How Much Is a Dash Cam? Dash Cam Price Guide

As dash cams become more and more omnipresent on the road, manufacturers are doing their best to appeal to the masses, many brands making it their mission to adequately equip every driver on the road with products that make the roads safer for everyone.

As a result, many dash cam brands offer models that fit a variety of budgets and price ranges, ranging from value-priced dash cams to more premium-priced top-shelf models. Below, we go over how much dash cams typically cost, price breakdowns, as well as features and variables that might result in higher costing setups.

How Much Is a Dash Cam?

Some budget-friendly dash cams out there can come with a price tag as low as $50, but you have to watch out – you don’t want to buy something cheap that malfunctions or doesn’t live up to your expectations. 

Reliable dash cams usually cost anywhere from $90-$500. These price points reflect the large range of features available, such as video quality, the number of cameras, connectivity, and more. Perhaps, the most immediate decision to make is what you want to be able to see, i.e., how many cameras you need. 

Dash Cam Cost and its Relation to Number of Cameras

The more cameras your dash cam setup comes with, the more angles and coverage you have. Models with front-facing cameras only, usually run between $90 and $240, while dual dash cams with one camera for the front and one for the interior, typically fetch between $150-$300. Dash cams that provide all three viewpoints in the form of one unit with three lenses grant a 360-degree field of vision and range between $250-$500.

Aside from the number of cameras you want, there is an array of additional features available, and not every feature is a must for every consumer. With such an abundance of models to choose from, drivers must carefully prioritize their needs and match them up with their budget, because, as when buying anything, the more features, the bigger the price tag. 

We’ve made a convenient, straightforward list of factors to consider when making your dash cam purchase. First, we’ll take a deeper look into front-facing vs. rear-view and interior cameras. Before we do, though, visit our guide on how to choose a dash cam and consider all your needs before you buy.

Dash Cams for Cost-Conscious Drivers

How much is a dash cam for cost-conscious drivers? Nexar offers a variety of cameras for drivers on a budget, including Nexar Beam (typically priced at $129.95 but currently on sale for $99.95 for a limited time), and Nexar Pro (typically priced at $169.95 but currently on sale for $139.95 for a limited time). 

Mid-Range Dash Cams

How much is a dash cam for mid-level buyers? Mid-range dash cams include Nexar beam2 (normally priced at $299.95 but currently on sale for $199.95 for a limited time) as well as Nexar beam2 mini (typically priced at $199.95 but currently on sale for $129.95 for a limited time). 

Professional-Grade Dash Cams

How much is a dash cam for professional drivers? Those who drive professionally might be willing to invest a little more coin into their initial dash cam purchase. Rideshare drivers, for instance, might choose the Nexar One, which is typically priced at $399.95 although it is on sale right now for $329.95 for a limited time. 

Nexar One is an LTE connected dash cam with roadview and cabin view – 4K resolution video quality. With features like live GPS tracking, remote live streaming, 24/7 parking mode, and automatic emergency notifications powered by the Nexar Connect app, drivers now have unparalleled peace of mind. Now available with 128GB | 256GB storage.

Factors that might influence dash cam cost include brand/brand reputation, services like cloud storage, LTE connectivity, as well as quality of design/materials.

Factors To Consider When Buying a Dash Cam

There are some key considerations to help buyers choose the right dash cam for their needs,, which include:

• Camera Features
• Storage and Connectivity
• Installation and Power Options

Camera Features/Functionality 

The finest advanced smart dash cams available today are those that are “connected.” Connected dash cams have cutting-edge, 4G LTE capabilities. This means that they are constantly streaming footage, have live alerts, and remote streaming capabilities. Most advantageous, connected dash cams provide remote streaming, a facility that other smart dash cams do not have. 

Remote streaming allows users' access to the dash cam’s footage from anywhere, and at any time, providing 24/7 protection. Users see what each camera lens sees, in real-time. Connected dash cams also give live alerts, a special feature that notifies users whenever a break-in, collision, or parking incident is detected. Live alerts are an example of innovative damage protection that is made possible by premium LTE technology. 

Moreover, while many dash cams available today feature GPS location, connected dash cams allow for GPS tracking, which means that users can track a vehicle’s progress on a map, and know exactly where it is in relation to other streets and landmarks.

Resolution is also an important consideration when selecting a dashboard camera. Some dash cams provide 1080p recording/footage while others might boast 4K or even higher. Higher priced dash cam setups might have hi-tech extras like night vision or AI powered technology. 

Another important aspect is the lens of the camera. You’ll most likely want a wide-angle lens to ensure your camera has the biggest field of view possible without any blindspots.

Storage and Connectivity 

Some dash cams provide local storage via SD cards, while other connected dash cams provide unlimited cloud storage.

LTE and Wi-Fi-enabled dash cams provide a wide variety of additional extras including real-time monitoring via remote live streaming, 24/7 parking mode, GPS tracking, and remote access.

Installation and Power Options 

Some dash cams are designed with a simple plug-and-play setup/installation process, while other cameras might require more wiring and a complex professional installation. 

Power source is an important factor to consider when selecting a dash cam, whether it’s battery-operated, hardwired, or connected to your car's power outlet. 

Additionally, a compact dash cam is also a sought after option for budget-conscious drivers. Many college students, for instance, end up choosing mini dash cams due to their discreet size in addition to cost efficiency.

More on Dash Cam Features

Dash cams record in High Definition that includes qualities of 720p, 1080p, 2K and 4K Ultra-High Resolution. A minimum of 1080p quality is needed to reliably capture traffic signs and license plate numbers.

Some dash cams have G Sensors that detect impact when parked. They activate your camera in the event that your car is vandalized or bumped into while parked.

Cameras that have Night Vision capabilities utilize infrared technology, providing clear video when lighting is poor either outside or inside of the vehicle. This way, everything is captured vividly before dawn and after dusk.

Nexar dash cams use advanced night vision to record clear videos in low-light conditions. Road-facing cameras use specialized sensors and Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) technology, while interior-facing cameras use infrared (IR) technology.

In case of an accident, emergency contacts can be notified right away. Higher quality dash cams have services that include notification of an incident, the location, instant access to the dash cam video, and a one-tap link to dispatch 911. Voice-controlled dash cams allow you to use Siri or Alexa to call for help without having to move or touch a button.

Dash Cam Price Ranges

You can also narrow down the “how much is a dash cam?” question by breaking down dash cam pricing by associated features. Below, we’ll go over features that you can expect from entry-level dash cams, mid-range dash cams, as well as high-end, professional grade dash cams.

Dash Cam Entry-Level Cost

How much is a dash cam on the lower end of the budget scale? Entry-level dash cams typically come at a lower cost than more advanced dash cams as well as less features. Drivers with entry-level dash cams can expect a roadview camera, usually something around 720p resolution, while some entry-level dash cams do have 1080p resolution. 

These dash cams usually feature single-lens recording and provide loop recording for personal use. Even entry-level dash cams typically come with an app with cloud storage.

You can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $100 for an entry-level dash cam.

Dash Cam Mid-Range Price

How much is a dash cam at the mid-range? Many mid-range dash cams provide dual camera recording (roadview paired with cabin or rear view). Many mid-range dash cams provide GPS technology, 24/7 parking mode, as well as better built hardware.

Some mid-level dash cams may have advanced features such as incident detection and automatic emergency updates to selected contacts. Advanced features are typically supported by a subscription-based app. Middle-of-the-road dash cams typically cost anywhere from $100-$300 due to the fact that they have slightly more features and capabilities than lower end dash cams.

Dash Cam High-End Price 

Higher end dash cams provide cutting edge features for a driver such as AI-driven technology/impact detection, cloud connectivity, 4K resolution, as well as multiple cameras which result in fewer blind spots and a wider range of coverage. Higher end cameras usually have a wider field of view as well.

How much is a dash cam on the higher end of the scale? Top-shelf dashboard cameras typically cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000 or above. 

Number of Cameras/Lenses

How many cameras do you need? While all dash cams currently on the market today have front-facing cameras, many companies sell dual-dash cams that provide interior lenses allowing you to see inside your vehicle as well. These dual-facing dash cams cover you against events from both inside and outside. Interior cameras, sometimes called cabin cameras, record the inside of the car, including the driver and passengers. 

Parents of teenage drivers are often very compelled by this feature as they can monitor exactly what is happening while their teenager is out on his or her own. They can see who’s driving, and watch his/her behavior along with each and every passenger. There’s no fooling a camera, especially one that has live-streaming, but we’ll get to that later. 

Rideshare drivers often use cabin cameras because they silently inform passengers that they are being recorded, knowledge that deters all sorts of trouble that hired drivers prefer to live without. Lastly, you can also consider a rear-facing camera since many collisions happen from behind.

Conclusion

Modern dash cams are candid, clever car accessories that are becoming increasingly indispensable for drivers. They “tell the whole truth and nothing but” to anyone with access to their footage, including drivers, insurance companies, law enforcement, and business owners. 

At a minimum, they record the road in front of you, illustrating the unbiased truth about what is happening or what has happened on the road. The video evidence that they provide offers protection from hiked-up insurance premiums that result from collisions caused by other vehicles or staged accidents, removing the burden of proof from the consumer. Simply put - people lie, cameras don’t. Likewise, if falsely accused of any kind of road misbehavior by police, dash cams provide time-stamped, video evidence of innocence against mistaken allegations.

As the technology has continued to evolve, dash cams have become more sophisticated and affordable. “How much is a dash cam?” is a question that the answer of which will continue to change over time as dash cams become more and more commonplace. At the same time, consumer demand for dash cams is growing along with increasingly common distracted driving, road rage, and extreme weather. Formerly used primarily by law enforcement, dash cams are now being purchased by daily commuters, rideshare drivers, truckers, and parents of teenage drivers. So, how much is a dash cam? As with any product, you pay for the quality and features that you pick.

The variety of choice of features and capabilities that dash cams offer can be overwhelming for consumers. The two chief things to consider are what you need to be able to see and whether you want the ability to access footage remotely. While the cost of dash cams varies widely based on features, for individual drivers and businesses alike, the protection that a dash cam affords is priceless.

FAQs

How do I get the best dash cam deals?

How much is a dash cam when offered at a value price or a deal? Like many other tech products, there are often sales around Christmas and Black Friday or other major occasions. Special discounts can often be found for professional drivers such as truck drivers, rideshare drivers, and fleets. Check out Nexar’s special deals here.

Is a dash cam worth the money?

Dash cams provide services and protection that can only be provided by video evidence. The statistics show that for every 1,000 miles driven, odds are 1 in 366 of a car accident. Having video evidence of exactly what happened provides indisputable proof.

Will a dash cam reduce my insurance?

How much is a dash cam worth when it comes to insurance discounts? While having a dash cam won’t reduce your insurance premiums typically, time and time again, they will save you money from an increase if it is clear that you are not at fault in an accident. They will also exonerate you from unfair, costly traffic tickets or citations. In some cases, insurance companies will offer specific businesses or groups insurance discounts