Best Dash Cam Location - Top Picks & Guide

Ever had a close call on the road and wished you had proof? Dash cams capture those moments, but where you put your camera matters a lot. Finding the perfect spot can feel tricky. Do you want the best view without blocking your sight? It’s a common problem for new dash cam owners.

Choosing the wrong location means missing important events or even getting a ticket for an obstructed view. You want clear footage of accidents, but you also need to see the road safely. That’s where good placement comes in. This post breaks down exactly where your dash cam should go for the best results.

By the end of this article, you will know the ideal spots for maximum coverage and legal compliance. We will explore different vehicle types and mounting options. Ready to secure the best view for your safety? Let’s dive into finding the ultimate dash cam location.

Top Dash Cam Location Recommendations

Bestseller No. 1

TERUNSOUl 4K+4K Dash Cam Front and Rear, Free 128GB Card Included, 5.8GHz WiFi Dash Camera for Cars, Built-in GPS, G-Sensor, 170°Wide Angle, 3" IPS Screen, 24H Parking Mode, Support 512GB Max

Ultra HD 4K Front + 4K Rear Recording: The Terunsoul dash cam supports dual-channel simultaneous recording, capturing both front and rear footage. Both cameras record in 3840×2160P, ensuring clear footage of the road ahead and behind. The front camera features a 170° ultra-wide-angle lens, providing full coverage of six-lane roads and capturing more road details with this 4K dash cam
Loop Recording & G-Sensor: The dash cam front and rear comes with a pre-installed 128GB memory card, ready to record instantly. Loop recording ensures continuous footage, while the G-sensor automatically locks collision videos to prevent overwriting. Support for up to 512GB memory card. A lock button on the dash camera also allows manual one-touch locking of emergency videos
Super Starlight Night Vision: Enhanced WDR and sharper night vision technology deliver vibrant colors and clear details even in challenging lighting conditions. The front camera features an F1.5 large aperture and the rear camera an F1.8 large aperture, allowing more light into the lens for brighter, clearer footage in low-light environments, ideal for accident evidence
Ultra-Fast 5.8GHz WiFi & Free Wireless App Control: The dash camera for cars features dual-band 5.8GHz and 2.4GHz WiFi, allowing you to instantly view and manage recordings on iOS or Android devices via the Terunsoul App. Easily download recorded videos/photos to your phone at high speed, and share them on social media, with friends, family, or insurance companies.You can also remotely manage camera settings and update firmware wirelessly through the Terunsoul App
Car Camera with GPS: The dashcam front and rear camera comes with built-in GPS which enables you to view real-time live speed and compass on the 3” IPS wide camera screen.It records precise driving routes, locations, and speed directly onto the video. You can track routes via the app using Wi-Fi or review videos with GPS data on Windows or Mac using the free GPS Player, providing additional evidence when needed

Bestseller No. 2

TERUNSOUl 4K Dash Cam Front and Rear, Full HD 3 Channel Dashcam, Free 128GB Memory Card, Built-in 5.8GHz WiFi Built-in GPS, Collision Sensor, Night Vision, HDR, 3.16" IPS, 24H Parking Mode（Black）

UHD 4K Front + 1080 Rear + 1080P Cabin Recording: Supports simultaneous triple-channel recording, delivering crystal-clear details for every driving scenario. Equipped with a 3.16" IPS screen, it’s ideal for family road trips, commercial drivers, and rideshare use
3 Channel Dashcam: Front, rear, and cabin cameras deliver near 360° panoramic coverage. The front camera has a 170° ultra-wide angle, while the rear and cabin cameras both feature a 165° wide angle—capturing broader road views and in-car details simultaneously for all-around protection
Reliable Accident Capture: Pre-installed with a 128GB Memory Card . When a severe impact is detected by the collision sensor, collision footage is locked and saved automatically. When storage is full, it overwrites the oldest recordings for seamless loop recording
Built-in High-Precision GPS: The dash cam records driving routes, real-time speed, location, compass and timestamp, with GPS data directly embedded in videos. Review GPS-tagged footage via the free GPS player for Windows and Mac or the app—providing solid evidence for accidents
5.8GHz WiFi and Free App Control: Connect the dashcam to your iOS/Android via dual-band 5.8GHz & 2.4GHz WiFi. Use the TERUNSOUl app for seamless operation, instant preview, 20MB/s downloads, sharing with friends, family or insurance, and wireless firmware updates

Bestseller No. 3

ROVE R2-4K DUAL Dash Cam Front and Rear, STARVIS 2 Sensor, FREE 128GB Card Included, 5G WiFi - up to 20MB/s Fastest Download Speed with App, 4K 2160P/FHD Dash Camera for Cars, 3" IPS, 24H Parking Mode

4K FRONT + 1080P REAR RECORDING – ROVE R2-4K DUAL dash cam offers dual-channel recording capabilities, capturing footage simultaneously from both the front and rear cameras. The front camera records at 3840x2160P @30fps, while the rear camera captures 1920x1080P @30fps footage, ensuring clear recordings of the road ahead and behind you. With a 150° ultra-wide angle for the front camera and a 140° angle for the rear camera, you'll capture more of the road with this 4k dash cam.
SONY STARVIS 2 SENSOR/SUPER NIGHT VISION – Equipped with a Sony IMX675 STARVIS 2 Image Sensor for the front camera, this dash cam delivers exceptional image quality with vivid colors and sharp details, even in challenging lighting conditions. Additionally, the front camera's F1.5 aperture and the rear camera's F1.8 aperture allow more light to enter the lens, resulting in brighter and clearer recordings, particularly in low-light environments.
ULTRA FAST 5G WIFI/ UP TO 20MB/s DOWNLOAD SPEED – With its built-in dual-band 5GHz and 2.4GHz WiFi, you can use the ROVE dash cam app to view and manage dash cam recordings instantly on your iPhone and Android smartphone. By using the ROVE app, download your recorded videos directly to your smartphone at a speed of up to 20 MB/sec and then easily share these on social media with friends and family. Additionally, manage camera settings and update the latest firmware over-the-air via the ROVE App.
CAR CAMERA WITH GPS – The new front and rear dashcam comes with built-in GPS which enables you to view real-time live speed and compass on the 3” IPS wide camera screen. It records precise driving routes, locations, and speed stamps directly on the video so you can watch dashcam videos with GPS data using ROVE's free GPS Player on your PC or Mac & get additional evidence when you need it.
FEATURES WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY INCLUDED – Experience peace of mind with this front and rear car dash cam. It comes with a free 128GB microSD card and offers advanced features such as an f1.5 aperture, motion detection, G-sensor, seamless loop recording, emergency video lock, screen saver, live speed and compass direction, voice guidance, ring of threads for optional CPL filter, a built-in supercapacitor for extended product life, support for up to 1TB microSD cards, and many more.

Bestseller No. 4

TERUNSOUl 4K+4K+1080P Dash Cam Front and Rear with Cabin, Free 128GB Card Included, WiFi 6 - up to 20MB/s, IR Night Vision, Built-in GPS, G-Sensor, 170°Wide Angle, 24H Parking Mode, Support 512GB Max

UHD 4K FRONT + 4K REAR + 1080P CABIN RECORDING: The dash cam features true 3-channel simultaneous recording, covering the front, rear, and cabin. Both the front and rear cameras capture 3840×2160P footage, while the cabin camera records in 1080P, providing detailed visibility inside and outside your vehicle. With a 170° front, 150° cabin, and 150° rear view, this dashcam offers near-360° protection. Ideal for family road trips, commercial drivers, rideshare vehicles, and security-focused users
Loop Recording & G-Sensor: Built with a high-performance 128GB microSD CARD tested for stable 4K recording with zero frame drops, the dash camera for cars is ready to use right out of the box. Loop recording automatically overwrites the oldest files for continuous, uninterrupted footage. The built-in G-sensor detects collisions and instantly locks important videos to prevent them from being overwritten. Supports up to 512GB memory card
Auto IR Cabin & Super Starlight Night Vision: Advanced WDR and enhanced night vision technology ensure vivid colors and sharp details in low-light conditions. The front camera features an F1.5 large aperture, while the rear camera uses an F1.8 large aperture, allowing more light intake for brighter, clearer nighttime footage. The cabin camera is equipped with four invisible infrared LEDs, enabling clear recording even in complete darkness
Dash Cam with GPS: The dash cam features built-in GPS to display real-time speed, compass direction, and timestamps on the 3.18" IPS wide screen. It accurately records driving routes, locations, and speed data directly into the video footage. GPS-tagged recordings can be reviewed in the mobile app or played back using the free GPS Player for Windows and Mac, providing reliable, detailed evidence whenever it matters most
24-Hour Parking Monitoring: Protect your vehicle around the clock with time-lapse recording and collision detection. This dash cam supports 24-hour time-lapse parking mode, recording continuously at low frame rates of 1/2/5 FPS to reduce power consumption while capturing critical events. When parked, any impact automatically triggers recording and locks the footage for protection. Note: Parking mode requires a separate hardwire kit (ASIN: B0FN848PK2)

Bestseller No. 5

2K Dash Cam with 32 GB Card, 1.5'' IPS Screen, External GPS, WiFi Dash Camera for Cars, Front Dashcams for Cars with APP, WDR, Night Vision, 24 Hours Parking Monitor, G-Sensor, Loop Recording

WiFi with Free Customized App & OTA Upgrade: Instantly view and manage recordings on smartphone via Avylet APP; Download recorded videos to smartphone and then easily share them on social media with friends and family; Unlike other dashcams, ours allows you to directly adjust settings, view live streams, and playback footage on both cameras themselves; You can also update the latest firmware over-the-air - no need for a computer or cable connection
2K Quad HD & 1.5" IPS Display: 1440P (2560×1440) resolution captures license plates, road signs, and traffic details clearly — nearly 1.3× sharper than 1296P dash cams; (Remove the lens protective film before use to avoid blurry video) 170° ultra-wide lens reduces blind spots and ensures full road coverage; 1.5" IPS screen lets you check recording status and view footage in real time; (Tip: If live view doesn't load, connect to Wi-Fi ,turn off cellular data and retry)
External GPS Module Support: Compatible for an optional GPS module(ASIN: B0FKFYWCQX, not included, please refer to us for details), A1 front dash cam records precise speed, location, route and time data directly onto the video. Easily access this information on your computer (rea*ch out to us to download necessary player), making it simple to provide essential evidence for insurance claims
2K Superior Night Vision: Featuring a large F1.6 aperture and advanced WDR technology, this dash cam allows more light into the lens for brighter, clearer recordings - especially in low-light environments; The 6-layer glass lens is built for scratch resistance and enhanced heat tolerance, ensuring durability and image clarity over time
24/7 Parking Surveillance with G-Sensor & Time-Lapse: A1 dash camera automatically enters Parking Mode and records emergency footage whenever a collision is detected; Time-Lapse Parking Mode provides continuous surveillance with minimal power usage, capturing a condensed overview of events during long parking periods; Hardwire kit required and sold separately (ASIN: B0FJLV1YJ9; contact us to obtain one).

Bestseller No. 6

4 Channel 360° Dash Cam Front Rear Inside & Left Right, 4K+1080P*3 FHD Car Camera, 5GHz WiFi & App Control, 8 IR Lamps Night Vision, 24H Parking Mode, G-Sensor, Loop Recording, Includes 64GB SD Card

【𝟑𝟔𝟎° 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐦 𝟒 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥】: Our 4-channel dash cam equipped with a 3" IPS screen synchronizes four lenses to record the dash cam front and rear, left, and right sides of your vehicle simultaneously in high definition. With a crisp 4K front camera and three adjustable 1080P lenses, it captures every critical detail, eliminating all blind spots for complete peace of mind on the road.
【𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐩 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆-𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐬】The dash cam comes with a pre-installed 64GB memory card, ready to record instantly. Loop recording ensures continuous footage.Car dash camera built-in sensitivity G-sensor can automatically detects a sudden shake/collision and locks the footage to prevent the video from being overwrote even in loop recording. When an event is detected on the road, it automatically locks and protects the relevant footage
【𝟓𝐆𝐇𝐳 𝐖𝐢𝐅𝐢 & 𝐆𝐏𝐒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐩 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥】The dash camera for cars features dual-band 5GHz and GPS, allowing you to instantly view and manage recordings on iOS or Android devices via the viidure App. Can visually trace their vehicle's path, ensuring that the exact location of any incidents is documented.Easily download recorded videos/photos to your phone at high speed, and share them on social media, with friends, family, or insurance companies.
【𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐃𝐑 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲】D65 dashcam with 8 LED infrared and wide dynamic range to prevent overexposure caused by headlights, F1.6 aperture and auto-adjust the balance in low light or exposure. It detects sudden changes in brightness, and automatically adjusts brightness for clear recording. WDR automatically adjusts exposure and contrast to capture balanced images, even in challenging lighting environments.
【𝐂𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐬 𝟐𝟒 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞】When you park and turn off your vehicle, the 4 channel dashcam will automatically switch to parking mode, enabling 24-hour surveillance recording. The front 3 ~ 4 meters range to monitor the object close to the car, 5 seconds quick start machine, the camera automatically record video 1 minute, providing 24 hours protection for your car. Please note that the parking monitoring function requires the purchase of a separate hardwire kit.

Bestseller No. 7

4K+2K+2K 3 Channel Dash Cam Front and Rear, 128GB Card Included, Dash Camera for Cars 5.8G/2.4G Dual Wifi, Built-in GPS, Night Vision, WDR, 170°Wide Angle, G-Sensor Emergency Lock, 24H Parking Monitor

HIGH-DEFINITION NIGHT VISION: Equipped with an F1.8 large-aperture lens and 6-layer glass optics, along with WDR technology, the dash cam front and rear delivers sharp, balanced video even in low-light or high-contrast conditions. This ensures clear footage of license plates and road signs during night shifts or early morning commutes, enhancing safety for rideshare drivers and long-haul truckers.
4K+2K+2K TRIPLE RECORDING: The FAIMEE 3-channel dash cam captures ultra-crisp footage in 4K UHD (3840×2160P)@25fps front + Full HD 2K (2304*1296) interior + 2K (2304*1296) rear cameras. The 170° front and 150° rear wide-angle lenses minimize blind spots, providing comprehensive coverage that is ideal for accident forensics, preventing fraud, and delivering crucial evidence for insurance claims.
AMPLIFIED STORAGE & 24/7 PROTECTION: Comes with a FREE 128GB high-endurance memory card—ready to record right out of the box. Featuring G-sensor collision lock, loop recording, and a parking mode with time-lapse recording (Hardwiring Kit Required, Not Included), this car camera offers round-the-clock protection. It helps monitor your vehicle for potential damage, theft, or hit-and-runs while parked.
BUILT-IN GPS TRACKING: The dashcam built-in GPS tracker accurately logs real-time speed, route history, and location coordinates. This data can be reviewed on Google Maps and is essential for verifying incidents, optimizing routes, providing an reliable record for business use.
DUAL-BAND WIFI & APP CONTROL: Simply connect this dash camera for cars to the FAIMEE app via dual-band Wi-Fi (5.8G/2.4G) to live-view, playback, download, and share recordings on your phone. This allows for quick and convenient management of travel footage and is particularly useful for fleet managers or rideshare drivers (Like Uber/Lyft) who need to review trips and maintain operational oversight.

Bestseller No. 8

Pelsee P1 Pro 4K Dash Cam Front and Rear, STARVIS 2 Sensor, 64GB Card, Dual Dash Camera for Cars with Full-Color Night Vision, HDR WDR, ADAS, GPS, WiFi & Voice Control, 24H Parking Mode, 3.39" Screen

【HDR Front & WDR Rear Recording】The front 4K HDR dash cam slices through blinding sunlight, capturing license plates clearly in overexposed scenes. Paired with 1080P WDR rear camera for cars, it balances fog and backlit tunnel exposures. Pelsee dash cam front and rear system syncs at 25fps, uncompromised clarity for your car dash camera.
【STARVIS 2 Sensor & AI Night Vision】Image sensor with technology of STARVIS developed by Sony delivers 4x greater low-light sensitivity. Outperforms conventional night vision in all scenarios, from dimly lit urban streets to pitch-black rural roads and underground garages, capturing full color night vision in starlight.
【Smart Driving Assistant】Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) included proactive alerts for forward collision, pedestrian collision, lane departure warning, and front vehicle start reminder. Visual & audio warnings trigger at 0.8-2s reaction time. Your AI co-pilot for highway/city drives.
【Hands-free Voice Control】"Lock the video!" Noise-canceling mics ensure accurate response even with road noise. 8 Voice commands enable true hands-free operation. Essential for dash cam operation while keeping hands on the wheel, snap photos, or start recording while driving. Safer control for car camera systems.
【Blazing Wi-Fi & Built-in GPS】5.8GHz Wi-Fi enables real-time viewing, downloading, and sharing of 4K footage directly via the Pelsee Cam app. GPS tracking embeds speed/coordinates/timestamps onto videos. Forward critical clips to insurance in minutes, all without removing the SD card, enabling instant evidence access.

Choosing the Best Dash Cam Location: A Complete Buying Guide

A dash cam is a smart tool for any driver. It records what happens on the road. This recording can help you in an accident. But where you put your dash cam matters a lot. A good spot gives you a clear view. A bad spot blocks your view or misses important action. This guide helps you pick the perfect place for your new dash cam.

Key Features to Look For in a Dash Cam Location Setup

Field of View (FOV)

The FOV is how wide the camera can see. Look for a dash cam with a wide angle, usually 130 to 170 degrees. This wide view makes sure you capture both lanes of traffic and the sidewalks.

Video Quality

Clear video is essential. You need to read license plates. Check for at least 1080p (Full HD) resolution. Higher resolutions like 2K or 4K give you even sharper details.

Mounting Style

How the camera attaches is crucial. Suction cups are easy to use. Adhesive mounts stick better, especially in hot weather. Some cams attach directly to the rearview mirror bracket for a cleaner look.

Screen Size and Placement

Some cams have a small screen to review footage. Make sure the screen doesn’t distract you while driving. If the screen is too big, it can block your view of the road.

Important Materials for Longevity

The material of the dash cam and its mount affects how long it lasts. Dash cams sit behind a windshield, which gets very hot in the sun.

High-Temperature Plastics: Good dash cams use plastics that resist heat. Cheap plastic can warp or melt.
Strong Adhesives: If you use an adhesive mount, the glue must be strong. It needs to hold up against bumps and temperature swings.
Durable Lens Glass: The lens should be made of glass, not cheap plastic. Glass resists scratches better, keeping your video clear over time.

Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

Factors That Improve Quality (Good Placement)

Center Placement: Putting the camera near the center of the windshield gives you the most balanced view of the road ahead.
Behind the Rearview Mirror: This spot hides the camera from your direct view. It also keeps it shaded from the strongest direct sunlight.
Clear Path: Ensure nothing on your windshield—like stickers, cleaning streaks, or wipers—blocks the lens.

Factors That Reduce Quality (Bad Placement)

Passenger Side Placement: This position often misses crucial action happening directly in front of your car.
Too Low Placement: A low mount captures too much of your car’s hood. It doesn’t see far enough down the road.
Direct Sunlight Exposure: If the camera faces direct, hot sun all day, the internal components can overheat and fail faster.

User Experience and Use Cases

The best location makes using the camera easy and natural. You should forget it is there until you need it.

Daily Driving

For everyday commuting, the best setup is one that is “set it and forget it.” Mount it high and centered. You want it recording automatically whenever you start the car.

Road Trips and Travel

If you travel a lot, you might want a camera that is easy to remove. A good suction cup mount allows you to take the device inside when you park for long periods, protecting it from theft or extreme heat.

Parking Mode

Some advanced cams offer parking mode, which records if someone bumps your car while parked. For this feature to work well, the camera must be mounted securely where it can sense impacts across the entire front of the vehicle.

Dash Cam Location FAQs

Q: Where is the absolute best place to mount a dash cam?

A: The best spot is usually high up on the windshield, directly behind the rearview mirror. This location keeps the camera centered and out of your main line of sight.

Q: Should I mount the dash cam on the passenger side?

A: No, mounting it on the passenger side is usually not ideal. It creates a skewed view of the road. You want the center for the most accurate recording angle.

Q: Will a suction cup mount fall off in hot weather?

A: Cheap suction cups can fail when the inside of your car gets very hot. Look for mounts labeled as “high-temperature resistant” or choose an adhesive mount for better security.

Q: Does the camera placement affect insurance claims?

A: Yes, it does. If the camera is poorly placed and misses key parts of an accident, the footage might not be useful for proving your side of the story.

Q: Can I mount the dash cam on the dashboard instead of the windshield?

A: You can, but dashboard mounting often causes glare and reflections in the video. It also might not provide a high enough angle to see over the hood properly.

Q: How low can I place the camera before it blocks my view?

A: Always follow local laws. Generally, the camera should be mounted in the upper third of the windshield. It should never be placed low enough to interfere with your ability to see traffic signals or distant objects.

Q: What if my windshield is heavily tinted?

A: If your windshield has dark tint strips at the top, make sure the camera lens is placed below that strip. The tint can severely reduce video quality, especially at night.

Q: Should I hide the wires?

A: Yes, hiding the wires makes for a much better user experience. Tuck the power cable neatly along the headliner and down the side pillar trim to keep the look clean.

Q: Does the camera need to be centered perfectly?

A: Perfect centering is great, but being slightly off-center is okay if it keeps the camera hidden behind the rearview mirror. The key is having a clear, wide view of the road ahead.

Q: How does placement affect night vision?

A: Good placement, away from direct reflections of your own dashboard lights, helps night vision. If the camera is too low, streetlights can cause lens flare, making the footage unusable.