For all these reasons and more, it can be helpful to have a dash cam as your second pair of eyes on the road.Because it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to buying a dash cam, we’ve put together this handy guide. This oddly named car dashcam covers all the basics and is our pick for best dashcam option under $50. Essentially by recording over old footage. This can be helpful in recording conversations during traffic stops, audio happening around the car, and so on. Of course, there are trade-offs to that. Bear in mind that this mode will require hard-wiring the unit into the vehicle's power supply, however, as is the case with most cameras featured on this list, rather than simply using a standard 12V lighter adaptor.An on-board GPS tracker, as well as speed and upcoming red traffic signal warnings make this a very accomplished piece of kit.Those doing high mileage on a regular basis, braving all conditions and types of roads, will likely want to part with a little extra for their dash cam. For anyone that's dealt with the immense headaches of navigating the legal system after an accident where fault is at issue, the value of a dash cam is self-evident. Although not for everyone, this sort of functionality is perfect for professional drivers who may or may not want to relive any incidents that occur late on a Friday night. These use a time-lapse feature as a surveillance function to capture details of those irksome car park prangs when you're off running errands.Whenever we get a new dash cam review in, we'll update this list with more of the best we've tested.

Some, however, instead go for an adhesive mount that actually sticks to the dash or windshield. That’s perfect for things like sports capture, but we don’t think it’s really a necessary feature for dash cams. The Safeel Zero+ has all the features you need to record while driving or parked. We filtered out the overpriced dross and selected the very best cams available for a variety of needs and use cases.For those looking to purchase their first dash cam, the Safeel Zero+ has all the features you need to record while driving or parked at a price point that will fit just about any budget.
The system also has a built-in microphone to record audio from the car’s interior. Adding an extra camera sensor to the device definitely adds to the overall cost of the dash cam, especially if you’re going for relatively high-quality camera sensors in the first place.While some dash cams connect to your phone to provide monitoring and control over the camera’s settings, others might have a built-in display. There are very few dash cams that don't automatically record and save footage when a built-in G-sensor detects and accident and that's exactly what Garmin has implemented here too.On top of this, users can operate the 66W using voice commands, such as 'OK, Garmin, save video' and 'take a picture,' but we found this system a little clunky when out on the noisy motorway.Footage is largely excellent and performance in low-light situations is very good but arguably its greatest appeal is the neat and tidy package. The front camera is quite a bit bulkier than many rivals on this list, but it features a built-in GPS module, something that many other brands offer as an optional extra. However, it’s otherwise a top contender for its intuitive design, innovative features, and compatibility with rear cameras.For a great all-around balance of features and performance at a reasonable price, the THiEYE Safeel Zero+ is a fantastic option. Some dash cams will also start recording automatically if they detect an incident, while others come with smart features, such as Alexa support for handsfree voice control and Wi-Fi for easier sharing of footage.Improving video resolution is the biggest breakthrough of late, with many of the biggest names now offering 4K video recording. While some cameras only have a narrow field-of-view, others are specifically designed to have wide fields-of-view that allow for the user to see a lot more at any given moment. Its most advanced offerings have features like Alexa Auto integration, emergency SOS, auto-sync, and intelligent parking mode.Founded in 2016, Owlcam makes the first-ever security camera designed specifically for vehicles. On this subject, the maximum card size is just 32GB here, which means it will quickly fill up if multiple full HD clips (the file sizes are large) are saved to the device.That said, the footage is of very good quality, with WDR abilities making even low light image capture a suit above some more expensive rivals. The dashcam records in full 1080p HD with a 170-degree wide angle lens. And they're affordable, too—the company's best-selling Z-Edge Z3 can be found for under $100.Simply put, there's more to keep top-of-mind when buying a new dash cam than you probably originally thought, but hopefully, now that you understand all the different options, buying one will be a little easier.If you’re more confused than ever, we have a few pointers.