Updated on July 29, 2023
Dash cams come in all shapes, sizes, and prices. Not every consumer wants to pay $150+ for a dash cam with all the bells and whistles. For some people, a camera that has simple recording and perhaps a parking monitor function is enough. If you’re one of these types of consumers, then this article is for you. Take a look at our roundup of the best budget dash cams on the market right now in 2023.
Top 5 Budget Dash Cams Compared
| Brand / Model | Display | View Angle | GPS | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70mai True | 2" | 140° | Yes | 3.15 x 3.94 x 2.76" |
| Rexing V1 | 2.4" | 170° | Optional | 6.6 x 5 x 3.4" |
| TOGUARD Backup Camera | 5" | 170° | No | 11.8 x 3 x 0.3" |
| Anker Roav A1 | 2.5" | 145° | No | 3.3 x 2.2 x 1.4" |
| Crosstour CR300 | 3" | 170° | No | 3.5 x 2.05 x 1.38" |
Cheap Dash Cam Reviews
70mai True
The 70mai True dashcam is not just another fancy recording device. The coolest thing about the camera its innovative lane departure warning system. Many times throughout the night (or day) people are guilty of sleeping at the wheel. They never realize that they have departed from a lane and are unknowingly driving dangerously either over a lane marker or straight towards a divider or even a curb, thus putting themselves and the lives of other drivers on the road (or even pedestrians at risk). The lane departure system alerts the driver when that happens. It is also equipped with almost all of the latest and greatest technologies that are the hallmark of an effective in-car camera system. It has a g-sensor and memory lock features as described above, and it records videos at full HD resolution at a frame rate of 60 fps.
A good sized 2 LCD screen and a 140-degree wide-angle view could put this on par with some of the better cameras out there, especially considering it has built-in wifi which can be used with Android and Apple apps in their respective marketplaces. The only downside in our opinion is that it lacks GPS, but if you’re OK with that, the 70mai True is on paper, arguably the best cheap dash cam for cars and trucks out of the 5 here.
Rexing V1
The Rexing V1 with its 2.4 inch TFT LCD screen and high definition 1080p recording is a very impressive yet low-cost dash cam. This one has a near fisheye angle of coverage of 170 degrees which is a great bonus when compared to its peers in this price range. It is capable of handling 128 GB Micro SDCard and recording at full HD resolution, something that gives you an ample amount of detail when you want to project and or defend your case against a bogus claim.
It comes with standard G sensor shock identification and memory lock feature, which locks a video being recorded at the time of the accident in the memory card. It’s not exactly the smallest, but in our opinion possibly still considered the best cheap dash cam for the money paid and from a reputable manufacturer too.
TOGUARD Backup Camera
Also known as a rear view mirror dash cam, a dual-lens fitted device has a considerable edge over their single-lens rivals. This is because they can keep one eye on the front and one at the back of the vehicle. This is an incredible advantage when you come to think of it. When your vehicle gets hit from behind for no fault of yours, you have a video recording to prove your case that the other vehicle was speeding and couldn’t control its speed when it needed to stop. The Toguard dash cam is one such model that comes with two cameras. One offers you a resolution of 1080p, whilst the other has a resolution of 480p. The lens on the front has an angle of coverage of 170 degrees. The large 5” display window doubles up as a normal rear view mirror.
It comes with what is known as a picture-in-picture feature, which means the dual recordings are projected onto the screen simultaneously. Additionally, the system comes with a motion detection feature that is not available in many of the other devices in its price range. Overall this is a great concept, one which works and is popular for its clutter-free design; there aren’t many of these around, which makes this one a leader for now.
Anker Roav A1
The Anker Roav A1 is another excellent top-rated dash cam system for the money paid. It comes with a viewing angle of 145 degrees lens coverage; at that viewing angle, almost all of the view from left A-pillar to right A-pillar can be easily recorded, though not quite 170 degrees like its expensive peers, 145 still suffices for most with a very good road coverage. The built-in lens comes with excellent night vision functionality too. The impressive chipset (Sony IMX323) and lens with WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) capabilities are very handy in order to create a high contrast crisp video recording whether day or night.
Featuring above-standard options such as WIFI, Suction mount, dedicated app, G-Sensor, cyclic recording, memory lock, and an FHD LCD screen, apart from the lack of GPS there isn’t much to fault with this one.
Crosstour CR300
Each car DVR on this list of 5 has some sort of a special feature, whether it’s a dual lens, built-in GPS, or wide-angle view. In this case, the Crosstour CR300 is probably the best cheap dash cam not only in the budget range but competes closely behind others in its class above. A great all-rounder, you get two recording frame rates with the Crosstour; either shoot in 1080p at 30 fps or 720p at 60 fps. The system also has LED night vision technology as well as the option to detect and record movements.
Also featuring loop recording and a built-in g-sensor with memory lock, it has a much-improved heat resistance compared to many of the other systems that we have reviewed too. With a generous 3 inches of 16:9 TFT LCD screen and a massive 170-degree viewing angle, the only thing this lacks is Wi-Fi functionality and an included Micro SD Card. In fact, it may be a cheap dash cam but has too many features to list.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a low-cost dash cam on the market in 2023, any of the above would be a great option. You have a wide choice among the 5, ranging from rearview mirror design, 1080P Full HD, small and compact design, or those featuring WIFI and Smartphone integration. Most are similarly priced, so really, the choice is yours.
However, if we had to choose one, it would be the 70mai True. It is packed with features and offers a high-quality image of the road ahead at a very competitive price.
With more than 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, Ash possesses a deep understanding of the diverse needs and challenges faced by drivers on the road. His relentless commitment to road safety and ongoing research is fueled by a genuine desire to create safer environments for all drivers.
