Which dashcams are best?
A dashcam is a small camera that records your driving, creating proof of your behavior in the case of an accident. Not only does this keep you driving your best, but it can also help you prove your innocence by providing authorities with a recording of an accident.
Dashcams may be designed to record in front of your vehicle or behind your vehicle and have different mounting systems.
What to know before you buy a dashcam
Multiple-lens vs. single-lens dashcams
- Multiple-lens dashcams record forward and backward so you can keep track of what’s going on both in front of and inside your car. These are popular among Lyft and Uber drivers.
- Single-lens dashcams record the area in front of your vehicle. While this offers a limited view of the action, it may be enough to meet your needs. Many single-lens cameras have wide viewing angles to take in as much as possible.
Dashcam mount location
Dashcams mount in different locations, with the most common being windshield-mounting and rearview-mirror-mounting. Take note of your state and local laws, as windshield mounts may be illegal where you live.
What to look for in a quality dashcam
The battery life, filming conditions, GPS functionality, and other features of dashcams can vary. Depending on your needs, some features may take priority over others.
- HD video: While this is useful if you end up recording an accident, it is also a good option if you plan to create a time-lapse video of a road trip or simply capture funny moments when driving.
- Infrared recording: Some dashcams can struggle to record quality video in dark environments, but infrared-equipped models excel at filming at night or in low lighting.
- GPS: A dashcam with GPS can capture information about the time and location of your car, which can be helpful when providing evidence.
- Power source: Dashcams may be powered directly by your car battery or by a 12-volt outlet. If you plan to record even when your car is parked to catch vandals, you should consider a car battery–powered model.
How much you can expect to spend on a dashcam
Most basic dashcams cost from $50 to $100 and may be forward, rear or interior-facing. From $100 to $250, there are high-quality cameras with additional features, such as infrared recording and car battery compatibility.
Dashcam FAQ
Q. Can a dashcam work against me if I am in an accident?
A. Certainly, especially if you made an error while driving. Use your dashcam as a motivator to drive cautiously and obey traffic laws, and keep in mind that a dashcam can also protect you in the case of an event like vandalism or damage caused by nature.
Q. Is it better to plug my dashcam into a 12-volt outlet or my car battery?
A. If your dashcam is connected to your car battery, it can remain on at all times so nothing is missed. However, these require installation that you may want to have a professional perform.
What’re the best dashcams to buy?
Top dashcam
What you need to know: The high-quality video, night vision features and excellent image stability make this dashcam a solid pick.
What you’ll love: It’s incredibly easy to set up and has stable image quality, even on bumpy roads. It also offers numerous customization options for features such as image quality and motion detection.
What you should consider: The adhesive provided for attaching it to your windshield is not very strong.
Top dashcam for the money
REXING Full HD Wide-Angle Dashboard Camera
What you need to know: The combination of a low price and excellent video recording makes this one of the best deals available.
What you’ll love: This compact camera is easy to mount and offers an ultrawide 170-degree angle, capturing excellent HD video in both daylight and nighttime conditions. It’s compatible with a range of memory cards.
What you should consider: Since the mount is adhesive, it can be difficult to remove.
Worth checking out
What you need to know: This dashcam features a 4-inch touch screen with a user-friendly interface.
What you’ll love: The auto-lock feature ensures you don’t miss any accidents. It has multiple recording modes that are easily customizable.
What you should consider: This dashcam has been known to occasionally fall off windshields.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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