Over the years, we’ve analyzed and reviewed scores of dash cams: Cheap and expensive ones; older models, newer models, and the latest ones; singe and dual channel (i.e. forward facing or front-and-rear, including taxi cams that record the passenger cabin in addition to the road ahead). This way we’ve accumulated a pretty good overview of what level of performance you can expect at each price level, and we’d like to share this knowledge with you here.
If you already know how much you’re going to spend on your new dashboard camera, this article will help you make sure that you get the best value for your money. On the other hand, if you’re not sure yet how much to invest, you may want to have a read anyway to find out what’s the state of the art in mid 2017 and beyond.
Whether you’re able to spend no more than $40 or can afford to pay over $400: Our list of the best dash cams for each price level will show you the best and most reliable device you can get for any kind of budget. Plus we’ll also be listing various vendors for your country, so you can find the best deal. Let’s dive right in!
Table Of Contents
$25-$50: G1W-CB
$60-$70: A118C2
$70-$100: A119
$110-$120: DDPai M6+
$150-$170: DOD LS460W
$160-$180: Lukas LK-7900 ARA
$180-$200: Transcend Drive Pro 520 (Taxi Cam)
$200-$250: StreetGuardian SG9665GC
$250-$260: Thinkware X500D (Dual)
$250-$280: Vico-Opia2
$350-$400: BlackVue DR650S-2CH (Dual)
$400-$500: Thinkware F800 (Dual)
$25-$50: G1W-CB
Being a Chinese low-cost product, this camera likely won’t last forever and video quality is not the best you can get today. That said, if you need the cheapest possible dash cam that will do its job reasonably well, this is the one you should go for.
See our full review or compare prices: AliExpress (sponsored)
G1W-CB feature summary
Resolution: 1920×1080
Video quality: Good
Reliability: Average
Memory capacity: 32GB
Extras: Capacitor
$60-$70: A118C2
Compared to the above mentioned G1W-CB, the A118C2 is a step up quality wise. Video quality is more or less similar for both devices, but the A118C2 is more reliable, and you can fit a larger SD card so you will get much better recording capacity.
See our full review or compare prices: – more countries & vendors (sponsored)
A118C2 feature summary
Resolution: 1920×1080
Video quality: Good
Reliability: Good
Memory capacity: 64GB
Extras: Capacitor, optional GPS, optional CPL filter, lock file button
$70-$100: A119
Just like the A118C2, the A119 comes in a stealthy wedge shape, and it’s easy to set up and use due to the camera’s 2” LCD screen. It uses a capacitor for improved heat resistance, and it has a lock file button to mark important footage for safekeeping.
This camera is available in two variants: You can either get the GPS version (with the receiver built into the camera’s mount), or if you don’t need GPS, you can save around $10 and get the non-GPS version.
See our full review or compare prices: AliExpress – more countries & vendors (sponsored)
A119 feature summary
Resolution: 2560×1440
Video quality: Very Good
Reliability: Good
Memory capacity: 128GB
Extras: Capacitor, optional GPS, lock file button
$110-$120: DDPai M6+
The M6+ supports Wi-Fi and connects to your smart phone, and it is one of the very few dash cams to come with a remote “emergency record” button that allows you to mark important video footage (so you can place the button anywhere in your car where it is easily reachable while driving).
Bear in mind though that this camera does have come with a couple of drawbacks, so be sure to check out the full review if you are interested in this model.
See our full review or compare prices: n/a
DDPai M6+ feature summary
Resolution: 2560×1440
Video quality: Very Good
Reliability: Good
Memory capacity: 128GB
Extras: Internal GPS, Wi-Fi, parking mode (time-lapse & motion detection), opitonal CPL filter, remote lock file button
$150-$170: DOD LS460W
However, the lower resolution actually is an advantage when it comes to low-light sensitivity: A lower overall number of pixels means that each individual pixel is larger, allowing it to absorb more light.
The LS460W’s records great video at day also, however the Vico-Opia2 (featured below) does perform slightly better in this regard.
See our full review or compare prices: n/a
DOD LS460W feature summary
Resolution: 1920×1080
Video quality: Excellent
Reliability: Excellent
Memory capacity: 64GB
Extras: GPS, time-lapse parking mode, optional CPL filter, lock file button
$160-$180: Lukas LK-7900 ARA
Another outstanding feature of this camera is its OBD-II interface, which allows you to integrate your car’s data (like rpm, steering wheel position, turn indicator lights…) into the video feed, for added safety in case of insurance claims.
The LK-7900 ARA also has a very large recording capacity of up to 256GB, allowing for more than 48 hours of 1080p video.
See our full review or compare prices: n/a
Lukas LK-7900 ARA feature summary
Resolution: 1920×1080
Video quality: Very Good
Reliability: Excellent
Memory capacity: 256GB
Extras: Capacitor, GPS, parking mode, OBD-II interface, best heat resistance, optional CPL filter, lock file button
$180-$200: Transcend Drive Pro 520 (Taxi Cam)
Be aware that while there are many taxi cams out there that cost less, the ones we’ve looked at so far were mostly useless due to their bad video quality or other flaws. The Drive Pro 520 is the cheapest taxi cam that we’re happy to recommend.
See our full review or compare prices: – more countries & vendors (sponsored)
Transcend Drive Pro 520 feature summary
Resolution: 1920×1080 (front), 1280×720 (interior)
Video quality: Good
Reliability: Excellent
Memory capacity: 32GB (free card included)
Extras: GPS, Wi-Fi, lock file button
$200-$250: StreetGuardian SG9665GC
Supporting memory cards of up to 256GB, it has a huge recording capacity of more than 37 houts. Also, Street Guardian’s customer support is known to be responsive and very helpful, which is unfortunately not always the case with other manufacturers.
A reliable device that keeps receiving outstanding customer feedback, you can’t go wrong picking this camera.
See our full review or compare prices: n/a
Street Guardian SG9665GC feature summary
Resolution: 1920×1080
Video quality: Very Good
Reliability: Excellent
Memory capacity: 256GB
Extras: Capacitor, external GPS, optional CPL filter, lock file button
$250-$260: Thinkware X500D (Dual)
See our full review or compare prices: – more countries & vendors (sponsored)
Thinkware X500D feature summary
Resolution: 1920×1080
Video quality: Good
Reliability: Excellent
Memory capacity: 64GB
Extras: Capacitor, GPS, buffered parking mode, lock file button
$250-$280: Vico-Opia2
At night, the DOD LS460W (see above) performs slightly better due to its larger aperture and lower resolution, however the Opia2’s night video is still very good.
See our full review or compare prices: n/a
Vico-Opia2 feature summary
Resolution: 2560×1440
Video quality: Excellent
Reliability: Excellent
Memory capacity: 128GB
Extras: Capacitor, optional GPS, parking mode (time-lapse and motion detection), battery discharge prevention (available separately), optional CPL filter, lock file button
$350-$400: BlackVue DR650S-2CH (Dual)
Its only downsides are the 720p rear video channel, as well as its lack of a lock file button that will allow you to mark video footage for safekeeping in the case of an accident or interesting event.
See our full review or compare prices: n/a
BlackVue DR650S-2CH feature summary
Resolution: 1920×1080 (front), 1280×720 (rear)
Video quality: Good
Reliability: Excellent
Memory capacity: 128GB
Extras: Capacitor, GPS, Wi-Fi with BlackVue cloud connectivity, buffered parking mode, battery discharge prevention (available separately), optional CPL filter
$400-$500: Thinkware F800 (Dual)
In direct comparison to the DR650S series, the F800 records noticeably better quality video at night and to the rear. Forward video quality at day time is similar.
The F800 has a convenient lock file button, which the DR650S is unfortunately lacking. It doesn’t support cloud connectivity at this time, though.
See our full review or compare prices: – more countries & vendors (sponsored)
Thinkware F800 feature summary
Resolution: 1920×1080 (front and rear)
Video quality: Very Good
Reliability: To be determined
Memory capacity: 64GB
Extras: Capacitor, GPS, Wi-Fi, buffered and time-lapse parking mode, low-voltage cutoff, lock file button