The best budget dashcams 2024

A dashcam can be an important investment when it comes to peace of mind, and their popularity has been growing. According to data from Nextbase 41% of those asked believe that installing a dashcams makes someone a responsible driver. The data also reports that over 24,000 dashcam videos have been reported to the police via the National Dash Cam Safety Portal (NDCSP) in the first six months of 2024. It's little wonder that many drivers are opting to fit a dashcam as separate research found that 11% of the 10,000 drivers observed were distracted while driving.

The can be some financial benefits to owning a dashcam too; depending on your insurance provider, you can save money on your monthly premiums. In the event of an accident a dashcam can be an invaluable piece of kit to help settle any claims. In addition to this a dashcam can help your case if you're the victim of a 'crash-for-cash' crime. On the subject of crime - a dashcam can also help deter criminals that may want to gain access to your car, as they would opt to avoid being caught on camera.

Dashcams aren't new technology, in fact they've been around for decades, and you can even trace the earliest iteration of a dashcam to the late 1930s. This means that the technology has been refined and improved, and today it means that they're more affordable than ever before. You don't have to buy an expensive dashcam to get the same footage and peace of mind, in fact, mini dashcams can do the same job without obstructing your view out of the windscreen.

The best budget dashcams 2024 at a glance:

Editor's choice: ORSKEY Dashcam 1080P Car Camera - Buy now from Amazon UK
Best easy-to-use dashcam: Nextbase 222 Dashcam - Buy now from Amazon UK
Best night vision dashcam: IIWEY 4K Dashcam - Buy now from Amazon UK

Be aware that dashcams can be quite pricey, so we've put together some of the best budget options for you to choose from. See which dashcam might be the right one for you, and if you don't know what to look for then we've included a handy buying guide at the end of this article.

The best budget dashcams 2024

Frequently asked questions about dashcams

How do I record and store the footage?

Some dashcams come with memory cards, but for those that don't you'll have to invest in a micro SD card. San Disk's High Endurance MicroSD cards are ideal for use in dashcams as they are not only fast and reliable but can store full HD or 4K video.

The high endurance card is built to work faultlessly in a variety of temperatures since your dashcam may be sat in the sun or suffer from those cold winter mornings. It's also shockproof so those pesky bumps and potholes won't affect its performance.

Our pick of the lot is the 64GB version, which is good for all circumstances except perhaps high-quality dual recording, in which case we suggest getting one of the larger ones. It even comes with an SD adaptor.

What features should I look for in a dashcam?

There are a number of factors which can affect the quality of the footage from your dashcam, so it's important to find one that's right for you.

One of the most important things to consider is the video resolution, which dictates the number of pixels in each frame of video. In short, any dashcam with 1080p footage or more (2K/4K) should be ideal for most purposes. We would suggest avoiding any that shoot in 720p. All the dashcams mentioned above are 1080p or better.

The frame rate is an important consideration as a faster frame rate would mean you get smoother footage. The more frames per second the better the footage will appear, especially when you're driving at higher speeds like on the motorway.

Some dashcams comes with low light performance which can be important if you often drive at night. The last thing you want is for the dashcam to become unreliable in the dark.

The dynamic range is rather important like the low light performance, since the dashcam will be exposed to a variety of lighting situations so it important that it captures everything accurately. In short, a good dynamic range means that dark colours appear dark and light colours appear light with a good level of contrast.

Lastly, you should get a dashcam with a wide lens, at least 120 degrees, in order to capture a wider field of view. This will ensure you're best placed to capture as much as possible while out on the road.

What else should I consider?

Mounting the dashcam is important, since some will come without a mount and you must buy one separately. The majority of dashcams do come with mounts that secured to your windscreen using 3M double-sided adhesive stickers to offer a more permanent and secure solution.

At some point you may want to access the footage from the dashcam. For most dashcams this can be done by plugging the device into your computer, or you could even take the micro SD card out of the dashcam and simply insert that into your computer using the provided adapter. Some cameras go one step further and allow you to access the footage by simply connecting your mobile device and checking the app. These dashcams are usually more expensive but can prove to be rather practical.

Some dashcams can record audio, but this feature can usually be turned off, so be sure to check if this is a requirement for you.

We must mention that it is also important to keep your windscreen relatively clean, as a dirty windscreen can affect the quality of the footage, so be sure to check out some of our recommended glass cleaners to ensure good footage every time you go for a drive.

How to fit a dashcam?

There are a couple of ways to fit a dashcam, but the most simplest way is to connect it to your cars 12V socket. If you're wanting a more permanent solution then you can get a hardwire kit to connect the camera directly to your cars electricals. It is important to find one that is compatible with both your dashcam and your vehicle.

When attaching the dashcam to the windscreen it important to place it in a position that doesn't impede the driver's view. This means that by law you cannot attach the camera more than 40mm within the swept area of the windscreen. The swept area is defined by the area that is covered by the wipers.

Once you've attached the dashcam it is important to tuck away any wires, which are usually hidden around the top of the windscreen and run down the A-pillar. Some dashcams are sold with a handy tool that can help make this a easier job than you'd imagine.

Naveed Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He enjoys anything with four wheels, and is always planning his next road trip.

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