photo by Toa55 via iStock
No matter how careful you are, you are at risk of various accidents from the moment you step on the pedal. Even when you’re not in the driver’s seat, your vehicle is still vulnerable, and it can get damaged by a careless driver. In addition, there is also a possibility of theft.
Of course, it is impossible to eliminate all these possibilities, but in-car camera systems can be considered an extremely effective measure. Unfortunately, good ones are not easy to find, and if you do, they aren’t always cheap. Therefore, we wanted to share our best dash cams under $100 list.
There are many vital points to consider when choosing the best dash cam under $100, and these can turn into confusing details when you decide to buy one.
Today, quality in-car camera systems have an image quality comparable to modern video cameras. However, cheap and poor-quality models will do more harm than good to you and your vehicle.
Table of Contents
- What Should Be Considered While Searching for the Best Dash Cams Under $100
- 70mai A500 Pro Plus Dash Cam
- VIOFO A119 V3 Dash Cam
- Heaboli 4K Dash Cam
- Rexing V1 Ultra HD Dash Cam
- Z-Edge R1 WiFi Dual Dash Cam
- Other Must-Needed Gear for Your Overlanding Rig
What Should Be Considered While Searching for the Best Dash Cams Under $100
photo by monkeybusinessimages via iStock
You can choose the product that suits your purpose, thanks to a few minor details to consider when buying the best dash cam under $100.
First of all, you should think about the recording angle. Most models offer a standard 120-degree angle, and if you prefer a wider angle, you may need to increase your budget significantly.
The number of cameras placed inside the vehicle is also important. Because more cameras mean more angles, which means they can record a larger area. You can dominate different points and view a wider area with a high recording angle with many cameras.
The higher the resolution of your dash cam, the higher the image performance of the recording you will receive. Therefore, you should definitely pay attention to the resolution value of your camera to be able to shoot more clearly while you are in motion.
You can ensure the quality of the result by choosing an HD-quality camera with a minimum 720p resolution.
Illustration by v-graphix via iStock
We recommend prioritizing the storage capacity of the dash cam’s memory card as well. Because the ability of your memory card determines the width of the space you need for both recording and storage, you may not have to delete records every day if you prefer a larger capacity one.
A cyclic recording camera is essential when discussing the best dash cams under $100. If the recording is done cyclically, even if the card is full, it continues recording by overwriting the existing data.
For you, this feature can offer both advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, we recommend that you do not choose a camera without thinking about this feature.
5 Best Dash Cams Under $100
1. 70mai A500 Pro Plus Dash Cam
Xiaomi owns 70mai, and they offer many dash cam models. The 70Mai A500 Pro Plus model seems quite successful and is one of the best dash cams under $100 in price/performance. It has prominent features such as built-in GPS, parking mode cable support, 2.7k resolution, driver assistant, and WiFi.
In addition, speed information is added under the downloaded videos in Pro Plus, and it is a handy feature. It has a time-lapse video recording mode, and it updates the date & time automatically from GPS. 70Mai Pro Plus supports memory cards up to 128GB, and it has cyclic recording.
It comes with a Hi3556 V200 processor and Sony IMX335 image sensor. The shooting angle is 140 degrees, and it can take high-quality shots both day and night.
Learn more about the 70mai A500 Pro Plus Dash Cam
2. VIOFO A119 V3 Dash Cam
The Viofo A119 V3 is one of the best dash cams under $100 for night shots. With the Sony Starvis 5MP Sensor and f1.6 aperture, you will get excellent quality and clear images. Moreover, thanks to its rotatable lens, you can adjust the shooting angle according to your route and vehicle model.
This dash cam comes equipped with a 7-layer lens offering a 140-degree wide viewing angle. You will keep your vehicle safe even when you are not using it with a battery connection cable, which you must purchase with the product for use in parking mode. It records cyclically and can support 128GB memory cards.
It also comes with a cool feature called emergency mode. You can eliminate your grievances with a video recording of 15 seconds before something happens to your vehicle and 30 seconds after the event. The G-Sensor can turn on the emergency mode by vehicle’s acceleration and braking before the collision. It then creates a separate recording to prevent overwriting.
Learn more about the VIOFO A119 V3 Dash Cam
3. Heaboli 4K Dash Cam
Most dash cams can offer up to 30 frames per second. However, Heaboli 4K dash cam comes with a 60 FPS (frame per second) capacity, and thanks to that, it always provides a smooth video. This means you’ll have a better chance of capturing the license plate of a fast vehicle, and it also means this is one of the best dash cams under $100.
This dash cam features HDR technology, so even in low-light conditions, it works brilliantly. It can cover over six lanes effectively using a 170 degrees ultra-wide-angle lens. It also comes with other useful features like a G sensor and cyclical recording.
The GPS of Heaboli 4K is on the mounting bracket to provide a more accurate location. In addition, it comes with a very useful and capable mobile application you can use to control every function of your dash cam. You can also watch your camera live through the app and directly share it on social media.
Learn more about the Heaboli 4K Dash Cam
4. Rexing V1 Ultra HD Dash Cam
The Rexing V1 Ultra HD cam is one of the best dash cams under $100, equipped with a supercapacitor so that it can work in extreme temperatures. For example, it can work efficiently between -20 and 176 F temperatures.
Its low-profile design makes the V1 easy to hide around your dash, and with a 170-degree ultra-wide lens, you won’t miss anything on the road.
It also has a very precise G sensor that can sense even the slightest vibration when your car is parked. It starts recording right away.
Learn more about the Rexing V1 Ultra HD Dash Cam
5. Z-Edge R1 WiFi Dual Dash Cam
Z-Edge is one of the best companies when it comes to dash cams. They are very well known in the community, and it’s not a surprise that they have the best dash cam under $100 in their catalog. That’s simply because this dash cam has two cameras, one for the front and one for the back, so you can cover both sides professionally with just one purchase.
It can record both cameras simultaneously in Full HD, and it can do that in the lowest light conditions. You can also download an app for the R1, use all the command functions, and download all the images directly to your phone via Wi-Fi.
Learn more about the Z-Edge R1 WiFi Dual Dash Cam
Other Must-Needed Gear for Your Overlanding Rig
Don’t just stop at getting the best dash cam under $100 for your overlanding outfit. Instead, consider adding some of these must-needed items to your setup:
- Recovery Strap
- Recovery Board
- Winch
- KC Lites
- Shackle Hitch Receiver
- Hi-Lift Jack
- Tire Inflator/Deflator
- Portable Power Station
- Portable DC/AC Refrigerator
- First Aid Kit