A dashboard camera can be your second set of eyes on the road, whether you want to ensure your safety or protect yourself from liability. To help pick the right model for you, start with the top dash cams we’ve tested.
Dash cams are popular because they can capture viral videos of bad drivers or stunning natural events, like a falling meteor. More importantly, dash cams are an invaluable accessory for your car because they can limit your liability in accidents and record instances of vandalism. If you drive a company car, having video proof of your role in an incident is crucial. PCMag has been reviewing dash cams for over eight years, so we can help you find the right one for your needs. Our Editors‘ Choice winner, the Garmin Dash Cam Live, impresses with its driver-assist features and 1440p video capture, but other models on the list below are also worth exploring. Make sure to click through to our reviews for the full details and read to the end for some additional buying advice.Why We Picked It
The Garmin Dash Cam Live is an Editors’ Choice winner thanks to its low-profile design, 180-degree field of view, 1440p capture resolution, and cellular connectivity. Other highlights include excellent driver assist features (such as forward collision and lane departure warnings), remote live view capabilities, and easy-to-use voice commands. It even comes with a 16GB microSD card and can let you know if you drive away without your phone.Who It’s For
People who drive older cars: The Garmin Dash Cam Live brings modern safety features to older cars, trucks, and SUVs that may not have them by default. The most important of these are the lane departure warnings and forward collision warnings, which can help prevent accidents.
Those who need a wide view: This camera offers a massive 180-degree field of view, capturing everything in front of your car. It can handle up to 1440p resolution, providing you with the flexibility to zoom and crop when needed. Moreover, you can capture time-lapse recordings that highlight routes on long trips.
People who require flexible connectivity: The Dash Cam Live connects via cellular networks when you’re on the road and via Wi-Fi for uploading your videos at home, which means you’re connected no matter where you go. This permits you to access a remote live view from your phone, as well as store recordings locally or in the cloud. Why We Picked It
The Nextbase 622GW provides a lot of features for the price, including a 3-inch IPS touch screen, Alexa voice controls, a parking mode, and a subscription-based Emergency SOS feature that sends your car’s location to first responders if you get into an accident.
