Best dash cams for UK drivers (2026)
A dash cam is a small camera on the windscreen that records the road ahead on a loop, so that if someone pulls out on you, clips you in a car park or drives off after a bump, there is footage rather than one word against another. This page compares Nextbase, Garmin, VIOFO, Vantrue and 70mai cameras sold in the UK on what actually separates them: resolution, whether there is a screen, GPS, how parking mode is powered, and what the maker's own manual says. We have not fitted or tested any of them; every figure is credited to the maker, a UK retailer's listing or a named review site.
By Tom Calder · Updated 21 October 2026 · 8 products, all price-tracked
Our picks by type
Photo: AmazonGarmin X110
Drivers who want a Garmin with a small screen and driver-assistance alerts at a mid-range level.
as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Photo: Amazon70mai A510
Drivers who want front and rear recording at a modest cost with GPS and a rotating rear camera.
as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.Photo: AmazonGarmin Mini 3
Drivers who want the smallest, least conspicuous camera from a major brand.
as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.All 8 compared
| Dash cam | Cameras | Front resolution | Parking mode | GPS | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front only · 1080p, 140 degree view · Parking Guard, cable or battery · Used for driver alerts Drivers who want a Garmin with a small screen and driver-assistance alerts at a mid-range level. | Front only | 1080p, 140 degree view | Parking Guard, cable or battery | Used for driver alerts | £149 at Amazon as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched The X110 is Garmin's 1080p model in the X series, with a 2.4-inch display, voice control and the polariser. Garmin's manual says it uses GPS for forward-collision warnings, and Parking Guard can run from a parking mode cable or the internal battery. It sits below the X210 on resolution and above the Mini 3 on features. Best for Drivers who want a Garmin with a small screen and driver-assistance alerts at a mid-range level. Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: You want higher resolution than 1080p; the Garmin X210 or 67W record 1440p. | |||||
 Front only · 1440p at 60fps, 30fps with HDR · Buffered, needs a hardwire kit · Built in Drivers who want a small, discreet front camera with GPS and 1440p footage. | Front only | 1440p at 60fps, 30fps with HDR | Buffered, needs a hardwire kit | Built in | £119.95 at Amazon as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched The A119 Mini 2 is a small front-only camera built around a Sony STARVIS 2 sensor, with a 1.5-inch screen, GPS and dual-band Wi-Fi. Its small body can sit behind or beside the mirror, which helps keep the windscreen view clear. Parking mode is buffered and, per VIOFO, needs a hardwire kit, which is a fitting job rather than a plug-in extra. It suits drivers who want a simple front camera more than a rear one. Best for Drivers who want a small, discreet front camera with GPS and 1440p footage. Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: You want a rear camera as well; the 70mai A510 records front and rear. | |||||
Front only · 1080p, 140 degree view · Parking Guard, needs constant power Drivers who want the smallest, least conspicuous camera from a major brand. | Front only | 1080p, 140 degree view | Parking Guard, needs constant power | — | £129.99 at Amazon as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched The Mini 3 is a very small Garmin front camera that sits behind the mirror and is controlled by voice and the Garmin Drive app. It has no screen, so it suits people who set it up once and leave it. Garmin's manual says Vault cloud features and remote Wi-Fi functions need a paid subscription, which is worth knowing before comparing it with cameras that store everything locally. Best for Drivers who want the smallest, least conspicuous camera from a major brand. Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: You want a built-in screen or GPS speed data; the Garmin X110 or Nextbase 322GW cover that. | |||||
 Front only · 4K (3840 x 2160) at 30fps · Buffered, needs a hardwire kit · Built in Drivers who want 4K front footage from a camera small enough to hide behind the mirror. | Front only | 4K (3840 x 2160) at 30fps | Buffered, needs a hardwire kit | Built in | £159.99 at Amazon as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched The E1 Pro is Vantrue's compact 4K front camera: a Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 sensor, a 158 degree lens, built-in GPS and 5GHz Wi-Fi in a body about 50mm across. DashCamTalk's spec table lists buffered parking mode and optional cloud connectivity. It is the highest-resolution single camera on this page, though it needs a hardwired supply for parking mode and has no rear channel. It suits drivers who want detail for number plates over extra coverage. Best for Drivers who want 4K front footage from a camera small enough to hide behind the mirror. Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: You want a rear camera in the same box; the 70mai A510 records front and rear. | |||||
 Front only · 1080p · Yes, needs a separate cable · Built-in, 10Hz Drivers who want a small, screen-free Nextbase camera run from a phone app. | Front only | 1080p | Yes, needs a separate cable | Built-in, 10Hz | £99 at Amazon as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched The Piqo 1K is Nextbase's compact entry model: no screen, a small body that tucks behind the mirror, GPS, Wi-Fi and an app for everything else. It suits drivers who mainly want evidence on file and do not want a bulky unit in the windscreen. Against the 322GW it gives up the touchscreen in exchange for size; both record at 1080p. Best for Drivers who want a small, screen-free Nextbase camera run from a phone app. Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: You want to review clips on the camera itself; the Nextbase 322GW or Garmin X110 have a built-in screen. | |||||
Front and rear · 2.7K (2592 x 1944) at 30fps · 24-hour mode, needs a hardwire kit · Built in Drivers who want front and rear recording at a modest cost with GPS and a rotating rear camera. | Front and rear | 2.7K (2592 x 1944) at 30fps | 24-hour mode, needs a hardwire kit | Built in | £95.99 at Amazon as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched The A510 pairs a 2.7K front camera on a Sony STARVIS 2 IMX675 sensor with a 1080p rear camera that can also be turned to face the cabin. 70mai lists GPS and ADAS alerts, TechRadar notes a 2-inch screen, and the kit sold on Amazon includes a 64GB card. Parking surveillance needs 70mai's hardwire kit, a fitting job rather than a plug-in. Its rear camera records at 1080p, below the front's 2.7K, so it suits drivers who want a second angle at a modest cost more than matching quality front and rear. Best for Drivers who want front and rear recording at a modest cost with GPS and a rotating rear camera. Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: You want a warranty longer than 12 months; VIOFO and Vantrue offer up to 18 months, though both are front-only. | |||||
Front only · 1440p, 140 degree view · Parking Guard, cable or battery · Used for driver alerts Drivers who want 1440p footage with Garmin's screen, voice control and parking features. | Front only | 1440p, 140 degree view | Parking Guard, cable or battery | Used for driver alerts | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched The X210 is the 1440p step up from the X110 in Garmin's X series, with the same screen, polariser and voice control. It records 1440p at 30fps with HDR, or 1080p at 60fps, according to the manual. It is the better pick here for readable plates and detail, provided you accept a front-only camera and the Vault subscription for cloud features. Best for Drivers who want 1440p footage with Garmin's screen, voice control and parking features. Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: You need rear coverage in one kit; a separate rear camera or a dual-channel model fits better. | |||||
 Front only · 1080p at 60fps · Yes, Intelligent Parking Mode · Built-in, 10Hz Drivers who want a proven front camera with a touchscreen, GPS speed data and phone transfer. | Front only | 1080p at 60fps | Yes, Intelligent Parking Mode | Built-in, 10Hz | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched The 322GW is a long-running Nextbase front camera with a 2.5-inch touchscreen, built-in GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Nextbase's spec table lists 1080p at up to 60fps, and it accepts Nextbase's rear window and cabin modules later. It is older than the Piqo and Garmin X series, so it trades the newest features for a familiar, well-supported design. Best for Drivers who want a proven front camera with a touchscreen, GPS speed data and phone transfer. Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: You want voice control or a camera that blends behind the mirror; the Garmin Mini 3 or Nextbase Piqo are smaller. | |||||
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Before you buy
Start with the law on where it goes.
The Highway Code says windscreens must be kept free of obstructions to vision, and the Construction and Use Regulations require a clear view of the road. The MOT inspection manual limits anything inside the area swept by the wipers, tightest in the strip directly in front of the driver. So mount the camera high, behind the rear-view mirror on the passenger side, well clear of that strip. Route the cable along the headlining and down the A-pillar trim so it cannot snag or dangle. Set it up before you set off: adjusting it or watching clips on the move is a distraction.
Then decide whether you want a screen.
The choice is between a small unit that hides behind the mirror and runs from a phone app, and one with a screen for checking footage on the spot. The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 and the Nextbase Piqo 1K are the screen-free kind; the Nextbase 322GW, Garmin's X110 and X210, the VIOFO A119 Mini 2 and the 70mai A510 have displays. A screen is handy after an incident and for aiming the lens on day one. A screen-free camera is less conspicuous and keeps more glass clear, but every setting change means pairing a phone.
Resolution matters less than you might think, and more than marketing suggests.
Every camera here records at least 1080p, which is enough to show what happened. Reading a number plate at distance, at night or in rain is where 1440p or more earns its keep: the Garmin X210 and VIOFO record 1440p, the 70mai 2.7K at the front and the Vantrue E1 Pro 4K, per their makers. Frame rate is the other half: 60fps at 1080p, which Nextbase lists for the 322GW and Garmin for the X210, gives a smoother clip to pause. Garmin's X-series and Mini 3 build a polariser into the lens to cut dashboard reflections.
GPS and parking mode are the two features worth paying for.
GPS stamps speed and position onto the footage; the Nextbase 322GW and Piqo, the VIOFO, the Vantrue and the 70mai have it built in, Garmin's X110 and X210 use it for driver alerts, and the Mini 3 documents none. Parking mode records when the car is bumped while parked, but it needs power with the ignition off. Garmin says the X110 and X210 can run Parking Guard from their internal battery. Otherwise it means a hardwire kit to the fuse box, or for the Piqo a plug-in OBD cable. Hardwiring is a fitting job: Garmin recommends an experienced installer.
Finally, plan for the card, the heat and the sharing.
Only the 70mai kit includes a card; otherwise buy a high-endurance microSD card made for continuous recording and format it in the camera every month or two. A camera left on a windscreen through a hot afternoon can shut down to protect itself, so check the operating temperatures in the manual and unclip it in a heatwave if it advises. If you ever record passengers with a cabin module, tell them. When you share footage of a collision, send the unedited clip and keep the original: insurers and police want the whole sequence, not the moment you choose.
We verify every product's specifications against at least two independent sources, re-check its UK price and stock on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and cross-check safety-relevant claims against official guidance. Every review is labelled Researched or Used and reviewed by us: where we've bought a product, or been sent it free, and used it ourselves, its review says which; where we haven't, our verdict is a considered spec-and-evidence comparison, not a hands-on test — and commissions never change a ranking either way. Read our full methodology →
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Common questions
Are dash cams legal in the UK?
Yes. No UK law bans a dash cam in a private car. The rules that apply are about the windscreen: the Highway Code says it must be kept free of obstructions to vision, and the MOT inspection manual limits what can sit inside the area swept by the wipers, especially directly in front of the driver. Mount it high and behind the rear-view mirror, on the passenger side, and route the cable tidily. If you record inside the cabin or drive for work, data protection rules can apply.
How do I send dash cam footage to the police?
Many police forces in England and Wales accept clips through the National Dash Cam Safety Portal, which Nextbase runs and which takes footage from any brand of camera. Others, and police outside England and Wales, use their own online forms, so search for your force's name and 'submit dash cam footage'. These routes are for reporting driving offences; for a fault dispute, send the clip to your insurer. Expect to give the unedited clip, date, time, location and a short account. After a crash with injuries, call 999 first.
Will a dash cam reduce my car insurance?
Not by itself. A handful of UK insurers offer a discount for a fitted dash cam, and a few brands have arrangements with particular insurers, but most policies make no allowance at all. Ask your insurer before you buy rather than assuming. Where a dash cam does help is after a collision: clear footage can show who was at fault, which can protect your no-claims discount and speed up a claim. Many insurers now ask whether you have footage when you report an incident.
What is parking mode and do I need a hardwire kit?
Parking mode records if the car is bumped while parked. The camera's own battery is small, so it needs power with the ignition off. Garmin says the X110 and X210 can run Parking Guard from their internal battery; every other camera here needs a hardwire kit wired into the fuse box, or on the Nextbase Piqo a plug-in OBD cable. Hardwiring is a job for an auto electrician or a fitting service, and the kit should cut out before it flattens the car battery.
Do I need a rear dash cam as well?
Only if you worry about being hit from behind or want cover for car park scrapes at the back. All but the 70mai A510 are front-only, which handles the commonest disputes: someone pulling out, a roundabout clash or a brake-check. Nextbase's 322GW accepts a rear window module that plugs into the main unit, and Garmin's manual says several of its cameras can be networked in one car. If rear cover matters from day one, a dual-channel kit such as the 70mai is simpler than adding a second camera later.
Which memory card do I need for a dash cam?
A microSD card marked high endurance, which is built for the constant overwriting a loop recorder does. Ordinary cards wear out faster and can fail silently, so the day you need the footage it is not there. Only the 70mai A510 kit includes a card, so for the others budget for one; the maker's manual lists the largest size each model accepts. Format the card in the camera, not on a computer, every month or two, and check once in a while that a saved clip plays back.
