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Best Dash Cams For 2023: 8+ Options For Any Use & Budget

Are you looking for the best dash cams? Look no further. We break down our favorite models for any use case and type.

We are all about safe driving here at Ridester, and we encourage all our readers to take certain steps in order to protect themselves on the road.

One thing we often recommend to our readers is to buy and use a dashboard camera.

Dash cams can help protect drivers from liability in an accident, insurance fraud, unnecessary traffic violations, and more – but only if the camera is on and recording!

There are many reasons why you should have a dash cam, and likewise, there are MANY different dashboard cameras on the market – so how can you possibly hope to find the best one for you?

Hopefully, we can help! In this guide, you’ll find our list of the best dash cams of 2023.

Because there are so many different options and classes, we have broken things down into categories.

Enjoy, and let us know in the comments which one you choose!

The Best Dash Cams For 2023 (Overview)

We’ve included an overview of our top picks below. For detailed information on each pick, scroll down.

  1. Nextbase 622GW
  2. Garmin Dash Cam 67W
  3. Kenwood DRV-A601W
  4. Cobra SC 400D
  5. Viofo A129 Pro Duo
  6. Thinkware X1000 Dual Channel Dash Cam
  7. Nextbase 222x Front and Rear Dash Cam
  8. Garmin Dash Cam 57
  9. Thinkware F200 Pro Dash Cam
  10. Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2

The Best Dash Cams of 2023 (By Use Case)

  1. Best Dash Cam Overall: ROVE R2-4K
  2. Best Budget Dash Cam: Yi Smart Dash Camera
  3. Best Front and Rear Dash Cam: Z-Edge S3
  4. Best Dash Cam with Night Vision: WheelWitness HD PRO
  5. Best Dash Cam with Parking Mode: Thinkware F770
  6. Best Dash Cams for Uber/Lyft Drivers: VanTrue N2 Pro

Determining Between a High-End vs. Budget Dash Cam

When choosing the right dash cam, budget is a huge factor.

The most budget-friendly options will come in around one hundred dollars (or a bit over), while the high-end cameras can approach five hundred dollars.

High-end cameras tend to have more features and higher quality cameras.

The more expensive models will also have both front and back cameras to give you complete coverage.

The viewing angle of the cameras is also relevant to how much coverage you can expect.

But before getting into more detail on how the top models compare to the budget cameras, let’s go over the basic features you can expect in dash cams.

Dash Cam Features

Whether you want a high-end camera or a cheaper base model, you should review the standard features.

Some highly-priced models beef up the same features of a budget camera, while others add entirely new features.

So to help make your decision easier, be on the lookout for these options:

  • Night vision
  • High-definition video quality
  • A backup camera
  • Parking mode
  • Motion detection
  • Image stabilization
  • GPS tracking
  • Collision detection
  • Memory card (sd card) to retrieve video footage
  • Bad weather performance

High End vs. Budget

Now that you understand the standard features, let’s differentiate the more expensive cameras from the budget-friendly models.

And one factor is simply the number of features a camera has— and it comes down to whether or not you think you will need that feature.

For example, if you live in an area that suffers from car break-ins or parking incidents, parking mode with motion detection is worth it.

The camera will begin recording, triggered by motion, even when the engine is off.

But putting aside those more niche features, one of the most differentiating factors between high-end cameras and budget-friendly ones is the video and image quality.

And the best dash cams can record remarkable videos.

When it comes to the image quality of the more expensive models, you might be wondering why 4K video quality is even necessary.

The short answer is bad lighting and weather.

With poor environmental lighting, footage from a cheaper model might be useless.

The image sensor on the high-end models will usually give you a clear image even in poor conditions, something crucial for getting a detail like a license plate number during a hit and run accident.

And if you are still confused about which is the best dash cam for you, let’s go through some of the top models and their features!

Our Favorite Picks (Overall)

1. Nextbase 622GW

Until you spend some time researching the world of dash cameras, you might not realize how many features are possible and how expensive they can get.

And the Nextbase 622GW is currently one of the top dash cams you can buy.

If cost is not an issue, keep reading to learn about the amazing features of this camera.

Firstly, it has a 4K video resolution that will give you videos an amazing image quality.

With extra pixels, reading a license plate or other detail from far away becomes much easier.

In addition to the high resolution, the camera also has a polarizing filter (which helps avoid glare), image stabilization, and night vision mode.

All of these features combined mean you are covered in any situation.

To operate the camera, you can either use the 3-inch color touchscreen or use the included Alexa voice control to tell the camera what to do.

And in terms of safety, the What3Words geolocation will help you provide emergency services with your exact location.

And the EmergencySOS feature (which requires an extra subscription) can alert authorities of an accident even when you cannot.

Pros:

  • Amazing footage quality
  • 3-inch easy-to-operate color screen
  • Works great in bad weather
  • Alexa voice control

Cons:

  • Bulky design
  • Less-than-ideal app
  • 4K files require a lot of storage

Last but not least, the price: you can expect to pay up to $400 for this product, with an additional rear camera module  that conveniently plugs into the side for an extra price

2. Garmin Dash Cam 67W

Garmin is a well-known and trusted technology name in the world of running, hiking, and other outdoor sports.

And their Dash Cam 67W, an upgrade from the previous 66W, comes with a lot of features for its price.

It is not a top-of-the-line camera by any means, but for most people, it will get the job done.

The 67W has a high-definition camera that will record up to 1440p video with a large viewing field of 180 degrees.

The included microSD card holds up to 16 gigabytes of video, and you can always upgrade the card for more storage.

This dash cam also features loop recording which will constantly record and overwrite old footage that you don’t need.

The size is small and the weight is only 57 grams, making it one of the more discrete cameras considering how many features it has.

And speaking of features, connecting this device to the Garmin app will give you additional features like parking mode, remote live view, and the ability to review and save footage.

Pros:

  • 1440p video up to 60 FPS
  • Loop recording
  • 180-degree field of view
  • Parking guard
  • Integration with Garmin Drive app

Cons:

  • Wifi connection is required to backup footage
  • Short battery life (30 minutes) for parking mode
  • Included SD card only 16 gigabytes

Altogether, this Garmin 67W will cost you between $230-$260 depending on the retailer, just over half the price of the previous Nextbase model.

3. Kenwood DRV-A601W

The Kenwood DRV-A601W has an easy setup process, and you will be able to easily get around the settings on the 3-inch color LCD screen.

You can power the device with either the 12V lighter adaptor or a USB cable, and when setting up the menu you can choose what video quality you need, up to 4K definition.

The video also uses HDR technology (high dynamic range) to help remove shadows and improve video quality.

And to maintain video quality in sunny conditions with glare, Kenwood includes a polarizing filter that clips over the lens, something that could also work in nighttime rainy conditions.

Aside from that, you can expect this camera to have all the basic features without getting too fancy, something great for any folks that are not great with technology.

If you want the camera to run constantly, such as in parking mode, there is a hardwiring kit that allows you to use your car’s battery to power the dash cam—the hardwiring process takes around 30 minutes to complete.

Pros:

  • Up to 4K video quality
  • HDR technology
  • Easy setup and simple menu
  • Parking mode and hardwiring options

Cons:

  • Video quality suffers in low light
  • Lacking some features for its price

In summary, at just around $220, you will be paying around the same price as the previous Garmin camera.

You will get much better video quality but maybe miss some of the other fancier features.

4. Cobra SC 400D

Compared to the price range of the previous two models, the Cobra SC 400D brings you way up, back to the territory of the Nextbase 622GW.

But once consider the video quality and other included features, the price tag on this camera makes more sense.

Firstly, the Cobra SC 400D has a 4K video up to 2160p, and the footage looks amazing in both daytime and nighttime.

And unlike some of the other cameras on this list, this model supports up to three video feeds, with two of the cameras included in the base price.

The included rear camera covers the backside of your car, and for an additional price, you can add a cabin camera as well.  

And in terms of other extras, this camera is loaded with features such as Wifi/Bluetooth connectivity, Alexa, and other voice commands.

This camera also connects to their smartphone app to help with cloud storage as well as notifications for other road hazards/threats.    

Pros:

  • Ultra HD 4K resolution
  • Rear camera included
  • Support for Alexa and other voice controls
  • Supports three video channels

Cons:

  • Expensive

In summary, it is hard to say anything bad about this camera other than its cost.

The nearly $400 price tag is going to cost you, but its excellent video footage and tons of other features might be worth it for you.

5. Viofo A129 Pro Duo

The Viofo A129 Pro Duo is another high-end camera, although it does not come close to the price of the super fancy Cobra model you just read about.

But as the name suggests, this Viofo dash cam supports two video feeds and includes a front and rear-facing camera.

The front camera records up to 4K Ultra HD quality while the rear camera records at 1080p.

But the fact that it comes with two cameras at such a reasonable price makes it a tempting option.

The main camera has a 130-degree field of view and the rear camera has a 140-degree view—combining the video quality with this large range means you have plenty of coverage in case of an accident.  

Pros:

  • Two cameras included
  • 4K front video and 1080p rear video
  • Easy setup
  • GPS with automatic date and time

Cons:

  • No touch screen
  • Cannot detach the camera from the mount

Overall, this duo camera system will cost you around $250, which puts it in a similar price range to the Garmin and Kenwood models you just read about.

6. Thinkware X1000 Dual Channel Dash Cam

The Thinkware X1000 Dual Channel camera has a great field of view, which keeps a remarkably clear and stable image at 156 degrees.

Even though the video resolution is only 1440p, the video capture looks beautiful, and in particular, the night mode rivals that of more expensive models like the Nextbase 622GW and the Cobra SC 400D.

The biggest downside to this product is that it lacks an internal GPS, a feature that you would usually see in a dash cam at this price range.

But the fantastic video of this camera, particularly at night, does at least partially make up for it.

It is also worth mentioning that this camera is not just two-channel capable but that it comes with a rear camera.  

The touch display is easy to navigate, and you can connect an external LiDAR radar for better depth perception.

And there are tons of driver-assist features that other similar cameras do not come with, including alert beeps for lane swerving, obstructions along your path, and green light alerts.

Pros:

  • Particularly great night video
  • Rear camera included
  • Driver-assist features
  • Easy touch screen

Cons:

  • No GPS integration
  • Driver-assist chirps too sensitive

Lastly, you can expect to pay approximately ​​$300 for this product, which might only be worth it if you need to primarily take advantage of the driver-assist features or the superior night vision of this camera.  

7. Nextbase 222x Front and Rear Dash Cam

​​If you appreciate the Nextbase brand but cannot justify the hefty price tag of one of their higher models like the 622GW, consider this 222x your budget-friendly option.

To sell this camera at such an affordable price, Nextbase used a less expensive camera system and removed GPS tracking.

Without GPS, you rely on the camera footage to prove the location of the video footage.

But the video quality on both the front and rear cameras, 1080p for the front and 720p for the rear, is not bad considering how budget-friendly this camera is.

Both cameras record at 30 frames per second, and with a 140-degree field of view, this image quality and coverage should be sufficient for most situations.

Putting limitations aside, there is one surprisingly awesome feature on this camera that you do not often see on higher-end models: 48-hour parking mode.

The internal battery can stay in parking mode for 48 hours and use G-sensor disturbance to trigger the camera to record.

In parking mode, it can record a total of 15 minutes of activity.  

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • 48-hour parking mode
  • 140-degree field of view
  • Rear-facing camera included

Cons:

  • No internal GPS
  • Less-than-ideal night vision
  • Average quality video

All in all, at just under $100, you can expect to fulfill your basic dash cam needs without feeling like you spent too much money.

And for its price, the unique 48-hour parking mode is a nice surprise compared to some of the high-end models.

8. Garmin Dash Cam 57

As you read in the above review of the Garmin 67W, choosing a trusted brand name like Garmin comes with the security that you will be getting a solid product with reliable parts.

And this Dash Cam 57 is no exception.

It has great video quality, an internal GPS, and easily connects to your phone and the cloud.

But one of the coolest features of this Garmin model is how small and discrete it is—at 2 inches wide, you can hide it from view if you place it near the rear-view mirror.

And even though it is this small, there is still a 2-inch color display that helps you easily review videos and navigate the settings menu—the large text on the screen is a nice bonus.

Garmin includes a 16GB micro SD card with this camera, which should be plenty of space for the 1440p video quality.

The main downside to this model is the lack of a rear camera option—it does not come with a second camera and you cannot add one on later.

If rear cameras are important, consider a different model at a similar price.

Pros:

  • Small and discrete
  • Magnetic mounting
  • Connects to smartphones and the cloud
  • Solid day and night video

Cons:

  • No rear camera
  • A smaller field of view than the Garmin 67W

With a price of around $230, it falls into a similar category as the Kenwood DRV-A601W and the previously discussed Garmin 67W.

If this camera is in your price range, compare and contrast the features of these three cameras to make your final decision.  

9. Thinkware F200 Pro Dash Cam

Consider this Thinkware F200 Pro model another budget camera that will get you the basics without costing too much.

At less than half the price of the already discussed Thinkware X1000 Dual Channel Dash Cam, you will still get 1080p video and wifi connection via their smartphone app.

The F200 Pro is remarkably slim, and if you position it right you can barely see it while driving.

The basic version of this camera comes with only a front cam, but you spend slightly more to make up for some of its missing features.

A rear camera and an external GPS module are two of the ways you can beef this product up, although that begins to chip away at the cheaper price tag.

Pros:

  • Tiny profile
  • Budget-friendly
  • Phone app connectivity
  • Great 1080p day/night video

Cons:

  • The camera gets warm easily
  • No rear camera (it’s an add-on feature)
  • No internal GPS (another add-on option)

Considering the price of this camera averages around $130 (often a bit less than this), you should consider this a high-quality budget camera.

10. Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2

Considering this camera is the third Garmin product you have seen in this article on the best dash cams, you should hopefully tell that it is a serious company when it comes to making great dash cams.

You can consider this Dash Cam Mini 2 their budget option that is primarily about discretion—you can barely see this camera once it is set up.

Because of its size and cheaper price, you will not find a lot of the features that other models have.

There is no internal GPS, no screen, and no battery.

Also, Garmin does not include an SD card in the box, so you should plan to buy one of those separately.

But even without some of those benefits, Garmin did not sacrifice the video quality with this model.

With full HD 1080p video (with HDR) and a 140-degree viewing angle, this camera has a similar video quality to many of the mid-range options.

And even without a screen, Garmin includes a button to save the recent video.

Pros:

  • Small and discrete size
  • Easy setup
  • Budget-friendly
  • Great mounting system

Cons:

  • No display screen
  • No internal GPS
  • No battery

This Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2, which you will find in most places for around $130, is a great way to get a budget dash cam that still carries a reliable brand name.  

The Best Dash Cams of 2023 (By Use Case)

1. Best Dash Cam Overall: ROVE R2-4K

The Rove R2-4K Dash Cam is an ultra-HD dash cam that’s still offered at an affordable price.

It can record in up to 2160p, which is considered Ultra HD/4k.

The camera comes with some very high-end features, like parking mode, night vision, wide dynamic range, built-in WiFi and GPS, and more.

We picked this cam for the best dash cam 2019 because it offers an excellent set of features for an affordable price, and it’s very well-rated by customers and industry experts alike.

  • Records in Ultra HD (2160P)
  • Built-in WiFi, so you can view footage on your smartphone
  • Built-in GPS (beneficial for insurance claims)
  • Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) for better recording at night and in harsh light
  • Parking Mode turns the camera on automatically if a vehicle gets too close to your parked car
  • Loop recording to save space and continually record
  • 1-year warranty included
  • Great customer reviews

Looking at the feature set, you’d expect this cam to carry a hefty price tag.

Thankfully, it’s an affordably priced mid-range option that we think makes a lot of sense for the average driver.

You can certainly go cheaper (see below) or more expensive, but for the bulk of people, the Rove R2-4K is an excellent option.

2. Best Budget Dash Cam: Yi Smart Dash Camera

If you’re on a tight budget, or if you are not sure if you actually need a dash cam (hint: you do), you’re probably looking for a solid but budget-friendly option.

To us, there’s no better choice than the Yi Smart Dash Camera, which is typically available for less than $50.

This cam records in HD, offers a WiFi connection so it can be controlled with your smartphone, and has many of the features you’d want in a dash cam – all for 50 bucks. Deals!

  • Full HD recording (1080p)
  • Offers a smartphone app for controlling the camera + viewing footage
  • Very budget friendly (around $50)
  • Loop recording continuously makes room for new footage
  • Wide angle lens
  • Small, discrete design
  • Built in LCD screen for viewing
  • Excellent customer reviews

For the price, this camera can’t be beat.

We’re honestly not sure how they can make much of a profit on this thing, given the features, but hey – we’re not complaining.

This cam is missing a few things that some drivers would like to have – like a rear-facing camera, parking mode, etc – but again, it’s a very budget friendly choice if you don’t need all the bells-and-whistles.

3. Best Front and Rear Dash Cam: Z-Edge S3

Most dash cams only have front-facing cameras to record the road in front of you – but what about what’s going on behind you?

If you’d prefer to capture both, getting a good front-and-rear dash cam is a great choice.

These are typically 2 separate cameras, one which goes on your dash board, and one which goes on your rear window or rear dashboard.

The Z-Edge S3 is our top pick for this category.

  • 2 cameras – one for the front, one for the rear
  • Both cameras record in 1080p HD
  • Wide dynamic range technology for better night vision
  • Parking mode to protect your vehicle 24/7
  • Compact and discrete design
  • Excellent reviews
  • 18 month warranty included

This camera is one of the best dash cams overall, and we were impressed with the recording quality of both the front-facing and rear-facing units.

4. Best Dash Cam with Night Vision: WheelWitness HD PRO

Anyone who frequently drives at night should look for a quality camera with adequate night vision recording capabilities.

The WheelWitness HD Pro is a great option in this category – here’s why:

  • Records in up to 2k/Super HD
  • Excellent night vision recording
  • Wide dynamic range/WDR mode for crisp and bright night recording
  • 170° wide-angle lens
  • Built-in GPS
  • Comes with an SD card
  • Excellent reviews
  • 1 year warranty

This camera uses wide dynamic range technology to balance light and dark patches in camera footage, in order to record clearer, brighter, and crisper images.

Plus, it’s just a great camera all around, recording at up to 2304 x 1296p resolution. If it’s not quite what you’re looking for, read through our guide to the best night vision dash cams.

5.Best Dash Cam with Parking Mode: Thinkware F770

The main purpose of most dash cams is to protect you from liability resulting from an accident while you’re driving.

But what about when your vehicle is parked?

Dash cams with a parking mode feature can automatically power themselves on when they detect a crash is about to happen (using motion detection & impact detection technology).

This can capture a crash even if you’re sound asleep at home, with you car parked on the street.

The Thinkware F770 is our pick for this category because it has the most advanced detection technology, meaning it’s most likely to successfully capture an accident while your vehicle is parked.

  • Excellent parking mode uses a combination of motion and impact detection
  • Automatically records incidents, even when your car is powered off
  • Front and rear facing cameras included
  • Full HD recording
  • GPS capabilities built in
  • Built in WiFi for wireless footage viewing
  • Good night vision
  • Excellent reviews

The ThinkWare 770 is definitely not the cheapest option on this list, but it’s one of the only cameras that uses a combination of motion and impact detection while the car is turned off in order to capture accidents.

It won’t drain your battery, either, as it will shut itself off if your vehicle’s battery gets too low.

6. Best Dash Cams for Uber/Lyft Drivers: VanTrue N2 Pro

Rideshare drivers working for Lyft or Uber should definitely have a good dash cam in order to protect themselves from a range of issues.

Rideshare drivers will want a cam with both front and rear-facing cameras, in order to record the road in front of them as well as the passengers in their car.

The VanTrue N2 Pro is our top pick because it checks all the required boxes, records excellent quality videos, and has racked up impressive customer reviews.

Here are the highlights:

  • Front-facing and rear-facing cameras built in
  • Wide view lens – 170° front-facing and 140° rear-facing
  • Excellent night vision recording
  • Loop recording to make room for new footage
  • Automatically permanently saves footage if a crash is detected
  • GPS unit can be added on easily
  • Parking monitor to protect from accidents while parked
  • In-cab audio recording
  • Excellent customer reviews

The VanTrue N2 Pro is an excellent camera overall, and we considered it for best dash cam 2019 overall.

It didn’t quite make the cut in the overall category, but it was an easy choice for our recommendation for rideshare drivers.

If this isn’t quite what you were looking for, check out our guides to the best dash cameras for Uber drivers and the best dash cams for Lyft drivers.

7. Best Dash Cam for Truckers: Street Guardian SG9665GC

Truckers spend more time on the road than anyone else, so having a dash cam is quite important to them.

A dash cam can protect truckers in legal disputes, insurance disputes, and even employer disputes.

Key features to look for are good night vision, HD recording quality, and large storage capacity.

The Street Guardian SG9665GC checks all these boxes, and is our top pick for truckers.

  • Full HD, 1080P recording quality
  • Excellent recording quality, night or day
  • GPS tracking built in
  • Massive recording capacity – supports up to 256gb SD cards
  • Excellent reviews
  • 1 year warranty included

This is a really solid camera, both in terms of recording quality and build quality/durability.

The real highlight for truckers, though, is the support for up to 256gb of storage.

That’s enough for more than 48 hours of continuous recording!

If this one isn’t quite what you were looking for, read our guide to the best dash cams for truckers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dash Cams

How much is a dash cam? 

Generally speaking, you can expect to spend $50 to $150 for a good dash cam, although you can find budget models as low as $30, and you could also spend upwards of $300 if you wanted a very high-end model.

See our dash cam pricing guide for details.

What is the best dash cam for my situation?

The cams listed on this page are all great options.

For most, we recommend our top pick, the Rove R2-4K, because it covers all the bases and is a great mid-range option.

That said, depending on your specific situation, vehicle, etc. you may want to consider the other options we’ve discussed above.

Can you get a dash cam that records when your car is off?

Yes! Dash cams with “parking mode” or similar features will use motion sensing technology to detect when vehicles get close to your parked car, and will automatically turn the camera on at this point.

Not all cameras do this, so look at the features list for parking mode or a similarly named feature.

How do you install a dash cam?

Different styles of dash cams will install in different ways, so follow the instructions included with your specific model.

For more information, see the section below.

How to Install a Dash Cam

Dash cam installation depends on a variety of factors, including the style of cam you get, the vehicle you drive, and your intended use for the camera setup.

The video below does a good job of going over the basics of dash cam installation:

Which Dash Cam Is Perfect for You?

Hopefully, you now have a solid idea of the best dash cams currently on the market and how you can expect them to perform.

Everyone will have different needs, and there is no reason to buy a feature that you will never use—for example, if you never have to worry about parking accidents or theft, no need to worry about parking mode.

But whatever camera you end up choosing, the point of having dash cam footage is peace of mind—even the most basic model will make insurance claims or other legal issues much smoother.

And if you live in a state where you can save on insurance premiums, even better!

So decide on a budget that works for you and get the safety of a camera in your car as soon as possible!

Didn’t Find What You Were Looking For?

The above list contains – in our opinion – the best dash cameras currently on the market.

With that said, there are certainly other options out there.

For some further reading, check out our related guides:

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