessories, wearables, smart home products, as well as audio devices from Apple, Google, Samsung, OnePlus, and other major tech companies. Before joining Business Insider, Antonio was a consumer-electronics analyst at PCMag. He graduated from Colgate University in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in history. You can contact Antonio with tips and cool tech via email at: avillasboas@businessinsider.com Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Learn more about how we test tech and electronics. Read more Read lessncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyowcidnKxnpJqwqXvBnqqtZZSWwKl5wpqk