Capture the Magic: The Best Dash Cams You Can Buy in 2024

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This article was updated in October 2023 with new products and information.

Accidents happen, and an already painful experience can be made worse by getting blamed for something that wasn't your fault. Dash cams can capture everything from scenic routes to unexpected incidents, and provide an additional layer of security for your vehicle. Dash cam footage is frequently used following traffic incidents or break-ins to aid insurance companies and the authorities in conducting investigations that could mean the difference between your claim being covered or not. Many cameras can also record what goes on inside your vehicle and can be invaluable in traffic and other tense situations.

It's not all doom and gloom, though. Dash cams also work great for documenting road trips and even monitoring teen drivers. Dash cams come in a range of configurations and can become pricey on the high end, so we've assembled this list of some of the best cams on the market, highlighting both their features and drawbacks.

The Ring Car Cam Dash Cam Is a Lifesaver for the Anxious Car Owner

Things To Consider

With such a wide range of products out there, here are some things to consider before you pull the trigger.

Resolution: High-definition (HD) resolution results in clearer, sharper images with greater detail, but it also means the files are larger and you need more storage. Look for terms such as 1080p and 4K when shopping for a dash cam.

Power Supply: Most dash cams plug into your 12V outlet via a USB cord. Others are battery-powered and rechargeable. However, dash cam batteries can be short-lived; some last as little as 30 minutes. There are some high-end options that connect directly to your car's battery; these should be installed professionally, but you'll benefit from hidden wiring for a cleaner cabin.

Memory: Many dash cams require an SD card (or Micro SD) to store recordings. Oddly, however, most dash cams don't include them in their packaging. Before buying, check if the dash cam you're considering requires and includes an SD card or if you'll need to purchase one separately.

Interior Cameras: This may not be a feature most drivers are interested in, but for some—particularly those who make their living toting passengers around—having a cabin camera that captures what's going on inside your car can be a lifesaver. For ride-share drivers, a cabin cam may even be required by law.

Rearview Cameras: Many dash cams come with internal or rearview cameras, which can record events behind you in the event of a rear-end accident (or just help you back up safely). Again, this feature may not appeal to everyone, but for professional drivers, it could be essential.

Field of View: Some dash cams utilize wide-angle lenses to capture more of the road and surrounding areas. A wider angle of view makes it easier to capture what's going on at intersections and in your peripheral vision, but objects directly ahead will appear smaller. Knowing what sort of lens your camera has is important.

Connectivity: Wi-Fi-enabled dash cams usually interface with a smartphone app to adjust camera settings and to capture, store, and replay video. It's not essential, but without Wi-Fi connectivity, you'll likely need an internal SD card to store recorded videos.

Safety: Some dash cams can inform you if you cross lane lines or let you know if a car in front of you has stopped in traffic. They can also detect collisions and notify emergency services if you are involved in an accident. This is helpful in the event that you are unable to reach assistance. Additionally, if they have GPS, they can inform the emergency personnel of your precise location.

Mini 2

The Cam Mini 2 is a solid offering from one of the most trusted names in the game. It's about the size of your car's key fob but still manages to pack in an abundance of features. It records in 1080p, can take hands-free voice commands, and can be powered with either a USB-B or USB-A.

Car Cam

Prior to its release earlier this year, there were nearly two years of anticipation for Amazon's Ring Car Cam. Now that it's out, there's approximately a six-month wait to get one. But if you use a Ring doorbell or Ring smart-home services, a connected dash cam that works using Alexa could be extremely handy.

The Car Cam features a cool design that helps it stand out from the competition, as well as all the features you'd expect from a premium dash cam. Its dual wide-angle HD cameras include night vision. It also provides real-time alerts when motion is detected. It also has an awesome feature that allows you not only to watch what's happening inside your vehicle when you aren't in it but also allows for two-way talk via the Ring app. You can also opt for a subscription service that allows you to access its live-viewing features without a Wi-Fi connection.

F7N-Plus

The F7N-Plus is an Amazon Choice for a reason. It packs in all of the features you expect from a premium dash cam, such as wide-angle front and rear cameras, 4K 1080p quality, GPS, and loop recording. Despite all these features, it can often be found on sale for less than $150.

R2-4K

The R2 from Rove is a solid middle-of-the-range option—and one of the most popular dash cams on Amazon with more than 30,000 reviews (!) and a sterling 4.4-star rating (although smart consumers know to take that for what it's worth). Its ultra HD, 150-degree wide-angle-lens camera can capture images up to 2160p resolution, and the built-in Wi-Fi and GPS can track your route on the Rove app or Google Maps. It also features parking mode, motion detection, g-sensor, loop-cycle recording, emergency lock, time-lapse, and slow-motion capabilities.

Road Patrol

The front and back cameras on the exclusive Road Patrol dash cam make it the perfect choice for ride-share drivers. Even the interior camera can catch 110 degrees of vision, thanks to the excellent 1080p Sony image sensor. Using the three-inch OLED touchscreen is a breeze.

It is one of our favorite dash cams not because it comes from our colleagues at Car and Driver but because of the Drivesmart driver-assistance warning system that notifies you if your car drifts out of its lane or approaches another vehicle too closely. It also has a parking mode, accident detection, and an integrated GPS.

G840S

The Wolfbox 840s is an all-in-one car camera solution with a rear camera for parking and a 12.0-inch display doubling as a rearview mirror. The unit fits seamlessly onto your existing mirror, saving windshield space. The front-facing camera can record in ultra-crisp 4k, and the rear-view mirror display is larger than standard, eliminating potential blind spots.

Best of all, this one was tested by our own Gear Team, and it was given the Best Overall honors thanks mostly to its outstanding image quality.

122

Nextbase offers several options for dash cams, and we've included some of its more premium options, so it made sense that we take a look at the more affordable options as well. The 122 offers the basics like a g-force sensor and parking mode, an award-winning 2.0-inch high-resolution screen, and a sturdy magnetic mount. For the price, you will have to forego GPS and Wi-Fi connectivity, but for those seeking a no-frills camera, this is an excellent option from a reputable brand.

622GW

The Nextbase 622GW stands out from the herd with a few features that most others simply don't offer. Image stabilization, 5GHz Wi-Fi, super-slow-motion playback, defogging, and What3Words GPS to pinpoint your location within meters. Its quality is top-notch, and we know because we've used it.