Best Car Cameras in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update February 4, 2024
This review contains the comparison of modern car cameras. A car camera is a compact device for registering traffic accidents using built-in cameras and sensors. We selected and compared the best 5 car camera models focusing on the most important aspects. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
DESIGN
SHOOTING MODE
MATRIX RESOLUTION
ANGLE OF VIEW
BATTERY LIFE
EXPANSION PORTS & SLOTS
DISPLAY SIZE
Warranty
 
PROS

The new improved 6G lens and polarizing filter capture the numbers and details of road signs with superior detail, clarity, and in the 4K resolution. The rear camera is 720p; this cam also features the night mode and built-in Alexa.

CONS

The SD card holder is pretty flimsy.

OUR VERDICT

The night vision gives you extra protection in the dark. In the bright sunlight, the polarizing filter will reduce glare and contrast. An excellent solution for novice drivers as well as those who drive around the clock.

detailed parameters
DESIGN

Monoblock with single camera, Separate rear camera

SHOOTING MODE

Front: 2560 x 1440

Rear: 1920 x 1080

MATRIX RESOLUTION

Front: 140°

Rear: 140°

ANGLE OF VIEW

1 Lithium Ion battery

BATTERY LIFE

Mini USB, MicroSD card slot (card is not included)

EXPANSION PORTS & SLOTS

3" IPS HD Touch Screen

DISPLAY SIZE

Parking mode, Loop recording, Motion sensor, Built-in Alexa , Night mode, Emergency lock

Warranty

1 year

PROS

Monitor the state of your car for 24 hours in the parking mode. The memory card support up to 256GB provides enough space for recording long videos. Installing this camera is extra easy.

CONS

The software is inconvenient.

OUR VERDICT

Protect your car with a dual dash cam. The loop recording saves the latest videos and overwrites the oldest ones when the card's free space runs out. This is a great choice for taxi drivers, truckers, and casual drivers.

detailed parameters
DESIGN

Monoblock with single camera, Separate rear camera

SHOOTING MODE

Front: 2560 x 1440

Rear: 1920 x 1080

MATRIX RESOLUTION

Front: 170°

Rear: 140°

ANGLE OF VIEW

‎1 Lithium Polymer battery

BATTERY LIFE

Mini USB, MicroSD card slot (card is not included)

EXPANSION PORTS & SLOTS

1.5" TFT LCD screen

DISPLAY SIZE

Loop recording, Night mode, Motion sensor, Emergency lock

Warranty

18 months

PROS

The built-in G-sensor with collision detection emergency function is very accurate: it will detect a sudden shake or collision, sending a signal to the camera to lock the video on an instant.

CONS

The rear camera has a limited field of view.

OUR VERDICT

The Orskey S680 is one of the best selling dash cams on the market because of its affordable price and a number of great features. The high-quality WDR lens automatically adjusts to ambient light conditions.

detailed parameters
DESIGN

Monoblock with single camera, Separate rear camera

SHOOTING MODE

Front: 1920 x 1080

Rear: 640 x 480

MATRIX RESOLUTION

Front: 170°

Rear: 140°

ANGLE OF VIEW

Built-in rechargeable battery (car adapter included)

BATTERY LIFE

Mini USB, MicroSD card slot (card is not included)

EXPANSION PORTS & SLOTS

3" LCD screen with buttons

DISPLAY SIZE

Loop recording, Night mode, Motion sensor, Emergency lock

Warranty

1 year

PROS

This camera supports the real time display and playback on the screen without the complicated installation and removal of the SD card. It supports the seamless loop recording and is very easy to install. Both cameras provide high resolution.

CONS

The video from the rear camera is inconveniently displayed when driving.

OUR VERDICT

Read license plates and capture every detail; provide evidence in emergencies or for insurance claims. The included suction mount can be easily attached anywhere on your windshield.

detailed parameters
DESIGN

Monoblock with single camera, Separate rear camera

SHOOTING MODE

Front: 1920 x 1080

Rear: 1280 x 720

MATRIX RESOLUTION

Front: 170°

Rear: 130°

ANGLE OF VIEW

Built-in rechargeable battery (car adapter included)

BATTERY LIFE

Mini USB, MicroSD card slot (card is not included)

EXPANSION PORTS & SLOTS

3" IPS HD Touch Screen

DISPLAY SIZE

Loop recording, Parking monitor, Motion detection, Emergency lock, Night Vision

Warranty

1 year

PROS

This dash cam is equipped with a 1080p front camera and a waterproof rear camera. It automatically activates after the impact and boasts easy installation.

CONS

The maximum capacity of an SD card is limited to 32 GB.

OUR VERDICT

The mount is easy to attach, and the important function settings for daily use are customizable. The simple controls will help novice drivers feel more confident on the road.

detailed parameters
DESIGN

Monoblock with single camera, Separate rear camera

SHOOTING MODE

Front: 1920 x 1080

Rear: 640 x 480

MATRIX RESOLUTION

Front: 170°

Rear: 130°

ANGLE OF VIEW

Cigar lighter power cord

BATTERY LIFE

Mini USB, MicroSD card slot (card is not included)

EXPANSION PORTS & SLOTS

3" LCD screen with buttons

DISPLAY SIZE

Loop recording, Night mode, Motion sensor, Emergency lock

Warranty

1 year

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Nextbase 522GW

High Quality Recording

Want precise and detailed recordings from your dash cam? The Nextbase is all ready to assist you. This wireless camera is excellent at day or night, provides the upscale image quality, and assists you with the road disputes.

The Nextbase features the boosted 1440p HD resolution (30fps) and 1080p (60fps), with the back camera supporting 720p. The 6G lens and a polarizing filter make sure that the license plates are easily readable in 4K, which is very important in case of an accident. What this cam won’t do is pick the facial features unless the driver is really close.

Great, and the viewing angle? This dash cam gives you the 140° wide viewing, supporting the 280° / 360 dual 6 lane wide recording. Be in full control of what is happening in front and at the back of your vehicle while you’re driving.

Doing frequent night trips? The Nextbase gives you Night Vision to record the road perfectly when it’s dark outside. And when it’s all bright and shiny, the cam will reduce glare and balance out the contrast levels. Enjoy the extra coverage at any hour of day or night with this smart dash cam.

Review of Nextbase 522GW Dash Cam Front and Rear

Your Smart Camera

What makes this cam even more amazing is that it can be paired up with the Alexa voice assistant. Connect it, and you’ll be able to play music, run audiobooks, get road directions, or even regulate your thermostat at home. All this without resorting to your smartphone – and with keeping your hands firmly on the wheel. Always drive safely with this multifunctional device.

The integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are great for auto-syncing the data to your phone. This way, the relevant footage can be messaged to an insurer straight away with no delays. Another useful feature that makes the Nextbase really user-focused.

To ensure the reliable recording, check out the best compatible SD cards for this unit. The fast cards are what you need for ruling out the dropouts. Keep in mind, though, that the SD card holder in this model is pretty flimsy.

And finally, the smart parking mode will help you keep an eye on the car in the street. Rest assured that no bumps or suspicious movements will go unnoticed.

Overall, this high quality multifunctional dash cam is pure gold for avid drivers that want real protection on the road.

Nextbase 522GW Dash Cam Front and Rear in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B09TWG9LFF

 

Vantrue N2 Pro

Quality Road Footage

Spending hours on the road? The Vantrue N2 Pro may be your best choice as a front/rear dash cam. It gives you high picture quality, infrared night vision, and the loop recording for non-stop operation. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this camera so good.

First off, this practical device is equipped with the Novatek NT96660 CPU, the Sony Exmor IMX323 sensor, and the OV4689 image sensor. This, plus the F1.8 lens, gives you the crisp and clear road footage at the max resolution of 2560x1440p/ 30fps. The license plates and road view will be captured in full detail for your insurer and the authorities.

If you need to boost the record speed, the camera can go with the 1920x1080p/ 60fps. This will help capture even more details, providing you with the accurate footage.

The Vantrue dual camera supports the wide 170° (front) and 140° (cabin) angle. Perfect for Uber and taxi drivers, commuters and avid travellers, it ensures your safety by keeping a watchful eye over the road. And when you park, the camera will stay active for 24 hours, looking out for any wrongful activity.

Review of Vantrue N2 Pro

No End to Records

Capture the entirety of your car trip without effort. The Vantrue begins recording along with the start of the engine, and if your SD card is full, it will simply overwrite the oldest file and go on recording the road. Even in case you’ve forgotten to unload the card, you won’t be left without the relevant footage. Note that the SD card doesn’t come with the package, so you’ll have to get one yourself. The Vantrue supports the up to 256GB memory cards.

This cam also allows you to save the footage to your PC via the cable. Why is this important? Since the insurance claims can arrive any day, you’d be better off with saved recordings for at least a week to avoid any wrongful accusations.

Does this cam work fine at night? Absolutely. In fact, you’ll be surprised at the high picture quality from your last trip after dark.

Installing this camera is a piece of cake if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The menus are pretty intuitive; however, the software itself may leave you wishing for more.

Summing up, the Vantrue dual dash cam is a reliable assistant if you earn by driving – or simply drive a lot.

Vantrue N2 Pro in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B0742ZV9LV

 

ORSKEY 1080P

Real Bargain

When scouring the market for a dashcam, more likely than not that you’ll come across the Orskey S680, the best selling dash cam with more than a thousand positive reviews. It's a budget-friendly model that has made it into the Amazon top tier car camera picks. What makes it so popular?

To begin with, the Orkey camera sports a nice design. It's sleek and subtle, perfectly fitting in all vehicles. Also, it has some great features like Look recording, Motion detection, and Emergency lock of files. However, the most remarkable thing is that you get not one but two cameras, something you don't usually get at this price. The front camera has a 170° wide-angle lens and can cover four channels without blind spots, providing drivers with all-round protection. The rear dash camera, in its turn, has a 140° wide-angle lens, not the biggest but enough to capture most details of the road. In combo, both cameras provide a clear panoramic recording, ensuring you don't miss anything important ahead or behind your vehicle.

When it comes to clarity, the front dashboard camera records at Full HD 1920x1080P resolution and at 30 fps. The Wide Dynamic Range lens automatically adjusts to ambient light conditions to provide you with the clearest picture possible, while the six infrared LED lights ensure excellent footage even at night. The only thing you should be aware of is that incident lighting on number plates may appear a bit ghostly at night (unless you're in direct line with number plates).

Review of ORSKEY 1080P Car Camera with Night Vision and Motion Detection

Useful Extras

The Orkey dashboard camera features a large 3” LCD display for navigating through the menu and adjusting the camera to the road conditions. The screen shows the image in real-time and allows you to see every detail as clearly as possible. If needed, you can also turn the screen off to drive without the distraction of the video feed.

The camera records videos in cycles from 2 to 10 minutes and owing to the Seamless Loop recording function, it'll automatically overwrite old clips with new ones. The loop recording is integrated on the camera, meaning you’ll never have to wipe the SD card by yourself. The camera will do all the work for you.

All that being said, the G-sensor with a collision detection emergency function will lock the videos of impact in case of an accident. The built-in gravity sensor is fairly accurate and detects sudden shakes or collisions, sending a signal to the camera to lock the video. All files are saved in AVI format, so there will be no problem reproducing them both on TV and on the computer.

Bottom line, the Orkey car camera is a real steal for the money, offering many useful functions at an affordable price. Besides, it offers a hassle-free installation, saving you the trouble to add any extra wiring.

ORSKEY 1080P Car Camera with Night Vision and Motion Detection in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £42.49
Stock In stock
ASIN B07PFSXZ2W

 

Claoner BE-29

Full HD Front Cam

Front or rear, your dash cam should deliver for any direction, protecting you against the wrongful claims. The Claoner dual camera gives you just that; high quality day or night footage plus the real time display.

With the 1080FHD front and the 720p rear camera, you won’t have any problem with license plate numbers or other small details that may be relevant in case of road disputes. In fact, you’ll be downright impressed with how good the rear camera actually is. No blurred, unstable picture that helps with nothing; what you’re getting is crisp and clear footage.

As for the angle, this cam delivers the 170° (front) and 130° (rear) wide one. There will be no blind spots, which means the peace of mind for you as a driver. Also notice the F1.8 large aperture that takes the cam’s abilities to a whole new level.

Driving a lot? Great news for you: the Claoner supports loop recording, meaning that it won’t stop even when the SD card is full. What will happen is overwriting the oldest footage, so make sure everything important is safely stored. This cam supports the up to 32GB microSDs, although they are not included in the package.

Review of Claoner BE-29 Dash Cams

Superior Night Vision

The Claoner gives you the boosted video quality not only by day but also at night. Thanks to the WDR/HDR technology, no low light is a match for this handy device. Yes, it’s not pitch perfect, but considering the reasonable price of the unit, it’s more than enough. And of course, the car registration numbers will be clearly visible in case you need them.

As for the real time display, you won’t have to perform any complex instalments or remove the SD card. The only problem here is that the rear camera video is rather inconveniently displayed while you’re driving.

Need to watch over the car when it’s parked? The Claoner makes it very easy with the 24-hour parking monitor and motion detector. If your office colleague fails to park for the umpteenth time, you’ll have the solid proof of that for the insurance.

This cam is extra easy to install and set up; you don’t have to be tech savvy to go through with this process. The handy suction mount means that the cam can be installed anywhere on the windshield – and even put behind your rear view mirror.

As evident, the Claoner dash cam will monitor your car, front and rear, providing the upscale quality footage.

Claoner BE-29 Dash Cams in the use
Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B07V79YXG9

 

CHORTAU B-T13

Wide Angle Recording

Your safety is always top priority when you’re on the road. The CHORTAU dash cam has all the features you’ll need to record the front/rear view from your car – and support your insurance claims should anything go wrong.

The dual camera gives you the 1080p Full HD front cam and a reliable 720p rear cam. This means that whenever you need to capture the license plates (or other details), the CHORTAU won’t disappoint you. Simply send the video to your insurer, and if you’re not at fault, there will be no issues with the compensation.

Fine, and the viewing angle? This cam offers you the wide front (170°) and rear (130°) to eliminate the usual blind spots. Be in full control of what’s happening around your car at all times.

Uber drivers or frequent car travellers will surely appreciate the loop recording function. Even if you’ve missed the SD card unloading day, this smart cam will replace the older footage with new recordings. As a result, your entire ride will be fully captured, and you won’t be left without the crucial evidence if an accident occurs. Note, however, that this cam only supports the up to 32GB memory cards.

Review of CHORTAU B-T13 Dash Cam For Cars Front and Rear

Multiple Features

What if you forget to save the collision footage? Don’t worry, the CHORTAU will take care of that. The G-sensor with variable sensitivity will automatically spot such cases and save the footage, locking it to an SOS file. Now your solid evidence won’t get overwritten if the memory card is all full.

So, how about the parking? The CHORTAU gives you the full 24-7 car monitoring to ensure that any wrongdoings will not go unnoticed. And did you know that other drivers may be more careful around you when they spot the cams? Well, now you do. Prevention is better than cure, after all.

The simple controls and customizable daily settings make this cam a treasure for novice drivers. The device is easy to set up and includes a handy long wire that should be enough to not cause issues with the small to middle-sized vehicles. Use the suction mount to place the front cam just about anywhere on your windshield. The rear camera is trickier to mount, but it’s nothing out of the way.

In short, the CHORTAU dual camera will keep a watchful eye over your car in any situation. Get one for your daily trips – or gear up for a long road journey.

CHORTAU B-T13 Dash Cam For Cars Front and Rear in the use

Additional Info

User Manual

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B07Q5R22DV

 

Infographics

Comparison of Car Cameras

What Is a Car Camera?

There're numerous advantages to having a car camera in your car. The most significant one is that a car camera (or a dash camera) serving as an impartial "witness" can help you disentangle from many controversial situations that occur on the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration informs that there're more than 30,000 fatal vehicle crashes in the US annually. And a dash camera can record all the traffic accidents and bear evidence of unexpected situations. The car camera is a miniature recording device, which performs a recording of the videos of various length. The automobile cameras record the video footage of a traffic incident to a memory card, and when the memory is full, the new footage files overwrite the old ones.

Modern car cameras may come including a variety of additional features, such as a GPS or a radar detector for notifying you of the police radars detected ahead on the road. You can get more detailed information about these devices in this review.

What Features to Compare

Design

Car cameras mainly differ in design, with the size, mounting type and functionality of the device determining its best use. Generally, they can be of four types: classic, with a flip-out display, rear view mirror overlay and the ones with a remote camera.

Monoblock dashboard cams have a one-piece housing, small size, and are equipped with one or two video cameras. More often than not, they come supplied with a display but you can also find models that have no display at all. These cameras are usually mounted to the windshield from the inside of a car using suction cups. Such an installation method is simple and allows you to turn the device or the camera in the desired direction.

When it comes to dashboard cameras with a flip-out display, these often have a flat housing, which allows for hassle-free folding and retracting even a rather large display. Often, these devices have a rotating camera that enables you to turn it toward the side window.

Another auto cam type is mounted as an overlay on the rear view mirror. There are models with one and two surveillance cameras you can choose from. What distinguishes this type of camera is that it offers concealed mounting, making sure the camera won't attract attention nor hinder the driver's view.

The other type is the one with a remote camera. These are connected to the main unit using a cable and can be installed both on the windshield and on the rear windshield of your car. As a rule, cameras of this type are pretty small in size and have a built-in display so you can easily mount them even in such places as a glove compartment or on the dashboard.

Video Recording Quality

Perhaps the most important thing that you should pay attention to when choosing a car camera is the video recording quality, as it affects the quality and the detail of the video evidence of traffic accidents. The video with an optimal quality is recorded at HD resolution (1280x720), Full HD (1920x1080) (requires at least 2.1 megapixel CCD-matrix) while the best quality option is provided by the Super HD resolution (2304x1296). The video of such quality has the highest detail, and you will be able to discern the license plates, traffic lights, and other important details on it easily.

Another important parameter is the car camera angle of view. Typically, manufacturers specify the value of the viewing angle measured diagonally, not horizontally. The value of this angle ranges from 90˚ to 178˚ depending on the model. Modern high-quality camera recorders have a minimum viewing angle of 110˚, which allows them to shoot picture/image almost as precisely as a human eye sees it in reality. Capturing footage with a car camera that has an angle of view wider than 140˚ (higher than 110˚ measured horizontally) will result in noticeable geometric distortion, especially at the edges of the image frame.

Finally, be sure to choose a car camera utilising a glass optical lens. These shoot better-quality video footage.

Extra Features

With regard to the extra features of a car camera, many models, in addition to recording video, can perform other useful functions as well. For example, cameras with built-in GPS can help pinpoint your position and speed, and will also notify you in case of exceeding the speed limit. A G-sensor or a shock sensor initiates the video recording on detecting the vehicle shaking or collision.

Almost all recorders use a battery, of a built-in or removable type, by means of which the car camera device can continue the recording and save the footage with the engine stopped, or perform the night shooting.

Sources:

1. Matt Smith How To Choose The Right Dashcam For Your Car, MakeUseOf. March 11, 2014.

2. Walsh How to buy the best dash cam, Which?

3. Dash Cam Buying Guide, DashCamTalk. November 21, 2013.

4. Chris Barnes Dashboard camera buying guide, Choice. June 7, 2016.

5. Jan Dizon Top 8 Best Dash Cams And What To Look For In A Dashboard Camera, Tech Times. July 22, 2015.

6. Eric Adams The Best Dash Cam, The Wirecutter. March 25, 2016.

7. Kim Adams In-car camera reviews - dash cam test 2016, Auto Express. March 14, 2016.

8. Will Dron Buying Guide: Leading dashcam dashboard cameras reviewed (updated), Driving. September 22, 2016.

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