Whether you are out driving or have securely parked your car, accidents can happen. While these things might occur in areas where a functioning surveillance camera is there to capture it all, this is often not the case. Anyone with a vehicle knows that a dash cam is an essential piece of tech to have in your car. Not only will it save you when you need to file an insurance claim, these devices now have other features that secure and protect your car.
Some might think that dash cams are expensive, so we’ve come up with a list of some great value options for the best dash cam under 100 here. You read that right; these dash cams offer great features and won’t cost you more than 100 bucks.
Based on our analysis we can confidently recommend the Xiaomi YI Smart Car Dash Cam. Read on for a detailed review.
Quick Summary: Top 10+ - Best Dash Cam Under 100$ of 2021
Our professional editors pick and rate these products specifically for each category and recommend the best product we can. We may receive a commission from affiliated links
Best Overall: Xiaomi YI Smart Car Dash Cam
Has integrated Smart Driving Assistant which provides other safety features. The compact design of this dash cam makes it easy to install and does not block the driver’s view of the road.
Has integrated Smart Driving Assistant which provides other safety features. The compact design of this dash cam makes it easy to install and does not block the driver’s view of the road.
Best Display: VanTop Mirror Dash Cam
Offering the largest display, clipped onto the rearview mirror, replacing the mirror completely and replacing it with a digital mirror and LCD screen, showing a good view of the front and rear camera live video feed.
Offering the largest display, clipped onto the rearview mirror, replacing the mirror completely and replacing it with a digital mirror and LCD screen, showing a good view of the front and rear camera live video feed.
Best for Night Driving: Xiaomi WIFI Dash Cam
Relying on both the high quality Sony IMX323 Image Sensors and the built-in Motion Detection System, the Xiaomi WiFi Dash Cam captures good quality videos even in lowlight or pitchblack scenarios.
Relying on both the high quality Sony IMX323 Image Sensors and the built-in Motion Detection System, the Xiaomi WiFi Dash Cam captures good quality videos even in lowlight or pitchblack scenarios.
Best Compact Dash Cam: Onever Car DashCam
One of the easiest to install because of the compact dash cam design and suction cup mount, the Onever Car Dash Cam can be placed anywhere on the windshield, allowing drivers to pick a good vantage spot. Small size, the device does little to block road view.
One of the easiest to install because of the compact dash cam design and suction cup mount, the Onever Car Dash Cam can be placed anywhere on the windshield, allowing drivers to pick a good vantage spot. Small size, the device does little to block road view.
Best for Front and Rear View: APEMAN Dual Dash Cam
This dual camera unit is great for those who want to see the front and rear of their vehicles. The display automatically helps when reversing, showing drivers a screen with assistive grids to prevent any rear accidents.
This dual camera unit is great for those who want to see the front and rear of their vehicles. The display automatically helps when reversing, showing drivers a screen with assistive grids to prevent any rear accidents.
Best For Front and Cabin View: TOGUARD Dual Dash Cam
The dual lens system provides a view of the front of the vehicle and the inside of the car cabin. Both camera lenses offer great quality video recordings, with a decent audio recording function as well.
The dual lens system provides a view of the front of the vehicle and the inside of the car cabin. Both camera lenses offer great quality video recordings, with a decent audio recording function as well.
Best Camera Quality: Rexing Car Dash Cam
Recording videos at 2160P HD, the Rexing Car Dash Cam records at the highest video resolution among all the dash cams on this list. Videos are recorded on a 170-degree wide view angle lens.
Recording videos at 2160P HD, the Rexing Car Dash Cam records at the highest video resolution among all the dash cams on this list. Videos are recorded on a 170-degree wide view angle lens.
Best for the Budget: APEMAN Dash Cam
Despite the price, the Apeman Dash Cam still provides most standard dash cam features. This included G-sensors, Motion Sensors, Night Vision, and a wide angle camera lens.
Despite the price, the Apeman Dash Cam still provides most standard dash cam features. This included G-sensors, Motion Sensors, Night Vision, and a wide angle camera lens.
Best Value: AUKEY Dash Cam
Built to function even in extremely high or low temperatures. The camera lens has up to 6-lane coverage, and with the 2mp CMOS sensor, and F1.8 aperture, video quality is great even when recorded during the night.
Built to function even in extremely high or low temperatures. The camera lens has up to 6-lane coverage, and with the 2mp CMOS sensor, and F1.8 aperture, video quality is great even when recorded during the night.
Best Design: Black Box Bezel Dash Cam
This sleek Black Box Dash Cam has a simple and minimalistic design, set with a large LCD display and surrounding control buttons. This camera is capable of most necessary functions.
This sleek Black Box Dash Cam has a simple and minimalistic design, set with a large LCD display and surrounding control buttons. This camera is capable of most necessary functions.
Top 3 Quick Comparison
Product | Photo | Wi-Fi? | Night Vision | GPS tracker | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall |  | Yes | No | No | |
Runner Up |   | No | Yes | No | |
Also Great |  | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Our Reviews
Features
One of the best dash cams in this list is the Xiaomi YI Smart Car Dash Cam, which has G-sensor Technology that automatically saves video footage of an accident when it senses vibration; it also locks the video to prevent these files from being overwritten. It has a super-wide camera lens which features a 165-degree angle view - almost two times wider than a person’s view which means it can show up to three lanes easily. The wide view also helps drivers get a view of their blind spot. The integrated ADAS Intelligent Driving Assistant gives riders a safe reminder function, voice systemized warnings, and a high/medium/low three-gears-inductive mode. This dash camera provides high-quality 1080P video resolution recorded at 60 FPS with the 3x3um pixel, 6P full glass lens.
The built-in WiFi connectivity allows users to sync the dash cam with their smartphones. You can safely check and play the footage of your trip with this efficient function. Pictures can also be taken directly with the app, and saved at a 3MP quality. Videos and images are stored directly into the inserted microSD card. The device is able to support memory cards with up to 64GB of storage space.
Pros
Cons
Product Reviews:
"Very compact, easy to place in the car, does not interfere with the rear view, The sony camera sensor provides excellent video quality both day and night."
Features
The VanTop Mirror Dash Cam displays real-time traffic and provides 3 times wider view than the traditional rearview mirror. It records 2.5K high-quality video resolution with the Sony IMX 335 sensors. On both daylight and night drives, the recordings are clear and taken with good levels of lighting and a well-adjusted contrast balance. A unique feature of the VanTop Mirror Dash Cam is the innovative 10-inch IPS Touchscreen. Other nice features include the wide camera viewing angles, which include the 160-degree angle front view and 140-degree angle rear view lenses. Both the front and rear cameras are equipped with the Sony IMX 335 Sensors. The video quality from both cameras is clear and sharp enough that you can see plate numbers even during night time recordings.
This rear view dash cam is durable and waterproof. The compact design also makes it easy to install at the back of your vehicle. This camera has an integrated reversing aid system which automatically changes the display view to show rear view camera feed when you put your car into reverse. The display screen also shows a set of parking grids to help guide you.
Pros
Cons
Product Reviews:
“Chose this dash cam since it’s the only one with a resolution higher than 1080p and I’m super happy with my choice!”
Features
The Xiaomi WIFI Dash Cam has an easy connectivity features that enables you to sync the camera to your smartphone by just downloading the 70 Mai Dash Cam application. This makes it easy to save and view the videos later on. Relying on the built-in rechargeable battery, this dash cam also has a Motion Detection System which automatically turns the camera on when it senses movement around your vehicle. This is a useful feature to have if you are worried about people breaking into your car. Additionally, the night vision capabilities allows the camera to capture clear shots in low light or pitch black areas.
This dash cam has the Sony IMX323 Image Sensor which takes high quality images and videos. Other features that contribute to the high quality recording are the H.264 photography compression technology and the wide 130-degree angle that covers front-view, showing up to 3 lanes of visibility. This dash cam also has an adjustable holder which can be moved to fit the driver’s preferred viewing angle. The device is capable of a full 360-degree rotation, which means you can even record inside the vehicle if you’d like to. Another simple yet unique feature of this device is that you can you can mount it on the rearview mirror.
This dash cam has the Sony IMX323 Image Sensor which takes high quality images and videos. Other features that contribute to the high quality recording are the H.264 photography compression technology and the wide 130-degree angle that covers front-view, showing up to 3 lanes of visibility. This dash cam also has an adjustable holder which can be moved to fit the driver’s preferred viewing angle. The device is capable of a full 360-degree rotation, which means you can even record inside the vehicle if you’d like to. Another simple yet unique feature of this device is that you can you can mount it on the rearview mirror.
Pros
Cons
Product Reviews:
"Works great. Quality is super. Leaving the car, you can monitor the situation through the camera."
Features
Setting up this dash cam is quite easy. It’s compact size, along with the included suction cup holder prevents the dash cam from blocking the driver’s view. The device relies on your vehicle for power; thus, it automatically turns on or off when you start or shut down your vehicle. The Onever Car DashCam also has G-Sensor Technology which senses impacts around the car and automatically records the scene. The footage taken is secured, which means that files are locked into the memory space. When new files are recorded, locked files cannot be overwritten.
Camera quality is good, with a high 1080P video resolution, 120-degree viewing angle, and the large F2.0 aperture. Overall, the camera lens actually captures more than what the typical driver can see.
Other features include a Motion Detection System, Night Vision Mode, and a Parking Monitor that turns on recording when movements are detected while the car is parked. This secures your vehicle wherever you park it. Whether you are parked in a dark area or are driving along an unlighted path, the Night Vision function of the device works great. You’ll be able to see clear videos and capture good quality images even in such limited lighting conditions.
Camera quality is good, with a high 1080P video resolution, 120-degree viewing angle, and the large F2.0 aperture. Overall, the camera lens actually captures more than what the typical driver can see.
Other features include a Motion Detection System, Night Vision Mode, and a Parking Monitor that turns on recording when movements are detected while the car is parked. This secures your vehicle wherever you park it. Whether you are parked in a dark area or are driving along an unlighted path, the Night Vision function of the device works great. You’ll be able to see clear videos and capture good quality images even in such limited lighting conditions.
Pros
Cons
Product Reviews:
“It was easy to connect the camera to my WiFi network. The app works well also. It was easy to download and add the camera.”
Features
The APEMAN Dual Dash Cam provides a front and rear camera view. The camera has a built-in 3 inch IPS Screen which is bright and clear, giving users a nice view of the road. Both lenses record at 1080P resolution, and provide a 170-degree wide angle view. The dual camera and clear LCD display makes it really easy to get a full view of what is happening around your vehicle. Videos and images are stored directly onto an inserted memory card; the device can support a memory card with up to 128GB capacity.
Sony IMX335 sensors are equipped on both the front and rear cameras. It automatically adjusts the view based on the lighting conditions, giving users well-contrasted image and video files . Both of the cameras have a large F1.8 aperture, along with 6 glass lenses, and WDR technology that all work to give a clear image recording.
The device also has a G-sensor which starts recording when the car comes into any collision. The recordings are locked with the unique emergency lock system, which saves the footage starting from 20 seconds before the start of the collision, that way you can save evidence of the accident. Unfortunately, the videos and images can only be accessed by manually connecting the dash cam or removing the inserted memory card since this dash cam does not offer any connectivity features.
Sony IMX335 sensors are equipped on both the front and rear cameras. It automatically adjusts the view based on the lighting conditions, giving users well-contrasted image and video files . Both of the cameras have a large F1.8 aperture, along with 6 glass lenses, and WDR technology that all work to give a clear image recording.
The device also has a G-sensor which starts recording when the car comes into any collision. The recordings are locked with the unique emergency lock system, which saves the footage starting from 20 seconds before the start of the collision, that way you can save evidence of the accident. Unfortunately, the videos and images can only be accessed by manually connecting the dash cam or removing the inserted memory card since this dash cam does not offer any connectivity features.
Pros
Cons
Product Reviews:
“This one seems to be more durable than the ones I’ve had before. I really like the solid mounting that keeps the camera stable.”
Features
The TOGUARD Dual Dash Cam is great for Uber or Taxi drivers as it has a 170-degree wide-angle front view camera supported by an interior cabin view camera. The front camera provides a high-quality video resolution of 1920x1080P, recording videos at 30FPS while the 149-degree wide-angle interior camera offers HD quality resolution of 1080x720P, recording at 25FPS. The device has a small 1.5 inch display, which is clear but is too small to view minor details, especially since the camera captures both front and cabin views. Switching between front and cabin view is quite easy with the buttons at the bottom of the display.
The design and size of the TOGUARD Dual Dash Cam makes it easy to install. It has a suction cup mount that can easily stick to your windshield, and the compact design can easily be hidden from plain sight since it can be installed between the rearview mirror and the top of the car.
The camera lens is equipped with a dual F1.8 large aperture 6 glass lens that provides high performance and bright lens optics which balances the clarity of the video day and night. The inferior camera also comes with a night vision mode, relying on 4 infrared lights. Both front and cabin cameras capture good images with the night vision function. Minimal loss of detail is still present. Since the front camera is equipped with High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology, it actually records much clearer videos than the second camera.
Pros
Cons
Product Reviews:
“This dual dash cam was really ideal for my convertible because I couldn't put a camera on my back window with the top down. The finish and quality are top-notch. I can also see this cam usefulness for the security of taxi drivers since the rear cam records inside the car cabin.“
Features
The Rexing Car Dash Cam records videos at a high-quality resolution of 2160P HD. This dash cam records some of the best videos on this list. The camera has a sturdy, durable, and compact build. It’s quite easy to install and place it securely at the top of your windshield. The display screen is set on another control box which can be set on top of your dashboard or wherever you prefer. It is also one of the most durable dash cams on the market, being capable of withstanding extreme temperatures of a high 176 degrees Fahrenheit or a low -20 degrees Fahrenheit.
The easy connectivity feature of the dash cam allows users to view camera feed on their smartphones. The app is compatible with either Android or Apple devices, and a QR code to find the app is included in the packaging of the device. The app allows easy access to video files. From your phone, you can also check up on your car even when the vehicle is turned off. Even when you aren’t viewing the app, the camera also has a parking monitor function that relies on motion detection and g-sensors which can trigger auto-recording. The device can support memory cards with up to 256GB of storage, which leaves a ton of space for multiple video files.
Pros
Cons
Product Reviews:
“Great dash cam! Easy to install and operate. I would highly recommend!”
Features
The APEMAN Dash Cam captures an ultra-wide 170-degree angle field of view, ideal for when you are driving on a highway or large intersection. One of the great things about the camera is that it does not create a fisheye effect, like many other wide angle cameras. The design of this dash cam is also quite simple and compact, taking only a few minutes to install. After installation, this small camera measuring less than 5 inches on all sides, can easily fit behind your rearview mirror.
The device comes with a Superior Night Vision mode, integrated with WDR and HDR technology, it produces a clear quality video even in backlight or low-light situations. It also works as a 24-hour parking monitoring when you leave your vehicle parked outside. Even without being connected to any device, the camera is capable of recording continuously. Videos are stored directly into an inserted memory card; this unit is capable of supporting memory cards with up to 32 gb storage capacity.
The device comes with a Superior Night Vision mode, integrated with WDR and HDR technology, it produces a clear quality video even in backlight or low-light situations. It also works as a 24-hour parking monitoring when you leave your vehicle parked outside. Even without being connected to any device, the camera is capable of recording continuously. Videos are stored directly into an inserted memory card; this unit is capable of supporting memory cards with up to 32 gb storage capacity.
Pros
Cons
Product Reviews:
“The picture is good, it was easy to install, and it records when the car is parked so I know what's going on.“
Features
The AUKEY Dash Cam records at a clear 1080P high-quality video resolution which is displayed on a 2.7 inch LCD screen. The camera is integrated with WDR technology, and equipped with a GC2053 2-megapixel CMOS sensor, and F1.8 large aperture which increases light exposure for images and videos. It improves the light and dark contrast for recordings; thus, improving color balance. The camera uses a 6G lens which greatly reduces the distortion of captured videos. The camera lens also has a wide 140-degree view angle, covering up to 6 lanes, giving drivers a good view of the road - including a view of hidden blind spots.
The AUKEY Dash Cam is built of a material encasement that has extreme temperature resistance, which means it can withstand extreme heat and cold weather. It also comes with a motion detection system that conveniently records video footage automatically when you use the car. Another unique function is the alternative motion detection, a recording method that monitors the car even when you have locked up the vehicle.
The AUKEY Dash Cam is built of a material encasement that has extreme temperature resistance, which means it can withstand extreme heat and cold weather. It also comes with a motion detection system that conveniently records video footage automatically when you use the car. Another unique function is the alternative motion detection, a recording method that monitors the car even when you have locked up the vehicle.
Pros
Cons
Product Reviews:
“Picked up the Aukey dash cam to record while driving the car and I am pretty happy with it. The image is clear. The little connector on the top is for an external GPS to track your location for added information.”
Features
The Black Box Bezel Dash Cam relies on a combination of the Novatek NT96650 Chipset and Aptina AR0330 Lens. It has a multi-language system control which covers a wide array of languages. Aside from this, the controls of the Black Bezel Dash Cam are quite simple. The 4 buttons which surround the 2.7 inch LCD display can be used to scroll through recorded videos, start recording, or change camera modes. The dash camera offers a 140-degree wide viewing angle, which is able to cover road blind spots. You can also zoom the camera in up to 4x times to see a particular license plate number during an incident.
Other features that the device offers include G-sensor technology, Motion Detection System, and Night Vision Capability. Aside from these standard features, the dash cam is also able to turn off and on with the vehicle. Recorded videos are stored in the inserted memory card. Since the device supports cyclic recording, older files are overwritten with newer recordings. This ensures that new videos are always stored.
Other features that the device offers include G-sensor technology, Motion Detection System, and Night Vision Capability. Aside from these standard features, the dash cam is also able to turn off and on with the vehicle. Recorded videos are stored in the inserted memory card. Since the device supports cyclic recording, older files are overwritten with newer recordings. This ensures that new videos are always stored.
Pros
Cons
Product Reviews:
“The perfect affordable video bodyguard for your car!”
Things to Consider Before Buying A Dash Cam
Our list of the best dash cams include a varied set of affordable, durable, and tested dash cams that have proven to be the best. These are a few specifications that you definitely need to look out for.
Single or Dual View Cam
A basic dash cam provides a single front view, basically recording everything that the driver sees in front of the car and a bit more. Most dash cams provide a wider viewing angle, covering even the driver’s blind spots. Other dash cams also provide rear cameras and an inside lens that records what is happening inside the car cabin. Rear view cameras are great for large cars and can be helpful for when you put your car in reverse. Having a front and rear view also gives you overall coverage of the things happening around your vehicle.
Size and Design
The main thing to look for in a dash cam is that it should have a compact design. When a dash cam is too big, it might block the driver’s vision of the road, causing more harm than good. Luckily, most dash cam manufacturers have kept this in mind when designing their products. A majority of these cameras have sleek and compact designs, with some also having easy to install mounts which you can adjust and move around.
Video Resolution
While you don’t need movie film quality video recordings, a 1080P video resolution that records at least 30FPS should be a standard specification to look for. This level of video quality should be enough to capture distinct figures and allow you to zoom in on a few features. However, going for even higher video quality cameras would be better, just be aware they may require a larger memory card.
Night Video Quality
Aside from capturing good videos during the day, a dash cam should also be able to record videos during the night using night vision. Since there will probably be times when you are driving during the evenings, a clear night vision mode is a necessity.
Auto On/Off
When installing your dash cam, you’ll have to wire it into your car’s battery, or at least plug it into your fuse box. In most cases, modern dash cams have an automatic on and off function which is triggered when the car is started or shut down. While you should find this feature in most dash cams, you might need to check for this feature if you are looking at older models. Some times auto on and off can also be triggered through motion detection this is a great feature to have.
Screen
Some drivers prefer having a display screen built into their dash cams while others want to have a simple camera-only device on their dashboard. While this is a matter of preference, one of the benefits of having a screen is that you get to view video recordings without removing or connecting the device. On the other hand, the screen can be a bit bulky on your dashboard.
Parking Mode
An essential safety feature, especially for those who park their cars in unsecured locations, a parking mode feature will essentially rely on other additional features, such as motion sensors and G-sensors, which can automatically turn on the dash cam so the device can record what is going on even when you are not there. This can sometimes be incorporated with a car alarm feature.
These are a few basic features that you should look for in a dash cam. Even dash cams priced below $100 can provide these basic functions. Other features that you should also look for include GPS Tracking, WiFi or Bluetooth Connectivity, G-Sensors, and Motion Detection.
Wrapping Up
Whether you are looking for the best dash camera or just want a great way to record, there are plenty of great options out there. Just make sure you choose the features that pertain to you and don't get wrapped up in all of the specifications if you find a camera you like.
Our Top Pick Again
Packed with most necessary features, the Xiaomi YI Smart Car Dash Cam is a reliable camera for your vehicle. The camera quality is great and the safety features built into the device, such as the ADAS Intelligent Driving Assistant, make it easy to stay safe on the road. Additionally, connecting to this dash cam is really easy with the WiFi-enabled app. All videos and images can be accessed right from your smartphone.
Resources
(1) – Camera Legalities – https://www.gadgetsspy.com/are-spy-cameras-legal/
(2) – Camera Resolutions Chart – https://www.lifewire.com/what-camera-resolution-do-i-need-493627
(2) – Camera Resolutions Chart – https://www.lifewire.com/what-camera-resolution-do-i-need-493627
