< path d="M52.6178 31.3114L44.7476 60.6733L74.1095 68.5435L81.9797 39.1816L52.6178 31.3114Z" fill="#F9C32D"/>
download the finder app! App

Best dash cams in Australia

Protect yourself on the road with our round-up of the 7 best dash cams you can buy right now.

Avatar
Tim Falk

&

Avatar
Sarah Brandon
Updated
Fact checked

We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!

The best dash cams in Australia

How did we pick this list?

Our editorial team selected the dash cams on this list based on extensive research, real customer reviews and personal experience. For each category, we carefully selected parameters based on our research and identified the products with the highest review score within those parameters.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

Amazon
Deal

9% off Wolfbox mirror dash cam

Verified 3 days ago Expires 26 May 2022
Get deal

Garmin Dash Cam 66W

Fast, light and convertible power

Garmin Dash Cam 66W
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Easy to set up and use
  • 180-degree field of view

Cons

  • Not the cheapest
  • Some users report that driver warnings are a little distracting and need to be switched off

Why we chose it

Garmin was chosen by Australian customers as the top brand for dash cams in the 2019-20 Finder Retail Awards. The 66W boasts a long list of practical features as well as lots of positive reviews from Australian consumers, so it's our pick as the best overall dash cam.

With a 180-degree field of view, the camera captures 1,440p footage as you drive. The 66W can also be controlled by voice and includes time and GPS location data so that you have a record of all key details for any on-road incident.

Any footage you record can be reviewed on the dash cam's display or on your phone via the Garmin Drive app. Driver assist features like forward collision and lane departure warnings are also included.

Uniden IGOCAM 30 Dash Cam

Best cheap dash cam

Uniden IGOCAM 30 Dash Cam
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Full HD recording
  • Parking Mode is a handy feature

Cons

  • Some users report long cable is annoying
  • Only supports microSD cards up to 32GB in capacity

Why we chose it

Searching for a dash cam you can have for under $100? The Uniden iGo Cam 30 is a simple but practical option with a range of positive reviews from Aussie consumers.

Recording in 1,080p Full HD, the iGo Cam 30 features a 120-degree field of view and a 2-inch colour LCD screen. It also offers a Parking Mode feature that detects sudden vibration when your car is parked and starts recording – very handy for those bumps and scrapes that always seem to occur in shopping centre car parks.

Blackvue DR900S

Best high-end dash cam

Blackvue DR900S
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Ultra HD front camera and Full HD rear
  • Loaded with useful features

Cons

  • Pricey (even for this category)
  • Some reports of overheating issues

Why we chose it

With an average score of 4.4 out of 5 from 22 customer ratings on productreview.com.au, the BlackVue DR900S is well worth a look if you're searching for a high-end dash cam.

This dual dash cam features a 4K Ultra HD front camera and a 1,080p Full HD rear camera. The main camera includes an 8-megapixel CMOS sensor to capture high-resolution footage, while dual-band Wi-Fi is provided to allow faster downloads to your phone.

Other features of the BlackVue DR900S include a built-in impact and motion sensor, Parking Mode monitoring when your vehicle is parked, and a 162-degree field of view from the front camera.

Garmin Dash Cam 66W

Best wide-angle dash cam

Garmin Dash Cam 66W
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Easy to set up and use
  • 180-degree field of view

Cons

  • Not the cheapest
  • Some users report that driver warnings are a little distracting and need to be switched off

Why we chose it

The Garmin 66W is not only our best overall pick, it also takes the win as the best wide-angle dash cam. With its 180-degree field of view, the camera allows you to record more details, including extra lanes and cross traffic, which could be useful when filing an insurance claim.

Footage is recorded in 1,440p resolution and the 66W also records time and GPS location data. The camera supports up to 60fps and allows microSD cards of up to 256GB. And with driver assist warnings for things like lane departure and forward collisions, it can also help you stay safe on the road.

Navman MiVUE745

Best dash cam with a screen

Navman MiVUE745
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Affordable
  • 1,080p recording and 2.7-inch screen

Cons

  • Lacks advanced features
  • If you push the event button, it will only record the previous three seconds

Why we chose it

With lots of positive reviews and an affordable price tag, the Navman MiVUE745 is worth considering if you're in the market for a dash cam with a screen.

With a wide-angle lens that offers 1,080p video recording, the Navman features a built-in 2.7-inch screen and easy menu navigation. A built-in GPS receiver automatically records location, direction and speed, while the camera instantly records whenever it detects a sudden change in motion or an impact. Other features include Wide Dynamic Range support to ensure better picture quality in difficult lighting conditions, and Parking Mode that automatically starts recording if your car is hit while parked.

Garmin Dash Cam Mini

Best mini dash cam

Garmin Dash Cam Mini
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • 140-degree field of view
  • 1,080p recording

Cons

  • No GPS
  • Some users report that it heats up quickly

Why we chose it

Garmin was chosen by Australian customers as the top brand for dash cams in the 2019-20 Finder Retail Awards. And if you're looking for a compact in-car camera, there's plenty to like about the Garmin Dash Cam Mini.

Described as "car key-sized", this camera packs a big punch. It offers a 140-degree field of view and 1,080p video recording, and it automatically records and saves footage once it's plugged in. It's small enough to be mounted out of sight behind your rear view mirror, and it offers Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity so you can upload footage to your smartphone using the Garmin Drive app.

Uniden iGo Cam 85R

Best 4K dash cam

Uniden iGo Cam 85R
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • 4K front camera and Full HD rear camera
  • 160-degree field of view

Cons

  • Poor reviews for compatible smartphone app
  • Comes with sticker mounts rather than suction cup

Why we chose it

If you're searching for a dash cam that records 4K footage, the BlackVue DR900S we chose as our best high-end pick is definitely worth a look. But if you're looking for a more affordable 4K camera, the Uniden iGo Cam 85R provides an interesting alternative.

Offering a 4K front camera and 1,080p Full HD recording on the rear camera, this model offers a 160-degree wide-angle field of view. A GPS antenna inside the camera mount records your location, direction and speed, while there are alerts to warn you of fixed speed and red light cameras up ahead. Parking Mode is also included to keep an eye on your vehicle while it is parked.

Lanmodo Vast Pro

Best low light night vision dash cam

Lanmodo Vast Pro
Image: Supplied/Finder

Finder Score:

★★★★★
Read Lanmodo Vast Pro Review

Pros

  • Incredible visibility in near dark
  • Wide-angle view

Cons

  • Poor image stabilization
  • Big footprint

Why we chose it

The Lanmodo Vast Pro dashcam is purpose built for drivers with failing eyesight or who do a lot of driving at night. Especially driving at night in rural or outback Australia where the population of street lights vs kangaroos very much favours the latter. There's a lot of Australians who fall into this category.

As you can see in this image, which shows the view through the dash cam versus out the windscreen, the low light visibility is incredible. It extends up to 300m, too. The 1080p display, park mode, collision detection and ease of install also work in its favour. It is big, however, and tends to wobble a lot on bumpy roads.

For more, read our full review.

Amazon prices last updated on 23 May, 2022 at 12:29 am
eBay prices last updated on 22 May, 2022 at 10:29 am

Methodology

17
Brands considered
50+
Products compared
6
Best dash cams chosen
  • We compared dash cams from 17 leading brands.
  • We based our findings on key product specs and reviews from real customers.
  • The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.
Best Dashcam

Best Rated Dashcam Brand: Blackvue

Blackvue is the leading dashcam brand, with Australians giving the brand top scores across the board for video quality, features, battery life and value for money.

Quick facts about dash cams

  • Dash cams can help you prove fault in the event of an accident and avoid paying an excess and increased insurance premiums.
  • Budget models can cost as little as $40, while top-of-the-line models can be over $600.
  • Dash cams need to be attached securely and shouldn't be used on private property.

What is a dash cam?

Dash cams – or dashboard cameras – record video while you drive and sometimes while your car is parked. They work similarly to regular video cameras, but they are designed to be mounted inside your car. The footage captured is typically saved to a memory card or uploaded directly to cloud storage so you can access it easily.

You can use a dash cam to do the following:

  • Prove fault in an accident. Having a dash cam can help ensure you'll be let off the hook if an accident isn't your fault and save you from having to pay big excesses and raised premiums on your car insurance.
  • Provide legal evidence. Many people have used dashboard camera videos to demonstrate their innocence in the face of police inquiries.
  • Identify fleeing drivers. If you're involved in a hit-and-run, a dash cam could capture the other driver's number plate and vehicle information.
  • Protect your business. If you own a business that involves drivers or couriers, a camera can record your employee's speed and GPS location so you can make sure appropriate procedures are being followed.
  • Record a road trip. You can use your dash cam to capture road trips or once-in-a-lifetime events that happen too fast for you to stop the car and get out your digital camera.

Keep in mind, dash cams are limited and can only record within their field of view, so if the camera isn't pointed in the direction of the accident, it won't help.

Are dash cams legal?

Yes, as long as the camera is mounted correctly and you record in public areas, it's legal to own and operate a dash cam.

However, if you drive onto someone's private property and they ask you to turn it off then you must oblige. There may also be privacy issues when uploading videos to public spaces such as YouTube without the approval of anyone featured in the video.

What types are available?

There are two main types of dash cams: Single-lens and multi-lens cameras.

  • Single-lens or single-channel. Single-lens models record in one direction, typically facing through the front windshield of the car. They are generally cheaper and easier to install than multi-lens models. However, single-lens cameras only capture footage in one direction, so if it's sitting in your front windshield and you get rear-ended – one of the most common accidents in Australia – then you won't get any footage of the accident.
  • Multi-lens or dual-channel. A multi-lens camera allows you to record both the front and back of your car at the same time. Some also offer side views and internal views of the car so you can record the passengers. Multi-lens cams are more expensive and more complicated to install than single-lens models as they have multiple units.

How to compare dash cams

Choose a dash cam that you can depend on. When comparing, look for the following features:

Price

You can get a budget dash cam for under $100 or spend $600 on a high-end model with extra features.

Automatic recording

Look for a dash cam that turns on and starts recording automatically when you start the car. If not, you'll have to remember to turn it on every time you get in the car.

Parking mode

Some models can be hooked up to the car's internal battery so that they keep running even while the car is parked. This helps you capture footage in case another car hits your parked car.

Memory card and data storage

Depending on storage space and video quality, your camera can only store a certain number of hours at a time. 32GB of storage typically holds several hours of high-resolution footage. A removable memory card allows you to add more storage space and transfer footage from your camera to your computer. Some dash cams use Wi-Fi to store video using cloud storage so you won't run out of memory space.

Impact detection

An important and increasingly common feature, impact detection ensures that the camera automatically stores important video and doesn't overwrite it. If your car is bumped, moved or hit, the device will detect it and make sure that a video of the event is available. Most dash cams can timestamp the relevant video, and more advanced models can also record the force and direction of the impact.

Battery life and power supply

If you want a dash cam that runs continuously, you'll need to hook it up to a power source. Some dash cams will come with a cable to hook up to your car's 12V socket, while others can be hardwired into the car's battery.
Some dash cams come with an internal battery that allows it to run without a power connection. However, the battery will need to be charged or replaced regularly.

Looped recording

Dash cams need to be recording constantly while you drive, and sometimes when your car is parked too. Looped video recording ensures that the dash cam can still record new footage when its memory is full by overwriting the oldest footage with newer video when needed.

Built-in display

While not an essential feature, an inbuilt display screen lets you more accurately align the camera so you know exactly what it's recording. It can also be useful if you ever have to pick the camera up and actually point it out a side window to record something.

Video quality

High quality video can help you capture more details in the event of an accident. Most dash cams have at least 1080p high-definition resolution, but some models record 4K ultra-high-definition footage. Some dash cams also offer a night vision mode to help capture clearer video in the dark.

How to install a dash cam

Dash cams are designed to be installed relatively easily with instructions in the box. If you have trouble installing the camera or connecting it to a power source, take your car to an auto shop for assistance. If you install the camera yourself, make sure to secure any extra cords to the roof lining so that nothing is left dangling to distract you while you drive.

You can attach your dash cam with a suction cup or an adhesive. A suction cup attachment is useful if you plan on moving it to a different car or if you'll be using it in rental vehicles. Adhesive fasteners offer a more secure and permanent fixture while still letting you remove the camera if you need to.

Back to top

Best rated dash cam award breakdown

More guides on Finder

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy and Privacy & Cookies Policy.
Go to site