Best Front and Rear Dash Cams: Your Second Set of Eyes
Increase your situational awareness with a quality dash cam.

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A reliable dash camera can not only protect you after a crash, but it can also help prevent you from getting in one in the first place. But with the countless cheap knockoffs and a never-ending list of specifications and features to consider–cloud storage, live view, app integration, LTE hotspot, resolution quality, shutter speed, and field of view, it’s hard to get started in your search, let alone reach the end of it.
If slogging through forum threads and nerdy tech write-ups for hours on end isn’t your thing, don’t worry — we did it for you. Whether you’re a long-distance driver, a rideshare worker, or just an average person wanting to help protect your car against the reality of the road, a solid dash camera often pays for itself when trouble strikes. These are our picks for the best front and rear dash cameras.

Thinkware U1000
- 4K UHD front camera captures license plate level detail
- Road safety warning system
- Parking surveillance mode monitors for impact
- Most expensive dash cam on our list
Rexing V1P
- 4K front camera and 1080p rear camera
- 2.4-inch LCD displays view without having to go through phone or computer
- 170-degree ultra-wide field of view
- GPS sold as a separate accessory
- Lacks more advanced features
VIOFO A129 Pro Duo
- 4K front and 1080p rear camera capture crucial details
- F1.8 aperture lens and wide dynamic range provide excellent nighttime quality
- 5GHz Wi-Fi allows for faster data transfer
- Relatively small field of view, with 130 degrees on front camera
Summary List
- Best Overall: Thinkware U1000
- Best Value: Rexing V1P
- Honorable Mention: VIOFO A129 Pro Duo
- Best Minimalist Camera: Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2
- Best Camera for Taxi/Rideshare drivers: Vantrue N4
- Best Long-Distance Driving Camera: Blackvue DR900X-2CH DMS Plus
Our Methodology
There’s a lot more to dash cams than the name might suggest. Years ago they might have just recorded the road ahead, but shooting high-quality video is only where many cameras today begin. When I started my research I knew there were a couple of things people would always care about, namely resolution. Anything less than 1080p or 30fps was ruled out entirely. Beyond that, I employed The Drive’s review methodology to evaluate an array of other features including things like parking monitoring, app integration, and dynamic range. Forum threads, as always, played a big part in narrowing down the choices. Spec sheets are always necessary, but it’s user experiences — and detailed ones at that — that can set apart a dash cam, for better or worse.
Best Front and Rear Dash Cams: Reviews & Recommendations
Pros
4K UHD front camera captures license plate level detail
Surveillance mode monitors for impact while parked
Supercapacitor allows for better heat management
Built-in GPS
Cons
High price point compared to competitors
Some users report app bugs
Pros
4K front camera captures license plate level detail
Built-in Wi-Fi for file transfer
Supercapacitor allows for better heat management
2.4-inch LCD display view without having to go through a phone
Cons
Lacks more advanced features
1080p rear camera may not capture small details
Pros
4K front camera captures license plate level detail
Built-in 5GHz Wi-Fi for fast file transfer
Advanced parking mode captures time before and after impact
2-inch HD LCD display for easy viewing
Cons
Relatively narrow field of view
1080p rear camera may not capture small details
Pros
Ultra small, key-sized footprint
Storage up to 512GB
Garmin app allows for live view and cloud storage
Voice control allows for hands-free operation
Cons
1080p resolution may not capture small details
Relatively expensive given its features
Pros
IR lights discreetly illuminate the cabin
18-month extendable warranty
24-hour parking mode for constant monitoring
Heat-resistant supercapacitor
Cons
No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth support
GPS sold separately
Pros
4K UHD front camera captures fine details
AI-driven driver monitoring system
Native parking mode
Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS
Cons
High relative cost
Only one external camera
Our Verdict on the Best Front and Rear Dash Cams
The Thinkware U1000 offers the best combination of outright video resolution and innovative added features on the market. But if recording is all you need, the Rexing V1P offers incredibly competitive performance in most conditions for roughly a quarter of the price of the U1000.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Dash Cam
Resolution and Optics
At the core of any dash cam, you’re looking for high-quality video recording that can capture the details you need in the case of an accident. For many accidents, 1080p will be sufficient to capture the relevant details, but many users splurge for 4K to capture smaller details like license plate numbers in the event of a hit-and-run. Be warned, some manufacturers will digitally upscale lower resolution video for marketing reasons, but these cameras don’t produce the same detail as native 4K cameras. If the camera’s sensor is below 8 megapixels, it isn’t capable of true 4K video. Beyond resolution, you also want to pay attention to things like field of view, low-light performance, and fps rate.
Video Channels
With most companies offering camera setups for the front, rear, and interior of your car today, the term dash cam is a bit of a misnomer these days. But, you still can just get a single camera for your dash, the issue is whether you should. Many dash cam users go for two-channel setups to record in front of and behind their vehicle. This should cover your bases for most applications, but if you’re a long-distance or rideshare driver, you might want to consider a cabin camera as well.
Power Options
Most dash cams will come with a USB cable as their primary source of power from 12V outlets in your car. This poses a problem for the parking mode that many dash cams have since it’s common for cars to shut off power to their 12V outlets when the car is not running to prevent it from draining the battery. To get around this, dash cam manufacturers will usually sell a separate power cable that hardwires into the car’s battery or connects to the OBD port. Some companies also sell separate battery packs that charge up while the car is running and power the dash cam while it’s shut off, but these can increase total costs quickly. Before choosing a dash cam, it’s worth it to consider the power options you have for it.
Front and Rear Dash Cam Pricing
A reliable, high-resolution dash cam can cost anywhere from $100 to $600. If you’re strictly looking for 4K video performance, you can find a mono-channel dash cam at the bottom of that range. Things get more expensive as you start looking at two- to three-channel setups, as well as additional features like built-in Wi-Fi, GPS, or LTE.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
Q: Why are there so many dash cam videos on YouTube?
A: I think the question answers itself, but for the sake of time: hilarity.
Q: Is a dash cam legal?
A: The answer to this depends on which state you reside in. While some have no laws around dash cams at all, others either prohibit them entirely or dictate the legal size and location of them. In New York, drivers actually save 5 percent on their insurance premium for having a dash cam equipped.
Q: Can I install it myself?
A: If you’re installing a simple mono channel setup, or are particularly tech savvy, installation should be feasible. However, if you’re buying a more complicated two- or three-channel setup or are going to hardwire your dash cam for parking mode functionality, manufacturers generally recommend hiring a professional.
Q: How will my window tint affect my dash cam?
A: Short of the darkest window tints — 20 percent or more — most tints won’t affect the performance of your dash camera. Many dash cam manufacturers also sell a circular polarizer to reduce any undesired glares or reflections in your video.
Q: What type of memory card should I use?
A: Manufacturers differ in the storage sizes that are compatible with their models, ranging anywhere from 128GB to 512GB. For most purposes, you’re best off going with the largest storage capacity the model allows. You also need to buy one with the appropriate speed class for the video resolution you’re recording in.

Why Trust Us
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
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