Guides · 7 min read · 2026-10-04
Best Dash Cams
A tiny front-only VIOFO, front-and-rear picks from VIOFO and ROVE, the compact Garmin, a 3-channel 70mai for rideshare, and a budget 4K.
Quick picks
- Best front-onlyVIOFO A119 Mini 2
2K 60fps with a STARVIS 2 sensor and a supercapacitor.
- Best front and rearVIOFO A229 Plus Dash Cam Front and Rear
2K dual STARVIS 2 sensors with HDR.
- Best 4K front and rearROVE R2-4K Dual Dash Cam Front and Rear
4K dual cam with a STARVIS 2 sensor and a 128GB card included.
- Most discreetGarmin Dash Cam™ Mini 3
Ultracompact 1080p HD from Garmin.
- Best for rideshare70mai 4K Dash Cam Front and Rear Inside
3 channels: front, rear, and cabin, plus GPS and parking monitor.
- Best budgetgalphi 4K Dash Cam Front
4K front, 5GHz Wi-Fi, 32GB card included.
VIOFO A119 Mini 2
The VIOFO A119 Mini 2 is the front-only dash cam we'd buy first. It records 2K at 60fps with a STARVIS 2 sensor and uses a supercapacitor, a better match for hot parked cars than a built-in battery. It's small enough to hide behind the mirror.
Pros
- 2K at 60fps
- STARVIS 2 sensor
- Supercapacitor suits hot cars
Cons
- Front camera only
Best for: Most drivers who just want a front camera.
Check price on AmazonVIOFO A229 Plus Dash Cam Front and Rear
The VIOFO A229 Plus adds a rear camera: 2K front and rear, both with STARVIS 2 sensors, plus HDR. Rear-end collisions are common, so a rear camera earns its place if you can stretch the budget.
Pros
- Front and rear cameras
- 2K with dual STARVIS 2 sensors
- HDR
Cons
- Costs more than front-only cams
- Rear-camera wiring takes more install time
Best for: Commuters who want rear coverage too.
Check price on AmazonROVE R2-4K Dual Dash Cam Front and Rear
The ROVE R2-4K Dual is a front-and-rear system with a 4K front camera and a STARVIS 2 sensor, and it comes with a 128GB card, so there's nothing else to buy. Choose it if you want 4K front recording and a rear camera in one box.
Pros
- 4K front recording
- STARVIS 2 sensor
- 128GB card included
Cons
- 4K files fill cards faster than 2K
Best for: Drivers who want 4K and a rear camera out of the box.
Check price on AmazonGarmin Dash Cam™ Mini 3
The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 is the one to get if you want the camera to disappear. It's ultracompact, records 1080p HD, and comes from a brand most people already trust for car electronics.
Pros
- Ultracompact and discreet
- 1080p HD
- Garmin brand
Cons
- 1080p, while others here record 2K or 4K
- Front camera only
Best for: Leased cars and drivers who hate visible gadgets.
Check price on Amazon70mai 4K Dash Cam Front and Rear Inside
The 70mai 4K (T800E) records front, rear, and inside the cabin, which is what rideshare and delivery drivers want. It also lists GPS, Wi-Fi 6, voice control, a parking monitor, night vision, and loop recording, and it comes with a 64GB card.
Pros
- Front, rear, and cabin cameras
- GPS, Wi-Fi 6, and voice control
- Parking monitor; 64GB card included
Cons
- A cabin camera is more than most private drivers need
- Three cameras means more wiring
Best for: Rideshare, delivery, and family cars.
Check price on Amazongalphi 4K Dash Cam Front
The galphi 4K is the low-cost way into a dash cam: a mini 4K front camera with 5GHz Wi-Fi for phone transfers and a 32GB card in the box. For a second car or a tight budget, it covers the basics.
Pros
- Lowest price in this guide
- 4K front camera
- 5GHz Wi-Fi and a 32GB card included
Cons
- Lesser-known brand than VIOFO or Garmin
- Front only
Best for: Second cars and tight budgets.
Check price on AmazonHow to choose
- Front-only or front and rear
- A front camera covers most incidents. A rear camera helps with rear-end collisions and costs a bit more to buy and install.
- Heat
- Parked cars get hot. Supercapacitor cams, like the VIOFO A119 Mini 2, are generally better suited to heat than battery-powered ones.
- Resolution and card size
- 2K is plenty for most drivers; 4K captures more detail but fills cards faster. Budget for a high-endurance card if one isn't included.
- Parking mode
- If you want recording while parked, check for a parking monitor and plan for a hardwire kit or another constant power source.
Our shortlist
For a front camera, get the VIOFO A119 Mini 2. Add rear coverage with the VIOFO A229 Plus, or the ROVE R2-4K Dual if you want a 4K front camera. The Garmin Mini 3 is the discreet pick, the 70mai 3-channel is for rideshare drivers, and the galphi 4K is the budget buy.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a rear dash cam?
Not always, but rear-end collisions are common and a rear camera records what a front-only cam can't. The VIOFO A229 Plus and ROVE R2-4K Dual both include one.
Is 4K worth it in a dash cam?
It can help with details like plates, but 4K files are larger. A good 2K camera like the VIOFO A119 Mini 2 is enough for most drivers.