Comparison of the best Dashcams: Price, Reviews, Which to Buy - January 2022 2021 comparison of the best Dashcams: Price, Reviews, Which to Buy GUIDE AND COMPARISON OF DASHCAMS

Dashcams, or driving cameras, are devices that attach to the windshield or above the dashboard of a car in order to record everything that happens in front of the vehicle during a journey. The images filmed by these cameras can be very useful in determining who the culprit is in the event of an accident, and serve as evidence with an insurer or the courts.

Imagine. You are in your car, you drive quietly respecting the rules of the road. Suddenly, a driver makes you a fish tail, and it's the drama. The collision occurs. Unfortunately, the other driver refuses to admit his wrong. If only you could have filmed the scene...

This is what a Dashcam, or driving camera, allows. These increasingly popular devices make it possible to constantly film what is happening in front of your car, or even behind it, while you are driving and sometimes even when stationary. Some of them help you detect elements that you wouldn't have seen and warn you with an audible signal. In order to help you choose the model that suits you, discover the top of the best Dashcam 2019 as well as a list of criteria to take into account before making the purchase.

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Nextbase 622GW: the best dashcam of the moment

Nextbase, specialist in dashcams offers with the 622GW its most successful product. With many smart features such as locking recording in the event of an impact, or Emergency SOS which automatically prevents emergencies when vehicle passengers cannot do so themselves. Its 3-inch touch screen allows easy control of the device, while offering configuration parameters that make it simple to use.

The real strong point of this dashcam is its beautiful image quality. Several recording modes are available, ranging from 4K to 1080p. The image is among the best on the market on this type of device, day and night. In addition, its image stabilization system gives usable videos in all circumstances.

This premium car black box delivers exactly what is expected of it. It brings peace of mind and is very useful in the event of a conflict with your insurance.

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Toguard CE20G: a good affordable product

Toguard is among the best dashcam builders. The CE20G is one of the most powerful surveillance cameras on the market. It has all the features required of dashcams. GPS, Wifi, G-sensor, loop recording, motion sensor and parking monitor. It is thus very complete. In addition, it is equipped with a 1080P HD camera with a 170° wide-angle. It therefore has an impeccable rendering on the videos.

For all the features it offers, it remains at the very affordable price of 70 euros. It therefore has excellent value for money. It will appeal to individuals who wish to invest in a good surveillance camera without breaking the bank.

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Nextbase 612GW, a 4K Dashcam for beautiful images

The Nextbase 612GW is distinguished by its exceptional image quality in 4K definition. This can be very useful, as the precise and detailed images help to avoid confusion in the event of an accident. In addition, a polarizing filter helps reduce glare when driving in sunny weather.

Unlike previous models from the manufacturer Nextbase, this new camera is not made of plastic, but of aluminum. It is therefore much stronger. The downside is that this camera is very bulky. It is also noisy with its many electronic sound effects, which fortunately can be deactivated.

Admittedly, the price of the Nextbase 612w is higher than most other Dash Cams. However, if you are looking for exceptional image quality, this is the camera for you. It's a solid, intuitive Dash Cam, and its 3-inch touchscreen LCD displays crisp images.

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Modohe WiFi 1080p: an automatic FullHD dashcam

This dashcam stands out for its extreme ease of use . Thus, it turns on and off automatically, without user intervention. Some of the most useful features include automatic crash detection and G-Sensor . No wonder people love it.

Its 200 mAh battery gives it great autonomy while using a powerful Novatek NTK96658 processor. The image quality meanwhile ranges from 640 x 480 pixels to a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels . HDR technology restores colors as faithfully as possible while Super Night Vision allows the device to see everything at night or in case of backlighting.

The memory of the device is also expandable via a microSD card that can reach a capacity of 32 GB. However, it will have to be purchased in addition to the product. Finally, a mobile application (Android and iOS) allows you to control the dashcam from your smartphone via WiFi.

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Apeman Double Camera: to see front and back

Compact, this dashcam will fit discreetly in your car. But despite its size, it actually has 2 cameras . The first is placed at the front of the vehicle, the second at the rear . So that it can be placed outside, this second camera is waterproof. In fact, it can be used as a rear view camera.

And the surprises don't stop there since the small device can shoot in 30 fps in Full HD resolution . A system automatically locks the dashcam in the event of an accident. Thus, malicious people will not be able to erase the videos taken.

You can also enjoy many bonus features. Among other things, there is motion detection, but also continuous recording and time stamping . WDR technology allows you to enjoy a clear image even in contrasting light. Those who manage a fleet of vehicles will be able to count a marking with the registration number, to quickly identify the car which has filmed a video. Finally, the Apeman Double Camera dashcam embeds a GPS chip for geolocation.

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Garmin Dashcam 55: the Rolls Royce of this product category

To differentiate itself from the ordinary dashcam, the Garmin 55 opts for quality with impeccable finishes and solid materials . The 3.7 megapixel camera produces flawless FullHD 1440p video at 30 fps which can be enjoyed on a generous 3-inch LCD screen. But you can shoot in 60 fps by lowering the resolution to 1080p.

The top-of-the-range features continue with the presence of useful features such as accident detection. This automatically starts recording in the event of an incident . If the power goes mainly through the cigarette lighter, you can rely on a battery (supplied) in case of force majeure. But to avoid drama, the dashcam warns the driver if there is a risk of a frontal collision or a lane change. There is also GPS and voice recognition to activate the camera by simply saying “OK Garmin”.

On the other hand, this unparalleled manufacturing quality and the many features obviously have a cost. Thus, the Garmin Dashcam 55 is one of the most expensive models on the market . To be precise, its price is twice as high as the average.

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Crosstour Mini Dashcam CR700: best value for money

Embedding a DDR dynamic sensor, the Crosstour CR700 can boast of having the best night vision in this product category. A motion detector allows the camera to film anything that moves within 3 m. Speaking of the camera, we are talking about a Sony sensor filming in Full HD for razor-sharp images.

To simplify its use, the dashcam starts at the same time as the engine. Thus, you will be sure to have videos of all your journeys. Better, its excellent stabilization system allows it to almost completely eliminate tremors in the images, even if the car is driving on a chaotic course. On the other hand, we regret the absence of a G-Sensor.

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Thinkware F770, the best Night Dashcam with Parking Mode

The Thinkware F770 attaches to the windshield using 3M tape. Without a screen, it can be easily concealed behind the rear-view mirror. It is therefore a very discreet device. The other side of the coin is that it is mandatory to use the smartphone application to use it.

Its Full HD 1080p video definition at 30 FPS is very correct, but it is above all the night mode that sets this camera apart. Images captured at night are surprisingly sharp and detailed. Its Parking Mode uses the G Sensor and motion sensor to detect movement or vibration and activate the camera for a quick 30-second recording. Ideal for monitoring the vehicle at night.

We recommend this Dashcam if you mainly ride at night and are looking for a discreet Dash Cam that can be used as a surveillance camera. Otherwise, another model may be more interesting.

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Dashcam Byakov: the discreet Dashcam, Amazon's best seller

This very discreet camera is only 5.5 centimeters long and 2.5 wide. Despite its small size, it has good features. Equipped with night vision, G-sensor and still image recording, it offers what is asked of a classic dashcam. In addition, it has a wide-angle of 170° and good image quality. It also has a loop recording function, so it will gradually erase old videos that have become obsolete.

This camera is a very good choice for those who wish to acquire a correct and discreet dashcam without breaking the bank. It's number 1 in Amazon sales. However, we regret its absence of GPS, but at this price, you should not ask too much.

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Pruveeo MX2: the best Dashcam with front and rear view

Dashcams are very useful for monitoring what is happening in front of the vehicle. However, most models do not offer rear vision. However, accidents can occur from the front, but also from the back.

In this context, rather than buying two separate Dashcams, a device like the Pruveeo MX2 can be very useful. This Dashcam makes it possible to film both the front and the rear of the car, thanks to its two independent cameras.

The first camera records in 720p, the second in 420p. Both can shoot at 30 FPS, and can rotate 320 degrees. Their field of vision is 120 degrees.

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YI 2.7″ Screen Dashboard Camera: the easiest Dash cam to use

The YI Dashcam allows filming with a wide angle to see the road as a whole and reduce blind spots. The main strength of this device is its ease of use. Large buttons and very clear icons make it easy to navigate the menus and quickly learn to master the different features.

Its emergency recording functionality also makes it possible to use the sensors to automatically record and save images filmed during accidents. YI's camera is also distinguished by its very wide aperture, which improves the quality of images captured during the night. We recommend this camera if you are looking for a good easy to use dash cam.

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BlackVue DR650S-2CH: The Pro's Choice for Dashcams

This Dashcam targets professionals, we feel it from its price. Indeed, for 319 euros, it is more expensive than the average. But its cool features make up for its price.

Two Dashcams are present, one at the front and one at the rear. However, the front camera is of high quality, while the second pales in comparison. They are nevertheless able to detect shocks (to keep the video) and have a GPS function as well as a Wifi connection. If we regret the absence of a screen, mobile and PC applications largely compensate for this. This Dashcam has a 16 GB SD card and access to the Cloud which allows all data to be saved.

It is an interesting investment for those who earn their living by car. If you are not part of this category, we will tend to recommend a product from a lower range.

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Dashcam Toguard mini full HD: the discreet and inexpensive dashcam

In 2018, the Toguard Dashcam is very fashionable. Its main advantage is its discretion. It is a light and discreet product, which allows it to be installed on the windshield without obstructing the driver's field of vision.

It installs very easily using a simple suction cup. Despite its small size, this camera can record up to 2 hours of video thanks to its 16GB internal memory.

The videos are filmed in Full HD with a 120° wide angle. Finally, we find the co-recording functionalities.

ntinu, motion detection, night vision and G-Sensor.

The only real flaw of this device is the lack of GPS. However, considering the price, this weak point is forgivable.

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Garmin Speak Plus: a Dashcam with Amazon Alexa virtual assistant

The Garmin Speak is a device that integrates the Amazon Alexa virtual assistant into your car. The Speak Plus, meanwhile, doubles as a Dashcam. It is therefore a very interesting device.

Rather than interacting through a touchscreen or physical buttons, everything is done through voice commands. For example, it is possible to ask Alexa to take a photo or capture a video while keeping your hands on the wheel.

Unfortunately, it is mandatory to be connected to the cellular network to take advantage of Alexa features. In addition, the camera's field of view is a bit too small compared to other models.

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Sena 10C01: the best motorcycle dashcam

Motorcycles also face accidents. The addition of a dashcam on both wheels is therefore not superfluous. The Sena 10C01 stands out today as one of the best motorcycle dashcams on the market. It more than having a very powerful 1080P camera, it is also a radio. Indeed, in addition to videos, it allows you to switch audio devices and listen to music thanks to its Bluetooth connection. It also has a very good autonomy of 17 hours.

This dashcam will delight bikers concerned about their safety. In addition, it is a multi-function device, one purchase for several uses.

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NextBase Duo HD: two lenses for more security

Some dashcam users think they need to get two cameras. One monitors the front of the vehicle and the other the rear. Here, NextBase offers a dashcam with two video lenses on the same support. The DUO HD therefore films both sides of the road in full HD. It provides appreciable image quality day and night (integrated night vision). The 2.7-inch screen allows direct viewing of videos from the device. The built-in GPS allows you to locate the journeys made using the camera.

In addition, the magnetic support is fixed to the windshield thanks to a powerful suction cup. The rear lens can zoom up to 50 meters. The Dashcam is more effective when you are not carrying a passenger and you lower your head restraints. We regret a slightly high price and the absence of MicroSD in the box. Finally, it has a storage of up to 32 GB.

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DASHCAM BUYING GUIDE

What is a Dash Cam?

A Dashcam, also called Dashboard Camera, Car Black Box or Car DVR, is a camera that attaches inside a car, against the windshield or above the dashboard using a suction cup or an adhesive. It makes it possible to continuously record what is happening in front of (and sometimes inside) the vehicle. Used in Russia for many years, these devices are now also spreading in Europe and the rest of the world.

What is a Dashcam used for?

The number of car insurance frauds is increasing, and these frauds make insurers suspicious. In this context, more and more drivers are getting a Dashcam for their vehicles. These devices can record a video of what is happening around your vehicle while you are driving. Thus, in the event of an accident, you will have proof that you are not at fault.

Videos recorded by Dashcams are accepted as evidence by many insurers, but also by the courts. In addition, some insurers offer discounts to their customers if they have a Dashcam.

If someone vandalizes your car in a parking lot, for example to steal your car radio, the Dashcam can act as evidence and help the police identify the criminal to find him. Indeed, some Dashcams continue to record when the vehicle is stationary. This is not necessarily the case, so be careful when choosing your machine if you want to access this function.

Dashcams can also be used to film unusual scenes or beautiful landscapes during a car journey. Indeed, there are countless spectacular videos filmed using a Dashcam and published on YouTube. With any luck, you'll be the next to get millions of views with your Dashcam.

How does a Dashcam work?

Once attached to the vehicle's windshield or dashboard, Dashcams continuously film what is happening around the car through the windshield. To supply itself with electricity, the Dashcam connects to the cigarette lighter via USB or directly to the vehicle battery.

In order to avoid running out of memory, the video is divided into several parts. Each part is presented as a video file with a duration of 1 to 3 minutes. When the memory card is full, the oldest file is deleted to make room for the new one, and so on.

However, it is possible to lock and protect important videos from deletion. It is possible to do this manually by pressing a button on the device, but most Dashcams do this automatically if they detect a sudden change in speed, often a sign of an accident or emergency stop.

What are the Dashcam regulations?

Dashcams are completely legal in France. Anyone can film on public roads. However, we cannot do what we want with the images. If you plan to keep the videos in the private domain, no problem. On the other hand, to publish them on social networks like Facebook and YouTube, the rules change. You'll either have to have the people involved sign a waiver or blur out all the license plates and faces that appear in the footage.

If you intend to use the videos of an accident filmed by the Dashcam, you must notify the opposing party. The validity of the images will be determined by the courts. Know that a GPS can really add weight to your statement. Indeed, it makes it possible to verify the exact location and time of the accident.

If you have to travel by car abroad, no problem. In most countries surveillance cameras are accepted. If you go to Russia, they are even mandatory.

What are the criteria to consider when choosing a Dashcam?

Design matters when choosing a Dashcam. Admittedly, the aesthetic appearance is not particularly crucial, but the "form factor" is to be taken into account. Some models have only one camera, while others allow filming both forwards and backwards. Other devices bundle multiple sensors together to record different viewing angles, and some have a wide-angle sensor to cover a wider field of view.

You also have to take into account the robustness of the camera. In the event of a collision, the camera may fall. If it breaks, the evidence may be erased. It is therefore preferable to opt for a reliable and robust model.

Image definition varies from one Dashcam to another. In general, the definition never goes below 720p (HD). If you find a model of lower definition, avoid. Indeed, good image quality is important to make it possible to clearly distinguish what has happened in the event of an accident.

Some Dashcams offer a 4K definition, but it is not necessarily necessary to go that far (unless you want to shoot beautiful artistic videos for example). As a general rule, Full HD 1080p definition is sufficient. Some cameras also offer night vision, which can be useful if you are driving at night.

Most Dashcams are equipped with a screen. This facilitates configuration, navigation, and viewing of captured videos. However, a screenless camera can be more discreet. It is then linked to your smartphone, often via a companion application dedicated to the machine or its brand. Depending on your priorities, it's up to you to choose whether you prefer a Dashcam with or under a screen.

A Dashcam equipped with a GPS makes it possible to record the geographical position and the speed of the vehicle. GPS data is also synchronized with video clips when played by the software supplied with the camera. Thus, the user can view the video while following his position on the map.

The "G-Sensor" is a sensor that detects impacts. A Dashcam equipped with this sensor will be able to lock a video to prevent its deletion if an impact is detected. This feature is becoming more and more popular in the Dashcam market.

Parking mode allows the Dashcam to detect impacts and movements when the vehicle is stationary. This makes it possible to detect an attempt at vandalism or an accident in a car park, for example. However, the Dashcam will not necessarily be able to film the incident, knowing that it only films what is happening in front of the vehicle. This is why it can be useful to opt for a second Dashcam oriented towards the rear window.

Some Dashcams offer additional features, such as lane departure and collision warnings. In theory, these features may seem useful. However, in practice, they generally turn out to be unsuccessful. It is therefore not an essential criterion to be taken into account.

It is possible to connect a Dashcam to the vehicle's cigarette lighter using the USB cable, but this power mode has several disadvantages. Generally, when the ignition is turned off, the camera loses power.

Therefore, it may be better to do the actual wiring. To do this, you need to call in a professional. The actual wiring allows the camera to be powered continuously, even when the ignition is off.

Dashcams with WiFi usually allow you to install an application in order to be able to view the recordings on a smartphone or tablet. This can be very useful. Some models even allow recordings to be downloaded directly to the mobile device.

However, video transfers over WiFi can take a very long time. It is therefore often wiser to remove the microSD card, or the camera directly, to transfer files to a laptop or PC. In addition, the screen of a PC allows you to see the images in a more detailed way than on the screen of a smartphone or a tablet.

Most Dashcams do not offer internal storage. It is therefore usually necessary to buy a microSD card to store the videos. Note that most Dashcams do not support SDXC, and are therefore limited to 32GB of storage. This storage space is enough to store about 4-5 hours of video.

The type of mounting of a Dashcam is important. Most models stick to the windshield with a suction cup, but we recommend the 3M ones instead. There are also machines that use a magnet for easier installation. In any case, the best fixing is the one that holds well in place, but which can also be removed without problem. One can indeed have the desire to change the object of vehicle, which can be difficult according to the models.

From one Dashcam to another, the compatible accessories vary a lot. Among the most useful accessories is a long power cable that allows real wiring. Unfortunately, few models come with a long USB cable.

Most Dashcams on the market offer a field of view between 140 and 170 degrees. This means that most of them perceive very well what is happening in front of the vehicle, but that there are still blind spots. Some manufacturers offer products capable of covering 180 degrees and others go even further by offering 220 degrees. They are rarer.