A dash cam is arguably the most effective tool for safeguarding yourself from insurance scams and unwarranted scrutiny from law enforcement. Beyond protection, it offers invaluable peace of mind even when your vehicle is parked. However, the crucial question remains: does a premium $400 dash cam truly outperform a budget-friendly $70 model? In this comprehensive review, we put ten different dash cams, spanning a wide price spectrum, to the test. Our rigorous evaluation encompasses audio and video quality, field of view, parking mode capabilities, and impact resistance to determine the definitive best dash cam for December 2024. Consistent with our commitment to unbiased reviews, this analysis is entirely independent and free from sponsorships.
Video Quality Showdown – Budget-Friendly Dash Cams
Our video quality assessment commenced with a side-by-side comparison of four dash cams, arranged by price. We meticulously examined their field of view, overall clarity, and license plate capture proficiency during both daytime and nighttime conditions.
In the budget category, the most economical contender is the 70mai A500s, priced at $69.99. This single-channel dash cam features a built-in display and a 1944P camera powered by a Sony IMX335 image sensor.
Stepping up slightly in price, the Viofo A119 Mini 2 retails for $98.99. Also a single-channel device with an integrated display, it boasts a 1440p Sony Starvis2 IMX675 image sensor with HDR capabilities.
Next in line is the 70mai X200 OMNI, priced at $139.99. This unique 1080p single-channel dash cam stands out with its motorized panning lens, built-in screen, and compatibility with 70mai’s 4G UP05 Hardwire Kit for remote monitoring functionalities.
Concluding the budget lineup is the Vantrue S1 Pro at $159.99. This dual-channel dash cam includes a built-in display and shares the 1440p Sony Starvis 2 IMX675 image sensor with the Viofo A119 Mini 2. Additionally, it incorporates a 1080p rear camera and supports Vantrue’s optional LTE Module for remote live view and parking alerts.
Assessing the field of view, the Viofo A119 Mini 2 exhibited the widest perspective, capturing both the yield and one-way signs. Conversely, the 70mai A500s offered the tallest view, encompassing the treetop and extending down to the car’s dashboard interior.
In terms of dynamic range, the A119 Mini 2, 70mai Omni, and Vantrue S1 Pro all demonstrated high dynamic range imaging, effectively preventing blown-out highlights and crushed shadows. In contrast, the A500s displayed clipped highlights in the cloud areas and reduced detail in shadowed regions, such as tree branches and distant dark objects.
While most dash cams can typically capture license plates on stationary vehicles, the A500s struggled noticeably, producing blurry images even of easily readable plates, indicating overall focus issues.
During daylight conditions, the Vantrue S1 Pro and Viofo A119 Mini 2 performed almost identically, unsurprising given their shared image sensors. The Viofo slightly edged out by capturing pedestrians on the roadside more clearly, while the Vantrue performed marginally better in capturing license plates on passing cars, although neither managed to produce a completely legible plate in that scenario.
However, at night, the Viofo’s HDR tuning appeared superior for license plate capture, avoiding washout of the reflective coating even when illuminated by headlights. The S1 Pro, A119 Mini 2, and OMNI all effectively employed HDR to enhance passing license plates, creating images where plates seemed to “pop” from the car. Ultimately, the Viofo A119 Mini 2 presented the best overall image quality in this budget group. Combined with its wide horizontal field of view and affordable price, it emerges as the clear winner of this round, advancing to the next stage to compete against midrange dash cams.
Video Quality Face-Off – Midrange Dash Cams
Round two commenced with the $162 SJCAM M60, a dual-channel front and rear dash cam. It boasts a top-tier 4K Sony Starvis 2 IMX678 sensor for the front camera and a 1080p rear camera.
Joining round 2 is the $199 Wolfbox X5, a three-channel camera system. It features 4K resolution in the front, utilizing the same Sony Starvis 2 IMX678 image sensor, along with a 1080p cabin camera integrated into the main unit and a 1944p rear camera. Beyond a built-in display, the Wolfbox introduces the first touchscreen interface in our test group.
The final contender in round 2 is the Rove R2-4K Dual, also advertised as 4K with a Sony Starvis 2 front sensor. However, it utilizes the IMX675 image sensor, the same as the Viofo A119 Mini, which natively supports only 1440p resolution. The 4K claim likely results from software upscaling. Despite this potentially misleading marketing, the R2-4K Dual has achieved significant sales, with Amazon reporting over 10,000 units sold last month alone.
Analyzing the field of view at the same intersection, the SJCAM stands out with the widest perspective in this group. It captures the yield sign on the left and substantial space beyond the one-way sign on the right. The Wolfbox appears to have the tallest field of view, revealing more sky above the buildings, although this could be influenced by camera aiming as the SJCAM shows more of the dashboard.
In a freeze-frame analysis, all cameras effectively captured the license plate of a passing truck. However, the Wolfbox clearly excelled, while the Viofo, SJCAM, and Rove exhibited comparable, yet slightly lower, quality. This pattern persisted throughout the daytime testing, with the Wolfbox consistently delivering the best license plate captures. The other three cameras competed closely for the subsequent positions.
At night, the Viofo A119 Mini 2 showcased the most HDR-like image and demonstrated superior resistance to motion blur in low-light conditions, evident in the capture of pedestrians walking a dog. However, concerning license plate capture specifically, the Wolfbox consistently outperformed the others. It successfully captured plates in various scenarios: when stationary and other cars moving, when other cars were stationary and moving, and when traveling at similar speeds in traffic. This consistent performance propels the Wolfbox X5 into Round 3. It’s noteworthy that the budget-friendly $99 A119 Mini 2 presented strong competition within this midrange group.
Video Quality Supremacy – Flagship Dash Cams
The final group comprises the highest-priced, flagship dash cams. Leading this category is last year’s top pick, the $299 Vantrue N4 Pro. This three-channel dash cam features a built-in screen, the 4K Sony Starvis 2 IMX678 image sensor for the front camera, a 1080p aimable cabin camera, and a 1080p rear camera.
Also priced at $299 is the Vantrue E360, a unique dash cam utilizing dual fisheye lenses to provide a complete 360-degree panoramic view. This encompasses not only the road ahead but also the entire cabin and everything in between. For our testing, the E360 was configured to output separate video files for the front and rear-facing cameras, each at 1440p resolution. Similar to the Vantrue S1 Pro from round 1, the E360 is compatible with Vantrue’s optional LTE Module for remote live view and parking alerts.
The most expensive dash cam in this review is the new $399 Viofo A329 4K. It features a 4K Sony Starvis 2 IMX678 sensor for the front camera and a 1440p rear camera. Notable upgrades from the preceding A229 Pro model include a 4K60fps mode (achieved by disabling HDR), support for recording to a USB-C connected external solid-state drive instead of the internal SD card, and an HDMI micro output for connecting external displays.
Crucially, both the Vantrue N4 Pro and Viofo A329 4K include circular polarizing filters (CPLs). CPLs significantly reduce dashboard reflections. Vantrue offers its CPL as a $20 optional accessory, while the A329 4K includes it as standard. All cameras were updated to their latest firmware versions. The N4 Pro displayed the PlatePix icon, indicating it was operating in its highest quality recording mode.
At the field of view intersection, the Wolfbox X5, Vantrue N4 Pro, and Viofo A329 4K exhibited virtually identical fields of view, expected given their shared image sensors. The Vantrue E360, however, presented a dramatically wider horizontal and vertical field of view. While excellent for capturing the overall surroundings, this wide view compromises detail capture. As seen when the traffic light changes, all four cameras are perfectly synced, but the E360 makes everything appear significantly more distant.
Unsurprisingly, the E360’s wide field of view negatively impacted license plate capture. Among the other three cameras, a clear hierarchy emerged in daytime picture quality, despite their identical sensors. The Viofo A329 Pro ranked first, followed by the Vantrue N4 Pro in second, and the Wolfbox X5 in third, when capturing license plates on parked cars during drive-bys, cars passing at intersections, and cars moving at similar speeds in traffic. Generally, the Viofo A329 Pro also produced the least artificially sharpened image, noticeable in the reduced “halo” effect around power lines.
At night, the Vantrue E360 performed slightly better. Its wide field of view allowed it to gather more light than the non-fisheye dash cams, but it remained poor at capturing fine details like license plates. However, the Starvis 2 dash cams excelled at nighttime plate capture. For stationary cars while moving, the Vantrue N4 Pro delivered the best capture, exhibiting minimal distortion and motion blur on the car itself. When stopped while other cars moved, the Wolfbox excelled. In moving traffic, all performed admirably, with the Vantrue N4 Pro slightly leading.
The primary differences in night performance stem from each camera’s HDR software implementation. Over-reliance on longer exposures can induce motion blur. The Vantrue N4 Pro appeared to best manage this, minimizing streaking in bright areas. The Wolfbox’s mount, however, exhibited some bounce, leading to HDR exposure misalignment and increased motion blur and distortion.
Rear camera testing revealed the Vantrue offering the widest field of view and slightly superior HDR implementation. The Wolfbox’s more zoomed-in lens captured finer detail, while the Viofo A329 positioned itself in the middle ground, with less field of view but higher resolution, resulting in commendable detail.
Video Quality Results Summary
In summary, the top four dash cams for daytime video quality are: 4th place – $98 single-channel Viofo A119 Mini 2, 3rd place – $199 3-channel Wolfbox X5, 2nd place – $299 3-channel Vantrue N4 Pro, and 1st place – $399 2-channel Viofo A329 Pro. For nighttime video quality: 4th place – Wolfbox X5, 3rd place – Viofo A119 Mini 2, 2nd place – Viofo A329 Pro, and 1st place – Vantrue N4 Pro.
Parking Mode Functionality Testing
With the top four video quality performers identified, we delved into their parking mode features. Utilizing parking modes necessitates hardwiring the dash cam to your car’s electrical system using an optional hardwire kit. These kits typically connect two power wires: one to a constant 12V source and another to an ignition-switched source. This configuration allows the dash cam to detect when the car is off and activate parking mode.
Most dash cams offer four primary parking modes.
Impact detection, the most common mode, uses the dash cam’s accelerometer to trigger recording upon detecting impacts, such as car collisions, window breakage, or even door opening/closing. Among our top four, Vantrue and Wolfbox offer dedicated impact-specific modes. Viofo dash cams employ “auto mode,” detecting both motion and impact, lacking a dedicated impact-only mode, which results in higher power consumption.
To assess battery drain in parking mode, we measured average power consumption over 10 minutes. In impact mode, the Wolfbox exhibited the lowest power draw, entering a deep sleep state consuming less than 0.01 watts. Vantrue consumed 0.64 watts in 2-channel and 0.99 watts in 3-channel mode. Viofo dash cams consumed approximately double that due to continuous motion detection. However, Viofo dash cams demonstrated superior event capture, triggering recording roughly 15 seconds before impact. Vantrue triggered about 4.5 seconds before, and the Wolfbox activated only after the impact, approximately 30 seconds later.
Vantrue also offers a motion-specific mode, consuming over three times the power of impact mode but functioning similarly to Viofo’s auto mode, including a pre-roll buffer to capture pre-event footage. The N4 Pro, however, displays a warning recommending low-power impact detection in hot conditions to prevent overheating. In parking modes, the Viofo A119 Mini 2 utilizes lower resolution and a cropped field of view. Notably, the Wolfbox lacks any motion detection parking mode.
All four cameras offer timelapse mode, recording continuously at a lower frame rate. Vantrue and Viofo allow frame rate adjustment, while Wolfbox uses a fixed 10 FPS. Power consumption measurements for timelapse mode are detailed in the provided data.
Additionally, Viofo and Vantrue cameras feature low bitrate mode, recording in a lower quality format to minimize file size and SD card storage usage. Power draw data for low bitrate mode is also available.
For parking modes, the Viofo A329 4K emerges as the clear winner, offering the most comprehensive features, flexibility, superior event capture, and the best field of view, all with reasonable power consumption.
Impact Resistance Durability Test
This year, a new impact resistance test was introduced following an incident where a fellow YouTuber, LifeHackster, reported their wife’s Viofo A229 Pro freezing after a car accident. To assess accident recording reliability, a jig was constructed to simulate front, rear, and side impacts. While video freezing was not replicated, concerning mount detachment issues were observed.
The Wolfbox X5 performed best, recording continuously through all 16 impacts, only detaching from its mount on one driver-side impact. Its power supply being integrated into the main unit, rather than the windshield mount, combined with a seemingly more robust secondary quick release, allowed uninterrupted recording.
Quick-release mounts proved to be the weak point for the other dash cams. Both Viofo cameras detached easily on all side impacts. The Vantrue failed on both front and rear impacts. This mount vulnerability appears to be a significant issue requiring attention in future hardware revisions, especially considering the simplicity of adding a locking mechanism to Viofo’s quick-release design.
A temporary solution involves relocating the dash cam’s power cable from the windshield mount to the main unit. This ensures continued recording even if the mount detaches. This workaround does not compromise functionality on Viofo dash cams. However, on the Vantrue N4 Pro, the only alternative power input is through the rear camera port, and the rear camera is disabled when powered via the windshield mount. To address this, a 3D-printed clip was designed to secure the quick release, and the file is available for free download. Nevertheless, a hardware-level locking tab in future iterations would be a more robust solution.
Final Verdict
Despite mount shortcomings, the dash cams from Viofo, Wolfbox, and Vantrue remain the best options available in December 2024.
For budgets under $100 and single front-camera needs, the $98 Viofo A119 Mini 2 significantly outperforms competitors in its price range. It delivers excellent 1440p video quality with impressive HDR, a wide field of view, capable parking modes, and a discreet, compact design.
For multi-camera setups, the three-channel Wolfbox X5 offers exceptional value at $199. It shares sensors and features with the pricier $299 Vantrue N4 Pro and was the only camera to withstand all impact tests without interrupting recording. Its drawbacks include fewer parking mode options, weaker HDR video processing, and a mount prone to bouncing on rough roads, potentially increasing motion blur at night.
Last year’s winner, the Vantrue N4 Pro, remains the leader in nighttime image quality, further enhanced by the PlatePix firmware update. However, consider whether its slightly superior image quality and parking modes justify a $100 premium over the Wolfbox, especially as the Wolfbox includes a 128GB SD card, sold separately for the Vantrue.
The $399 Viofo A329 4K boasts the best daytime video quality, second-best nighttime quality, and top-tier parking modes. However, at $100 more than the Vantrue and double the Wolfbox’s price, it offers one less channel and only marginally improved performance. Unless parking modes or niche features like USB-C SSD recording or HDMI output are crucial, the Vantrue N4 Pro or Wolfbox X5 present more compelling value propositions.
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