The 10 Best Cheap Dash Cams You Can Buy

A dashboard camera for your RV is more popular than ever. Not only can you record an accident to determine what really happened, but you can also record your adventure cross country, or catch some thieves in the act.

They used to cost an arm and a leg, but prices have been dropping steadily for years. Somewhere among all the ones that claim to work miracles for nickels and dimes, there are genuine budget options. How cheap can things get and still function properly? What’s a good balance of quality and price? That’s the first thing to determine when searching for the best cheap dash cams.

I think we’ve all skimped a bit too much on a gadget sometimes and regretted it shortly after that. And with something as serious as a dashboard camera, that could be risky. However, that doesn’t mean good things can’t be inexpensive. But how can you find them and tell them apart? Well, you won’t need to. That’s what we’re here for!

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Comparison Table

Common Questions About Dashboard Cameras

Choosing the best cheap dash cams requires a basic understanding of what they do and how they differ. Therefore, we’ve compiled some frequently asked questions and their answers.

How do dashboard cameras work?

At its core, a dash cam is a simple digital video recorder you can mount to your dashboard or windscreen. They usually store footage on SD cards using a function called loop recording. Essentially, this means that once the memory card is full, the dash cam starts overwriting the oldest footage. So, you won’t have to format it often. But, please note that you need to buy SD cards separately.

Most dash cams have additional features and functions, but these are the basics. You can learn more here.

How do you benefit from a dashboard camera?

Even a small accident can prove costly for a few different reasons. Fines, lawsuits, and insurance issues all depend on proving fault. And what better evidence is there than real footage of the incident?

Therefore, the best cheap dash cams will help you avoid unnecessary costs and legal problems. And they can lower your insurance premium.

And what about when you’re driving down that gorgeous stretch of road with mountains in the distance during a beautiful orange and pink sunset? Your dashcam can record that for you when you wish you’d had a camera.

Plus, when you’re traveling in an RV, you travel with a lot of your possession, and you want to keep them safe. The best cheap dash cams can provide you with a level of security and a recording to give to the cops, should the need arise.

What are the important qualities to look for?

Even when a low price is a high priority, ensuring a decent build quality and reliability is crucial. If you buy a dirt-cheap product that hardly works, you’ll have to buy a new one in no time. It’s less expensive in the long run to get something a little pricier, especially when you’re looking for something as crucial as a dash cam.

Video quality is essential since you can’t make out license plates and other details in a bad video. Regarding specific features, you’ll want something with loop recording and decent performance in the dark. A g-sensor is very practical, as it senses impacts and automatically saves video surrounding the event to a protected folder to prevent overwriting.

A motion detector will activate the camera when someone approaches your RV, letting you catch criminals in the act.

One last feature to look for is automatic power toggling. A dash cam that turns on and off automatically when you turn the ignition is much more likely to record incidents and won’t drain your battery if you forget it. Most options have this feature these days, but some cheap ones don’t.

Where can you get one?

You’ll find the best cheap dash cams online. Major vendors like Amazon have bigger selections and lower prices than other stores.

How We Found the Best Cheap Dash Cams

We all have slightly different needs and expectations. Therefore, it’s a good idea to consider what people have to say about a product. So, we’ve compiled and included the ratings and verdicts of Amazon users who bought these candidates for the best cheap dash cams.

Top 10 Best Cheap Dash Cams

Before we get started, it’s worth noting that the dashboard cameras appear in no particular order. Prices, sizes, and features all differ, and your personal preference determines which one’s better. Prices range from around $​ to $​$$, making them some of the best cheap dash cams on the market.

APEMAN FHD 1080P dash camera

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Here’s a compact dash cam that offers simultaneous recording of full HD video using a 170-degree super wide-angle lens. That means you capture what happens in other lanes and by the roadside, and you can see what’s going on even at high speeds.

Seamless loop recording gives you continuous footage without gaps between files, and the APEMAN can handle SD cards up to 32GB.

Next, there’s the Super Night Vision function. Combining a large aperture with WDR and HDR produces clear, high-contrast footage when the light is sparse.

The APEMAN dash camera has a g-sensor and a motion detector to help you capture and lock all relevant footage. This makes it a formidable option for its low price. It comes with a charger, a transfer cord, and two mounts. One uses a sticker, and the other has a suction cup.

What we like

• Great price-to-value ratio
• Clear video quality
• All basic features
• Super wide angle

These qualities make the apeman one of the best cheap dash cams. Users give it an average of 4.3 stars out of 5.

What we don’t like

• Menu navigation could be easier
• No smartphone app

For an affordable dash cam, this is quite impressive. While the list price is ​$$$, you can get it on Amazon for as little as $​ to $​$.

Z-EDGE dash cam

The ​Z-EDGE dash camera offers full-HD video at 30 frames per second (fps) with automatic gradual WDR for low-light conditions. What’s more, you can set the length of each file to 3, 5, or 10 minutes. With a maximum memory card capacity of 64GB, it can hold plenty of footage. That’s useful when the g-sensor kicks in and guards potentially important recordings.

What’s cool is that you can connect it to Wi-Fi and use your smartphone as a remote control. You can also view real-time video on your device and store or share it with a few simple taps. A good Wi-Fi booster lets you make the most of this feature.

It comes with a stealthy sticker mount, a rotatable suction mount, and cables for power and data transfer. Although it’s basic, it gives you clear video at an agreeable price.

What we like

• Compact and easy to install
• Sharp, high-quality video
• Easy menus

It’s clear why the BYZ gets 4.7 out of 5 stars from Amazon buyers. This is, without a doubt, one of the best cheap dash cams around.

What we don’t like

• The questionable user manual
• So-so angle width

Horrible user manuals are standard for inexpensive tech, even among the best cheap dash cams. A 150-degree lens isn’t bad at all, but some alternatives offer 170 degrees. Since the BYZ can be yours for a mere $​ to $​$, there’s not much to complain about.

zhiroad dash cam

Like the previous two, the zhiroad dash cam is a 1080p dashboard camera with g-sensor locking and infinite loop recording. With its 170-degree lens and extra-large aperture, you can see four or more lanes in high contrast. Furthermore, its LED-supported WDR feature maintains good clarity in the dark.

One notable strength is its parking mode. If someone hits your RV or tries to steal or vandalize it, the motion detector will activate the dash cam. As for accessories, you get a charger, a bracket, and a USB cord.

What we like

• Easy to use
• Clear display
• Good video quality

It’s a simple design, and the menus are easy to navigate. You get all the popular features and an impressive value. That explains why its average user rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.

What we don’t like

• No quick release
• Night mode could be better

Unlike most of the best cheap dash cams, the zhiroad doesn’t come off its mount quickly, which can be a bit inconvenient for some. Switching to night mode can also be tricky. If this doesn’t matter to you, you can get one on Amazon for $​ to $​$.

Emmabin dash camera

On top of the usual full HD video uptake, the Emmabin dash camera lets you capture 12-megapixel photos. It has a 170-degree wide-angle lens and a Super Night Vision mode with HDR to counteract backlight. Thanks to this and the big aperture, license plates are legible even in poor light.

The Emmabin dash camera has a g-sensor and a parking mode that locks footage for extra safety. What’s more, you can replay videos directly on the screen or your smartphone when connected to Wi-Fi. It comes with the necessary cords and an adhesive mount.

What we like

• Very compact and discreet
• High-resolution screen
• Impressive night mode

This is one of the most elaborate vehicle cameras you’ll find under $​$. With all these features and strengths, it’s easy to see why people give it 4.3 out of 5 stars.

What we don’t like

• Lacking user information
• No mobile mount

The user manual and documentation aren’t of much use at all, but that’s a common issue among many of the best cheap dash cams. You rarely need the ability to angle or swivel a dash cam, but if you do, this may not be your best bet. If you want it, you can buy it on Amazon for $​ to $​$.

Pathinglek 1080p DVR dash cam

The main point of interest here is the night vision feature. Using infrared light and an extra-large aperture, it can see well in the dark. It also has lane departure warnings, giving you a heads up if you drift to the side.

You get 170 degrees of coverage with less warping than other cameras tend to produce. That’s particularly useful in the parking mode. The standard loop recording and g-sensor lock are also there. The Pathinglek DVR dash cam also comes with the usual two mount kits and a USB charger.

What we like

• Wide coverage with less warping
• Lane departure warnings
• Strong night mode

Buyers give the Pathniglek DVR 4.4 stars out of 5 on average. We’ll have to agree that its features and value warrant that rating.

What we don’t like

• The menus aren’t very intuitive
• Doesn’t turn on automatically

Other than these slight inconveniences, this is a strong contender. You can buy one on Amazon for between $​ and $​$.

AKASO dash cam

You get the usual set of functions: WDR, g-sensor lock, and a parking mode. This model can work for up to 24 hours. It has a 170-degree field of view, the night mode adjusts automatically, and the screen shuts down after a while to prevent distraction.

AKASO has also taken the time to make their dash cam temperature resistant between roughly 14 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. It comes with a charger, a USB cable, and a suction mount.

What we like

• Clear video during day and night
• Easy mount
• Good parking monitor

It’s easy to set up, remove, and reattach. Along with its many useful functions, this makes it one of the best cheap dash cams. Thus, it gets an average customer rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars.

What we don’t like

• Somewhat complicated menus
• Terrible instruction manual

It may take a while to figure out if you’re not that tech savvy, but that’s a small downside in the end. At a mere $​ to $​$ cost, that shouldn’t be a deal breaker. You can get the AKASO at Amazon.

DragonTouch dash cam

Nothing stands out much, but this is undoubtedly one of the best cheap dash cams available. Its 170 degrees of 1080p video at 30fps makes for good evidence in practically any road accident. Furthermore, there’s Super Night Vision with HDR and WDR functions for good clarity regardless of lighting.

You can replay your videos on the camera or your phone, through which you can also do things like update the firmware. Also, the DragonTouch has a g-sensor and a 24-hour parking monitor. You get the necessary cables along with a big suction cup mount for extra stability.

What we like

• Easy installation and operation
• Good smartphone integration
• Handles well in variable light conditions

All in all, a simple dash cam with many useful features and good performance. The average buyer gives it 4.0 out of 5 stars.

What we don’t like

• May suffer from glare at night
• Few manual settings

Some users experience a lot of glare when there are strong lights at night and wish they could turn off the night mode at times. The list price is $​$, but you can get the DragonTouch on Amazon for between $​ and $​$.

Dyzeryk dashboard camera

You won’t find many viable options under $30, but the Dyzeryk dashboard camera is an exception to this rule. It gives you full HD footage, g-sensor locking, and a parking mode. You can turn on six LEDs for better clarity in low-light conditions.

And while this camera won’t give you the best picture for that stretch of road, it serves the basic security and footage needs you’re looking for.

The camera comes with a charger, a USB cord, and a vehicle bracket.

What we like

• Good video for the cost
• Beginner-friendly
• Competitive price

If you want something really cheap that still works, this is one of the best cheap dash cams for you. Since it’s so simple, using it is a breeze. Customers give it 4.3 out of 5 stars.

What we don’t like

• Fairly grainy video
• Very basic

You get what you pay for. In this case, that’s somewhere between $​ and $​$. If that sounds right to you, you can pick it up on Amazon.

Denicer dash cam

Despite the name, the D720 is a 1080p FHD camera. You can also take 12-megapixel photos with it. What’s more, you can view it all right on the display. There’s a g-sensor, DWR, and 170 degrees of coverage. And let’s not forget the parking mode.

The metal build makes it durable and able to handle temperatures from a scorching 160F to a biting -60F. You get two USB chargers in case you need a spare, and you can get both an adhesive mount and a suction cup. The enclosed installation tool helps you set it up.

What we like

• Impressive build for the price
• Many useful features
• Clear footage

You won’t find a competitor with these qualities in the same price range. That’s why it’s one of the best cheap dash cams. The average customer agrees and gives it 4.0 out of 5 stars.

What we don’t like

• Confusing manual
• May loosen in hot climates

A few users report that the camera or cord may come off the windshield or dashboard if the temperature gets too high. Other than that, it seems fine. You can get it on Amazon for $​ to $​$.

GERI FHD Dash Cam

We saved the cheapest dash cam for last. It has both a g-sensor and a motion detector, and a WDR for driving at night. Its main limitation is the 140-degree field of view. You still get full HD footage and decent performance. The price includes a mount and cables.

What we like

• Easy to use
• Great price

Delivering decent video quality at this price is impressive, especially with all these features. Its average user rating is 4.1 out of 5 stars.

What we don’t like

• Grainy video
• Quite narrow coverage

While it won’t give you a wide, crystal-clear view of the road, it’s good enough for everyday purposes while traveling. And it can be yours from Amazon for $​5 to $20, so it’s hard to complain.

Choosing Between the Best Cheap Dash Cams

Now that you’ve learned about the best cheap dash cams, it should be easy to pick your favorite. If you can’t, it helps to think about what features you really need and what your budget is. Remember that you get what you pay for, so it’s worth aiming a bit higher.

Do you have something to say about the best cheap dash cams? Have you tried one of these in your RV? Feel free to leave a comment below or contact us here.

Last update on 2023-05-06 at 08:29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API