The X110 is a mid-range dash cam from Garmin. It arrived in 2024 alongside the X210, X310 and the third-generation Mini. Garmin has produced some excellent dash cams in recent years, with several models ranking highly in our buying guides.

They aren’t necessarily the cheapest options around, but these dash cams come from a reputable name, and in my experience have always shone brightly against the competition, thanks to a combination of quality hardware and software.

Is the Garmin X110 the right dash cam for you? Read on to find out.

Garmin Dash Cam X110: Specifications

Garmin Dash Cam X110: Price

Today it’s possible to pick up a dash cam for as little as £20. But, while I wouldn’t recommend spending quite so little, there are plenty of decent budget options that land below the £100 / $100 mark. So why spend twice as much?

The Garmin name has plenty of weight behind it, of course, and it has built a reputation for producing quality dash cams for a good few years now. Garmin has achieved this by nailing the basics, shunning gimmicks and excelling in what really matters.

Priced at £199.99 / $199.99 and a spiritual successor to the Dash Cam 47, the Garmin X110 is about 30 percent more than the smaller Mini 3, but is the most affordable Garmin dash cam to have a screen. It also benefits from Full HD video, GPS and the company’s familiar windshield mount that’s as compact as it is adjustable. It’s £60 / $100 cheaper than the X210 and £150 / $200 less than the flagship X310.

Garmin Dash Cam X110: Design & Handling

The current generation of Garmin dash cams are slightly larger than their predecessors, but still measure up favorably compared to their rivals. The X110 measures 7 x 4.22 x 1.95 cm and weighs just 62g. It’s impressively compact, especially considering it has a 2.4-inch display on its rear.

Incidentally, the TFT LCD panel is not a touchscreen, and instead there are four buttons on the side for navigating Garmin’s simple dash cam user interface. There’s a microSD card slot on the bottom edge (but no card is included in the box), a USB-C port for power and charging on the side, and a ball-and-socket joint for the included windshield mount on top.

Garmin’s windshield mounts are probably my favorite of any dash cam maker today. They are incredibly simple and take up very little space, yet have a secure grip and offer all the adjustability you’ll ever need. The mount included with the X110 sticks to your windshield with an included adhesive pad, which is a slight downgrade on the magnetic discs used by the pricier X210 and X310 models.

That said, you’ll likely leave the dash cam installed all the time, and even if you do remove it – and leave the mount in place – it is likely to be hidden behind your rear-view mirror anyway.

Although all-plastic, the X110 feels like a quality product worthy of the £200/$200 price tag.

Garmin Dash Cam X110: Performance

Setting up the Garmin X110 is quick and easy. Like other Garmin dash cams, there’s no need to create an account if you don’t want to. You don’t even need to use the company’s Drive smartphone app, since the X110 starts working right away and its settings can be adjusted by using the display and buttons.

That said, you will probably want to install the app and connect the dash cam to your phone, which is easily done by pointing your phone camera at a QR code that appears on the dash cam’s screen. The app shows a live view over a direct Wifi connection, and this is also where you can transfer recordings from the dash cam to your phone.

Simple settings like resolution and microphone on/off can be adjusted on the camera itself, but in the app you’ll also find options to adjust the exposure value, decide what data overlays recordings, and change the sensitivity of the collision detection system. I found the default, medium, worked best. Turning up the sensitivity caused the X110 to mistake speed bumps and potholes for collisions.

You can pick from 720p or 1080p HD resolution. Both record with HDR and at 30 frames per second, so in reality you should stick to the default 1080p option.

Video quality is good enough for a dash cam at this price point. There’s a bit more pixelation than you might expect from a Full HD image, but footage is still clean enough to retain crucial details like vehicle license plates, street signs and road markings. Since it has GPS, the X110 adds your coordinates and speed to every recording, along with the date and time.

Nighttime footage has more grain, as to be expected, but details still hold up fairly well. You’ll still be able to read the license plate of a vehicle ahead of you, but those of oncoming traffic are blown out by your own headlights. I’m nitpicking here though, as footage would still clearly show who was at fault in a nighttime collision, so long as they didn’t leave the scene before you managed to grab a view of their plate.

Like all of Garmin’s latest dash cams, the X110 has a built-in polarizing lens filter to help reduce windshield reflections. This appeared to work well, as I struggled to spot a single reflection in any of my footage.

The footage is arguably no better than that of the cheaper (by £50/$50) and much smaller Garmin Mini 3, but the X110 has a screen and GPS in its favor, plus a small battery that lets it run for up to 20 minutes cable-free. The battery is also there to ensure the dash cam shuts down correctly if unplugged or when you turn your car off, and gives it the opportunity to upload saved footage to Garmin’s cloud storage service, called Vault.

This costs £9.99 / $9.99 a month or £99.99 / $99.99 a year and sees all footage automatically uploaded to the cloud via a Wifi connection to your phone. You’ll want to plug your phone in to prevent it draining on longer journeys, and check that you have enough monthly data, since footage is uploaded using your phone’s cellular 4G/5G connection.

The X110 also includes a suite of driver assistance features. It’ll warn you about local speed limits and nearby red light cameras, beep if it thinks you’ve not noticed the vehicle ahead has set off, and issue forward-collision and lane-departure warnings. These are often more of a distraction than a useful aid, and I tend to switch them all off. The ‘go’ alert suggested I drive through a red light (since the car ahead moved forward in heavy traffic), and since a lot of my local speed limits have recently changed, I wouldn’t trust Garmin’s database to be fully accurate.

In any case, these warnings are only helpful if you can see the X110’s screen, which is likely to be obscured by your rear-view mirror.

Like almost all other dash cams, a parking mode is available if you pay for one of Garmin’s constant-power cables. These connect either to your car’s fuse box or OBD port and keep the X110 powered when your car is parked and turned off. If it detects a parking prang it’ll jump into life and start recording.

Garmin Dash Cam X110: Verdict

Garmin has once again shown its ability to produce a great dash cam. The X110 looks and feels well-made, is quick and easy to install and configure, and produces good video. However, prices have crept up in recent years while dash cam technology has become somewhat stagnant. The four-year-old Garmin 67W can be bought for slightly less than the new X110, yet it works in a very similar way and records at a higher resolution (1440p) and with a wider lens (180 degrees).

That isn’t to say the X110 is bad value, but a higher resolution or frame rate would have been welcome. That’s where the pricier X210 comes in, though, and I appreciate Garmin’s desire to create clear differences between its four current models.

The Garmin Mini 3 offers better value for money and is much smaller. But if you want the advantages of GPS and an integrated screen – which is quite handy, adding simplicity by removing the need to use Garmin’s phone app – the X110 is still a strong option to consider.

Alternatives

Garmin has released four dash cams in its new X-series range, which combine a compact size while delivering crisp video of up to 4K Ultra HD resolution, acting as an invaluable eyewitness for drivers should they encounter any incidents on the road.

The Dash Cam X series introduces an integrated Garmin Clarity polarizer lens, to reduce windshield glare, combined with Garmin Clarity HDR optics to enable the camera to capture maximum detail in very bright or low light conditions, making them invaluable for motorists whatever the time of the day or night.

“When you have a dash cam, you want to be confident it will capture all the necessary details and not worry about having parts of your video washed out due to weather conditions or distracting windshield glare. These cameras bring the clarity you need,” remarked Dan Bartel, Garmin Vice President of Global Consumer Sales.

The dash cams can also be operated via simple voice commands, to save video clips and start or stop audio recordings while keeping their hands on the wheel (and hopefully delete anything you don't want anyone to see!). The devices also offer advanced driver notifications, such as forward collision and lane departure notifications, 'go' alerts to notify drivers when stopped traffic has begun moving again, and speed camera notifications to help encourage safer driving (and avoid those pesky fines and license points…).

In the event of the cam detecting a road traffic incident, videos are automatically saved. And on the models with built-in GPS, videos are stamped with location, speed, date and time to show exactly when and where events occurred.

The Dash Cam X series provides premium video in a variety of resolutions, allowing drivers to select the camera that best fits their needs (and budget):

The Dash Cam Mini 3 is ultra-compact, car-key sized and, to achieve its remarkable tiny size, has no on-device display while still capturing 1080p HD video (and comes complete with built-in Garmin Clarity polarizer lens).

The pocket-sized Dash Cam X110 adds a number of premium features, including advanced driver awareness alerts, built-in GPS and a bright 2.4in LCD screen to immediately review video in 1080p HD.

The Dash Cam X210 boasts the same compact size, high-res display and other features as the X110, but can capture video up to 1440p HD.

The range-toping Dash Cam X310 has the same-sized and display as the X110/X210 but adds intuitive touchscreen functionality and provides 4K Ultra HD video quality.

The companion Garmin Drive smartphone app enables drivers to sync up to four additional Garmin dash cams for multiple viewpoints, automatically organizing video clips. Plus, with a paid Vault subscription, the dash cameras automatically store saved video clips in a secure, online 'vault' that is accessible via the app, making it easy to view and share videos and offering continuous storage of important clips. 

Vault subscribers can also utilize vehicle surveillance features, such as parking guard and live view, to gain peace of mind when away from their parked vehicles. The parking guard alert sends a notification to a smartphone when the dash cam detects an incident affecting the motorist’s car, while live view gives a live feed from the dash cam remotely.

Available now, the Garmin Dash Cam X series has suggested retail prices ranging from $149.99/£149.99 to $399.99/£349.99. 

The Garmin Tandem is a dash cam that simultaneously records forwards and rearwards to capture a view of the road ahead, and of the driver and their passengers. It isn’t the sort of dash cam every motorist needs, but for taxi and ride-share drivers it could prove invaluable if a claim is ever made against them by a customer.

Dash cams with an interior view are nothing new – we have an entire buying guide dedicated to them – but since we’re such big fans of other Garmin dash cams, like the excellent 67W, we have high hopes for the Tandem.

The big feature is how the Tandem records in two directions at once, and how Garmin has managed to fit both sensors and lenses into such a compact body. Some of today’s dash cams take up a serious amount of windscreen real estate (looking at you, Nextbase iQ), so it’s impressive to see how small the Tandem is.

Another lesser-seen feature of the Tandem is how the lenses are both 180 degrees. Some other interior dash cams are this wide, but very few forward-facing sensors go much beyond 140 degrees. Other manufacturers argue that anything more causes distortion, and while that can be true, I’m glad to see 180 degrees from Garmin, since this means a dash cam that captures more of its surroundings.

Something else Garmin tends to get right is voice control. It works really well, in that it responds quickly and reacts reliably. It’s a useful way to mute the microphone or manually save a recording.

Garmin Dash Cam Tandem: Design & Handling

The Tandem looks and feels very similar to other Garmin dash cams. This is great news in our book because we think Garmin’s hardware design is among the very best. The matchbox-sized camera has just two buttons; one for muting the microphone and another for manually recording video (for when you see an incident but aren’t directly involved).

Then there’s a microSD card slot on the button, a microUSB port on the side and…that’s it. Nice and simple. The Tandem fits to the windscreen with the same mount as other Garmin dash cams, which uses a coin-sized magnet that sticks to the screen, and onto which a small plastic arm snaps into place. This then connects to the dash cam with a ball-and-socket joint that offers a fit that is as secure as it is adjustable.

Garmin Dash Cam Tandem: Performance

The Tandem is quick and easy to set up using Garmin’s Drive smartphone app. Or you can simply plug it in and leave everything on the default setting; there’s no requirement for you to create an account or ever actually use the app if you don’t want to.

The front-facing camera is great, with HDR and a 1440p resolution that produces high-quality video both day and night. Some 4K cameras produce even sharper, more detailed footage, but they (like the Nextbase iQ) tend to be more expensive.

Recordings are saved to the microSD card, and you can also have them automatically upload to the cloud via a Wi-Fi connection with your phone. This requires a subscription to Garmin’s Vault storage service, however.

The interior camera is less impressive since its resolution is just 720p. That’s still technically HD (just not Full HD), but for the price we had hoped for better, and really it should be at least 1080p. It also manages just 30 fps (same as the front camera), and lacks HDR.

All that said, automatic night vision helps to produce audible interior footage that is plenty sharp enough if it were ever needed as evidence – to help document an incident between a taxi driver and an unruly passenger, for example.

Lastly, there’s a parking mode. Like most other dash cams, this requires a hardwiring kit or Garmin’s OBD cable to power the dash cam after the car has been switched off. If installed as such, the Tandem switches to a low-power state, ready to spring into life and start recording the moment a parking prang is detected by its g-sensor.

Garmin Dash Cam Tandem: Final Verdict

If you're in the market for a dual-view dash cam, the Garmin Tandem is hard to ignore. Its compact size and simple but very effective windscreen mount are both excellent, while the front camera records impressive footage, and the voice control function works well.

We wish the interior camera was of higher quality, but it still manages to produce usable footage in any lighting condition, and when it comes to interior views we value the wide,180-degree lens over the number of pixels.

Garmin produces some of our favorite dash cams, praised for their compact size, wide lenses and good video quality. The company’s latest model aims to tick all of those boxes, while also offering something new in the form of an LTE data connection.

This essentially means the Dash Cam Live has 4G, which it can use to automatically upload videos to Garmin’s cloud storage service as soon as they are recorded. The data connection also means you can be alerted via the Garmin smartphone app if your car is driven without your knowledge, or crashed into while parked.

Are these extra features worth the money? Read on to find out.

Key features

The key feature here is of course the Dash Cam Live’s data connection. Videos are automatically uploaded to Garmin’s cloud storage service, called Vault, and through the Garmin smartphone app you can see a live view of the dash cam while away from your car. The connection also makes it possible to track your vehicle in real time from anywhere, and you’ll be alerted through the app when the car is being driven and when the dash cam detects a collision while parked. Lastly, the dash cam can use its data connection to alert up to three emergency contacts when a collision is detected.

All of this requires a subscription to Garmin's LTE Vault Subscription Plan, which costs $9.99/£9.99 a month to store recordings for seven days, or $19.99/£19.99 a month for 30 days of storage. After that time, your recordings are deleted from Garmin’s cloud storage.

Other key features include the dash cam’s 1440p resolution with HDR, its large 2.5in touchscreen display, voice controls and driver assistance systems, including speed camera warnings and forward collision alerts.

Build and handling

This model is larger than other Garmin dash cams, but still nicely compact and with a tiny windscreen mount. Garmin has the best windscreen mounts, in my view, with a simple ball-and-socket connection allowing a full 90 degrees of vertical adjustability. This connects to a coin-sized magnet that sticks to the screen; two such magnets are included, so you can easily move the dash cam from one vehicle to another.

Owners of other Garmin dash cams wishing to upgrade will need to remove their old magnet first, as the Live’s is larger and incompatible with other models.

The dash cam feels well made, with a premium design and a tidy and inoffensive aesthetic. There are four buttons for navigating the interface and manually saving footage (for if you see an accident but aren’t directly involved, for example), a microUSB power socket on one side and a MicroSD card slot (with 16GB card included) underneath.

A pair of USB cables (1m and 4m) and 12V lighter socket power adapter are included in the box. Garmin sells hardwiring kits separately; these give the dash cam a constant source of power, thus enabling the parking mode, which runs when your car is switched off.

Performance

Although not 4K, the 1440p resolution (with HDR) of the Dash Cam Live is plenty, producing footage that is sharp and detailed. An option to increase the frame rate from 30 to 60 frames per second would have been welcome, but even at the lower 1080p and 720p resolutions this isn’t available. As there’s no option for 1080p at 60fps, you’re best sticking with 1440p for maximum quality.

The camera suffers slightly from dashboard reflections hitting the windscreen. This can be fixed with a polarising lens, for which Garmin charges an additional £25.99.

Voice control works very well, with the system responding quickly to the ‘hey, Garmin’ wake word. You can use this to take a photo, manually save video and turn the microphone on or off.

As with other Garmins, this dash cam is quick and easy to set up using the free Garmin Drive smartphone app.

As mentioned earlier, the ‘Live’ part of this dash cam requires a subscription that starts at $9.99/£9.99 a month. Pay that, and recordings are uploaded to the web for easy access. This is a nice feature, but I’d argue that most drivers are happy with transferring video either via the phone app or by removing the microSD card. Similarly, I appreciate the connection between smartphone and dash cam the LTE tech creates, but would prefer to install a dedicated vehicle tracker – one that is hidden from thieves and which my insurance company would recognize – rather than entrusting the easily-disabled dash cam with this vital role.

This logic also applies to the emergency messaging system, which notifies your chosen ‘emergency assistance’ contacts but doesn’t call the emergency services. Some of today’s smartphones and watches do this for free, with no subscription.

That said, being notified of a parking prang right as it happens could be useful, and so is being able to see your vehicle’s location when you aren’t driving (perhaps when left with a garage or a hotel valet).

As with other Garmin dash cams, this one has a suite of driver assistance systems. These alerts sound when there’s a nearby speed camera or red light camera, or when the Garmin thinks you’re in danger of having a collision or drifting out of your lane. These are somewhat hit-and-miss in terms of their reliability, as is so often the case with dash cam assistance features.

Verdict

The Garmin Dash Cam Live seems slightly confused about what it should be. At $400/£350 it certainly isn’t cheap, yet has a narrower lens, larger body and lower maximum frame rate than Garmin’s older Dash Cam 67W. It also only really makes sense if hardwired, which requires a $50/£45 kit for plugging into your car’s OBD-II port. You’re now at $450/£395, plus at least $10/£10 a month for the LTE features and $29.99/£25.99 for the polarising lens.

This feels like a lot. Especially when the excellent Garmin 67W is $260/£199 and the tiny Garmin Mini 2 is just $130/£120. I also suspect many drivers wishing to spend over $400 on a dash cam already own a car with location tracking and more advanced driver safety systems. And while theft notifications sound appealing, I’d rather spend money on a dedicated GPS tracker.

There’s a great dash cam in here, but Garmin has fallen victim to ‘feature creep’, where the original purpose has been diluted by the addition of functions not everyone will need. As such, the Garmin 57 or 67W feel like far greater value for money.

Read our automotive camera guides:

Best dash cams
Best front and rear dash cams  
Best Uber dash cams
Best backup camera

A three-channel dash cam is one that most commonly records forwards, rearwards and into the interior of your vehicle. Some systems alter this setup slightly, with weatherproof exterior cameras and different types of interior view also available. But the premise is of a system that provides a near-360 degree view to capture everything inside and around your vehicle.

The most obvious use case for a three-channel system – or any dash cam that records the interior – is for a taxi or ride-share driver carrying passengers. We’ve actually covered this in more detail, with a guide specifically for the best Uber dash cams.

But non-professional drivers can benefit from a three-channel system, too. Some 3CH dash cams, like the Viofo A329WW, incorporate a pair of weatherproof cameras for capturing footage from outside your vehicle, along with the usual forward-facing cam. Others, like the feature-packed Nextbase iQ, can use their interior view to act as a security camera, keeping an eye on your car while you’re away and even allowing live video streaming over a dedicated 4G connection.

Many of these dash cams use infrared night vision to help the interior camera in low-light situations, while the majority of front-facing dash cams now record in 2K or even 4K resolution.

Some also boast HDR for even greater detail. Other useful features include 5GHz Wifi for faster video transfers to your smartphone, voice control, GPS for adding speed and locational data to recordings.

We’ve tested a wide range of dash cams to help you find the right three-channel system for you.

The quick list

The best 3 channel dash cams

Best three-channel dash cam overall

Viofo’s flagship A329 dash cam is available in a range of configurations to fit your needs. At the time of writing there are seven different kits available, all bundling rearwards and interior cameras with the main unit. The differences are small, but crucial depending on your use case – for example, the A329WW comes with a pair of weatherproof external cameras along with the main unit, while the A329S has an interior camera with a fisheye lens for a wider view.

All feed into the main unit, which houses a 4K camera that records at 60 frames per second, has HDR, and uses a Sony Starvis 2 imaging sensor for excellent low-light footage. There’s also high-speed Wifi for quick video transfer to your smartphone, GPS, and even support for SSD storage. Aside from cellular connectivity, the A329 series offers just about everything you could ever need from a dash cam.

The Viofo A329 is certainly an expensive system, but no more so than rival flagships from brands like Nextbase and Thinkware. In fact, if you’re looking for a three-channel system instead of just two, the Viofo manages to undercut rivals 4K dash cams like the Thinkware U3000 and Nextbase iQ. If you’re happy with the Viofo’s design – it is fairly chunky with that 2.4in display – this is the best three-channel dash cam you can buy right now.

To learn more, read our Viofo A329 review.

Best three-channel dash cam for security

The Nextbase iQ is a watershed moment for dash cams, thanks to its 4G connection, how it acts like a security camera when parked, and the manufacturer’s promise of new features via future over-the-air software updates. We love it, but its very high price stops it taking the top spot in this guide. If you want the 4K model with a rear-facing camera, you’re looking at $900.

That’s an enormous amount of money for a dash cam, and don’t forget that some of the 4G-powered features require a monthly subscription too. That said, if you’re okay with the price there’s an awful lot to like here. The iQ’s 4K footage is top-drawer, the hardware feels premium, and we love how the camera receives a constant power supply from its included OBD cable. It makes us wonder why all dash cams don’t do this.

Then there’s the integrated interior camera, which works very well, and how the iQ will buzz your smartphone when it detects a parking prang, or when it thinks someone is loitering by your car. You can then view a live feed from the camera over its 4G connection, and even sound a siren to ward off a potential thief.

To learn more, see our full Nextbase iQ review

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Best three-channel dash cam with Alexa

We were very impressed with the quality of video produced by this device. The 4K footage shot by the front camera is among the best we have ever seen from a dash cam, while the optional second and third channels record at a perfectly respectable 1080p. Not only is the resolution high, but exposure levels are good, white balance is well controlled and there’s a great amount of detail.

We’re also big fans of how the GPS antenna is cleverly integrated with the dash cam’s magnetic windscreen mount, and there’s Alexa too for those who want it. We must warn readers that this dash cam is fairly large; not as bulky as the Nextbase iQ, but much bigger than anything from Garmin. Those with smaller vehicles and shallow windscreens might want to look elsewhere, but otherwise this is a great (albeit rather expensive) bit of kit.

To learn more, see our full Cobra SC 400D review

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Most compact three-channel dash cam

We’ve been a big fan of Garmin dash cams for years now, and we love the Mini range because of its small size. The Mini 3 is not sold in a three camera kit - but you can buy three separately and link them together. And even then you have a very small system that takes up minimal space on your vehicle's windows. I

Garmin's offers voice controls to make the cameras easy to use, even though there is no screen. You can use your smartphone to set things up - but here this is not essential. Cloud storage, hardwiring and a parking mode are all available too - to turn this into a grown-up set-up, although you will need to pay extra for the hardwiring kit and the online subscription.

Most importantly, the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 delivers great video quality - although you don't get 4K resolution.

To learn more, see our full Garmin Mini 3 review

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Compact three-channel dashcam with screen

Don’t get too drawn into this dash cam’s 4K recording capability. Because, while the front-facing camera can handle 4K on its own, when used with either the rear or interior camera, or with all three running together, that resolution is no longer available.

As a three-camera system you’re looking at a still-respectable resolution of 1440p for the front view and 1080p for the rear and interior views. Like most other systems, this dash cam has a parking mode that starts recording the moment a collision is detected (but only when the dash cam is hardwired to the car’s fuse box for a constant source of power, something you might need a professional to do). Go down the DIY route, however, and you’ll be faced by a whole bunch of cables powering each of the cameras; it can look cluttered, especially on cars with smaller windscreens.

There’s no GPS, so videos don’t have speed and location data, but we think this kit still represents decent value for money, especially considering its compact size and inclusion of a small display.

To learn more, see our full Vantrue N4 review.

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The best three-channel dash cam for safety

This dash cam begins life as a single-channel system, but can be upgraded thanks to its modular design. Nextbase sells an interior camera that plugs directly into the 622GW itself and records at 1080p through a 140-degree lens. Then you can hook up the company’s rear view camera, which sticks to the rear screen and attaches to the 622GW with a long cable; this also shoots at 180p through a 140-degree lens.

Do all this and you’ll have a three-camera system that costs less than the 4K, two-camera version of the Nextbase iQ. For your money you also get Alexa control with the 622GW, plus digital image stabilization, support for what3words, a parking mode, and a system that automatically calls the emergency services and shares your location if a significant crash is detected.

We’ve always lik3ed Nextbase dash cams, and for us the 622GW makes a fantastic two- or three-camera setup. The iQ means this is no longer the flagship of the range, but the lower price combined with a great feature set and 4K video mean the 622GW is still a dash cam we thoroughly recommend.

To learn more, see our full Nextbase 622GW review

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How to choose the best three-channel dash cam

Since this guide is specifically about three-channel systems specifically, your first consideration needs to be whether the dash cam you’re looking at can handle a further two cameras.

With that box ticked, it’s time to look at models that fall into your budget, then access their resolution, frame rate and field-of-view. You want a high resolution (1440p, also known as 2K, works well), but also a quick frame rate (30fps will do, but 60fps is preferable) and a wide lens (140 degrees at a minimum).

We urge readers to consider how they plan to use their dash cam. WIll you be logging in with your smartphone and do you want to set up all of its driver assistance features? Or would you rather take a set-it-and-forget-it approach, only ever checking footage on the microSD card if the worst were to happen and you’re involved in a crash? This will help you decide what you want.

How we test three-channel dash cams

Like all other types of dash cam, we have fitted all of these three-channel modes to a car and used them for several days before reaching a verdict. They are tested during the day and at night to see how they cope with varying light, and we try to use them in a range of weather conditions too. During our time with each dash cam we assess how easy their installation and setup process is, while also looking at video quality, ease-of-use and the reliability of features like 4G connections and smartphone app notifications.

When it comes to video quality, we care about the details. License plates and road signs must be clearly visible, day and night, for a dash cam to score highly. These are the crucial details that buyers will rely on if they’re ever in a collision.

For three-channel dash cams specifically, we test out how each camera works, and whether the quality of the front-facing camera decreases when a second or third camera is installed. This is sometimes the case, with the front resolution falling from 4K to 2K, for example, due to the processing demands of three cameras all running at once.

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Frequently asked questions

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Compare prices

If you’re in the market for a new dash cam, then you’ve come to the right place. I have tested dozens of dashboard cameras over the years, from a huge range of manufacturers and across all price points, from sub-$20 models to options costing 20 times more.

In this guide, I’ve brought together all of my favorite dash cams available today, across a range of categories, from the cheapest and simplest to the best 4K option, the best for nighttime driving, and the best for a hardwired installation.

Every dash cam featured here produces high-quality video – by far the most important feature when looking to buy a dash cam of your own. Some models keep things simple, while others are packed with extra features like 4G connectivity, HDR, collision warnings, and even the ability to function as a live-streaming security camera when your car is parked.

I’ve included dash cams that can be installed in various ways. Some work best when hardwired – connected to your car’s fuse box, in other words – while others can simply be plugged into the 12-volt lighter socket, and some hook up to the OBD-II port for easy access to permanent power.

If you want to know more about the different options before you choose, you can jump to our explainer on what to look for in a dash cam below.

The Quick List

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The best dash cams we recommend

The best dashcam overall

My current favorite 4K dash cam is the Garmin X310. This is a flagship in every sense of the word, blending compact but premium design with useful features – including cloud storage and even the option of using the dash cam for remote surveillance of your car, via a subscription. Best of all is the X310’s video quality, which looks fantastic when using the 4K setting at 30 frames per second.

I also like how there’s the option to record 1080p Full HD at 120 frames per second, which produces very smooth footage that can be slowed down without a loss in quality. There’s also HDR for improved control over shadows and highlights, and GPS for adding speed and location data to your recordings.

As with all Garmin dash cams, the X310 uses the company’s wonderfully simple yet highly adjustable windshield mount, which attaches to the camera with a magnet. Driver assistance features include forward collision and lane departure warnings, plus a ‘go’ alert that sounds if you haven’t reacted to the vehicle in front setting off.

There’s even an integrated battery, but since it only has a life of up to 20 minutes, this is only useful for very short journeys.

It isn’t cheap, but the X310 is proof you get what you pay for.

Read more: Garmin X310 full review

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The best mini dashcam

The third generation of Garmin Mini is, once again, a fantastic compact dash cam. It really is very small, and now has a horizontal form factor which I think makes it look even more compact. It still records high-quality Full HD video with HDR, just as before, but now there’s an integrated polarizing filter that helps cut down on windshield reflections.

As always, Garmin’s voice controls work well, and the optional smartphone app is a handy way to set everything up, but isn’t a necessity. Cloud storage, hardwiring and a parking mode are all available too (although hardwiring kits are sold separately, and Garmin’s cloud storage carries a subscription fee). Add all this in, and the Mini 3 feels like a properly grown-up dash cam, despite being absolutely tiny.

I reckon this is a five-star dash cam, even at its full retail price. But if you want to save a bit of money then the previous-generation Garmin Mini 2 is also very good and can be picked up for a fair bit less.

As ever, the Garmin Dash Cam Mini delivers great video quality from a truly tiny footprint, with a good smartphone app and the option to add new functionality via Garmin’s Vault cloud storage subscription. The integrated polarizing lens is a nice upgrade over the Mini 2, but if you own a previous generation of Garmin Mini, I recommend you stick with that.

Read more: Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 review

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The best 4K dashcam

The Viofo A329 truly stands out for its low-light and night-time recording capabilities, thanks to its use of a pair of Sony Starvis 2 sensors in its twin-camera set-up. This technology delivers some of the most impressive low-light footage I have personally ever seen from a dashcam. Since most driving doesn't happen in daylight, this makes the A329 Pro's higher price point completely justifiable. I wouldn't let the slightly dated looking casing distract you – it's the cutting-edge sensor technology that makes the Viofo A329 shine.

Beyond its stellar low-light performance, the A329 offers 4K 60fps recording from the front camera, and the inclusion of HDR (High Dynamic Range) further enhances its imaging prowess. HDR is particularly effective at pulling out details from both extremely bright and dark areas within the camera's field of view, ensuring clarity in varying weather conditions and, crucially, when driving night.

Another significant advantage is the hassle-free setup process. Viofo has made it incredibly simple, allowing users to complete the entire setup directly on the dashcam without requiring an app download or even a user account.

Read more: Viofo A229 Pro review

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The best dash cam for security

Only its high price and bulky design prevented me from giving the Nextbase iQ a full five stars. This is a dash cam that does it all, from 4K video and an optional rear camera, to the integrated interior camera and a 4G connection that turns the whole thing into an intelligent security camera for your car, the iQ is a formidable package.

I love how the included OBD II cable makes it easy to give the iQ a constant power supply (or it can be hardwired to the fuse box if you prefer), and I was impressed with how the camera sends an alert to your smartphone when it spots someone loitering near your car.

I also thought the 4K video it produces is top-notch (although I’m yet to try the cheaper 1080p and 2K/1440p versions) and I like how the iQ can double as an alarm if your car is broken into.

In my review I was less keen on the massive price, and how Nextbase failed to include all of the iQ’s software features at its launch back in late-2023. The company promises regular over-the-air software updates.

I also found the iQ isn’t well suited to small cars with compact windshields, as its unusual design takes up a fair bit of space. It was usable in my Mazda MX-5 – a tiny car, I admit, and known as the Mazda Miata in the US – but the iQ’s bulk meant it obscured too much of the view ahead for my (and my passenger’s) liking.

Read more: Nextbase iQ review

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The best budget dashcam

There’s a new budget dash cam in town, and for a change it comes from one of the biggest names in the business. The Nextbase Piqo took us by surprise when it landed in late-2024, but quickly won us over with its compact design, ease-of-use and fantastic value.

The hardware feels well-made, and there are additional features like a parking mode, emergency SOS calling and a guardian mode for those who want them, although the latter two require a subscription. At $129.99, I think it offers good value, but at launch this was cut to just $99 / £99, making it a bit of a bargain – especially compared to the $150 Garmin Mini 3. Do note that there are two versions - the Piqo 2K offers a higher resolution than the otherwise near-identical Piqo 1K, which I think is worth paying the extra for if you can afford it.

Especially impressive is how the Piqo has GPS, despite the low price, as that’s something the pricier Garmin misses out on. Dash cams use GPS to add location data and speed to your recordings.

The Piqo performed well during our testing. However, I was disappointed by the fairly sluggish smartphone app, and how recordings took a long time to transfer to our smartphone.

Overall, though, this is a great dash cam for buyers on a budget.

Read more: Nextbase Piqo review

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Best for night driving

As well as being a small and affordable dash cam, the VS1 Mini by Viofo produces some of the best low-light footage I’ve seen to date. This is made possible thanks to its Sony Starvis 2 imaging sensor, which helps the VS1 record nighttime video that lacks the noisy grain often seen with other dash cams.

This Viofo also benefits from a 2K resolution with HDR, 5GHz WiFi and a 32GB microSD card included in the box. There’s also GPS for adding speed, direction and location data to recordings, and I found the setup process to be quick and easy; it even works without you ever needing to boot up the Viofo app or create a user account, if you so wish.

Those needing a second camera for a rearward view – or who like their dash cams to have a built-in LCD screen – will have to look elsewhere.

But if you’re happy with a forward-facing view, 2K resolution and a frame rate limited to 30 fps, the VS1 Mini delivers impressive nighttime footage in a compact package at a competitive price.

See my full Viofo VS1 Mini review

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The best dashcam for ease-of-use

Although not quite as small as the Garmin Mini 2, the Nexar Beam is a nicely compact dash cam with plenty of great features. During my time with the Beam I found it easy to set up and felt the hardware was of high quality. The lens could be a little wider, at just 135 degrees, but the Full HD video the Beam produces looks great.

Also impressive is the Beam’s smartphone app. This is almost always the weakest link of any dashcam, but Nexar has done a great job to produce an app that is nicely designed and a pleasure to use. My only complaint here is how, because the Beam connects to your phone over WiFi, you can’t use wireless Apple Apple CarPlay or Android Auto at the same time, since they also use WiFi to connect to your car. Plug your phone into the car, however, and this issue goes away.

I was pleased to see GPS included, but the way the antenna forms part of the windscreen mount isn’t the most elegant hardware solution. Factor in the suction mount, and how the dash cam itself plugs into the mount with a short cable, then a second cable heads from the mount to your vehicle’s power socket, and the aesthetics take a hit. All that said, I think the Beam represents good value for money, and the nicely designed app makes it a pleasure to set up and use – a rarity among almost all other dash cams.

Read more: Nexar Beam review

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The best value 4K dash cam

You might not have heard of Miofive, but believe me when I say it’s a company worthy of your attention. Its first dash cam, simply called the 4K Dash Cam, shoots video in 4K (who’d have guessed?) and packs a useful 2.2-inch display into a compact body.

Interestingly, it’s one of the very few dash cams to shun a microSD card in favor of 64GB of integrated storage. This saves the expense of getting a card, but does mean that memory is not expandable. Recordings need to be accessed via a smartphone app and speedy 5GHz WiFi - and then can be stored offline or in the cloud, should you want to save them.

There’s even a battery for wireless use, but it’s only good for a few minutes of recording and, therefore, very short journeys. Plug in using the included 12V socket cable or opt for hardwiring to the fuse box for a neater, more permanent installation.

I like the premium feel of this dash cam – especially considering the price – as well as its high video quality and compact dimensions, despite the screen.

Read more: Miofive 4K Dash Cam review

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The best hard-wired dashcam

If you want a dash cam that looks as if it was installed the day your car was built, the Thinkware U1000 is for you. Its lack of a display keeps the profile nice and low, while the rest of the design makes it look factory-fit rather than an aftermarket afterthought.

As well as the suitably stealthy design, the U1000 boasts 4K video with HDR that in my testing I found to be excellent. I was also impressed to see the option of lowering the resolution to 1440p and boosting the frame rate to 60 fps, producing smoother video that has the potential to bring more clarity to crucial details like street signs and vehicle license plates. GPS is also included, along with the option to connect a rear-facing camera.

Although not mandatory, the U1000 lends itself to hardwire installation more than most other dash cams I’ve tested. My review sample was supplied only with the hardwiring kit, which I swapped out for a 12V plug to make installation and removal easier.

If I were you (and not regularly reviewing different dash cams), I’d stick with the hardwire kit, seek out professional installation, and enjoy a dash cam that feels like it came with the car.

Read more: Thinkware U1000 review

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How to choose the best dash cam for you

When purchasing tech, budget is always a key consideration. The dash cam market has expanded significantly in recent years, with prices ranging from $20 to $1,000. I’ve tried a $20 dash cam, and as expected, the video quality was poor. It’s best to avoid these and aim for a model priced around $100 or more (and if you want a value option check our separate guide to the best budget dash cams).

Once you’ve settled on a budget (around $200 is the sweet spot), the next priority is video quality. This includes resolution, frame rate, HDR support, lens viewing angle, and night-time performance, as well as whether you can trade 4K resolution for a higher frame rate in HD.

After that, it’s about personal preferences. Do you want a dash cam with features like speed camera alerts and Alexa voice control, or are you looking for a straightforward model that simply does the job? Consider whether you need a rear-facing camera as well.

Finally, think about the design of the dash cam. Larger models can make small cabins and windshields feel cramped and cluttered. Also, decide whether you prefer a plug-and-play system or a hardwired installation.

How we select the best dash cam

Our favorite dash cam, the Garmin X310, strikes a fantastic balance between value, performance and design. It offers 4K video, as you would expect for its price, but offers a high 120fps frame rate at 1080p resolution, a wide lens, voice controls that actually work, and a design that is brilliantly compact, with a great windscreen mount. It’s our favorite because it excels in almost every area, and even though it is far from being the cheapest, we think its extensive features mean it is good value.

We’re big fans of the Nextbase iQ and how it uses a 4G connection to act as a security camera. We also love the iQ’s OBD cable, which gives it a constant power supply without the hassle of hardwiring it to the fusebox. But the price is very high, the 4G connection can be patchy, and I found the dash cam simply too large for my small car.

How we test best dash cams

We use every single dash cam in our own car before reaching a verdict. Only if it’s good enough will the dash cam appear in a buying guide like this one, and to get there it has to have impressed us with its video quality, design, ease-of-use and features.

We can’t hardwire every model we test, but we can at least position them correctly in our car – installing the interior and rear cameras too, if applicable – and power them from the 12V socket or OBD port, just as many buyers would. Their features are tested and their video recordings are transferred to our computer and analyzed before we reach a verdict. Naturally, we cannot test a dash cam’s ability to sense a collision.

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Today's prices compared

Dash cams have quickly become a must-have product for any taxi, Uber or ride-share driver. They record footage of the road ahead, but crucially some models also record the interior of your vehicle.

As long as you display the correct signage to inform passengers of the camera, dash cams with an interior view record footage that could be invaluable if you ever have to deal with the repercussions of unruly passengers.

Like other categories of dash cam, there are plenty of Uber-friendly models to pick from, across a broad price range. Some cheaper dash cams come from lesser-known brands, while others are available from industry leaders like Viofo, Garmin, Thinkware and Nextbase.

As a minimum, Uber and taxi drivers should install a dash cam that simultaneously records the road ahead and the interior. The best dash cams for ride-share drivers often use infrared night vision and wide lenses to help the interior camera capture a complete view of the interior, day and night. Some dash cams integrate both the forwards and interior cameras into one unit, while others keep the two elements separate, connected with a cable. Others take a modular approach, where an interior camera can be bought and plugged into the side of the dash cam you might already own.

If budget allows, you should consider a three-channel system, which adds a rearwards view. This camera is usually fitted to the rear windscreen and connected to the front-facing camera with a long cable. Some models are weatherproof and can be mounted to the rear bumper.

In this article I have used my knowledge gathered from years of product testing to bring together the best dash cams from Uber, ride-share and taxi drivers.

Our top picks

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The best Uber dash cams

Best Uber dash cam overall

It’s one of the most expensive dash cams around, but it is also one of the newest and arguably the most impressive. What makes it especially useful for Uber drivers is how, like the Garmin Dash Cam Tandem, every version of iQ (with 1K, 2K or 4K front cameras) comes with an integrated interior camera with Full HD video and infrared night vision. A rear camera is also available as an optional extra. All three save footage to a microSD card, or with a subscription you can have footage automatically uploaded to the cloud via the iQ’s 4G connection too. This is also used to notify you via the Nextbase app when the iQ detects a parking prang or attempted theft, and the camera cleverly receives a constant power supply from your car’s OBD II port.

Constant power and 4G means this also doubles as an in-car security camera, ready to stream footage to your phone from anywhere in the world.

Nextbase promises a steady supply of over-the-air software updates and new features coming to the iQ soon, including radar-powered vehicle monitoring that uses artificial intelligence to estimate the speed and trajectory of every vehicle within its sight; this data is then added to recordings to help show who caused a collision. The radar is also used to alert you if the iQ spots a potential thief loitering by your unattended car.

See our full Nextbase iQ review

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Best value Uber dash cam

The Vantrue N4 is a 4K dash cam, which means sharper and clearer footage than some of its rivals. However, this resolution is only available when the front-facing camera is used in isolation. If you want to record the interior of your car and/or a view facing rearwards, as well as the front camera, the resolution drops to 1440p. This is accompanied by 1080p Full HD for both the interior and rear cameras, with all three recording at 30fps.

This means the Vantrue N4 doesn’t quite have the pixels to match the Nextbase iQ, but it is considerably cheaper and the main unit is smaller. It misses out on 4G, Wi-Fi and GPS, however, so recordings have to be transferred from the microSD card rather than wirelessly, and the lack of GPS means there’s no option for adding speed and locational data to your videos. If that’s a feature you need, Vantrue sells a GPS module separately.

This is a fairly basic dash cam – and lacks the more sophisticated design of the Nextbase iQ or Garmin Dash Cam Tandem – but one that is relatively compact and records impressive video in all three directions, which is crucial for Uber, Lyft and other ride-share drivers. There’s also a low bit rate parking mode, but this requires the optional hardwiring kit (as is the case with almost all dash cams).
See our full Vantrue N4 review

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Best Uber dash cam for lowlight

I’m a big fan of Viofo’s recent dash cams, and the latest A329 continues that trend. It’s not the cheapest dash cam around, but it packs a set of Sony Starvis imaging sensors, and even uses a Starvis 2 sensor for the main, forwards-facing camera.

But what sets it apart is the interior camera, which for the A329SW three-channel version featured here has 2K resolution, infrared night vision and, most importantly, a fisheye lens. This gives it a wide view of your vehicle interior that’s perfect for taxi and Uber drivers.

This system also comes with a weatherproof rear camera that also records in 2K and is designed to be mounted to the rear bumper of your car, for an improved rearwards view compared to dash cams that stick to the rear windshield. Other features to justify the price tag include Wi-Fi 6 for speedy video transfer from dash cam to smartphone, voice control, enhanced HDR, licence plate recognition, GPS, and even support for up to 4TB of external SSD storage.

The Viofo A329 is expensive, but no more so than rival flagships from brands like Nextbase and Thinkware. For an Uber driver-friendly three-channel system, the Viofo manages to undercut rivals 4K dash cams like the Thinkware U3000 and Nextbase iQ.

See my full Viofo A329 review

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Best Uber dash cam for easy setup

The Nexar Pro GPS dash cam is very simple to set up: it didn't take me more than five minutes to do so. As well as a front-facing camera, there's a cabin camera that makes this system especially useful for Uber drivers. This connects to the main unit with a cable and requires its own windscreen mount, meaning the whole system takes up a fair bit of windscreen space compared to those with integrated cabin cameras.

That said, each component is compact and should be easily concealable behind the rearview mirror of most vehicles. The flip side of a small footprint is that there's no display, so there's a compromise to be made there.

The camera records crisp 135° wide video in 1080p Full HD quality, and pairs with Wi-Fi with the accompanying mobile app to allow you to review footage on your phone (check yours is compatible first, though).

Collision detection and parking mode are also included, with the latter using the Nexar’s own small battery instead of drawing power from the car. If a more complete parking mode is important to you, consider dash cams that can be hardwired to the vehicle for a constant power supply..

For more details see our full Nexar Pro GPS dash cam review.

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Best Uber dash cam for safety

It might look fairly ordinary at first glance, but what makes the Nextbase 622GW stand out is both the high-end 140˚ 4K camera that comes supplied and the modular design. It also boasts image stabilization so the picture will be good even with car vibration.

What we found makes this dash cam great for Uber drivers is the modular design and how Nextbase sells two different secondary cameras that attach to the main unit; one for recording the interior and the other for filming through the rear windscreen.

The company also sells a camera that fits to the rear screen and plugs into the main unit. Based on our experience, we recommend fitting the modular interior camera and the wired rear camera for a three-channel setup that’s perfect for Uber drivers.

The 622GW boasts Alexa voice control and Emergency SOS, which calls the emergency services and gives them your location, name and even your blood type if you are unresponsive after a significant collision.

The system also has a 120fps super slow-motion option, but this lowers the resolution of the front camera to 1080p. There’s even what3words integration for precise positioning and an intelligent parking mode (hardwiring required).

See our full NextBase 622GW review

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Best compact Uber dash cam

The Garmin Dash Cam Tandem doesn't come cheap, but it provides a lot of value. This pocket-size dash camera features two 180-degree field of view lenses that record in tandem, providing complete video coverage around the driver.

The front camera records at a crystal-clear 1440p, while the 720p interior-facing lens harnesses Garmin's proprietary NightGlo technology for clear video of passengers at night. You also get voice control, built-in GPS, and Wi-Fi connectivity for transferring recordings to your phone.

Another nice touch is that the charger has an extra USB port, so you can power your phone or another device while you're driving. And the icing on the cake: it comes with a pre-installed 16GB microSD card, so you can use it right out of the box.

We’re big fans of Garmin dash cams and particularly like how compact they and their windscreen mounts are. We also like how up to four Garmin dash cams can be hooked up wirelessly to the Drive app, making it easy to create a multiple-view setup without routing any cables through your car.

See our full Garmin Tandem review

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How we test dash cams

Every dash cam tested here is fitted to our car and used for several days before we write our review, or include it in a buying guide like this one. During that time we pay close attention to the installation and setup process, then use the dash cam as if it was our own, testing it during the day and at night, to find out just how good it really is.

While we’re not able to test the G-meters and crash detection, we look closely at the dash cam’s video quality, as well as additional features like parking mode, voice control and driver assistance technology. In the case of this buying guide, we put ourselves in the shoes of an Uber driver shopping for a dash cam that records forwards and into the cabin.

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Frequently asked questions

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Read more guides:
Best front and rear dash cams
The best dashcam
Best budget dash cams
Best backup camera
Best outdoor security cameras

The MiVue 818 is a circa-£150 dash cam from Mio. It offers a video resolution greater than Full HD, as well as GPS, optional parking mode, connectivity via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and average speed camera alerts.

This model fits into the lower middle of Mio’s dash cam range, above the 792 and 812, but below the rest of the 8XX collection.

In this sector of the market, the MiVue 818 finds itself up against stiff competition from the likes of Garmin, Nextbase and Thinkware.

Mio MiVue 818 specifications

Resolution: 1440p at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps

HDR: No

Field of view: 140 degrees

Display: 2.7in

Battery: 240mAh

Voice control: No

Speed camera alert: Yes, with average speed cameras too

Dimensions: 85.6 x 54.7 x 36.1mm

Weight: 86.1g

Rear camera: Optional extra (MiVue A50)

Key features

The headline feature of the MiVue 818 is its beyond-HD video quality. It has a resolution of 2560 x 1440 and operates at 30 frames per second. A higher resolution means more pixels, and a sharper image with more details. This can be crucial when it comes to using dash cam footage for identifying key details like vehicle registration plates and street signs.

The MiVue 818 can also record Full HD 1080p at 30 or 60fps. The latter makes for smoother footage that is clearer to view when paused, but doesn’t have the superior resolution of 1440p. For us, we think 1080p is plenty, and doubling the frame rate to 60fps for smoother footage is worth more than the extra pixels.

Other key features of the 818 include Wi-Fi for quickly transferring videos to your smartphone, GPS for adding speed and locational information to your videos, and an average speed camera alert system.

We haven’t seen this in a dash cam before, where the system not only warns about camera location, but also calculates your average speed in real time, helping you stay below the limit between each camera. The system works, but can be a distraction. We prefer to look at our vehicle speedometer or enable cruise control, instead of relying on the dash cam and its calculations.

There’s also a parking mode, which requires hardwiring the camera to your car for a constant source of power, and the option of connecting Mio’s rear-facing camera, called the MiVue A50.

Build and handling

The 818 looks like many other dash cams, in that it is fairly small, with a lens in the middle and a 2.7-inch display on the rear, with buttons alongside for navigating the user interface. It attaches to the windscreen using a mount that slides onto the front of the camera, then sticks to the screen with an adhesive pad.

A ball-and-socket joint provides enough movement to ensure the camera works in any vehicle, to matter the rake of the windscreen. The way the mount attaches to the camera isn’t the best we have seen; it fits securely, but lacks the smoothness and quality we’ve seen from other dash cams at this price point.

The camera has a small, 240mAh battery of its own, but this is only really intended for keeping the camera running for a short while after the car has been turned off. During use, power comes from an included mini USB cable that fits to the car’s 12V lighter socket.

Unfortunately, the included charger doesn’t offer an extra USB port, so if you normally power your phone from the 12V socket, you’ll have to replace it with the dash cam. Or, purchase a 12V adapter with two USB ports, and use a different cable for powering the dash cam.

Performance

Video recorded in a resolution slightly above Full HD is always a nice bonus to have, and in this case it means the MiVue 818 produces footage that is slightly sharper and more detailed than some other dash cams at this price point. That said, we prefer to record at a higher frame rate where possible, so recommend buyers use the 1080p Full HD at 60 frames per second option instead.

Setting up the camera is easy enough, but just remember to format your microSD card before you get started. Also, while you can extract footage from a memory card in the conventional way, the MiVue’s way of organizing recordings means you are better off playing by the rules and using Mio’s smartphone app to view and transfer video. Integrated Bluetooth and Wi-Fi make this relatively painless. Mio also offers a free, comprehensive video viewing and management app for Windows and Mac.

Some buyers will love the speed camera and average camera warning system, but we prefer our dash cams to perform one job and otherwise be distraction-free. Limited viewing angles mean the screen is actually quite hard to see clearly at a glance when positioned centrally in the vehicle, and therefore off to the side of your line of sight.

Verdict

The MiVue 818 is a feature-packed dash cam that is relatively compact, easy to set up, and with good video recording capabilities. The extra features are welcome, and the average speed camera alert system is particularly interesting, but we feel most buyers will focus on the strong video performance, integrated Wi-Fi and GPS and optional parking mode above all else. That said, a suite of driver assistance and warning systems, like fatigue alert and forward collision warning, will likely be well-received by some.

We think this dash cam is relatively well priced at £160 and will appeal to drivers who want a dash cam that is smarter and with more additional features than most.

Read more guides:

Best dash cams
Best front and rear dash cams  
Best Uber dash cams
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Garmin is launching a brand new rear-view, radar-activated taillight with a built-in camera. The Varia RCT715 attaches to the back of your bike and will record continuously, saving any footage that could be an accident. The Swiss company is best known for its GPS technology, but cyclists around the world have been using Varia radar products for years to stay safe around other vehicles. 

Traveling on two wheels can be dangerous, so if you do it a lot it’s a good idea to invest in one of the best helmet cameras in the unfortunate event that you are involved in a collision. However, if something occurs behind you, a helmet camera facing forward won’t do much good, which is why it’s worth investing in a rear-view camera as well. 

• These are the best cameras for cyclists

Doubling up as a rear light, the Varia RCT715 helps cyclists be more visible while the camera will provide video evidence should an accident occur. It can capture sharp, clear footage up to 1080p at 30fps for up to four hours with the light on high power, or six hours with the light on standard power. 

While most footage will be deleted straight away, any footage that may contain an incident will be automatically stored in the Varia App that you can download to your smartphone. 

You can also pair the Varia RCT715 with your Garmin smartwatch or the Garmin Edge Cycling Computer. Visual and audible notifications will warn cyclists of vehicles approaching from behind, while the incredibly bright taillight can be seen from a mile away and will alert drivers of a cyclist ahead. 

Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of global consumer sales said, “For years, cyclists around the world have trusted our Varia rearview radars to enhance their awareness of approaching vehicles during a ride and we are thrilled t add the new RCT715 to the lineup of ‘must-have’ cycling safety products.”

The Varia RCT715 is now on sale priced at $399.99 / £349.99.

Read more:

Best dash cams
Best cameras for cyclists
Best GoPro alternatives
Best backup cameras

Dashboard cameras aren't just great gift ideas – they're also potentially life-saving ones. So these pre-Christmas dash cam deals won't just save you a bit of cash, they could potentially save the day should the worst happen. We have found some great offers - including price drops on two hottest dashcams released in the last year, the budget-priced Garmin Mini 2 and the top-of-the-range Garmin Dash Cam 67W

• These are the best dash cams

While dashcams are still primarily about providing CCTV coverage for your vehicle, modern models do far more than just film what's in front of them. Some possess driving assists, give directions, accept voice commands, detect an impact or suspicious movement when stationary, record in the dark, and some can even alert emergency services in the event of a crash. 

Expired deals

Other useful guides
• Best front and rear dash cams • Best Uber dash cams • Best backup camera • Best body cameras • Best spy camera • Best indoor security cameras • Best outdoor security cameras

The Garmin Dash Cam 67W is a compact but feature-packed dash cam that is the current flagship of the range, and as well as recording video it has voice control, GPS and a range of safety systems. These include forward collision and lane departure warnings, plug a ‘go’ alert to signal when the traffic ahead sets off, and alerts about upcoming red light and speed cameras.

It also has an optional parking mode that monitors when your vehicle is parked and switched off. As with other Garmin dash cams, up to four can be fitted to the same vehicle with their video feeds synchronised using the Garmin Drive app.

The camera records to a microSD card (not included) and has a display and buttons on the rear, so can be set up and used without the smartphone app, adding to its simplicity.

Specifications

Resolution: 1440p
HDR: Yes
Field of view: 180 degrees
Display: 2-inch, LCD
Battery: Yes
Voice control: Yes
Dimensions: 5.62 x 4.05 x 2.19cm
Weight: 57g

Key features

A key feature of the Dash Cam 67W is how it blends together top-notch dash cam features with a compact design. The 1440p resolution is beyond Full HD and comes with HDR (high dynamic range) for improved clarity in tricky lighting conditions. There’s also audio recording if you need it, but we generally prefer to keep that switched off in the interests of passenger privacy; it can be switched on or off by saying “Okay Garmin, switch audio recording on/off”. On that note, the voice recognition works really well and is a convenient way to save video or photos. Video is automatically saved when a collision is detected.

The Garmin’s safety features work well and make good use of the display, providing it can easily be seen by the driver. It turns red to warn of a forward collision, yellow when you drift out of your lane, and sounds an alert when you fail to notice the vehicle ahead has set off. These can each be switched off if you don’t want them.

Build and handling

About the size of a small matchbox, we think the Dash Cam 67W is a great size. It is compact enough to be hidden behind the central rear-view mirror, while packing a good set of features and hardware credentials. The black plastic finish is subtle and well-made, and we’d feel comfortable leaving the camera permanently installed in a car without worrying about someone trying to steal it.

The windscreen mount is tiny, consisting of a coin-sized magnet that sticks to the screen with adhesive, then snaps magnetically to a small arm that attaches to the camera with an adjustable ball-and-socket joint. It’s a smart but simple system that takes up very little space and makes it easy to adjust, remove and replace the camera in just a couple of seconds. A second adhesive magnet is included, making it easy to switch the Garmin between two vehicles.

Performance

There is very little to say here, and that’s a great thing. The Garmin works precisely how you would hope, recording high-quality video and serving up useful alerts if you have them switched on. Voice control is responsive and set-up is very quick and easy.

The lens is very wide, at 180 degrees, creating some fish-eye distortion, but we still feel the footage is accurate, clear and would certainly be useful as evidence in a collision.

Verdict

A truly excellent dash cam that is compact and easy to use, with a good set of useful features and which records top-quality video. It's not the cheapest, but it is a top-notch dash cam that does everything without being needlessly complicated. Even the mounting system is super-simple. It’s a must-buy.

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The $130/£100 Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 might just be the smallest dash cam on the market today. Roughly the size of a car key fob, the camera records in 1080p Full HD resolution with HDR, is easy to set up, has an equally compact windscreen mount, and even features a voice control system.

There are very few additional features to write home about, but we think the majority of dash cam buyers want the device to be as simple as possible. In that sense, the Garmin Mini 2 really is a case of set-it-and-forget-it.

Specifications

Resolution: 1080p Full HD
HDR: Yes
Field of view: 149 degrees
Built-in display: No
Battery: No
Voice control: Yes
Dimensions: 3.13 x 5.33 x 2.91cm
Weight: 32.1g

Key features

The primary feature of this dash cam is undeniably its size. Garmin boasts about it being the size of a car key fob, and it really is. This means it can be hidden discreetly behind the rear view mirror of your car, neatly out of the way so as not to obscure the driver’s view.

Otherwise, highlights include HDR (high dynamic range) video recording at 720 and 1080p HD, with both options recording at 30 frames per second. We’d like to have seen the option for 60fps, but this is only a small criticism.

Voice control is another big feature of this Garmin, and we’re pleased to say it works very well. Just say “OK Garmin,” and the dash cam instantly beeps to say it is listening. Then say commands like “save video,” “take a picture,” and “stop audio”. The camera responded to our commands quickly and reliably.

Build and handling

Beyond the compact size and sturdy build quality, there isn’t much more to say here. Garmin has done a great job to make the camera so small, and the ball-and-socket windscreen mount with adhesive strip is also tiny but plenty robust enough to hold the camera steady.

There’s a button on the side for switching audio recording on or off, and a button on the back for manually saving video, however the camera will do this automatically when it detects a collision. Power is via an included microUSB cable and a 12V lighter socket adapter with a pair of USB sockets, so you can charge your phone while powering the dash cam.

Performance

We have no complaints at all with how the Dash Cam Mini 2 performs. Setting up via the Garmin Drive smartphone app was quick and easy, with the app acting as a live viewfinder to help position the camera (which doesn’t have a display of its own) correctly. Videos and photos can be transferred via the app too, or copied across from a microSD card (not included) to a computer in the usual way.

Video quality is very good, with exposure handled well (plus manual adjustment in the app if needed) and a sharpness that makes important details like vehicle number plates easy to spot.

Lastly, videos can be uploaded to Garmin’s Vault service, which stores them for free for 24 hours. Monthly paid subscriptions to increase this are available.

Verdict

The Garmin Mini 2 is the perfect compact dash cam. For those who want high-quality Full HD video with HDR from an incredibly compact design, you really should look no further. The voice controls are also very good, the mount is small and simple to use, and you can even pair up to four of these cameras together for synchronised recording right around your vehicle.

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Garmin has introduced a new type of dash cam which doesn't just record footage of the road in front of you, it also videos the inside of the vehicle too. The Garmin Dash Cam Tandem features two wide-angle lenses, each with a 180° angle of view - with one of these at the front, and other on the back, this adds up to a complete 360° view of what is going on, whether you are driving, or parked up for the night.

The front-facing camera offers 1440p high-definition recording ant uses Garmin's Clarity HDR to capture what the manufacturer claims is crisp footage that shows critical vehicle details. 

The rear lens meanwhile has a night vision capability using the company's NIghGlo technology to record all driver and passenger interaction, even in the dark. The parking surveillance mode ensures that the dash cam works as a security camera even when there is nobody in the car.

Footage from both cameras can be synced and played back via the Garmin Drive smartphone app. There is also be possibility of connecting multiple dashboard cameras, should you also want to record rear view footage too, say.

The Dash Cam Tandem provides hands-free voice control, allowing the user to save videos or pictures and start and stop audio inside the vehicle. With built-in GPS, it automatically pinpoints the location of a vehicle to document when and where events occur.

The Garmin Dash Cam Tandem will sell for $299.99, and comes supplied with a microSD card so it is ready for immediate use.

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