Driving is generally safe, but there’s always a chance of getting into an accident, even if it’s minor, and that can be pretty scary. Dash cams can give you some extra peace of mind by providing video or photo evidence of whatever happened, which is really useful if the accident wasn’t your fault. The good news is, you don’t need to buy the most expensive dash cams to get great features, like parked collision detection, to protect yourself. Plus, we’ve gathered some affordable deals for you below.
If you’re also worried about car theft when you’re at home, you might want to look into some security cameras to keep an eye on your driveway and car.
Starting with the 70mai Smart Dash Cam 1S, it’s the cheapest option on our list but feels far from basic because of its numerous features. It supports microSD cards up to 64GB and records in 1080p Full HD with night vision, thanks to its Sony IMX307 image processor and f/2.2 aperture. It has a built-in G sensor that detects accidents and locks the footage to prevent it from being overwritten. You can use voice commands to take photos or start recording videos, and its app lets you watch real-time footage and download files to your phone.
Next up is the Rove R2-4K, which offers a higher resolution at 2160p and 30fps, making it impressive for its price. It features a 2.4-inch IPS screen, a 150-degree field of view, and a 24-hour parking mode for added protection. You can connect to it through 5GHz Wi-Fi and use a microSD card of up to 512GB.
If you need both front and rear coverage, check out the Redtiger Dash Cam 4K. It offers 4K resolution on the front camera and 1080p on the rear, both with good night vision. It also has crash detection that saves video even if the microSD card is full, GPS, and a route map function so you can navigate without your phone.
The Nexar Beam GPS Dash Cam is compact enough to hide behind your rearview mirror and records in 1080p with a 135-degree angle. It detects collisions or sudden brakes and saves the footage on the Nexar app, with automatic backups to your unlimited Nexar cloud account. It also streams live footage to the app when you drive and can create an accident report with video footage, speed, and location for insurance claims.
Another quality product to consider is from Thinkware. What makes it stand out is its ability to detect contacts with your car while parked. After attaching the optional hardware (recommended to be done by a professional), it will start recording if someone hits your car or tries to break in. It has both front and rear cameras, GPS, and records your location and speed.
Thinkware also offers a more budget-friendly option with front and rear cameras, superb night vision, and an LCD touchscreen for easy control. This can be especially useful since nearly a third of car accidents happen at night, and having clear footage is crucial.
For top-notch video quality, the Thinkware Q1000 has front and rear cameras with 2k resolution and true HDR. It offers remote connectivity, impact alerts, parking protection, and low-energy modes. It even has basic driver assistance features like lane departure alerts.
Thinkware has also embraced ultra-HD displays with a dash cam system that includes a rear camera. This setup uses an 8.42-megapixel Sony Starvis image sensor and a 150-degree viewing angle. It captures pre-event footage in parking mode, perfect for long-term or remote parking situations. Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS ensure easy connectivity and tracking, while advanced driver assistance features enhance safety.
Lastly, if you’re looking for more options, don’t hesitate to check out our other recommendations.