Having a video recorder built into your rear-view mirror is a neat variation on the in-car safety theme. But should you buy a mirror dash cam?
Record your journeys with an in-car camera is a brilliant way to get a little more peace of mind when you’re out on the road. The best dash cams are now simple to use, feature-packed and offer great video quality. But a clever variation on the theme, mirror dash cams, may also have caught your eye.
Much like traditional third-party dash cams, these are accessories that you can fit yourself, but take the place of your regular rear-view mirror. Or rather, they’re usually mounted directly on top of your existing one. Alongside offering an unimpeded view of what’s behind you, the mirror dash cam also contains a built-in camera for recording forward-facing trips.
The range of mirror dash cams is fairly broad, meaning you can find one to suit any kind of budget. As is always the case though, you get a greater selection of features and functionality if you spend that little bit more. But is a mirror dash cam the best choice for you? Or should you keep it simple and stick with a standard dash cam? Our guide’s here to help you pick the right in-car safety system for you.
While they are more niche and complex than standard dash cams, mirror dash cams do come with a few benefits. The fact that they come with a rear camera as standard makes them particularly suitable for vehicles that have poor (or no) rear visibility.
Because they usually mount to your rear-view mirror, they can also be a more minimalist solution than standard dash cams. Basic dash cams are invariably mount to your windscreen, usually around the rearview mirror, or perhaps lower down between the screen and the dash.
Mirror dash cams, meanwhile, often clip onto your existing rearview mirror. You get all of the recording tech inside the rear-view mirror molding, which sometimes means less bulk and fewer dangling cables.
Not only does the mirror dash cam enable you to carry out onboard recording as you drive, most models will also deliver a recorded view of the road behind you and act as a surveillance camera into the bargain.
