The Official Best Dash Cams 2023 Guide

The VIOFO A139 Pro sets itself apart from other dash cams when it comes to night vision. Many dash cams struggle with low light sensitivity, headlight glare, and limited dynamic range. However, the VIOFO A139 Pro uses Sony STARVIS 2.0 technology to address these issues. The STARVIS 2.0 IMX678 image sensor has a wider dynamic range in a single exposure than other STARVIS image sensors, resulting in clearer and more detailed images and videos. It also improves low-light performance by increasing light sensitivity and reducing noise levels.

Sony STARVIS 2.0 is the latest image sensor technology from Sony, and the VIOFO A139 Pro is currently the only dashcam on the market that utilizes the STARVIS IMX678 image sensor. In addition to its advanced image sensor, the VIOFO A139 Pro's 4K HDR processing has also been improved. This means that fine details are more visible, and there is better contrast between light and dark areas. The end result is clearer and more legible number plates, road signs, and other important details captured on video.

Check out our VIOFO A139 Pro In-Depth Product Review

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While it is not the company's first 3-channel dash cam, the BlackVue DR770X Box has a unique feature that sets it apart from others in its category. The BlackVue DR770X Box comes with a lock-protected Box unit, something that no other 3-channel systems offer. This Box unit is similar to Thinkware's Multiplexer but is better for several reasons.

The BlackVue DR770X front, interior, and rear cameras are connected to the Box unit via coaxial cables. The Box unit is then stored in a glove compartment or under the seat. This setup allows BlackVue to strip the processor, memory card, and other hardware out of the front camera, giving you a very compact and discreet front camera and a small SOS button to trigger manual recordings.

The DR770X Box is Cloud-ready and is compatible with the CM100G LTE module, allowing real-time access to the Live feed using the BlackVue mobile app and the auto-upload of incident files to the Cloud for maximum security.

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CONSUMER SCORE: 100% gave it ★★★★★

Designed specifically for Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing drivers, the VIOFO T130 comes packed with features that cater to your needs.

Let's start with the interior IR camera. VIOFO has introduced several improvements with the T130 interior camera, including advanced infrared night vision and a dual-axis rotatable lens. The Full HD IR camera features the OmniVision OS02C10 image sensor, which uses Nyxel® NIR technology. This image sensor is tested to perform 2 to 4x better than other image sensors when used with IR LEDs for nighttime recording. Even better, the interior camera can easily be adjusted up/down by 60° and left/right by 90°, giving you Full HD @30FPS recordings at a 165° view of the interior and the driver’s side window in a single movement (capturing those police interactions!).

While the VIOFO T130 does not come with advanced parking features or Cloud-readiness like some other dash cams, it still makes perfect sense for rideshare drivers who don't need those extras. In fact, the T130 is the #1 recommended 3-channel dash cam on Reddit. So, if you're looking for an affordable, reliable, and feature-packed dash cam that caters to your rideshare needs, the VIOFO T130 is the way to go.

Check out our VIOFO T130 In-Depth Product Review

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CONSUMER SCORE: 87% gave it ★★★★★

With the highest resolution dual-channel system on the market, the Thinkware U1000 boasts 4K front and 2K rear cameras. But it's not just the impressive specs that make the U1000 stand out. This state-of-the-art device offers a robust suite of advanced safety features like lane departure warnings, collision alerts, and speed camera alerts, ensuring that you and your loved ones are always protected on the road.

But what truly sets the U1000 apart is its unparalleled parking mode features. Equipped with motion and impact detection mode, buffered recording, time-lapse mode, and Energy Saving Mode, you can rest assured that your vehicle is always under watchful eyes. Plus, with the optional Thinkware Radar module and a dedicated dash cam battery pack like the BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8, you can enjoy up to 10 days of ultra-high frequency radar motion detection with buffered recording.

The Thinkware U1000 is Cloud ready, allowing remote access to the footage saved on the microSD card in the event of an incident. And in the case of a strong impact, a push notification will be sent to your smartphone, giving you the ability to check on the video clip or remote live view and see what's happening.

Check out our Thinkware U1000 In-Depth Product Review

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CONSUMER SCORE: 100% gave it ★★★★★

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CONSUMER SCORE: 100% gave it ★★★★★

While it may not boast the same resolution as the FineVu GX1000, the Thinkware Q1000 still packs a punch with its 2K QHD Front + 2K QHD Rear camera and cutting-edge features. With Super Night Vision 3.0, Digital Overlap High Dynamic Range (DOL HDR), and Noise Reduction technology, the Q1000 captures video that rivals even the 4K footage of the U1000. Plus, the built-in Bluetooth makes it easy to pair with your smartphone for hassle-free use.

But what really sets the Q1000 apart is its Smart Parking Mode and advanced Thinkware Connected services. Smart Parking Mode, which works very much like the FineVu’s AI Heat Monitoring, is designed to prevent heat-related damage by automatically switching the Q1000 to a low-power recording mode if the temperature inside the vehicle gets too high during parking mode. When in this mode, the Q1000 records incidents triggered by impacts only until its operating temperature is safe again to resume Motion Detection or Timelapse Parking mode.

Thinkware Connected is the upgraded Thinkware Cloud service. You get more innovative features that bring more benefits and value, especially to rideshare drivers and fleet owners, including new features like Vehicle Status, which lets you check on your car’s battery so you can remotely turn off the dash cam to prevent battery drainage, and Emergency Alerts, which allows you to send strong impact footage to your emergency contact without the need to download the video or retrieve it from the microSD card.

Check out our Thinkware Q1000 In-Depth Product Review

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The BlackVue DR970X-2CH LTE is a powerhouse of a dash cam that delivers all the top features you could want in a premium Cloud-ready device. With its new SigmaStar CPU and advanced image processing software, the DR970X-2CH LTE produces crystal-clear 4K UHD video with less motion blur and better highlight detail. And the built-in LTE functionality means you get all the benefits of BlackVue Cloud without having to worry about an external WiFi hotspot.

BlackVue Cloud offers all the standard video auto backup, remote live view, GPS tracking, and remote playback features you would expect from a top-of-the-line dash cam. But it also comes with an emergency alarm that sends you a notification whenever something happens to your car and two-way voice communication that allows you to talk to the people in the car using the BlackVue app and the dash cam. Fleet managers can monitor their commercial vehicles on a map in real-time and talk to their drivers through the BlackVue Viewer, while parents can also monitor their young driver on a map and remind them to head home using the BlackVue App.

Check out our BlackVue DR970X In-Depth Product Review

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Looking for a dash cam that can keep up with your changing needs? Look no further than the BlackVue DR770X. With its universal secondary camera port on the front camera unit, you can easily add on a rear camera, an infrared (IR) or an exterior IR camera to fit your changing needs. Whether you want to record the traffic behind, or your passengers inside the car, or on the outside of your truck to monitor the rear cargo door - the DR770X has got you covered.

But that's not all! While the DR770X is a fully functional dash cam by itself, you can also add in optional accessories for its full potential. With the CM100G LTE module for always-on Cloud connectivity, you can access features such as video auto backup, remote live view, GPS tracking, and remote playback - all from the convenience of your smartphone. Plus, it supports WiFi so you can easily pair it with your smartphone to use the mobile app to control camera settings and playback files. Upgrade your driving experience with the BlackVue DR770X - the ultimate customizable Cloud-ready dash cam.

Check out our BlackVue DR770X In-Depth Product Review

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As technology continues to evolve, the future of dash cams looks bright. In addition to high-quality video, we can expect to see advancements in cloud connectivity and AI features. Cloud connectivity will allow for seamless sharing and storage of footage, giving drivers greater peace of mind knowing that their recordings are always accessible. AI features, such as object recognition and lane departure warnings, will provide even greater safety and convenience on the road. With these features, drivers will be able to capture more details and be alerted to potential hazards in real-time. Overall, the future of dash cams is exciting, and we can expect to see even more innovations that will make driving safer and more convenient for everyone in 2023. Drive with confidence!

Here is the list of criteria we consider when creating this list of the best dash cams of 2023:

• • How many channels are available: does it only offer front-facing recording or does it also come with a rear cam to give you a dual dash cam setup?
  • How small it is: a compact dash cam means it's less likely to be an obstruction on the windshield
  • Easy to use: how easy is it to set up and change settings, view and manage dash cam clips?
  • Installation: how straightforward is it to install a dash cam? Are there limitations to where you can mount a dash cam? What options do you have when it comes to powering the dash cam?
  • Video quality: what is the quality of the video the dash cam captures? In addition to the stock settings, other resolutions and framerates the dash cam can also record?
  • Reliability: not only are we looking at the video quality, but also that the dash cam records what you need, when you need
  • Affordability: Given all the specs and features, how much value are you getting from the dash cam? Remember, expensive dash cams are not always the best dash cams.
  • Support: we also look at the documentation and dash cam FAQs available. How responsive are the manufacturers? How often are firmware updates available?

Then, we compiled our list based on who we thought would benefit the most from what the dash cam offers.

With so many models to choose from, it may seem overwhelming to figure out which dash cam is the best option for you. We have a Dash Cam Comparison and Buying Guides that can help!

• • Thinkware Dash Cam Comparison & Buying Guide
  • BlackVue Dash Cam Comparison & Upgrade Guide
  • VIOFO Dash Cam Comparison & Upgrade Guide
  • Dash Cam Battery Pack Comparison Guide
  • OBD-II Diagnostic Tools Comparison Guide