A dash cam is one of the best investments you can make for your vehicle. Here’s what to look for when choosing one.

Resolution

4K recording is now the standard for quality dash cams. At highway speeds, 1080p can struggle to capture numberplates clearly. Look for cameras with genuine 4K sensors, not upscaled 1080p.

Night Vision

The best modern dash cams use Sony STARVIS 2 sensors, which dramatically improve low-light recording. Night visibility is often more important than resolution, as most incidents occur in poor lighting.

Parking Mode

A good dash cam should offer parking mode with motion or impact detection. This feature records short clips when your car is bumped or someone approaches it while parked.

Our Top Picks

Budget: Viofo A229 Plus ($280) — Excellent 4K quality at an unbeatable price.

Mid-range: BlackVue DR970X-2CH ($550) — Cloud connectivity, parking mode, front and rear cameras.

Premium: Thinkware U3000 ($699) — Best night vision in the business, radar-based parking detection.