A dash cam is one of the most useful car accessories. After an accident or an insurance dispute, the footage is often the key evidence. But not all dash cams are equal. Here are 7 things to look at.
What matters most is whether licence plates are readable. 4K (3840 × 2160) or 2K dash cams beat Full HD here, especially with moving or distant cars. Full HD is fine on a tight budget.
A 140–170° angle covers several lanes. An aperture of F1.8 or lower lets in more light for better night footage. Angles wider than 170° distort the edges.
Wide dynamic range balances bright and dark areas so plates stay readable when driving into the sun or leaving a tunnel.
Many incidents happen from behind or while parking. A dual-camera system covers both sides. If you buy a front camera only, choose a model that lets you add a rear camera later.
View, download and send a clip to your insurer straight from your phone – no computer needed.
The G-sensor locks the recording on impact so it is not overwritten. Parking mode watches your car while you are away – it needs a hardwire kit for constant power.
Dash cams record constantly, so ordinary cards wear out fast. Choose a High Endurance microSD (U3/V30), 64–256 GB for 4K, and format it once a month.
See the full range in the Car Dash Cams category.
