Best Dash Cams Under $100
A dash cam is one of those purchases that feels unnecessary until the one time you need the footage. Several models under $100 deliver excellent results.
A dash cam is one of those purchases that feels unnecessary until the one time you need the footage. Several models under $100 deliver excellent results.
Updated for 2026 — This article has been reviewed and updated with the latest recommendations.
A dash cam is one of those purchases that feels unnecessary until the one time you need the footage and do not have it. Insurance disputes, hit-and-run incidents, and road rage encounters all become straightforward when you have clear video evidence. The good news is that you do not need to spend hundreds of dollars to get a reliable dash cam. Several models under $100 deliver sharp video, reliable loop recording, and features that used to be reserved for premium units.
What Makes a Good Budget Dash Cam
- Video resolution: 1080p at 30fps is the minimum for usable footage. 1440p (2K) models are now available under $100 and provide noticeably sharper detail, especially for reading license plates at a distance.
- Night vision: A good image sensor (Sony Starvis sensors are the gold standard) captures usable footage in low light. Cheap sensors produce grainy, washed-out nighttime video that is nearly useless.
- Loop recording: The camera records continuously and overwrites the oldest footage when the SD card is full. Incident files are automatically locked and protected from overwriting when the G-sensor detects an impact.
- Mounting and size: A compact dash cam with a suction cup or adhesive mount sits behind the rearview mirror and stays out of your line of sight. Bulky units that hang below the mirror are distracting.
Viofo A119 Mini 2
The Viofo A119 Mini 2 ($90) is the best overall dash cam you can get under $100. It records in 2K (2560x1440) resolution with a Sony Starvis 2 sensor that produces excellent footage in both daylight and low light conditions. The camera is genuinely tiny, about the size of a thumb drive, and mounts behind the rearview mirror with a small adhesive pad. Most passengers will not even notice it.
It has built-in WiFi for reviewing and downloading clips on your phone through the Viofo app. GPS logging records your speed and location, which can be useful for insurance claims. Supports microSD cards up to 512GB. The only thing it lacks at this price is a display screen, but the app handles everything you need.
Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2
The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 ($100) sits right at the budget ceiling but earns the price with Garmin's polished app experience and rock-solid reliability. It records in 1080p with HDR, and the 140-degree field of view captures a wide swath of the road without fisheye distortion. The camera itself is one of the smallest available and practically disappears behind the mirror.
Garmin's voice control lets you save clips hands-free by saying the wake command, which is useful in sudden incidents. Cloud connectivity via the Garmin Drive app stores clips to your phone automatically when connected to WiFi. Build quality is excellent and the adhesive mount holds firm through temperature extremes.
Vantrue N1 Pro 2
The Vantrue N1 Pro 2 ($80) is a strong option if you want a dash cam with a built-in display. The 1.5-inch LCD screen lets you review footage directly on the camera without needing a phone. It records in 2K resolution and includes a Sony Starvis sensor for solid night performance.
The 24-hour parking mode is activated by the G-sensor and records short clips when it detects motion or impact while the car is parked. Note that parking mode requires either a hardwire kit ($15 to $20 extra) or a dedicated dash cam battery pack to keep the camera powered while the car is off. Supports microSD cards up to 256GB.
Rexing V1
At $55, the Rexing V1 is the best option for anyone who just wants basic, reliable dash cam coverage without spending much. It records in 1080p with a 170-degree wide-angle lens and includes a 2.4-inch display, G-sensor, and loop recording. Night footage is acceptable but noticeably softer than the Viofo or Garmin.
It does not have WiFi, so you pull the SD card and plug it into a computer to review footage. That is a minor inconvenience for the price savings. The Rexing V1 has been on the market for years and has a track record of reliability that newer budget brands cannot match.
Nexar Beam
The Nexar Beam ($70) pairs with the Nexar app for a smooth smartphone experience. It records in 1080p and automatically uploads incident clips to free unlimited cloud storage through the app. That cloud storage is the standout feature here. If your car is broken into and the camera is stolen, you still have the footage.
The camera has a compact design and adhesive mount. Video quality in daylight is good, and the app experience is one of the best in the budget category. Night performance is average, not bad but not on par with the Sony Starvis sensor in the Viofo. The free cloud storage makes this worth considering if off-site backup matters to you.
Installation Tips
Mount the camera behind the rearview mirror so it does not block your view. Run the power cable along the headliner and down the A-pillar to the 12V outlet or USB port. Most dash cams come with a long enough cable to route it cleanly. Tuck the cable into the headliner gap with a trim removal tool or a credit card. It takes about 15 minutes and gives you a clean, professional-looking installation.
Buy a dedicated high-endurance microSD card. Regular SD cards are not designed for continuous write cycles and will fail quickly in a dash cam. The Samsung PRO Endurance ($15 for 128GB) or SanDisk MAX Endurance ($18 for 128GB) are made specifically for this use case and last significantly longer.
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