Car theft rates in the US have seen a more or less steady decrease over the last three decades, standing at a staggering rate of almost 658 vehicles per 100,000 people back in 1990.
The rates may be better now, but the threat is still as present as ever, meaning now is as good a time as any to consider investing in a car security camera.
Learn about the importance of having security for cars, and discover our five favorite car security cameras, including dash cameras.
Table of Contents
Top 5 Best Car Security Cameras
When it comes to determining the best car cameras for security, discreteness really is the first priority vehicle owners should be concerned about. Below, discover some of the best car security cameras for subtle, versatile vehicle surveillance.
Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2
Best wireless car security camera
Available on Garmin. From $129.99.
Pros
- Highly discreet
- Incident detection saves video from before, during, and after the event
- Voice control makes it easy to operate while driving
Cons
- A microSD card is required for use
- Parking Guard needs a Constant Power Cable, sold separately
Of Garmin’s excellent line of dash cameras, the Dash Cam Mini is the most discreet. It’s about the size of a car key, and attaches unobtrusively to the dashboard, mirror, or windshield without attracting any attention.
Don’t let its size deceive you: this is a powerful device that can record up to 1080p within a 140-degree view. Motion detection push notifications alert you to incidents via a linked device, voice control makes it easy to control hands free and safely, and the microSD card slot allows users to save footage physically.
Key Specifications
- 1080p HD
- 140-degree field of view
- Voice control
- Parking Guard G sensor
- microSD card required
What is a G sensor?
A G sensor is an accelerometer found in dash cams. They register vibrations, so that the dash cam can notify the user if someone is tampering with the vehicle or if there is a collision while the vehicle is left stationary. The G sensor can trigger the camera to start recording.
Garmin Dash Cam Tandem
Best dual camera dash cam
Available on Garmin. From $299.99.
Pros
- Super wide field-of-view captures everything needed
- NightGlo works well to illuminate car interior footage
- Voice commands
Cons
- Expensive
- No LTE mobile data
Another great entry into Garmin’s line is the Tandem. Featuring two cameras instead of one, it allows for the recording of footage both outside and inside the car, making it particularly useful in contents-theft situations.
Each lens boasts a 180-degree field of view and up to 1440p HD video, while the interior lens’ night vision feature allows for capturing up to 720p video in darkness. Like the Mini, expect voice commands and weatherproofing. Unlike the Mini, expect a significantly larger price tag!
Key Specifications
- Dual-facing cameras
- 1440p HD (front-facing)
- 720p HD (interior)
- 180-degree field of view
- NightGlo night vision
- Voice control
- Parking Guard G sensor
- microSD card required
Recommended reading: Why You Need Night Vision for Your Car
Ring Car Cam
Best 4G data dash cam
Available on Ring, BestBuy, Amazon. RRP $249.99.
Pros
- Dual-facing camera views interior and exterior
- GPS tracking for missing vehicles
- Sensors allow it to alert linked devices if car is tampered with
Cons
- Expensive
- Teething issues upon launch
Amazon-owned Ring is well-regarded for its popular range of smart home security products. The Ring Car Cam, a dual dash cam that records everything inside and outside the vehicle, arrived in 2023.
Something absent from many car cameras is mobile LTE data support, which the Car Cam addresses. It allows users to transmit video from virtually anywhere using a SIM card. This means that the live feed is useful even when Wi-Fi isn’t available. In the event that the car is stolen, the Ring Car Cam will be able to track its location.
Otherwise, it’s much like a security camera, with 1080p HD video resolution, night vision, and two-way talk. This does make for a pretty advanced security camera for the car, but the price tag might put some people off.
Key Specifications
- Dual-facing 1080p HD
- Motion detection
- Push notifications
- Wi-Fi and LTE connectivity
- GPS
- Two-way talk
- G sensor
- Privacy covers
AREBI Spy Camera (4K)
Best hidden car camera surveillance
Available on Amazon. From $59.97.
Pros
- Impressively crisp, clear image
- Tiny size makes it super discreet
- Can be used wired or wire-free
Cons
- No G sensor features found in dash cams
- No audio/voice control
By far the smallest of the bunch, AREBI’s spy camera is a charming little cube designed for use in the home. Naturally, being about two inches large, it would also make for a nifty in-car security camera for drivers that just want car security as opposed to outward facing dash cams.
Claiming to be the world’s smallest camera with a built-in PIR motion sensor, the AREBI Spy Camera captures up to 4K HD video with a 160-degree field of view with a long-lasting battery life (between 3 to 10 days on a single charge in low-power mode).
Speaking of which, be sure to check out our article on security cameras without Wi-Fi if you’re on the lookout for internet-free security.
Key Specifications
- 4K video resolution
- 160-degree field of view
- 4-10 day battery life in motion mode
- microSD card support
- IR night vision
- Push notifications
AlfredCamera
Best cheap car camera
Available from the App Store and Google Play Store. Free, with the option for premium.
Pros
- Free, with option for premium
- No hardware security cameras required
- Unlimited number of camera devices can be used at no additional cost
Cons
- Capabilities limited by the hardware of the device it is installed on
- No infrared night vision
One way to get around the issue of most ‘spy’ and dash cameras not providing mobile LTE data support is to instead use an old phone. By installing AlfredCamera to an old smart device, it can be transformed into a fully functioning security camera that can be attached to the windshield or dashboard via a dashboard mount.
With AlfredCamera, users receive motion detection-enabled push notifications and can livestream footage straight to a paired device. The low-light filter is also particularly useful for monitoring the interior of a vehicle in relative darkness.
Key Specifications
- Live feeds
- Motion detection
- Continuous recording
- Push notifications
- Low-light mode
- Two-way audio
- 7-day free cloud storage
Or consider getting the hardware version AlfredCam which takes your in-car security experience to the next level.
“This is a review video for the AlfredCam made by the AlfredCamera company. I’m using it as a dash cam, but it’s intended to be an indoor camera. Testing it out for the first time! Hands-on review.”
Safely Using Your Phone For Car Security
Camera is pointed right at my vehicle – when someone slashed my tires, I was able to confront them about it and press charges.
AlfredCamera user
While AlfredCamera can be of use as an in car security camera, it is best to hide or remove the phone when no one is occupying the vehicle.
That being said, a more useful way to use AlfredCamera is to have a device pointing out the window of the home with a direct view of parked vehicles. That way, Alfred can keep a trained eye on stationary cars 24/7.
Well at our house, we can’t live without Alfred! Nightly here in California, we use our old smart devices as security cameras in every window of our home!! I’ll tell anyone who asks about security cameras and or surveillance stuff, don’t waste your money or time, just use Alfred! We can park our cars on the street or in the driveway even if we forget to lock em.. we’re safe with Alfred. Motion activated video recording with live event notifications, plus use an alarm and the option to talk to the perpetrator through your devices, is amazing! Try it out.. you won’t be disappointed.
AlfredCamera User
Want more powerful security than what a phone can offer? Meet AlfredCam, the first hardware security camera designed for use with AlfredCamera.
What are the Disadvantages of Dash Cams? Common Concerns
Like any security measure, there are some downsides to dash cams. Below, find answers to the most common concerns people have about dash cams.
1. Will a dash cam drain my car battery?
Dash cams are usually powered by the auxiliary power outlet (more commonly referred to as a cigarette lighter), although newer cars may also support USB charging. Either way, they derive power from the car battery.
The power consumed by dash cams is minimal, but leaving a dash cam on when the car is parked will slowly drain the battery. When at home, use a security camera to observe the parked car from a vantage point rather than leaving the dash cam on 24/7.
2. How do I make my dash cam always on?
Dash cams usually have a ‘parking mode’, which leaves the device on when the vehicle is off. But if it is powered by the car battery, it will eventually drain the car’s battery if left on permanently. If using for several hours at a time, make sure to enable low-power mode if the model supports it.
3. Should I leave my dash cam in my car overnight?
Unless the dash cam is particularly discreet, get into the habit of removing it from the car overnight. When out and about and leaving the car in a parking lot, put the cam into parking mode to protect it.
4. How many hours can a car camera record?
Car cameras can record any number of hours of footage depending on the size of the microSD card, whether an internet connection is available to upload cloud footage, and so on.
While the car is moving, have the dash cam facing the road record continuously. For cameras viewing the car while it is stationary, consider enabling motion detection to save memory and get relevant notifications.
5. Can dash cams see inside the car?
Dash cams can’t necessarily see inside cars. Single-lens dash cams are designed to view the road out of the windshield. Dual-lens dash cams have a camera lens either side of the unit, so that it views both the interior and the exterior of the car. The latter is more useful for securing the contents of the car as well as capturing footage on the road.
How to Monitor Your Car While Parked
Though cameras for car security are no doubt beneficial, they may have the complete opposite effect of their intended purpose: attracting thieves looking to steal the contents of a car.
That’s why it is important to be discreet about camera placement and choose cameras that are small.
Likewise, in car security cameras are favorable over external cameras, including car surveillance cameras that are 360 degrees, since these overtly protrude from the top of the vehicle and are easy to steal. Modern vehicles sometimes come with built-in 360 car cameras that are completely undetectable, and therefore can’t be stolen from the car.
Conclusion
In car security cameras are beneficial for recording footage during an accident or emergency, but it’s just as important to have cameras viewing the entirety of the vehicle when cars are parked outside the home.
The good news is that there are plenty of inexpensive options for both internal and external cameras, including AlfredCamera, as well as other security devices that further increase its security.
Recommended reading:
8 Best and Worst Places to Hide Your Spare Car Keys
Protect Your Vehicle From Auto Theft with These 6 Car Security Tips
How To Find A Stolen Car in 3 Steps
Why You Need Night Vision for Your Car
Another Car Blocking Your Driveway? Here’s What To Do