ConsFirst / Dash cams
Dash cams: the downsides, first
A dash cam is only useful if it reliably records when it matters, and that's exactly where owner complaints focus. Here are the most popular dash cams in the US, with their downsides first.
8 models compared15 sources readUpdated October 2026
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All 8 dash cams, ranked
Ranked by test scores, minus how common and serious the complaints are. How we rank
#1
Viofo
$$$Front + rearScore 4.3/5
14%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Wirecutter's top pick: in its tests, the 4K video was as good as any dash cam it tried, day or night, and a supercapacitor handles heat better than a battery. On Amazon, some owners say the rear camera or the whole unit stopped working, and about 1 in 7 ratings are 1 or 2 stars.
Parking mode / hardwire kit: Needed for 24-hour parking mode; Viofo sells several kits, and which one you need depends on your car (Wirecutter)
Top complaints
- Some units or rear cameras failMentioned often
Amazon's review summary says reliability is mixed: some owners say it works great, while others say the rear camera stopped working after two days. It also calls Wi-Fi, recording stability and night vision mixed.
- Tall design and bright LEDsOccasional
Wirecutter says the vertical layout can take up viewing space on smaller windshields, and that two red and two cyan LEDs stay on all the time until you turn them off in the app.
- Dim rear video through tint; no memory card includedOccasional
Wirecutter found the rear camera's footage dim through tinted windows, especially at night, and notes you have to buy your own microSD card. Some Amazon owners also question whether it's worth hundreds of dollars.
What owners love
- Top-tier 4K video, even at night
Wirecutter found its footage as good as any dash cam it tested, with license plates easy to pick out at a distance, even at night. Amazon owners praise the crystal-clear 4K front footage.
- Built for heat
A supercapacitor instead of a lithium-ion battery lets it run from -4 to 149°F. After more than a year that included Death Valley, Wirecutter's camera gave only one brief heat warning, then rebooted and worked fine.
- Easy setup and a capable app
Wirecutter calls installation easy (a sticky-pad mount plus a lever tool to pop it off) and the app easy to use, with a GPS map, clip trimming and fast 5 GHz downloads. A polarizing filter is included.
Skip it if…- You have a small windshield (tall, vertical body)
- You want the cheapest 4K camera
- Your rear window is darkly tinted
Good for- Reading license plates at night
- Hot climates (supercapacitor, no battery)
- Adding rear and cabin cameras
Scores (tap for why)
- Video quality5.0
Why 5.0?
As good as any dash cam Wirecutter tested, with lots of detail and contrast; Amazon owners praise the 4K footage. - Night video4.5
Why 4.5?
Low-noise night footage with plates readable at a distance (Wirecutter), though Amazon owners are mixed on night vision and rear video is dim through tint. - Heat & reliability4.0
Why 4.0?
A supercapacitor rated -4 to 149°F, and it survived a year of road trips with one brief heat warning (Wirecutter). Some Amazon owners report failed rear cameras. - App & Wi-Fi4.0
Why 4.0?
An easy app with a GPS map, trimming and 5 GHz downloads (Wirecutter); Amazon owners are mixed on Wi-Fi. - Easy install4.0
Why 4.0?
Wirecutter calls installation easy with a secure sticky mount, but the tall body can crowd small windshields, and parking mode needs a hardwire kit.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Top pick (updated 2026-05-21): it gives you the best chance of reading another car's plate in the widest range of conditions. Its flaws aren't dealbreakers: an unusual vertical design, dim rear video through tint, and LEDs that are annoying until you turn them off.
#2
Nextbase
$$$Front onlyScore 4.1/5
Amazon 1–2 star share
not available
A feature-packed 4K camera with image stabilization, crisp night video, Alexa, Emergency SOS and free cloud storage. PCMag names it best for Alexa support. It's expensive at its $399.99 list price, its touch screen can be erratic, and Tom's Guide says newer Nextbase models have overtaken it.
Subscription: Emergency SOS: free at first, then $4.99/mo, $49.99/yr or $99.99 for three years; cloud storage (30-day history) is free (PCMag)
Parking mode / hardwire kit: Optional $29.99 hardwire kit (PCMag)
Top complaints
- ExpensiveVery common
PCMag and Tom's Guide both list the price as the main con ($399.99 list), and Tom's Guide says lesser models will give better overall value for most people.
- Erratic touch screenOccasional
PCMag found the 3-inch touch screen's controls somewhat erratic.
- Slow appOccasional
Tom's Guide says the companion app isn't as polished as the camera: thumbnails are slow to appear and clips slow to buffer.
What owners love
- Sharp, steady video day and night
PCMag found image stabilization worked wonderfully and night video crisp with little glare. Tom's Guide calls the footage super crisp and smooth, with clean, fuzz-free night images.
- Packed with features
Built-in Alexa, Emergency SOS, What3words, an adjustable polarizing filter, dual-band Wi-Fi and free cloud storage (PCMag, Tom's Guide).
- Easy install
PCMag found installation relatively easy; the magnetic mount carries power, so the camera snaps on and off without unplugging (Tom's Guide).
Skip it if…- You're on a budget
- You want driver-assist alerts (lane departure, collision warnings)
- You want cellular connectivity
Good for- Sharp, stabilized 4K day and night
- Alexa and Emergency SOS
- Adding rear or cabin modules later
Scores (tap for why)
- Video quality4.5
Why 4.5?
Sharp 4K with effective image stabilization (PCMag, Tom's Guide). - Night video4.5
Why 4.5?
Crisp night video with very little glare (PCMag); clean and fuzz-free (Tom's Guide). - App & Wi-Fi3.5
Why 3.5?
Live view, a GPS map, telemetry and free cloud sharing (PCMag), but slow thumbnails and buffering (Tom's Guide). - Easy install4.0
Why 4.0?
Relatively easy adhesive install with a cable-tucking tool (PCMag) and a powered magnetic mount (Tom's Guide).
What experts say
- PCMag: Best for Alexa support, rated 4.0 'Excellent' (list updated 2026-06-21). PCMag prefers the Garmin Dash Cam Live (Editors' Choice) for its driver assists and cellular connection.
- Tom's Guide: 'Also tested', 4 of 5 stars: once Nextbase's flagship, it has been knocked off the top spot by successors, but lower current prices still make it a good buy.
#3
Miofive
$Front onlyScore 3.7/5
12%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample (about 280 ratings).Wirecutter's budget pick: 4K, GPS, a supercapacitor and parking mode for about $90, with image quality better than most cameras it tested. The build and mount feel cheap, and Amazon owners report Bluetooth and Wi-Fi trouble and some units that stop working.
Parking mode / hardwire kit: A Miofive kit is needed for 24-hour parking monitoring unless your car has an always-on outlet; a polarizing filter costs $20 extra (Wirecutter)
Top complaints
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connection problemsVery common
Amazon's review summary says connectivity is problematic, with multiple owners reporting Bluetooth and Wi-Fi issues. Wirecutter also ran into some connectivity issues, though nothing unusual for the category.
- Stops working for some ownersMentioned often
Amazon's summary says functionality gets mixed feedback, with some owners saying it completely stops working for no reason.
- Cheap-feeling buildMentioned often
Wirecutter says it lacks the fit and finish of other cameras it tested: the mount feels cheap and the buttons seem flimsy.
What owners love
- Strong video for the money
Not as sharp as the Viofo A229 Pro, but better than most cameras Wirecutter tested, and plates are readable at night from a reasonable distance. Amazon owners call the video clear and sharp.
- Premium features at a budget price
Wirecutter notes 4K, GPS, a supercapacitor, 24-hour parking mode and an included microSD card, which is unusual among dash cams it has tested.
- Small, easy to use
One of the smallest cameras Wirecutter tested, yet with a 3-inch screen; its app lets you trim clips and see them on a map. Amazon owners find it easy to set up.
Skip it if…- You want a rear or cabin camera (look at the S1 Ultra)
- You care about a solid build and mount
- You need a dependable phone connection
Good for- 4K on a budget
- Cars with short windshields
- Hot climates on a budget
Scores (tap for why)
- Video quality4.0
Why 4.0?
Better than most cameras Wirecutter tested, though less sharp than the Viofo. - Night video4.0
Why 4.0?
Plates readable at night from a reasonable distance; Wirecutter calls low-light performance great. - Heat & reliability3.5
Why 3.5?
A supercapacitor handles a wider temperature range than a battery (Wirecutter), but some Amazon owners say it stops working. - App & Wi-Fi3.0
Why 3.0?
The app connects easily and has trimming and a map (Wirecutter), but Wirecutter hit some connectivity issues and Amazon owners report Bluetooth and Wi-Fi trouble. - Easy install4.0
Why 4.0?
Compact and easy to set up (Wirecutter, Amazon), though the mount feels cheap.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Budget pick, the best dash cam under $100 (updated 2026-05-21). Its flaw is build quality; for about $40 more, the S1 Ultra adds a 4K rear camera.
#4
Vantrue
$$Front onlyScore 3.6/5
Amazon 1–2 star share
not available
A tiny 4K camera with GPS that Tom's Guide calls its best affordable 4K pick and Wirecutter says matches its top pick's image quality. Tom's Guide found night footage noisy, the menu fiddly and the unit extremely hot while running.
Subscription: Optional LTE module (extra cost) for remote monitoring and alerts needs a subscription (Tom's Guide)
Parking mode / hardwire kit: Optional hardwire kit needed to get the most from parking mode (Tom's Guide)
Top complaints
- Noisy night videoMentioned often
Tom's Guide saw noise and grain at night and couldn't read plates on oncoming traffic; the PlatePix plate-enhancing mode helps a little but darkens the picture.
- Fiddly controls and a tiny screenMentioned often
Tom's Guide found the three-button menu fiddly, the 1.54-inch screen too small for playback, and the protect button needs two presses. Wirecutter also says the small screen makes it a little harder to use.
- Runs very hotOccasional
Tom's Guide says it runs extremely hot, even with the display asleep. It had no problems in a one-week test but questions long-term reliability.
What owners love
- Top-pick image quality in a tiny body
Wirecutter says it uses the same sensor as the Viofo A229 Pro with similar image quality, in a body under 2 inches square. Tom's Guide found daytime footage crisp with well-judged color.
- Easy phone connection
Tom's Guide found connecting the Vantrue app over 5 GHz Wi-Fi a cinch, with quick live view and reasonably fast downloads.
- Full features for the price
GPS, voice control, parking mode, a supercapacitor and an included polarizing filter at about $150 (Tom's Guide, Wirecutter).
Skip it if…- You want rear or cabin coverage
- You drive mostly at night on unlit roads
- You like a big screen to review clips
Good for- Small windshields or a discreet look
- 4K and GPS around $150
- Daytime detail
Scores (tap for why)
- Video quality4.5
Why 4.5?
Similar to Wirecutter's top pick (same sensor); excellent daytime footage in Tom's Guide's test. - Night video3.0
Why 3.0?
HDR keeps contrast up, but Tom's Guide saw noise and couldn't read oncoming plates. - Heat & reliability3.0
Why 3.0?
It has a supercapacitor (Wirecutter), but Tom's Guide found it runs extremely hot and questions long-term reliability. - App & Wi-Fi4.0
Why 4.0?
A simple but responsive app with an easy 5 GHz connection (Tom's Guide). - Easy install3.5
Why 3.5?
Standard sticky or temporary mount, but the swivel arm makes it hang lower than its size suggests, and the menu setup is fiddly (Tom's Guide).
What experts say
- Tom's Guide: Best affordable 4K (updated 2026-09-29). Cons are a fiddly menu and running hot.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Worth considering if you want a really small camera or have a small windshield, but it can't add rear or cabin cameras.
#5
Rove
$$Front + rearScore 3.2/5
9%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)A hugely popular, inexpensive front-and-rear kit with clear daytime 4K, an easy setup and a good app. Tom's Guide found its night video poor, and some Amazon owners report it stopping randomly or dropping Wi-Fi.
Parking mode / hardwire kit: Sold separately for about $30, needed for parked-car collision recording (Tom's Guide)
Top complaints
- Poor night videoMentioned often
Tom's Guide found there's no real night vision: off well-lit roads it only records the strip lit by your headlights, and neither camera could pick out plates at night when moving.
- Stops recording at randomMentioned often
Amazon's review summary says owners report reliability issues, with the camera stopping on and off randomly.
- Wi-Fi connection hiccupsMentioned often
Amazon owners are mixed on Wi-Fi, with some reporting connection issues. Tom's Guide says Android resists staying on the camera's no-internet network until you override a prompt.
What owners love
- Clear video for the price
Amazon owners call the video crystal clear and well worth the price. Tom's Guide could read signs and plates by day, though the 1080p rear camera blurs distant details.
- Easy to set up and use
Tom's Guide found setup extremely easy and the app excellent; Amazon owners find the app intuitive and the menus easy to follow.
- Flexible rear camera and strong mount
The rear camera rotates to watch the road or the cabin, has a 21-foot cable with clips and tools, and the locking suction mount holds very firmly (Tom's Guide).
Skip it if…- You drive a lot on dark, unlit roads
- You want a discreet camera without a big screen
- You need the best night plate reading
Good for- Front and rear coverage around $150
- First-time dash cam buyers
- Mostly daytime or well-lit driving
Scores (tap for why)
- Video quality3.5
Why 3.5?
Clear 4K front footage by day (Tom's Guide, Amazon); the 1080p rear blurs distant details. - Night video2.0
Why 2.0?
Tom's Guide found no proper night vision, lens flare from headlights, and unreadable plates while moving. - Heat & reliability3.0
Why 3.0?
No heat testing reported; Amazon owners report it stopping on and off randomly, though only about 9% of ratings are 1 or 2 stars. - App & Wi-Fi3.5
Why 3.5?
An excellent, simple app with trimming and locking (Tom's Guide), but Amazon owners are mixed on Wi-Fi connections. - Easy install4.0
Why 4.0?
Extremely easy setup, a strong locking suction mount, and cable tools included; the rear cable still has to be routed (Tom's Guide).
What experts say
- Tom's Guide: 3 of 5 stars ('also tested' in its roundup): solid with enough ambient light, but its night vision is 'practically non-existent'. Its cons also include a distracting preview screen and loud voice prompts that are on by default.
#6
Vantrue
$$$Front + rear + interiorScore 3.6/5
Amazon 1–2 star share
not available
A three-camera system covering the road ahead, the cabin and the rear, with excellent video and a supercapacitor. But it's bulky and expensive, and wiring the rear camera takes real effort. Vantrue is replacing it with the N4 Pro S, which is what Amazon now sells new.
Parking mode / hardwire kit: Optional, about $20 (Tom's Guide); a polarizing filter is another $20
Top complaints
- Lots of wiring to hideMentioned often
Tom's Guide took 9 minutes to install it, then an hour to hide the cables, and a later firmware update meant repeating setup.
- Bulky main unitMentioned often
Tom's Guide says the main unit eats up 11 square inches of windshield space.
- No polarizer includedOccasional
Tom's Guide saw lens flare in bright light and dashboard reflections that a polarizer might have reduced, but the filter is a $20 option.
What owners love
- Three cameras, excellent video
Tom's Guide found the front video every bit as good as its phone's, with accurate color, plus an infrared-lit cabin camera for night.
- Supercapacitor and parked-car recording
It uses a supercapacitor rather than a battery, can record bumps while parked, and kept its cool in Tom's Guide's testing.
- Good apps and a big display
A 3.2-inch ultrawide screen, a phone app that shows all three feeds over 2.4 or 5 GHz Wi-Fi, and Windows and Mac GPS Player software (Tom's Guide).
Skip it if…- You want a quick, tidy install
- You have a small windshield
- You only need forward video
Good for- Rideshare drivers who need cabin video
- Watching young drivers or passengers
- Near-360° coverage from one kit
Scores (tap for why)
- Video quality4.5
Why 4.5?
Exceptional front video with accurate color, though with some moire and lens flare (Tom's Guide). - Heat & reliability4.0
Why 4.0?
A supercapacitor instead of a battery, and it kept its cool over two weeks of daily driving (Tom's Guide). - App & Wi-Fi4.0
Why 4.0?
The app handles all three feeds with lots of settings, and there's desktop software, though a firmware update meant redoing setup (Tom's Guide). - Easy install2.0
Why 2.0?
Tom's Guide calls installation arduous: a bulky main unit and an hour of cable hiding for the rear camera.
What experts say
- Tom's Guide review: Close to 360° car video with three cameras and top-notch quality, but rather bulky and needs some wiring effort (published October 2024).
- Wirecutter (NYT): Previously listed as worth considering. Vantrue is replacing it with the N4 Pro S (same sensor as Wirecutter's top pick), which Wirecutter hasn't tested yet.
#7
Garmin
$$Front onlyScore 3.1/5
18%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample (about 1,250 ratings).Tom's Guide's best compact dash cam: tiny, simple and well made, with solid 1080p video and HDR that keeps plates readable. But it's still 1080p with no GPS, and on Amazon nearly 1 in 5 ratings are 1 or 2 stars, citing Wi-Fi and app trouble and missed recordings.
Subscription: Optional: Garmin Vault cloud storage over Wi-Fi, $9.99/mo (Tom's Guide)
Top complaints
- Wi-Fi and app connection problemsVery common
Amazon's review summary calls connectivity issues significant, with multiple owners having trouble connecting to Wi-Fi and finding the app difficult to use.
- Missed recordingsMentioned often
Amazon's summary says recording performance is concerning, with owners reporting the camera only records about half the time.
- Dated 1080p, no GPSVery common
Tom's Guide lists no GPS and 1080p as cons and says it's barely an upgrade over the Mini 2. Amazon owners are mixed on picture quality.
What owners love
- Tiny and discreet
Smaller than a piece of sushi and about 1 oz (Tom's Guide); Amazon owners say it's barely noticeable behind the rearview mirror.
- Effortless setup
Tom's Guide found setup effortless, with a small, sturdy ball-and-socket mount that fits almost anywhere.
- Good contrast and clear audio
Its HDR kept plates directly ahead readable even at night, a new built-in polarizer cuts glare, and audio is excellent (Tom's Guide).
Skip it if…- You want 4K or GPS speed and location
- You want a rear camera
- You need a dependable app connection
Good for- A nearly invisible camera behind the mirror
- People who want no screen and few settings
- Small cars
Scores (tap for why)
- Video quality3.0
Why 3.0?
Solid for 1080p but a little jagged (Tom's Guide); Amazon owners are mixed on picture quality. - Night video3.0
Why 3.0?
Plates directly ahead readable at night, oncoming ones harder, with some noise (Tom's Guide). - Heat & reliability2.5
Why 2.5?
No heat findings from experts, but Amazon owners report the camera recording only about half the time. - App & Wi-Fi2.5
Why 2.5?
The Drive app is clear but basic (Tom's Guide); Amazon owners report significant Wi-Fi and app connection problems. - Easy install4.5
Why 4.5?
Effortless setup and a tiny mount that fits anywhere; only one adhesive pad comes in the box (Tom's Guide).
What experts say
- Tom's Guide: Best compact dash cam (updated 2026-09-29). Cons: no GPS and 1080p getting a little dated.
- Tom's Guide review: Middle of the pack among compact cameras: better image than the Nextbase Piqo, but beaten by the Vantrue E1 Pro's 4K at about the same price.
#8
Nextbase
$$Front onlyScore 2.9/5
29%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample (144 ratings) for the 2K listing; no 'Customers say' summary was shown.Tom's Guide's best affordable dash cam: small and screenless, with good 2K daytime video plus voice control and Witness mode. But night video is weak, the Wi-Fi app connection can be finicky, and its small Amazon listing has a high share of 1- and 2-star ratings.
Subscription: Needed for Emergency SOS and cloud storage: $5/mo or $50/yr (Tom's Guide)
Parking mode / hardwire kit: Smart Parking needs the Nextbase Hardwire Kit (fuse box) or Quick Connect cable (OBD port), $30 each (Tom's Guide)
Top complaints
- Finicky connection and setupVery common
Tom's Guide found the forced firmware update froze and Wi-Fi connections finicky, especially on Android, which made downloading clips hard. Several 1- and 2-star Amazon reviews say it wouldn't connect or sync.
- Weak night videoMentioned often
Tom's Guide found it really hard to pick out details at night, and plate glare made plates illegible even up close.
- Key features need a subscriptionMentioned often
Emergency SOS and cloud storage cost $5/mo or $50/yr, and Tom's Guide lists 'some features need a subscription' as a con.
What owners love
- Sleek and discreet
Small enough to sit behind the mirror with only its bottom curve visible (Tom's Guide).
- Good 2K daytime video
At 1440p, Tom's Guide could read road signs, markings and nearby plates, though it calls out a fuzzy sheen and says the 1080p mode is much worse.
- Smart features without a screen
'Hey Nexy' voice commands, Witness mode (live feed to trusted contacts), Guardian mode and Emergency SOS (Tom's Guide).
Skip it if…- You drive a lot at night
- You don't want a subscription for SOS
- You need a rear camera
Good for- A minimal, distraction-free camera
- Voice control and live-sharing an incident
- Daytime commuting
Scores (tap for why)
- Video quality3.0
Why 3.0?
Solid at 1440p but soft at a distance, and much grainier at 1080p (Tom's Guide). - Night video2.0
Why 2.0?
Hard to see details at night, and plates were illegible from glare (Tom's Guide). - App & Wi-Fi2.5
Why 2.5?
Changing settings is a breeze, but Wi-Fi was finicky and a firmware update froze (Tom's Guide); several low-star Amazon reviews cite connection trouble. - Easy install4.0
Why 4.0?
Tom's Guide lists 'easy to install' as a pro: a single cable and a solid adhesive mount, wired up in minutes.
What experts say
- Tom's Guide: Best affordable dash cam (updated 2026-09-29). Cons: weak night vision, some features need a subscription, no rear camera.
- Tom's Guide (Garmin Mini 3 review): Its image is weaker than the Garmin Mini 3's, but it has smarter security features.