Top 5 Cheapest Dash Cams: Budget Review Guide

Ever wondered what really happens on the road when you’re not looking? Dash cams capture those moments, providing crucial video evidence in case of an accident or unexpected event. They are like having an extra set of eyes watching out for you. But here’s the tricky part: finding a good one doesn’t have to empty your wallet. The market is flooded with choices, making it tough to figure out which budget-friendly dash cam actually works well.

Many people worry that cheaper means poor quality—blurry video, unreliable recording, or quick breakdowns. You want protection without the high price tag. That worry stops here. We dug through the options to find the best, most reliable dash cams that cost less.

Inside this guide, you will discover the top budget dash cams that offer great features without the big bill. We break down what matters most in an affordable unit. Keep reading to find the perfect, inexpensive guardian for your car.

Top Cheapest Dash Cam Recommendations

Bestseller No. 1

Dash Cam 1296P Front Dashcam, V300 WiFi Dash Camera for Cars with App, Night Vision, Mini Hidden Single Car Camera, Loop Recording, 24H Parking Mode, Support 256GB Max, Black

【Unmatched Clarity with 1296P HD Resolution】Experience the road like never before with the Veement V300 1296P car dash cam. Capturing ultra-clear footage at 2304*1296@30FPS, this dash camera for cars ensures every detail is preserved with exceptional clarity, offering comprehensive coverage both day and night.
【Superior Night Vision & Expansive View】Veement V300 hidden dash cam for cars features a starlight-level sensor, F=1.7 large aperture, and a 170° ultra-wide lens, allowing it to capture clear, detailed video even in low-light environments. With six-layer glass lens technology, this dashcam enhances your night driving security, ensuring no detail is overlooked.
【Advanced Safety Engineering】Designed with your safety in mind, Veement V300 mini dash cam incorporates an RTC circuit and eliminates traditional lithium batteries to prevent overheating. This dedication to safety guarantees reliable performance under various conditions, requiring only a continuous USB-C power supply.
【Seamless Connectivity & Easy Operation】Utilize the built-in WIFI and exclusive VeeCar APP to effortlessly control your WiFi front dash cam. From real-time previews to straightforward video downloads, edits, and shares, Veement V300 dash camera for cars offers an intuitive interface for managing your driving footage.
【Advanced Features for Complete Protection】Take advantage of cutting-edge TS stream technology in this WiFi dashcam for fast and reliable video storage. Supporting up to 256GB SD cards, seamless loop recording, and 24/7 parking mode, Veement V300 car dash cam provides comprehensive security. Its user-friendly operation ensures a seamless experience. (Note: SD card not included, must be purchased separately).

Bestseller No. 2

Dash Cam for Cars, 1080P Full HD Dual Dash Cam Front Inside, WiFi, 2" Screen, Night Vision, G-Sensor, Loop Recording, 170° Wide Angle, APP Control (Dual Dashcam)

1080P Front and Inside Dashcamera: Equipped with 2" IPS screen, the car camera record clear 1080P videos with audio. It can simultaneously monitor the front and interior of the vehicle to maximize road coverage, greatly enhance night vision and provide clear and crisp
170° Ultra-Wide + Night Vision: Front lenses feature 170° wide-angle coverage (reducing blind spots) + ultra-large F2.0 aperture & HDR/WDR technologyfor vivid 1080P HD footage day or night. The driving recorder with IR LEDs to capture important details clearly under low light conditions
Reliable Loop Recording & Massive Storage: Automatic loop recording overwrites the oldest footage seamlessly. Supports high-endurance micro SD cards up to 32GB (NOT Included in package)
Seamless WiFi Viewing & GPS: Instantly connect via WiFi to the free APP on your smartphone to view, manage, and download recordings effortlessly. After successfully connecting the mobile phone to the dashcam WiFi, you can turn on the GPS function in the mobile app (Viidure), records the driving route, real-time speed, location, etc.
Plug-&-Play Security: Super capacitor withstands extreme temperatures (-20°C to 70°C). Easy installation with included rear cam waterproof cable & suction mount. Ideal for Uber/Lyft drivers, trucks, fleet vehicles, and daily commuters

Bestseller No. 3

🚗Note:Our dash cam includes 32GB SD card, no need to order separately!
🚗Mini WiFi Dash Cam】The dash cam front has a compact design, the small cylindrical body is only 8.6cm, easy to conceal and will not affect your driving view at all, and it has 0.96" screen to provides a quick and convenient way to check the dashcam's status without the need to use your phone
🚗5min Installation and Use】The included strong 3M adhesive tape makes it easy to mount the car dash cam to your car windscreen, doesn't come off even when it's hot. No additional installation costs, making our dash cam suitable for most car models: cars, SUVs, jeeps and trucks
🚗1080P HD Night Vision】Our dash cam built-in 140° wide viewing angle lens, 6 layers of high-definition optics and F1.5 aperture , 1080P super clear image, can widely cover the front, left and right road and car conditions clearly recorded, reduce blind spots, improve the amount of light intake, the dash cam front automatically adjusts exposure in low-light conditions, delivering clear images. No worries about losing important moments
🚗APP Control】The dash cam built-in WiFi allows you to swiftly transfer videos from the car camera dash cam to your smartphone. No computer conversion required. Real-time preview, playback and download of video through APP and easily share videos with your insurance company, family, friends, and on social media. Note: the WiFi is effective within a range of 3-5m

Bestseller No. 4

WiFi 1080P Dual Dash Camera for Car Front and Inside Dashcam Car Security Video Recorder,170°Wide Angle Vehicle Cam,WDR,G-Sensor,Loop Recording,Night Vision (WiFi Dual Dash Cam with 32G Card)

【1080P Front and Inside Dash Cam 】Super Clear 1920*1080P pictures can be provided by the small cam. The car camera can reocrd videos front and inside of the car at the same time.
【 Dash Camers for Car Easy Installation】Just install the dashcam on the windshield, then plug the power cable into the car cigarette lighters. Please clean the windshield, so the sunction cup can be fixed tightly on the windshield.
【 1080P WiFi Dashcams Wireless Dash Cam with App】This Wireless 1080P Dash Cam comes with App, it is very easy to conenect dash cam WiFi, Dashcam's WiFi name and password is showing on the screen, connect with your mobile phone, then can check video in the mobile phone.
【 Loop Recording with Night Vision】 The SD Card will start to record automatically when car started on. If SD Card is recorded full, the newest video will recover the oldest video. And the night vision sensor strats to work in the night.
【 Dash Cam Front and Inside Built-in G-sensor】If the dash camera detects a sudden shake/collision, it will lock the related video. So the important video will not be overwritten. Accident scene can be truly restored. This locked video will not be re-written even SD card is full.

Bestseller No. 5

AZDOME M01 Dual Dash Cam Front and Rear with Free 64GB Card, 3" Screen Dual Dashboard Camera for Car, Built-in ADAS G-Sensor, 24H Parking Mode Car Camera (M01 Pro)

Dual Dash Cam Front and Rear: Experience the security of dual recording with this advanced dash cam featuring a Full HD Front 1080p & Rear 720p camera sensor for crystal-clear footage. The 150° wide-angle front lens and 120° rear lens ensure comprehensive coverage of road conditions, safeguarding your drive from every angle.
ADAS: M01 Pro ADAS function is equipped with lane departure warning system and forward collision warning. Timely ADAS warning could reduce the risk of driving accidents.
Fatigue Driving Reminder: AZDOME M01 Pro dual dash cam provides fatigue driving reminder. Regular reminders could reduce risk of excessive driving time.
Please Format at 1st Time Using: M01 Pro car camera offer user free 64GB SD card. Please format SD card at first time. Super Night Vision: WDR dashcam delivers super night vision. Dual dash cam could clearly capture all the road details in dim light.
Loop Recording: Loop recording automatically overwrites oldest video with newest video. G-sensor locked videos will not be overwritten.

Bestseller No. 6

1080P Dual Dash Camera for Car Front and Inside Dashcam Car Security Video Recorder,170°Wide Angle Vehicle Cam,WDR,G-Sensor,2’’ IPS Screen,Loop Recording,Night Vision (Dual Dash Cam with 32G Card)

【1080P Front and Inside Dash Cam 】Super Clear 1920*1080P pictures can be provided by the small cam. The car camera can reocrd videos front and inside of the car at the same time.
【 Dash Camers for Car Easy Installation】Just install the dashcam on the windshield, then plug the power cable into the car cigarette lighters. Please clean the windshield, so the sunction cup can be fixed tightly on the windshield.
【 Dash Cam Front and Inside Built-in G-sensor】If the dash camera detects a sudden shake/collision, it will lock the related video. So the important video will not be overwritten. Accident scene can be truly restored. This locked video will not be re-written even SD card is full.
【 Loop Recording with Night Vision】 The SD Card will start to record automatically when car started on. If SD Card is recorded full, the newest video will recover the oldest video. And the night vision sensor strats to work in the night.
【Suitable for Various Cars】This car das cam is suitable for kinds of cars, like vehicle, truck, bus and farm harvester.

Bestseller No. 7

ARIFAYZ Dash Cam WiFi FHD 1080P Car Camera, Front Dash Camera for Cars, Mini Dashcams for Cars with Night Vision, 24 Hours Parking Mode, WDR, Loop Recording, G-Sensor, APP, Support 128GB Max

【FHD 1080P Dash Cam】Recording FHD 1920X1080P/30 fps video with pioneering GC CMOS + 150° wide angle + 6G lens, clearly capture the license plates as well as road signs during the day and night. Perfect mini dash camera for cars, truck, SUV, provides the vital evidence for car accidents.
【Built-in 2.4G WiFi & APP Control】This delicated 1080P car camera comes with APP for Android or iOS smartphones to get a live stream, download videos, change settings, edit and share your footage simple. Clips can be shared easily to YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, or the social media platform with the tap of a finger, allowing you to share any journey with all of your friends.
【Compact & Super Easy to Install】With slim and lightweight design (Size: 3.5x1.8x1.4in), the dashcam takes up tiny space in your car, which won't obstruct your vision while driving. And uncomplicated installation and set up with excellent instructions included, no need to worry even for a first time user.
【24 Hours Parking Mode】Mini USB hardwire kit(ASIN: B0BFFGCMDZ, not included) is required for this feature. This FHD1080P dashcams will auto switch to parking mode while your car is parked. Collision detection can be triggered by impact or collision, and time lapse recording keeps recording continuously with low power consumption and low frame rate. If your vehicle is involved in a hit while parked, or someone attempts to steal your vehicle, this dash cam will provide around-the-clock protection.
【Seamless Loop Recording & G-sensor】When the storage limit is reached on the memory card, new films will automatically overwrite oldest recordings. Triggered by G-sensor, it can automatically detect a sudden shake/collision and lock the footage to prevent the video from being overwrote even in loop recording.

Bestseller No. 8

Dash Cam 1080P FHD Front Dashcam, Mini Hidden Single Car Camera,FREE 32GB Card Included，with Wi-Fi and App,LCD Screen,170°Wide Angle, WDR, 24H Parking Mode|Type C|Night Vision|Loop Recording |G-Sensor

【Superior Night Vision & 32GB Card Included】 -A brand-new 32GB memory card is pre-installed in the camera's card slot, so you won't need to purchase one separately.，hidden dash cam for cars features a starlight-level sensor, F=1.7 large aperture, and a 170° ultra-wide lens, allowing it to capture clear, detailed video even in low-light environments. With six-layer glass lens technology, this dashcam enhances your night driving security, ensuring no detail is overlooked.
【Unmatched Clarity with 1080P FHD Resolution】-Experience the road like never before with the Redmaple K8 camera car dash cam. Capturing ultra-clear footage at 1920*1080@30FPS, this dash camera for cars ensures every detail is preserved with exceptional clarity, offering comprehensive coverage both day and night.
【Compact and Super Easy to Install】-Both Android and IOS users can connect to dashcam WiFi via the NICE DVR app. Although the dash cam is installed wired, you can enjoy wireless control on your smartphone, quickly access your recorded videos and share your driving experiences in real-time with friends and insurance companies.,The dash cam's slim and compact design ensures it won't obstruct your view.
[Loop Recording & G-Sensor] -When the memory card reaches its storage limit, new recordings will automatically overwrite the oldest ones. Additionally, the G-sensor can detect sudden shakes or collisions, triggering the system to lock the footage, ensuring it is not overwritten during loop recording.
【24-Hour Parking Mode】-A Type C hardwire kit (ASIN: B0CPF6WNP1, NOT included) is required. When parked, the dash cam switches to parking mode, recording in time-lapse with low power consumption and a reduced frame rate, ensuring footage for various scenarios.

The Ultimate Buying Guide: Snagging the Cheapest Dash Cam Without Getting Burned

You want a dash cam to protect yourself on the road. That’s smart! But you don’t want to spend a lot of money. Finding the cheapest dash cam that still does the job well takes a little know-how. This guide helps you pick the best budget-friendly option.

Key Features to Look For in a Budget Dash Cam

Even cheap dash cams need a few important features. Don’t let a low price fool you into buying something useless. Focus on these essentials:

Video Quality (Resolution)

1080p (Full HD) is the minimum. This resolution clearly captures license plates during the day.
Avoid cameras advertised as “720p” unless they are extremely cheap. Details get fuzzy quickly at 720p.

Field of View (FOV)

Look for a wide angle, usually between 120 and 170 degrees. This lets the camera see both sides of the road clearly.
A very wide angle might distort the edges of the video.

Loop Recording

This feature is crucial. The camera automatically overwrites the oldest footage when the memory card is full.
If you don’t have loop recording, the camera stops recording when the card fills up.

G-Sensor (Impact Detection)

The G-Sensor detects sudden bumps or crashes. When it senses an impact, it locks the current video file.
Locked files will not be overwritten by loop recording. This saves your important evidence.

Important Materials and Durability

The materials affect how long your cheap camera lasts. Most budget cams use plastic casings. That’s okay, but look for a few things:

Lens Quality: Glass lenses are better than plastic ones. Glass resists scratching better, keeping your picture clear over time.
Heat Resistance: Dash cams get hot sitting behind the windshield. Cheaper plastics can warp or melt in direct summer sun. Check reviews to see if users report melting issues.

Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

A few small additions can make a huge difference in performance, even on a budget model.

What Improves Quality:

Good Night Vision (Low Light Performance): Look for cameras that use decent sensors, not just cheap LEDs. Good low-light performance means clearer footage when driving at night.
Reliable Mounting: A sturdy suction cup or adhesive mount keeps the camera steady. Shaky footage is useless footage.

What Reduces Quality:

Small Screens: Tiny screens make it hard to set up the camera correctly or review clips easily.
Proprietary Software: If the camera needs weird, hard-to-find software to view clips, it lowers the user experience significantly.

User Experience and Use Cases

How easy is the camera to use? A cheap camera that is too complicated will sit unused.

Ease of Use:

The camera should turn on and start recording automatically when you start your car.
Controls should be simple—usually just a few buttons for locking files or accessing menus.

Common Use Cases:

Accident Documentation: This is the main reason people buy them. Clear video helps prove who was at fault.
Parking Incidents: Some budget cams have a basic parking mode (though advanced ones need more power). This records if someone bumps your car while parked.
Insurance Claims: Having video evidence can lower your insurance hassle and costs.

10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Cheapest Dash Cams

Q: Does a cheap dash cam actually record useful video?

A: Yes, if you stick to 1080p resolution. It captures important details like car colors and basic license plate numbers in good light.

Q: What size memory card do I need?

A: A 32GB or 64GB card is usually enough for most budget cams. Make sure the card is a high-endurance (or “dash cam”) card for reliability.

Q: Do I need a screen on the dash cam?

A: Many cheap models have screens. They help you aim the camera correctly during setup. However, you can review footage later on a computer if the screen is tiny.

Q: Is Wi-Fi important in a cheap dash cam?

A: Not really. Wi-Fi is a nice feature for easy phone transfer, but it adds cost. Skip it if you are trying to save the most money.

Q: How do I install a budget dash cam?

A: Most budget cams use a simple suction cup mount. You stick it to the windshield and plug the power cord into your car’s cigarette lighter socket.

Q: Will a cheap dash cam drain my car battery?

A: No, not usually. Most models only record when the engine is running because they draw power from the cigarette lighter socket.

Q: Should I worry about the camera overheating?

A: Yes, a little. Always mount the camera where it gets some shade from the sun visor, even if it means slightly reducing the view. Avoid direct, constant sunlight if possible.

Q: What is the biggest compromise on the cheapest models?

A: The biggest compromise is usually night vision quality and long-term durability. They might struggle more in very dark conditions.

Q: Does the camera need GPS?

A: GPS shows your speed and location on the video. Cheap cams rarely include it. For basic evidence, you do not need GPS.

Q: How long do these budget cams typically last?

A: With decent care and if they survive the first summer heatwave, budget cams often last one to three years before the electronics or recording reliability starts failing.