Dash Cam Buying Guide: How to Choose (Plus 7 Picks)
A dash cam records the road while you drive, so if there's an accident or a dispute you have video of what happened. Most of them work the same way: they start recording when the car turns on, record in a loop so the memory card never fills up, and lock the clip when they feel a hard bump.
Where they differ is how many cameras they have, the picture quality, and extras like parking mode or a screen. Below are a few dash cams for different needs, plus two phone mounts, since the windshield is where both end up.
Dash cams and mounts worth a look
1. Z50 Pro Dual-Channel 1080P Dash Cam with 2-Inch Display & 24H Parking Monitor
$38.99 · Free US shipping
A low-cost way to cover the road ahead and the inside of the car. Records 1080P through a 170° front lens with night vision, has a 2-inch screen and a 24-hour parking monitor. The memory card isn't included; it takes up to 64GB.
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2. 2-Channel 1080P Dash Cam with Rear Camera and Night Vision
$40.99 · Free US shipping
Covers front and rear at the same time with two 1080P cameras and a 170° view. A G-sensor locks the footage on impact, and it records audio. Bring your own microSD card, up to 64GB.
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3. 3-Channel 4K Dash Cam with 2-Inch Screen & 32GB Card for Front, Interior & Rear Recording
$54.99 · Free US shipping
Three cameras: 4K at the front, plus 720p interior and rear views, all recording at once. A 32GB card is included and it supports up to 64GB. A good pick if you want front, cabin and rear in one unit.
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4. 9.66-Inch 4K Mirror Dash Cam with Dual Lens & IPS Touch Screen
$64.99 · Free US shipping
Replaces the look of your rear-view mirror with a 9.66-inch IPS touchscreen. Records 4K with front and rear lenses and comes with a 32GB card. The mirror format keeps the windshield clear.
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5. Fan-Cooling Magnetic Wireless Car Charger Mount for iPhone 12 Through 17
$40.99 · Free US shipping
For iPhone 12 through 17: a vent mount with magnetic wireless charging and a built-in fan to keep the phone cooler while it charges and runs maps.
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6. Magnetic Vacuum Suction Car Phone Mount for the Center Console
$34.49 · Free US shipping on orders $35+
If you'd rather keep the phone off the vents, this stainless steel magnetic mount sits on the dash or console with one vacuum suction cup and folds flat.
View product →How to choose
- Channels: how many views you need.
- One or two front-facing channels cover most crashes. A rear camera helps with rear-end collisions. A cabin camera is mainly for drivers who carry passengers.
- Resolution and night vision.
- 1080P is enough to see what happened; 4K makes it easier to read details like plates at a distance. For night driving, look for night vision or infrared on the listing.
- Parking mode needs power.
- A parking monitor only records while the camera has power. Many cars cut the 12V socket when the engine is off, so parking mode may need a hardwire kit or a socket that stays on.
- Memory cards matter.
- Check whether a card is included and the largest size supported (64GB for most picks here). Loop recording overwrites old clips, so save anything important soon after.
- Mounting.
- Put the camera behind the rear-view mirror so it doesn't block your view, and check your state's rules on windshield mounts. Tuck the cable along the headliner.
- Audio recording.
- Most of these record audio. Some states require everyone's consent to be recorded, so turn the mic off if you're unsure or carrying passengers.
Dash cams over $35 ship free in the US, and every order has 30-day returns.
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