The best dash cam

By Rik Paul and Molly K. McLaughlin This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full guide to dash cams. Wham! A car crash can happen in an instant. And as frightening as that may be, it can be just as distressing to be blamed for a crash that's not your fault. That's why a dash cam can be a critical aid if the unexpected happens. After researching more than 250 models and testing about 40, we've found that the best overall dash cam is the Nextbase 522GW. It delivers the sharpest video we've seen, is the easiest to use, and has handy features that you don't get with most other dash cams. The Nextbase 522GW Dash Cam produces a super-sharp 1440p (or Quad HD) video image that in our tests allowed us to clearly see details that were indecipherable with most other dash cams. Using the 522GW's bright, responsive touchscreen to navigate menus and adjust settings is much easier than fiddling with the buttons of other models. With its powered magnetic mount, the unit is easy to snap on and off, without having to mess with a cord. The Nextbase phone app outshines competitors', and in addition to GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, the 522GW gives you a polarizing filter to minimize annoying reflections. The camera can integrate with 's Alexa digital assistant, and a new Emergency SOS feature automatically summons emergency aid after a crash. The 522GW can also pair with three different rear cams, giving you more versatility. Yes, it's more expensive than many competing models, but it provides the best dash-cam experience of any model we've tested. If you can't get the 522GW, or just want a slightly smaller model, we recommend the Nextbase 422GW. It gives you the same excellent video image and most of the same features, but it's more compact, with a smaller touchscreen display (2.5 versus 3 inches). It also usually costs less, and it lacks only the polarizing filter (although you can add an an optional one). If you want to record incidents behind your vehicle as well as in front of it, we recommend that you use a dual-cam model, which includes a second camera that's mounted to the rear window. The best overall package would be to add Nextbase's optional rear camera to either the 522GW or the 422GW, but those combos can get pricey. For about half the price, or less, you can get the Papago GoSafe S810. Its front camera is surprisingly sharp for a 1080p model, and the video image has good color and contrast, as well as a decent dynamic range at night. As with most dual-cam models, the rear camera's image quality isn't as good as that of the front camera—it's less sharp, with duller colors and more contrast. If you want to record the interior of your car as you drive, we recommend the Vantrue N2 Pro, which has a camera that records the view in front of the car and another one that faces the interior, a handy setup for ride-for-hire drivers who want to document their passengers. The front camera—recording in 1080p resolution—provides good overall image quality, although it's not as sharp as that of our single-cam picks. And the rear-facing camera lets you see all passengers, even in total darkness. If you prefer a dash cam that people likely won't notice, we recommend the Garmin Dash Cam Mini, which is one of the smallest and most discreet models we've tested. About the size of a key fob, the Mini virtually disappears on the windshield. Still, it provides surprisingly good video quality for a 1080p model, and it's easy to pop on and off of its adhesive mount. Because the Mini has only two physical buttons and no display, though, you have to use Garmin's smartphone app to view video, to adjust settings, and even just to aim the camera properly. We've had no heat-related problems with a couple of Nextbase models we used during several sizzling summer months in Southern California and New York. But if you want extra insurance for hot and cold conditions, we recommend the Vantrue T2. Instead of a lithium battery (used in most dash cams), the T2 uses a capacitor power supply, which holds up better in extreme temperatures. This gives the T2 the widest operating-temperature range (-4 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit) of any affordable model we've tested. (The Blackvue DR900S-1CH 4K provides the same temperature range, as well as better video quality, but it costs about twice as much.) The T2 also has a more sophisticated parking-mode system than most models, for recording incidents that happen when the car is parked. But this model's 1080p video isn't as sharp as that of the Nextbase 522GW or the 422GW, and the T2 isn't as easy to use. In our tests, we found the Owlcam to be the best dash cam for monitoring your vehicle around the clock, including when it's parked. This model has the usual front-facing camera as well as a second one for the vehicle's interior, to document impacts from other cars as well as break-ins. If something happens, you get an alert on your phone, and the camera automatically records and uploads video, which you can view on the app (or watch live at any time). But the Owlcam is more expensive than our other picks, and even though you get a year of free access to the company's 4G LTE service (needed for the remote access features), it costs about $10 per month after that.
By Rik Paul and Molly K. McLaughlin This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen

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