For years, dash cameras have been incredibly popular, potentially necessary for use in Russia. There, people use dash cams to protect both themselves and their vehicles. As more and more of these recordings make their way onto social media, many people in the west have also started to adopt this practice.
Dash cameras can serve a vital deterrent against criminals, or they can provide valuable evidence in the event of an accident or when filing an insurance claim. However, their recent rise in popularity has also been followed by a rise in different manufacturers all rushing their models to market.
That is why we have put together a list of the 10 best front and rear dash cameras available on the market today. Then we provide a helpful buyer’s guide, so you can figure out what you want and what you need and find the best dual dash camera for you.
Best Front and Rear Dash Camera Ratings in 2019
Model | Resolution | Key Features | |
---|---|---|---|
KDLINKS R100 | 1296/1080 | mirror dual lens, anti-glare, WDR, G-sensor, night mode, parking mode | Check Price |
Z-EDGE S3 | 1440/1080 | WDR, G-sensor, night mode, parking mode | Check Price |
Rexing V1LG | 1080/480 | GPS, WDR, G-sensor, night vision | Check Price |
KDLINKS DX2 | 1080/720 | WDR, G-sensor, night mode | Check Price |
ITRUE X6D | 1080/480 | WDR, G-sensor, night mode, GPS-compatible | Check Price |
APEMAN Dash Cam | 1080/480 | WDR, G-sensor, motion detection, night vision, GPS-compatible | Check Price |
NEXGADGET Dual Lens | 1080/480 | G-sensor, motion detection, parking mode | Check Price |
Z-EDGE S4 | 1440/1080 | WDR, G-sensor, night vision, parking mode | Check Price |
GERI Black Box | 1080/720 | WDR, G-sensor, night vision, motion detection | Check Price |
Pruveeo F5-Dual FHD | 1080/480 | WDR | Check Price |
1. KDLINKS R100 (Ultra HD 1296P Front + 1080P Rear 280° Wide Angle Anti-Glare Rearview Mirror Dual Lens): Best Rated Dual Dash Camera with Super HD
The KDLINKS R100 is a fairly unique dual dash cam. While the fact that the rear camera records in 1080p resolution, the front camera is one of the few that does so in 1296p – also known as Super HD. Just a shade under the 1440p Ultra HD resolution, the SuperHD provides a wider viewing angle without having to actually alter the lens.
This is fortunate because the KDLINKS R100 only features a 140-degree viewing angle for the front camera – though it does offer the same viewing angle for the rear camera as well. But it should be noted that 280 total degrees of viewing is not the best, especially when 290 degrees is fairly average.
- The front cam records in 1296
- The rear camera records in 1080
- Compatible with a 128 GB memory card
- Front camera only offers 140-degree viewing angle
- Installation and setup is fairly difficult
- The rear camera cannot be mounted on every vehicle
2. Z-EDGE S3 (1440P Front + 1080P Rear 150° Wide Angle Dual Lens): Ultra HD Best Car Camera Recorder
Z-Edge produces some of the best quality dash cameras on the market –
whether single or multi-channel. This trend continues with the S3 as this dash cam provides some of the best resolution available. The rear camera records in solid 1080p resolution, but the front camera records in an impressive 1440p Ultra HD.
Moreover, the S3 also uses WDR to help brighten low-light image, and unlike many other brands that use this features but fail to affect meaningful improvement, the S3 offers legitimately solid low-light and nighttime image quality. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the small 2.4” display.
- The front cam records in 1440
- The rear camera records in 1080
- WDR offers good night image quality
- Does not include GPS tracking
- A 2.4” display is pretty small
3. Rexing V1LG (Dual Channel FHD 1080p 170° Wide Angle Dashboard Camera): Best Dual Dash Camera with GPS
Rexing is a brand that has recently earned a solid reputation after being mired in the mid-tier market for a while. In fact, the V1LG is an incremental improvement on the original V1. One of the ways it accomplishes this is with front and rear cameras that film in 170 degrees. This provides 340 total degrees of coverage and makes it one of the widest ranges available.
However, the V1LG is a fairly expensive dash cam – a prospect which is only made worse by requiring the user to purchase a hardware kit separately if you want to wire it to your vehicle directly. To add insult to injury, installation requires extreme precision or the camera will fail to record.
- Both cameras offer a 170-degree viewing angle
- Offers excellent GPS tracking
- Features an excellent 6 layer lens
- Installation requires significant precision or skips/freezes
- Does not deal with low-light conditions well
- Must purchase hardwire kit separately
4. KDLINKS DX2 (Full-HD 1080 Front + 720 Rear 290° Super Wide Angle): Best Anti-Glare Front and Rear Dash Cam
The KDLINKS DX2 is seen as one of the brand’s flagship dash cams, and it is not difficult to understand why. For one,front camera record in 1080p at 30FPS. Moreover, the total coverage of 290 degrees of viewing angle is on par with solid cams. Unfortunately, the front is just below the ideal 170 degrees, but the back surprises with a better than average 120 degrees.
Moreover, this camera set is one of the few available that uses a CPL filter to remove the glare associated with the sun at the horizon or striking the windshield if the camera needs to be set lower than the bridge. Still, the rear camera does come up just a tad short by only offering 720p resolution – especially at a premium price.
- Refreshingly easy to setup and install
- The camera’s filter effectively remove glare
- Quick and responsive customer service
- The rear camera only records 720
- Suction mounting is less secure than adhesive
- An expensive dual dash camera
5. ITRUE X6D Pro Stealth Full-HD 1080P 170° Wide Angle: Best All Around Value Dual Car Dash Cam
iTrue sits at the lower end of the premium market in terms of cost, but it provides a wealth of options and features that put right in line with some of the pricier models. For one, if you understand how videography works, this dash cam will be a breath of fresh air as it offers a number of customizable controls, so you can fine-tune your image quality throughout the day or during various settings and weather conditions.
Unfortunately, if you are not familiar with videography, figuring out how to change some of the finer features requires a significant amount of time and effort. Moreover, setting up the factory standards and installing the cam to your vehicle is more difficult than with many other models.
- A 170-degree front angle is wide
- A wide range of video control
- Excellent night image quality
- A 2.4” screen is pretty small
- A relatively expensive dual dash camera
- Setup, installation, and control not that easy
6. APEMAN FHD 1080p 170° Wide Angle: Best Budget Dual Dash Cam
Apeman is a budget-friendly dash cam which carries with it some expectations. For one, the rear camera only records in VGA standard definition. Thankfully, the front camera does record in 1080p. Moreover, the Apeman also uses a 6G lens which allows the camera to better handle low-light images, motion, and zooming in.
Still, there are some distinct concerns with the Apeman – durability being first and foremost. While it is not known to actually break, the Apeman does not respond well to heat and may not turn on if it gets too hot. Another oddity is that the rear camera records everything in a left to right flipped alignment making license plates difficult to decipher.
- A 170-degree front angle is wide
- A fairly low-cost dual dash camera
- Easy to install on most vehicles
- The rear camera is only SD
- Does not respond that well to heat
- Rear camera records in flipped image
7. NEXGADGET 3” Full HD 1080 Dashboard Camera Vehicle Recorder: Most Secure Dual Dash Camera for Car
The NEXGADGET is a bit of an odd ball in some respects. Suction cup mounts are known for slipping from time to time – especially after a long period of time or during changes in atmospheric pressure. Adhesives, on the other hand, will sometimes fail if the surface gets too hot – this is especially true for rear cameras.
This dash cam seeks to skip that issue by having the user mount the camera directly onto the indoor paneling – literally screwing the mount on. While will definitely provide the benefit of ensuring the camera will not fall, it also makes shifting it difficult and ultimately leaves two holes in your vehicle’s interior.
- 4” screen is large and easy to see
- A pretty inexpensive dual dash camera
- A 170-degree front angle is wide
- The rear cam cable is a bit short
- The rear camera is only SD
- Does not accept memory card above 32 GB
8. Z-EDGE S4 Ultra HD 1440 Front + 1080 Rear: Best Quality Dual Dash Cam
The Z-Edge S4 is one of the best products this brand produces and improves on many of its other models in a number of ways. Unfortunately one of the ways this dash cam cannot really seem to help is the hefty price tag. Though, with the number of features offered, it makes sense.
This camera offers a front unit resolution of 1440p Ultra HD while the rear camera provides a crystal clear 1080p. The only downside is that the image quality itself can be a bit dark. However, that is not a problem for the robust 4” display screen, showing you all the details perfectly.
- The front cam records in 1440
- The rear camera records in 1080
- 4” screen is large and easy to see
- A fairly expensive dual dash camera
- Battery powered is inconvenient
- While clear, the image is pretty dark
9. GERI Black Box Dash Camera Full HD 1080P 3″ LCD Car DVR: Most Connective and Inexpensive
The Geri is a middle market product that checks most of the boxes you would expect from the front camera and fails in predictable ways with the rear camera. The front camera records in 1080p resolution using a 170-degree viewing angle. The rear camera records in standard definition – though it is a modestly better SD at 720 x 480p.
However, what truly sets this product apart from most of its competitors – even most of the higher priced ones–is its ability to output its video feed directly to other devices. Not only can it connect with a USB, it also features an AV port. Even better, this dash cam can connect to an in-car television with either PAL or and NTSC format.
- 3” screen is a pretty good size
- Extremely inexpensive dual dash camera
- Can connect and output video feed directly with other devices
- The rear camera is only SD
- Suction mounting is less secure than adhesive
- AVI video format makes for large files
10. Pruveeo F5-Dual FHD 1080 Front and Rear Dual Camera: Smallest Dual Dash Cam for Car
The Pruveeo F5 might be the best dash camera for a private investigator who does not want people to know that they are being recorded. This is because the front camera is incredibly small compared to most others on the market. Unfortunately, this does basically necessitate that the display screen to control the camera is also small.
Furthermore, the rear camera comes with a whole host of issues. While it only records in standard definition, that is to be somewhat expected at its price point. However, the fact that the rear camera only captures 90 degrees of viewing angle is shockingly low.
- A fairly inexpensive dual dash cam
- Adhesive installation is more secure than suction
- One of the least obtrusive dual dash cameras
- Rear cam only offers 90-degree viewing angle
- The rear camera is only SD
- Has difficulty reading and removing MicroSD memory card
What to Consider When Choosing a Front and Rear Dash Cam
Video Quality
Ultimately, this is one of the most important factors when choosing a dual dash cam. It does no good to store hours of recordings if the details are too distorted to make out. However, the video quality of your dual dash cam is actually determined by far more than simply its resolution. Because of the circumstances of filming for vehicular protection, poor performance in a number of other video qualities can make even the sharpest image worthless.
Resolution – While other aspects of video quality will play an important role, there is no getting around that the video resolution is the most important. The higher the resolution, the more clear minute details–like license plates. However, even high definition can carry with it some caveats that bear consideration.
For instance, 720 is technically an HD resolution, but it is only just so. A better standard would be to look for 1080 at a minimum. However, there are a number of dual dash cams on the market that offer 1296, also known as super HD, and 1440, or quad HD.
FPS – Better known as “frames per second,” this quality has two important functions. First, the more FPS your cam records, the more likely you are to nab a specific screenshot for evidence. However, FPS also plays an important role in reducing the blur caused by motion.
While 60 fps is preferred, 30fps is acceptable. Anything under 30 fps is unlikely to provide a clear image should the relative motion shift. However, unlike resolution, this is a quality that is more likely to hover in the middle range, even among expensive or otherwise high-quality cams.
Angle – Because accidents or threats while driving can occur from all directions, it is important that your dual dash camera records a wide angle of footage. Keep in mind though, most dash cams provide a wider angle view for the front camera than it does for the back.
For the front camera, you should accept no less than 150 degrees, but you will ideally look for 170 degrees. For the rear camera, very few manufacturers offer 170 degree angled views. However, 120 degrees is a solid expectation – especially since accidents are more often front to back collisions.
Night Vision – This quality runs into a bit of an issue. Because of low-light conditions – not to mention the majority of intoxicated driving accidents – this would seem to be one of the most important features for a good dual dash camera.
Unfortunately, this is also one of the most lacking qualities – regardless the camera. This factor can be further compounded by the brands whose rear cameras film in SD, making the image quality even worse. However, some brands provide Wide Dynamic Range, or WDR, lenses to increase the amount of light that reaches the sensor, making the images appear lighter – though it does not actually increase the sensor’s sensitivity.
Memory
This is actually a fairly important feature for dual dash cams, because video files are fairly large. Moreover, different dual dash cams will record in different formats. For example, AVI is a larger format that MPEG which is, in turn, a larger format than H. 264. Regardless, all video files are megabytes per minute of recording.
That is why the larger the accepted memory card, the better. However, much like many dual cameras record their video footage in different file formats, they also accept different types of memory cards. While microSD is the most common memory card used, the maximum storage ranges anywhere from 32 GB to 128 GB and sometimes excludes certain brands.
Automatic
These features will work to ensure that your camera is recording when you need it to, even if you do not actively control it. A number of dual dash cams turn on when you start your car and turn off when you kill the ignition.
Other features in this vein include parking features which record when the car is parked and picks up motion as well as G-Sensors which track when your car is hit or moves suddenly then turns on. While useful, these are somewhat unnecessary if you manually control the camera.
Screens
Most dual cameras come with their own LED or LCD screen that provides either a display of what the front camera sees or a menu to navigate the various functions and controls. However, this often turns into a bit of a Goldilocks issue where the size of the screen has both good and bad qualities.
A large screen may be easy to see and control, but it also takes up more of your windshield and view. Conversely, a small screen may provide a stealthy, compact profile, but it also makes navigating the menu more difficult. Ultimately, you will need to determine what is more important and strike the preferred balance.
Power
A dual dash cam can be powered in a couple ways, but they all come with their own drawbacks. The most common way to power a dual dash cam is to use the in-dash charger. Unfortunately, this means that you have to run a wire either around or through your dashboard.
The other wired means of powering a dash cam is to wire it directly to the car. This is often required for some of the more advanced features as well, but it is a far more difficult process. The last method is powering by replaceable batteries which is the most convenient, but requires you to replace the batteries.
So, what is the best front and rear dash cam?
In the end, the best dual dash camera will be the one that fulfills your needs but stays within your budget. If you desire a setup with a quality rear camera, you better be prepared to pay anywhere from two to three times as much otherwise.
In this instance, we recommend the Z-Edge S4. With a front facing camera that records in 1440p Ultra HD and a rear facing camera that records in 1080p, you will be hard-pressed to find a dual dash camera that provides better resolution.
Of course, if you are looking for a dual dash camera that also comes at an inexpensive cost, the Apeman offers a solid front camera with 1080p resolution and 170-degree viewing angle at a fraction of the cost. While the rear camera is not especially impressive, the whole kit offers numerous automatic options to compensate.