There are two camps that make up the dash cam market and they are not determined by price. Rather, there are the dash cam manufacturers that develop and research their own products, and there are those that make use of these developments once they’ve come along.
The former includes mainstream brands such as Nextbase, Garmin, Thinkware, and account for the vast majority of dash cam sales. The latter consists of the myriad unknown brands you can often exclusively buy on Amazon, such as Vantrue.
What we want to firmly establish is how much of difference there is between the two camps in terms of performance, useability, and quality. Thus, we’ve plucked one brand from each and put their high-end and budget models head-to-head in order to find a conclusion.
Introducing Nextbase and Vantrue
Nextbase has been around for over 20 years and currently stands as the largest dash cam brand in the world. Its models range from entry-level to best in the business. While the models vary significantly in terms of features, they all bear the unmistakable Nextbase trait of build quality that few manufacturers can match.
Vantrue has been around since 2015. It’s what you would consider to be one of the numerous anonymous dash cam brands you can find on Amazon. Intent on competing directly with Nextbase, it also produces a variety of entry-level and high-spec dash cams.
4K models: Nextbase 622GW vs Vantrue X4S
Having 4K resolution is sort of used as a trump card in dash cams. Whether that’s true is a separate debate to be had, but what about the clash between 4k flagship models?
The Nextbase 622GW is the brand’s flagship model crammed full of a wealth of smart and safety features in addition to its 4K credentials. Similarly, the X4S is also Vantrue’s 4K heavyweight. Although, it’s a bit lighter on features and one’s wallet.
Nextbase 622GW
Video 4K at 30fps; 1440p HD at 60fps; 1080p HD at 120fps | Screen 3-inch touchscreen | Field of view 140 degrees | GPS Yes | Wi-Fi Yes | Bluetooth Yes
Price: £269 | VIEW OFFER
Vantrue X4S
Video 4K at 30fps; 1440p HD at 60fps; 1080p HD at 120fps | Screen 3-inch | Field of view 155 degrees | GPS Optional | Wi-Fi Yes | Bluetooth No
Price: £169.99 | VIEW OFFER
On paper, the 622GW and X4S stack up evenly and are equally simple to install. But then the X4S swings in with a heavy right hook because it’s much less expensive, even with the £24 optional GPS module. However, having tested both models, that is kind of where similarities end. In reality, there are significant differences.
For example, it’s immediately obvious the 622GW is built to a higher standard. The front is metal rather than plastic used on the X4S; the X4S is fine, but in the company of the 622GW, it’s a bit outclassed. Customers have often been impressed by the cool packaging of the Vantrue but it’s somewhat inversely proportional to what sits inside. Whereas the Nextbase is the other way around.
The X4S features range-topping video quality and an app from which you can view footage and GPS tracking if you’ve opted for it. But during our testing we had issues accessing the Vantrue’s footage on a computer.
The 622GW matches the features on the X4S but includes more besides. In addition to the recording quality, the 622GW has a polarising filter to cut out glare from the sun and works a treat. Furthermore, it has image stabilisation that really pays dividends on bumpy rural or unsealed roads, and software that improves footage clarity when it’s misty or rainy.
We were also impressed with the 622GW’s safety features. It’s the only dash cam to have what3words built in, and Nextbase also offers a subscription-based Emergency SOS function that springs into action in the event of a crash.
Both can host a rear-facing camera that sits on the rear window and is wired to the main camera. Though, the 622GW can also use a rear-facing camera module that connects directly to the main unit, instantly get rid of another cable and still providing clear rear recording.
For those in the market for a feature-packed dash cam, the Nextbase model is the simple choice. Not only is it to a higher spec, its design, useability and overall quality are far superior.
Under £100: Nextbase 222 vs Vantrue N1 Pro
Taking on a mainstream brand is easier at the entry-level end of the market than at the top end. The same rule applies with cars, which explains Dacia’s fast success. Thus, it’s a closer contest between the Nextbase 222 and Vantrue N1 Pro than it is between the brands’ flagship models.
Nextbase 222
Video 1080p HD at 30fps; 720p at 60fps | Screen 2.5-inch | Field of view 140 degrees | GPS No | Wi-Fi No | Bluetooth No
Price: £69 | VIEW OFFER
Vantrue N1 Pro
Video 1080p HD at 30fps; 720p at 30fps | Screen 1.5-inch | Field of view 160 degrees | GPS Optional | Wi-Fi No | Bluetooth No
Price: £79.99 | VIEW OFFER
Removing all the high-tech features leaves the two more basic models trading blows. The Nextbase scores points for build quality and a larger screen, while the Vantrue fights back with a wider field of view and optional GPS. The rest is all fairly even.
On balance, that still leaves the Nextbase 222 as the better dash cam because better build quality counts for a lot. You want a model that lasts.
Conclusion
There is a simple lesson we’ve learnt here. The competition between almost all brands in the budget dash cam sector is fierce and reasonably even. This is because basic dash cams battle one another with the same weapons and only minor differences. Therefore, and somewhat paradoxically, it pays to spend more time researching budget dash cams than high-tech dash cams.
Things are clearer at the top end of the dash cam market, at least regarding these two brand representatives. It appears those that drive their own product development, as opposed to using what already exists, produces the best flagship models.
Perhaps this isn’t particularly surprising but it’s helpful to have it confirmed.
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