The best dash cams in Australia for 2025 will keep you safer on the road
A dash cam will record your driving, giving you valuable evidence if you end up in an accident. Here are some of the best models in Australia.
No matter how well you drive, hopping behind the wheel is always dangerous. Having one of the best dash cams in Australia can offer you peace of mind and security, in the case you end up having an accident.
The dash cam category is rapidly evolving. A few years ago, a simple camera mounted to your front window recording forward-facing footage was all you could expect from the in-car devices.
Today though, models can record front and rear-facing footage, as well as footage inside the car.
Some models can track your location with GPS, and some will even alert you if it detects a collision, so you can hopefully avoid it in time.
If you are involved in an accident, footage from a dash cam can help provide evidence of fault, while some top of the line models will even contact emergency services.
What to look for when choosing the best dash cam in Australia
Whether you’re after one of the models listed above or something completely different, the factors you need to consider when buying dash cams are the same.
Image quality
At a bare minimum, you want to buy a dash cam that records in 1080p high definition, though the best models will record up to 4K.
But just as important as resolution is the frame rate. Look for a device that records at 30 frames per second, as a combination of HD resolution and this frame rate should mean clear images that can be used as evidence.
It’s also worth considering the field of view, which is just how much of the view in front of the car the dash cam can record. A larger field of view means you’ll be able to see more on the recordings.
Also look for the ability to shoot at night. That could be a dedicated night mode, which records high contrast footage in black and white, or simply a wider aperture to let in more light in dark environments.
Footage recording storage
Before you buy a dash cam, check how it records its footage. Does it store it on a limited amount on inbuilt storage? Or does it accept MicroSD cards.
More importantly look for loop recording functionality, that will automatically record over older footage when it runs out of space.
Importantly, you want your dash cam to automatically save and protect any footage from incidents, so the loop recording doesn’t delete it accidentally.
Some models offer cloud backup, which is nice to have, though watch for any additional fees involved there.
Mounting type and power
Many of the best dash cams are plug and play, using your car’s 9V point and a suction cup to mount to your windscreen.
There are options though. Some models attach permanently via adhesive to your windscreen or dashboard.
Others can be professionally installed, which is particularly useful if you want a rear camera connected as well.
Built in display
A display isn’t necessary for a dash cam, though it can make setting up easier, as you can line up what the camera can see more easily.
Some models with a screen will also use that screen for alerts, whether it’s an incoming impact or simply that traffic has moved off ahead of you.
Impact detection
If you want your dash cam to do more than just record footage, impact detection is going to be a key feature on your wishlist.
Not only does it enable the camera to automatically save and protect video files of the incident when you’re driving, but it typically supports recording an impact even when you aren’t in the car.
This means you have peace of mind for times someone dings your car at the shops.
GPS
While there are dash cam models that double as dedicated satnav devices, the key benefit of having integrated GPS in your dash cam is for emergency situations.
Top of the line models can automatically call emergency services if you are in an accident and don’t respond afterwards, sending your location to make it easier for the ambulance to find you.
Price
Cheap dash cams start for as little as $50, though expect a good quality model to set you back at least $200-300.
A premium model could cost more than $500.
Once you have the base camera on your dash, you could also consider expanding it with a rear-mounted camera if it allows for dual recording.
