While you should be monitoring your speed wherever you go, it can be easy to miss speed cameras as and when they appear, creating a market for radar detectors. Speeding fines and penalties are amongst a driver's worst fear, so for peace of mind, a radar detector can make sure you're on the right side of the law.
Speed cameras may not be every petrolhead's favourite thing in the world, but they do have a place on our roads. They're designed to control traffic speed and ultimately reduce the number of accidents.
Also called speed camera detectors, a radar detector can help you keep check of your speed and are perfect if you miss a speed limit sign when driving.
The best radar detectors 2024 at a glance:
Editor's pick: Ooono Co-Driver No1 - buy from Amazon
Best for range: Cobra RAD 480i - buy from Amazon
Best sat nav with speed detection: Garmin DriveSmart MTS - buy from Amazon
These gadgets are up there with dash cams when it comes to keeping you legal, so we've found the best radar detectors on the market in the UK and listed them below.
The best radar detectors 2024
Editor's pick
Via OOnoDescription
This really small radar detector will quite happily sit on a dashboard minding its own business most of the time, before providing a little light and audible chime when a speed camera or obstacle is nearby.
If you spot a roadside speed camera or obstacle, you can feed it into the app by pressing the device, once for a camera, and twice for the obstacle. Connected to an app via Bluetooth, this device is continuously updated for live reports and is a very clever device for your car.
Pros
- Small and discreet
- Live updates to keep you on your toes
- Easy to read the display
Cons
- Not a detector, it's reliant upon live infomation
The best radar detector for style
Via SapheDescription
The Saphe Drive Mini is a simple and stylish radar detector. Connect your phone to the device using an app and it will flash up relevant information as you drive, letting you know about changing traffic conditions. All the information is supplied by the network of users and this little device can inform you of more than just nearby speed cameras. It can also warn you of accidents and dangerous conditions ahead. It may not be quite as reliable as the Ooono example, but it's certainly worth considering for the excellent display.
Pros
- Quality build and construction
- Really easy to read
- Pretty good value for money
Cons
- Updates can be buggy
The best sat nav with speed dectection
Via GarminDescription
The DriveSmart 65 MT-S combines smart technology and navigation to become your in-car control device as well as the navigator and radar detector. Through Garmin's Drive app, you can launch Alexa and get the sat nav to provide not only speed camera information but also play music, make hands-free calls, and give you updates on the weather.
Pros
- A clever feature included in a sat nav
- Usual Garmin quality
- Nicer view of what's ahead on a map
Cons
- Dedicated radar detectors are better for the specific task
4.
Saphe One+
Best budget detector
Via SapheDescription
The Saphe One+ is a compact radar detector and the best budget option. Connect your phone to the device using the app, and it will beep to inform you of changing traffic conditions. All information is supplied by the network of users and can inform you of more than just nearby speed cameras.
It can also warn you of accidents and dangerous conditions ahead. You can also get an official mount so you can fit it on one of your car’s air vents.
Pros
- Compact size and discreet
- No subscription needed
- Can be paired with an app
Cons
- No laser detector
Best for (where legal) European travel
Via SapheDescription
With the ability to connect to Apple CarPlay and/or Android Auto, the Drive Pro is continuously smart and warns you of upcoming speed cameras with both sound and on-screen warning.
You also get a free 12-months Saphe premium subscription included in your purchase, as well as an accurate digital speedometer. It works throughout Europe (where you're legally entitled to use it) and even warns you of upcoming traffic jams as well as accidents, red lights and much more. It really is a comprehensive piece of kit for the money.
Pros
- Incredibly comprehensive piece of kit with many warning signs
- Good value for money for what you get
- Useful for *some* European travelling
Cons
- Some features such as the traffic light warning are a bit pointless
- Subscription runs out after 12 months
Best long range radar detector
Via CobraDescription
For long-range detection, Cobra's RAD 480i is a great shout. It can be paired with Bluetooth to the Drive Smarter App, which gives you access to speed camera locations and red light signals. We believe the red light spotter is a bit of a far stretch, but perhaps it's nice to have if you're in an unfamiliar area.
You can also adjust the sensitivity settings. Cobra say that the range of the device is circa 2 miles, but this can be affected by hills and curves - something which the UK has a lot of. The Drive Smarter App can also be used to pair a Cobra dash cam to, so it's a quite multi-use, if you happen to have an SC400D model or similar.
Pros
- Drive Smarter App also compatible with Cobra dash cams
- Quite a long range (assuming the grounds are clear/level)
- Good build quality
Cons
- Range claim may not be too effective in the UK
- Red light detector may be a bit overkill
7.
Uniden R7
Best all-round radar detector
Via UnidenDescription
One handy feature of the R7 is a user marking mode. Essentially, if you spot a hazard zone, you can input it into the R7, and it'll remember it if you ever happen to drive back through. This can be useful if you're travelling somewhere new, and you'd like to make a note of speed camera zones and the like.
It also has a voice notification feature as well as an automatic learning mode. The range is reportedly not as great as the Cobra 480i (some report around a mile, tops), but it's a reportedly very accurate and handy device for detecting speed cameras and zones where they are regularly placed.
Pros
- Useful for detecting speed cameras
- Comes with some useful kit, such as a USB cable and carry case
- One year warranty included (albeit with limitations)
Cons
- Isn't as comprehensive as the Cobra
- Doesn't come with its own app
Best mid-range radar detector
Via Road Angelwww.halfords.com
Description
Road Angel are renowned for dashcams, but it has dipped its feet into a radar detector, too. The Pure One has a 2.4-inch LCD display as well as live reporting (along with a voice feature assistant) and even bus lane warnings alongside camera detection.
You do have to pay up for a Road Angel subscription upon purchase, and the free trail only lasts for seven days. But it is compatible with Apple and Android devices for when you want to pair the detector to the Road Angel All4One app.
Pros
- Good build quality
- Easy to read the display
- Comes with live reporting and other useful features
Cons
- Subscription required
- Not quite as comprehensive in features as the rest
What you need to know about radar detectors:
Are they legal to use in the UK?
It may be against the highway code (Rule 110) to warn other drivers of upcoming speed cameras; the idea being that it's obstructing the duty of a police officer. However, radar detectors are 100% legal to own and to use under UK law. There have been whispers from the government about banning them, but no legislation has been presented so far.
Note that these are different to radar jammers, which block the radar. Some police forces consider using a laser jammer to be perverting the course of justice, which can come with a hefty fine and even jail time in some instances.
And remember, if you're planning a trip to France, the Republic of Ireland or a number of European countries leave your radar detector at home. They're illegal to use and you will be fined and have the device confiscated so make sure to check before your go.
How do speed camera detectors work?
Radar detectors will alert you to the position of fixed speed cameras (some can also detect mobile ones, too). Some are GPS based and will know when a speed camera is nearby while others use radar to detect the signals coming from police speed detectors. Others still are reliant upon eagle-eyed drivers to report them which means they're not really detectors.
What features should I look for in a radar detector?
Your number one priority should be to get a quality item. There are plenty of less-than-reputable examples for sale that are suspiciously cheap, and these should be avoided. The last thing you want is to find out that your radar detector doesn't work or is inaccurate.
Look for a clear display so you can read the information clearly without having to take your eyes off the road. Some will sound an alarm, too, which is a great feature.
Speed camera locations are always changing so look for a device that can be updated. This is usually done by plugging the device into a computer and downloading an update, although some will require a subscription.
What are the penalties of speeding?
Currently, there are three bands (A, B, and C) which are in place, based on the severity of your speed. Under Band A, the court will begin considering 50% of your weekly salary and three points on your licence. The percentage can vary, depending on your offence.
With Band B, it can be 100% of your weekly salary with a range of 75-125%. This is additional to four to six points on your licence, or a 28-day driving ban.
Under Band C (the most serious), the starting point is 150% of your weekly salary with a 125-175% range. Additionally, you can be hit with either six points on your licence or a seven to 56 day ban. But depending on your offence, that's no set limit and you can be hit with even more painful charges.
In terms of the speed itself, Band A to Band C depends on how much faster you were driving over the limit. On a 70mph road for instance, Band A classes 71-90mph, Band B classes 91-100mph, and Band C classes 101mph and above, and the same sort of scale applies to other speed limits.
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.