Being involved in a vehicular accident without any proof could lead you to a bunch of problems on your end. Well, that was one of the biggest troubles people in the past had but nowadays, it can be prevented through the help of handy dash cams.
Dash cams come in a variety of features and capacities and we know what a must it is to find the one that settles between affordability and functionality. As such, we explored the market and tested the leading models of dash cams with the guidance of our auto specialist, Danny George.
Through George’s expertise, we will look deeper into the functions of following dash cams and how they will benefit you as a user on a daily basis. And with their best features underscored and all valuable insights from the said credible field master of ours, we know that you’ll find the best pick for you in this comprehensive review. That said, take your time digesting all the useful bits of info we collated and prepared especially for you here. And to get a better idea of what to have for your beloved car, simply click the buttons below and we’ll give you their unbeatable prices on Amazon!
Best Dash Cams Comparison & Rating
1. Vantrue N2 Pro Uber Dual 1080P Dash Cam
Brand | Vantrue |
Dimensions | 5.28 x 3.8 x 4.45 inches |
Weight | 3.5 ounces |
Dual | Yes |
Vantrue N2 Pro is one of the dash cams that can truly capture scenes even at a low-light setting. According to George, this is all possible due to the IR features such as its 4 IR lights. This helps the camera to maximize both the front and rear field of view, be it day or night. Furthermore, as George said, the coverage of the cameras is another selling point.
“The notable thing about N2 Pro is that it offers almost a 360-degree coverage recording. This is important in case you encounter accidents. For instance, if another car hits your window, N2 Pro has a field of view that can reach and cover the view out of the rear windshield. So, in case of a rear-end collision, it will still be on camera. And for the structure of the camera and how it is built, I can say that it is definitely flexible and can be adjusted to get more view of the sides,” George said.
Moreover, upon our inspection, we discovered that N2 Pro offers frequent updates that will make the unit an evergreen item among its users. So, all in all, we concluded that N2 Pro is best for all kinds of autos, especially for Uber and other cabs that need clear footages even at night. And due to its superior coverage of view, we can suggest this to those people looking for ultimate security of evidence.
2. TOGUARD CE41 Dual Dash FHD Cam
Brand | TOGUARD |
Dimensions | 4.4 x 1.48 x 1.56 inches |
Weight | 13.4 ounces |
Dual | Yes |
TOGUARD CE41 hits a lot of factors that influence you in your decision-making. First and foremost, it comes in a very compact size and shape that make it far more discrete compared to other models like the Vantrue N2 Pro. So, if you want a dash cam that won’t block your view and can be concealed easily, CE41 is a definite choice.
“The size of CE41 and its capabilities allow it to stand out among your choices if you need a handy, small cam with all the important features in it. Besides being great at the back of your rearview mirror, it has a built-in IR, 170-degree front vision, a loop recording, parking motion recording, and collision recording.
“Also compared to other cams like with lots of buttons to work on, CE41 is pretty much easier to deal with; basically a plug-and-play type if you already have your SD card ready,” George said.
3. APEMAN C450 FHD Dash Cam
Brand | APEMAN |
Dimensions | 4.9 x 4 x 3.8 inches |
Weight | 11.7 ounces |
Dual | No |
APEMAN C450 is one of the simplest, yet useful dash cam you can rely on, as George said it.
“APEMAN is one of the leading brands when it comes to dash cam models. That is true. This C450 is a good choice if you are looking for a basic type of dash cam that comes with the fundamental features you need.
For instance, though it only has a front cam, the recording of the videos can still compete with other brands like TOGUARD and Vantrue. At 1080P at 30fps and mixed with its F1.8 large aperture, WDR, and HDR, you can have decent recordings that will complement low-light situations,” George explained.
However, he also said that C450 has its own limitations. According to George, it is undeniable that it doesn’t have a night vision. However, the WDR and HDR features compensate for these shortcomings. Also, it has a headlight detection that can help to prevent the light from affecting the clarity and crisp of the video record. That said, it can still capture the right amount of light at night and drop unnecessary elements which translate to quality footage. All in all, great for those who are looking for simple dash cams that offer great front cam quality.
4. CHORTAU B-T13 Front and Rear Dash Cam
Brand | CHORTAU |
Dimensions | 3 x 1.6 x 0.6 inches |
Weight | 6.4 ounces |
Dual | Yes |
According to George, CHORTAU B-T13 is definitely the dash cam you should buy if you want maximum security for your car.
“If you always have a concern about someone bumping your back, B-T13 is undoubtedly the best of the best. Although installing it can be a great work with all the cables to cut and attach, the product can be very satisfying,” George expressed his satisfaction. “First off, besides the excellent 170-degree front recording, the back is protected at 130 degrees by the discreet, small rear cam. Also, don’t forget that the cams come with IR LEDs that can make the recordings extra clear at night.”
That said, comparing to other dash cams that can only cover the insides of the car and the front part, B-T13 will give you better coverage of your car’s outside environment. It is specifically designed to address the needs of drivers who need great rear assistance when they maneuver their vehicles. This is specifically important for truck drivers and other individuals who own huge vehicles.
5. APEMAN C420 Mini Dash Cam
Brand | APEMAN |
Dimensions | 1.97 x 1.57 x 0.39 inches |
Weight | 9.6 ounces |
Dual | No |
APEMAN has outdone itself again with the release of C420. Besides the simplicity of its build and use, we really adore its size and video quality.
“APEMAN focuses on the demands of its customers to have that small, easy-to-conceal cam. This is the reason why C420 is built this way. At 2 X 2 dimensions, it lets you hide it neatly and easily behind your rear cams so it won’t obscure your sight,” George stated. “Also, it is worth mentioning that despite the size of this thing, it can give you excellent quality.
“Just like the other models of cams APEMAN has released like the C450, C420 is armed with sensors that can improve the clarity of videos in a low-light setting.”
This makes the most convenient, yet quality dash cam you can use right away just after you connect its wire to a power source.
Best Dash Cams - Buyer's Guide
According to George, it is very important to decide about the coverage of the dash cams you want to purchase. This will affect not just the footage you’ll get but so as your budget.
“Dash cams often come as a single front camera you install on your windshield with ease. But there are also those models that offer you front and rear dash cams,” George said. “Of course they cost higher given that you’ll have two cameras but the good thing about them is that you have better protection around your car.”
According to George, it is better to opt for front and rear dash cams since you’ll have a stronger piece of evidence in case the fault of collision is not on your end.
“Rear cams are helpful tools to determine who’s really at fault in case of an accident,” George added, “that is why I really recommend them to my clients.”
Moreover, George said that having a rear cam can aid new drivers who are still struggling in performing reverse movements of the cars. Besides giving visuals of the auto’s rear while trying to park it, it will also help you prevent possible collision problems with other vehicles that can cost you hundreds of dollars.
Even though you can’t personally test the video of the cams before purchasing them, George said that there are some points that can help you secure quality dash cams.
“The standard video resolution for dash cams is 1080p and there is nothing you can do about it,” George explained, “but you can look for some additional features that can help in the improvement of the video footage. Say, for instance, having a dash cam with its own IR light source will help improve its vision in a low-light setting compared to the typical cameras on the market.”
The size of the dash cam should also be put into consideration, especially if you think its size would block your sight while driving.
“Obviously, larger dash cams consume bigger spaces,” George said, “but if you have a rear cam and you frequently use it to aid you in reverse movements, having a larger screen is helpful.”
However, George said that if you think the dash cam would only distract you, it is better to opt for smaller sizes that often come in 2 by 2 inches of size. Furthermore, he also suggested activating the screensaver as another alternative.
George also warned the buyers to be more observant and do boatloads of research to make sure they’ll have all the essential features of a dash cam.
“If you want to get the best out of your purchase, go for a dash cam with a complete set of features from G-sensor and loop recording to IR lights, and so on,” he said.
He also said that there are newer models of dash cams that can offer you more advanced features like WiFi connectivity, GPS, or even online downloading and access of footage.
Best Dash Cams - FAQs
There is no need to be involved in a car accident or collision to get the value of your dash cam purchase. Having them installed in your vehicle and the assurance they provide is enough to tell you that they are worth every penny. They will serve as a helpful piece of evidence in the most unexpected times that can save you in your insurance claims and the like.
Some dash cams come with an audio feature which can cause issues in some states. If the recording covers very sensitive content without the knowledge of everyone involve, it can pose some legal problems to the owner of the cam.
The activation of the G-sensor when the car is involved in a collision causes the important footage to be locked in a folder. This protects it from the loop recording feature of the cam that erases the oldest files. This is why G-sensor is always present in dash cams.
With 1080p resolution, a 32 GB SD card can last up to 4 hours of recording which is just enough for most drivers. If you are a driver and often drives for longer hours, we suggest getting a dash cam that can support SD cards with higher memory capacities.
