Where do the best high-tech dash cams fit into your motoring life? Installing a high-tech dash cam in your vehicle ultimately serves the basic purpose of being a witness to and providing indisputable proof of car accidents. They can also reduce your insurance premiums, depending on your provider.
Entry-level cams perform these tasks very well, so what is fair to question what is the point of more expensive options? That is what we shall delve into here. Your cheap dash cams bear the acceptable minimum of what a dash cam should offer: 1080p video quality; G-sensor to protect files when sudden movement is detected; and loop recording that keeps the dash cam recording when memory cards get full.
If you are prepared to pay more than a budget dash cam for one that boasts more tech, you can get units that record in sharper 1440p or even 4K; have GPS location; Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity; Amazon Alexa; or even SOS signals to emergency services in the case of a crash.
The best high-tech dash cams at a glance:
Editor’s pick: Nextbase 622GW – buy from Amazon.
Most technologically advanced: Cobra SC 400D – buy from Amazon.
Most comprehensive: Road Angel Halo Ultra – buy from Amazon.
Therefore, some high-tech dash cams go beyond the requirements of traffic recording and also take on the role of a smart device for your car. This includes the likes of dual dash cams too. This means that they also adopt a more social function, allowing you to capture your road trips in high quality and easily share them with whoever is interested. Bit of a racer? Use one for your track days too, why not?
The best high-tech dash cams
Editor's pick
Rrp: $399.99
Rrp: $399.99
The reason for this is that in addition to the 4K video quality, there is also Image Stabilisation for gravel roads; Extreme Weather Mode for picking up number plates in fog and driving rain; Enhanced Night Vision, which is fairly self-explanatory; and what3words built in that works with the GPS for very precise location.
We also like that the 622GW essentially turns into a smart device when used with the MyNextbase app. From there, you can use Alexa Voice Control to control not only the dash cam but also other functions, such as playing music or making a call.
The 622GW has the standout build quality and gives better value for money than any of its competitors. It’s advanced, but all the features included are actually useful rather than gimmicks. Nextbase has also recently launched its own car insurance and is offering discounts to owners of its dash cams.
Pros
- Alexa Voice Control
- Fantastic build quality
- Precise GPS location
Cons
- Not many at this price point
| <strong>Video </strong> | 4K at 30fps; 1440p HD at 60fps; 1080p HD at 120fps |
| <strong>Screen </strong> | 3-inch HD touchscreen |
| <strong>Viewing angle </strong> | 140 degrees |
| <strong>Lens </strong> | 6-layer f1.3 |
| <strong>Image stabilisation </strong> | Yes |
| <strong>Emergency SOS </strong> | Yes |
| <strong>GPS </strong> | Yes |
| <strong>Alexa voice control</strong> | Yes |
| <strong>Bluetooth</strong> | Yes – Bluetooth 5.0 |
| <strong>Wi-Fi</strong> | Yes |
Most comprehensive high-tech dash cam
The Halo Ultra is no stranger to this with its 4K resolution, built-in 5GHZ Wi-Fi, a compatible app, and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assist Systems) technology to assist you in traffic conditions whilst driving. This includes the likes of lane departure warning, onward collision warning, and a 'true parking mode'. It even has 64GB of memory, so your clips are saved in a huge storage folder, should you ever need it.
Pros
- Very comprehensive set of features
- Great quality recording
Cons
- Parking mode is a bit overkill
| <strong>Video </strong> | 1440p HD at 30fps front; 1080p HD at 30fps rear |
| <strong>Screen </strong> | No screen |
| <strong>Viewing angle </strong> | 140 degrees |
| <strong>Lens </strong> | 5.14MP Sony STARVIS |
| <strong>Image stabilisation </strong> | No |
| <strong>Emergency SOS </strong> | No |
| <strong>GPS </strong> | Yes |
| <strong>Alexa voice control </strong> | No |
| <strong>Bluetooth </strong> | No |
| <strong>Wi-Fi </strong> | Yes |
The best value high-tech dash cam
Rrp: $299.99
Rrp: $299.99
Like the 622GW, it is very well put together and is something you notice the moment you lift it from the box. Aesthetically, it’s the winner here thanks to its brushed metal front plate. It is the perfect dash cam for the driver who undertakes the usual day-to-day tasks and goes on the occasional weekend away because it offers value and relevant features.
Pros
- Best video quality at its price point
- G-sensor
Cons
- Subscription service for Emergency SOS
| <strong>Video </strong> | 1440p HD at 30fps; 1080p HD at 60fps |
| <strong>Screen </strong> | 3-inch HD touchscreen |
| <strong>Viewing angle </strong> | 140 degrees |
| <strong>Lens </strong> | 6-layer f1.3 |
| <strong>Image stabilisation </strong> | No |
| <strong>Emergency SOS </strong> | Yes |
| <strong>GPS </strong> | Yes |
| <strong>Alexa voice control </strong> | Yes |
| <strong>Bluetooth </strong> | Yes – Bluetooth 4.2 |
| <strong>Wi-Fi</strong> | Yes |
Most technologically advanced dash cam
There hasn't been a corner which the technicians at Cobra haven't covered, although the driver alert feature isn't the best it could be. Essentially, you get small alerts such as when speed cameras and limits are approaching, which should really be the responsibility of the driver's own observations.
Nevertheless, with 4K resolution and a dual cam setup, you are assured that the quality of your footage is second to none. Useful if you'll need it for insurance settlements.
Pros
- Loads of features to play with
- Incredible recording quality
Cons
- Some features are a bit overkill
The best 5G dash cam
It also has a parking mode. How this works is that footage can be recorded up to ten seconds before motion is detected before filming the event - even if the car is parked up. The one downside is the 2.7K recording resolution, which is a bit of a shame considering other options are packed with 4K at the realm.
Pros
- Parking mode can be useful
- Very good night mode for dark atmosphere recording
Cons
- No 4K resolution
Getting the most from these dash cams
You might want to consider getting them hard-wired into the car in order to make the most of the parking modes, and also free up your car’s 12V power socket. Hardwire kits are about £20 and are easy to do yourself if you are confident. Alternatively, retailers such as Halfords offer professional fitting. Hardwire kits allow the dash cams to keep working when the car is switched off, but have an auto-off function that doesn’t let the car battery get below a certain voltage. If that doesn’t tempt you, then mirror dash cams are also an option.
Make sure you download the appropriate app. This is the key to fast access to footage, sharing it, and in the case of the Thinkware Q800. It also helps to get into the habit of formatting the memory card at least once or twice a month. It means you don’t run the risk of any precious footage being overwritten.
We tested the Nextbase rear cam module and found it to work very well and would highly recommend considering it. You just need to remember that extra footage takes up more space and you may want to buy a memory card of at least 64GB.
Myles Warwood is an Autos Products Writer for both Parkers and CAR, specialising in child seats and e-bikes. In his spare time, he’s a freelance cycling journalist and dog owner.
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