Best Dash Cam Under $100: What to Look For

You do not need to spend $300 to get a dash cam that does its job. Under $100 you can get front and rear recording, night vision and app access. What separates a good budget dash cam from a frustrating one is a short list of things, and most of them are easy to check before you buy.

What you should get under $100

1. Front and rear recording

Many collisions, especially in traffic and parking lots, come from behind. A front-only camera misses them. Look for a two-camera kit with a rear camera that mounts on the rear window.

2. Sharp front footage

The detail that matters most after an accident is often a license plate. Higher resolution on the front camera gives you a better chance of reading it, especially at a distance. 4K up front is now available at this price.

3. Footage you can use at night

A lot of incidents happen after dark. Check that the camera is designed for low light, and look at sample night footage if the seller shows it.

4. Loop recording

The camera should record continuously and overwrite the oldest clips when the card is full, so you never have to clear it by hand.

5. A way to get clips onto your phone

If you have to pull the card out and find a computer, you will not do it at the side of the road. Wi-Fi with a phone app lets you save the clip on the spot.

6. No subscription

Some dash cams lock clip access or cloud storage behind a monthly fee. For most drivers, local storage on a microSD card plus a free app is all you need. We explain the trade-offs in do you need a dash cam subscription.

What you can skip paying extra for

• A built-in screen is nice for setup, but your phone does the same job through the app.
• GPS adds speed and location to your clips. It can help in some disputes, but most people never use it.
• Cloud plans add a monthly cost for features most drivers do not need.

What to check before you buy

• Is the memory card included? Many cameras ship without one. Check the maximum size the camera supports.
• How does it get power? A USB-C or 12V plug is the easiest setup. Parking mode usually needs a separate hardwire kit.
• Return policy and warranty. A camera you cannot return is a gamble. Look for at least 30 days to return and a 1-year warranty.
• Who answers support? A real email address and a US base make a difference when something goes wrong.

Where the Dashnox eCam fits

The Dashnox eCam is built for this checklist: 4K front and 1080p rear, night vision, loop recording, Wi-Fi with a free app and no subscription. It plugs into a USB or 12V socket, and most drivers have it running in about 5 minutes. It does not have GPS or a screen. You add a microSD card (up to 128GB), and for 24/7 recording while parked there is an optional Parking Kit. It ships free from Florida with a 60-day money-back guarantee and a 1-year warranty.

Want a full walkthrough of the features that matter? Read our front and rear dash cam buying guide.