The best dash cams 2024

It's been around for a while, but the Nextbase 522GW is still one of the best options out there of a dash cam. In terms of a price-performance-quality balance, nothing comes close apart from its 622GW sibling. In terms of value for money however, we believe the 522 is the one to have. The resolution is excellent at 1440p, and the best frame rate is 60fps (1080p HD). The 522GW has clever night vision software and a built-in polariser to improve night time and poor weather recording.

But there's more. Via the 3-inch HD touchscreen, you can access extras such as Alexa Built-in for hands-free control and a subscription-based Emergency SOS function. There is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for app connection, footage sharing and useful additions such as GPS.

On the upper end of the scale, Thinkware's U1000 4K dash cam setup is one of the most comprehensive available with one of the best recording resolutions. You get up to 4K in the front camera, and amazingly, up to 2K in the rear module. Most of the time, rear cameras are limited to 1080p HD, so this is a big step up in footage sharpness.

Furthermore, you also get clever features such as a road safety warning system along with a speed camera alert which differentiates this dash cam from most others, because it goes just that little bit further than its intended purpose. On top of that, GPS, super night vision, and a clever parking mode with time lapse is also included, making footage sorting easier.

The Orskey S680 is the best of the budget dash cams because it keeps things simple. Full HD 1080p recording at 30fps is perfectly adequate. However, footage clarity is aided by a Sony sensor, Wide Dynamic Range software, and an interesting infrared LED system.

That's about all there is to the S680. Good performance and easy usability. To keep things civilised, the S680 does possess important basic features such as a G-sensor and loop recording.

Mirror dash cams add discretion to your setup since they blend into an existing component of your car's cabin. They're also easy to install, thanks to a few clips and the rear camera of this Road Angel Halo View is unbelievably compact and could potentially hide in the back of your vehicle.

What's more, you can switch between the front and rear camera simply by swiping on the screen, making the Halo View unbelievably easy to use. This means it can also act as a rear parking camera, should you ever need one. The front camera records in 2K and the rear 1080p. It also comes with a three-year warranty which adds extra reassurance to buyers.

The Garmin Mini 2 is hard to fault. It's incredibly small and compact and sits behind the rear-view mirror, practically unseen as a mini dash cam. This will be useful to some people as they will be after absolute discretion in their dash cam, and the tininess of the Garmin Mini 2 provides just that.

There is no screen on this dash cam, either; it's all controlled through the app. The Garmin Drive app is one of the easiest dash cam apps out there to use. With it, you can view footage, but also a live view from the camera and other neat features. Performance of 1080p HD at 30fps is the bare minimum. However, build quality is important to such items, and the Mini 2 has a great deal of it.

Thinkware's dash cams are intended to be hardwired to make the most of features like park mode, so they are packaged complete with wiring kits. This means a bit more effort for installation, but once it's done, the shape of the Q800 Pro Front and Rear dash cam makes it sit behind the rear-view mirror like a key in a keyhole.

Like the Nextbase 522GW, the Q800 Pro Dual will record 1440p at the front and 1080p at the rear. Like the Garmin Mini 2, it has no screen, so all control is via the Thinkware Cloud app. Hwoever, it is also packed with features including an advanced driver assistance system as well as a clever parking mode that can detect the car's battery health and shut down accordingly if it detects a low reading.

If you want a dash cam that oozes tech and features, Viofo pretty much have you covered with the A139 Pro 4K HDR dual setup. It records in 4K (front) as well as boasting 5GHz Wi-Fi for the quickest and easiest footage transfers possible.

It also boasts a 24-hour parking mode along with a GPS and a STARVIS 2 sensor - which is one of the most advanced on the market at the moment. It also possesses an anti-glare feature as well as three different kinds of parkind modes, and even an automatic event detection system which subsequently begins camera recording. The warranty isn't as strong as what Road Angel offer at just 18-months, but for the amount of tech and capability alone, the A139 Pro is a standout dash cam.