Here at EducatedDriver, we are all about staying safe on the road.
And part of safe driving is being equipped with the right tools to protect yourself from things that may be out of your control.
This is why we recommend dash cams to all of our readers.
But, as any of you who’ve stepped inside a car on a hot summer day will know, the interior of vehicles can get REALLY HOT on a warm day.
Hot temperatures and electronics typically do not mix well.
So, if you live in a hot climate, you’ll want to find the best dash cam for hot weather.
We’ve got you covered!
Table Of Contents
The Best Dash Cam for Hot Weather (Overview)
We’ve included an overview of our top picks below. For detailed information on each pick, scroll down.
What Should You Look for in a Heat Resistant Dash Cam?
There are a ton of models of dashboard cameras out there.
Some will work fine even in extreme temperatures, while others might stop working as soon as it’s left out on a hot day.
There are some factors to consider when shopping for a dash cam for hot weather, including:
1. Capacitor vs battery
Most cameras will either have a built-in lithium-ion battery or a capacitor.
In general, capacitor dash cams are much more heat-resistant than the average battery powered cam.
2. Cooling vents
Dash cams will naturally produce some heat while operating, and they’ll also obviously absorb some of the heat from the sun.
This is why adequate cooling vents are so important, because they help to regulate the temperature of the cam to a safe level, protecting the delicate internal components.
3. External GPS
A lot of dash cams have GPS capabilities.
Some GPS dash cam models have it built-in while others have an external add-on component.
In general, models with external GPS units are better able to regulate heat than internal units.
4. Mounting position
This one has less to do with the camera itself and more to do with how you actually mount the cam.
It’s best to place it out of direct sunlight, so for most situations, we recommend mounting your dash cam on rearview mirror, just under the roof.
Placing out of direct sunlight is also important when mounting front and rear dash cam.
What is the Best Dash Cam for Hot Weather?
We have based these rankings on our research of manufacturer specifications, third party customer reviews, and our own experience with select cams.
Any cam on this list will work great, even in warm weather!
1. Street Guardian SG9665GC
- Tiny yet mighty stealthy design everything you need is ready to go in this deluxe kit, check out the photo spread
- Novatek 96655 processor with Sony IMX322 CMOS sensor, 7 element (6 glass + IR cut filter) and F/2.0 all metal lens and lens base
- Full HD 1080p at 30FPS @ 15mbit/sec, 264 encoding MOV format, GPS enabled
- WDR night vision, 32GB micro SD & microSD keychain card reader & GPS logger SG-GPS included: newest firmware supports micro SD cards up to 200GB
- 1.5-inch HD TFT screen ultra compact glass hugging stealthy install
- Powered by a built-in capacitor (superior to batteries for heat resistance)
- Built-in cooling vents on sides, top and front
- External GPS unit to allow for better heat regulation
- Durable metal lens housing
- Records at 30 frames per second in 1080p HD
- Supports up to 256gb MicroSD
- Excellent reviews
- 1-year warranty
The Street Guardian SG9665GC is a contender for best dash cam for hot weather 2021 because it sports all the features you need: a capacitor, good cooling vents, and external GPS.
Plus, it’s just a really good camera, offering crisp recording quality.
Lastly, this manufacturer has a long history of consistently delivering high-quality products to consumers.
2. BlackSys CH-200
Best For: EXPLANATION
Top Features:
- EXPLANATION
- EXPLANATION
- EXPLANATION
- Powered by a super capacitor
- Safe to operate in temperatures from -4F to 158F
- Full HD recording quality
- External GPS unit to maximize cooling ability
- Adequate cooling vents
- Low profile shape helps with cooling (and is very discrete)
- Can shut itself off to avoid damage if it detects extreme temperatures
- Made by a great company
- Excellent reviews
The BlackSys CH-200 is a high-end dashboard camera from a great company.
Its sleek, low-profile design with built-in cooling vents allows it to boast an impressive operating temperature range of -4F to 158F.
This camera can even shut itself off when it encounters extreme heat outside its operating range, in order to prevent damage to internal components.
It’s a bit pricey, but it’s a fantastic camera and an excellent choice for those living in hot climates.
3. Thinkware F770
- 【FULL HD 1080P】 Record 140-degree wide angle video in Full HD 1080p, 30fps
- 【INTEGRATED THERMAL PROTECTION】Integrated Thermal Protection with Super Capacitor and Thermal Sensor provides added safety during extreme temperatures
- 【ANTI-FILE CORRUPTION】Anti-File Corruption technology eliminates data corruption and improves MicroSD card reliability
- 【MULTIPLE RECORDING MODES】 Continuous, Incident, Manual, Motion Detection, and Energy Saving recording modes with Smart File Management to suit all your situations and needs
- 【OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES】TWA-SH Hardwiring Cable for Parking Surveillance mode, and TWA-SGM external GPS antenna to enable speed and red-light camera alerts, and embeds data like speed and time to video recordings
- Powered by a heat-resistant capacitor
- Safe to operate in temperatures from 14 to 140° F
- Full HD recording quality
- GPS unit is built in
- Cooling vents on bottom and sides
- Excellent reviews
The Thinkware F770 is a great product and a contender for the best dash cam for hot weather.
It has adequate cooling vents, a capacitor power source, and excellent recording quality.
With that said, the GPS unit is built in, which detracts slightly from cooling capabilities, and the operating temperature range is not as impressive as some of our other picks.
Further Reading
To find more recommendations for the best models read through our guide to the best dash cams across every category.
Our low price dash cam guide can help you budget accordingly, while our SD cards for dash cams guide can round out your purchase with the perfect SD card.
Lastly, feel free to let us know if you have any questions!
