The Best Dash Cams Under $100 To Keep You Safe and Secure

Being on the road can be terrifying, especially when you consider the statistics surrounding roadside accidents. Your car can get away with a small scratch or two, but others aren’t so lucky. 

What happens when you fall victim to a hit and run with no recorded footage? This can make it difficult to file insurance claims, police reports, and other documents. Apart from learning and deploying defensive driving, it is imperative to invest in extra gear for safety and protection, such as a dash cam.

A dash cam, installed front and rear, can record the footage of your car ride. It also makes sure that you have evidence should anything untoward happen to you or your car. However, purchasing a dash cam can also be expensive. 

Don’t worry, though. We have scoured the eCommerce world and found quality pieces under $100. Stay covered and on budget—let’s begin!

Best 4K Dash Cam Under $100

If you’re looking for the sharpest videos, the Rove R2-4K Dash Cam. It offers you the perfect balance between quality and budget, as it can record videos up to 2160p resolutions. It also comes with a Revolutionary Super Night Vision Technology, allowing you to record quality videos even in low light conditions. In our opinion, this makes it perfect for long drives. 

Best Compact Dash Cam

If you’re looking for a more innovative dash cam, the Galphi 2K QHD Compact Dash Cam is the best. It comes with a G-sensor that automatically saves evidence of collisions on video. It detects any kind of impact, making sure you’re protected round the clock. If you need to download your recorded 1080p videos, you can do so using the exclusive App-Peztio on your smartphone.

Best Dash Cam With Parking Assistant

Do you find parking difficult to do? With CHORTAU 2022 Car Camera Recorder, you can say goodbye to your parking worries! As a parking monitor dashboard camera, you can now see every turn and potential impact when you’re parking. The dash cam can also detect sudden collisions and shakes, making sure that your car is monitored 24/7. 

Temperature-Resistant Dash Cam

If you’re living in an area with extreme temperature levels, the Z-Edge WiFi Dash Cam is worth investing in. The operating temperature remains at 14°F-158°F, such as when you’re using the battery power for the parking monitor. When not in use, it can stay safe at a storage temperature of -4°F-158°F. That said, you never have to worry about your dash cam overheating. 

Dual Dash Cam With Advanced Driver Assistance

Equipped with the Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), the 70mai Dash Cam Pro Plus A500S can detect any change in your surroundings. This feature can alert you of all possible issues, such as small impacts, drifting away from your lane, or driving too close to another vehicle. It helps you drive safely on the road, making it the perfect driving assistant. 

Best For Rideshare Drivers

If you’re in the business of Uber, Lyft, or taxis, the Z-Edge New Version Z3Pro Dash Cam is the perfect investment. It’s a dual dash cam that allows you to record not only at the front, but inside. You can capture both exterior and interior, at 2K and 1080p qualities, respectively. Stay safe by capturing license plates and passengers’ faces!

Best Front And Rear Dash Camera

If you want a compact dash cam, you can’t go wrong with the Biuone Dash Camera. Offering you both a front and rear end camera, you will remain protected without worrying about storage. Both cameras come with a 32 GB SD card, allowing you to record video evidence round the clock.

Dash Cam With 24-Hour Monitoring

Need to leave your car out on the streets? That can be dangerous, especially if the space is open or on a busy road. To make sure your vehicle is protected even when you’re away, get the Heaboli 4K Dash Cam. With sharp qualities and a 24/7 monitoring system, you can rest assured your car will be guarded at all times. 

Best All-Around Camera With True HDR

If you’re looking for the best dash cam for night driving, the VIOFO A119 V3 Dash Cam offers TRUE HDR function. This camera automatically balances the lighting over bright and dark areas, ensuring that you capture videos and images at the best quality. 

Best Dash Camera With Driver Fatigue Alert

Need a dash cam that wants more? The Transcend DrivePro 110 Dash Camera offers you a special feature that keeps you stay and alert during travel. Thanks to the driver fatigue alert, you’ll be reminded whenever you need to rest. This technology is an added safety feature because it helps prevent accidents caused by drowsiness on the road. 

Best Dash Cam With Magnetic Charging Mount

Looking for a no-fuss dash cam? With its patent-designed magnetic charging mount, the Cansonic UltraDash C1 Dash Cam allows you to place the device anywhere. It’s also made with quality materials, designed to look aesthetically pleasing to make it a seamless part of your car’s interior.

Best Dash Cam With Exceptionally Clear Footage

If you’re a photography enthusiast, the 70mai Dash Cam Lite is one you can trust. Equipped with the Sony IMX307 and the Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) technology, you can be sure that all videos captured will be at their best. It can record both in low-light and high-contrast areas, automatically adjusting exposure balances even at night. 

Comparison Table

In-Depth Buying Guide

Power Source

Dash cams need electricity to activate, and only a few options have long-lasting batteries due to size constraints. Instead, they can get power from multiple sources. Some of the most popular options include:

1. USB Port – You may connect the dashcam to a USB port in your vehicle, either on the head unit or the cigarette socket. This option may not be the best one for dash cams with 24-hour monitoring, as it requires the engine to be turned on.

2. Hardwire System – Some car owners set up a hardwire system to connect their cameras directly to the car battery.

3. External Battery Pack – Having external battery packs can be extra handy if you want to power your dash cam even without turning your engine on. They can also prevent the cameras from draining your vehicle’s battery even with 24-hour monitoring.

Field Of View

Field of view refers to how much the camera captures at any given moment. Most dash cams can capture 130 degrees to 160 degrees, with higher numbers signifying a wider coverage. Although some cameras offer even wider fields of view and allow users to see more objects around the vehicle, the videos may appear distorted and have a fisheye effect.

Video Resolution

Video resolution refers to how many pixels each image frame contains, and it usually affects the clarity of dash cam videos. If you want clearer videos that show more details, it’s best to never go for cameras that have resolutions below the standard 720p. Most quality models have 1080p resolutions, which show detailed, high-definition (HD) videos.

G-Sensor

A G-sensor or accelerometer is a mechanism that detects changes in acceleration or G-force. In dash cams, G-sensors identify hard brakes, impacts, and shaking. Many dash cams activate after these events, saving footage for a short time afterward even without the intervention of the driver.

Dual Dash Cam vs Front-Facing Dash Cam

Most dash cams only have a front-facing camera, but dual dash cams have cameras that face both the front and back of the vehicle. Front-facing dash cams are good enough on their own and usually provide enough protection for car owners, but their dual counterparts offer more security. This is because they also capture events that occur behind the vehicle, such as tailgating and rear-end collisions. However, they’re often more expensive and take more time to set up.

Conclusion

Your safety on the road shouldn’t just end with defensive driving and car insurance coverages. You can take it a step further by investing in the best dash cam under $100! As long as you know what to look for, you will have a dash cam that adds not only an additional layer of safety, but the value for your money. Keep this guide in mind as you look for the right device for you.

If you’re ready to shop for your own dash cam, here’s a recap list for you:

• Best 4K Dash Cam Under $100: Rove R2-4K Dash Cam
• Best Compact Dash Cam: Galphi 2K QHD Compact Dash Cam 
• Best Dash Cam With Parking Assistant: CHORTAU 2022 Car Camera Recorder
• Temperature-Resistant Dash Cam: Z-Edge WiFi Dash Cam
• Dual Dash Cam With Driver Assistance: 70mai Dash Cam Pro Plus A500S
• Best For Rideshare Drivers: Z-Edge New Version Z3Pro Dash Cam
• Front And Rear Dash Cam: Biuone Dash Camera 
• Dash Cam With 24-Hour Monitoring: Heaboli 4K Dash Cam 
• Best All-Around Camera With True HDR: VIOFO A119 V3 Dash Cam 
• Best Dash Camera With Driver Fatigue Alert: Transcend DrivePro 110 Dash Camera 
• Best Dash Cam With Magnetic Charging Mount: Cansonic UltraDash C1 Dash Cam
• Best Dash Cam With Exceptionally Clear Footage: 70mai Dash Cam Lite