► Mini dashcams: all you need to know and how they work
► Examples from top brands tried and tested by CAR’s product experts
► See our winners and our top tips for dashcam use
Mini dashcams are much like your full-size dashcam counterparts, only smaller and boast inconspicuous profiles. They also come with limited capabilities beyond their primary function and offer lower-than-average price tags. We’ve also made a guide on budget dashcams for those who don’t want to break the bank.
There is no wrong time to up the security on your vehicle. In 2023, the National Dashcam Safety Portal (NDCSP) reported that around 70% of dashcam submissions it received were followed by police action. This ranges from dangerous driving to accidents.
The best mini dashcams at a glance:
A good dual dashcam will allow you to monitor your driving but can also provide court evidence should you become embroiled in a legal dispute. While most modern dashcams come equipped with a myriad of sensors, loaded with technology to provide you with as much information as you could ever need, mini dashcams are designed to simply film the road.
Without all the extra technology onboard, mini dashcams are very small and light. Their modest profile makes them easier to take down and then reapply, which is especially advantageous if you want to remove tech to lower the chance of break-ins. For those who are security conscious, mirror dashcams are also a great, discreet option.
How we tested mini dashcams
Each of these mini dashcams was tested thoroughly, exploring all features and embarking on short and lengthy journeys to try the units out in a variety of lighting and road conditions. We installed them loosely for the purposes of testing, but keep in mind that when purchasing you may want to think about tucking the wires into the cabin panels and hardwiring the system.
Garmin Mini 2 Dashcam
The best mini dashcam
Pros
• It can easily hide next to the rear-view mirror or even behind it
• Great build quality and features for its size and price
• Good field of view at 140-degrees wide
Cons
• 1080p recording resolution isn’t the best in class
It’s so discreet, that you may forget the Garmin Mini 2 is even there. It’s a lesson to many competitors in dashcam packaging, yet still boasts a 1080p recording resolution and a 140-degree viewing angle.
I’ve been using the Mini 2 for over a year, and its unobtrusive nature is what’s especially impressed me. It doesn’t distract the driver, and still does all the usual dashcam admin in a very quiet and efficient manner. It’s a fabulous device for those who value minimalism and de-cluttering their cabin.
As for the app, it’s quite bare-bones and some features wouldn’t go amiss, but it’s intuitive enough for what the Mini 2 represents. The loop recording is automatic, and you get a handy beep reminder if you happen to be slightly forgetful.
Review by Naveed Hussain
Specifications
• Dimensions: 5.3 x 3.1 x 2.1 cm
• Weight: 35g
• Resolution: 1080p
• GPS: No
• Parking mode: Yes
• Viewing angle: 140-degrees
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Nextbase Piqo 2K
Editor’s pick
Pros:
- Can sit snugly behind the rear-view mirror
- Records in fairly decent quality, albeit you can get 4K dashcams for the money now
- Pretty good value for money, especially the entry-level 1K device
Cons:
- Setting it up was fiddlier and more frustrating that it should’ve been
The Nextbase Piqo 2K is designed for those who want outright simplicity and value in a dashcam. As someone who neatly fits into that category, I was curious to check it out and see whether it really meets the brief.
Let’s get the negatives out the way: it took a while to pair up to the app on my phone. It shouldn’t do so according to the instructions, and I followed every step down to the device’s chimes. But it was slow to react, and this became quite annoying when I had to go through the same fiddly process multiple times on each journey.
Happily however, it’s only positives from there; it records in 1440p (2K) which is enough for a device its size and price point. You can read the road and numberplates well enough, and you shouldn’t have issues doing so from a moderate distance.
It’s also very discreet, which I love. I’m not a fan of dashcams taking a huge portion of the windscreen, so the fact I could practically hide the Piqo behind the rear-view mirror scores big points for me. Would I opt for one with my own money? Only if the setting up bugs get fixed first, because that was a bit of a throw-off for me. Everything else, though, is really rather excellent.
Read our full review of the Nextbase Piqo here.
Review by Aaron Hussain
Specifications
• Dimensions: 10.8 x 4 x 3.2cm
• Weight: 240g
• Resolution: 1440p
• GPS: Yes
• Parking mode: Yes
• Viewing angle: 145-degrees
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Vantrue E1 Dashcam
The best mini dashcam for storage
Pros
• Highly capable, including 512GB of storage and 1440p recording resolution
• Unobtrusive thanks to its compact size (14.3 x 7.1 x 13.4cm)
• Voice/remote control integrated within
Cons
• If you’re after a display, you may as well opt for a bigger model
With a mighty 4K recording resolution and a 158-degree viewing angle, the Vantrue E1 Pro has a lot of bases covered for high quality dashcamming at a competitive price point.
The video footage was undeniably clear. No glistening of sunlight or glare could stop the E1 Pro and even at higher speeds, the video still remained stable and the rich colours stayed strong. It’s also easy to install, thanks to a lot of provided kit – which even includes some cable clips. So, if you want a de-cluttered, wire-free cabin, this is the way to go.
You don’t even have to make an account for the app to access the driving data and all the other features. It was easy to pair up my phone to it, and I found that most of the time, the on-screen speed was accurate.
Driving over bumps of almost any size caused the camera to register it as a incident and take a photo. It is comforting to know the E1 Pro is actively detecting incidents but I would say the sensitivity is a little too high. When you consider the fact it’s a 4K dashcam for nearly the same price as the Piqo, it’s very competitive and offers decent value for money – though a dual dashcam could be had for similar cash.
Review by Naveed Hussain
Specifications
• Dimensions: 14.3 x 7.1 x 13.4cm
• Weight: 613g
• Resolution: 2.7K
• GPS: Voice control
• Parking mode: Yes
• Viewing angle: 160-degrees
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70mai Dashcam Omni 360
The quirkiest mini dashcam
Pros
• 360-degree swivel is clever and gives a better field of view while parked
• Large 128GB worth of storage for clips and data
• Comes with a host of features, including 24-hour parking mode and built-in GPS
Cons
• Not quite as discreet as some will want
• Rear view won’t match that of a dedicated rear-facing cam
One of the relative newcomers to the mini dashcam world is from 70mai. The Omni 360 comes with 128GB worth of storage, 1080p recording resolution, a 24-hour parking mode, and, most notably, a 360-degree recording view. Simply put, it swivels around if it detects motion when parked up, keeping an eye on the individual in question. It can record suspicious activity for 30 seconds, should it detect it.
The curved LCD screen displays the time as a default, which is rather neat. It records in 4K with a Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 sensor (front), which means you can get up to 60FPS from front-view recording.
I found traffic lights to flicker on test, but everything else seems very smooth with no signs of any weaknesses. It records very nicely at night, too, thanks to the seven-layer lens.
Setting up the Omni was a piece of cake, too. The app itself is more intuitive than competitors and it comes with electrostatic stickers which makes removing the unit nice and easy without leaving any marks to the windscreen. Overall, I’m impressed by the quality and performance of the Omni. The rotating aspect is a bit of a gimmick, but the general package is simply brilliant.
Review by Naveed Hussain
Specifications
• Dimensions: 5.2 x 5.2 x 9.3 cm
• Weight: 500g
• Resolution: 1080p
• GPS: Yes
• Parking mode: Yes
• Viewing angle: 360-degree
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Nextbase 122
The best simple mini dashcam
Pros
• Highly capable with a G-Sensor, parking mode, and discreet design
• Great build quality and features for the money
• Menu and interface is simple to use, as per the brand’s other models in this series
Cons
• Narrower viewing angle than the rest at 120 degrees
• Recording quality falls a bit shorter than the others at 720p
While it may be the baby of the Nextbase Dashcam range, the 122 model is still packed with tricks and features to elevate your driving experience. It’s only 8cm wide, 4.4cm tall and 100g, yet this camera can still film in 720p HD video with night vision and a photo mode function.
It has a parking mode for rolling cover while stationary and automatically starts with your vehicle for added convenience. It even packs a 2.0-inch LCD screen.
Specifications
• Dimensions: 4.4 x 8 x 2.5 cm
• Weight: 100g
• Resolution: 720p
• GPS: No
• Parking mode: Yes
• Viewing angle: 120-degrees
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Road Angel Halo Drive
The best (build) quality mini dashcam
Pros
• Great quality 1440p recording resolution for the money
• 140 degree wide camera angle, makes visibility good
• A host of useful features, including winter mode and G-Sensor
Cons
• Not that much different from Halo Go, despite the price increase
Road Angel’s step up in the range from the popular Halo Go is the Halo Drive. This 2K front-facing dashcam is pretty much the same compact size as the Go, but is a little more comprehensively equipped.
Most notably, it has a slightly better video resolution of 1440p rather than 1080p. But it still has all the same features that made the Halo Go a popular item, including a winter mode, G-Sensor, motion detection, parking, and night mode all built-in to this compact little machine.
Specifications
• Dimensions: 7 x 14 x 11cm
• Weight: 70g
• Resolution: 1440p
• GPS: No
• Parking mode: Yes
• Viewing angle: 140-degrees
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Road Angel Halo Go Full HD Dashcam
The best value mini dashcam
Pros
• Loaded with clever features such as winter mode and G-Sensor
• Great build quality and crisp design
• 24-hour parking mode integrated, which is handy
Cons
• Not quite as inconspicuous as the Garmin
The Halo Go mini dashcam from Road Angel is a sterling example of how small and indiscreet dashcams can be, although the Halo Drive trumps it in a few areas. The Go shoots in 1080P HD with a maximum aperture rating of f/1.8, and also boasts a few more features.
Despite its relatively small profile and indiscreet presence, this dashcam can record audio, boasts a parking mode function, and includes night vision sensors for quality low-light footage. Impressive qualities, given that it’s only 8.7cm long and only 3cm wide.
Specifications
• Dimensions: 4.3 x 8.7 x 3 cm
• Weight: 70g
• Resolution: 1080p
• GPS: No
• Parking mode: Yes
• Viewing angle: 140-degrees
Click below for great deals
FAQs and what to consider with mini dashcams?
How much should I spend on a mini dashcam?+
First and foremost, mini dashcams shouldn't cost you as much as a fully comprehensive one. They're more compact and subsequently have fewer features than, say, a high-tech dashcam. As outlined in the above, there are plenty of options that don't cost the earth and can be had for well under £100.
Is a mini dashcam worth it?+
One of the USPs of mini dashcams is their discreetness. Usually, the smaller, the better, as they don't tend to get noticed as easily as something like a full-size Wi-Fi dashcam. So, if you are security-conscious when leaving your car unattended, a small and well-disguised mini dashcam shouldn't attract too much attention.
Furthermore, lots of dashcams are packed with features. But mini versions and indeed those cams less than £100 are generally less well equipped. If you fancy things like G-Sensors, parking modes, and Wi-Fi connectivity, then a full-size cam will probably suit you better.
What are the downsides of mini dashcams?+
Generally speaking, if you want a well-equipped cam with the highest recording quality (such as 4K) and all the features, a mini dashcam will struggle to meet all of those criteria. If that is what is important to you, you're better off stretching your budget and looking at more premium options, such as the Nextbase 622GW, Road Angel Halo Ultra, and more.
Are mini dashcams easier to install?+
Yes, mini dashcams are generally smaller than full-sized dashcams so they're easier to install, and can hide behind the interior mirror quite easily. That means the driver's view is unobstructed so you can focus on the road ahead. You can connect your mini dashcam to your car's cigarette lighter, USB charging port, the OBD2 port, or even hardwire it in - the choice is yours.
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