What Is the Best Car Dash Camera for Me?
A reliable dashboard camera can offer peace of mind and security to drivers of all kinds. Garmin offers a wide range of dash cameras designed to suit just about every driver’s needs. From pocket-sized, GPS-enabled models with advanced features, including live streaming and incident detection, to dual dash cams for views both inside and outside your car, Garmin has a dash cam that suits your needs.
Before we describe our dash cameras for you, let’s back up just a bit and answer some basic questions about dash cams.
What Is a Dash Cam?
We’re glad you asked. A dash camera — or commonly referred to as a dash cam — is a compact camera that’s mounted on a vehicle’s front windshield, often tucked discreetly behind the driver’s rearview mirror. It allows drivers to record footage while they’re on the road in case an incident occurs1. A dash cam can provide necessary protection to prove to authorities you’re not at fault during a traffic incident.
What Are Dash Cams for?
As stated, a dash cam is an invaluable way to help protect you and your vehicle when the unexpected happens. No matter how good a driver you are, if you get into an accident that wasn’t your fault, a dash cam video recording can prove exactly what happened to law enforcement and insurance companies, potentially speeding up claims reimbursement.
For even more peace of mind, a Garmin dash cam with LTE capabilities offers vehicle surveillance features, including a live view, plus location tracking and theft alerts. Read more about the benefits to having a dash cam with LTE here.
Why Garmin Is the Right Choice for You
All Garmin dash cameras are extremely discreet and compact in size, are voice controlled and can connect with up to four total cameras (sold separately) via the multiple camera network. Most of our dash cameras are also GPS enabled, capture between 1080p HD and 4K Ultra HD video resolution and have options for automatic cloud storage for easy photo and video sharing.
Whether opting for the car key-sized Dash Cam Mini 3 or the advanced Dash Cam X110, X210 or X310, you’ll enjoy crisp HD video and sharp pictures at all hours of the day. So, let’s dive into the lineup and find out which Garmin dash camera is the perfect fit for you.
1. Garmin Dash Cam™ Live
The Garmin Dash Cam Live is the ultimate companion for those who prioritise real-time connectivity and surveillance features. With crisp 1440p HD video and a wide 140-degree lens, it continually records when plugged in, capturing every detail while driving or sitting still. And with Garmin Clarity™ HDR optics, Dash Cam Live delivers crisp detail both day and night. Enjoy always-connected LTE connectivity (subscription required)2 and access live video from anywhere via the Garmin Drive™ app. With LTE connectivity, you’ll also receive location tracking, theft alerts, parking guard notifications and incident detection, ensuring you’re always informed about potential security threats—even when you’re away from your vehicle.
You also can view and share saved videos anytime from your online Vault within the Garmin Drive app. Need to share proof you’re not at fault for an accident or provide a learning moment for your teen driver? Share away! (Once you are not driving and it’s safe, of course.) Speaking of safe driving, this camera will alert you if you’re following a vehicle too closely, drifting out of your lane, or approaching a red-light and speed camera3.
That’s situational awareness for you.
2. Garmin Dash Cam™ Mini 3
If you prefer to keep your products simple, the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 is for you. Small but mighty, this ultra-compact dash cam packs a punch with its video quality4 — 1080p HD plus Garmin Clarity HDR optics, to be exact — and a 140-degree field of view. Not bad for a key-sized camera.
With the Dash Cam Mini 3, there is no LCD display on the backside of the device, which allows for an impressively smaller camera size without sacrificing features such as high-definition video clarity, automatic incident detection and voice control. The built-in Garmin Clarity™ polariser lens enhancement allows the dash camera to capture important details more clearly and reduce windshield glare.
Additionally, with an active Vault subscription, you get ongoing video storage and easy access to view and share your saved video clips conveniently from the Garmin Drive app on your compatible smartphone.
3. Garmin Dash Cam™ X series
Not to be outdone by the others, Garmin Dash Cam X series— including X110, X210 and X310 models — all offer a clear and reliable recording experience with extremely clear video attributed to the addition of the integrated Garmin Clarity polariser lens. You’ll get the ultimate sharp video detail with up 4K video resolution available on Dash Cam X310, 1440p HD for the X210 dash cam and 1080p HD for the X110 model.
Enjoy many of the core legacy features in the Dash Cam Live, including automatic recording, incident detection with GPS and lane departure alerts for more situational awareness. The more premium features are available with a paid Vault subscription, including remote live view, parking guard alerts and more. Pair a dash cam with up to three more Garmin dash cam models (sold separately) for a total of four per vehicle to capture video from several vantage points.
4. Garmin Dash Cam™ Tandem
With two camera lenses, the Garmin Dash Cam Tandem records both interior and exterior footage with dual lenses. Ideal for rideshare drivers, the Dash Cam Tandem provides full visibility inside your vehicle with an extra-wide 180-degree field of view, enabling comprehensive coverage of passenger activity day or night, thanks to our exclusive NightGlo™ night vision technology.
The exterior- and forward-facing lenses capture 1440p video for detailed incident documentation—just like our other dash cams. The compact and GPS-enabled Dash Cam Tandem also comes with automatic incident detection and voice control.
In parking surveillance mode, the Dash Cam Tandem records motion in front of and inside the vehicle when parked and turned off5.
Is two better than one for you? If so, the Dash Cam Tandem might be destined for your vehicle.
No matter your driving needs, Garmin offers a dash camera solution tailored to you. Explore our full range of dash cameras and take the first step toward 24/7 convenience and peace of mind.
1Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit use of this camera device. It is your responsibility to know and comply with applicable laws and rights to privacy in jurisdictions where you plan to use this device.
2Always-on connectivity requires an active LTE subscription. See LTE coverage area. Activate a subscription using the Garmin Drive app on your compatible smartphone.
3Certain conditions may impair the warning function; visit Garmin.com/warnings for details.
4Dash Cam Mini 3 is not GPS-enabled and will only show date and time.
5Parking mode cable may be sold separately.
6Available in English, German, Italian, Spanish, French and Swedish.
