5 Best Dash Cams of 2025, Tested by Our Experts
We put these cameras to the test in our labs and on the road
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Whether you’re worried about your car being hit while parked on a busy road, falling victim to a car crash scam, or simply getting in an accident, a dash cam can document exactly what happens before, during, and after an incident.
The best dash cams capture clear and accurate videos. You can use those videos to dispute speeding tickets, as evidence or supporting documentation when filing insurance claims, and in legal proceedings.
Best Dash Cams From Our Tests
Our tests show that the best dash cams typically offer 2K or 4K video resolution and allow you to make out fine details like license plates and street signs. HD video resolution simply doesn’t provide as much detail as those higher resolutions. All of our picks feature a GPS antenna for speed and location data, as well as a built-in display to review footage on the camera itself. These dash cams all require a microSD card to store footage.
How to Shop for a Dash Cam
These guidelines, based on our experience shopping for a dash cam, will give you a head start and save you time (and maybe even money).
Determine your needs. In what situations do you think a dash cam would be useful? Will you need to use it at night? Do you want it to record inside the cabin?
Experiment with a free option before you invest. Use a free smartphone app to see how you’d use a dash cam in your everyday driving. You may find that the app is enough.
Don’t skimp on image resolution. A camera with 2K resolution should be your baseline for image quality.
Opt for a model that offers granular information. You’ll want data like speed and GPS coordinates baked into the video files themselves. Those details are helpful for creating a fuller picture for authorities.
Be mindful when recording audio. Some dash cams can record audio and/or video inside the car. You should check local and state laws—particularly if you’re using the cam for a business, like ride-share driving—to see whether passengers have to give permission to be recorded. Regardless of what the law says, let everyone know that their conversations could be picked up.
How CR Tests Dash Cams
We evaluate dash cams both in our labs and on the road.
First, we use our home security camera lab to evaluate video quality in a controlled environment. Then we mount the cams in a car and repeatedly drive a predetermined loop through Yonkers, N.Y. (the location of CR’s headquarters) during broad daylight and at night.
We evaluate video taken while the car progresses at different speeds, as well as when stopped. We also score the dash cams on audio quality, ease of installation, and the versatility of the cameras based on their feature sets.
