Dash cam buying guide: what to look for
Resolution, night video, parking mode, storage and heat resistance explained, plus the legal points to check.
A dash cam records the road ahead and can help with insurance claims and disputes. Cheap models are easy to find, but the details below decide whether the footage is actually useful.
Resolution and sensor quality
1080p is enough for most drivers. Higher resolutions such as 2K or 4K can help read number plates, but the image sensor, lens and processing matter more than the headline number. Look for sample footage in reviews, ideally recorded at night.
Night video
Look for a sensor designed for low light, a wide aperture and HDR or WDR processing, which help with headlights and shadows. Reviews with night samples are worth more than specifications.
Field of view
A field of view of roughly 130 to 160 degrees captures neighbouring lanes. Much wider lenses distort the picture at the edges and make distant plates smaller.
Loop recording and G-sensor
Loop recording overwrites the oldest clips when the card is full. A G-sensor locks the current clip when it senses an impact so that it is not overwritten. Both are standard and should be listed.
Parking mode
Parking mode records while the car is off, but it needs a hardwire kit or a separate battery pack. A hardwire kit should have a low-voltage cut-off so that it cannot drain the car battery.
Storage
Dash cams write constantly, so use a high-endurance microSD card of the size and speed recommended by the maker. Reformat the card from time to time and replace it if you start to see recording errors.
Heat resistance
Cars get very hot in summer. Models with a supercapacitor instead of a lithium battery usually cope with heat better and are the safer choice in hot climates.
Mounting and extras
Adhesive mounts are more stable than suction cups. A rear camera adds coverage if you want to record both directions. Wi-Fi and an app make it easier to copy clips to your phone.
Check the law
Rules about recording video in public, where you may mount a camera on the windscreen and how footage may be shared differ between countries and regions. Check the rules where you drive.
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