Losing your video material just because of a dashcam malfunction makes any accident very difficult to win over when dealing with insurance or the courtroom.
Luckily, there are dash cams that have the option of cloud storage!
Regardless of what happens to your dashcam, your video material will be stored safely online.
Let’s find out more about dash cams with cloud storage.
We’ve checked, rated, and ranked all of the best in-car cameras, so no matter what vehicle you drive, you’ll find the best choice in this shopping guide.
The Best Dash Cams With Cloud Storage (Overview)
We’ve included an overview of our top picks below. For detailed information on each pick, scroll down.
What is Cloud Storage?
Cloud dashcam storage is the method of automatically storing the camera’s footage on a computer that is located somewhere other than where the dashcam is.
This is usually accomplished by a cell phone carrier’s wifi access, LTE connection, a vehicle internet hotspot connection, or directly through a SIM card and mobile phone service on the dashcam itself.
Since the data and video archives are not stored directly on the dash camera, cloud backup prevents the video files from being stolen or destroyed during an accident.
How To Install A Dashcam That Uploads To A Cloud?
Most importantly, a data connection is required for the dashcam to upload.
Because this is usually some kind of device that needs to be powered, hardwiring becomes even more critical.
You’ll also need to create a cloud account, which varies depending on the dashcam.
Most of them can be done through the app, and it is pretty easy.
You will configure the features you choose to use, such as cloud storage, push notifications, and parking mode, in this section.
Best Dash Cams With Cloud Storage on the Market?
We prepared a list of the best dash cams on today’s market.
Each one thoroughly described, we included their pros and cons and what to expect when you get a new dashcam.
Owlcam Classic 5
The Owlcam Classic 5 is one of the most advanced dashcams on the market, which is why it tops our list of the best dash cams with cloud storage.
From the moment you take this out of the package, you’ll notice that the entire experience is built with simplicity in mind.
From the simple, quick install, to the actual user experience when using the camera and viewing footage, one word rings true again and again – simplicity.
What We Like
- High-end infrared sensors for crisp night-vision recording
- Live View allows live-streaming of footage from within the Owlcam app
- Two-way communication allows you to communicate with passengers through the app
What We Don’t Like
- Advanced features come with a high price point
- However, this price point is much lower than other less advanced alternatives
BlackVue-DR900X-2CH
Aside from an LTE data connection and enhanced heat resistance, the camera, and video quality remain unchanged.
As a result, this section of the review will focus on the BlackVue cloud features.
The BlackVue DR900X is the DR900S series’ successor.
Aside from an LTE data connection and enhanced heat resistance, the camera, and video quality remain unchanged.
As a result, this section of the review will focus on the BlackVue cloud features.
BlackVue has long been viewed as the industry leader in cloud storage, and the new X series is cutting-edge.
Unlike previous models, which required a phone or the vehicle’s WiFi hotspot to connect, these have LTE functionality built into the dashcam.
BlackVue is the finest dash cam with cloud storage in terms of characteristics.
The BlackVue cloud is easier to use, and the individual plan provides the majority of the basic options for free.
You should get an event notification and watch the video in real-time.
On all plans, video storage is limited to 5GB per month.
Another feature provided by BlackVue is a fleet plan with GPS tracking and the ability to track up to 100 cards at once.
You can also integrate with the app or the dashcam in real-time.
What We Like
- The most extensive selection of cloud-enabled dash cams.
- The only manufacturer that has an LTE-enabled dashcam.
- Excellent customer service and frequent updates
- It provides a 32GB microSD card.
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive.
- To use the LTE auto-upload, you must have an active data connection.
Nextbase 622GW
Choosing 4K at 30fps results in footage that looks almost cinematic in presentation, with extraordinarily crisp definition and superb detail, even in low-light circumstances.
Nextbase 622GW includes what3words geolocation services, which allow you to spot a stricken vehicle within a three-meter radius, as well as significantly enhanced video quality and stabilization.
Choosing 4K at 30fps results in footage that looks almost cinematic in presentation, with extraordinarily crisp definition and superb detail, even in low-light circumstances.
This makes it much easier to locate registration numbers or identify difficult-to-see aspects of an accident.
A polarizing filter built into the front of the camera can be rotated to eliminate glare from windscreens, and digital image stabilization is another first for the dashcam market, helping to smooth out bumps and shakes caused by potholes and bad road surfaces.
This model can be operated by voice using Alexa Skills, but it requires the accompanying smartphone app, which isn’t ideal.
Despite its new dual 2.4GHz + 5GHz Wi-Fi, it still struggles to communicate with phones to transfer images and video clips.
What We Like
- Excellent video quality.
- Alexa and what3words built-in.
- Great integrated design.
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive.
- Requires large capacity SD card.
Nextbase 522GW
It does the fundamentals very well, thanks to a crisp 1440p resolution and wide-angle lens, but it also includes a slew of extra features.
The Nextbase 622GW flagship (shown above) is one of the most sophisticated dash cams available, but the 522GW remains our top pick for overall value.
It does the fundamentals very well, thanks to a crisp 1440p resolution and wide-angle lens, but it also includes a slew of extra features.
At the back, there is a responsive three-inch touchscreen and the option to use the built-in Alexa capabilities.
Users may currently ask Alexa to play music, make phone calls, and listen to audiobooks through connected devices, but they will soon be able to use an upcoming Dash Cam Skill to command it to ‘start recording,’ ‘stop recording,’ ‘protect a recording,’ and ‘send to my phone.’
That may appear to be a bit of a gimmick, and to be honest, we didn’t use it all that much, so it’s a good thing the rest of the UX is so clear.
Videos can be quickly and easily shared to a smart device using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and an ingenious Emergency SOS system can notify emergency services of your location and other details if you become unresponsive after an accident.
What We Like
- Amazon Alexa is built-in.
- Decent price.
- Quality build.
What We Don’t Like
- The footage isn’t particularly noteworthy.
- There is no SD card included.
Garmin Dash Cam 66W
In our opinion, the more expensive and recent 66W unit is the one to go for, simply because the inclusion of the enormously wide 180-degree viewing angle lens makes it the master of capturing everything that's going on ahead – albeit with some distortion at the very edge of the frame.
We’ve frequently rated Garmin’s dash cam 66W offerings for their ease of use.
And new to the party is its succinct line of adorable, inconspicuous dash cams, which piggyback on the marque’s action camera user interface but boast plenty of features that make them a useful helper on the road.
In our opinion, the more expensive and recent 66W unit is the one to go for, simply because the inclusion of the enormously wide 180-degree viewing angle lens makes it the master of capturing everything that’s going on ahead – albeit with some distortion at the very edge of the frame.
There aren’t many dash cams that don’t automatically record and save video when a built-in G-sensor detects an accident, and Garmin has done that same here.
In addition, users can control the 66W with voice commands such as ‘OK, Garmin, save video’ and ‘take a picture,’ but we found this system to be a little clunky while driving on the noisy highway.
The footage is generally outstanding, and the performance in low-light circumstances is outstanding, but the neat and tidy package is perhaps its most appealing feature.
It is small, inconspicuous, and inexpensive.
Here are the pros and cons worth mentioning.
What We Like
- Very easy to install and even easier for maintenance.
- Compact design.
- GPS tracker, lots of extra features.
What We Don’t Like
- It had some issues with voice control.
- There is some lens distortion.
Viofo A129 Pro Duo
However, its 4K resolution Pro Duo model represents extraordinary value for money.
The front camera is bigger than that of many rivals on this list, but it includes a GPS module, which many other brands offer as optional.
We won’t judge you if you’ve never heard of Viofo A129 Pro Duo because it’s not the most well-known brand in the dashcam industry.
However, its 4K resolution Pro Duo model represents extraordinary value for money.
The front camera is bigger than that of many rivals on this list, but it includes a GPS module, which many other brands offer as optional.
Its plastic casing looks and feels primitive, but it hides some ingenious technology that belies the overall build quality.
Unfortunately, 4K recording is only possible at 30fps, which isn’t ideal for slowing down the video.
However, dual recording (front and rear cameras) is only available in full HD (1080p) and at 60fps for much smoother results.
Viofo provides a smartphone app for quickly checking and saving clips, and setup is very simple.
Unfortunately, installing dual cameras requires the removal of interior trim as well as the ingenious concealment of long wires.
It can be a time-consuming and aggravating procedure to get it right, but it’s well worth it to prevent a tangle of power wires.
The fact that you get night vision, a parking mode, motion detection, automatic emergency recording, GPS monitoring, and dual-channel 1080p at this price makes this a package well worth it.
It’s also worth it considering if you drive a lot of miles and want total camera coverage that isn’t too expensive.
Here are some of the pros and cons of the Viofo A129 Pro Duo.
What We Like
- Great value.
- Front and rear cam.
- Crisp footage.
What We Don’t Like
- Bulky front camera.
- Trailing wires.
Garmin Dash Cam Tandem
The Dash Cam Tandem is extremely compact in construction, with a clip-in magnetic mount that can be conveniently mounted below the rear-view mirror and removed when not in use.
Garmin Dash Cam Tandem is the first dual-lens dash cam lets you see what’s going on inside and outside the vehicle while driving, which is useful for cab drivers and others who want to keep an eye on their passengers.
The Dash Cam Tandem is extremely compact in construction, with a clip-in magnetic mount that can be conveniently mounted below the rear-view mirror and removed when not in use.
The Garmin Drive app (Android and iOS) is essential for camera control since it allows you to preview video and audio footage from your drives without having to remove the MicroSD card from the camera.
The image quality is usually excellent, particularly from the front camera.
And, although the rear camera struggles a little in low light, you can still see passengers fairly clearly in black and white.
There is also a picture-in-picture mode that allows you to view both rear- and front-facing camera footage at the same time.
The video is presented with a timestamp, the vehicle’s speed, and its location, which is very valuable.
Voice control is also available, allowing for hands-free operation with commands such as ‘OK Garmin, take a picture or ‘OK Garmin, save the video.’
Safety camera alert updates will also be added to the app in the near future.
The only minor issue we had was that the app wasn’t as user-friendly as we would have liked and didn’t automatically connect to Wi-Fi when checking footage from our drives.
Aside from that, this is an expensive but outstanding alternative for those who want to keep an eye on their vehicle from the inside and outside.
Here are the most important pros and cons of the Garmin Dash Cam Tandem.
What We Like
- Compact design.
- Dual lens.
- Good video quality.
What We Don’t Like
- Some problems with the Garmin application.
- Low-quality night vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are dash cams good for?
Dashcams have many uses, but the most important is that they serve as an unbiased witness in the event of an accident.
Unfortunately, there are dishonest people in the world, and a dashcam gives unmistakable evidence of what occurred before, during, and after an incident.
There will be no more “your word against theirs” – you will always have the truth on your side.
Where do dash cams get their power?
All dash cams come with a power cord that plugs into your car’s 12v cigarette lighter outlet.
Plug in this cord, and you’re ready to go!
This cord is typically very long, long enough to tuck behind and route around your car’s interior panels(en route to the power outlet) without being visible to the driver or passengers.
How are the videos recorded on my dashcam?
On an empty memory card, a dashcam begins recording footage.
Because small video files are easier to view and work with on your computer than one long continuous file, these video files are normally segmented into 1, 3, or 5-minute chunks.
When the memory card is complete, the dashcam merely restarts from the beginning of the memory card, and thus never requires your attention until you have caught an incident on camera that you want to save.
This is referred to as “loop recording,” and it is one of the most prominent features of dash cams.
Wrapping Up
The best dash cams use similar technology and, for the most part, mount somewhere along with the front windscreen or windshield of a vehicle.
Of course, your dashcam does not obstruct your view of the road.
The introduction of rear-facing cameras (or full kits that include both front and rear) necessitates a little more installation, as these often include wires that run from front to back.
To get these properly fitted, expect some fiddly work with the car’s headliner.
Dashcams record short bursts of video, normally one to two minutes long.
In order to avoid the memory card from filling up, the cameras continuously record over the oldest clip.
Previously, the user had to manually save or tag the appropriate clip in the event of an accident; however, new G-Sensor-based incident detection technology has taken over and now does this automatically.
