Best Dash Cams of 2016

We constantly get questions on what camera is best for certain situations.  For 2016, we believe these are the best cameras available depending on your specific need.

Q. I am looking for the cheapest dash cam?

A. Anything under $40 is typically poor quality. The minimum camera you should be looking at is a NT96650+Aptina 0330 camera. Buy from a reputable seller due to lower specification versions.

  1. A118C
  2. G1W, G1WH, G1WC
  3. Z7

Q. I am looking for a discreet camera without a screen?

  1. Mobius
  2. JooVuu X

Q. I am looking for a discreet camera with a screen and GPS?

  1. Viofo A119
  2. B40/A118 / A118C
  3. Mini 0805 (seems to be the least problematic of the Mini Series)
  4. Rexing V1

Q. I am looking for an affordable parking mode camera (prebuffers video)?

Look for Korean cameras, most Chinese cameras do not prebuffer or have poorly implemented parking mode.  Unfortunately most Korean cameras are over $200, but there are a few for under that price.

  1. Blackvue DR3500-FHD
  2. Livue LB100 (only 720p but has true parking mode)

Q. I am looking for a dual camera with good video quality, size does not matter?

  1. Lukas LK7950 WD
  2. Thinkware F750-2CH
  3. BlackVue DR750LW-2CH

Q. I am looking for a camera with a remote lens?

  1. Street Guardian SGZC12RC

Q. I am looking for a dual camera with remote lenses?

  1. Koonlung K1S

Q. I am looking for a camera designed for extreme temperatures?

Cameras based on capacitors rather than batteries typically perform better in the heat.  The following cameras are capacitor based and have a wide operating temperature

  1. Lukas LK-7900
  2. Transcend DrivePro 200

Q. I am looking for a WiFi camera?

  1. Transcend DrivePro 200
  2. GitUp Git1
  3. Xiaomi Yi Dash Cam (may not do well in hot climates)

Q. I am looking for a dual WiFi Camera?

  1. Lukas LK7950 WD
  2. BlackVue DR750LW-2CH
  3. BlackVue DR550GW-2CH

Q. I am looking for a camera with the most storage?

  1. MiVue-658 (Dual Micro-SD cards for touch screen version only, not the WIFI model)
  2. Mini-0806 (Dual Micro-SD cards but note that it does not automatically switch cards when one is full)

Q. I am looking for a camera with Cloud Storage Capability?

  1. BlackVue DR650-GW-2CH
  2. Vico-WF1

Q. I am looking for a camera with a narrow lens to better capture license plates?

  1. Mobius
  2. Mini D33

Q. I am looking for a taxi camera (one front facing lens with no LEDs, one rear facing lens with LEDs)?

  1. Transcend DrivePro 520

Q. I am looking for a combination dash camera and satellite navigation system?

  1. Garmin nuviCam LMTHD

Q. I am looking for the best video quality during the day?
Depending on lighting conditions, cameras perform differently so there is no “one size fits all” answer. Check the side-by-side comparison forum for real examples.

  1. Dome D201
  2. Ausdom A261
  3. Mini 0805 (Mini 0806 has better day quality but appears to be less reliable)

Q. I am looking for the best video quality at night?
Depending on lighting conditions, cameras perform differently so there is no “one size fits all” answer. Check the side-by-side comparison forum for real examples.

  1. Street Guardian SG9665GC
  2. GitUp Git1
  3. Mini 0805

Q. I am looking for a multi-purpose dash cam / action camera?

  1. Mobius
  2. GitUp Git1
  3. GitUp Git2

Q. I am looking for a waterproof camera?

Consider one of the action cameras above with a waterproof case.

If the our main page with our best bang for your buck list and this page does not provide a camera that meets your needs, check out our What Should I Buy Sub-Forum.

You can also check out last year’s best picks in our Best Dash Cam’s for 2015.

PLEASE NOTE:  New cameras come out every day so I will try to keep this list up to date.  This is a living document, so please let me know if you don’t agree or believe a better camera exists.

Last Update: July 21, 2016