Best dash cams (2026)

A dash cam keeps a video record of the road, useful after a collision, a hit-and-run or an insurance dispute. This page compares front-only, front and rear, and three-channel cameras on resolution, GPS and parking mode. Specs are from the makers' pages or their dealers, read on the date in each card's notes; we haven't used these ourselves.

By Tom Calder · Updated November 9, 2026 · 7 products, all price-tracked

Our picks

Best front and rear dash cam 4.6

Two cameras

Photo: Amazon

VIOFO A229 Pro 2CH

2 (front + rear) · 4K front / 2K rear · Buffered parking mode with the HK4 hardwire kit or a battery pack (sold separately) · Built in

Front and rear recording with the best detail

Researched

$279.99 at Amazon

as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details

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.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

In stock

Check price →

Best front dash cam 4.4

Small and simple

Photo: Amazon

VIOFO A119 Mini 2

1 (front only) · 2K (1440p) at 60fps · Parking mode needs the HK4 hardwire kit (sold separately) · Built in

A small, discreet front camera

Researched

$119.98 at Amazon

as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details

In stock

Check price →

Best dash cam with a cabin camera 4.4

For passengers and rideshare

Photo: Amazon

Vantrue N4 Pro S

3 (front, cabin, rear) · 4K front / 1080p cabin / 2.5K rear · 24/7 parking mode needs a hardwire kit (sold separately) · Built in

Rideshare drivers and families who want the cabin recorded

Researched

$359.99 at Amazon

as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details

In stock

Check price →

All 7 compared

Show

Dash cam	Cameras	Video	Parking mode	GPS	Price
1. VIOFO A229 Pro 4K + 2K Front and Rear Dash Cam (2-channel) Best front and rear dash cam 2 (front + rear) · 4K front / 2K rear · Buffered parking mode with the HK4 hardwire kit or a battery pack (sold separately) · Built in Front and rear recording with the best detail 4.6	2 (front + rear)	4K front / 2K rear	Buffered parking mode with the HK4 hardwire kit or a battery pack (sold separately)	Built in	$279.99 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details 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.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched 4K front and 2K rear on Sony STARVIS 2 sensors, GPS built in and a supercapacitor instead of a battery, which copes better with a hot car. Parking recording needs the hardwire kit or a battery pack. Best for Front and rear recording with the best detail Good 4K front, 2K rear GPS built in Supercapacitor, no battery Worth knowing microSD card not included Parking recording needs a hardwire kit or battery pack Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you only want a front camera: the A119 Mini 2 is smaller.
2. VIOFO A119 Mini 2 2K Front Dash Cam Best front dash cam 1 (front only) · 2K (1440p) at 60fps · Parking mode needs the HK4 hardwire kit (sold separately) · Built in A small, discreet front camera 4.4	1 (front only)	2K (1440p) at 60fps	Parking mode needs the HK4 hardwire kit (sold separately)	Built in	$119.98 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details 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.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A small front-only camera that records 1440p at 60 frames a second, with GPS and a supercapacitor. It can't take a rear camera later. Best for A small, discreet front camera Good Small 1440p at 60fps GPS built in Worth knowing Front only, no rear option Card not included Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you might want a rear camera later.
3. Vantrue N4 Pro S 4K 3-Channel Dash Cam (front, cabin, rear) Best dash cam with a cabin camera 3 (front, cabin, rear) · 4K front / 1080p cabin / 2.5K rear · 24/7 parking mode needs a hardwire kit (sold separately) · Built in Rideshare drivers and families who want the cabin recorded 4.4	3 (front, cabin, rear)	4K front / 1080p cabin / 2.5K rear	24/7 parking mode needs a hardwire kit (sold separately)	Built in	$359.99 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details 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.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched Front, inside and rear cameras: 4K, 1080p and 2.5K, with GPS, a supercapacitor and support for cards up to 1TB. Best for Rideshare drivers and families who want the cabin recorded Good Three cameras 4K front Up to 1TB microSD Worth knowing Parking mode needs a hardwire kit More wiring to fit than a 2-channel Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you never carry passengers: a 2-channel camera covers front and rear.
4. Vantrue N2X 2.7K Front and Cabin Dash Cam 2 (front + cabin) · 2.7K front / 1080p cabin · Needs a hardwire kit (sold separately) · Built in Front and inside view in one unit 4.1	2 (front + cabin)	2.7K front / 1080p cabin	Needs a hardwire kit (sold separately)	Built in	$179.99 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details 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.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched One unit that films the road and the cabin, with infrared night vision inside. It has no rear camera option. Best for Front and inside view in one unit Good Front and cabin in one unit IR night vision for the cabin Supercapacitor Worth knowing No rear camera Parking mode needs a hardwire kit Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the rear covered: pick a 2-channel front and rear.
5. Garmin Dash Cam 67W, 1440p, 180-degree 1 (front) · 1440p, 180° view · Parking Guard alerts with constant power · Built in The widest view, and a name you know 4.1	1 (front)	1440p, 180° view	Parking Guard alerts with constant power	Built in	$149.95 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details 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.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A small front camera with a 180-degree view that takes in both sides of an intersection, 1440p video and GPS. Garmin's Vault cloud storage is a paid extra. Best for The widest view, and a name you know Good 180-degree view Small and discreet GPS Worth knowing Internal battery, not a supercapacitor Vault cloud storage costs extra Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if your car sits in strong sun all day: supercapacitor cameras handle heat better.
6. Rexing V1P 4K Dual Dash Cam, Front and Rear 2 (front + rear) · 4K front / 1080p rear · Needs the smart hardwire kit · Optional (sold separately) A screen on the camera, front and rear 4.0	2 (front + rear)	4K front / 1080p rear	Needs the smart hardwire kit	Optional (sold separately)	$149.99 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details 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.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched 4K front, 1080p rear and a 2.4-inch screen, on a supercapacitor. GPS is an add-on, and parking mode needs the hardwire kit. Best for A screen on the camera, front and rear Good 2.4-inch screen 4K front Supercapacitor Worth knowing GPS costs extra Rear is 1080p Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want GPS speed and location built in: the VIOFO and Vantrue models have it.
7. Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3, 1080p 1 (front) · 1080p, 140° view, 30fps · Parking Guard through the app · Not listed The smallest camera, hidden behind the mirror 3.8	1 (front)	1080p, 140° view, 30fps	Parking Guard through the app	Not listed	$148.99 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details 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.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A car-key-sized 1080p camera that tucks behind the mirror. Fine for a record of what happened, with less detail than the 2K and 4K cameras. Best for The smallest camera, hidden behind the mirror Good Very small (30 g) Voice control Parking Guard alerts Worth knowing 1080p Card not included Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want to read plates at a distance: a 2K or 4K camera does better.

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Before you buy

Most dash cams record only while the car is on unless you add a hardwire kit or battery pack for parking mode; budget for one if you want the car watched while parked. Cards are often sold separately, so buy a high-endurance microSD card the maker supports. If you just want a record of trips and never carry passengers, a front-only camera is simpler to fit.

Before you buy

How many cameras: front-only, front and rear, or front, cabin and rear (good for rideshare drivers).

Resolution: 2K or 4K front cameras show plates and signs more clearly than 1080p.

Supercapacitor or battery

VIOFO, Vantrue and Rexing use supercapacitors, which makers use for hot and cold cars; Garmin's 67W has a small internal battery.

Parking mode: almost always needs a hardwire kit or battery pack, sold separately.

GPS logs speed and location: built into VIOFO, Vantrue and the Garmin 67W; optional on the Rexing.

Fit it where it doesn't block your view, behind the mirror where possible.

How we choose

We verify every product's specifications against at least two independent sources, re-check its US price and stock on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and cross-check safety-relevant claims against official guidance. Every review is labeled Researched or Used and reviewed by us: where we've bought a product, or been sent it free, and used it ourselves, its review says which; where we haven't, our verdict is a considered spec-and-evidence comparison, not a hands-on test. When two products are close, commission can decide which one we pick. A clearly better product always wins. Read our full methodology →

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Common questions

Do dash cams record when the car is off?

Only with parking mode, which on these cameras needs a hardwire kit or battery pack (VIOFO says its parking modes need the HK4 hardwire kit; Garmin's Parking Guard works through its app).

Is 4K worth it?

4K shows more detail, which helps with plates at a distance. A 1440p front camera like the VIOFO A119 Mini 2 is enough for most drivers.

Do I need a rear camera?

Rear-end collisions are where a rear camera pays off. A two-channel camera covers front and rear.

Is a microSD card included?

Often not: VIOFO says its cards are optional, and the Garmin Mini 3 needs a card that isn't included. Rexing's page says its V1P comes with a card, but check the listing.

Sources (3)