How To Choose (The Best) Dash Cam: 2025 Buying Guide

Purchasing a dashboard camera is an important decision. Naturally, any consumer wants the best possible camera with the most intelligent features at the lowest possible price.

Below, Nexar goes over how to choose a dash cam. Whether you’re a rideshare driver or a college student in a busy metropolitan area, reading this article before making your purchase is an invaluable decision.

What are the different types of dashboard camera?

First, before we let you know about how to choose a dash cam, let’s go over the different types of dash cams. 

There are more than a few dash cam types, each suited for different driving needs. Options include:

• Roadview Dash Cams
• Rearview Dash Cams
• Cabin View Dash Cams
• Multi-Channel Dash Cams
• Wireless Dash Cams

Roadview Dash Cams

Roadview dash cams are meant to capture the road – basically, what is directly in front of you. Different models have varying fields of view. The wider the view, the better. 

Rearview Dash Cams

Rearview dash cams capture the back of the vehicle, picking up any rear end collisions and providing a crucial second point of view for your security system.

Cabin View Dash Cams

It’s obvious that every driver would want to protect the front side and/or the rear side of their car, truck, or SUV, but some drivers might also want to think about protecting/recording the cabin – rideshare and professional drivers, we’re looking at you…

Interior dash cams capture the activity inside the vehicle – best for rideshare drivers and drivers for fleets. These types of dash cams are meant to keep drivers, passengers, and goods safe.

Now that you know about all the different types of dash cams, you’re one step closer to knowing how to choose a dash cam.

Multi-Channel Cash Cams

Dual channel dash cams may be on the costlier side, but they are better options for families who need complete coverage of their vehicle and the road. Some providers offer 3-channel dash cams (roadview, cabin view, rearview) or even more.

Wireless Dash Cams

Wireless dash cams can transmit dashboard camera footage wirelessly (to a receiver). This receiver can be either inside or outside of the vehicle. Wireless dash cams leverage battery power and wireless connectivity to record your drives. No need for complex wiring.

Nexar provides a line of connected dash cams that have a true plug-and-play setup process that can be completed in 10 minutes or less. Your Nexar connected dash cam pairs with your phone wirelessly for seamless connectivity.

Key Factors To Consider When Choosing a Dash Cam

Before knowing how to choose a dash cam, ask yourself what you want to use your dash cam for. Depending on your needs and the type of driver you are, you might be interested in different features and models. 

Top features to consider include a number of cameras, storage capabilities, video resolution, GPS capabilities, and parking mode. Of course, you will also need to consider your budget. At Nexar, we offer a range of connected dash cams that focus on different needs. 

Next, we go over what you should consider when selecting your dash camera for fully protected driving.

When choosing a dash cam, consider things like: 

• Video resolution
• Field of view
• Storage capacity
• Night vision
• Number of cameras
• GPS functionality
• Parking mode
• G-sensor
• Ease of use
• Battery
• Price

Video resolution

Capturing the best possible image/footage is important in the event you ever have to prove your innocence after an incident. Drivers want 1080p or higher in order to capture finer details such as road signs and license plates. 

Nexar offers a variety of dash cams from 1080p to 4K resolution, suiting a variety of needs and budgets. All of our dash cams are suitable for capturing details of the road, license plates, road signs, and more.

Field of view

You want the widest field of view possible (whether it’s a roadview or rearview camera) so you can see as much as possible. Your dash cam will only be as good as what it is able to see/capture. A narrower field of view makes a dash cam less effective.

For instance, consider the beam2 mini + rearview camera bundle. Nexar beam2 mini has a 160 degree field of view; our rearview camera has a 135 degree field of view. That’s 295 degrees of coverage for you and your car.

Storage capacity

If we’re talking memory cards and storage capacity, a 64GB microSD card is generally considered enough storage for a dash cam. For higher resolutions, longer recording durations, or use of features such as parking mode, 128GB or 256GB or higher will do the trick, typically.

Nexar connected dash cams, such as beam2 mini, beam2, and Nexar One have unlimited cloud storage via LTE Protection Plan, which provides features like Parking Mode, unlimited cloud storage, and automatic backup of critical footage.

Number of cameras

The number of cameras you need for your dash cam setup will depend on the circumstances under which you drive, as well as your environment. People living in rural areas who buy a dash cam might simply buy a roadview camera. Someone living in a bustling metropolis might purchase the Nexar beam2mini + rearview camera bundle. 

Still, others might need cabin coverage. We provide the Nexar beam2 for customers who need to cover the inside of their vehicle, which is our cabin & road-view dash cam. This camera captures video in 2K resolution with unlimited cloud backups via LTE Protection Plan.

GPS functionality

GPS is a feature that tracks accurate speed and location data through your dash cam while you're driving. With GPS functionality, you can keep track of your vehicle's location, show a particular route travelled, as well as the speed you are driving.

Nexar connected cameras provide live GPS tracking for your peace of mind, providing documentation of location in the event of an accident. GPS is often important when it comes to pinpointing where an incident occurred, which can be vital information for an insurance claim.

Parking mode

Taking care of your vehicle’s security while your car is parked and you’re away is an important consideration. Nexar connected cameras provide a Parking Mode feature that will pick up incidents or occurrences when your vehicle is parked, providing 24/7 coverage.

G-sensor

G-sensors are important components of a dash cam that have the ability to automatically detect sudden motion changes – such as a collision or hard braking. This triggers the camera to save that footage as “event” footage.

Your Nexar dash cam is ready to spring into action, detecting impacts when they occur, automatically saving critical footage to the cloud (via LTE Connection Plan), protecting that footage from any loop recording that might occur.

Ease of use

Unless you’re some kind of technician who is savvy with electronics, you want a dash cam that provides simplicity of design and ease of use. 

Our products utilize OBD-II pass through to keep your CLA port free while at the same time avoiding blocking the OBD-II itself. Most drivers install our cameras and hit the road in ten minutes or less.

Price

Dashboard camera systems can be anywhere from $100 (for budget-friendly models) to $1,000 (for top tier models). Choosing the right camera might come down to the price tag. 

Nexar beam2 mini is our compact dash cam and is among the most cost-efficient options on the market, providing smart features like unlimited cloud storage, Parking Mode, remote live streaming, and more via the LTE Protection Plan. Currently priced at $149.95, beam2 mini provides serious coverage without breaking into your savings. 

What is the best dash cam?

Below, we’ll cover the best dash cams for a variety of features, including:

• Best wireless dash cam
• Best budget dash cam
• Best overall dash cam
• Best front and rear dash cam

Best wireless dash cam of 2025

Nexar beam2 is the ultimate smart driving sidekick – packed with intelligent features and coming in at an unbeatable price. Get remote livestream, live alerts, GPS tracking, 24/7 Parking Mode, and unlimited cloud backups powered by Nexar Connect. Nexar beam2 connects seamlessly with your smartphone and provides a true plug-and-play setup so you can hit the road protected in a flash.

The Viofo A229 Pro delivers clear and sharp 4K video. This dash cam is easy to use and has GPS as well as 24-hour parking mode. Drivers can choose from 1, 2, and 3 channel versions to meet individual needs.

The Cobra SC 100 features Full HD 1080P video resolution and continuously records the road, providing SD card, cloud storage, and built-in WiFi.

Best budget dash cam of 2025

Out of all the Nexar connected dash cams available, beam2 mini is the dashboard camera that is priced for the budget-conscious consumer who still wants a reliable dash cam packed with AI-driven smart features. 

Enjoy unlimited cloud storage, 24/7 Parking Mode, live alerts, live streaming, and more, powered by the Nexar LTE Protection Plan. Currently priced at $149.95 for a limited time, beam2 mini is the perfect option for drivers wanting a high quality dash cam without breaking the bank. 

The VIOFO VS1 Mini delivers 2K 1440P image quality with a wide angle lens that provides a 140 degree field of view. Remember that beam2 mini has a 160 degree field of view. While VS1 mini can sufficiently capture details of the road, some drivers may want to hold out for a wider field of view. Currently priced at $149.99 – similar in price to beam2 mini.

Garmin Dash Cam™ Mini 3 is another dash cam that comes in at a lower price than the average dash cam. This ultracompact 1080p dash cam has a 140-degree field of view as well as a built-in Clarity™ Polarizer for crisp image capturing. During the current sale, Garmin Mini 3  costs $129.99.

Best overall dash cam of 2025

Nexar beam2 mini is the mini guardian of your journey. Nexar beam2 mini has AI-powered features that make this dash cam stand out from the crowd. Offering smart features like 4G LTE, remote livestream, live alerts, unlimited cloud storage, GPS tracking, and 24/7 parking mode, beam2  mini packs a serious punch in a pint-sized package. Priced at $149.95, you can hit the road with newly achieved peace of mind at a price that won’t make you frown.

The Nextbase iQ predicts threats by utilizing smart alerts, incorporating features like Roadwatch AI and Witness Mode, which allow drivers to take action during an incident. However, currently starting at $499.99, many drivers may not have the purchasing power to make this selection.

BlackVue DR770X-1CH cloud-ready dash cam provides 1080p recording, GPS, as well as WiFi connectivity. With upgraded sensors and 60 FPS at Full HD, this dash cam can capture a high level of detail during the day or night and is among our picks for overall best dash cam of the year.

Best front and rear dash cam

Nexar One + rearview camera bundle. Nexar One is our Flagship 4K Connected Cam. 

With 4K resolution, Parking Mode protection, remote live streaming, and real-time emergency alerts, Nexar One is the trusty sidekick you need for every journey on the road.

Nexar beam2 mini + rear dash cam bundle is also available for those looking to make a cost-efficient purchase. Currently competitively priced at $219.95, this front and rear bundle is attractive to drivers looking to stay within a specific budget while enjoying all of the features of a high-quality dash cam system.

Nextbase provides their rear view camera – normally priced at $99.99. You can add the Nextbase rear camera to dash cams such as the Nextbase 322GW (normally priced at $199.99). This dash cam bundle utilizes WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS.

The Vantrue Sonnet 1 PRO provides 1080P image quality for both front and rear cameras. Currently priced at $199.99, the S1 PRO is a viable option for budget-conscious consumers. However, consumer reports convey a drawback – the United States LTE module does not work with AT&T and Verizon SIM cards; some consumers may find this problematic.

Tips for Choosing the Right Dash Cam

Need a few additional tips for selecting the right dash cam? We have you covered!

Size of Camera / Windshield Footprint

Make sure your dash cam does not obstruct your view while driving. All of our dash cams sit snugly behind the rearview mirror, making sure that our drivers stay focused on the road. Our compact dash cam (beam2 mini) features a discreet windshield footprint of 0.15%, ensuring that your vision is never obstructed or compromised.

Location

Where you live will be an important factor in choosing the right dash cam. If you live in a busy and bustling city, it might make sense to go with a front and rear bundle to ensure you’re properly covered. If you live in an area where there is a higher amount of theft and disturbances, it’s a good idea to have a camera that has Parking Mode – so you can protect your vehicle while you’re parked and away, not to mention deter criminal activity.

Loop Recording

Loop recording is an important feature that ensures old, irrelevant footage is overwritten with new footage – this helps with memory space management. However, it’s also important to ensure that your dash cam has measures in place to protect critical footage from being overwritten. Nexar connected dash cams provide unlimited cloud storage and automatic backing up of critical footage, protecting the footage from any loop recording that may otherwise occur.

FAQs

Do dashcams require a monthly subscription?

Dash cam providers typically are charged with providing ongoing service in the form of storage – which means that most dash cams do require a monthly subscription to support features such as unlimited cloud storage, Parking Mode, remote live streaming, and more. Very few dash cams do not require a subscription, however, Nexar does offer a Basic Plan for $0 per month, which provides features like WiFi access to footage, automatic incident detection, and 24/7 customer support.

Features like cloud storage, AI analytics, driver coaching, real-time access to footage, and live remote streaming are always going to require a subscription because these features require continuous work on the provider’s behalf.

How much does a dash cam camera cost?

Obviously, there is no one set price for a dash cam. You can spend anywhere from $50 on a sub-par model to $1,000 on a state-of-the-art model. However, if you’re purchasing along the averages, a typical dash cam with effective vehicle protection features will cost anywhere from $150 to $500. 

All Nexar dash cam models come in below $400. Our most cost-efficient dash cam, beam2 mini, is currently available for $149.95 while supplies last.

What is the highest resolution dash cam?

4K (also known as Ultra High Definition or UHD) is currently the highest resolution available for dash cams. 4K can capture video footage at a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. 

Nexar One is our highest resolution dash cam available currently, providing 4K resolution in addition to a plethora of smart features.

How much footage can a dash cam store?

Nexar connected dash cams (purchased with Nexar LTE Protection Plan) come with unlimited cloud storage – so you no longer have to worry about memory cards or storage space. Drive with peace of mind knowing that any critical footage is automatically backed up and saved on the cloud.

If you’re opposed to the $9.99 monthly fee for the LTE Protection Plan, we do offer a Basic Plan for $0 a month, which provides 24/7 customer support, WiFi footage access, and automatic incident detection.

Does a dash cam record your speed?

Yes, many dash cams can record your speed. Dash cams that have GPS capabilities can record and display your car’s speed. This data is often overlaid onto the recorded video footage for reference. 

Does a dash cam deter thieves?

Just like a home equipped with video surveillance, a car equipped with a dash cam can end up deterring bad actors such as thieves and vandals. Once an assailant knows or thinks they are being filmed, they tend to give up the object of their efforts.