If you’re shopping for a dashcam that delivers solid performance without breaking the bank, this real-world test and review will help you make the right call.
A recent hands-on test compared 11 popular dashcams under various lighting and driving conditions. The evaluation included scenarios like driving into sunset glare, reading license plates, and capturing signs at night — real challenges that cheap dashcams often fail to handle.
Let’s break down the testing results, and look at the top 3 recommended models in detail.
🧪 Real-World Testing Categories
This real-world testing was performed by “Project Farm” YouTuber.
Each dashcam was tested and rated across six everyday driving scenarios:
| Test Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Sunset Light Exposure | How well the cam handles bright, direct sunlight |
| License Plate Readability (Sunset) | Distance at which license plates are readable |
| Road Sign Sharpness (Sunset) | Clarity of road signs during low-angle sunlight |
| Additional Sign Sharpness | Accuracy in reading signs further from camera |
| Night Vision (Street Sign) | Ability to read common street signs at night |
| Night Vision (Digital/Lightbox Sign) | Clarity in capturing LED displays or backlit signage |
Each test was rated from 1 (Excellent) to 5 (Poor). Lower is better.
Dashcam Comparison Table
| Brand (Price) | Price | Light Exposure (Sunset) | Plate Readability (feet) | Sign Sharpness (Sunset) | Sign Sharpness (Extra) | Night Vision (Street) | Night Vision (Lightbox) | Avg. Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIOFO | $114 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1.3 |
| REDTIGER | $100 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2.2 |
| COOLCRAZY | $90 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2.7 |
| Wolfbox | $114 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2.8 |
| ROVE R2 | $100 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3.0 |
| PRUVEEO | $120 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 6.7 |
| ARIFAYZ | $30 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6.8 |
| OVAMAN | $65 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7.0 |
| V300 | $22 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7.7 |
| Miden | $40 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9.0 |
| E-YEEGER | $45 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 9.0 |
Notes:
– Lower values in the score columns are better (1 = Excellent, 5+ = Poor).
– “Sign Sharpness (Extra)” refers to clarity of signs like “Main” and “Peculiar”.
– “Lightbox” refers to night visibility of digital/illuminated signs.
🥇 Top 3 Dashcams – Ranked by Average Score
| Rank | Brand | Price | Avg. Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | VIOFO | $114 | 1.3 |
| 2️⃣ | REDTIGER | $100 | 2.2 |
| 3️⃣ | COOLCRAZY | $90 | 2.7 |
These dashcams showed great balance across all test categories, with VIOFO clearly standing out.
🔧 Detailed Specs of the Top 3
1. VIOFO A119 V3 – Best Overall Performance
- Resolution: 2560×1440P @30fps or 1080P @60fps
- Lens: 140° FOV, F1.6 aperture
- Screen: 2.0” LCD
- GPS: Built-in
- Wi-Fi: ❌
- Storage: Up to 256GB microSD
- Bonus: Advanced parking mode, G-sensor, loop recording
✅ Best for: crystal-clear video day & night, reliable GPS logging, compact setup.
2. REDTIGER F7N – Feature-Packed Dual Cam
- Resolution: Front: 4K / Rear: 1080P
- Lens: 170° FOV
- Screen: 3.18” IPS Touchscreen
- GPS & Wi-Fi: Built-in
- Bonus: Voice control, STARVIS sensor, includes 128GB card
✅ Best for: dual-channel recording, easy mobile access, night vision clarity.
3. COOLCRAZY Dash Cam – Budget-Friendly Performer
- Resolution: Full HD 1080P (estimated)
- Wi-Fi: Not confirmed
- Night Vision: Basic
- Storage: Typically supports 64–128GB
✅ Best for: entry-level users, basic dashcam needs under $100.
⚠️ Detailed specs are less available than other models, but test results show it’s reliable in key scenarios.
🚫 What to Avoid?
Some ultra-budget models (under $50) ranked poorly:
– E-YEEGER ($45) – Avg score: 9.0
– Miden ($40) – Avg score: 8.0
– V300 ($22) – Avg score: 7.0
These cams had difficulty with basic tasks like plate reading and night vision. Spend a little more and get drastically better results.
✅ Final Recommendation
If you want the best all-around performance:
🎯 Go with VIOFO A119 V3 – it excels in sunlight, plate reading, and night vision.
If you want dual-camera support with a touchscreen, REDTIGER F7N is a strong contender.
For a tight budget, COOLCRAZY delivers decent value — but beware of going too cheap.