By Mark Wilson, Leon Poultney 10 November 2020
Looking for the best dash cam you can buy? We’ve comprehensively tested all of the best in-car cameras to find the top model for every motorist. So whether you want added peace of mind while you drive, lower insurance premiums or the option to share motoring moments to your YouTube channel, you’ll find your ideal dash cam in the buying guide below.
Dash cams make motoring safer. Mounted behind your windscreen, they record what’s happening around you while you drive. Hopefully the most they’ll ever capture is a minor traffic mishap – or a stunning vista while you’re on a road trip. But should the worst happen, they can also provide invaluable evidence in the event of an accident or insurance claim. And with more people back on the road after lockdown, now’s as good a time as any to consider investing in the best dash cam available.
With all kinds of models on the market, there’s plenty to consider when it comes to choosing your ideal dash cam. Price will usually be a key factor, but it’s important to ensure that any dash cam you buy can capture clear images in all conditions. Even if you don’t drive much outside of the daily commute, a good dash cam should be a reliable back-up at all times.
Premium models are more likely to have advanced features, from GPS location tracking to G-force sensors. Many mainstream dash cams include incident detection, which automatically saves footage from before, during and after an accident. Some also feature infra-red night modes, for sharp footage when you’re driving at night, while others offer smart connectivity, such as in-built Wi-Fi for easy sharing via your smartphone and Alexa integration for voice control without taking your hands off the wheel. Vantrue N2 Pro
Heavyweight features without the heavyweight price tag
Video quality: 1440p | Viewing angle: 170 degrees GPS tracker: Optional tracker | Memory: MicroSD card (not included)
Top quality sensor
Ultra-wide viewing angle
No GPS tracking
Second camera films cabin, not rear view
Type the words ‘dash cam’ into Amazon and the number of search results that appear can be intimidating. But nestled in amongst the pile of offerings is this Chinese brand that flaunts professional spec dash cams that cost up to half as much as some of the market leaders.
The front lens, which is arguably the most important here, is comprised of six individual glass elements and packs a whopping f/1.8 aperture, making it brilliant for capturing crisp imagery in low light situations.
On top of this, a second f/2 lens faces the cabin and is supported by four IR LED lights to boost what is often tricky, gloomy footage via an excellent Sony IMX323 sensor. Although not for everyone, this sort of functionality is perfect for professional drivers who may or may not want to relive any incidents that occur late on a Friday night. There’s also a built-in microphone to record sound.
Continuous loop recording is a given here, as is G-sensor technology that detects an incident and will automatically save the footage to the MicroSD card. However, buyers will have to plump for an optional GPS mount that saves data on speed and location alongside the video file.
Thanks largely to the brilliant Sony sensor, image quality is generally very good and linking the device to a laptop or PC is as simple as it gets. Front and rear footage is handily divided into two separate files too, reducing the time spent browsing the various folders for the desired clip.
Parking Mode is also good value at this price point, as it can be switched on to auto record whenever it senses motion. Alas, it requires a power source, so needs to either be hard-wired into the vehicle via a separate accessory or attached to an external power source.
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