The need for dash cams isn't necessarily in the interests of boasting whether you've got a piece of good tech, like a comprehensive dual dash cam setup. Unlike phones and other consumerist gadgets, dash cams serve a purpose that both benefits you as the user, and a number of other parties around you.
This can include other drivers if you've witnessed an accident, the police if you need to submit some footage, and insurance companies for the same purpose. They can also help you as a driver because you're basically carrying around an eye-witness that can prove a situation in black and white, should one ever occur.
However, you'll be amazed of just how packed the market is for dash cams. Not only are there different makes and models, but dash cams have their own little segments too. From entry-level budget dash cams to comprehensive, high-tech units capable of being more than just an endurance camera.
The best dash cams 2025 at a glance:
The best dash cam: Nextbase 522GW - buy from Amazon
Editor's pick: Thinkware U1000 - buy from Amazon
The best mirror dash cam: Road Angel Halo View - buy from Amazon
There's even mirror dash cams as well if you're after a bit of subtlety. But this can make choosing such a thing quite tricky if you're in the market for the first time. We've scoured the internet and compiled a list of our favourite, good quality dash cams ranging in price, size, and capabilities. So, hopefully your decision has been made a bit easier.
The best dash cams 2025
The best dash cam
Via NextbaseIt'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.
Pros
- Great Value for money at well under £200 for the basic setup
- Loaded with useful features such as Alexa built-in, Bluetooth, and GPS
- Very easy setup and can be opted with a rear camera as well
Cons
- You may not want all the features available
| Resolution/frame rate | 1440p/30fps; 1080p/60fps |
| Field of view | 140 degrees |
| Screen size | 3-inch touchscreen |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| GPS | Yes |
Editor's pick
Via ThinkwareOn 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.
Pros
- Very clever features packed into a comprehensive dash cam setup
- Includes advanced driver assist systems as well as GPS and parking mode
- Highest recording resolutions in its class with 4K front and 2K rear
Cons
- Some might potentially think all of these features are overkill
3.
Orskey S680
Best budget dash cam
Via OrskeyThe 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.
Pros
- Very affordable at well-under £100
- It is one of the simpler dash cams out there, which will be useful to many
- 3-inch screen for easy use as well as a control panel
Cons
- Only accepts up to 32GB microSD, which isn't ideal for dash cam use
| Resolution/frame rate | 1080p/30fps |
| Field of view | 170 degrees |
| Screen size | 3-inch screen |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| GPS | No |
Best mirror dash cam
Via Road AngelMirror 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.
Pros
- Three-year warranty adds extra reassurance to buyers
- The rear camera can act as a reversing camera as well
- Great recording quality (2K and 1080p) and very well-made
Cons
- Lacks the clever features of other dash and some other mirror cams
| Resolution/frame rate | 1440p/30fps; 1080p/60fps; 1080p/30fps rear |
| Field of view | 140 degrees front and rear |
| Screen size | 3-inch touchscreen |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| GPS | Yes |
Best mini dash cam
Via GarminThe 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.
Pros
- Very small which adds to its discretion on the windscreen
- Very easy to use and a very straightforward dash cam in terms of features
- Good build quality and materials
Cons
- Can only be used with the app, which may put off some
| Resolution/frame rate | 1080p/30fps |
| Field of view | 140 degrees |
| Screen size | No screen |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| GPS | No |
Best dash cam for hardwiring
Via ThinkwareThinkware'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.
Pros
- Great recording quality at 2K and 1080p HD respectively, albeit not quite the full 4K
- Advanced driver assistance system integrated to be more than just a dash cam
- Clever parking mode that can also detect the car's battery health and shut down accordingly
Cons
- 32GB included SD card is a bit small for many
- Doesn't represent as good value for money as the others at just over £500
| Resolution/frame rate | 1440p/30fps; 1080p/30fps rear |
| Field of view | 140 degrees |
| Screen size | No screen |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| GPS | Yes |
FAQs and things to remember when buying a dash cam
Are dash cams worth it?
99% of the time, having even a high-tech dash cam sitting on your windscreen will pretty much only record your everyday drives with nothing of interest to submit to the relevant parties. However, the point of having one is for that (hopefully) occasional 1% when a serious road traffic event occurs. Whether it's an accident with yourself or somebody else involved, having footage and proof of its occurrence can be vital later on.
Without sufficient proof, a fight for blame in a road traffic collision can be tricky to argue unless both parties agree to a conclusion. A dash cam, even if it's a little mini unit, is worth it simply because it can provide what happened in black and white. Furthermore, depending on the manufacturer and insurer, having one installed can lead to reductions in car insurance, which is always a nice thing to have as it proves your worthiness as a safe driver.
How much should I spend on a good dash cam?
Whatever your budget is, stick firmly to it. There are enough dash cams out there, so there will be at least six suitable models within your price range. But if you're considering spending under £100 for a dash cam, make sure the unit focuses on performance rather than the number of features.
Which dash cams have good performance?
Full HD 1080p at 30fps is the dash cam minimum. You'll struggle to find anything with 720p these days, and there are plenty of good options out there. Anything less than 30fps doesn't provide smooth footage, and vital details in an incident can become unclear.
WDR/HRD or polarising filter?
To keep footage clear in high contrast conditions, effective anti-glare techniques are needed. Wide/High Dynamic Range software helps with this, and so does a polarising filter.
What features should I look for in dash cams?
We've yet to come across a dash cam without a G-sensor and loop recording, so we can take those as read. But what extra features are worth it? For one thing, having a Wi-Fi dash cam improves the efficiency of how the footage is recorded, stored, and transferred - and that will be useful to someone willing to pay the extra cash. The Nextbase 622GW for example is a triumph of useful features. It carries clever image stabilisation and Extreme Weather software for the clearest footage possible. It's also the only dash cam to employ the what3words location system.
But if you're interested in security features like advanced parking modes, we recommend that you choose a dash cam that has an automatic detection setup. Other things like ADAS systems and various clever features are to the taste of the buyer. We recommend that you think carefully about what features are useful to you as the consumer.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.