Guide to Choosing the Best Dash Cam for Car

Did you know that a whopping 1.3 million road accidents occur every year globally? Accidents happen - a lot. There’s a risk whenever your vehicle is moving. But there’s also a risk to personal or business vehicle ownership even when your vehicles are parked! Vehicle theft is common. In 2022 alone, a staggering 932,329 vehicles were reported stolen to by different law enforcement organizations.

Against rising safety concerns, the growing need for vehicle surveillance can't be understated, with many turning to installing dash cams in their vehicles. In the US, 30% of drivers already use dash cams for benefits like capturing video and photo proof in the event of an accident and ensuring added safety with more visibility into driver behavior. Dash cams give vehicle owners more peace of mind. That’s a major reason why the global dashcam market is expected to grow with a "Compound Annual Growth Rate" (CAGR) of 12.5% and cross 8.6 billion US dollars by 2030.

If you’re a concerned car owner, ride-share driver, fleet manager, or just anyone interested in ensuring the security and safety of your vehicles, installing dash cams can be your best bet, too. Don't know where to start? Trade your worries with curiosity and read along. We'll cover all you need to know about dash cams and help you pick the best one for your specific needs through our guide.

What is a Dash Cam?

A dash cam is a compact camera that you can place on the dashboard of your vehicle so you can capture and record video footage as you drive. Normally, these cameras come with different types of lenses and start operating when your vehicle is in motion. They document all road incidents, and they can also record parked vehicles. By using them, you’ll worry less about accidents or insurance and legal issues because you’ll have visual proof at your disposal.

Functions and Uses of Dash Cams

Wondering what are all the kinds of footage you can capture by installing a car camera?

• You’ll be able to record on-road accidents.
• You can curtail fraud as your dash cam can capture occurrences like staged accidents.
• If you are a fleet manager, logistics professional, or parent, you can monitor your drivers’ and teen children’s driving behavior with the help of these cams.
• You can create a visual diary of all your scenic travels.
• You can also monitor and record passenger behavior if you are a ride-share driver so any case of misconduct can be reported.

Why Should You Use a Dash Cam?

There are many different types and functions of dash cams. It’s not all just about getting peace of mind when you install one. There are more benefits of a dashcam that make it an essential piece of technology today. Using them, you can:

Secure Accident-Related Evidence: Your dashcam will record what happened in case of an accident. You can use that footage later to better tackle all legal issues that you might face.

Get Proof for Insurance Claims: Insurance claims can give anyone a tough time. Dash cams will help solve a lot of your issues when dealing with insurance companies. You'll be able to have all visual proof in case of theft and accidents to make insurance claims as straightforward as possible.

Keep an Eye on Drivers: Whether you’re managing fleet vehicles or giving your vehicle to your teenager for a drive, a dash cam can be your go-to way of keeping an eye on young and adult drivers alike. You can even give them notice to avoid future accidents and ensure their safety when you see irresponsible driving. Per Verizon’s 2024 fleet management report, 73% of survey participants benefited from improved driver safety by installing dash cams across all their fleet vehicles.

Maintain Robust Security: Recording your vehicle’s interior or exterior can help you ensure and maintain robust security and report incidents in a timely manner. Think of a theft attempt, robbery or driver or passenger misconduct. Whatever the case, your dash cam can give you necessary proof in all scenarios and help you ensure the security of your vehicles.

Parking Protection: You can protect your vehicles when they’re parked. That’s one of the many benefits of a dash cam, because a number of them come with “parking mode”. This feature lets you obtain footage of your parked vehicle and get necessary proof in cases of vandalism or hit-and-runs to file police reports and insurance claims.

Types of Dash Cams Available

There isn't just one type of dash cambut quite a few dash cam types for your various needs. Each has unique purposes that will enable you to reap these benefits. They are:

Single Lens Dash Cam

Single-lens dash cams are the most basic ones that you can mount on your vehicle’s front windshield. They’re best for recording the view that you’ll have as a driver, which is the front view of the road ahead.

Dual Lens Dash Cam

Dual dash cams have two lenses, a front one and another one that will either record the rear of your vehicle or its interior. A dual dash cam is ideal for recording all that goes inside and outside of your vehicle, too, with both front and rear cameras, or when you want to record both the front and back view of your vehicle.

360-Degree Dash Cam

A 360-degree dash cam, also called a multi-channel dash cam, can cover every possible view around your vehicle, as the 360° camera angle offers a full panoramic view. They come with multiple cameras to capture all front, back, and side angles - including blindspots.

If you’re overseeing fleet operations, the 360-degree dash cams will be your ideal choice, because they l capture all the perspectives.

Specialized Dash Cam

Specialized dash cams are models that are designed for specific purposes and use cases. For instance, if your vehicle is designated for a taxi or ride-sharing service or if your vehicle is part of a fleet, you can get these cameras with unique features for each case.

They usually come with additional features like GPS tracking, advanced driver monitoring, and live streaming so you can use the footage and features for your particular needs.

Pros and Cons of Different Dash Cam Types

Must-Have Dash Cam Features

When buying a dash cam for your vehicle, here are the key features you should look for, as the functionality of your dashboard cameras will highly depend on certain advanced features:

High-Quality Video Resolution: Always opt for dash cams with video resolutions like Full HD (1080p) and 4K because that’s the only way you can get clearer and detailed footage and identify license plates of other vehicles in case of accidents.

Clear Night Vision: You won't always have well-lit environments or daytime as your vehicles move from one point to another, which is why it is imperative to have a clear night vision feature in your dash cam. This feature will capture everything in and out of your vehicle using infrared rays and give clear imagery in low-light environments.

Loop Recording: This feature is a must for you if you think you’ill be running short on storage capacity often. The loop recording feature will record your vehicle’s footage without any interruption, even when the memory reaches its limit by overwriting the oldest footage.

G-Sensor: Look for the G-sensor feature when you buy a dash cam, as it can detect all sudden impacts and movements in and around your vehicle and, based on that, save the footage automatically. Having it, you’ll save memory yet have proof intact in case of accidents.

GPS: GPS-enabled is a feature that can add live tracking of your vehicle’s real-time location and speed, along with capturing your video. It’s helpful because GPS gives you additional location and status details and helps you with situation-based reasoning in times of accidents and legal issues.

Parking Mode: Parking mode will let you have the video footage of your vehicle even when no one is driving it. This feature can detect any motion and closeness around your vehicle and start recording it so you can have proof.

Cloud Storage: You can also explore cloud storage features when buying a dash cam. This will let you save and upload your recorded footage remotely on the cloud instead of just onan SD card. You can then access it whenever you want and ensure that your data remains safe and secure.

Ease of Use: One of the most important things for you to consider is the ease of use of the dash cams you choose. Make sure the dash cam you buy is easy to install and use, has a user-friendly interface, and features like mobile app connectivity to avoid unnecessary hassle.

How to Choose the Best Dash Cam for Your Needs

With so many dash cam features, uses, and functions, choosing a dash cam can get overwhelming. Here is how you can tackle that and go about choosing the best dash cam for your needs easily:

First Up, Assess Your Needs

Daily Commute: If you just want a dash cam to secure your daily commute, a single-lens dash cam will be your best buy. Look for easy-to-use single-lens models with loop recording and clear resolution features. If the dash cam has that, you'll be good.

Long Trips: If you often take long trips, look for dash cams with full HD and 4K resolution and a field of view of at least 120° or more. Also, choose a dash cam that has night vision and advanced features like parking mode and GPS.

Professional Use: If you are a taxi driver, ride-share driver, fleet driver, or manager, or your business relies of the use of vehicles during its daily operations, go for a dual-lens dashcam or 360-degree dashcam with a high storage capacity memory card for enhanced security. Look for features like cloud storage and AI face detection for added safety and liability protection.

Bring Your Budget Under Consideration

Think of how much you’re willing to spend on a dash cam. Here’s how the dash cams will correspond to your budget typically:

• ($50 - $100) …….. Low-end basic dash cams with essential features.
• ($100 - $200) …… Mid-range dash cams with good value-for-money features and better quality.
• ($200 +) …………… High-end dash cams with advanced features and best video quality.

Match Your Desired Features with Your Budget

Explore different models available in your budget and match the necessary features you want with your budget. Try to make some tweaks to get your ideal dash cam.

Think Of Your Vehicle Type

Compact Car: If your car is small, opt for a discreet dash cam that won't take up a lot of your windshield space.

Large Vehicles: With larger vehicles and trucks, you can go for more prominent dash cam models that can offer a wider field of view.

Professional Vehicles: For taxis, fleet vehicles, and ride-share vehicles, you will need dual-channel and multi-channel dash cams that can also capture the interior view of your vehicles.

Best Dash Cams for Different Needs

Now that you have gotten the hang of choosing a dash cam, here is a list of top dash cams that you can use. These best dash cams across different categories can address your multifarious needs:

Best Overall Dash Cam

If you’re looking for the best overall dash cam that has all the advanced features like GPS tracking, driver monitoring, and cloud-based management tools. And it’s available in a cost-effective price point.

Check out the VizTrack Dual-View Vehicle Monitoring System.

It has all the features you’d ever need, making it the top-rated dash cam, here’s more reasons why:

Exceptional Features

• Dual Cameras: 4K front-facing and rear-facing lenses with night vision.
• Real-Time Recording & Monitoring: Stream live video via 4G across North America.
• Built-in GPS Tracker: For precise location tracking.
• Advanced Fleet Management: Includes geofencing, speed alerts, and driver behavior monitoring.
• Wide-Angle View: Captures a broader area.
• Parking Mode: Records while parked.
• Collision Detection & Emergency Alerts: ADAS & DSM for safety monitoring.
• Cloud-Based Storage: Automatic video uploads with secure cloud backup.
• Easy Installation: Simple setup process.

Best Budget Dash Cam

If you are on the lookout for the best budget dash cam with a dual lens, look no further. BrickHouse Security Dual Dash Camera DVR is an affordable dash cam that will give you all the essential features without compromising on quality.

Exceptional Features

• 360-degree view
• G-sensor recording
• Motion detection
• Loop recording

Reviews

It also has various great reviews. Here is what James had to say about it:

“BrickHouse is the place to shop.
This is one of the best cameras you can buy for your car.”

Best High-End Dash Cam

If you have no budget constraints and are looking for a high-end dash cam or a premium dash cam, you can invest in VizTrack Dual-View or some other equally great options like:

Viofo A229 Pro: Features include 4K video quality, 24/7 parking monitoring, and a heat-friendly supercapacitor to keep things running instead of a traditional battery which can cause disruptions in service due to overheating.

Garmin Dash Cam 67W: Features include GPS, WiFi, parking mode and 4K resolution with large file sizes.

Nextbase 622 GW: Features include 4K video resolution at 30 frames per second, Alexa support, emergency calls, etc.

Best Dual Dash Cam

If you want a comprehensive view, including both front and back views of your vehicle, the best dual dash cam with high-quality front and rear dash cam is the BlackVue Dual Full HD Cloud Dashcam. It is especially well-rated in the dual dash cam category.

Exceptional Features

• Mobile app connectivity
• GPS
• 360-degree mounting
• Two channel recording

Another great option is Think Ware U1000.

Exceptional Features

• 4K front and 1080p rear camera resolution
• Cloud connectivity
• Parking mode
• Safety features

Best Dash Cam for Night Vision

If you happen to travel in low light environments and are looking for a night vision dash cam, you can choose any best night dash cam from the following list:

Venture N4 Pro:

Features

• 1440p front camera recording
• 1080p rear recording
• Infrared night vision

BrickHouse Security Compact HD Dash Camera

Exceptional Features

• 1080p Full HD Recording
• 12 infrared illuminators
• Wide viewing angle of 120°
• Night vision with superior low-light performance

Best Dash Cam for Ride-Share Drivers

If you are looking for an interior dash cam that can record the interior of your vehicle and also have additional features for monitoring your passengers, you can choose any top-rated ride-share dash cam from the following list:

Nextbase 522GW:

Exceptional Features:

• Dual-channel recording
• Focused interior monitoring
• Enhanced safety features for ride-sharing vehicles

RVS-450C Car Dash Camera

Exceptional Features:

• Full HD resolution
• The wide viewing angle of 170°

Best Fleet Management Dash Cam

Here is a list of some best dash cams for fleet management so you can choose a specifically designed GPS tracking dash cam to manage your fleets seamlessly:

Motive AI Dash Cam: It has 440p road-facing and 1080p driver-facing camera resolution and great features like AI-assisted real-time safety warnings, automated driver coaching, and virtual geofencing.

Samsara CM32: It has 1080p front and rear quality and dual-facing cameras. It also comes with features like live GPS tracking, and cloud-based storage and exceptional ease of installation and use.

RVS-250C Ultra HD Car Dash Camera: If you are looking for a high-performing fleet dash cam that can record incidents after sensing high impact and also includes the GPS route of your vehicles, the RVS-250C Ultra HD Car Dash Camera is a favoured choice among many with great affordability. 

Installing Your Dash Cam

After you have chosen a dash cam, the car camera setup won't take much time. Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can master dash cam installation:

1. Gather all Your Dash Cam Components and Tools: Gather all your necessary items before installation like:

1. Dash cam
2. Power cable
3. Mounting hardware (suction cup or adhesive mount)
4. Trim tool (optional for hiding cables)
5. User manual for your specific dash cam model

2. Choose the Best Location: The best spot for a dash cam is behind the rear-view mirror. Choose that spot and make sure it is cantered correctly to maximize the field of view.

3. Attach the Mount: Depending on the dash cam model you have chosen, use a suction cup or adhesive mount and lock and place it in place, respectively.

4. Consider Wiring Options: Plug the power cable into the dash cam and route it to your vehicle's power outlet, called a cigarette lighter, and for a more permanent installation, hardwire your dash cam with your vehicle’s electrical system. Get help in the latter case.

5. Install the Dashcam and Configure Settings: Install the dashcam on the mount, run it, and configure the settings according to your liking.

6. Troubleshoot Common Issues:

Dash Cam Not Starting: Check the power connection and ensure the vehicle’s engine is running. If hardwired, double-check the connections you made to the fuse box.

Poor Video Quality: Adjust the camera angle and make sure the lens of your dash cam is clean. Adjust the resolution settings from the configuration menu.

Recording Issues: See if the memory card is properly inserted and formatted. If the card’s memory is full, enable the loop recording feature to overwrite old footage.

Are Dash Cams Legal?

If you are worried about dash cam legality because of privacy concerns, they are mostly legal in most US states and other countries with exception of certain regions and high-risk zones. However there are certain other regulations you should know:

Regional Regulations

Placement: Your dashboard camera must be placed in such a spot and way that it does not obstruct your view as a driver.

Recording: You can record video, but for audio recording, you will need consent from all parties, especially ride-sharing passengers.

Tips Regarding Privacy Concerns

• Always inform your passengers if they are being recorded when you are driving vehicles commercially and obtain consent when needed.
• You can record public spaces generally, but some local laws might forbid it, so be careful about that.

Best Practices

1. Know Your Local Laws: Research specific regulations regarding dash cam use.

2. Inform Your Vehicle’s Occupants: Notify drivers and passengers about recording.

3. Limit Recording: Use dash cams to record driving incidents only and not for any form of recce.

4. Secure Your Data: Protect your dash cam’s recorded footage from unauthorized access.

To learn more about the legality of dash cams based on your particular area of residence or movement, click here.

Should You Get a Dash Cam?

For sure! All in all, if you consider the various dash cam benefits and the peace of mind a good dashcam can afford you, buying one is the only wise step forward. Not only will you be able to reduce the risk of accidents and secure proof for going through legal and insurance matters without all of the added stress, but also ensure real-time visibility of all your personal and fleet vehicles no matter where you are!

Just assess your needs correctly and choose a model that can comprehensively ensure optimal safety and security for you, your passengers, drivers, and vehicles.

Now that you know the utility and benefits of dash cams, why leave your vehicles at risk of theft and accidents anymore? Be proactive and take the step today!

Ready to Choose Your Dash Cam?

Buy a dash cam to secure your vehicle with some of the best dash cams from the list above. They are the best-rated ones. To read more dash cam reviewsand analyze costs, click here and explore different options to up the ante of your road security game now!