10 Best Dash Cams, According to Auto Experts

Garmin is one of the most established and reputable brands in the dash cam space and our pros agree that you can rely on this camera as your extra set of eyes on the road. It’s packed with features like a wide 180-degree field of view to capture more details in the periphery. You can even keep your hands on the steering wheel and command the device with voice control, though it'll automatically start saving video when it detects an accident.

According to the auto experts at Car and Driver, the compact cam is “small and unobtrusive.” Though this means that the screen is on the smaller side, they love the cam’s wide display, built-in battery and how it powered up immediately in tests. In addition to standard features like recording and playback, our pros appreciate the cam’s lane departure notifications, forward collision warnings and alerts when traffic is moving.

While it comes with an extra USB port and memory card, keep in mind that if you want extra storage to save video clips in Garmin's online vault you'll need a subscription, which ranges from $4.99 to $9.99 per month.

For a more affordable alternative, consider this popular dash from Vantrue that captures video of the front and interior of your car simultaneously. It's a great choice for Uber drivers or families that could benefit from monitoring the inside of a car as well as what's going on outside. It even features a built-in microphone and speaker so you can record audio if needed.

While we haven't tested this model first-hand, multiple reviewers rave about how easy it is to use and set up. Our pros also appreciate that when the dash cam storage is near maximum capacity, the loop recording function can overwrite older video with new footage. Just note that while it has GPS capabilities, the dash cam must be connected to a GPS mount that's sold separately.

Discreet, compact and affordable, this dash cam is the perfect choice for new dash cam owners who don’t want a bulky device that takes up space on their windshield. This model is so small that it should be able to hide nicely behind your rearview mirror. Our experts love that it automatically saves videos of incidents and that its charger comes with two USB ports, so you no longer have to choose between charging your phone or powering your dash cam.

When taking the Mini 2 for a spin, we found buttons easy to use and that it captures quality footage. Our tested pointed out that thevoice commands were intuitive, and the app was seamless. While it may not have all the high-end features of larger dash cams like a wider, 180º field view, it’s impressive for a smaller unit.

The pros at Car and Driver describe it as a “set it and forget it dash cam” that you can use in emergencies like accidents or mishaps but don’t count on it for extras like GPS or traffic alerts. Also important to note: It doesn’t include a microSD card so you’ll have to purchase one separately, and a subscription is required for extra storage.

While it may be pricier than some other cameras on this list, what sets the Vantrue N4 apart is its triple camera that keeps tabs on everything going on in front, behind and even inside your car. The 155º front camera, 165º inside camera and 160º rear camera offer a wide field of view that rideshare drivers will appreciate. In Car and Driver's tests, auto experts found that the cam's display was easy to read despite its smaller size and the suction cup was "nicely maneuverable and adjustable in nearly all directions."

Our pros also like that the rear camera comes with a 20-foot extension cable so it's compatible with larger vehicles like SUVs. You can expect high-quality video recordings both day and night, but note that GPS and a microSD card need to be purchased separately.

The Nexar Beam offers everything you need in a dash cam, from its compact size that makes it possible to squeeze behind a rearview mirror to solid HD video resolution, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi and more. In tests, the auto experts at Car and Driver were impressed by the dash cam's strong suction cup and easy installation.

Though we wish the camera's field of view was a bit wider like more premium cameras, most drivers hoping to record everyday footage will be satisfied. Unlimited cloud backup lets you save video clips without a subscription and a 32GB SD card comes included. You can even create accident reports straight from the Nexar app. But if you're looking for remote video streaming to check up on your parked car, you'll have to upgrade to a more advanced dash cam like the Nexar One.

If video quality is important to you, look no further than this premium dash cam from Nextbase. It's not the most affordable pick, but it shoots crisp 4K video and uses image stabilization so your videos never appear blurry or bouncy.

In addition to an intelligent parking mode that monitors your car when you're not there, it sends alerts to emergency services should an accident occur. While we haven't been hands-on with this model yet, Nextbase has performed well in previous tests and our pros love that this model comes with Wi-Fi and Alexa voice control built-in. To save a bit, consider a bundle without a rear camera and a smaller SD card.

Featuring more than 33,000 Amazon reviews and an average 4.3-star rating, this dash cam is one of the most popular on Amazon and is packed with tons of features like high-quality resolution so your recordings are crystal clear.

Our pros love that it has built-in Wi-Fi so you can download your video directly to your device and manage and view the dash cam in real-time via the Rove app. It also has GPS that records your location and speed (should you need this as future evidence) and it enables you to view your driving route directly on Google Maps.

According to the brand, the camera captures detailed images even in low lighting and if someone hits your car while it's parked, the camera will automatically start recording and then alert you. Though it can support a lot of video storage with a 512 GB microSD card, you'll unfortunately have to purchase this separately.

Our experts stand behind the Nextbase brand and love that this model features a front-facing camera with a 140º viewing angle and a 2.5-inch interactive touchscreen. It comes with a built-in sensor to support emergency video file backup should an accident occur and it has an emergency SOS feature that alerts emergency services of your location.

Another bonus: The Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity enable you to sync files to your phone, and the dash cam can be mounted either by a suction cup or adhesive. According to Car and Driver’s tests, the camera’s video quality looks fantastic at night and the magnets that hold everything together are secure. Although this pick doesn’t include a rear camera, you can opt for a bundle that does (along with a 32GB SD card). For an even more advanced dash cam, our pros also recommend the Nextbase iQ.

Trusted and designed by Car and Driver auto experts, this dash cam is an excellent choice if you want to monitor what’s going on inside and outside your vehicle. Unlike other cameras that have front and rear cameras built-in together, this one features a separate second camera that you can attach to the front camera or strap around the passenger seat; because it can be mounted anywhere, it can double up as a baby monitor during long road trips or you can use it to keep an eye on what’s going on behind your vehicle.

When we tested it, we found that the 1080p image quality was clear and that the 3-inch touchscreen interface was intuitive to navigate. We like that the camera has extra features such as an alert system should another car come too close to yours. The pros at Car and Driver do wish, however, that the tightening mechanism on the suction cup felt more sturdy and durable.

Other dash cams may offer both front and rear cameras, but what makes the Garmin Tandem stand out is its 180º view field on both. This means you'll be able to catch more detail and, according to Garmin, you'll even be able to see passenger activity in the dark thanks to its exclusive night vision technology.

Our pros like that the included charger has an extra USB port built-in so it won't hog the only port in your car. The Dash Cam Tandem is also capable of recording in front of and inside your vehicle when it’s parked and turned off, however, a separate cable is required that's sold separately.