The Best Dash Cams Comparison For 2023
These days dash cams are an absolute necessity for all drivers! Dash cams come in many shapes and sizes. There are tons of features and capabilities you might want to consider before committing to a model and brand. We are dash cam experts and have done the research to back it up. Here are our recommendations for the very best dash cam pick in 2023.
Everything you need to know about dash cams
Dash Cam Basics
How to choose a dash cam | Dash Cam price guide | How do dash cams work
Types of dash cams
Top 9 dash cam benefits and features | LTE dash cam features overview
What is a dash cam?
A dash cam, also known as a dashboard camera or car cam, is a camera that lives in your car and records the road (and sometimes the interior of your car). It is used for safety, protection and proof in case of an accident. There has been a rise in use of dash cams in recent years and we recommend all drivers equip their car with them. There are different tiers of dash cams, “dumb” cams that just record the road and require an SD cart export to capture footage, smart cams that sync with a smartphone and can be accessed easily (these cams also generally have smart features like parking mode) and lastly connected dash cams that have LTE and remote streaming capabilities.
1. Nexar One
Smart, connected cam with 4K video. Nexar One is Nexar’s first connected cam equipped with remote streaming and live alerts.
Quick hits: Video Quality: 4K, GPS: Yes, Parking Mode: Yes, External Cam: Yes
Pros:
- Amazon video quality
- Internal & external cams
- Syncs with your smartphone
- 24/7 protection and tracking
Cons:
- Expensive
Where can I buy it?
Shop exclusively on www.getnexar.com
Description: The new Nexar One dash cam is the most advanced camera on the market. Equipped with live alerts, remote streaming and super clear 4K video, there’s nothing this camera can’t do. This is a camera for individuals who want to keep an eye on their vehicle at all times. The camera functions similarly to the Ring Doorbell and is ideal for professional drivers, parents or anyone who wants to check in on their car and environment regularly. Other features like live tracking and parking mode can also prove very useful. This is obviously a more premium camera with a higher price tag but can be perfect for those who are in need of these extra features.
2. Nexar Beam
Compact, sleek and super smart. Nexar Beam is the easy DIY, yet functional dash cam you need.
Quick hits:
Video Quality: 1080p
GPS: Yes
Parking Mode: Yes
Internal Cam: No
Pros:
- Compact and sleek
- Easy DIY install
- Syncs with your smartphone
- Great value
Cons:
- No external cam
Where can I buy it?
Shop on www.getnexar.com
Shop on Amazon
Description: The Nexar Beam dash cam is sleek, compact, equipped with all of Nexar’s premium features–and it’s affordable. From a hardware perspective alone, this camera is super functional. You can easily hide Beam behind your rearview mirror so it doesn’t get in the way of your view. Most importantly, Beam comes equipped with Nexar’s user-friendly app that allows you to view, share and edit videos directly from your phone. This means that if you are in an accident or pulled over by the police, you can simply pull out your phone and share video evidence on the spot. Other features that are unique to Nexar include one tap insurance reports, emergency alerts and parking mode. This simple, little dash cam really does it all. It’s the perfect entry level cam for every-day drivers.
3. Garmin Mini
Garmin Mini
Image credit: Garmin
Super tiny dash cam from trusted brand at an entry level price.
Quick hits: Video quality: 1080p, GPS: No, Parking mode: No
Pros:
- Trusted hardware brand
- Compact size
- Excellent video quality
Cons:
- No GPS
- Very basic companion app
Where can I buy it?
Shop on Garmin
Shop on Amazon
Description: The Garmin mini is excellently designed in a tiny keyfob like shape. Garmin is a brand you can trust, so it’s no surprise that this camera has excellent reviews and functionality. Though the camera doesn’t have GPS capabilities, it’s full of excellent features. The mini dash cam has great video quality and a wide 140-degree view. Overall, this is another great selection for an entry level dash cam.
4. Nextbase 522GW
Nextbase 522GW
Image credit: Nextbase
High quality dash cam equipped with easy to use features.
Quick hits: Video quality: 1440p, GPS: Yes, Parking mode: Yes
Pros:
- High quality video
- Screen included
- Alexa voice control
Cons:
- Requires additional SD card
- Pricey for this level dash cam
Where can I buy it?
Shop on Nextbase
Shop on Amazon
Description: The Nextbase is a great way to upgrade your dash cam experience with higher quality video. 1440p is a rather unusual resolution for a dash cam, as most are 1080p or 4K, however Nextbase’s camera offers super clear video. The camera also has excellent features including emergency alerts, Alexa voice control and much more. Though there is an argument to be made that with high quality Apps there is no need for a screen on your cam, Nextbase has one built in which could be a plus for some. Overall this is a more expensive option that is suitable for someone looking for slightly better video quality.
5. THINKWARE F70
Thinkware F70
Image credit: Thinkware
Quick hits: Video quality: 1080p, GPS: No, Parking mode: Yes (need to purchase hardwiring kit)
Pros:
- Affordable
- Great video resolution
Cons:
- Missing some higher end features
- Very little storage
Where can I buy it?
Shop on Thinkware
Shop on Amazon
Description: This Thinkware cam is a great budget friendly option that covers all the important basics. Equipped with great video quality, this camera gets the job done. If you are looking for an entry level camera that covers its bases and won’t break after a few months, this is the perfect camera for you. However, keep in mind that additional features like GPS or parking mode will cost you extra.
Features to Pay Attention to When Purchasing a Dash Cam
When purchasing a dash cam, it’s important to consider your needs. We pointed out a few main features in our comparison that you might want to keep in mind: price, video resolution, GPS, number of cameras and of course, there are many others.
Pricing - Of course, with any purchase you make it’s important to think about how much you are willing to spend. We have given a range of options with Thinkware’s F70 being the most affordable and Nexar One the most premium. Of course, to understand your budget you also want to make sure you’ve checked the box on the features you need.
Video Resolution- All of the cameras we have on our list offer excellent video resolution, however if you are looking for the very best quality video with crisp picture day and night, you’ll want to go with the Nexar One dash cam with 4K capabilities.
GPS- Another feature you might consider is GPS tracking. For example the Nexar App displays location, so you can ask your App “where did I park” or if you get in an accident you can show your location. There are many functional reasons to have GPS.
Number of cameras- This is one of the most important features to consider when choosing a dash cam. You might want to ask yourself, do I need to record inside my vehicle? If you are a professional driver or if you have kids, the answer is probably yes. Make sure you consider the number of views before purchasing.
Smart features - Some other smart features to consider might include emergency alerts, one-tap insurance reports and parking mode. These premium features are available on all Nexar dash cams with the smart app. All of these features can help you in case of an emergency, which is probably the reason you are buying a smart dash cam.
Other features- There are many other features to consider in dash cams like screen, app, battery consumption and more. You can dive further into our recommendations and thoughts here.
Other cams to consider
If we haven’t yet caught your attention with one of these five winners, we can also recommend the Nexar Pro, NEXC2, NEXS1 or even the NEXC1. All of these cameras are also compatible with the Nexar App and have excellent features and functionality.
Conclusions
Overall, when it comes to getting a dash cam for cars you want to make sure you are doing your research. These 5 dash cams we have suggested are all high-end cameras with great functionality. We recommend investing in these cameras as opposed to very inexpensive cameras without smart capabilities, as these cameras are made to last. The roads have become more dangerous and it’s becoming more important to protect yourself on the road. Be ready for anything that comes your way with a smart dash cam.