Did you know there are 38.8 million licenced vehicles on the road in the UK? It doesn’t matter whether you’re a good driver or not because you could be undone by the sheer number of motorists. It only takes one to ruin your day and your insurance premiums!

Thankfully, the best dash cams of 2021 present an effective and affordable solution to the potential problem. With an HD camera covering your front, rear and side, you will have evidence should the worst happen. All that’s left is to figure out is which cameras are worth investing in, something this post can help you with.

Read on for our guide to the best dash cams in 2021, including the most advanced, best for all-round coverage and the easiest to use.

What are the benefits of dash cams?

The best dash cams 2021 are advanced pieces of equipment that contain the latest features. As a result, they can affect your life in a big way, which is something lots of drivers don’t understand. With that in mind, here are the top three reasons to invest in a high-definition camera.

1.    Lower insurance premiums

Insurance is the most expensive part of owning a car, after paying for the vehicle itself. Therefore, you should try and cut the costs of your yearly policy at every opportunity, and a dash cam is an ideal solution because it’s proven to lower your fees.

Think of it as having a black box in your car recording your mileage. Insurers look favourably on the best dash cameras as they will usually reveal who is at fault for an accident. That means less chance of a payout for them, should someone hit your car. Which? reports that specific companies offer as much as 15% discount if you opt for a certain brand of camera, such as Nextbase.

2.    Higher safety & security

A dash cam works in the same manner as a CCTV system. Studies highlight that thieves and burglars are less likely to target homes due to closed-circuit television set-ups boosting the odds of being identified. The same applies to dash cameras as your fellow motorists don’t want evidence of their poor driving.

Not to scare you, but some people are out to make a quick buck from your good nature and won’t hesitate to crash into you for cash. While “crash-for-cash” schemes are less prominent than a couple of years ago, they remain prevalent enough to take action. This is especially the case if you’re looking for car finance with poor credit and don’t want steep repayments.

The best dash cams of 2021 tell bad drivers and scammers that you should be avoided because you’ll have proof that the incident wasn’t your fault. Even better, you’ll have evidence they did it on purpose, which could lead to civil and criminal charges, depending on the severity of the situation.

3.    Peace of mind

Driving shouldn’t be stressful. Of course, irresponsible motorists mean you can’t help but worry. A dash camera will take your cortisol levels down a notch by giving you peace of mind. You already know the odds of a fraudster targeting you are low since they are easily recognised.

The other side of the coin is, you know that you won’t be held responsible if an unavoidable situation occurs. As long as you drive safely and follow the Highway Code, your dash camera will showcase the other person’s incompetence.

Yes, your insurance will be impacted as a result of any incident, if either party makes a claim. Still, it could be worse if they didn’t own up to their mistakes and the insurance parties couldn’t decide who is at fault. With a camera, the file means the evidence lasts until you decide to delete it.

Top 3 best dash cams 2021

1.    Nextbase 622GW – The most advanced

If you’re happy to spend a little extra for total peace of mind, the Nextbase 622GW is the best dash cam on the market in 2021 because it goes above and beyond. For example, Alexa voice control and What3Words are in-built into the camera, meaning you can execute commands without operating it manually and send a unique location if you get lost.

The video quality is superb too, with 4K capabilities that capture images and videos at 30fps on the 622GW model. It’s almost like watching a movie at a cinema or on your HD TV. This is a great feature because the footage is easy to see even when the lighting is poor, such as when you’re driving at night. Plus, Nextbase offers insurance to UK drivers, and you can get as much as 30% off if you purchase the 622GW.

2.    Viofo A129 Pro Duo – The front & rear all-rounder

The main feature of the Viofo A129 Pro Duo is the dual-recording element, which means it can run front and back cameras simultaneously. For motorists who want to cover every base, the Pro Duo is a must-have since there isn’t much you can’t record once it’s installed.

However, it’s more than a jack of all trades. Thanks to its 3840 x 2160p recording capacity, you can get images and footage in 4K at 30fps. That’s the same as the Nextbase 622GW, which is considerably more expensive. Although it doesn’t have the same fancy gadgets, it does have practical components you’ll love. For instance, the battery is powered by supercapacitors so that it lasts longer without harming performance.

Also, there is an in-built GPS tracker. That isn’t rare in dash cams, yet it doesn’t often come included as standard. With Viofo, it’s not an additional extra, unlike with its competitors. You might not have heard of the brand before, but don’t let that put you off this incredible all-rounder.

3.    Garmin Dash Cam Mini – The easiest to use

More needs to be said about dash cams in 2021 that don’t require an engineering degree to operate them. Several products are so complicated that you won’t be able to install them, even with the help of the instruction manual. The Garmin Dash Cam Mini doesn’t fall into this category, with a straightforward design from top to bottom.

Sleek enough to hide behind the rear-view mirror, you can simply attach it to the low-profile mount with no impact on your line of sight. It connects to the app via Wi-Fi to avoid the need for wires messing up your car’s dashboard. Quality-wise, there is no 4K, yet the camera does capture everything at 1080 pixels, so the footage is still in HD.

At less than £100, it’s a no-brainer for drivers who can’t be bothered with the stress that comes with modern technology but want peace of mind behind the wheel.

The right dash for your cam

Securing your car with 2021’s best dash cams is all the more satisfying when you’re driving a car you love. At My Car Credit, we make it easier than ever to find an affordable finance deal, so you can upgrade to the car of your dreams for less.

Try our car finance calculator today to get a better idea of your budget.

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