Best Dashcam to Protect Yourself and Your Car

Dashcams are video cameras mounted on a car’s windscreen that record the view through the car’s windscreen and, at times, the rear and other windows. Dashcams are an investment, as they provide critical evidence during emergencies, such as disputes or accidents.

Dash cams offer 3 main benefits:

1. Automatic recording of trips 🚗
2. Deterring potential car thieves 🦹‍♀️
3. Protecting against false insurance claim fraud through video clips 🦺

The below best dashcams are picked based on their features, such as rear-facing cameras (Garmin Dashcam Tandem), night vision capability (Nexar Pro Dual), driver assistance systems (THINKWARE U1000), and voice control options (Nextbase 522GW).

1. Garmin Dashcam Tandem (Best Dual-lens Camera)
2. Nexar Beam GPS Dashcam (Best Impact Detection Recording)
3. THINKWARE U1000 (Best in Advanced Driver Assistance)
4. Nextbase 522GW (Best in Voice Assistant)
5. Garmin Dashcam Mini 2 (Best in Parking Guard Technology)
6. Nexar Pro Dual (Best in Night Vision Capture)
7. Vantrue E1 Lite (Best in Built-in GPS Dashcams)

Garmin Dashcam Tandem

The Garmin Dashcam Tandem is equipped with two 180-degree lenses and can record day and night. It is a dual-lens camera that captures views from the interior and exterior of your car with good image quality.

Garmin Dashcam Tandem is a dual dash cam with its front-facing lens, which records at 1440p for precise road recordings, and a 720p interior lens, which boasts NightGlo technology for detecting driver and passenger activity.

Garmin Dashcam Tandem has been created keeping drivers in mind. It comes with voice command features that support multiple languages to control camera recording without you having to lift your hand off the steering wheel, granting you full peace of mind. Also, it features a USB port to charge the phone.

Garmin Dashcam Tandem has GPS-enabled technology for improved accuracy in videos related to accidents or insurance claims. The Garmin Drive app provides a range of features. You can watch and then share videos from any phone via Bluetooth. Plus, it features additional functionality like parking mode, and rear cameras which capture every movement or action in and out of the car and thus can aid law enforcement.

Garmin Dashcam Tandem Pros and Cons

Pros ✅	Cons ❌
Allows you to charge your phone and dashcam at the same time.	Fails in responding promptly to voice commands.
View videos from the 4-dash camera option using the Garmin mobile app.	Mobile app responsiveness and app connectivity is slow.
Can be exposed to direct sunlight and extreme heat.	Possible Wi-Fi connectivity issues.
Responsive customer support team.

Garmin Dashcam Tandem Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Dimensions	0.93 × 2.17 × 1.61 inches
Connectivity	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Video Capture Resolution	720p,1440p
GPS Tracker	Yes

Garmin Dashcam Tandem Price

Garmin Dashcam Tandem is priced at $296.34.

Nexar Beam GPS Dashcam

Nexar Bean GPS Dashcam records a crisp 1080p-resolution front-facing camera with a range of 135° to capture every detail of incidents day or night. It has an image stabilization feature for the best video experience over rough terrain.

Nexar Bean GPS Dashcam starts to auto-record short videos upon sensing a collision or sudden application of the brakes, minus blur, due to its image stabilization feature. The Nexar app allows these videos to be automatically backed up to your unlimited Nexar cloud account.

Nexar Bean GPS Dashcam will detect even the smallest impact when your vehicle is parked and immediately begin recording so that you know the cause of any unaccounted-for dent or scratch.

The Nexar phone app can generate a detailed report after an accident, including the dash cam footage, driving speed, G-force impact, and location, to save you the hassle of piecing together evidence during insurance claims.

Nexar Bean GPS Dashcam Pros and Cons

Pros ✅	Cons ❌
Generates evidence using sensor data, such as speed, location, and impact force.	It can drain your phone battery considerably due to the constant phone connectivity.
Incident reporting takes less than a minute using the Nexar app.
Easy and simple interface, resulting in an enriching user experience.
Allows you to view the live stream of your parked car.

Nexar Bean GPS Dashcam Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Dimensions	6.26 × 3.74 × 3.31 inches
Connectivity	Wi-Fi
Video Capture Resolution	1080p
GPS Tracker	Yes

Nexar Bean GPS Dashcam Price

Nexar Bean GPS Dashcam costs $169.95 for 32 GB, which gives the best value for your money with great packed features.

THINKWARE U1000 Dashcam

THINKWARE U1000 Dashcam captures every detail with its 4K front-facing camera. The Thinkware Driver Assistance System provides a collision warning for potential head-on crashes, lane deviations, and vehicle departures in front of them to prevent road accidents.

The THINKWARE U1000 Dashcam’s Driver Assistance System has automatic incident detection features, such as forward collision warnings, lane departure warnings, and the front vehicle departure warning, designed to keep you safe on the road with its smart features. 

THINKWARE U1000 Dashcam’s key features include its Super Night Vision 2.0 technology to capture sharp, clear, visible videos regardless of the time of day or night, whether you are driving or parking. THINKWARE U1000 Dashcam has an 8.42MP Sony STARVIS image sensor and captures 4K native UHD or 2K QHD clips at 60fps.

With the Thinkware Cloud mobile app, you can view any information about your vehicle’s location and receive notifications directly to your compatible Apple or Android device. The free Thinkware Cloud and Thinkware app allow you to track your vehicle using GPS and receive geofencing notifications, parking impact notifications, and driving impact notifications.

Thinkware U1000 Pros and Cons

Pros ✅	Cons ❌
Easy installation — doesn’t need professional assistance.	Recording glitches happen occasionally.
Captures high-quality videos without blurring with its 4K-resolution front-facing camera.	Takes time to connect to your mobile device.
Real-time notifications with footage that can be easily downloaded to mobile.
Allows you to customize the settings to improve the quality of your recordings.

THINKWARE U1000 Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Dimensions	2.56 × 1.42 × 0.43 inches
Connectivity	Wi-Fi
Video Capture Resolution	4K, 2K
GPS Tracker	Yes

THINKWARE U1000 Dashcam Price

THINKWARE U1000 costs $439.99 and has the perfect blend of the latest technology to keep you safe while driving.

Nextbase 522GW Dashcam

Nextbase 522GW Dashcam offers great video capturing quality at a mid-range price. Far from a basic dash cam, it records in 1440p and 1080p HD resolution camera with cabin view, providing the highest quality recordings while driving.

The Nextbase 522GW Dashcam provides a wide view angle of 140°, improving clarity and visibility. It also features a 3″ HD award-winning IPS touchscreen for improved picture clarity and resolution.

The Nextbase 522GW Dashcam uses Bluetooth 4.2 to send information straight to your phone so that you can share it promptly with your insurance provider in emergencies. Additionally, the mobile app MyNextbase Connect allows the editing and sharing of footage seamlessly.

Nextbase 522GW Dashcam has top-notch voice capture quality and voice control capabilities. With Alexa built-in, you can play music, enjoy cellular connectivity like place calls, listen to audiobooks, check the news, get directions, find parking, control smart home devices, and more.

Nextbase 522GW Pros and Cons

Pros ✅	Cons ❌
Produces high-resolution videos.	Live-streaming mode has issues.
Provides an intuitive touchscreen display, resulting in better navigation.	The sound while turning on/off the cam can get annoying.
An adhesive mounting option with a suction cup is also provided.
The magnet removal system makes the installation and removal of the cam easy.

Nextbase 522GW Dashcam Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Dimensions	2 × 5 × 4 inches
Connectivity	USB
Video Capture Resolution	1440p
GPS Tracker	Yes

Nextbase 522GW Dashcam Price

Nextbase 522GW Dashcam costs $248.99 and comes integrated with Alexa for hands-free recording.

Garmin Dashcam Mini 2

Garmin Dashcam Mini 2 is a car-key-sized mini dash cam with excellent voice control and security features. Despite its display size, it captures high-quality video with an ultra-wide 140-degree lens. Photos are captured in 1080p HD with Garmin Clarity HDR optics.

Garmin Dashcam Mini 2’s Garmin Drive app allows you to use voice commands to save videos, start/stop audio recordings, take photos, and more. It also comes with a parking guard feature and allows you to track your car from your mobile phone.

Garmin Dashcam Mini 2’s Garmin Live monitoring feature enables you to keep track of every bit of movement that takes place around your car, despite it being a compact dash cam. This gives it an additional layer of security from any kind of theft or suspicious activity. Garmin Dashcam Mini 2 comes with 4 dash cams that allow you to view high-definition video viewing quality right from the Garmin Drive app with active Wi-Fi connectivity.

Garmin Dashcam Mini 2’s with Garmin drive app lets you remotely view your parked vehicle with a live monitoring feature.

Garmin Dashcam Mini 2 Pros and Cons 

Pros ✅	Cons ❌
Designed to withstand harsh conditions, including direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.	Requires constant power and Wi-Fi to assist with the drive parking guard feature.
Allows to share video clips via a link and passcode over a Wi-Fi connection.	Due to its small size, it lacks features like a touchscreen display.
Receives voice commands in multiple languages.	
Compact and so can easily fit under the rearview mirror.	

Garmin Dashcam Mini 2 Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Dimensions	1.22 × 2.09 × 1.14 inches
Connectivity	Wi-Fi
Video Capture Resolution	1080p
GPS Tracker	No

Garmin Dashcam Mini 2 Price

Garmin Dashcam Mini 2 is priced at $129, which is affordable considering its advanced features.

Nexar Pro Dual Dashcam 

Nexar Pro Dual Dashcam is a great choice for professional drivers since it captures both road and car footage so that you have extra peace while on the road. Its road view camera lets you capture clear images of 135° in width and has 1080p HD recording capability for a wider range. The interior camera captures HD video and has 10 infrared light bulbs for great night vision.

Nexar Pro Dual Dashcam is equipped with a dynamic range of memory options, ranging from 32 GB to 256 GB, allowing it to record loop recordings for up to 24 hours, aside from advanced G-force sensors.

The Nexar Pro Dual Dashcam’s Nexar mobile app can detect critical road situations (like accidents and sharp braking) and capture them in short videos. The clips are then automatically backed up to your Nexar cloud account.

Nexar Pro Dual Dashcam also provides you with live video footage every time you drive, so you can always have access to video evidence when needed. This is especially beneficial for emergency services to determine collision impact.

Nexar Pro Dual Dashcam Pros 

Pros ✅	Cons ❌
Great video quality with attention to each detail precisely.	Fails to stay connected through Wi-Fi connectivity option for extended periods of time.
Easy to install.	Doesn’t record speed.
Allows you to use other apps like navigation, etc.	
Senses every bump and starts recording even when the car is parked.	

Nexar Pro Dual Dashcam Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Dimensions	6.23 × 3.72 × 3.53 inches
Connectivity	Wi-Fi
Video Capture Resolution	1080p
GPS Tracker	No

Nexar Pro Dual Dashcam Price

Nexar Pro Dashcam can be availed at a cost of $244.95.

Vantrue E1 Lite Dashcam

Vantrue E1 Lite Dashcam is perfectly designed to fit in any car and includes a voice control feature for hands-free video recording. It features 1080P+ HDR technology forward-facing camera with a 160-degree viewing angle and records HDR video at an affordable price. The F1.8 aperture lets you easily read license plates in low-light conditions. Furthermore, it comes packed with a magnetic mount that makes it convenient to detach the camera from the mount without giving a hard time to the power cable.

Vantrue E1 Lite Dashcam has a free app for tracking live streams and sharing footage. Vantrue E1 Lite Dashcam is a smart dash cam with built-in GPS that enables the dashboard camera to record your speed in KMH or MPH, along with the location and route of your travel at all times. You can view your GPS data remotely using the smartphone or PC application; which can be used as additional evidence in an insurance claim.

Another reason why Vantrue E1 Lite Dashcam is a smart dash cam is that it automatically switches to parking mode when you park your car. Vantrue E1 Lite Dashcam’s collision detection or buffered motion sensors can detect impact or movement, while low frame rate or bitrate modes maintain continuous recording with minimal power consumption.

Vantrue E1 Lite Dashcam’s emergency video files are saved to a locked folder to ensure your vehicle is safeguarded from theft and hit-and-run accidents.

Vantrue E1 Lite Pros and Cons

Pros ✅	Cons ❌
Saves space and is easy to install.	The app takes longer to respond and sometimes restarts automatically.
Highly sensitive motion detection.	To retrieve data, you will be required to wait 30 minutes to 45 minutes.
Provides 18-months warranty.	
Super-fine hands-free voice control.	

Vantrue E1 Lite Specifications 

Product Details	Product Specifications
Dimensions	1.73 × 1.73 × 3.27 inches
Connectivity	Wi-Fi
Video Capture Resolution	1080p
GPS Tracker	Yes

Vantrue E1 Lite Price

Vantrue E1 Lite costs $89.99, which is cost-effective considering there is no compromise on security.

Best Dash Cam Comparison

Dash cams	Voice Control	Parking Mode	GPS	Screen Size	Video Resolution
Garmin Dashcam Tandem	✅	❌	✅	2 inches	1440p front & 720p interior
Nexar Beam GPS Dashcam	❌	✅	✅	3 inches	1080p
THINKWARE U1000	❌	✅	✅	2 inches	4K, 2K
Nextbase 522GW Dashcam	✅ (has Alexa)	✅	✅	3 inches	1440p
Garmin Dashcam Mini 2	✅	✅	❌	2 inches	1080p
Nexar Pro Dual Dashcam	❌	✅	❌	7 inches	1080p
Vantrue E1 Lite 1080P WiFi Mini	✅	✅	✅	1.54 inches	1080p

How To Choose the Best Dashcam

Here are the 5 things to consider when choosing the best dashcam: 

1. Video Quality: Investing in a camera with a wide-angle lens and a resolution of at least 1440p is advisable.
2. Night Vision: If your driving routine involves a lot of night travel, a dashcam that offers night vision and performs well in low light is a suitable choice.
3. GPS Enablement: Dashcams with GPS enablement are beneficial as they allow you to view your location, speed, and time, aiding in the assessment of your footage.
4. Storage Capacity: When choosing a quality dashcam, the storage capacity is a crucial factor. Cameras with expandable memory cards or cloud storage are better options.
5. Additional Features: Look for dashcams equipped with features such as accident detection, road exit warnings, and parking mode tracking. These features can enhance your driving experience and safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

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