Best Dash Cam Consumer Reports & Reviews 2022

If you are searching for the best dash cam according to consumer reports in 2022 then this post is for you.

Having a dash cam installed in my car never crossed my mind unless I got wrongly involved in an accident.

The tiny thing installed in my car could have saved me from the penalty. But, most of us around don’t use one, and I too didn’t have any idea how useful digital eyes can be.

A dash cam is a video camera installed on your car’s dashboard or near the windscreen.

It records everything when you turn on your car and move. Digital sensors in the dash cams help it to start recording videos at the time of you turning on your car and turning off or stopping.

Don’t worry, from turning on to off, it would not overwrite any videos but records and help you view them.

For me, a dash cam was for security and safety purposes, because if you are involved in an accident, the real happenings could be recorded and presented before the court.

You can do it for fun too like if you are a Vlogger and want your audience to experience the journey are going through. But mostly around the world, the Dash cams are used for security purposes.

If you too are looking for the best dash cams and finding it hard to pick one due to the number of cams available, let me help you.

In this post, I reviewed the best dash cams as per consumer reports available in the market, after thorough testing of dozens of options. So Without further ado let’s get started.

7 Best Dash Cam Consumer Reports

I have compiled a list of the 7 best dash cams based on consumer reports 2022.

1. Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam

Price at Amazon!

Features at a glance
  • 4k recording at 30fps
  • What3words integration
  • Image stabilization integrated
  • Parking mode

If you are looking for a modern design, and modern features integrating a dash cam for your vehicle, don’t overlook Nextbase designed 622GW dash cam. It is a video camera plus a GPS, two different devices encapsulates in one frame.

It is a 2.7 inches a high definition camera that helps you record audio and video and even allows you to take pictures when filming is in progress.

It is a simple but reliable dash cam that comes from one of the pioneers of the dash cam industry around the globe; Nextbase. The camera comes features with many top-of-the-line features such as motion detection.

Motion detects features to turn on recording when detects motion around the vehicle. So that if someone is there for the stealing, the camera could record the video, or if someone hits your car in the parking, the recording could help you find the vehicle.

The dash cam you can connect to your rear cam too. It recodes videos up to 4k resolution quality at 30 fps to capture the tiniest and finest details to produce stunning visuals. You can change the picture quality or recording quality as per your needs.

The Dashcam comes featured with what3words, this feature provides the precise location of your vehicle even when your dash cam is turned off, or offline. This feature helps you make calls when you are offline or run out of data.

It has a GPU receiver that allows you to record the location, speed, and many other finer details. This GPU receiver also maps your journey on Google maps and allows you to share the footage with your friends or insurance company in the vent of an accident or theft.

The Dashcam comes with a magnetic mount. The magnetic mount securely attaches to your windscreen without obscuring your view. In other words, you would not be worried about the dash cam falling off, or obscuring your view.

Not just the quality of capturing videos but the construction of the cam itself amazed me. And I can securely say this is one of the best dash cams you can get hands on for the purpose.

Pros

  • Records in FHD 60 frames per seconds
  • The LCD screen supports 4k resolution viewing
  • GPS receivers help in emergency calling when you are offline
  • GPS helps in recording location and mapping the journey on Google map

Cons

  • Big and bulky

2. Nextbase 522GW

Price at Amazon!

Features at a glance
  • Emergency SOS service
  • Captures 1440p resolution videos
  • 7 inches LCD screen
  • The screen shows updates and icons

I try not to include multiple products of a single brand unless there is something an extraordinary brand has to offer.

And Nextbase seems leading from the front in the dash cam world. Its 622WG, as well as 522GW both, are the finest dash cams you can get your hands on.

The stand-apart and most prominent aspect of this dash cam are its emergency SOS. In event of an accident or emergency, the SOS emergency system calls the emergency services and sends them your location, and many other helpful details like medical history, blood type, etc.

The dash cam captures the highest quality videos. It can 4k videos as well as 1440p videos to help you view everything in the finest and clearer details.

Plus, it comes with a 32GB U3 ultra high-speed card with a micro SD card adaptor to help you store videos and transfer them to your computer.

It comes with 2.7 inches LCD touchscreen that enables you to navigate through multiple things in one go.

The small-sized LCD screen can be fitted in the windscreen of the car, or windshield and without blocking your view stays there to record everything in the finest details.

The display screen comes with multiple icons and updates. It shows you the time, date, and location and allows you to check video footage and transfer it to your computer for playback.

It comes with Bluetooth as well as WI-FI functionality. Both of the features help you sync your dash cam with your smartphone as well as tablet.

You can view the low-quality video on spot on your dash cam, and keep them to view on your laptop or computer or delete them on spot.

More than anything, it comes with night vision features that help you view the video in the finest details even at the night.

Pros

  • Records videos 1440pixels resolution
  • Automatic sync to your Bluetooth and WI-FI
  • The tiny 2.7 inches screen doesn’t block your view
  • 32GB SD Card reader

Cons

  • Poor user manual, hard to follow

3. Garmin Dash Cam 67W

Price at Amazon!

Features at a glance
  • 180-degree Lens supported
  • Records 1440p records videos
  • Voice command support
  • Small pocket-sized camera

If you are looking for a useful camera that records everything from your vehicle’s windscreen or windshield, go with Garmin dash cam 67W.

The dash cam comes with mind-boggling features that keep track of everything around your car even when you are not there.

The stand-apart feature of this dash cam is its parking guard feature. This feature turns on when detecting motion around, and if someone hits your car, it sends alerts on your phone. Yes, for that you should install the Garmin application on your phone, with WI-FI connectivity.

The Garmin dash cam captures 1440 FHD videos in days and even at the night. The camera comes integrated with a 180-degree lens that captures everything around you, and Garmin HDR optics help you view everything crystal clear.

Another amazing feature you would love to see in your dash cam is its voice commands. Yes, it supports voice commands and helps you control the dash cam through your voice.

It also supports WI-FI connectivity and helps you to give remote access to the camera for live viewing if you want.

It is a pocket-sized camera that records videos automatically with time and date stamps so that the details could help you in court. Plus, it automatically saves videos and syncs them to your laptop or cloud.

In my view, if you look at the size, as well as the amazing features the dash cam comes with integrated, I can securely call it one of the finest dash cam around.

Pros

  • Small pocket-sized camera
  • 180-Degree Lens records 1440 pixels videos at HD Optics
  • Supports voice commands
  • Allows you to give remote access to live camera

Cons

  • The WI-FI doesn’t connect to Public WI-FI

4. THINKWARE U1000 Dual Dash Cam

Price at Amazon!

Features at a glance
  • Records up to 1440p resolution
  • 16GB SD card
  • Improved video quality at night
  • Remote live access feature

If you are on a budget and looking for an affordable yet efficient dash cam that helps you record videos at the highest quality without breaking your bank, get a hands-on THINKWARE-designed U100 dash cam.

The dash cam is simple to use, and install and unlike many expensive dash cams comes integrated with only the required features to capture the videos, with no extra nuts and bolts.

The dash cam comes powered by a 16GB SD Card that helps you record up to 5 hours of recording. So, enable the recording only when it is important, or lower the video quality to get the recording hours expanded.

It comes with a suction cup that allows you to easier attach it to the windshield. Or you can use an adhesive material to mount the camera on the windshield directly without using the suction cup.

The device comes with three buttons on the side with one for turning it off and on. You can turn off the display anytime if you don’t like viewing, other buttons make it helpful for you to get the right angle for filming whatever you want.

Despite its low price range, the model is not going to disappoint you even when the video capturing quality is concerned. It captures videos at 1080p and produces clearer, sharper, and error-free images inside and outside of the car.

Just like our above reviewed expensive model, this too comes with a remote live view feature. That makes the camera accessible remotely, to view live. And driving impact notification sends an alert when someone hits your car parked.

Pros

  • Affordable price range
  • Captures videos at up to 1440p resolution
  • Suction-ups make it easier for installation
  • 16GB SD Card with anti-corruption file technology

Cons

  • Only 16GB SD Card reader

5. Vantrue N2 Pro

Price at Amazon!

Features at a glance
  • Dual cameras installed
  • 310-Degree coverage
  • 170-Degree field of view
  • Infrared sensors integrated

Venture Pro N2 is another great camera that comes with all bells and whistles you can ask for in a dash camera. The front-facing camera comes with a 2.5k pixels resolution at a 170-degree field of view.

With this camera installed on your windshield, you will be able to record every event your vehicle comes across on your journey.

Its cabin-facing camera records at 1080p resolution with a 140-degree field of view. Well, regular users might not use the cabin-facing camera, but if you are a rideshare driver, you might have to get the all benefits of using the cabin-facing camera too. In this way, you will be able to record every photo or video proof of rough and rowdy guests.

The camera also comes with a microphone installed that means, if there is any accident event, the audio too could be recorded for proof.

The dash cam comes with nearly 310-degree coverage around your vehicle which means, nothing hides from the digital eyes of the camera.

The rear-facing camera comes featured with infrared sensors, to help you record even in the darkness.

The only downside of the camera is its price range. I recommend the camera only if you need a cabin-facing camera because for professional drivers it is important.

And the unit itself is pretty bulky, it is a larger unit, and if you prefer larger units over smaller units, definitely the right option to get hands-on.

Pros

  • Dual cameras, front-facing, and rear-facing
  • 310-Degree coverage around the vehicle
  • The front-facing camera comes with a 2.5k resolution
  • The rear-facing camera comes with an infrared feature

Cons

  • Higher price range

6. Garmin Dash Cam Tandem

Price at Amazon!

Features at a glance
  • Voice command support
  • Built-in GPS
  • Two cameras; front and rear-facing
  • Minimal footprints

Garmin is known for producing quality dash cam and its Tandem version provides you around a 180-degree field of view, with almost no distortion.

I am particularly impressed with the level of quality of the camera, along with the performance of the cab-facing camera.

The exterior camera comes with 1440p resolution in daylight and 720p resolution at night. In the same way, the cam-facing camera offers 720p resolution across the board.

Yes, the dash cam designed by Garmin comes with voice command support too.

One more thing that grabbed my eyeballs is its minimal footprints. For those who like to have small compact and almost negligible-looking dash cameras, this is the right option to get hands-on. Plus, it is user-friendly, the interface of the device is rather minimal and less intuitive

It also comes with a GPU, the GPU automatically captures the location where the event happened with the stamp of date and time along with the location.

It also supports a mobile phone application, you can sync the camera with your phone, and view the videos on your phone.

Pros

  • User-friendly interface
  • Front facing camera offers 1440p resolution
  • Garmin voice command support
  • Built-in GPS

Cons

  • No screen integrated

7. BlackVue DR900X-2CH

Price at Amazon!

Features at a glance
  • 2 Front and rear-facing cameras up to 4k resolution
  • Parking mode enabled
  • Built-in microphone and speakers to record audio
  • The front camera covers a 162-degree view angle

The DR900X-2CH is another great dashcam to help you enjoy the full coverage. It comes with two cameras; front and rear-facing to provide almost 360-degree coverage.

The thing I particularly liked about this dashcam is its slim design, it shares a cylindrical shape and the overall footprints too would not block your view.

The dashcam comes with 2 cameras front and rear facing. The front-facing camera uses an 8MP CMOS sensor and captures videos at 4K resolution at 30-frames per second. The ultra-high definition is important for seeing fine details like number plates and clearer face pictures.

The rear camera uses a 2.1 MP STARVIS sensor to capture videos at FHD quality and shares a view angle of 139 degrees.

One of the biggest issues drivers face when using the dash cam is the storage. The dashcam usually comes with a relatively lesser 16-32GB of storage.

If you capture videos at 4K resolution, it would not be able to store for more than 5 hours. But with this model, it comes with HEVC/265 cording to help you store videos as much as like FHD quality.

Don’t forget that this dashcam too like any premium ranged camera comes with a remote live view Feature. You can remotely access the camera, and view lives, plus the push notification alerts you of any accident event or someone hitting you when parked.

The DR900X dashcam can be hardwired to the fuse of the vehicles. In that way, you can use the parking mode of the dashcam and it automatically turns off with your vehicle’s turned off.

In total, I can safely say this DR900X dashcam too makes an ideal contender and helps you record any event your vehicle come across to.

Pros

  • Front facing cam records at 4k resolution using an 8MP camera
  • Remote live access feature
  • Push notification alerts to notify events
  • Parking mode switched on with the vehicle turned off

Cons

  • The SD card capacity is not that large

Consumer Reports Dash Cam Buying Guide

The trend of using dashcam is taking an upward trajectory in the USA and around the globe. They make a great gift for drivers and help them deal with the bad phase with something video proof.

But what makes these dash cams stand out? In this buying guide, we are going to pay special attention to this particular aspect, stay tuned.

Video quality

It is the video that you will be presenting before the court. What if the video captured of the accident is blurry with a blurry face and no clearer view of the number plate?

So, the most important and special attention aspect when buying a dashcam is the picture quality. Go with a video camera that offers at least 1080p minimum video capturing and viewing angle of at least 170-degree.

Keep in mind, that if the video camera does not support night vision with no infrared sensors integrated, you can’t see clearer pictures in the dark. So, the cam should be able to capture clearer images at utmost clarity during the day as well as at the night.

Ease of use

Another important attribute of a good dashcam is its ease of use. Yes, the cam should be good enough to come with easy to a user interface, and easily turn on and off when necessary.

I love GPS capabilities in a dashcam. GPS capabilities are becoming more and more popular, as they allow drivers to share their location with someone they love, or if there is an accident or emergency police could find you.

Plus, when claiming insurance, the location of the accident is submitted as proof, and it can build a strong case.

Lens

Viewing angle too is important as it covers the area and helps in recording the clearer and wider picture. You need to buy a dashcam that comes with a wider lens. Most of the dashcams you see come with two video cameras, check their total coverage, it should be nearer to 360-degree to help record everything around your vehicle.

Storage

Storage is one of the biggest issues drivers and owners have to face. You can buy a good video camera with the highest pixel resolution and clarity, the higher the picture resolution, the more storage it will take. A 4K resolution video camera can for recording 5 hours, and can easily take up to 16GB of storage, and that’s the entire storage an average dash cam comes with.

So, go with a dashcam that comes with at least a 32GB SD card and a higher SD card support of up to 256GB. So, that you never run out of storage, and keep the records.

Parking Mode:

Parking mode is one of my favorite features that help me learn about the events when I was out of the car, and it was parked.

This feature turns on with your car turned off. And from that point, it turns on and starts recording video with every motion around your car.

And if there is a hit, it sends alerts or notifications to your phone or email to help you learn about recent events. Plus, it records that event too, so that you could easily learn what had happened.

Wrap Up

In this long guide, we helped you through picking the right dash cam. We recommended some of the top products available online, as well as make you learn the important things to consider before buying one for you.

To this point, we can safely say that you know enough about dashcams, and can easily buy one for you.

Keep in mind, that it is you who needs to decide on the right product for you. We can mention the pros and cons of any product but is you who knows your needs, and personal preferences, and keeping everything into account, decide the product that falls right on your needs.

FAQs

Why do you need a Dash Camera?

Dash cams come with more than one benefit, they can help you prove in court that you were not at fault when in an accident. And if someone is imposing accusations, by providing the recorded videos you can get protected from those false claims.

And in case of any stealing, you can easily get the captures of the person breaking into your car. Plus, if someone hits you in the parking, you can easily spot the number plate and can get to the person.

What should be the minimum storage for a dashcam?

I recommend at least 32GB of SD cards if you have a 4k resolution dashcam installed in your car. Because, 4k video capturing for up to 5 hours can easily take up to 16GB of space, and after that, you will have to transfer those recordings on the cloud or your personal computer.

Plus, the dashcam should come with the option to expand the storage and support at least 2556GB of storage.

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