More and more people are now seeking small dashboard cameras for their cars. These smaller versions of dashboard cameras offer a discreet solution for some of your more traditional cameras that are deemed to be a little bit. Dashboard cameras are usually not a distraction, as they are mounted behind the rearview mirror.
Some of your standard cameras on the market can overhang a little from your windscreen, causing a distraction and potential danger. Small dashboard cameras should offer a distraction-free option and ensure no obstructions are in your field of view. Though smaller, they also offer HD video recording and all the standard features of their bigger counterparts and offer protection to drivers on and off the road.
These dashcams will help protect drivers from all types of vehicles, from cyclists and pedestrians to motorists, accidents, or crime. These devices have you covered. Using these cameras gives you sufficient evidence to protect yourself from insurance fraud or provide legal evidence for a case. With so many advantages to using a dashboard camera, there’s no surprise they are a rising trend in today’s modern motoring world.
Car dash cameras protect drivers.
As well as using these devices for protection and monitoring driving habits, they are commonly used for fun and entertainment. Capturing a nice scenic drive with the family, or some random unexpected moments, always make these cameras worthwhile and can even turn you into a superstar! With the rise of social media such as youtube, your videos can become viral in no time!
Though small dashboard cameras are cheap, they are not low-end in features. They can include all your additional features, such as Wi-Fi, Lane Departure, Forward Collision, User Defined Speed Limit Warning, Driver Fatigue Alert, and GPS.
The 5 Best Small Dashboard Cameras Comparison
| Model | Resolution | Viewing Angle | Parking Mode | GPS | Wifi | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP F800G | 1080p HD | 140° | Yes | Yes | No | Medium | 4.5/5 |
| Vantrue R1 Pro Dash Cam | 1080p HD | 170° | Yes | Yes | No | Medium | 4.4/5 |
| K&F Concept Car Dash Cam Ambarella | SuperHD 1296P | 170° | Yes | Yes | No | Medium | 4.6/5 |
| Stoga Tbox SGT New Professional Car DVR | 1080p HD | 170° | No | Yes | No | Low | 4.2/5 |
| PYRUS Car Recorder 2.7″ 1080P HD | 1080p HD | 90-130° | No | No | No | Low | 4.7/5 |
Top 5 Best Small Dash Cams Review
1. HP F800G
This small compact dash camera uses a 12v power cable to connect to a 12v lighter socket to power it up. The continuous recording will easily drain the battery, but you can correct it by leaving the USB charger to connect to the socket while on the road.
The camera is easy to attach to the back of the rearview mirror in the middle of your windshield using the suction mount and hardly visible from the outside, even when parked. The 2.7-inch touchscreen is very clear. You can get a response easily.
With an ultra-wide-angle lens, it captures a very wide-field view of the road. However, the image might curve a bit, but it is not a big problem to worry about.
To reduce driver distractions on the road, you can set it off after 30 seconds or 3 minutes or open it continuously. Even if the dashcam screen is off, it continues recording until the battery runs out or you turn it off.
If you want to take a snapshot, you don’t need to stop the video recording. You can touch the camera icon on the screen, second from the left to take pictures while still recording. The quality of night recording is high, but you’ve got a problem if you’re near the car in front of you. The plate number is only sometimes visible on recordings because of reflecting headlights.
This high-end camera offers parking mode recording. When motion detection is activated, it will automatically record what triggers the sensor detection, which you can set to record for up to 30 minutes. This camera also records and saves files in case of a sudden strong brake or impact in an accident. However, you can adjust the sensitivity of the trigger. It also offers loop recording, where you can set it to continue recording for 3 or 5 minutes when the card is full.
When you play your video files back, the speed will appear on the video. It shows accurate GPS with your recorded speed and direction. Though the included SuperCar software best works with Windows PC, you can still play the video with your Mac using a VLC media player and other alternative players available for download online.
This model does offer Wi-Fi features. If you want to have it and some related functions, you can check the higher-end model from HP, such as HP F800x. An SD memory card is not included when you buy this product. The buyer is advised to use a compatible Class 6 or higher rating Micro SD card. For most satisfied customers, a 32GB Sandisk MicroSD works fine.
The instruction manual needs improvement to lack feature explanations and how all the functions work. Overall, this cracking dash camera is quite expensive but full of features than its low-cost counterparts.
2. Vantrue R1 Pro
The most important thing for a dashcam is image clarity; this product delivers just that when you choose the higher setting for the definition. It looks pretty slick as well and is small enough to be unobtrusive. It is easy for those already familiar with dashcams, as the features are quite standard.
The instruction booklet needs to be revised, which can be a problem for first-time users. It also records well in low light conditions, so nighttime recording is possible. However, there appears to be an issue with recording when the G-sensor and motion alarm recording functions are activated. The camera would switch off and display a message that the storage card was full. When these two functions are off, the camera records normally.
The USB cable included does not have data transfer capabilities. Suppose you plan to download the video from your storage card. Either remove it from the dashcam and pop it into your computer or purchase a data cable. Customer service is responsive.
3. K&F Concept Ambarella A7
The video quality of this dash cam in daylight is quite impressive for its price point, better than other, more expensive models.
It has all the standard features of a good-quality dashcam and includes a 32 GB Class 10 SD card, which you normally have to buy separately. However, you cannot choose the video compression, and nighttime videos are not clear enough unless in HDR mode or there is a lot of light, i.e., street lamps.
There is also an issue where files are written when the G-sensor is active (in the Events rather than the Video directory). While the solution may be simple enough, the instruction manual could be more helpful in providing that information.
You must also activate the G-sensor and motion sensor functions, which are out-of-the-box. Otherwise, the operation is intuitive, and it is low profile. The car charger also provides USB ports for other devices.
4. Stoga Tbox SGT New Professional
While the video quality is good, You must place it near the windshield to compensate for flares and distortion. That said, a vehicle’s license plates more than 5 meters away are usually unreadable. It is also bulky so that anyone can see it. It has a night-time capture function, but the videos are too grainy to be useful.
This product does not have a motion sensor function, so when the car is off, so is the camera. It is not particularly intuitive to use, and the instruction manual is less useful. It is a good price, but only for daytime driving.
5. PYRUS Car Recorder 2.7″ 1080P HD
I’m amazed at this small but effective dashboard camera. It offers good day and night recording. You can mount this video recorder on the windshield using a suction cup and power it up with the supplied battery that needs about 2 hours of charging time to record videos. But don’t rely on it if you’re on a long journey. It will last up to 30 minutes. It would be best if you plugged its power connector into your car charger to continue using the recorder.
This very neat and attractive dash cam that looks like a small mobile phone offers 2.7 inches LCD screen. It shows large, easy-to-use buttons, and with a 90-130 viewing angle, you have a wider view. You can enlarge even a small space for greater presentation.
The video quality resolution is very clear with its full HD features. You can see your recordings when you play them on a larger screen and a TV. When HDMI is connected, using this camera recorder in your car is just a plugin and go. No potholes or bumps you run over can hinder the smooth recording of this camera. Even a night driving will still show clear enough video for you to see what happened while it’s on. You can effectively use the night vision features by powering on the LED lights.
You don’t need to worry if your car is bumped or moved because, like other small car cameras above, it has built-in motion sensor detects that trigger the camera to start recording and capture the cause, as long as it’s own. It records accidents on its view and keeps the video files from the override.
And just like other car cameras above, it also doesn’t include an SD memory card. You have to buy a separate micro SD card. A recommended 32GB Class 10 is good to ensure the write speed is fast enough and avoid freezing and stuttering.
At first use, the recommended memory card might glitch, and the camera keeps saying insert card or no card. But wait to bang your camera; you can correct it by formatting the card. The downside is that the user manual needs to be revised to read and tell how to use it effectively. It also needs an explanation of how the camera buttons work and operate it.
This attractive dash cam is suitable as a gift, but it could be better for drivers who like to use Lane Assist, Parking mode, and GPS, for it lacks those features. This decent-quality dash cam will do all the basic needs at an affordable price.
Features to look for in a small dashcam
When considering a small dash cam for your vehicle, there are certain features to look for to ensure the best possible experience.
Firstly, consider the video resolution. Higher-resolution videos provide more detail and clarity, allowing for easier identification of objects and people.
Secondly, look for a wide-angle lens to capture more of the environment around you and reduce blind spots.
Thirdly, consider loop recording, which allows the camera to overwrite the oldest footage when the memory card gets full.
Fourth, look for built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to easily transfer footage to your smartphone or other devices.
Finally, a reliable night vision feature will benefit low-light recording. By taking the time to identify these features, you can ensure that you select a small dash cam that meets your individual needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
A dash cam can help protect you and your loved ones against financial loss. It can also protect you from legal trouble.
The small dash cam is working properly.
Small Dashboard Cameras Verdict
Verdict of the five small dashboard cameras reviewed, the HP F800G Car Camera gets the top slot for its ability to record reasonable quality footage in low light. This is an important feature, for accidents don’t only happen at night.
Since the purpose of the dashcam is to provide evidentiary proof, reasonably clear images under most light conditions trump excellent quality videos in broad daylight.