Imagine this: you’re driving along, everything seems fine, and then—BAM! An unexpected event happens right in front of your car. Who is at fault? Without proof, it can become a real headache. That’s where a dash camera steps in, acting as your silent, reliable witness on the road.
But here’s the tricky part: finding a quality dash camera that won’t empty your wallet. Many drivers want this peace of mind, but they face a wall of confusing features and worry that “cheap” means “useless.” You see prices everywhere, and it’s tough to know which budget-friendly models actually deliver clear video when you need it most.
Don’t settle for blurry footage or a camera that quits when the temperature drops. In this guide, we cut through the noise. We have tested and reviewed the best dash cameras available for under $100. You will learn exactly what features matter—like good night vision and easy installation—so you can buy with confidence.
Ready to secure reliable road protection without breaking the bank? Let’s dive into the top picks that prove you don’t need to spend a fortune for serious security.
Top Dash Camera Under $100 Recommendations
No. 1
3 Channel Dash Camera for Cars,Triple Lens 4K+1080P+1080P Dash Cam Front Rear Inside,Built-in 5G WiFi & App, Night Vision,24H Parking Mode,Loop Recording,170° Wide Angle,32GB Card Included(Black)
- 【Triple-Lens Dash Cam with 4K Front & Dual 1080P Recording】This advanced dash camera for cars features three lenses, capturing crystal-clear 4K footage ahead and full 1080P video inside and behind your vehicle simultaneously. It’s the ultimate car camera for complete coverage.
- 【Built-in 5GHz WiFi Dashcam for Instant App Access】Connect to this dash cam via high-speed 5GHz WiFi. Instantly view live footage, download recordings, and adjust settings directly from your smartphone with the free app, making every drive effortlessly manageable.
- 【Superior Night Vision Car Camera with WDR】This dash camera excels in low light. Equipped with WDR technology and a high-performance sensor, it ensures license plates and road signs remain visible at night, offering reliability beyond standard dash cams.
- 【24/7 Parking Mode with G-Sensor】Keep your vehicle protected around the clock. This dash cam automatically activates parking surveillance when the engine is off with a hardwire kit (sold separately). Its sensitive G-Sensor detects any impact, instantly triggering recording and locking the footage to preserve crucial evidence.
- 【170° Wide-Angle Dash Camera & Loop Recording】Maximize your view with a 170° ultra-wide front lens on this dash cam. It supports seamless loop recording, automatically overwriting the oldest files to ensure continuous operation, and works with cards up to 256GB.
No. 2
galphi 4K Dash Cam Front, Built-in 5G WiFi, 64GB Card Included, Dash Camera for Cars, Mini Dashcam with Super Night Vision, Loop Recording, G-Sensor, 24 Hours Parking Monitor, Support 256GB Max
- 【4K 2160P Resolution Dash Cam】Capture every drive in stunning 4K UHD resolution with the Galphi front dash cam, featuring a 160-degree wide-angle lens for clear, cinematic video footage. Ideal for family cars, new drivers, and Uber/Lyft drivers, it provides reliable video evidence for accident disputes and insurance claims.
- 【Advanced 5GHz WiFi with App】 Featuring cutting-edge 5GHz WiFi and a free app, the video download speed reaches up to 8MB/s, compared to just 2MB/s with the 2.4GHz option. This greatly reduces download times and minimizes lag during video playback.
- 【No Screen & Less Distraction】This dash camerma features a screen-free design, minimizing distractions while you drive so you can stay focused on the road. Enjoy peace of mind knowing your camera is recording without taking your attention away from the journey.
- 【Compact and Super Easy to Install】The dash cam's slim and compact design ensures it won't obstruct your view. With easy installation and clear, detailed instructions included, even first-time users can set it up without any hassle.
- 【24-Hour Parking Mode】 A Type C hardwire kit (ASIN: B09SPN811C, 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.
No. 3
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).
No. 4
Dash Cam Front and Rear, 1080P Dash Camera for Cars, 3 Channel Car Camera Front Rear and Inside with 32GB Card, Loop Recording, Night Vision, HDR, 24Hr Parking, G-Sensor
- TRIPLE DASH CAM: This 3 channel dash camera features with a 170 wide-angle front camera + 150°Cabin + 150° waterproof rear camera, reduce visual blind areas. The Screen made by IPS panel, It allows you to see a clear picture at any angle without any blurring.
- G-SENSOR & PARKING MONITOR: SUVCON dash camera for cars built in G-sensor, which will activate emergency recording and lock the recorded videos when it detects sudden shakes or collisions while your car is stationary.
- LOOP RECORDING: Car camera loop recording function makes the newly recorded video will automatically overwrite the oldest video when storage limit reached, the video can be recorded in 1, 3 minute intervals. Car dash cam is already equipped with a 32GB SD card, you do not need to buy this card additionally.
- SUPERIOR WDR TECHNOLOGY & CLEARER NIGHT VISION : The interior facing car dash cam design with 4 infrared LED lights, which can accurately capture important footage clearly under low light conditions. The superior HDR technology allows the camera to perform optimally in any lighting situation by adjusting the exposure to create balanced images and footage.
- EASY INSTALLATION AND OPERATION: Dash camera is plug and play, very convenient. Simple to mount the 3 channel dash camera on the windshield which makes for an overall straightforward installation process. Easy to understand display and friendly key settings make it easy for you to use.
No. 5
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 Without 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.
No. 6
TERUNSOUl 4K Dash Cam Front and Rear, Full HD 3 Channel Dashcam, Free 128GB MicroSD 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
No. 7
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.
No. 8
Dash Cam 2K, WiFi Dashcams with APP, External GPS, 1.5'' IPS Screen, Front Dash Camera for Cars, Mini Car Camera, WDR Night Vision, 24H Parking Monitor, Loop Recording, G-Sensor
- Important Reminders: 1. Memory Card is not included and only ONE dash cam is included;2. If connected to Avylet APP, dashcam cannot be used with CarPlay screen simultaneously; Only one Wi-Fi connection is allowed at a time; 3. Car charger must be connected to cigarette lighter; Without cigarette lighter? Reach out to us to obtain a cable; 4.Any problem ( connection or installation) reach out to us via the details in the user manual or visit website at Avylet
- 2K Quad HD & 1.5'' IPS Display: 2K Quad HD 1440P (2560×1440) resolution captures sharp details such as license plates, road signs, and traffic conditions, delivering nearly 1.3× clearer footage than 1296P dash cams; The 170° ultra-wide-angle lens reduces blind spots and expands road coverage. The built-in 1.5" IPS screen allows real-time status checks and quick footage review(Tip: If live view fails to load, make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi, then disable cellular data on phone and retry)
- Wi-Fi APP Control & OTA Upgrade: With built-in WiFi connects to the Avylet App without a subscription; Adjust settings, view live streams, and playback footage directly on both dashcams and smartphones; Perform OTA updates on Avylet APP, download and share videos and photos instantly on social media or messaging apps; NOTE: Please download the latest version of Avylet app
- External GPS Module: Supports an optional external GPS module (ASIN: B0FKFYWCQX, sold separately; details available from us) to record real-time driving data, including speed, location, time stamps, and route tracking directly in your videos; View GPS data during video playback on the Avylet app or on computer using our dedicated player (contact us to download), providing reliable evidence for insurance claims
- 2K Super Night Vision: The dash camera equips a large F1.6 aperture for optimize light intake and minimize motion blur, and 6 glass lens for scratch resistance and heat tolerance; Advanced WDR technology ensures clear and detailed night vision by auto-adjusting exposure in low-light conditions; (Remove the lens protective film before first use to avoid blurry video)
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Snagging the Best Dash Cam Under $100
You want a dash cam to keep you safe on the road. But you do not want to spend a lot of money. Good news! You can find great dash cams for under $100. This guide helps you choose the best one for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
Even cheap dash cams need certain features. These features make sure the camera records what matters.
Video Quality
- Resolution: Look for at least 1080p (Full HD). This resolution captures clear details like license plates. Some budget models might offer 720p, but 1080p is much better.
- Frame Rate (FPS): Aim for 30 frames per second (fps). This makes the video look smooth, even when you drive fast.
Recording Essentials
- Loop Recording: This feature is very important. When the memory card gets full, the camera automatically deletes the oldest files to make room for new ones.
- G-Sensor (Impact Detection): If you get into an accident, the G-sensor locks the current video file. This stops the loop recording from erasing your evidence.
- Wide Viewing Angle: A wider angle (like 140 degrees or more) captures more of the road, including sidewalks and intersections.
Night Performance
Driving at night is hard to record. Look for cameras with good low-light performance or “WDR” (Wide Dynamic Range). WDR helps balance bright headlights and dark shadows.
Important Materials and Build Quality
The materials affect how long your dash cam lasts.
Lens and Body
- Lens: Glass lenses are better than plastic ones. Glass resists scratches more easily.
- Body Material: Most budget cams use strong plastic. Make sure the mount is sturdy. A weak mount means the camera might shake or fall off.
Power Source
Most under $100 cams use your car’s 12V adapter (cigarette lighter). Check that the cord is long enough to reach your mounting spot without stretching.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Little things make a big difference in your daily experience.
What Improves Quality:
- Easy Installation: A simple suction cup mount saves time and frustration.
- Good Screen Size: A small screen (around 2-3 inches) lets you check recordings right away.
- Automatic Start/Stop: The best cameras turn on when you start the car and turn off when you shut it down.
What Reduces Quality:
- Poor Heat Resistance: Cheap plastics can melt or fail in hot summer cars. Check reviews for complaints about overheating.
- Complex Menus: If the setup menu is hard to understand, you might not use all the features.
- No Memory Card Included: Most cameras require a separate microSD card. Remember to buy one!
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the camera guides your final choice.
Daily Commuting
If you only use it for short trips, focus on reliability and easy setup. You need a camera that reliably records every trip without needing constant adjustment.
Long Road Trips
For long drives, battery life or capacitor usage matters more. A capacitor holds a charge better than a regular battery when the car is parked in the sun. This is safer for extreme heat.
Parking Mode (Rare Under $100)
Some slightly more expensive budget models include basic parking mode. This keeps recording if someone bumps your car while parked. If this feature is important, you might need to spend a little more than $100, but it’s worth checking!
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Dash Cams Under $100
Q: Do I need to buy a separate memory card?
A: Yes, almost always. Dash cams under $100 usually do not include a memory card. You should buy a Class 10 or U1 microSD card, often 32GB or 64GB.
Q: Will a cheap dash cam survive hot weather?
A: Some might struggle. Look for models that use a supercapacitor instead of a regular battery if you live in very hot areas. Capacitors handle heat much better.
Q: Is 720p resolution enough for evidence?
A: 720p might be okay, but it is risky. 1080p gives you much clearer details, like reading signs or license plates, which is vital for evidence.
Q: How difficult is the installation process?
A: Installation is usually very easy. You stick the mount to the windshield and plug the cord into the car’s power outlet. Most people finish in under ten minutes.
Q: Do these cameras record when my car is turned off?
A: Most basic models only record when the engine is running. Parking mode, which records when parked, usually requires a hardwire kit or a built-in battery, which cheap models often lack.
Q: What is “WDR” and why is it important?
A: WDR stands for Wide Dynamic Range. It helps the camera see clearly when there is a big difference between light and dark areas, like driving toward the sun or bright streetlights at night.
Q: Do I need Wi-Fi on a budget dash cam?
A: Wi-Fi is a nice extra, letting you view files on your phone. However, for under $100, you can often skip Wi-Fi and save money. You can view footage using the camera’s small screen.
Q: What is the G-Sensor used for?
A: The G-Sensor detects sudden movement or impact (like a crash). When it detects one, it automatically saves and protects the video file so it won’t be overwritten by loop recording.
Q: Do I need to format the memory card often?
A: Most modern dash cams handle formatting automatically. However, it is a good practice to manually format the card once every month or two to keep performance smooth.
Q: Are these cameras legal everywhere?
A: In most US states, having a dash cam is legal, but you must place it where it does not block your view of the road. Always check your local laws before installing one.