Digital Camera World Verdict
The X210 is Garmin’s latest mid-range dash cam. It records in 1440p (or 1080p at double the frame rate), has HDR for capturing more detail, and a polarizing lens to cut out reflections. It’s impressively compact, with a tiny windshield mount that attaches securely with a magnet, but feels expensive compared to its Garmin predecessors, and its driver assistance features aren’t always helpful. That shortfall aside, however, the X210 is a great option for those who want a premium but compact dash cam from a top brand.
Pros
- +
Compact design
- +
Good video quality
- +
Easy to set up and use
Cons
- -
60 fps is only at 1080p
- -
No rear or interior view
- -
Feels expensive vs predecessors
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The X210 sits in the upper-middle segment of Garmin’s latest dash cam range. Of the four models to pick from, only the flagship X310 (which I awarded five stars) is above the X210, while below it you’ll find the X110 (four stars) and the entry-level Mini 3 (4.5 stars).
The latest model finds itself among a family of high-achievers – and, truth be told, Garmin’s dash cams have all performed brilliantly for years now, so the bar was always going to be high.
Does the X210 live up to expectations? On paper it looks promising, thanks to its 1440p video resolution with HDR, its integrated polarizing lens filter, and the presence of both Wifi and GPS. There’s also a screen on the back, voice control and several driver assistance features, all packed into a compact body with a tiny windshield mount.
Is the Garmin X210 the right dash cam for you, or should you consider an alternative? Read on to find out.
{Product Name}: Specifications
Resolution | 1440p (2560 x 1440) |
Frame rate | Up to 60 fps |
Field of view | 140 degrees |
HDR | Yes |
Wifi | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
Display | Yes, 2.4 in |
Battery | Yes, 20 minutes |
Parking mode | Hardwiring and subscription required |
Garmin Dash Cam X210: Price
The X210 carries a retail price of $299.99 / £259.99. This puts it above the X110 ($199.99 / £199.99) and below the flagship X310 ($399.99 / £349.99). Garmin’s dash cam prices have crept up in recent years, with the latest generation starting to feel quite expensive when compared to rivals from lesser-known brands.
Optional extras from Garmin include a pair of constant power cables – one that plugs into your car’s OBD port, and the other attaching to the fuse box – each priced at $49.99 / £44.99. You’ll also have to provide your own microSD card, since there isn’t one in the box, and optional cloud video storage with Garmin’s Vault service requires a subscription.
Simply put, the biggest differences between this and the cheaper X110 are its improved resolution and frame rate, and a marginally more premium design.
Garmin Dash Cam X210: Design & Handling
Garmin’s dash cams have looked broadly the same for years now. Roughly the size and shape of a small matchbox, the X210 measures 7.0 x 4.2 x 1.9 cm – exactly the same as both the X110 and X310.
The rear houses a 2.4 in display, while there are four buttons on the side for navigating around the user interface (the display is not a touchscreen), and on the bottom you’ll find a microSD card slot with a maximum capacity of 512 GB. There’s a USB-C port on the side for power, and the lens with its integrated polarizing filter protrudes from the front.
Garmin’s familiar windshield mount makes a return, with its simple ball-and-socket connection that offers lots of adjustability and a tight grip. Unlike the X110, where the mount has to be stuck to your car windshield with an included adhesive pad, the X210 comes with a magnet. This sticks to the windshield, then attaches magnetically to the mount itself. It’s a fantastic bit of design and means only the tiny, coin-sized magnet remains on the windshield when the dash cam isn’t in use.
Garmin Dash Cam X210: Performance
Installing and setting up the X210 is just like any other Garmin dash cam. You simply fix it to your windshield, plug it in, select your language, then set the time and date, and you’re done. You don’t even have to download the Garmin Drive smartphone app, hand over your email address, or create an account.
That said, the app can be useful for adjusting the dash cam’s settings and transferring recordings wirelessly to your phone. And as far as dash cam apps go, Garmin’s is a good one; it’s nicely designed, easy to use and can be used to stream live video from the dash cam, even when you’re away from the vehicle. That said, you’ll need a Garmin Vault subscription and an internet connection (like a Wifi hotspot in your car) for the dash cam itself to make that work.
Video quality is what matters most with a dash cam, and to that end the X210 performs well. Daytime footage is sharp and smooth, with a good amount of detail and minimal pixelization. To my eyes, the footage is better than that of the cheaper X110, which records at the lower resolution of 1080p (1920 x 1080).
Nighttime footage captured by the Garmin X210 is also good, but details like vehicle licence plates and street signs are mostly unreadable. Realistically (and just like the X110), only the licence plate of the vehicle right in front of you can be read clearly. This is something many other dash ams struggle with too, though, so shouldn’t be considered a deal-breaker.
By default, the X210 records 1440p video at 30 frames per second with HDR enabled. Dig into the settings pages though, and this can be changed to 1080p at 60 fps and no HDR, or 1080p at 30 fps with HDR. Which is best comes down to personal preference, as some users will value a higher frame rate over a higher resolution. I am in that category, and since there isn’t a huge difference between 1080p and 1440p, I’d pick the 60 fps option. Doubling the frame rate makes your recordings smoother, and means they remain smooth when slowed down – handy if you need to closely analyze footage and use it as evidence of blame after a collision.
As with the Garmin X110 and Garmin X310, this model has an integrated polarizing lens filter. In theory this helps to remove dashboard and car interior reflections from the windshield, but since the filter can’t be removed I can’t say for sure how much of a difference it makes. That said, I’d rather it be there than not. So too the GPS antenna, which adds speed and location data to all of your recordings.
Unlike practically all other dash cams, Garmin’s have a battery. Good for about 10 minutes of use, this means you can fire up the X210 and use it for a short journey without plugging it in. This could be handy if you want to use the dash cam briefly in a second car (it comes with a spare magnet for the windshield mount), and also means it has enough power to safely save footage and shut down properly when you turn your car off. I also found that the battery means you can turn on the X210 and adjust its settings from home, without first plugging it into your car.
Like other Garmins, the X210 has a suite of driver assistance features, including lane-departure and forward-collision warnings, local red light camera and speed camera alerts, and a ‘go’ alert that beeps when the vehicle in front sets off. These have featured on Garmin dash cams for a few years now, but I’ve never found them particularly useful or reliable, and prefer to turn them all off. You might want to keep the forward-collision warning on if your car doesn’t have such a system of its own, but in practice – and especially if you drive in dense city traffic – you’ll likely find it annoying.
There’s a parking mode, where the camera quickly turns on and starts recording if a bump is detected, but like with other dash cams you’ll need to buy a constant power cable to use this.
Lastly, recordings can be automatically uploaded to Garmin’s cloud storage service (as well as being saved to your microSD card). This is called Vault, costs $9.99 / £9.99 a month or $99.99 / £99.99 a year, and uses your smartphone’s 4G/5G data connection to upload footage. I personally wouldn’t pay for this, as pulling recordings off the memory card is no effort and it prevents your phone from working with wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Some drivers will like the peace of mind automatic uploads bring, but it’s a luxury rather than a necessity.
Garmin Dash Cam X210: Verdict
Garmin’s dash cams have been among the best for years now, and that’s still true with the latest collection. Given its price and specification, I imagine more drivers will buy this mid-range X210 than the cheaper X110. The latter’s price and specification is too close to the much smaller Garmin Mini 3, in my opinion, while the X210 offers a couple of spec bumps (resolution, frame rate, magnetic windshield mount) to feel like the better all-round package.
It still isn’t cheap, and there are plenty of more affordable dash cams to pick from, including Garmin’s own Mini 3. But for a blend of compact design, high quality, and strong performance – all from a familiar brand – the X210 is an impressive dash cam.
Features ★★★★☆ | Despite its small size, the X210 packs in everything you need from a quality dash cam – and some features you might pass on. I like the new polarizing lens filter and how 60 fps at 1080p is an option, but see little value in the driver assistance functions. For those who want more, a constant power cable adds convenience and unlocks parking protection. |
Design ★★★★☆ | Garmin’s design continues to sit among the best of any dash cam. The X210 is compact, with a tiny but highly adjustable magnetic windshield mount, a good-quality screen and a clear, simple user interface. |
Performance ★★★★☆ | It lacks 4K, but this dash cam’s 1440p video with HDR is plenty good enough for almost everyone. I also like how 1080p at 60 fps is also available for drivers who value video smoothness over pixel count. |
Value ★★★☆☆ | Dash cam prices are on the up, especially among established brands like Garmin, and a £60 / $100 premium over the X110 isn’t easy to ignore. That said, the X210 really does look and feel like a premium bit of tech, and one that should last. Owners of older Garmin dash cams might not see the value in upgrading, but if you’re new to dash cams this still packs in plenty for the price. |
✅ Buy it...
- You want higher resolution (or frame rate): The former is increased to 1440p, or there’s the option of sticking with 1080p and doubling the frame rate to 60 fps for smoother footage.
- You want a screen: Garmin’s managed to cram a 2.4 in screen into what is otherwise a small dash cam. It’s useful for viewing recordings and changing settings without using the phone app.
- You want a small dash cam: Although not as tiny as the Garmin Mini, the X210 is still pretty tiny for such a feature-packed dash cam. I especially like how small the mount is. And how it takes up practically zero windshield space when the dash cam isn’t in use.
❌ Don't but it...
- You want a secondary camera: Like other Garmin’s the X210 can’t be bought with a secondary interior or rear-view dash cam. Instead, Garmin’s software lets you sync up to four of its dash cams together, but this can get expensive and each needs its own power supply.
- You don’t want a screen: Dash cam displays can either be distracting, or feel like a waste of space when they’re set to turn off while driving. If you prefer, Garmin’s Mini 3 is an excellent screen-less dash cam.
- You’re on a budget: Garmin’s dash cams perform well, but they’re not cheap. Even the simpler X110 is still a $200 investment, so if you want to spend less you’ll have to look at other brands.
Alternatives
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