Using two feeds tells the camera which mode it should be in. In most cases, it also avoids flattening the car battery. This is because dash cam parking modes are usually designed to switch off at a pre-set voltage.

If you use the cigarette lighter/USB port to power your dash cam, then leaving it plugged in overnight might drain your car battery, depending on if your vehicle supplies constant power to the ports. Hard-wired dash cams can be set up to switch on with the car ignition in some vehicles to save battery, too. Dash cams provide an extra layer of protection, as they can record any potential evidence should you be involved in an accident or have an unfortunate experience with another motorist.

Preparing a dash cam in a car for long-term storage

There are also a wealth of features to consider, including a touchscreen display, a companion app, GPS, parking surveillance, voice control, sat nav and what3words to name but a few. Naturally, we cannot crash a vehicle to see how well the dash cam detects collisions. Instead, firmly tapping the dash cam can simulate a collision, allowing us to see what happens when footage is saved. It is also possible to trigger a recording by powering the camera with a portable battery and tapping it against our desk. It may seem rudimentary, but it works and keeps our insurance company happy. DRV-A601W - Ultra HD 4K Dash Cam with Built-in Wireless LAN - Optional Rear View Dash Cam KCA-R200 and Smart Parking Mode when Fitted with Hardwire Kit CA-DR1030 You don’t want a hard-wired camera: The X1000 can work with a plug-in adapter, but hard-wiring is the better option, though you might need a pro to fit it. If you cannot dash in the right direction, make sure you are not holding any while pressing the Demo Dash keybind, also, you might be waiting too long after tapping left or right.

This fantastic little dash cam from Garmin earns second place on this list with good image quality, a number of extra features, and actually quite an attractive design. It's one of the most compact cameras here (so takes up less windscreen space) and resembles a GoPro, making it the most attractive as well. That might seem like a funny thing to say, but it won't look out of place in a Range Rover or Mercedes, while others on this list will. There are also dash cams that boast additional features that, just like any other technology, translate to a higher asking price. In addition to better video quality like 4K, night vision and built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for easy file transfer may also be included. You expect a polarizing filter as standard: Some dash cams include a polarizing lens to reduce reflections from the hood, but it’s an optional extra for the E1. The DRV-A601W includes a Polariser Filter. This reduces such things as dashboard reflection on the windscreen, which may appear in certain positions or due to weather conditions, and helps to lessen glare on sunny days, making it possible to record clear outside images. There is a saying in photography that the best camera is the one you have; likewise, the best dash cam is the one you have fitted.There are also impressive safety features, such as Emergency SOS, which will alert the emergency services to your location in the event of an accident. This feature is potentially lifesaving and is one of the main reasons we rate it as the best dash cam in 2019. Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test. Capable yet accessible, Thinkware’s X1000 comes bundled with everything you need to record front and rear. Our tests found a lot to like about the X1000. Its best attribute is its ease of use: with a large 3.5-inch touchscreen and icon-based interface, it’s simple to configure and there’s no need to rely on a smartphone partner app.

You want a simple solution: Nexar's app is home to a host of useful tools, but you’ll find better value elsewhere if you only want a basic cam for recording the road. This single 4K dash cam received top marks in our full Miofive 4K dash cam review thanks to its easy setup, sharp 4K video, internal memory, and slim form factor.

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In our tests, the front camera’s footage was generally good enough in most scenarios. Viofo utilizes Sony Starvis image sensors, which perform well in low-light conditions. The lower resolution does compromise quality in subpar driving situations though, with fuzzy detail putting it behind the best 4K competitors. The interior and rear cameras offer a wide 170-degree field of view, and the interior camera is equipped with six LEDs for infrared capabilities. Even in the darkest driving conditions, visibility inside the car remained clear in our tests.

If you decide to have these on (they can be turned off through the app) the dash cam will emit a beep if you start to drift over road markings or go over the speed limit. The best car phone holders to mount your smartphone in your car for easy access to GPS and hands-free calling

The video footage is great as well. Recording in 1440p with an ultra-wide 180-degree field of view. The video quality might not be as good at the Nextbase 522GW, but it's good enough. The mount is excellently designed, with a small 3M magnet mount making removal and placement of the dash cam incredibly easy. The downside is the slightly fiddly menu system, which is controlled by four buttons on the side, and the inconsistent voice control. Relatively compact for a dual-lens dash cam, the Vantrue N2 Pro records a detailed view of the road ahead and your vehicle’s interior. Designed with taxi drivers in mind, it forgoes many of the extras which your car is already likely to have, including speed camera alerts and collision warnings. You’re on a tight budget: Its multiple talents mean the DriveCam 76 demands a fairly high price. If you won’t use all of its features, you’ll find better value in standalone cameras. We loved Ultra Dash. It’s very simple to use and there’s loads of scope for tweaking the game whether you are inside or outside. It works well on your own, with a couple of players or with loads of players. The only downside to lots of players is you have to wait longer for your next turn! Use assist mode to slow the game (in a different profile if you care) for practice. It makes neutral jumps and such much easier and you can then bump the speed up by 10 or 20 percentage points once you get the hang of it. Repeat until you reach the speed you play at. I focused on a single technique at a time (there are also custom levels which provide dedicated practice walls and such).