Best Dashcam 2021 Reviewed by Wirecutter

Vantrue X4

Wham! A car crash can happen in an instant. And as frightening as that may be, it can be just as distressing to be blamed for a crash that’s not your fault. That’s why a dash cam can be a critical aid if the unexpected happens. After researching more than 270 models and testing 40, we’ve found that the best overall dash cam is the Vantrue X4. It delivers the sharpest video we’ve seen, it’s the easiest dash cam to use, and it has handy features that you don’t get from most other dash cams in its price range.

The Vantrue X4 is packed with premium features such as 2160p (4K/UHD) resolution, night vision, 24-hour parked-car monitoring to catch hit-and-run perpetrators, and GPS tracking in the windshield mount (which is included for free in some bundles), yet it costs half as much as some comparable models. It’s compact (a little smaller than most point-and-shoot cameras) and relatively unobtrusive on a windshield, and its 3-inch screen is bright and easy to read. It has an intuitive menu, and its control buttons are clearly marked and easily accessible. And since it’s powered by a capacitor instead of a lithium battery, it can work even in extremely hot climates such as in the American South and Southwest. Unlike some of our other picks, the X4 lacks app connectivity for you to view and download video remotely. But we think most people wouldn’t miss that feature, as it’s still fairly convenient to view footage on the camera itself or with a microSD card reader.

Vantrue S1

The Vantrue S1 is the best dash cam we’ve found for people who want to record behind their car as well as in front of it. The S1 is a bit bulkier and clunkier to set up than our main picks, but it comes with most of the same key features and conveniences. And its interface is far easier to use than those of other front-and-rear dash cams we’ve tested; we were able to get it up and running right away without having to consult the manual.

Like the Vantrue X4 and Nextbase 622GW, the S1 delivers crisp, clear 4K video through its front camera. The 1080p rear camera produces noticeably granier and muddier footage, though the colors are still fairly realistic and well saturated. Most people don’t need both cameras since lots of incidents (whether it’s someone running a red light in front of you, a head-on collision, or a sideswipe) happen in clear view of the driver’s seat. But if you don’t mind having to run a cable to the back of your vehicle, a rear camera can be useful in case you get rear-ended or need to see something else that happened behind the vehicle.

Vantrue N2S

The Vantrue N2S is the best dash cam for people who want to record the interior of their vehicle as well as the front. This model is a great option for ride-share service drivers looking to document the activities of their passengers in case of a theft, assault, damage, or other criminal activity that might occur inside their vehicle. In a lighter sense, it would also be perfect for vlogging a road trip or re-creating an episode of Carpool Karaoke (video).

Like our other picks, aside from the Garmin Dash Cam Mini, the N2S has a 4K-resolution front-facing camera capable of producing crisp images and brilliant colors, and the unit switches automatically to black-and-white infrared footage when it gets dark out. The interior-facing camera, which offers 1440p resolution, is located on the back of the unit, to the right of the display. Like the front-facing camera, it can record in both light and dark environments. The 1440p camera is not quite as vivid as its 4K counterpart, but it still offers a higher resolution than you usually see on dual-cam models. The front camera has a 155-degree FOV, and the interior camera has a slightly wider 165-degree FOV, both of which are within our preferred range.

Rear the original article here: The Best Dash Cam