Best Dash Cams

These compact cameras are specifically designed for automotive use and create a video record of whatever goes on in front of the car, such as oncoming traffic and crossing pedestrians. Some come with a rear-mounted unit that records activity behind the car and can double as a backup camera, which is handy if your vehicle isn’t already equipped with one. Some also record minute to minute how fast you’re going, and track GPS coordinates to indicate precisely where you’ve been. Many can also record what’s taking place inside the cabin.

You probably won’t get a discount on your auto insurance for using a dash cam, but the video it records can be used to dispute speeding tickets, as evidence or supporting documentation when filing insurance claims, or in legal proceedings related to crashes and other incidents.

New models are continually coming to market, from simple forward-camera-only ones to those with touchscreens and voice integration.

We evaluated three dash cams and one dash cam app to find out which ones are genuinely useful and which are just a disappointing gizmo that might end up unused in your glove box. We discovered that it’s a challenge to find the sweet spot between price, features, and ease of use that lets you feel that you’re getting the most for your money.

With dash cams, it turns out the maxim is true: You get what you pay for. Below, you’ll find reviews of the best dash cams from our tests.