Where do mirror dashcams fit into the world of the best dashcams? For starters, they can be integrated into your car's rearview mirror, which is handy in a number of ways. Chief among which is that it doesn't affect both clutter and visibility on your windscreen as much as a slightly bulky, comprehensive dashcam unit.
It's utterly heart-breaking if your pride and joy is involved in a crash. Especially if there is debate on who caused the accident. That's where a dashcam can help determine what happened and who caused the accident. They have been very popular for a number of years, and that popularity will continue to grow as people will want to have evidence determining who/what caused an accident when sharing footage with the insurers or possibly handing over the footage to the police in an incident.
There are plenty of great dashcams currently for sale, ranging from budget dashcams to high end options. But mirror dashcams offer something different that not many of the other, more traditional units offer: absolute discretion. Some people simply won't want a dashcam on show on the front windscreen of their vehicle, so disguising it slightly within your rear-view mirror to help de-clutter your interior is a great option for some people. What's more, there are plenty of options to choose from in this category.
The best mirror dashcams 2024 at a glance:
The best mirror dashcam: Wolfbox G900 - buy from Amazon.
Editor's pick: Road Angel Halo View 2 - buy from Road Angel
The easiest mirror dashcam to install: Nextbase NBDVRMIRROR - buy from Amazon
With that in mind, these are our top picks of mirror-based dashcams, which will keep you covered on the road. Not to mention some are equipped with some incredible features to boast. Some can even rival the high-tech dashcams on the market.
The best mirror dashcams 2024
The best mirror dashcam
Via WolfboxThe latest and greatest offering from Wolfbox is the G900 4K mirror dashcam. It comes packed with pretty much everything you could imagine, then some. It remains the current leader of the best-equipped mirror dashcam for less than you could spend.
For instance, you get 4K video resolution. You also get GPS tracking, a 12 inch smart touch screen, it's even resistant to extreme weather. So, if you see a situation in the Sahara Desert or in the most remote end of Siberia, it'll probably still record the relevant footage for you. And you get 64GB of storage to play around with - which is extremely helpful if you need to report a tonne of footage on your travels.
Pros
- Packed full of tech and features from night vision, G-Sensor, and parking assist
- 4K video resolution makes recordings as crisp as they can get with mirror dashcams
- 64GB SD card makes storage and usability very easy
Cons
- Some might see all the features as a bit overkill
Editor's pick
Via Road Angelwww.roadangelgroup.com
The 2nd generation of Road Angel's Halo View mirror dashcam comes with a load of features to ensure you're getting the best of Road Angel's tech in a compact, slim unit.
This includes a 2K (1440P) recording resolution, HD night vision, a winter heating mode, a strong G-sensor, and even a form of parking aid. Because of the external rear camera, it is a bit more fiddly to install than other mirror dashcams, but the quality of the Halo View 2 is a league above the others, even if it doesn't have the highest recording resolution.
Pros
- Plenty of tech integrated within, from parking mode to winter heating mode
- Great quality items, as per Road Angel's other dashcams
- Can be paired with the Road Angel app
Cons
- Doesn't have 4K recording resolution, unlike others
Best value Road Angel mirror dashcam
Via Road AngelThe versatility of the Halo View is mightily impressive. Not only does it boast a 2K front camera and 1080p rear camera, but you can use the setup as a reversing camera to assist you when parking. This makes it a much easier and better-quality setup than a lot of aftermarket reversing cameras out there.
What's more, the Halo View has a 10-inch touch-sensitive screen and can be discreetly installed within your rear-view mirror. It also has a three-year warranty which adds exceptional reassurance to the buyer.
Pros
- Great build quality and materials, like other Road Angel dashcams
- Three-year warranty included, adding reassurance to buyers
- Can also double as a reversing camera, making it versatile
Cons
- Recording resolution isn't as great as the Wolfbox units
The easiest mirror dashcam to install
Via NextbaseAs far as installation goes, Nextbase only requires you to stick up this mirror dashcam onto your existing rear-view mirror via five suction mounts. This means no clips are required and the risk of damage to your existing rear-view mirror is very minimal.
As for the camera itself, it's not as impressive as the Road Angel Halo View as it can only record in a 1080p resolution and has a similar viewing angle of 140-degrees as all the others. And at nearly £300, it doesn't represent as good value as the Halo View or, indeed, any of the others.
Pros
- Very easy to install, thanks to five suction cups
- Great build quality, in-line with other Nextbase dashcams
- Easy to navigate, thanks to small control panel
Cons
- Doesn't represent as good value as the others at nearly £300
- 1080p recording resolution isn't as impressive as others for the price
The best value mirror dash cam
Via WolfboxA great option, this mirror dashcam from Wolfbox covers your entire rear view mirror with a sharp-looking 12" LCD display, giving great coverage - especially with a 4K resolution at the realm. The split-screen option gives even better coverage.
Considering the sheer level of features that Wolfbox throw into the G840S, it is ultimately very good value when you compare it side by side with the G900. It even has a 24-hour parking mode which will be very valuable to some consumers. There's even a parking guide which creates lines on the screen when you need a bit of help reversing into a space.
Pros
- Great sized touchscreen at 12-inches and packed with useful features
- Low light camera makes things very useful in low-light situations
- Pretty good value for money, considering the features it boasts
Cons
- Designed for LHD markets, footage will be slightly angled on a RHD car
The best mirror dashcam with two cameras
Via Auto-VoxDesigned for RHD cars, the Auto-Vox V5 PRO will provide slightly better-catered footage for UK buyers. It also comes packed with a plethora of features, from GPS tracking support via Windows or Apple, parking lines to help you reverse into a space, and a G-Sensor to detect collisions.
At £250, it sits firmly in the mid-to-high range of the mirror dashcam range. And while Auto-Vox have packed it full of comprehensive features, the recording resolution of 1080p falls a bit short of those boasting 2 or 4K.
Pros
- Night vision helps with analysing footage in low-light scenarios
- Equipped with a plethora of features from Parking Mode to even a reversing camera
- Designed specifically for right-hand-drive cars, making things easier for UK buyers
Cons
- 1080p recording resolution may be considered weak at the price point of £250
The most comprehensive mirror dashcam
Via PelseeComplete with 4K video resolution on two cameras, blind spot detection, Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), a 24h parking monitor, and even voice control, the Pelsee P12 Pro is utterly comprehensive as far as mirror dashcams go.
It's packed with tech and is one of the most well-equipped dash cams out there that's in the shape of a mirror. The only slight let down is that it only comes with a 32G SD card for storage, whereas other dashcams out there tend to be boasting 64G nowadays.
Pros
- Lots of kit for the money, including GPS, voice control, and night vision
- 4K video resolution, making recording quality top of the class
- It even comes with safety features, including forward and pedestrian collision warnings
Cons
- Some might think all of these features is a bit overkill
- Quality isn't as on-par as the others on this list
The easiest mirror dashcam to use
Via WolfboxUnlike the G900 or G840S, the G840H is a model behind the brand's newer releases and can only have a video resolution of 2.5K, as opposed to the far superior 4K in other mirror cams available. However, this doesn't detract from the amount of features which it's equipped with.
As well as benefitting as a dual cam, it also has a G-Sensor, is capable of adapting to a sort-of night vision, and is easily installed thanks to some straps which attach to your existing rear view mirror. It's also packed with GPS and a 32GB SD card, making it a comprehensive unit for the price point.
Pros
- Packed with features including GPS and a G-Sensor
- Great vision in day and night, thanks to 2.5K video resolution
- Relatively good value for money at £170
Cons
- Not quite as well-equipped as other Wolfbox dashcams
The best value 4K mirror dashcam
Via WolfboxOne of the best value 4K mirror cams available comes in the form of the Wolfbox G930. It not only has the capability of recording in 4K, but it also has night vision, built-in GPS, and a parking monitor as well as being able to support a 256GB SD card.
It's backed with a two-year guarantee and even has a wide-angle 170-degree field of view. In terms of value, it just about matches most of the other Wolfbox models and is a clear cut below the Nextbase and Road Angel mirror cams.
Pros
- Pretty good value for money
- Supports SD cards up to 256GB
- 4K recording resolution (front)
Cons
- Installing the rear camera can be a bit fiddly
FAQs and things to remember with mirror dashcams
Are mirror dashcams better than standard ones?
In terms of discretion, absolutely. Some people don't want a high-tech dashcam showing on their windscreen and would prefer something that's more discreet and well-hidden. A mirror dashcam does just that, and in some cases, even doubles as an aftermarket reversing camera.
In terms of recording quality and features, traditional dashcams are better because more tech and equipment can be packed into them, which is restricted with mirror dashcams due to their dimensions.
What shall I look for in a mirror dashcam?
The priority should be video quality. The higher quality the better, and 1080p (HD) should be perfectly acceptable. Although 4K would be a massive bonus if you need to read a number plate from far away. A wider lens (120+ degrees) will give you more coverage and a better view when watching back the footage. Mind you, if coverage is your number 1 priority, then a dual dashcam might be your answer.
Another feature to think about is a G-Sensor. When triggered by excessive g-force (like in a crash or emergency stop), it will ensure that that footage is saved and will not be written over. This neatly brings us to Parking Mode. Even some dashcams under £100 will have this feature. Effectively, the camera will start recording if your car is hit when parked up. A great feature to have if someone drives off after an accident.
How are mirror dashcams powered?
Most dashcams, even from the likes of Nextbase or Vantrue, will simply plug into your 12V socket/cigarette lighter to receive power. This effectively means your engine must be running in order to power your dashcam. Your best bet is to consider a hardwire kit which ensures your dashcam will be powered at all times. Just make sure it features a setting to prevent your battery from draining.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for CAR, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. With an MA in Automotive Journalism, when he's not testing buckets he can be found looking at old Porsches.
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