Best Dash Cams 2019
Take a look at our picks of the best dash cams 2019
How we tested them
Clarity of footage was key in our test. We wanted models that captured clear images in all possible driving conditions. Ease of use was another priority, and we looked for dash cams that could be operated swiftly and easily. Price from a range of sources was also taken into account.
Verdict
The Nextbase 612GW retains its crown again. It can’t quite match the image quality from the BlackVue, but wins thanks to its cheaper price. The Thinkware Q800 Pro is another great choice for good-quality footage.
- 1. Nextbase 612GW
- 2. BlackVue DR900S-1CH
- 3. Thinkware Q800 PRO
Reviews
Nextbase 612GW
Price: £249.99
Rating: 5/5
Overall, the Nextbase 612GW remains the best dash cam we’ve tested, its 150-degree lens captures footage in 4K Ultra HD quality. Number plates were easy to pick out, road signs were recognisable from a long way off, and pedestrians could still be seen in low light conditions. The polarizing filter on the camera adds depth to the colours that most rivals struggled to match, a and we liked how easy it was to change settings on the move thanks to the responsive touchscreen. Although the BlackVue produces slightly better picture quality, the big difference in price gives Nextbse the win here.
BlackVue DR900S-1CH
Price: £399.95
Rating: 4.5/5
Used - available now
2022 Mercedes
A-Class
61,276 milesManualPetrol1.3L
Cash £13,596
2021 Land Rover
Range Rover
24,895 milesAutomaticDiesel3.0L
Cash £47,990
2021 BMW
1 Series
27,349 milesManualPetrol1.5L
Cash £18,600
2022 BMW
iX
59,298 milesAutomaticElectric
Cash £30,966The BlackVue DR900S-1CH offers the best picture quality on the road, with the 4K Ultra HD footage at 30 frames per second the most accurate in our test. With an ultra-wide 162-degree lens angle, there was also a wider field of vision than with the Nextbase. We like how well the BlackVue responds to changing light conditions, too, with the 8-megapixel sensor able to pick out pedestrians and licence plates even in low light. The DR900S-1CH doesn’t have a screen, but users are able to change settings and review footage via the BlackVue app. Thanks to its WiFi connectivity, footage can be uploaded from the camera to remote cloud servers. The DR900S-1CH is expensive, but it justifies its hefty price tag.
Thinkware Q800 Pro
Price: £269
Rating: 4.5/5
You only get a hardwire lead with the Thinkware Q800 Pro, although it can be powered by a plug-and-play 12V unit. Its sleek design means there’s no screen, and footage is accessed via the Thinkware app. The Q800 Pro comes with a Sony Exmor R Starvis sensor to record 1440p Quad HD-quality footage at 30 frames per second; it’s good, but the Nextbase and BlackVue are better. Low light conditions have always been a Thinkware strength, and the Q800 Pro’s Super Night Vision 2.0 is excellent. The driver-assistance features proved annoying, though, with the system alerting us when going over speed bumps and potholes.
Philips ADR820
Price: £139.99
Rating: 4/5
This remains one of the best-value-for-money dash cams you can buy. For such a competitive price, the Philips ADR820 delivers clear and detailed footage. The 140-degree lens records 1296p Super HD footage, and still surprises us with the quality of the images it can produce. Details such as number plates were easy to pick out, while the CMOS sensor on board is great at adding depth and colour to recordings. The menus are also easy to access thanks to the simple screen. However, in low light conditions, rivals such as the Thinkware Q800 Pro proved better, while the Philips also feels cheaper to hold than the top performers in our test.
Garmin 55
Price: £149.99
Rating: 3.5/5
Garmin's 55 Dash Cam is one of the best designs in our test, and continues to impress with its small proportions and solid build quality. We like the clear and easy-to-use menus, as well as how sleek the camera is – it takes up very little space on the windscreen. The 1440p recording captured plenty of detail, with number plates clear and easy to spot from far away, although the Nextbase and BlackVue scored better. But we didn’t like the driving-assistance systems, which often alerted us unnecessarily.
Thinkware X700
Price: £159
Rating: 3/5
Another new dash cam from Thinkware. Unlike the Q800 Pro (opposite), the X700 features a 142.7-degree lens, recording in 1080p Full HD quality. The quality of footage couldn’t match our top performers’, as number plates were softer, shadows more pronounced and details such as street names less visible. The X700’s screen makes viewing footage and changing settings easy. But less appealing were the safety warnings when going over speed bumps and potholes.
Halfords HDC400
Price: £90
Rating: 3/5
Halfords' HDC400 features a very wide 180-degree lens, which gave the camera the largest field of vision here. Its extra capacity was helpful, although the 1440p footage could have been better. We saw key details like number plates and pedestrians, but the HDC400 couldn’t match the clarity of the best. Low light conditions affected the camera, too. Shadows were more pronounced, and in the evening there was more glare than in rivals like the Q800 Pro. The sleek design means it has no screen, but Halfords’ MyHDC app lets users view footage.
Mio J60
Price: £119.99
Rating: 3/5
This is a new camera from Mio. The 1080p footage at 30 frames per second is captured via a 150-degree lens. We could read number plates on parked cars, and road signs, but plates on passing vehicles were often too blurred.In low light conditions, the footage remained consistent: licence plates could still be read, although rivals scored better. The sleek cam doesn’t take up much room, and footage is accessed via the MiVue app, but the driver-assistance features often chimed in during our test.
