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Dashcam Recommendations
I compiled this list from reddit feedback as I was shopping for my dashcam. There are a lot of options out there, and a lot of them aren't very good. I really wanted to avoid getting a lemon. Let me know if you have any other recommendations or favorites, and why you like it or what you found useful so we have some real world feedback.
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Budget
⭐ Budget Viofo A119 Mini 2 – Major upgrade over the A119 V3. 1440p resolution but more compact/discrete and has the Sony STARVIS 2 sensor, which is a big improvement for night time quality. Includes some advanced features like HDR and 5ghz Wi-Fi for quick file transfers. In my opinion, this is the best front only cam to get nowadays and it's still the most recommended budget cam on reddit.
Budget Viofo A119M Pro – The newest front-only cam from Viofo (late 2025) and the natural step up from the Mini 2. True 4K 30fps (not upscaled) with the STARVIS 2 sensor, HDR, Wi-Fi 6 for fast transfers, and a CPL filter included in the box. It bridges the gap between the budget cams and the flagship models.
Budget VanTrue E1 Lite – One of the cheapest budget cams. There is also the E1 Pro which upgrades the resolution to 4k. Good alternative to the A119 depending on which one is on sale. The VanTrue app is one of the better ones out there.
Budget Garmin Mini 3 – This thing is MINI. Most discrete cam on the market, and one of the better app functionality. Built in polarizing filter. Great brand.
Budget Rove R2-4K – Usually on sale and really well priced. Pretty good reliability and comes with a 128gb SD card. If you're on a budget, this is the best budget dual cam. Claims to be 4k but it upscales to be 4k, so it's not really capturing video in 4k. A bit dishonest.
Budget Redtiger F7NP – One of the most affordable dual cams but reviews are mixed. 32gb built in memory card which isn't a whole lot. Claims to be 4k but it upscales to be 4k, so it's not really capturing video in 4k. A bit dishonest.
Mid Range and Up
Mid Viofo A229 Plus Duo – The step up from budget for dual cam. Dual 1440p with the Starvis2 sensor. Been out for many years with a proven track record. GPS and parking mode. This is the one to get if you want front and rear coverage without going full premium.
Mid Viofo A229 Pro – 4k 30fps in the front and 2k in the rear. One of the higher end models with great reliability and a good track record. Has GPS capability and great night vision with the Starvis2 sensor. People like this one a lot.
Mid Viofo A229 Ultra – The new top of the A229 line. First to do true 4K front AND 4K rear with dual STARVIS 2 IMX678 sensors and HDR on both channels. 5GHz Wi-Fi, voice control, and 4-system GPS. There's also a 3CH version that adds a 1080p 210° IR fisheye cabin cam, which makes it a great rideshare option too.
Mid Viofo A329 – Similar to the A229 Pro but better. One of the first cams to have 4k 60fps in the front and 2k for the rear cam. Has WiFi6 capability to make app video transfer much faster. Will give you some of the best video quality out there. Definitely one of the more expensive cameras but worthwhile if you have the budget. Go for a 512gb Max endurance SD card with this one.
⭐ Mid Viofo A329S / A329T – The current Viofo flagship series, and reviewers like Vortex Radar and The Hook Up both named the A329S the best overall dash cam. Same 4K 60fps front as the A329 (60fps works with HDR off in 1 or 2 channel mode), supports external SSDs for storage, and Wi-Fi 6 transfers. The A329T variant swaps the rear cam for a telephoto zoom camera — the best option out there if capturing license plates is your priority. Around $470-500 for the 3 channel versions.
Premium BlackVue DR970X-2CH Plus – One of the highest end cameras out there from one of the most premium brands. 4k 30fps like the A229 Pro, but has a better app and has an optional LTE module for cloud uploading. Has the Starvis2 sensor for great night time quality. Comes with an integrated memory card so you don't have to buy that separately.
Mid Nextbase iQ 2K – 2k with 1080p interior. Super compact. One of the first cams looking to be a "Smart Dashcam". 4G/LTE opens up a lot of functionality such as tracking, speed alerts, and guardian mode. Some users claim the app can be buggy, so definitely something to watch out for. Otherwise a really great concept and great features.
Uber/Lyft Cams
⭐ Budget Vantrue N2X - If you want one unit and one wire, this is the one to get. 2.7K front and 1080p interior in a single body with the STARVIS 2 sensor and 4 IR LEDs, so cabin footage at night is actually usable. 5ghz Wi-Fi, GPS, supercapacitor, optional LTE module. Still the most recommended rideshare cam on reddit. One of the better apps too.
Budget Viofo A229 Plus - Best bang for the buck if you want all 2 angles. 2K front, 2K rear, all with Starvis2. You mount the rear cam on the front windshield. No IR sensor so not ideal for night drivers. Great long term quality from Viofo.
Mid Viofo A229 Pro 3CH - The pick if you want the best footage and don't mind mounting three cameras. 4K front and 2K rear on Starvis 2 sensors, plus a 1080p interior cam with IR LEDs that plugs into the main unit, so night cabin footage is actually usable. HDR on all three, 5ghz Wi-Fi, GPS, supercapacitor, buffered parking mode, takes a 512gb card. Sits a bit under the N4 Pro on price. Downsides are you're running three cameras and a rear wire, and the app is fine but not great. If 4K isn't a priority the A229 Plus 3CH is the same layout with 2K front and rear for less.
Mid Vantrue N4 Pro - The most widely used 3 channel setup among rideshare drivers. 4k front, 1080p cabin and rear, Starvis2 with IR lights. The newer N4 Pro S bumps the rear to 2.5K.
Budget Redtiger F17 - The budget 3 channel pick. Upscaled 4K front with 1080p cabin and rear, and the cabin lens is built into the back of the main unit so that's one less camera to mount and wire. Comes with a card. Regularly drops with coupons, which is hard to argue with for three channels. Redtiger quality is a step below Vantrue or Viofo and the 4K is upscaled, but for a driver who just needs cabin coverage on a budget it does the job. There's also a newer F17 Elite with a better interior sensor and WiFi 6 if you want to spend more, but might be better to go with a higher quality brand at that point.
Premium BlackVue DR770X Box-3CH - The premium pick and the coolest design of the bunch. The recording unit is a separate lockable box you hide under a seat or in the glovebox, so the cameras on your glass are tiny and low profile and there's nothing for anyone to grab. It also solves the heat problem since the processor isn't baking on your windshield, which matters if you're parked all day between shifts. Three STARVIS cameras, 180° IR interior that covers both sides of the car, plus a wireless SOS button to lock a clip without reaching for anything. Cloud with optional LTE for offsite backup. 2 year warranty. It's Full HD not 4K and it's expensive, but for a driver protecting their income the stealth and the cloud backup are worth it.
A few notes...
Rideshare puts 20k-60k miles a year on a cam, so get a max endurance SD card, not a regular one. 256gb minimum for 3 channel, 512gb for 4 channel. A cheap card will fail and you won't find out until you need the footage.
Also put a sticker up. Uber and Lyft both allow interior cams, but a lot of states are two-party consent for audio. A cheap "this vehicle is recording" decal covers you and cuts down on bad passenger behavior on its own.
Accessories
SanDisk High Endurance / Max Endurance Micro SD – Dashcam optimized. 128gb is sufficient for most budget and dual cams, but 256 or even 512gb is better for 3 channel or 4k 60fps cams. High endurance cards are significantly better for the demands of a dashcam so it's worth spending an extra couple bucks on that.
Misc notes: I generally prefer dashcams with exchangeable memory cards (i.e. not built in). That way if it ever fails, you just swap it out rather than have to deal with getting a brand new camera.
Dashcam Operating Temperatures
Temperature limits for popular dashcams so you can find one that works in your climate. If you live somewhere with extreme heat or cold, check these before you buy — and make sure the cam uses a supercapacitor rather than a battery for hot climates.
Viofo
| Dashcam Model | Operating Temperature | Storage Temperature | Features | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viofo A119 Mini 2 | -20°C to 65°C (-4°F to 149°F) | -20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F) | Compact design with 1440p resolution, STARVIS sensor, and HDR. | Single |
| Viofo A229 Plus | -20°C to 65°C (-4°F to 149°F) | -20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F) | Dual-channel 1440p recording, Sony STARVIS 2 sensor. | Dual |
| Viofo A229 Pro | -10°C to 65°C (14°F to 149°F) | -10°C to 70°C (14°F to 158°F) | Front 4K and rear 1440p recording with enhanced night vision. | Dual |
| Viofo A329 | -20°C to 65°C (-4°F to 149°F) | -20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F) | 4K front camera and 1440p rear with wide-angle recording. | Dual |
Rove
| Dashcam Model | Operating Temperature | Storage Temperature | Features | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rove R2-4K | -30°C to 80°C (-22°F to 176°F) | -30°C to 70°C (-22°F to 158°F) | 4K ultra HD recording, built-in WiFi, and GPS tracking. | Single |
| Rove R2-4K Pro | -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F) | -30°C to 70°C (-22°F to 158°F) | Enhanced 4K video quality, advanced GPS, and parking mode. | Single |
| Rove R2-4K Dual | -20°C to 55°C (-4°F to 131°F) | -20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F) | Front and rear 4K recording, STARVIS sensor, WiFi, and GPS. | Dual |
BlackVue
| Dashcam Model | Operating Temperature | Storage Temperature | Features | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BlackVue DR970X Plus Series | -20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F) | -20°C to 80°C (-4°F to 176°F) | Dual-channel 4K recording, cloud connectivity, and parking mode. | Dual |
| BlackVue DR770X Box-3CH DMS Truck Pro | -20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F) | -20°C to 80°C (-4°F to 176°F) | Triple-channel for truck monitoring, including driver-facing cam. | Triple |
Redtiger
| Dashcam Model | Operating Temperature | Storage Temperature | Features | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redtiger F7N | -20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F) | Not specified | Front and rear recording with 4K quality and night vision. | Dual |
| Redtiger F17 | -20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F) | Not specified | Triple-channel with front, rear, and cabin monitoring. | Triple |
| Redtiger T27 | -20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F) | Not specified | Rearview mirror design with 4K front and 1080p rear cameras. | Dual |
| Redtiger F4 | -20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F) | Not specified | 4K recording with parking mode, night vision, and wide-angle. | Single |
Vantrue
| Dashcam Model | Operating Temperature | Storage Temperature | Features | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vantrue N4 Pro | -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F) | Not specified | 3-channel 4K front + 1080p cabin + 1080p rear, STARVIS 2, IR night vision. | Triple |
| Vantrue E1 Pro | -20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F) | -25°C to 70°C (-13°F to 158°F) | Compact 4K front cam, STARVIS 2, GPS, optional LTE module. | Single |
Note: Vantrue doesn't publish an official temp range for the E1 Lite, but like the rest of the lineup it uses a supercapacitor instead of a battery, which handles heat and cold much better.
Garmin
| Dashcam Model | Operating Temperature | Storage Temperature | Features | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin Mini 3 | -20°C to 45°C (-4°F to 113°F) | Not specified | Ultracompact 1080p with built-in polarizer and HDR. | Single |
Note: Garmin's official max operating temp of 45°C is noticeably lower than most competitors, though Garmin states the device can exceed this and remain safe. Something to consider if you're in a very hot climate.
Nextbase
| Dashcam Model | Operating Temperature | Storage Temperature | Features | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nextbase iQ | Up to 40°C (104°F) ambient; features auto-restrict above that. Lower limit not published. | Not specified | 2K/4K smart cam with 4G/LTE, cloud, and Guardian mode. | Dual (optional 3rd) |
Basic Setup Guide
For all those people wanting a simple dashcam set up that will cover you in 95% of instances, this is for you.
- Get a front only cam like the A119 Mini 2 or a Rove R2
- Get an SD card, preferably a max endurance one like this
- Find a spot on your windshield to stick the camera on. By your rear view mirror is best. It will blend in with the assembly and not be noticeable.
- Plug the wire into your USB port or into a cigarette lighter port with the adapter, depending on your car.
- Tuck the wire in between the windshield and headliner, route it down your A-pillar, and down your dashboard. Use cable stick-ons where needed.
- Tuck the excess wire length somewhere out of view.
And that's it! Your camera will turn on and off with the car. Enjoy your new found sense of security and happy driving.
Why Get a Dashcam?
Dashcams are incredibly useful. In the event of an accident, the other driver can easily misrepresent the situation to avoid blame—this happens often. Having video evidence can save you thousands of dollars in insurance and legal fees. Dashcams can also protect you from unjustly issued tickets. Without one, if you receive a ticket for an infraction you didn't commit, it's your word against the officer's. With a dashcam, you have indisputable proof of what really happened. There's really no downside to investing in one. I do my best to keep this list current, and I hope you find it helpful.