Dash cams are popular because they can capture viral videos of bad drivers or stunning natural events, like a falling meteor. More importantly, dash cams are an invaluable accessory for your car because they can limit your liability in accidents and record instances of vandalism. If you drive a company car, having video proof of your role in an incident is crucial. PCMag has been reviewing dash cams for over eight years, so we can help you find the right one for your needs. Our Editors' Choice winner, the Garmin Dash Cam Live, impresses with its driver-assist features and 1440p video capture, but other models on the list below are also worth exploring. Make sure to click through to our reviews for the full details and read to the end for some additional buying advice.
Overview
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Jump To Details
![Garmin Dash Cam Live]()
Best for Driver AssistsGarmin Dash Cam Live
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![Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam]()
Best for Alexa SupportNextbase 622GW Dash Cam
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Jump To Details
![Rove R2-4K Pro Dash Cam]()
Best for 4K VideoRove R2-4K Pro Dash Cam
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
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![Garmin Dash Cam Live]()
Best for Driver AssistsGarmin Dash Cam Live
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Garmin Dash Cam Live is an Editors’ Choice winner thanks to its low-profile design, 180-degree field of view, 1440p capture resolution, and cellular connectivity. Other highlights include excellent driver assist features (such as forward collision and lane departure warnings), remote live view capabilities, and easy-to-use voice commands. It even comes with a 16GB microSD card and can let you know if you drive away without your phone.
Who It's For
People who drive older cars: The Garmin Dash Cam Live brings modern safety features to older cars, trucks, and SUVs that may not have them by default. The most important of these are the lane departure warnings and forward collision warnings, which can help prevent accidents.
Those who need a wide view: This camera offers a massive 180-degree field of view, capturing everything in front of your car. It can handle up to 1440p resolution, providing you with the flexibility to zoom and crop when needed. Moreover, you can capture time-lapse recordings that highlight routes on long trips.
People who require flexible connectivity: The Dash Cam Live connects via cellular networks when you're on the road and via Wi-Fi for uploading your videos at home, which means you're connected no matter where you go. This permits you to access a remote live view from your phone, as well as store recordings locally or in the cloud.
Specs & Configurations
Bluetooth Forward Collision Warning G-Sensor GPS Lane Departure Warning Parking Mode Resolution 1440p Safety Camera Alerts Screen Size 2.95 Voice Control Integrated Wi-Fi Learn More Garmin Dash Cam Live Review -
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![Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam]()
Best for Alexa SupportNextbase 622GW Dash Cam
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Nextbase 622GW provides a lot of features for the price, including a 3-inch IPS touch screen, Alexa voice controls, a parking mode, and a subscription-based Emergency SOS feature that sends your car’s location to first responders if you get into an accident. The camera delivered high-quality 4K video in testing, and we had no trouble with the on-screen controls.
Who It's For
People seeking safety features: The Nextbase 622GW includes automatic crash detection and sends an SOS emergency alert if you're unable to do so yourself—which can save lives. This is a vital feature to have if your phone doesn't include similar functionality.
People who want the sharpest video: The Nextbase captures up to 4K resolution video, which is helpful when you need to zoom in on specific areas of the frame to sort out details. Fine details can be lost in lower-resolution video, so having 4K footage provides the most flexibility.
Alexa users: Anyone who is an Alexa expert can benefit from the Nextbase, which features built-in support for Alexa and voice commands. If you're accustomed to speaking to Alexa, you can rely on your smart assistant muscle memory to get the most out of this camera.
Specs & Configurations
Bluetooth G-Sensor GPS Parking Mode Resolution 4K Safety Camera Alerts Screen Size 3 Voice Control Amazon Alexa Wi-Fi Learn More Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam Review -
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![Rove R2-4K Pro Dash Cam]()
Best for 4K VideoRove R2-4K Pro Dash Cam
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
We like that the Rove R2-4K Pro Dash Cam offers sharp 4K video, dual-band Wi-Fi, and a GPS radio for an affordable price. The easy setup and convenient microSD storage also compensate for the lack of a touch screen. Finally, the companion app makes it simple to view and download past recordings.
Who It’s For
Minimalists: If you prefer something simple that just works, the Rove R2-4K is simple to install, affordable, and handles the most essential video capture features in 4K resolution.
People who want location details: With its own independent GPS radio in addition to dual-band Wi-Fi, the R2-4K always knows where it is—and where you are. Location details are crucial if you're involved in an accident in an uninhabited area, and the R2-4K has you covered.
Specs & Configurations
G-Sensor GPS Parking Mode Resolution 4K Screen Size 2.4 Voice Control None Wi-Fi Learn More Rove R2-4K Pro Dash Cam Review -
Compare Specs
Our Pick | ||||||
Rating |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
Best For | Best for Driver Assists | Best for Alexa Support | Best for 4K Video | Best for Driver Assists | Best for Alexa Support | Best for 4K Video |
Screen Size | 2.95 | 3 | 2.4 | 2.95 | 3 | 2.4 |
Resolution | 1440p | 4K | 4K | 1440p | 4K | 4K |
G-Sensor | ||||||
Parking Mode | ||||||
GPS | ||||||
Voice Control | Integrated | Amazon Alexa | None | Integrated | Amazon Alexa | None |
Bluetooth | ||||||
Wi-Fi | ||||||
Forward Collision Warning | ||||||
Lane Departure Warning | ||||||
Safety Camera Alerts |
Buying Guide: The Best Dash Cams for 2026
What Is a Dash Camera?
A dash cam is a mountable camera you can secure to your windshield or rearview mirror. It's important to go for a test drive after you attach one to ensure it doesn't obstruct your view and is easy to access. Most dash cams have built-in screens for changing settings and viewing videos (don't do this while driving), but others require you to pair them with a smartphone app.
Many of the dash cameras we review record in at least 1080p video, though some can capture 4K clips. Make sure to purchase the largest memory card your dash cam accepts and regularly transfer the clips from the camera to your computer. The best dash cams automatically start recording once you start your car, so your card might fill up faster than you think. If you run out of storage, remember that many models will overwrite old videos. It may be more convenient to pay for a cloud storage plan (if available) with space for seven to 30 days' worth of recordings rather than relying on SD cards.
Consider a camera's field of view; a wider-angle lens captures more of the road in front of and around you. This is handy for taking snapshots when driving, though smartphones are often better at this task because some dash cams downsize these captures.
Dash cams with a G-Sensor can detect a collision and automatically capture recordings during such events. Some double as navigation devices, though others simply employ GPS so that you can pinpoint your car's location on a map and pair it with recorded events.
Do You Need a Dash Cam With Multiple Cameras?
Some manufacturers outfit their dash cams with multiple cameras that you can pair together for a wider field of view or to see in front of and behind your car simultaneously. Not everyone needs a dedicated rear-facing camera because all new consumer vehicles in the US have had backup cameras since 2018.
Recommended by Our Editors
Cameras that point inside the car can be more useful, as they let you see who is in the cabin and what they are doing. If the model you choose has a microphone, you might even be able to communicate with passengers from afar.
Which Dash Cam Has the Best Driver Assists, Connectivity, and Voice Features?
Some dash cams feature high-tech driver assists, such as lane departure warnings and forward collision alerts that can keep you safe. Meanwhile, alerts for red lights and speed cameras help you avoid traffic tickets. Some even alert you to school zones and upcoming curves.
A few models have Bluetooth radios that allow them to sync with mobile apps, while others rely on Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity. If you opt for a cellular plan, prepare to pay a monthly fee (potentially in addition to cloud storage).
As with most smart devices, the latest dash cams support voice controls for everything from capturing clips manually to recording traffic stop incidents.