Best dashcams in 2024
1. BEST DASHCAM OVERALL
Nextbase 622GW
PROS
- Captures sharp video
- Slow motion viewing
CONS
- No close proximity warnings
On test, this dashcam captured super-sharp video both during the day and at night. We love that footage can be reviewed in super slow motion (120 frames per second) too, making it easy to pick out details such as number plates.
The dashcam alerts the emergency services to your location should the worst happen and you become unresponsive. There’s Amazon’s Alexa built in, too, so you can check the weather or the traffic on your route. We are disappointed that it doesn’t offer any warnings about being too close to the car in front or drifting out of lane, and you’ll need to supply your own microSD card. It’s expensive, but with wifi, GPS and a parking mode, there are lots of features and we think the cost is warranted.
2. BEST DASH CAM FOR EASE OF USE
Cobra SC201
PROS
- Rear camera records in-car, too
- 16GB MicroSD card included
CONS
- Micro-USB pairing cable is short
We know you’ll want your dashcam to record what’s happening in front of your car, but the Cobra SC 201 doubles the peace of mind by also taking video of the interior, too. It shoots in crisp Full HD from both lenses, and the quality is impressive in dark conditions – giving you a solid 140-degree field of view that captures lots of detail. This cylindrical camera is also incredibly easy to set up and install, making it a good choice for beginners or anyone who doesn’t want to spend ages on installation. It took under 10 minutes to download the app, wire it up and stick it on our windshield.
We like that the Cobra includes a 16GB MicroSD card inside the dashcam as standard (you can add up to 256GB) to store footage. This model also has GPS that accurately shows your location on the phone app in real-time. The 2-inch display may be small, but the colours look good and it’s enough to see what is happening around you. You use a (frustratingly short) Micro-USB cable to transfer videos to your computer and while there’s no touchscreen or voice control, the buttons feel fine and the layout is easy to understand. The dashcam is well-built and sturdy, and comes with a spare adhesive strip if you need to move it to another car in the future.
3. BEST DASHCAM FOR WIDE FIELD OF VIEW
Garmin Dash Cam 67W
PROS
- Wide field of view for recording
- Close proximity warnings
CONS
- Lacks suction mount option
While this dashcam doesn’t record in as sharp a quality as our winner, it’s still very clear – especially during the day. Its 180 degree lens makes it suitable for stretches of motorway that have more than three lanes, too.
It warns you if you’re too close to the car in front, are drifting out of lane, or if you haven’t noticed the traffic ahead of you has started to move. It’s compact, has a two-inch screen and voice control. We love that the charger comes with two USB sockets, so you can use the dashcam at the same time as a satnav or charging your phone. However, it only has an adhesive mount rather than a suction mount, which is fiddly to detach if you want to use the dashcam in another vehicle, and you’ll need to supply your own microSD card. A 256GB card can be bought on Amazon for around £20.
4. BEST BUDGET DASHCAM
Nextbase 122 Dash Cam
PROS
- Good quality in daylight
- Great value for money
CONS
- Not as good for night recordings
This simple dashcam records clear video during the day but struggles with bright lights at night, and video isn’t FullHD. It does come with a parking mode, though, so the dashcam begins recording for three minutes if it detects any knocks to your car while it’s parked. Like more expensive Nextbase dashcams, you can choose whether you use a 3M mount or a suction pad to connect it to your windscreen. We love that a handy tool for removing the 3M mount is included, too. There’s no GPS or wifi and it doesn’t come with a microSD card, but we think this model provides good value.
5. BEST SCREEN-FREE DASHCAM
Thinkware U1000
PROS
- Super sharp 4K video quality
- Close car proximity warnings
CONS
- No screen makes for a fiddly setup
If you prefer a dashcam without a screen, this is the best you can buy. On test, it recorded sharp 4K video, both during the day and at night. The lack of screen does make it fiddly to set up though, and it’s crucial it’s positioned correctly to ensure it alerts you when you drift out of your lane or drive too close to the car in front. It’ll also warn you about upcoming speed cameras and has GPS built in, so if an incident occurs the exact location will be recorded in the video footage. On the downside, it’s expensive, bulky and isn’t the most attractive device to look at.
If the Thinkware U1000 is slightly out of your price range, the Q800 Pro is a little bit more affordable. That one records in 2k rather than 4k so your footage isn’t quite as sharp but it’s still leaps and bounds above many other dashcams on the market.
6. BEST DASHCAM FOR IN-CAR RECORDING
Transcend DrivePro 550B
PROS
- Records in-car footage
- Sharp video quality in daylight
CONS
- Not ideal for dark conditions
As well as a 150-degree lens that records the road ahead, this dashcam also has a tiltable lens that captures what’s going on and records inside the car – that’s ideal for parents wanting to keep an eye on their kids in the back.
On test, we found the video it recorded was clear and sharp, although at night it suffered glare from headlights and street lights. It’s worth noting there are no LEDs on the internal camera, meaning that footage comes out dark at night. We do appreciate that the microSD card is included, though, so you can start using it straight out the box and it warns you about everything from drifting out of your lane to even reminding you to put your headlights on when it’s murky, grey or dark.
7. MOST COMPACT DASHCAM
Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2
PROS
- Small form factor
- Charger has two USB sockets
CONS
- Not the best for night recordings
If you’re looking for a dashcam that’s as discreet as possible, opt for this one from Garmin. It’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand (thanks to the lack of screen), which means that it’s less of a distraction to the driver of the vehicle.
We tested the first-generation model and it recorded clear footage during the day, but at night we found street lights and headlights caused glare. In our experience it was a bit fiddly to set up – you’ll need your smartphone to help position the dashcam correctly. It has a wide enough field of view to ensure all three lanes of a motorway are visible though. Just like the Garmin 66W, the car charger has two USB sockets, so you can use the dashcam at the same time as a satnav or when charging a phone.
