Car dash cams are one of the hottest products heading in to 2024, and for good reason. Thanks to leaps forward in battery life, camera resolution, and automated safety features the time is right to buy.
That said, the Aussie dash cam market is cluttered with cheap name brand knockoffs and dodgy internet sellers. Even well recognised brands are rushing to put out subpar product not worth your hard earned dollars. This is where we come in…
If you are thinking of purchasing a new dash cam our list (updated monthly) will help you make the best choice with a focus on quality, features, and overall value for your money.
Dashtek Argus 4K Dash Cam with Wi-Fi: Editor’s pick for best car dash cam – $179.99 at Mifo.com.au
Where to buy the Dashtek Argus 4K Dash Cam in Australia
The best dash cam including commuting, parking, long drives, and all around use come from a brand that is new to Australia. But don’t let that scare you off, as this dash cam is easily one of the best we have ever tested.
BEST VALUE
So what makes the Argus 4K the best all around dash cam?
No nonsense cutting edge features in an easy to set up kit. With a bevy of cutting edge features in a tiny package, the Argus 4K punches above its weight class in nearly every category. GPS and Wi-Fi come standard, as does onboard backup battery and a surprising array of automated and manual features to ensure your time on and off the road is covered by the powerful HD lens in 30 frames per second.
Extremely compact size makes placement easy. At under 10cm at its largest dimension, the Argus 4k is tiny enough to be mounted without blocking line of sight, and without unsightly extensions protruding from your windshield. It also makes storage that much easier.
Automated features for complete peace of mind. Automated features add peace of mind when using the Argus 4K. Parking your car? The Argus activates monitoring mode while you are away. Ready to go? Drive monitoring mode is activated. The camera simply works as you go about your day and evening, without added fussing or worry.
Australia-based customer support. We have been continuously disappointed with dash cams in the past, even from tech giants like Samsung. Part of that disappointment comes with poor or absent customer service. We tested Dashtek on several occasions with questions and every time received proper replies within an hour. That demonstrates commitment to Australian market and contributes greatly to our award of Editor’s Pick.
Garmin Dash Cam Tandem: Solid but pricey dual HD dash cam – $461.93 at Amazon.com.au
Where to buy the Garmin Tandem Dash Cam in Australia
If you aren’t price sensitive, Garmin may be the brand for you. This car dash cam includes fewer features – with one notable exception aside – than the Dashtek Argus 4K, and a much higher price point. But for unique situations, Garmin may be worth the price.
BEST VALUE
Why Garmin makes the list of best dash cams for daily driving
A unique dual lens approach records car interior. The Garmin Tandem includes a lower resolution lens focused on the interior of your vehicle. Along with the outside HD lens, this gives users a complete picture of their driving situation, though it may not make sense for solo drivers.
Excellent external camera quality. The Tandem’s external camera captures HD video in crisp, clear quality that can be easily reviewed via the included smartphone app. Details stand out, and the included night mode helps capture details inside and outside of the vehicle when no natural light is present.
Lack of touch screen controls. The Garmin Tandem has a rear facing lens where a screen would normally be placed, and therefore all functions must be controlled with the included app or through manual buttons on the device. It gets a bit tiring, and also means the camera is useless without a smartphone that is properly charged and ready to go.
Complex app is frustrating to configure. The included Garmin app is challenging to use due to a clunky interface and confusing menu system. Users may believe they have activated the camera properly, when in fact it is idle due to an overly complex menu selection and confirmation system. For the price, we expect a cleaner user interface.
Rove R24K Dash Cam: High definition dash cam with smartphone app features – $207.35 at Amazon.com.au
Where to buy the Rove R24K Dash Cam in Australia
The Rove R24K is a basic, but reliable dash camera with standard features that rival higher priced models. That said, there are a few key points that buyers should be aware of before making a purchase decision.
BEST VALUE
Why Rove gets our approval with some minor hangups to be aware of
True HD video recording capability. Rove offers true 2160p video recording capability. While not the 4K level found on the Dashtek Argus, it does offer a higher level of fidelity than the Garmin Tandem. Added ultra-low light mode enhances dark scenes so they are easily visible.
App-based controls and video playback. The included intuitive app allows for easily review of video as well as a number of other controls that help manage the daily driving experience. The app is simple to download and use, though not all functions can be remotely accessed.
Solid feature set beyond video recording. Included are standard Wi-Fi and GPS features, as well as backup battery and windshield mounting kit. Setup is straightforward, though initial configuration can be a bit confusing. Customer service is not located in Australia and thus time difference may prevent a simple resolution.
Somewhat bulky size may interfere with driving. One of our biggest complaints about the Rove R24K is the overall size of the unit and mounting. It is a larger camera, and may interfere with the driver’s field of vision at certain times. Mounting properly with the included kit is key, and should be tested prior to use to ensure the camera will not create a distraction.
Nextbase 422GW Dash Cam: Reliable car cam with dated features – $354.99 at Amazon.com.au
Where to buy the Nextbase 422GW Dash Cam in Australia
Nextbase have created a reliable dash cam that has not needed many updates over its 4 year lifespan. But dated features and firmware has been eclipsed by newer models.
BEST VALUE
Why the Nextbase dash cam may still be worth reviewing despite drawbacks
Time-tested design stands up. The overall built of the 422GW is solid, and mounts quickly and easy to the car windshield. The unit itself is small and sleek enough to stay out of view, and the screen does not flash or distract drivers when the car is in motion. Overall, it’s a winning design that has stood up to the test of time.
Dated features are showing their age. For the price, there are better options from competitor brands in the dash cam space. The 1440p forward facing camera sensor creates muddy, dark video when compared to newer models. The included touch screen offers limited controls to fine tune images, and has an awkward interface that may be too frustrating for less tech savvy users.
Pricey for the features. Given the feature set and age of the unit, there are better options to be had for far less. We wish Nextbase would update the 422GW with modern features to justify the high sticker price, as the overall design works so well.
BlackVue DR750X-2CH Dash Cam: Dual 60fps cameras with a high sticker price – $579.00 at Amazon.com.au
Where to buy the BlackVue DR750X-2CH Dash Cam in Australia
While we cannot award BlackVue for naming the DR750X-2CH well, it is a competent product that offers a range of professional level features at sky high pricing.
BEST VALUE
Why the BlackVue DR750X-2CH may work in specific situations
Professional level features in a small package. The DR750X-2CH offers dual cameras designed to be sleek and discreet. Indeed, the cylinder shaped design tucks away easily and stays out of the view of the driver. In addition, the cameras offer 60fps video output, the smoothest we have reviewed for this roundup.
No backup battery means the camera requires special rigging, and drains car battery when parking. In an inexplicable and nearly inexcusable move, BlackVue have opted to exclude internal batteries from the DR750X-2CH. This means the camera will draw from the car power supply when in park mode, and requires a special power cable to be attached when the car is turned off.
Nose bleed pricing. Features aside, pricing for the DR750X-2CH is quite high, even for high end products. While the features are robust, they don’t warrant an over $500 price tag in our opinion. Unless there are specific circumstances that demand 60fps video, a less expensive dash cam option will more than suffice.
Runners-up: Best Dash Cams Australia
There are many, many car dash cams in the Australian market. And while we attempt to test as many as possible for our readers, some units simply don’t make the cut. Here’s a quick peek at dash cams that didn’t make the list.
Thinkware Q800PRO Dual Dash Cam – $625.28 at Amazon.com.au
The Thinkware Q800PRO is a simple, dual camera system designed to quickly install with little hassle. Unfortunately, poor camera quality and a terrible software interface hold the Q800PRO back. Combined with an absolutely ridiculous price and it is a clear pass.
Pioneer ND-DVR100 Low Profile Dash Cam – $204.45 at Amazon.com.au
While Pioneer have a reputation for quality car audio products, their signature ND-DVR100 low profile dash cam falls flat. While not particularly low profile as the name would indicate, nor well equipped from a features and quality perspective, we can’t recommend the unit for daily use.
Thinkware U1000 Dash Cam – $789.12 at Amazon.com.au
Thinkware are worth mentioning once more for the U1000, an oddly-shaped 4K dash cam with secondary camera unit meant for the rear of your vehicle. While the camera output is excellent, the price is mental, and the same clunky interface means confusion and frustration when using this dash cam.