Best Front and Rear Dash Cams for Cars
How many times have you been involved in minor scrapes and bumps when driving your car? God forbid if you get in a more serious accident and there are no witnesses to attest to your story. Sometimes these mishaps happen to the front end of your car and sometimes to the rear. Looking for the best front and rear dash cams, or top dual dash cam is your best bet. Take a look at some of the options on the market with these top front and rear dash camera choices of the RRD.org team.
Table of Contents
Top 7 Front and Rear Dash Cams Reviews & Comparison
1 – APEMAN Dash Cam 1440P & 1080P Dual Dash Cam
This nifty front and rear dash camera lets you monitor the road ahead and behind you with the 1080P dual lens. At this level, you’d have clearer video quality and images and a 150-degree wide-angle. Say goodbye to blind spots at the back with this pro dual dash cam we came across.
A lot of the time you need to manually delete older footage from the cam. However, this one from Apeman does it for you! It automatically overrides older footage when the memory card is full. Not only that, but this camera also features the longest recording time of any other product.
What’s the point in having the best front & rear dash camera if you miss the footage? The Apeman Dash Cam automatically jumps to detection of any sort of collision or shaking and records video. The override will not affect this video footage. You can hold on to this video to resolve any on-road disputes.
The playback features and the four small buttons on the side make this front & rear dashcam straightforward and easy-to-use design. Not to mention the professional after-sales service. With this front and rear dash camera, you are protected with a free 1-month return and also a good 12-month warranty.
- The camera is easy to use in the dark, as the screen is very bright
- 1080p video in front and rear (dual lens)
- Features motion detection for videos
- Auto-recording of video
- G-Sensor Protection
- Good video quality for night recording
- Easy to install and use
- If you mount the camera on the dash, the video will be upside down.
- SD card pops out easily.
- Short cable
- Doesn’t pack in much power
2 – AKASO 360 Degree Dual Lens Dash Camera
Here is another and slightly more affordable best 2 channel front and rear dashcam. You have to watch the front but have someone (or something) watch your back, and this is a good choice. But not only does this best front and rear dash cam cover the exterior of your car, but it can also record what is going on inside!
You can record the front, inside and rear of your car simultaneously and you see unsurpassed night vision, allowing you a full and good picture of your surroundings at any time of the day. Having a clear picture of the back is important, and this pro dash cam delivers.
The AKASO Dual Dash cam protects your vehicle even when it’s parked with parking mode! Once it detects any sort of impact, it turns on and records 30 seconds worth of video to save in memory. It’s a good cam not only for a car, but great dashcam for a truck as well!
As for storage, this supports up to 128GB of storage (on a microSD card). Although it does come with a 32GB SD card with your purchase! It would’ve been great if this model had GPS though, as GPS is also a good function to have.
- G-sensor protection
- Great storage space
- HD resolution, great video quality for front and rear
- Super wide field of view
- Records the interior of the car as well.
- Compact size — good for stealth mode
- Option to record video with the front camera only
- Features a large screen display
- Slightly less clear picture for cabin recordings
- Fisheye camera is slightly impractical
- Angles aside from the front are not that good
- No GPS
3 – Dash Cam Front & Rear CHORTAU Dual Dash Cam
This is a dual-channel, best front and rear dash cam with high resolution and a waterproof rear cam. There are no blind spots with this state-of-the-art gadget as you have a good 170-degree wide-angle front camera and a 130-degree rear camera.
Many consumers argue that a notification popping up on the screen when the memory is full does not equate to a loop record feature (and we agree). This dash cam does not overwrite video recorded due to the G-sensor protection.
This camera also features a “parking mode”, which means the dashcam still functions when you’re not at the wheel. Worried about someone bumping, scraping or keying your car? Save the evidence on tape with this gadget. GPS is not present in this camera though, so look for GPS model with built-in GPS if you’re looking for one.
Installing this pro front and rear dash cam is quite easy with the instruction manual with easily legible writing and good pictures. Not to mention you get a free suction mount with the model.
With this best dash cam, you’re protected by a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a 3-year warranty!
- 3-year warranty and 100% satisfaction guarantee.
- Clear video quality at night, front and rear
- Features parking mode and G-sensor protection.
- Water-resistant rear cam with infrared LED light.
- Temperature resistance
- Easy to install and setup
- Highly reflective screen
- High-speed SD card needed (not included)
- No built-in GPS
- Heats up easily
4 – Lifechaser Dual Lens Dash Cam
The hefty price of this front and rear dashcam is due to the high-quality dual-channel recording at extremely high resolutions.
All the functions in the product are upgraded, including the night vision. The best front and rear dash cams incorporate the latest WDR and lens that gives you the clearest view at night. Imagine everything you can capture with this system that you can’t with other choices. Streetlights, street signs and license plates that may not otherwise be seen by other cams can be seen with this dual dashcam.
The front & rear camera saves much memory by offering better quality compression methods than other cameras. You get the same clear picture, but just fewer data taking up precious memory space.
It seems like most cameras come with loop recording, G-sensor, and parking mode 24-hour motion detection. It’s almost as if a product that does not have functions like these is outdated. Wi-Fi and built-in GPS are present in this pro front and rear camera. GPS allows tracking of location and speed.
To ensure you get the best protection possible, Lifechaser offers you an 18-month warranty for this front and rear dash camera.
- WDR Lens
- Extremely high definition resolution
- Dual-channel recording
- Pro night vision
- Built-in GPS and WiFi
- Parking mode with G-sensor protection
- Time-lapse function
- Save much more videos and take less space
- Easy setup
- Low compatibility with other devices
- Records in short intervals
- Screen shuts off automatically
- Expensive price
5 – VAVA Dual Dash Cam
With this 2-channel front and rear dashcam, you get a good and clear picture of the road ahead of you and behind you, although you have the option to choose the front-facing camera only.
Low light environments will no longer be a problem with the night vision that increases low light sensitivity. You will get crystal clear picture day or night.
For easier use, the Vava cam has built-in Wi-Fi and supports the Vava Dash App, which helps you easily configure everything in the system. Playback or download the HD video to any social media platform via your phone.
Of course, this also offers G-sensor protection. The smart design makes this dual dash cam easy to hide and not tip-off potential culprits.
The unique shape and design of this pro camera are for the swivel angle. You can manually swivel the camera a full 360-degrees to capture anything in and outside of the car.
This best dash cam offers another really cool function for you to use – a snapshot button that sits on your steering wheel. This gives you quick and easy access to take a picture of anything or anyone unexpected that crosses your path. Plus, it’s great that that camera comes with GPS. To use GPS, a separate GPS cable must be bought. As for power options, this can be plugged in or use battery power.
Overall, this is one of the best dash cameras out there.
- 24-hour parking mode.
- Features G-sensor protection
- 360-degree swivel angle to capture everything at all angles.
- Use the snapshot button to take instant photos
- Wide-angle field of view
- Crystal clear video quality at night
- With built-in GPS, but a GPS cable must be bought
- Power: plugged in or batteries
- Does not connect to any tablets.
- Real-time video viewed on a smartphone has lower quality.
- Connectivity issues
- Lose internet when it is connected to your phone
- Affordable price
6 – Crosstour Dual Dash Cam Front-and-Rear
For those of you with budget constraints, this is a great front and rear camera for a very affordable price! For this price, the quality of the picture for the cameras deliver a clearer picture than other competitive products. The wide-angle view of 170 degrees for the front-facing and the 120-degree angle for the rear camera will give you full coverage.
You get 30 seconds of video in parking mode if the G-sensor is triggered. This video won’t be overwritten by the loop function, giving you evidence to use for hit and runs as well as minor bumps.
You can easily place this pro camera out of your line of vision due to the compact design. The small buttons also face the driver, making it very easy to operate. The rear camera is water-resistant, giving you the choice to install it outside.
The light sensitivity sensor on this front / rear camera is great, allowing you to capture relevant video in any sort of road condition.
Have peace of mind with the 12-month warranty and 100% customer satisfaction guarantee with 24/7 customer service.
If you’d like GPS, this device lacks the function. Consider other Crosstour cameras which have GPS.
- High resolution (Full HD)
- Parking mode with G-sensor
- Features wide-angle views (170 degrees for front and 120 degrees for rear)
- Parking monitoring function
- Great night video quality
- High-temperature resistance
- Waterproof rear camera (can be installed externally)
- Easy installation
- Great quality for the price
- Constantly reboots
- Needs constant reformatting
- No GPS
7 – TOGUARD Backup Camera 10” Mirror Dash Cam
The best part and a big selling point of this option is the full touch screen controls. The screen simultaneously displays the front and back views with high resolution at any time of day.
This pro dual dash cam integrates well with your existing rearview mirror. All the blind spots you previously had will be eliminated with this design.
The video quality in low light is next to none ion this great device, and the rear-facing camera helps you squeeze in those tight spots when parking.
Don’t forget about G-sensor protection! It also locks and stores video recorded when the G-sensor is activated, so don’t worry about missing precious evidence. If you want to use GPS though, you can buy a separate GPS module for this camera.
The easy set up makes this a good choice and the pro customer service will fix your issue within 24 hours if any should arise. Overall, one of the best dash cams in the market.
- Super night vision for better video at night
- Extendable front camera lens
- G-sensor
- Sleek and innovative design
- Touch-screen controls
- Parking assist
- Incompatible with extension cords.
- Mirror dash cam needs to be plugged into the car charger at all times to record.
- Slides down easily
- Picture quality could be better
- No GPS, but GPS function can be added with a separate GPS module
Now that you have seen some cameras out there, hopefully, you have a better idea of what best front and rear dash cameras are. They are nifty little devices that help you capture precious video as evidence in accidents and also give you better driving views as well as other features such as parking assistant. However, before you sink a hefty amount of cash into a piece of technology you might not be familiar with, we have a few tips for you on what to look out for.
Our Top Pick
Dash Cam Front-and-Rear CHORTAU Dual Dash Cam
This option is our top pick for the best dash cam because it comes with all the basic functions one may want in a dash cam. These functions include G-sensor protection, HD resolution and a wide-angle view among many others.
Although it’s not the one with the least amount of cons, the cons this pro camera might have are also the most trivial issues. The price is very affordable, and it’s an Amazon’s Choice product. If you fear committing to something might compromise the safety of your family, the three-year warranty and 100% satisfaction guarantee should give you a little nudge in the right direction. It’s good that there are customer service representatives reachable 24/7 — great for the price!
To add to the already amazing features, the dash cams also have a backup camera so you don’t accidentally cause any mishaps. This function is automatic at no extra setting required.
The suction mount can rotate 360-degrees to give you an even wider angle view.
What to Look for When Buying a Front & Rear Dash Cam
Resolution
The most basic resolution on standard dash cams worth your money would be at least Full HD 1080P video. You won’t be getting a clear picture on the road with anything less than that. Full HD shouldn’t be confused with the standard HD, which is just 720p. You can even check the difference yourself on Youtube. A video at full HD and one at standard HD has a visible difference in video quality. You might see some specs stating 2K or 4K, which means 2160p, which is higher quality picture than full HD. As you can probably imagine, the clearer the picture, the better you can see your surroundings during playback. There isn’t really a point to having a dash cam if you can barely make out the images. If you require proof and evidence, go for at least full HD cameras. For a simple dashcam with HD video quality options, head to this page.
Wide-angle Views
In our opinion, a wide-angle view for both cameras is just as important as a clear picture. You have to be able to see what’s going on at all angles.
We introduced some best dash cams around that can record what’s happening inside the car, and even one with a 360-degree rotating camera. For those of us who need help parking or have blind spots due to the design of our car, or our height, a wide-angle view from cameras could really help with the quality of our driving.
Night Vision
You can probably guess why night vision is important for dash cams too. This is a feature that allows the dash cams to process effects on the video when there is low light outside. Once a low light environment is detected, it will automatically increase the exposure of the video, thus making picture and details appear clearer. You definitely don’t want a camera that only works during the day and has bad video quality at night.
One thing to take note of is on night vision mode, the exposure of headlights or when it’s turned on during the day will cause overexposure. This means details could be “whited-out” or appear completely white due to too much light.
Loop Recording
In this case, it’s more of a convenience and not one everybody might require this in cameras. Loop video recording means the dash continuously records even if the memory card is full. All it does is erase older files and replace it with new ones.
Perhaps you’d like to keep all the files, therefore you need to make sure you extract all the old videos before they are overwritten by this function. This feature just makes sure you never miss anything that happened recently or is going on at the moment.
It’s also imperative to make sure the dash cams you purchase has an auto-locking function which prevents the G-sensor activated footage (the about 30-second long video) from getting overwritten when the dash cam starts a new loop.
WiFi and GPS
Most dash cameras, higher and lower end will now come with at least a Wi-Fi feature. This allows you to pair your smart device (mostly phones) to the dual dash cam. It doesn’t give you free Wi-Fi, the option is just for connection purposes.
This function also makes it easy to configure the system on your phone and you will be able to download video, playback and change anything straight from the compatible app. This is extremely convenient and makes your life infinitely easier as you don’t need to retrieve the memory card, insert it into a computer, and make changes and such from there. We highly recommend having a built-in Wi-Fi feature. Especially when using dash cameras for longer periods like most uber drivers (top options reviewed here).
With the Wi-Fi comes the built-in GPS. If you are someone that often needs the help of your Google Maps assistant to direct you to your destination, we strongly advise you to look into this feature as well. Devices with these functions may earn much of the top spots in reviews.
Most forms of video and photo storage for a 2 channel dash cam is the microSD memory card. Unfortunately, you’ll find that most cams do not come with one included. So you need to make sure you read which microSD cards are compatible with the device and how to format and configure it.
In order to keep all the crucial videos when things hit the fan, class 10 is the recommended ranking for a microSD card.
G-sensor and Parking Mode
These features give you peace of mind like no other. The G-sensor is a built-in sensor for collision detection as well as bumps and any sort of shakes. It then records a video. It provides you with around the clock protection and detection for your vehicle. The worst part is having no witnesses at the scene of an accident.
But accidents can happen at any time of the day, anywhere. Which means you could be in the parking garage and someone could have the audacity to back into you and just drive off. But with the G-sensor and parking mode, the camera will automatically power up once any sort of motion is detected and record at least 30 seconds of video to capture the incident.
Hopefully and most likely your dash cam will come with an auto-start recording function, which automatically records when you’re driving. This is useful in case you forget to turn it on.
Temperature and Water-resistance
To keep the longevity of your dash cam, especially if you plan to install outside of your car, we would recommend water-resistant dash cams. There is no way one that isn’t waterproof will last out on a rainy day.
You do not want the camera to overheat and put yourself at risk with what could happen to the batteries and microSD card. For your safety, you need a heat dissipation function or a dual dash cam that doesn’t overheat. We have seen consumer reviews of what happens when a dash cam overheats, trust us, it’s not something you want to happen.
Size
The size of your dash cam directly impacts its placement. Think about where you will install your dash cam to know if you need a small or big one. Some manufacturers include a complimentary mount with suction for you to place it on your windshield. Or maybe you want it on your dashboard; these are all good questions you need to find out before making your decision and pulling the trigger.
Easy Setup
I don’t know about you, but dash cams that take more than 15 minutes time to set up really deter me from making a purchase. Most dash cams should come with an instruction manual and great after-sales services. Clear instructions are a good sign when it comes to complicated products like dash cams.
Battery
A lot of dash cams draw power from your car’s battery. However, we suggest looking for cameras that have a built-in battery as well. This allows it to have power without you having to turn your car on. Dash cams with G-sensors usually have a built-in battery, even though the cameras only lasts for a few minutes.
Placement
After you have taken the size into consideration, your next step is to think about where to mount it. Dashboards can become really cluttered, especially if that’s already where you mount your phone. But sticking it on the windshield might impair your vision and give you blind spots — not good.
Don’t worry, the suction on windshield mounts are strong enough to hold the cam stably. If you opt for an adhesive mount, keep in mind that it could limit the mobility of the cam and portability.
Conclusion
Dash cams can give you a slight sense of invincibility as they can capture any sort of incident that may occur on the road or even when your car is stationary. One of the most important roles is it dissuades people from doing things to your car and it backs you up from anything that may happen around you. You are able to utilize the captured video as you see fit to make your case. (Other reasons why you should have a dash cam here: https://www.ratedradardetector.org/dashcam/are-worth-it/).
Finding something tech-related can be overwhelming at times, and that is where we come in. We scoured the Internet and did the legwork for you. Hopefully, you can find the right support system for you on our list. Remember to take all the important features into consideration to make sure the dash cams fit your own unique needs.
William Johnson is the owner and founder of RatedRadarDetector.org. He writes about car accessories, with his passion stemming from a deep enthusiasm for all things automotive. His website, RRD, focuses on in-depth reviews of car accessories to help people find the best and latest products in the market.