Best Budget Dash Cams

• Cost: $99.99
• Amazon review score: 4.1 out of 5.0 based on more than 500 ratings
• Max recording resolution: 2K
• Mounting style: Suction
• Rear-facing camera included?: Yes

The Z-Edge Z3 Pro is our pick for the Best Budget Dash Cam. This dual dash camera can capture up to 2560 x 1440p at 30 frames per second (FPS) through the front-facing camera and 1920 x 1080p HD footage at 30 FPS through the rear camera.

You can see how the Z-Edge Z3Pro performed in each of our testing categories below:

With an advanced NTK96675 processor, both front and rear dash cams have night vision meaning you’ll have no problem capturing video footage in low-light conditions. Below are the pros and cons for the Z-Edge Z3Pro:

Overall, we think the Z-Edge Z3 Pro has the easiest installation process of any other dash cam under $100 that we worked with. The HD video that this dual dash cam captures will give you the fewest blind spots and the best chance of capturing license plates.

Additionally, built-in Wi-Fi makes connectivity issues a thing of the past as connecting the app to the dash cam couldn’t be any simpler.

The vast majority of reviewers rave over the inclusion of both front and rear cameras to document incidents on the road to the fullest extent. Some reviewers note how effective this dash cam was for rideshare drivers who work for companies such as Uber or Lyft. One negative review notes issues with the installation process.

• Cost: $69.99
• Amazon review score: 4.1 out of 5.0 based on more than 1,000 ratings
• Max recording resolution: 4K
• Mounting style: Sticky
• Rear-facing camera included?: No (sold separately)

There are not many dash cams with a screen as high-quality as the Kingslim D5-4K Dash Cam, especially within a $0 to $100 price range. The 2.0-inch in-plane switching (IPS) screen is one of many helpful features that this dash cam has. One of these features is a GPS module that’s attached to the dash cam which allows you to playback recorded videos with GPS data.

You can see how the Kingslim D5-4K performed in each of our testing categories below:

Below are the pros and cons of the Kingslim D5-4K:

The Kingslim D5-4K was one of our favorite budget dash cams that we tested. It had an incredibly user-friendly screen and offered some of the best quality video capture of any budget dash cam we researched or worked with. We also appreciated the inclusion of a pry tool to make removing the dash cam from a windshield much simpler.

A 170-degree wide-angle lens means your dash cam’s viewing angle is wide enough to capture anything in front of you on the road.

One reviewer in particular notes they own five different dash cams in each of their vehicles and that this is by far the best dash cam they’ve used. Many reviewers were impressed by the ease of installation and a few noted how much they liked the wide-angle view. A few negative reviews note a slow-to-respond customer service team.

• Cost: $31.99
• Amazon review score: 4.0 out of 5.0 based on more than 9,000 ratings
• Max recording resolution: 1080p
• Mounting style: Sticky
• Rear-facing camera included?: No

The 70mai Smart Dash Cam 1S is equipped with the Sony IMX307 image processor and F/2.2 aperture so your dash cam can provide clear images at 1080p resolution, even in low-light scenarios. This dash cam also features loop recording and evidence protection, meaning the oldest videos are overwritten by the latest ones. However, videos can be stored locally on a microSD card from 16.0 GB up to 128.0 GB.

At under $50, it is one of the lowest-priced dash cams that offers acceptable video quality and convenience features.

You can see how the 70mai 1S performed in each of our testing categories below:

Below are the pros and cons of the 70mai Smart Dash Cam 1S:

What separates the 70mai 1S from other budget dash cams is how affordable it is. Amongst budget-friendly dash cams, the 70mai stands out for its price and its surprising quality. It effortlessly captured license plates with great detail and a fantastic wide-angle view. Because of this, we believe you won’t have any trouble capturing license plates or incidents on the road with this budget dash cam.

The majority of customers rave over the simplicity of operation and how budget-friendly this dash cam is. Customers comment about this dash cam’s video quality. A few negative reviewers claim they had difficulty setting up their dash cam. Some also report that the event detection feature is overly sensitive, activating randomly and at stops.

• Cost: $79.99
• Amazon review score: 4.3 out of 5.0 based on more than 2,900 ratings
• Max recording resolution: 1440p
• Mounting style: Suction
• Rear-facing camera included?: Yes

Able to record 1440p video at 30 FPS, the Galphi Dash Cam 2K is a good dash cam for recording what’s happening on the road in front of you. You can use the exclusive app, Petzio, on both the App Store and Google Play Store, to view recordings, manage dash cam settings, and download videos. A GC complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor with F/1.8 aperture and WDR technology allows this dash cam to have crystal-clear recording even in less than optimal settings.

You can see how the Galphi Dash Cam 2K performed in each of our testing categories below:

Below are the pros and cons of the Galphi Dash Cam 2K:

The Galphi M2 dash cam doesn’t have many blind spots, but its video quality is not of the same standard as some of the other dash cams we’ve tested. While we felt the Galphi was easy to use, it included instructions in the box so you don’t need to worry about missing out on any steps.

Reviewers note the easy installation process and how user-friendly the app is. The Galphi is praised as an excellent low-cost dash cam option. A few negative reviews complain that the dash cam doesn’t come with a microSD card. There are also some complaints about poor nighttime recording quality.

• Cost: $94.99
• Amazon review score: 4.1 out of 5.0 based on more than 5,400 ratings
• Max recording resolution: 2K
• Mounting style: Sticky
• Rear-facing camera included?: No

The Rexing Dash Cam V1 can operate in temperatures as high as 176.0 degrees Fahrenheit and as low as negative 20.0 degrees Fahrenheit due to the supercapacitor that’s featured in this dash cam. A 170-degree seven-layer glass lens paired with WDR technology allows you to capture a wide view with a clear image. The dash cam also features loop recording and a G-sensor.

The Rexing V1 Dash Cam features a low-profile design and a large screen. Although the screen may add to the size of the dash cam itself, it benefits the driver when they want to review footage.

You can see how the Rexing V1 performed in each of our testing categories below:

Below are the pros and cons of the Rexing Dash Cam V1:

In our experience, the Rexing V1 Dash Cam was a pleasure to work with. Furthermore, the dash cam’s app was quite user-friendly. We do wish the LCD screen was a touchscreen, as this would make navigating the menus much easier.

The majority of customers rave over the dash cam’s video quality with one reviewer claiming the footage this dash cam captured resulted in him receiving $1,500 in damages. Other reviewers like the quick attach and detach system.

Several reviewers note that the only way to power the Rexing is using the included cord that inserts into a 12.0-volt car socket (cigarette lighter). Some newer vehicles do not have such an outlet, at least not located near the front console, rendering this dash cam unusable.

• Cost: $89.99
• Amazon review score: 4.3 out of 5.0 based on more than 1,700 ratings
• Max recording resolution: 1080p
• Mounting style: Sticky
• Rear-facing camera included?: No

The E1 Lite is an easy-to-use dash cam with excellent low-light performance. Though the recording resolution is relatively low (1080p), this camera has excellent image sensors, resulting in crisper nighttime video than even some cameras that offer a higher overall resolution.

You can see how the Vantrue E1 performed in each of our testing categories below:

Below are the pros and cons of the Vantrue E1 Lite Dash Cam:

Overall, the Vantrue E1 Lite is a solid budget dash cam to consider. While we were impressed with our ability to read license plates through downloaded footage, a higher-definition camera would make this even easier. One thing we thought worth noting is the ease of controlling this camera using the Vantrue app.

Customers are impressed by the video quality considering the low price. Another thing users like about this dash cam is the small size. A couple of reviewers complain that the recording angle (160 degrees) is too narrow, failing to capture as much of the road as they would like.

• Cost: $49.99
• Amazon review score: 3.4 out of 5.0 based on more than 80 ratings
• Max recording resolution: 1080p
• Mounting style: Both suction and sticky options
• Rear-facing camera included?: No

Nexar makes some of the most user-friendly dash cams for those who don’t feel tech-savvy. The Scosche NEXS1 dash cam is designed to be as easy to use as possible by including no confusing buttons, coming with a micro SD card, and functioning through a simple app.

The Scosche NEXS1 is a minimalist option with excellent dynamic range. It uses a Sony Starvis sensor, which can produce some of the crispest nighttime image quality.

You can see how the Scosche NEXS1 performed in each of our testing categories below:

Below are the pros and cons of the Scosche NEXS1:

While the Nexar Scosche NEXS1 doesn’t offer side-to-side movement, this is fixed if you opt for the suction mount, though this option pushes the total cost just north of $100. The cigarette charging port has two USB outputs so you can power the NEXS1 and a smartphone at the same time.

A red light lets you know the camera is on and recording. The app is simple to navigate and stripped down to include only the most important information and features for those concerned with saving clips for insurance filing.

Those who like this camera say that it is simple and easy to use, especially compared to some more expensive alternatives. Those who want a dash cam that simply works and allows you to easily download videos to their phone prefer this dash cam.

Some people complain about Scosche customer support. At least one reviewer complained that it took weeks to get a response after reaching out with a complaint.