Best dash cams 2021: Your second set of eyes on the road – PCWorld

Dash cams are your second set of eyes on todays mean streets. Unlike a passenger, a dash cam is ever alert to whats happening, keeping a record complete with timestamp and GPS coordinates. There are different things to consider when choosing a dash cam, such as whether you want a front, front/interior, or front/rear model. We have reviews of all types. For even more information on what features to look for in dash cam, scroll to our buyers guide beneath our buying recommendations.

You can also save yourself a lot of confusion and aggravation by checking out our instructions on how to install a dash cam.

1. Cobra SC 400D

Our recent review of the Cobra SC 400D left us smitten. Its pricey, yes, but it delivers with stunning images4K for the front, 1080p in the rearday or night, has a crisp 3-inch screen, and can be expanded with a 120-degree FOV cam for the interior.

2. Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam

Not only does the 622GW accept the companys versatile rear view modules, it takes the most realistic, detailed night videos weve ever seenby far. Throw in drive mapping, a wonderful 3-inch display, plus emergency response to accidents, and you have a winner.

3. Viofo A129 Pro Duo

Another of the 4K-front/1080p rear camera setups, the Viofo A129 Pro Duo was the first to win us over to the benefits of 4K. Its been matched in those abilities by newer models, but the A129 comes at a competitive price that cant be ignored.

4. Nextbase 222X Dash Cam Budget option

If you really want to save money, this Walmart-exclusive Nextbase 222X front-and-rear camera duo offers great value. The 1080p/720p video is a compromise, but video quality was good, it has a nice magnetic mount, a clear 2.5 screen, and a battery-supported parking mode.

1. Garmin Dash Cam 57

This small but mighty front dash cam has it all: great 1440p video with a 140-degree field of view; integrated GPS and driving assistance; good phone connectivity; an easy and convenient magnetic mounting system; and the backing of Garmins good name.

2. Thinkware F200 Pro dash cam Budget option

Our budget pick for this category is no slouch. Thinkwares F200 Pro sports a very svelt profile, the better for remaining unobtrusive. Beyond that, its one heck of product, worth the slight premium over rock-bottom budget models.

1. Garmin Dash Cam Tandem

Garmins front/interior camera is easy to install, features a compact body that helps it avoid detection, and has an excellent magnetic mountall useful features that make up for the average 1440p/720p video capture quality.

2. Cobra SC 201 Smart Dash Cam Budget option

Dash cams are all about capturing the action, and few do it better than thefront/interior Cobra SC 201 Smart Dash Cam (currently $179.95 on Amazon). The exterior night video, especially, is unsurpassed in its ability to show details in dark surroundings and it offers a laundry list of features including GPS and cloud uploads. The company even includes a 16GB SD card. Its well worth the money for what you getjust dont try to use the cloud functionality with an older phone OS. Read our full review.

1. Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2

This is the smallest dash cam on the market that we know of. Definitely the top choice for anyone who wants their dash cam to remain discreet. But its small size doesnt mean its lacking in features. Its 1080p front video is good day and night; the cam can be controlled via voice commands or using the paired smartphone app; and its affordable. We can sacrifice the GPS for these perks.

Well step you through what to think about when youre shopping for a dash cam, from video capabilities, recording options, power connections, and more.

Something most people dont consider before they buy is that dash cams connect to a power source in your car via a physical cable. That cable can sometimes be tucked out of the way, but more likely than not youll have loose cable hanging somewhere. You can sometimes fix this with a longer or shorter cable (or a professional installation). Keep that in mind as you consider your power options:

Few people are as well situated geographically as I am to test dash cams. Within two blocks there are major four- and six-lane thoroughfares, numerous bike lanes, joggers, dog walkers, oblivious ear-budded pedestrians, and a major bus nexus serving both public and private coaches. The opportunities for near-accident are endless.

For every dash cam, I mount it in my car, judging the ease and convenience of doing so.Tip:Many dash cams rely on adhesive for mounting to your windshield. Hot conditions can make it next to impossible to remove the film that protects the adhesive. Remove the film in a cool environment, or place it in the fridge for a minute or two before installing it.

I put each dash cam through several days and nights worth of driving,recording video and judging the image quality. All the dash cams Ive reviewed in the last couple of years take good daytime video. However, night video is often plagued by murky shadows and headlight flare. That said, quality is improving rapidly with the introduction of new sensors. Take a close look at the night shots in each review.

I try all the features: Buttons, display controls, apps.Aside from rear-view support and GPS, the most salient differences between the products are the interface controls and extra features, such as the lane departure and collision warnings that you get with some models. I try themand I turn them off. In practice, they usually tell me Im changing lanes, in heavy traffic, or have just been cut off. Additionally, the collision warnings generally come too late to do anything but distract you at exactly the wrong time.

Note that the one thing I cant relate to you is longevity, as my testing occurs over a relatively short amount of time. Please check user reviews on various sights and pay attention to the warranty.

Dash cams have plenty of room to evolve. As nice as dual-channel is, theres talk about true 360-degree video. Check out TechHivesreview of PowerDVD 16s 3D playbackto see how compelling that can be.

Melissa Riofrio spent her formative journalistic years reviewing some of the biggest iron at PCWorld--desktops, laptops, storage, printers--and she continued to focus on hardware testing during stints at Computer Currents and CNET. Currently, in addition to leading PCWorlds content direction, she covers productivity laptops and Chromebooks.

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Best dash cams 2021: Your second set of eyes on the road - PCWorld