Best Dual Dash Cams 2021 | Auto Express (2023)

Dual dash cameras (which record the front and rear of your car) have also been gaining popularity. Which is why we conducted a mini test to see what these up and coming dual lensed recorders are all about. How we tested them was almost the same as the main test, although of course, the testing can’t be 100 per cent identical as it was not carried out at the same time.

Nextbase 622GW & Rear Cam

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  • Price: £249.99 + £46.55
  • Rating: 5 stars
  • Footage quality: 4K
  • Contact: www.nextbase.com

Nextbase’s dash cams continue to improve and add new features, like Alexa voice control, to keep them ahead of the opposition. The newly released 622GW has already won a multi-test focusing on the front cam, and adding a rear lens does little to dent its winning performance.

The image quality is exceptional at the front in daylight, with clearly legible number plates even at a distance. The rear camera is less impressive, though. Firstly, it’s trickier to mount and can easily be knocked when opening the boot or loading luggage. Secondly, the quality isn’t a patch on the exceptional front view.

Still, the 622GW takes the win on points, even though it’s not the perfect combination for those after front and rear coverage from their dash cam.

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Kenwood DRV A601W & KCA-R200

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With a price of less than £200 for a 4K dash cam, this Kenwood would be good value if that bought just the front camera on its own, but the package also includes a rear camera and 64GB SD card.

The quality of the image from the front camera is not as clear as you get with the Nextbase set-up, but isn’t far behind the Thinkware U1000 (below). However, the real surprise was the clarity of the rear footage. It was the best here, and allowed us to read number plates clearly.

The Kenwood has none of the extras such as the Thinkware’s speed-camera locator or the Nextbase’s Alexa voice activation, but if these aren’t essential and you don’t mind a drop in image quality at the front, the Kenwood is astonishing value for money.

Buy now from Amazon

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Snooper DVR-5HD

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  • Price: £179.99 
  • Resolution: 1080P & 1080P
  • Rating: 4 stars
  • Contact: www.snooper.eu

It has a speed-camera detector, yet the Snooper is only the size of a credit card and the thickness of your hand, making it easy to mount. It uses the built-in GPS to warn you of speed traps with a bleep.

Connection and set-up are easy, and there’s a choice of suction or adhesive mounts, but the five-metre rear-camera cable was only just long enough on our Discovery; rivals come with eight metres.

The front camera has the widest field of vision here – 152 degrees – but the footage wasn’t quite as clear as rivals’. Number plates were still visible at a fair distance, though and, with an SD card, it’s good value, especially if you’re thinking of a separate speed-camera detector.

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Nextbase 422GW + Rear Window Cam

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Generally, the Nextbase is much quicker to set up than the other dash cams, with neat magnetic mounts that make it much easier to remove the camera if you want to swap the unit to another car or protect it from theft.

However the sphere-shaped rear camera mounting actually proved a little tricky to fit and it was easily knocked when loading items into the car’s boot.

The touchscreen is easy and intuitive to use, but the real advantage of the Nextbase is the excellent PC/Mac or smartphone apps, which make accurate downloading and editing of footage extremely simple. That footage isn’t quite as sharp as others like the VIOFO, of course, but the front camera has a slightly wider field of vision – 140 degrees versus the VIOFO’s 130 degrees – so it takes in more of the view and the video was still clear and visible in most situations.

It’s unable to provide the almost-forensic detail of a 4K camera like the VIOFO, but the 422GW’s ease of use and value for money means it’s still one of our favourite dash cams.

Buy now from Amazon

(Video) TOP 5: Best Dash Cam 2022

Thinkware F200

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  • Price:Around £169
  • Rating: 4 stars

The F200 comes with separate frontand rear cameras, mounted on the respective screens with tape. Thefront camera records in 1080p at30 frames per second, while the rear unit works at a lower 720p quality. We captured a good amount of detail with the front camera; it adjusted for exposure well and we could readlicence plates and road signs easily.

The rear camera lost points for clarity because its footage wasn’t as sharp. Even so, the lens picked up licence plates from a good distance, and offered a better field of vision than the Nextbase Duo (below), so we could position it anywhere we liked in the rear window. The F200 has a parking mode and warnings, including red-light and speed-camera alerts.

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Road Angel Halo Pro

IT’S easy to get frustrated with the Halo Pro at first, because some of the cables are chunky and difficult to hide under the trim. Unlike others here, it doesn’t have a screen, so you have to use the slightly clunky Road Angel app to set up, or view footage. That footage was clear enough to easily read number plates, but the cam looks dear next to the Kenwood bundle (above).

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Thinkware F800 Pro

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The Thinkware F800 Pro has a low profile that means it looks slightly less intrusive on the front windscreen than some of its rivals, with its rear camera nicely continuing on the design language.On the move we were impressed by the set-up’s clarity of recording. The 1080p footage is well balanced and is so good that in the past it’s put some 1440p cameras to shame. The recording also adjusts quickly for exposure; shadows and glare affected it less.

The F800 Pro really showed its teeth in the night test, where we were able to pick out good detail from side streets, saw pedestrians and cyclists nice and quick and had an easier time reading licence plates on parked cars in the dark.

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The rear camera impressed us with its clarity of footage, too, and we liked how easy it was to wire in. A sticking point is the price. The F800 Pro costs far more than its entry-level rivals, but it is the better cam.

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Nextbase Duo HD

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Nextbase’s Duo set-up impresses. The camera is split into two lenses, one facing forward and another that rotates backwards and has a 50-metre zoom. Both record in crisp 1080p at 30 frames per second.We like the fact that the Duo doesn’t have a second wire running across the cabin to a rear camera, while the front lens offers sharp, accurate recordings that captured licence plates and detail well.

The rear unit is sharper than the Thinkware F800's (above), but its field of vision is smaller because the rear-facing lens zooms from the front screen. This makes it tricky to position the unit so back seats or passengers don’t disturb recordings.It didn’t capture everything happening behind the car as a result, although it does have a parking mode.

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Nextbase 222X

  • Price: £89.99 (plus memory card)
  • Rating: 3.5 stars
  • Footage quality: 1080p x 720p
  • Contact: www.nextbase.com

Nextbase’s rear camera isn’t stuck to the back window and connected by a long wire like its rivals, since it’s plugged directly into the side of the main camera unit and looks through the cabin. This gives a similar view to a driver looking in the rear-view mirror, so isn’t ideal if you have a large car or van, but is perfect for small vehicles and convertibles.

It works better than we expected and is far easier to install, because you’re not having to fit a wire along the car’s length. But the 222’s main unit isn’t Nextbase’s best camera. It’s good value, but video quality pales against the Kenwood and there’s no built-in WiFi or app access. You’ll also need to pay for a memory card.

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Thinkware U1000

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(Video) Highly Reliable 170° Hidden Wifi Dash Cam car dvr

The U1000 does without a display screen, relying instead on a smartphone app, polite- sounding voice synthesiser and a series of lights to control it. It also comes as standard with a hard-wire kit, which is neater and easier to use than a 12V plug, but bear in mind you may need to get the system professionally fitted, which will add to the overall cost.

The list of extras in the package includes a speed-camera locator and even a lane-departure warning system, but the video-capturing performance isn’t so impressive.

Although the footage taken in the dark was decent, the daytime video from the front camera was only marginally better than the cheaper Kenwood’s, while the rear camera footage was the least clear in this test.

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Gator GHDVR95W

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  • Price: £149.99 (including 16GB SD card)
  • Rating: 2.5 stars
  • Footage quality: 1080p x 1080p
  • Contact: www.dynamicsounds.co.uk

The Gator’s two cameras are both slim and discreet, and the cable for the rear cam is thinner than usual, so it’s comparatively easy to place discreetly in cars with smaller glass areas.

Unlike its two rivals, there is no LCD display to navigate menus and check the cameras’ views, so you’ll need to download an app to your phone and connect to the Gator’s built-in WiFi. It’s a bit awkward and the image quality is noticeably inferior to the other cams on test. A 16GB memory card is a nice addition, but quickly fills up, even on a short journey.

Buy now from Dynamic Sounds

In this review
  • 1Best dash cams 2022Eight cameras line up for their screen test
  • 2Best dual dash cams - currently readingIf you want to record both the front and rear of your vehicle, then check out a dual dash cam
  • 3Best factory and dealer fit dash camsWith dash cams becoming such big business, some manufacturers have got in on the action too

FAQs

What is the most popular dash cam? ›

What are the best dash cams?
  1. Nextbase 622GW. The best dash cam overall. ...
  2. Garmin Dash Cam 57. Great features for a more palatable price. ...
  3. Nextbase 320XR Dash Cam. A great, no-frills camera solution. ...
  4. Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2. ...
  5. Vantrue N2 Pro. ...
  6. Kenwood DRV-A301W. ...
  7. Vantrue S1 Dash Cam. ...
  8. Car & Driver Road Patrol Touch Duo.
Aug 9, 2022

Which dash cam is best for truckers? ›

9 Best Dash Cams for Truckers in 2022
  • Garmin Dash Cam 66W.
  • Thinkware U1000 4K UHD Dual-Channel Cloud Dash Cam.
  • Garmin Dash Cam Mini.
  • BlackVue DR900S-1CH.
  • VIOFO A129 Plus Duo 2K QHD 2-Channel Dash Cam.
  • Kenwood DRV-A601W.
  • Nextbase 522GW.
  • Thinkware Q800 Pro.
Apr 29, 2022

Which is the best value for money dash cam? ›

The best budget dash cams in 2022
  • 1: Thinkware F70. Best value from a big-name dash cam brand. ...
  • 2: Z-Edge Z3 Pro. Best budget dash cam for a high-resolution front and rear view. ...
  • 3: Nextbase 222. ...
  • 4: Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2. ...
  • 5: Z-Edge R1 Wi-Fi Dash Cam. ...
  • 6: Kingslim D1. ...
  • 7: Galphi M2 three channel dash cam. ...
  • 7: Viofo A119 V3.
Jul 14, 2022

How much should I spend on a dash cam? ›

A good quality dash cam price will typically run between $100 and $400. At this price point, you can buy a car camera from a trusted brand name, built with reliable components, and covered by a warranty. This is a pretty wide price range, but the higher you go, the more features are included with the product.

Is a 4k dash cam worth it? ›

While cams that record in 1080p will do the trick in most situations, 4k cams simply pick up more detail. In the case of an accident, having better quality footage can mean the difference between a clear-cut victory and a drawn-out battle. For instance, think about license plates.

Is there a dashcam without wires? ›

Wireless Dashcam: Huge Falsehood

Getting a dash cam without wires is possible with the capacitor. The only use of these kinds of dash cams is to save a video instantly while you turn off your car and your dashcam loses the power from the car. It is only used for a very short time.

Do dash cameras work when the car is off? ›

Dash cams typically just turn on and off with the engine, automatically recording video while you drive. Dash cams can also be set up to stay on and keep recording even when the car is parked and the engine is off, thereby functioning as a surveillance camera system while you're away from your vehicle.

Does KeepTruckin dash cam record audio? ›

Does KeepTruckin Camera Record Audio? Yes, the Smart Dashcam from KeepTruckin does allow you to listen to audio recordings.

How does LYTX DriveCam work? ›

The DriveCam device mounts to a vehicle's windshield and is set up to record the road ahead and inside of the vehicle. Video recordings are captured when the camera is triggered, either by a sudden change in motion (like hard braking, swerving, or collision) or a specific behavior, like cell phone use.

Where is Vantrue made? ›

Vantrue products made in China.

What is the easiest dash cam to install? ›

After researching more than 360 models and testing 52, we've found that the best overall dash cam is the Vantrue N4. It delivers the sharpest video we've seen, it's the easiest dash cam to use, and it has handy features that you don't get from most other dash cams in its price range.

Is a rear dash cam necessary? ›

Just like when you're on the road, you need a rear dash cam to capture footage if someone backs into the rear of your car or a hit and run driver damages your vehicle. Interestingly, some drivers have reported that tailgaters tend to back off when they spot a rear-facing dash cam on the car in front of them.

Are Dashcams worth it? ›

Perhaps the biggest benefit of having a dashboard camera is that it gives you, the driver, proof of what occurred if there is an accident on the road. Most dashcams record video, but some can record audio as well. The typical dashcam will record a piece of video and keep it in cloud storage for a set period.

What do I need to know before buying a dash cam? ›

Here are some factors you need to consider before buying one.
  • Field of View (FOV) One of the first things you should consider is how wide the dashcam can see. ...
  • Number of Cameras. ...
  • Video Resolution and Quality. ...
  • Audio Recording Option. ...
  • Storage Capacity. ...
  • Mounting and Placement. ...
  • Transferring Files. ...
  • Longevity.
Feb 17, 2022

Where is the best place to put a dash cam? ›

You need to be careful where you install the camera. You want to ensure that you aren't obstructing your view while driving. It is always best to install your camera in the center of the windshield, and behind the rearview mirror.

How much does it cost to professionally install a dash cam? ›

Dash cam installation should cost between $35 and $50. However, many models are “plug-and-play,” meaning they can be plugged into a vehicle port – such as a cigarette lighter, or a truck's OBD-II port – and shouldn't cost anything to have installed.

Is there a dash cam that records when car is parked? ›

1. Vantrue N2 Pro. Not only one of the best dash cams with parking mode on the market today, but a dual-lens camera, the Vantrue N2 Pro has motion-triggered parking mode action that captures images of anything happening around your vehicle at a distance of 33 feet away in front.

Does dash cam work in the dark? ›

A standard dash cam will be able to record at any time of the day or night. However, if it doesn't have night vision technology and features, the footage it records at night will be dark and difficult to see.

Do any cars have built in dash cameras? ›

Cadillac CT6

Cadillac was one of the first American manufacturers to offer factory-installed dash cams. The CT6 was among Cadillac models lucky to have the dash cams, and featured them until 2019. From our research, Cadillac seems to have discontinued factory-fitted dash cams on its models.

How do I choose a dash cam? ›

Dash Cam Buying Guide: How to Choose a Dash Cam? - YouTube

Is BlackVue a good dash cam? ›

Best overall dash cam

According to Stefano Loria of AutoCraft NYC, BlackVue is “the best dash-cam company on the market” both from a customer perspective and a professional one.

Is 4K dash cam worth it? ›

While cams that record in 1080p will do the trick in most situations, 4k cams simply pick up more detail. In the case of an accident, having better quality footage can mean the difference between a clear-cut victory and a drawn-out battle. For instance, think about license plates.

What is the easiest dash cam to install? ›

After researching more than 360 models and testing 52, we've found that the best overall dash cam is the Vantrue N4. It delivers the sharpest video we've seen, it's the easiest dash cam to use, and it has handy features that you don't get from most other dash cams in its price range.

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