6 Dash Cams for Recording Your Every Move, And Some of Them That Can Do Much More

For surveillance types who haven't invested in a Corvette with a built-in external video recorder or a BMW 6-series Gran Turismo that can upload 360-degree photos to an app, a more affordable option is a dedicated dash cam. There's a lot of contention as to why insurance companies have failed to offer discounts for using one, and how and if the footage can be used to legally incriminate an at-fault driver. A couple of caveats: Video file sizes vary due to resolution, frame rate, embedded audio, and compression. Not all cameras are compatible with the highest-capacity micro SD cards. Image quality, particularly during rapid exposure to bright sunlight (such as when exiting a tunnel or an overpass), can vary. Battery life is poor for most models, so if you're planning to keep a watchful eye on your car while it's parked overnight, you must have a 12-volt power outlet that stays live when the car is off.

We've gathered six dash cams of varying prices and features. Have a look, should you wish to record someone-preferably, someone else-tailgating and running stop signs.

$55.00

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[+] Cheap and lacks GPS, so it won't log your speed at the time of a crash (a plus if you'd rather not incriminate yourself), uploads videos to a companion app.

[−] Don't expect high quality in low light, no GPS also means it can't prove you weren't speeding, cheap (higher-quality versions are available).

Anker, a Chinese maker of everything from Alexa speakers to battery jump-start boxes, sells one of the cheapest dash cams available. It looks like a point-and-shoot camera and claims to capture up to four lanes of traffic in 1080p resolution. The A1 has a preview display that doesn't require a linked phone and a suction mount that allows for 360-degree swiveling. A vibration sensor can activate the camera should someone tap your bumper while parked.

$359.95

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[+] Two cameras, still-photo capability, up to 21 hours of recording, driver assists, route mapping.

[−] Expensive, driver assists won't be as reliable as an OEM system (also applies to others below).

Magellan’s 480D dash cam is almost fully loaded, including a separate 1080p camera that can be mounted on the rear window to supplement the 1296p front camera. The 2.7-inch preview screen, which can angle sideways, can show both feeds at once. It also links location, speed, date, and time to the video and, once saved, allows you to trace the entire route on Google Maps. If sensors detect a sudden turn or impact while recording, the 480D will write-protect the footage 15 seconds before and 50 seconds after. It also offers driver assists such as forward-collision alert, lane-departure warning, and an attention monitor.

$249.99

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[+] 180-degree field is among the widest exterior views on any dash cam, tiny size makes it easy to tuck behind a rearview mirror, voice controls, great starting price.

[−] Some hardware versions have been prone to overheating, low 30-minute battery life.

Garmin, a trusted name in GPS, delivers a dash cam that does nearly everything the Magellan unit can, but with only one forward-facing lens in a smaller package. A magnetic mount holds a 2.2-inch-wide unit that can be voice controlled, record audio only, or make time-lapse movies in 1080p. GPS, speed, and time data, along with automatic write-protected recording if the camera senses abrupt movement, are included, as are forward-collision alert, lane-departure warning, and live updates of speed and red-light cameras.

$129.99

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[+] Companion app, competitive specs, it says Car and Driver on the housing.

[−] Lacks the features and multiple cameras of the more expensive models.

What do you know, we've slapped our name on three dash cams that look decent and are available exclusively at Best Buy. Objectively speaking, the Minio Pro includes a 156-degree lens, GPS, Wi-Fi, voice control, audio recording, shock detection, and image stabilization. When attached to the suction mount on a windshield, it looks like an upside-down Minion character painted gray. One of our staffers reported some looseness in the joint attaching the camera to the suction mount, where a bump can jostle the shot. An 8-GB micro SD card is included on all cameras.

$299.95

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[+] A 360-degree field of view, live streaming, feature-rich app integration, innovative design.

[−] The 4G-equipped model is the most expensive on this list.

Funded by Kickstarter and founded by MIT students, Boston-based Waylens promises 360-degree views and live remote viewing. Not only does the sleek shape resemble a miniature spaceship, the Secure360 has infrared lighting, radar, and sensors that its maker claims draw so little power that the domed device can run for up to 15 consecutive days without draining your vehicle's battery. If you instead want the ability to locate your car and live-streaming capability, the 4G LTE model costs $100 more.

$219.95

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[+] Front and rear cameras without breaking the bank, integrates with Cobra's app to provide speed-trap alerts.

[−] No GPS functionality unless a phone is tethered, buggy app, poor night performance.

Cobra, a maker of budget radar detectors, also offers this moderately priced front and rear camera system. Unlike the Magellan, the rear records in 720p instead of the front camera’s 1080p HD, and there’s no onboard GPS. You can either spend $49.95 extra for a GPS accessory that plugs into the camera's 3.5-mm jack or rely on your phone's location services. The latter drains your data, battery life, and, according to PC World, your sanity after unsuccessful attempts to pair the phone and dash cam. The 2316D includes forward-collision alert, lane-departure warning, Cobra's live database of reported police sightings and roadside cameras, and a shock sensor that automatically activates and saves video.