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Dashboard camera reviews

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Last updated: 17 January 2024
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Ever been in a car accident or road rage incident that wasn't your fault? When it's your word against someone else's, video from a dashboard camera can be useful to prove your case. 

We test car dashboard cameras – also known as dash cams – priced from $50 up to $799 to help you find the models that:

  • deliver the best video quality in daylight, artificial light and low light (nighttime)
  • have the best angle of view
  • are the easiest to use. 

We've also partnered with Shop Ethical on this update to show the ratings the Ethical Consumer Group gives to each company.

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Our interactive comparison tool helps you easily compare the pros and cons of each model, and our Recommended list shows you at a glance which dash cams tick all the boxes. 

Dash cam models tested in 2021 were assessed under different conditions due to COVID-19 travel limits restricting access to our labs. Though the stringent method was very similar to the typical one used to test dash cams previously, it does mean that the results for 2021 models are not directly comparable to earlier or later test results. You can differentiate these in the 'Compare all' table.

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Brand

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List of brands we tested in this review.

    Price

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    This is the recommended retail price at the time of testing. Keep in mind many of the dashboard cameras we've tested don't come with a required microSD memory card, which will cost you more money.

    enter value/s in increments of 1 between 50 and 799

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    Picture quality – daylight score

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    Our tester installs the dash cam in a car, drives a set route in clear daylight, and assesses the recorded video for clarity, fluidity of motion and colour accuracy.

    enter value/s in increments of i between 30 and 83

    Picture quality – night driving score

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    Our tester installs the dash cam in a car, drives a set route in different lighting conditions at night including well-lit main roads, tunnels and dark side streets. They assess the recorded video for clarity, fluidity of motion, colour accuracy, light balance and environmental details.

    enter value/s in increments of i between 22 and 75

    Built-in display

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    Some models have a built in screen so you access settings, footage etc. Others offer the same functions via a paired smartphone app. Models that don't have a screen or an app typically use physical buttons.

      Rear camera

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      This refers to dash cams that include a rear camera or support one as an optional extra. This is often displayed as "CH" in the product name, which stands for channel. E.g. A "2CH" model will support a rear camera.

        Shoot still photos

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        Can the dash cam capture stills in addition to video?

          Included in this review

          Members-only access
          • CHOICE Expert Rating
          • Recommended
          • Picture quality – daylight score
          • Picture quality – night driving score
          • Ease of use score
          • Heat test score
          • Good points
          • Bad points
          • Shop Ethical rating
          • Price
          • Year tested
          • Built-in display
          • Memory card included
          • Rear camera
          • Parking mode
          • Records GPS map location and speed data
          • Internal battery
          • Shoot still photos
          • Angle of view
          • 4K video
          • HD video
          • 60 fps
          • Mounting method
          • Removable memory card type
          • Weight (g)
          • Dimensions (cm, H x W x D)
          • Country of origin

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