TECHNOLOGY – AUTOMOTIVE
The Best Dash cams of 2024
Grant Richardson
2 days ago
Quality testing by Dr. Steven O’Connell, PhD
If you’re reading this, you’re likely searching for a reliable way to protect yourself on the road with a top-rated dashcam. Whether you’re commuting, taking a road trip, or simply want peace of mind while driving, a dashcam offers a simple, effective solution. Unlike more complex setups, a dashcam is easy to use and automatically records video footage of your journey. It works by capturing high-quality video through a camera mounted on your windshield, giving you a clear record of events in case of an accident or dispute. Best of all, it’s convenient to set up, operates seamlessly while you drive, and ensures you’re covered without any hassle.
A dashcam ensures peace of mind in two key ways:
However, not all dashcams are created equal. The quality of the video recording, features like night vision, wide-angle lenses, and parking mode, as well as ease of installation, can greatly impact their effectiveness. Another key factor is storage capacity—how much footage the device can record before overwriting. With so many models on the market, finding the right dashcam that meets your specific needs and delivers reliable performance can be a challenge.
For this review, we purchased and tested some of the most popular dashcams on the market. These dashcams were used by daily commuters, road trip enthusiasts, and professional drivers, providing valuable feedback on video quality, ease of installation, and reliability. Each user rated the dashcam based on their experience, and we also consulted with automotive experts for additional insights. We’ve compiled their reviews and listed the top recommendations below. Be sure to read our thorough evaluations to help you choose the best dashcam for your needs.
The Best Dashcams of 2024
Dashtrack series 8
Overall
5/5
USER EXPERIENCE
5/5
FEATURES
5/5
DESCRIPTION
The Dashtrack Series 8 is our top-rated choice for dashcams, and it’s clear why it continues to lead the pack among users who demand reliability, clarity, and cutting-edge technology. This powerhouse device combines unmatched video quality, includes three cameras, has intuitive usability and robust durability, making it the ultimate companion for ensuring peace of mind on the road. With 1080p A.I enhanced HD recording and wide-angle lens coverage, it captures every detail in stunning clarity, from license plates to road signs, day or night. Its intelligent motion detection and loop recording ensure that critical moments are always captured without any interruptions. All of this for a more than reasonable price of $129.99, it’s the perfect balance between exceptional quality and affordability.
Designed to fit seamlessly into any vehicle, the Dashtrack Series 8 is as discreet as it is powerful. With its built-in GPS tracking and Wi-Fi connectivity, you can effortlessly review and share footage via your smartphone, adding convenience to its already impressive feature set. The advanced night vision technology ensures that even low-light environments are recorded in razor-sharp detail, making it ideal for nighttime driving. Its automatic incident detection locks and saves key moments during accidents, ensuring vital footage is never overwritten. And with a 64GB storage capacity and supercapacitor for extreme weather durability, the Dashtrack Series 8 is built to perform wherever your travels take you.
What truly sets the Dashtrack Series 8 apart is its user-focused design and premium build quality. The easy-to-mount design makes installation a breeze, while the interface is refreshingly simple, even for those new to dashcams. Its lightweight yet sturdy construction ensures long-term reliability, and built-in safety features, such as overheating protection, guarantee smooth operation in all conditions. Backed by a 90-day trial period and a 10-year warranty, it’s clear that Dashtrack Series 8 offers confidence and quality you can trust.
PROS
CONS
GARMIN 47
$169.99
Overall
4/5
USER EXPERIENCE
3/5
FEATURES
5/5
DESCRIPTION
The Garmin 47 Dashcam stands out as a versatile and reliable choice for drivers, designed to cater to a wide range of needs on the road. With 1080p Full HD recording and a 140-degree wide-angle lens, it captures clear and comprehensive footage of your surroundings, ensuring peace of mind whether you’re commuting, road-tripping, or parking. Its built-in GPS and Wi-Fi connectivity make accessing and sharing footage effortless, while voice control adds a hands-free convenience that enhances safety and usability.
One of the key highlights of the Garmin 47 Dashcam is its compact and discreet design, which fits seamlessly into any vehicle without obstructing your view. The incident detection feature automatically saves footage of collisions or sudden stops, ensuring critical moments are preserved. However, during testing, we found that its nighttime performance, while solid, doesn’t quite match higher-end 4K models like the Dashtrack Series 8, which offer superior low-light clarity. Additionally, the smaller display may require connecting to a phone for more detailed footage review, which could be less convenient for some users.
PROS
CONS
Nextbase 322GW
$149.99
Overall
4/5
USER EXPERIENCE
3/5
FEATURES
4/5
DESCRIPTION
The Nextbase 322 stands out as the ultimate dashcam for enthusiasts, boasting a plethora of advanced features. With Bluetooth connectivity, seamless integration with Alexa, and WiFi capability, this cutting-edge device ensures effortless control and accessibility. Enthusiasts can conveniently save videos to their phones, facilitating easy sharing and archiving. The Nextbase 322 goes beyond traditional dashcams, catering to tech-savvy users who seek a connected driving experience with the latest innovations in connectivity and smart integration. Drive with confidence, capturing every moment in unparalleled detail.
While the Nextbase 322 dashcam boasts a multitude of features, navigating its complexities during setup and use can be challenging for some users. The abundance of options may overwhelm those seeking a straightforward experience. Though the camera promises advanced capabilities, its intricate setup process and nuanced controls might pose difficulties for those unfamiliar with intricate dashcam functionalities. Despite its feature-rich nature, users may find the Nextbase 322’s learning curve demanding, requiring a more tech-savvy approach for optimal utilization.
PROS
CONS
kenwood black edition
$269
Overall
3/5
USER EXPERIENCE
3/5
FEATURES
4/5
DESCRIPTION
Experience the pinnacle of visual excellence with the Kenwood Black Edition dashcam, boasting high-end 4K quality. This cutting-edge device elevates your driving footage with stunning clarity and intricate detail. The use of 4K resolution ensures that every moment on the road is captured in unparalleled visual richness, providing a level of clarity that goes beyond standard dashcams. The Kenwood Black Edition sets a new standard for visual quality, allowing users to relive their journeys with breathtaking detail and precision.
In parking mode, the Kenwood Black Edition’s advanced G sensor takes security to a new level. It contains more detailed sensors than any other camera on our list and is specifically designed to detect break-ins or bumps when the vehicle is stationary, this sophisticated technology acts as a vigilant guardian. Upon sensing any suspicious activity, the G sensor triggers the dashcam to start recording automatically, capturing crucial footage of potential incidents. This feature not only provides valuable evidence in the event of a break-in or collision but also ensures continuous surveillance, enhancing the overall security and protection of your vehicle even when you’re not behind the wheel.
PROS
CONS
GARMIN MINI 2
$99.99
Overall
3.8/5
USER EXPERIENCE
4/5
FEATURES
3/5
DESCRIPTION
Garmin Mini 2 redefines discreet surveillance with its Tiny and Discreet design. This compact dashcam seamlessly blends into your vehicle, providing powerful recording capabilities without drawing attention. The diminutive size of Garmin Mini 2 belies its robust features, ensuring unobtrusive yet comprehensive coverage of your journeys. Its inconspicuous presence doesn’t compromise on performance, offering high-quality video capture and reliable documentation. With the Tiny and Discreet Garmin Mini 2, drivers can enjoy peace of mind knowing that their road adventures are discreetly monitored, all in a compact and stylish package.
This sleek dashcam allows users to effortlessly control functions through intuitive voice commands, ensuring a hands-free and safe operation while on the road. The voice control feature enhances user convenience, allowing quick access to essential functions like starting or stopping recordings, taking snapshots, or saving memorable moments. With Garmin Mini 2, drivers can focus on the journey, knowing that their dashcam is seamlessly responsive to their verbal cues, providing a truly smart and reliable driving companion.
PROS
CONS
Have your say.
That finishes up our roundup of the most popular dash cams available today. Not all units made the cut to be shown above, just the top five from our clinical and subjective testing. Have you come across hair straighteners you’d love to share with us? Have your say and we’ we’ll look into reviewing it and featuring it on our site.
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