3-channel (3CH) dash cams record to the front, to the rear, and inside of your car. They are incredibly useful for anyone working ride share, such as taxi and Uber drivers. They are also great if you want an extra angle for your dash cam recordings, as the interior camera also picks up some of the view through the side windows.
We compared the five most popular 3-channel dash cams of 2023, to find the ones which record the best video.
FEBRUARY 2024 UPDATE:
We’ve removed a dash cam that’s no longer available, and replaced it by the Viofo A229 Pro. This is a new camera that was released in late 2023. Due to using the latest sensors, it records much better video than any other 3-channel dash cam so far.
At A Glance
Winners:
- Viofo A229 Pro 3CH: Best video quality by far
- Viofo T130: Best best value for money, good video overall
Runner-Up:
- Vantrue N4: The classic
Not Recommended:
- BlackVue DR750X-3CH Plus: High price, low video quality
- Vantrue E3: Disappointing video
How To Make Your Choice
Some questions you want to ask yourself when making your pick is:
- Do I want a separate unit for the interior camera, or do I prefer it to be included in the main unit that also houses the forward facing lens?
- Do I need a screen on the dash cam?
A screen helps with setting up the camera and playing back videos on the spot. However, if the camera supports Wi-Fi, you can also operate it using the smart phone app.
A separate interior camera means one more cable and one more device being installed on your wind shield (or wherever you prefer to place the interior camera). If the interior camera is part of the main unit, installation is easier, but the drawback is that you have less freedom as to where you point your interior lens.
Our Two Favorite 3-Channel Dash Cameras For 2024
There are two clear winners this year. And just like last year, both of them are from the well-known Chinese mid-price brand, Viofo.
We’ve picked those cameras because they are both reliable, and record good to very good video. You should be able to read license plates of other cars in most situations with both of these cameras.
One of them is the Viofo A229 Pro, which records 4K to the front, 1440p to the rear, and 1080p interior. It’s equipped with Sony Starvis 2 sensors, both front and rear. However, it’s also quite pricey, at just below $400 currently.
Our other winner is also from Viofo: Namely, the compact Viofo T130. It has the front and rear camera integrated in the same unit, making for easier setup. It’s video quality isn’t quite as good as the A229 Pro’s, but it also costs about 50% less.
If you’d like to see each camera’s features listed side by side, check out our detailed comparison table of 3-channel dash cams.
The Two Best 3-Channel Dash Cams Of 2024
Viofo A229 Pro 3CH – Best Video Quality
Price: Amazon US / CA / UK – AliExpress – more countries & vendors (affiliate links)
Forward Video: Very good (4.0/5)
Rear Video: Good (3.0/5)
Interior Video: Very good (4.0/5)
Overall Video Quality: Very Good (3.7/5)
Reliability: Very good (4.0/5)
Separate Interior Camera: Yes
Screen: Yes
Parking Modes: Buffered, time-lapse, low bit rate
Other Features: Integrated quad-band GPS, Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5GHz), capacitor, lock file button, optional CPL filter, optional remote Bluetooth button
Pros: Best video quality, very reliable, app easy to use
Cons: Large size of the front camera, picky with memory cards
Full Review: Viofo A229 Pro Review
The A229 Pro is the first 3-channel dash cam that uses Sony Starvis 2 sensors, both for the front and rear camera. These sensors are larger, and more light sensitive, than older sensors, resulting in much better video.
This camera records at a very high bit rate, so we recommend you use at least a 256GB memory card. The maximum supported size is 256GB.
Speaking of memory cards, it is important to know that the A229 Pro only works with two brands: Viofo’s own, and SanDisk Max Endurance cards are the only two that the manufacturer says will work fine. So make sure to get one of those to avoid stability issues.
As you can see in the picture, this camera comes with a 2.4″ screen on the rear, making it easy to operate. Of course you can also configure it over Wi-Fi using a smart phone app. The app is quite well designed, and more intuitive to use than some of the competition.
Viofo T130 – Best Value For Money
Price: Amazon US / CA / UK – AliExpress – more countries & vendors (affiliate links)
Forward Video: Good (2.5/5)
Rear Video: Good (3.0/5)
Interior Video: Good (3.0/5)
Overall Video Quality: Good (2.8/5)
Reliability: Good (3.0/5)
Separate Interior Camera: No
Screen: No
Parking Modes: Event triggered, time-lapse, low bit rate
Other Features: Integrated GPS, Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz), capacitor, lock file button, optional CPL filter, optional remote Bluetooth button
Pros: Best video quality, great price, slick design
Cons: No screen
Full Review: Viofo T130 Review
While not as good as the A229 Pro, the Viofo T130 records decent quality video with all of its 3 channels. Its footage is good enough to be able to read license plates of nearby cars in most situations, even at night.
It’s also the 3-lens dash cam with the most appealing design, in our opinion. The interior camera is integrated with the main unit, and can be swiveled left and right.
Buttons to toggle video and audio recording, as well as Wi-Fi, are located on the rear of the camera. To their right, there is a big round lock-file button to safeguard important videos.
Alternatively, you can use Viofo’s remote Bluetooth button (optional) to save files.
When hard-wired to the car’s fuse box with an optional hard-wiring kit the T130 supports 3 different parking modes: Event-triggered (wake-upon-impact), time-lapse (low frame rate), and low bit rate.
Runner-Up
Vantrue N4 – Top Seller, Easy To Use
Price: Amazon US / CA / UK – AliExpress – more countries & vendors (affiliate links)
Forward Video: Good (2.5/5)
Rear Video: Fair (1.5/5)
Interior Video: Good (3.0/5)
Overall Video Quality: Fair (2.3/5)
Reliability: Fair (2.0/5)
Separate Interior Camera: No
Screen: Yes
Parking Modes: Event triggered, time-lapse
Other Features: Capacitor, lock file button, optional GPS mount
Pros: Top seller, easy to use
Cons: Not the most reliable, no Wi-Fi
Full Review: Vantrue N4 Review
The Vantrue N4 was the first 3-lens dash cam to be released, back in 2020. It has been immensely successful, and continues to be a top seller up to this day.
This camera comes with an integrated 2.5″ screen, which is the only way to configure it as it doesn’t support Wi-Fi. Setup and operation is relatively straightforward though. The interior camera is integrated with the main unit, so there’s no need to install a 3rd camera.
Most users are happy with the N4, and it is getting great customer reviews on Amazon. However, it seems to be less reliable than the two Viofo models. Also, its video quality isn’t quite as good as either of the Viofo cameras’.
GPS is optional, and integrated in the mount (if you want it).
UPDATE: There’s a newer version called Vantrue N4 Pro that records 4K video front, with a Starvis 2 sensor and better video quality.
Not Recommended
BlackVue DR750X-3CH Plus: High Price, Low Video Quality
Price: Amazon US / UK – more countries & vendors (affiliate links)
Forward Video: Fair (2.0/5)
Rear Video: Fair (1.5/5)
Interior Video: Fair (2.0/5)
Overall Video Quality: Fair (1.8/5)
Reliability: Very Good (4.0/5)
Separate Interior Camera: Yes
Screen: No
Parking Modes: Time-lapse, motion activated
Other Features: Cloud connectivity, integrated GPS, Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz), capacitor, lock file button, high-temperature cutoff
Pros: Cloud connectivity, high reliablity, elegant design
Cons: High price, low video quality, no screen
Video Samples: BlackVue DR750X-3CH Plus Video Samples & Specs
BlackVue’s DR750X-3CH is a high-end dash cam with many cutting-edge features like cloud connectivity, Wi-Fi, and intelligent parking mode. Unfortunately, it records lower video quality than the other 3-channel dash cams featured here.
Bearing in mind the the BlackVue camera is far more expensive than its competitors by Viofo and Vantrue, its video quality is just disappointing. So this is not a 3-channel dash cam that we would recommend.
Vantrue E3: Disappointing Video
Price: Amazon US / CA / UK (affiliate links)
Forward Video: Fair (2.0/5)
Rear Video: Mediocre (1.0/5)
Interior Video: Good (3.0/5)
Overall Video Quality: Fair (2.0/5)
Reliability: Good (3.0/5)
Separate Interior Camera: No
Screen: Yes
Parking Modes: Buffered, impact, time-lapse, low bit rate
Other Features: Integrated GPS, Wi-Fi, capacitor, lock file button
Pros: Best parking mode options
Cons: High price, low video quality
Video Samples: Vantrue E3 Video Samples
The Vantrue Element 3, or E3, was released in 2023. It is part of Vantrue’s Element series which comprises a 1-channel, a 2-channel, and a 3-channel dash cam. They are named E1, E2, and E3, respectively.
At around $400, this camera is almost as expensive as the BlackVue 3CH, and its video quality is almost as bad.
Forward video is only fair even at day time, and you will be hard pressed to make out any license plates. Rear video during the night is downright poor.
So, especially bearing in mind its price, this is another 3-way dash camera we recommend you avoid.
