Our favorite dash cam is the Rexing V1P because it works in extreme temperatures and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. It includes all the basic features you’d expect from a dash cam and nothing more. Whether you want footage to file with insurance claims or you’re hoping to record a viral clip, the Rexing V1P gets the job done.
If you do want a bunch of extra features, there’s really no “all-in-one” dash cam available. Each one has a unique selling point. We’ll break down the differences to help you make a decision.
Best dash cams
- : Top pick
- : Best for driver assistance
- : Best for LTE connectivity
- : Best for SOS response
- : Best for backup cam
Compare the best dash cams
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Product
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Price
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SD card included
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Temperature rating
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Power supply
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Viewing angle
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Learn more
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top pick |
 |
$129.99 |
 No |
-20°F to 176°F | Supercapacitor | 170° front and rear | View on Amazon |
| Best for driver assistance |
 |
$549.99 |
 Yes, 32 GB |
14°F to 140°F | Hardwired | 150° front, 156° rear | View on Amazon |
| Best for LTE connectivity |
 |
$459.99 |
Yes, 32 GB
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-4°F to 158°F | Supercapacitor and hardwire | 162° front, 139° rear | View on Amazon |
| Best for SOS response |
 |
$259.99 |
No |
-4°F to 113°F | Plug | 140° | View on Nextbase |
| Best for backup cam |
 |
$139.99 |
No |
14°F to 140°F | Lithium ion battery | 170° | View on Apeman |
*Amazon.com price as of 6/28/2021 at 7:30 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
It’s much easier to transfer dash cam footage to another device with a card reader than with a mobile app.
Best dash cam reviews
1. Rexing V1P: Top pick
*Amazon.com price as of 6/28/2021 at 7:30 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
The Rexing V1P clinches the top spot thanks to its affordable price, ultra-wide viewing angle, unbeatable temperature tolerance, and optional suction mount. If you’re looking for some extra features, you’ll want to skip down the list; the Rexing V1P is affordable because it’s “just” a dash cam.
Front and rear dash cams G-sensor Adhesive with optional suction mount 2.4 in. LCD screen US-based customer service
GPS logger sold separately SD card sold separately Poor app performanceLike most of the dash cams on our list, the Rexing V1P features both a front- and rear-facing camera. Both record in 1080p at 30 fps, have a 170° viewing angle, and use wide dynamic range (WDR) technology and a Sony Starvis image sensor for improved night vision. The front camera also features an LCD screen.
The G-sensor automatically locks clips when it detects an impact—a standard feature to prevent important video footage from being deleted or overwritten. But we love that the Rexing V1P also allows you to manually lock footage by pushing the “OK” button on the camera while recording. So if something crazy happens while you’re out and about, you can save that clip.
Necessary and optional accessories for the Rexing V1P
The Rexing V1P’s low price comes with a caveat: you’ll need to purchase some accessories for full functionality.
A microSD card isn’t included with the camera kit, so you’ll need to purchase one separately. The Rexing V1P accepts cards with up to 256 GB of storage, like the SanDisk High Endurance MicroSD (about $38 on Amazon).
These accessories are optional:
- The Rexing GPS logger (about $27 on Amazon) pairs information about your location and speed with all of your dash-cam footage.
- The Rexing Smart Hardwire Kit (about $15 on Amazon) allows you to activate Parking Surveillance Mode and automatic ignition recording.
- The Rexing Suction Cup Mount (about $7 on Amazon) may provide a sturdier grip in hot weather than the standard adhesive mount.
You’re looking at a total of about $220 if you purchase the Rexing V1P, a 256 GB microSD card, and all three accessories. That still makes it the second-cheapest option on our top five list.
You can get just the front-facing Rexing V1 camera for $99.99.
Unbeatable specs
The Rexing V1P’s supercapacitor makes it far more temperature tolerant than lithium battery-powered or hardwired dash cams. That’s one of the main reasons we love it so much. It’s rated for a jaw-dropping -20°F to 176°F. To put this into perspective, parking your car in the sun on a 100°F day for just one hour causes the dashboard to reach 157°F.1
It’s not always practical to park in a garage or in the shade to keep the internal temp down. It’s also pointless to remove the camera when the car is parked because you want the camera to record an accident when you’re not around.
Let’s just put it this way: temperature tolerance is important in dash cams, but it’s not as common as you might think.
The Rexing V1P boasts the highest operating temperature of all the dash cams on our list.
Rexing Connect app needs an overhaul
The Rexing V1P won us over with those temp specs and wooed us even more with an industry-leading 170° viewing angle. But as much as we hoped the Rexing would be the dash cam of our dreams . . . its mobile app isn’t quite perfect.
This free app lets you adjust a few settings like G-sensor sensitivity and the date stamp on videos. You can also use it to look at video clips and transfer them to your device via Wi-Fi. That’s where, according to most reviewers, the app just doesn’t work.
Rexing Connect earned just 1.5 out of 5 stars on the Apple App Store and a meager 1.8 out of 5 stars on the Google Play store. Most complain about transfer/download issues. We’re concerned that Rexing has amassed so many poor app reviews and still hasn’t released an update, fix, or troubleshooting tip.
Rexing dash cams also work with a third-party app called TimaCam, but its ratings aren’t much better: 2.3 on the Google Play store and 2.0 on the Apple App Store.*
One reviewer did mention that you have to turn your phone’s cellular data off in order to download the videos. If that’s all it takes, the app developers should make that clear. If you’re among the unlucky users who can’t get the app to work, you can still transfer videos from the Rexing V1P to a computer with a card reader or USB cord.
*Ratings as of 6/24/2021
2. Thinkware U1000: Best for driver assistance
*Amazon.com price as of 6/28/2021 at 7:30 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
The Thinkware U1000 is the bulkiest dash camera on our list, but we can easily overlook that thanks to its high-quality 4K/2K recordings and advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS). The mobile app also sounds promising, but we question the practicality of its Wi-Fi-dependent features.
Its price also jumped about $200 since we initially wrote this review, but we think it's still worth the investment.
4K front camera and 2K rear camera Front cam records at 30 fps or 60 fps Built-in GPS logger G-sensor Advanced driver assistance system (ADAS)
No LCD screen Expensive App incompatible with radar accessory A bit bulkyThe Thinkware U1000 does its primary job very well: it records clear footage day and night, catching important details about car accidents, including license plate numbers. The front-facing camera records in 4K at 30 fps or in 2K at 60 fps. The rear camera records in 2K at 30 fps.
This dash cam also includes driver-assistance features:
- Forward collision warning system to alert drivers before they rear-end the vehicle in front of them.
- Urban forward collision warning system to alert drivers to road hazards in low-speed environments (such as snail’s pace traffic jams).
- Front vehicle departure warning to tell drivers that the car ahead of them has taken off. (It’s the friendly version of getting honked at by the driver behind you.)
- Lane departure warning system to help drivers avoid drifting into another lane.
And, if that’s not nifty enough, the Thinkware U1000 also warns you about upcoming red lights so you don’t run through them. It will even give you a heads up about speed cameras lurking in the distance.
Average specs
The 150° front and 156° rear viewing angles on this camera aren’t bad, but they’re also not the widest you can find on the market.
The same goes for the Thinkware U1000’s temperature tolerance. It can be stored in temps up to 158°F, but it has to cool down to 140°F before it operates. If you live in a hot climate, this could be a dealbreaker.
Thinkware U1000 accessories
The Thinkware U1000 is a high-quality dash camera by itself, but these accessories can boost it even more.
- Up to 128 GB microSD card (about $22 on Amazon) for additional clip storage. The Thinkware U1000 dual dash cam comes with a 32 GB card, but some users have found this to be insufficient; 4K UHD video files are quite large.
- Thinkware U1000 Radar Accessory (about $90 on Amazon) for enhanced protection in parking mode. This device detects “car-sized” motion and signals the dash cam to turn on and start recording, thus conserving its energy and allowing it to remain in parking mode for a longer time. Unfortunately, it’s incompatible with the mobile app.
- The Thinkware iVolt Mini External Dash Cam Battery (about $210 on Amazon) allows both front and rear cameras to stay in parking mode for 16 hours. It fully recharges in 45 minutes once the car’s ignition turns on.
The Thinkware U1000 is the only dash cam on our list with lane assist and other advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) alerts.
The Thinkware Cloud app doesn’t deliver
A smartphone app called Thinkware Cloud acts like your LCD screen on this screenless dash cam, allowing you to review video clips, create geofence alerts, change settings, and even remotely view the cam’s live feed.
There’s one major catch: you can’t view the live feed when the camera is parked. In fact, connecting the radar accessory disables all of the app’s functions. Huh?
The dash cam also has to connect to your phone’s Wi-Fi signal (or hotspot connection) to send notifications to your phone. That means you’ll only get notifications if you’re near the car, and that isn’t convenient at all. Surely a cellular connection makes more sense.
We’re not the only ones scratching our heads. Thinkware Cloud has received just 1.8 out of 5 stars on the Apple App Store and 2.5 stars on the Google Play store.*
*Ratings as of 6/24/2021
3. BlackVue DR900X-2CH: Best for LTE connection
*Amazon.com price as of 6/28/2021 at 7:30 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
We’re impressed by the BlackVue DR900X-2CH’s features, but we can’t get past its high price tag, which reaches around $1,000 once you factor in the price of its accessories. Plus, the BlackVue dash cam has only the second-widest viewing angle and second-best temperature tolerance of the cams on our list. But if cost isn’t a dealbreaker, you’ll love the BlackVue’s 4K video, LTE connectivity option, and two-way voice communication.
Front cam records in 4K Automatic ignition recording Built-in GPS logger and tracker G-sensor Optional 4G LTE connectivity
No LCD screen Expensive cam and battery packsThe BlackVue dash cam talks to you
We love that the BlackVue talks to you if there’s an issue while you’re driving, which is much safer than a push notification when you’re on the road.
The BlackVue also provides voice alerts if an incident was recorded in parking mode and uses audio to confirm a change in settings (such as turning Wi-Fi on or off).
Optional BlackVue dash cam accessories
If you thought $459.99 got you the whole kit and caboodle, think again. You’ll need to shell out some more cash if you want additional functionality:
- The BlackVue External 4G LTE Module (about $150 on Amazon) lets you use cellular data vs. Wi-Fi to download clips to the BlackVue Cloud app. You’ll need a nano SIM card and a cellular data plan from T-Mobile or another compatible carrier.
- The BlackVue B-112 Power Magic Battery Pack (about $159 on Amazon) allows the dash cam to operate in parking mode without draining your car battery.
- The BlackVue Power Magic Ultra Battery B-124X (about $330 on Amazon) is a fancier version of the B-112. It charges in 40 minutes when the ignition is on and provides power in parking mode for 24 hours.
- The BlackVue B124E Battery Expansion (about $270 on Amazon) attaches to either the B112 or the B124X to provide up to 56 hours of parking-mode power. It charges in 60 minutes when the ignition is on.
- The BlackVue BTC-1C Tamper-Proof Case (about $40 on Amazon) stops cords from being unplugged and the microSD card from being removed.
If you’ve got the necessary moola and like the BlackVue’s features, you’re in for a treat. If not, don’t panic; there are more affordable dash cams on our list.
The BlackVue DR900X-2CH is the only dash cam on our list that offers live GPS tracking in addition to logging GPS coordinates when recording.
BlackVue app is just average
The BlackVue Cloud app provides two-way voice communication, live GPS tracking, push notifications, and up to 5 GB of cloud storage for free. Upgrade to the Smart Plan ($11.99 per month) to view historic GPS data, or subscribe to the Fleet Plan ($24.99 per month) to receive email notifications and set up geofence alerts.
Given the price of the BlackVue, we hoped this app would outperform our expectations. But we found that BlackVue users have the same complaints as everyone else: the app and camera don’t like talking to each other.
BlackVue has 1.9 out of 5 stars on the Apple App Store and 2.9 stars on the Google Play store.*
*Ratings as of 6/21/2021
4. Nextbase 522GW: Best for SOS response
The Nextbase 522GW dash cam doubles as an Amazon Alexa smart speaker for your car and will even dial 911 in the event of a crash. That’s its saving grace because it doesn’t have the most impressive specs.
The Nextbase 522GW only operates in temperatures up to 113°F, which makes it pretty useless in a parking lot on a hot day. Nextbase doesn’t even recommend storing it long-term in temperatures over 77°F.2 Its viewing angle is just 140°, and if you want a rear dash cam, you’ll need to purchase it separately for about $99.99.
Built-in SOS response Works with Amazon Alexa Bluetooth connectivity
Rear cam sold separately Poor temperature tolerance Relatively narrow viewing angleIf you don’t have a super modern car with Alexa already built in, it’s tempting to grab the Nextbase 522GW for that feature alone. But honestly, if you just want a voice assistant for your car, you might be happier with a separate gadget like the ROAV Viva Car Charger and a better-quality dash cam.
The Nextbase 522GW is the only dash cam on our list that doubles as Amazon Alexa.
Stand-out feature: SOS response
Despite its flaws, the Nextbase 522GW has a stand-out feature we couldn’t find on any other dash cam: emergency SOS response. If this device detects an accident, it automatically dials 911 and shares your GPS location, medical information, vehicle information, and phone number.
The SOS feature only works if you download the MyNextbase Connect mobile app from the Google Play store or Apple App Store and fill in the emergency SOS section. You must also have Bluetooth turned on and have an internet connection at the time of the accident. If everything works as it should, this little cam could save your life by immediately dispatching first responders.
Nextbase 522GW accessories
Unlike most of the other cameras we considered, the Nextbase 522GW doesn’t require umpteen accessories for full functionality, which makes the overall price more palatable.
It’s also easy to use this dash cam in multiple vehicles with a couple extras:
- Install the Nextbase Click&Go Mount (around $30 on Amazon) into each of your cars and only worry about moving the camera around.
- Use the Nextbase Carry Case (around $25 on Amazon) to safely store your dash cam in your purse or pocket when it’s too hot to leave it in the car or when transporting it between vehicles.
MyNextbase Connect app uses Bluetooth
Nextbase has tried to solve the Wi-Fi connectivity problem plaguing the entire dash cam industry by allowing its cameras to sync with your smartphone via Bluetooth.
But users have still rated MyNextbase Connect with an onslaught of 1-star reviews, resulting in a total of 1.8 out of 5 stars on Google Play and 2.9 stars on the Apple App Store. You guessed it: connectivity is the main concern.*
We’re not mad. We’re just disappointed.
*Ratings as of 6/24/2021
5. Apeman C770: Best for backup cam
We really like the simplicity of the Apeman C770. There are no extra accessories to buy besides a microSD card up to 128 GB, making it a truly affordable choice. Our favorite feature is the data overlay: Each video shows the date and time of the recording, plus your speed, direction, and GPS coordinates. We also like that the rear cam doubles as a backup camera.
Front and rear dash cams Removable GPS logger Rear cam doubles as a back-up cam
Night vision could be betterThe Apeman C770 ties with our top pick for the widest viewing angle on our list (170°) but falls short on temperature tolerance. If single-digit winters are typical in your area, you’ll want to choose a different camera; this one goes kaput below 14°F. You also wouldn’t want to leave it in your car on a 100°F day because it only stands up to 140°F.
We like that the Apeman offers numerous settings that you can adjust directly on the camera thanks to its LCD touch screen. We noticed that you can turn loop recording off with this dash cam, whereas most simply let you adjust the length of each loop/video clip.
Both cameras record in 1080p at 30 fps, but you can also have the front camera record in 2160p at 30 fps. If video quality is really important to you, we recommend looking at other 4K cameras like the Thinkware or BlackVue. The Apeman looks “good but not great,” especially at night. But it gets the job done and the quality seems fair for the price.
The Apeman C770 is the only dash cam on our list with a rear cam that can be used as a backup camera.
Impractical Wi-Fi connection requirements
Apeman recommends using a Wi-Fi connection located no more than 5 meters (about 16 feet) away from the dash cam. For most people, that would require parking in the driveway to download videos. You could also use your phone as a hotspot, but we all know that eats up a lot of data.
Impractical? Yes. Effective? Maybe. The Apeman app has 1.7 stars out of 5 on the Google Play store and 1.9 stars on the Apple App Store.* Most people complain that they can’t download their videos via the app. It’s unclear how many are within 16 feet of a Wi-Fi connection, but those reviews show that this really isn’t a convenient set up.
Since no dash cam company seems to have nailed the mobile download procedure, we’ll cut them a little slack.
*Ratings as of 6/24/2021
More brands we considered
Check out a few other dash cams that didn’t quite make the cut for our top five.
VAVA: Budget pick
Coming in at around $130, the VAVA is one of the most affordable dual dash cams on the market. There’s plenty to like about the VAVA:
- Automatic ignition recording
- G-Sensor
- GPS logger
- Lithium polymer battery
- Night vision
- 155° viewing angle in front camera and 126° in rear camera
- 14°F to 158°F operating temperature (depending on power source)
- Full HD video recording in 1920x1080p or 2560x1440p at 30 fps
We also like that the front camera swivels on the mount and that it comes with an SD card. But it didn’t make our top five because it has no stand-out features and we found too many user complaints about recording failures.
If you’re on the fence about getting a dual dash cam, the VAVA is a great one to try. If you end up wanting more features, you’ll need to upgrade to a brand like BlackVue, Thinkware, or Nextbase.
Z-Edge Z3: Best suction mount
The Z-Edge Z3 sells for around $140 but lacks GPS and Wi-Fi. That was enough to bump it out of the running for the top five best dash cams, but the Z-Edge Z3 does have some competitive specs:
- Automatic ignition recording
- G-Sensor
- LCD screen
- Night vision
- 155° viewing angle
- 14 to 140°F operating temperature
- Full HD video recording in 1920x1080p or 2560x1440p at 30 fps
The Z-Edge Z3 also comes straight out of the box with a suction mount. If you live in a hot climate where glue might melt off your windshield, consider a suction-mounted dash cam like the Z-Edge Z3.
Garmin Dash Cams: Best compact cam
In addition to the usual features like a GPS logger and G-sensor, the ultra-tiny Garmin Dash Cams offer voice control, lane departure warnings, and even alerts drivers to upcoming red light cams. Some models also have 180° wide-angle lenses.
But Garmin dash cams ended up on our “honorable mention” list due to some concerns about temperature tolerance. The manual states it can operate in temperatures between -4° to 131°F, but multiple users report overheating issues with typical use. Updating the firmware to version 7.50 helps in most cases. If you’re willing to take a bit of a gamble for about $260, Garmin offers feature-packed and unobtrusive dash cams.
Final word
It’s hard to find a dash cam that does it all. But we feel confident in recommending the Rexing V1P as a basic dash cam that doesn’t need to be coddled in extreme weather.
You can always supplement it with a separate GPS vehicle tracker, aftermarket car alarm, or gadget like the Vivint Car Guard to build out your car’s safety and monitoring features.
If we had a nice chunk of change to spend, we’d prefer the Thinkware U1000 because the driver assistance adds an extra layer of road safety.
How we reviewed the best dash cams
We researched dash cams with specific features:
- Both front and rear cameras (also called dual dash cams)
- Automatic ignition recording
- A G-force sensor (also called a G-sensor) to monitor the car when it’s parked
- Recordings aren’t overwritten when G-sensor is activated
- Night vision cameras
From this pool of similarities, we then sorted out the differences: built-in GPS tracker, temperature sensitivity, geofencing, viewing angle, etc. We read hundreds of online reviews to find consistent praise and criticism of each camera. Our final ranking was also influenced by cost: were the camera’s features really worth the retail price?
You can read more about our approach to product reviews on our methodology page.
FAQ
Our dash cam budget pick is the VAVA, but the Apeman C770 and Z-Edge Z3 are about $10 more.
It depends. Dash cams are worth it if you’re at high risk of vehicle damage based on how much time you spend on the road and where you park your car (street versus garage, for example). If there’s an incident, dash cams help you (and your insurance provider) see what happened.
They may even provide enough video evidence for authorities to ID whoever scraped your car, tried to break in, or scurried away from a fender-bender.
If you live in a country like the UK, you might get a car insurance discount for installing a dash cam. We’re not currently aware of any dash cam insurance discounts in the US.
Despite the name “dashboard camera,” dash cams should be placed in the top center of the windshield, not on the dashboard. This usually means the camera will be mounted just behind or below the rearview mirror. The best rear dash cam placement is in the top center of the rear windshield.
Other than that, it all comes down to personal preference. Maybe you don’t want an LCD screen so you don’t get distracted. Maybe you’d rather download video clips through an app instead of using an SD card. There are no right or wrong answers here.
Related articles on SafeWise
Sources
- Leslie Minton, Arizona State University, “Study: Hot Cars Can Hit Deadly Temperatures in as Little as One Hour,” May 2018. Accessed June 24, 2021.
- Nextbase Dash Cams, “522GW User Manual.” Accessed June 24, 2021.
*Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
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