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The best dash cam for truckers is the BlackVue DR900X-2CH, thanks to its ease of use, quality, fair price, and software features. Dash cameras from two the best fleet management software providers, Samsara and Verizon Connect clocked in at second and fourth place, respectively. However, they will likely be at the top of most fleet managers' lists, thanks to the added benefits offered by the integrated fleet data each dash cam collects.
A semi-truck dash cam is by far the best way to protect your drivers from unfair claims and penalties, as well as reduce insurance rates, speed up claims, and incentivize safe driving, especially when combined with fleet software.
Simple dash cams made for non-commercial passenger vehicles won't cut it for truckers, as truck cabs need a wide angle lens, high definition recordings, and other industry specific features. Fortunately, there are a number of good value truck dash cams available, as we outline below.
| Price | Pros | Cons | Screen size | Resolution | Field of view | Storage | Night vision | GPS tracking | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall  | Best for driver safety  | Best for features  | Best for long-haul truckers  | Best for full visibility  | Best budget dash cam for trucks  | Best for easy mounting  | Best for automatic monitoring  | |||
| $498 | $50 | $99 | $120 | |||||||
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| 2 inches | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 3 inches | 2.7 inches | 2 inches | |||
| 4K | 1080p (rear is 720p) | 720p | 720p | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p | |||
| Front: 155° | Front: 121° | Front: 88° | 150° | 360° | 170° | 140° | 160° | |||
| 64GB | Unlimited, via cloud | 4GB | Unlimited, via cloud | Unlimited, via cloud | 32GB | Up to 256GB | Up to 256GB | |||
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The trucking industry is trying to save money where it can in 2023, so if you're in the market for dash cams, it makes total sense to try and secure the best deal possible. Fortunately, we've combed through all the top truck dash cam vendors and products to uncover the top 8 dash cams for truckers. To compare price quotes for your fleet quickly and easily, try our dash cam comparison tool.
How to Choose A Dash Cam: 2023 Buyer's Guide
Dash cams are available in plenty of different types and sizes, but if you don't know anything about the product, it's tough to know where to start. This is especially true when weighing the price of dash cams, which can vary dramatically from product to product. Here are a few questions to ask, along with a few details about what to look for.
What video quality do you need?
Dash cams typically film in two different types of HD video- either video with a 1280×720 pixel resolution (also called “720p“), or video with a 1920×1080 pixel resolution (also called “1080p,” or “full HD”). Perhaps unsurprisingly, 1080p offers more detail than 720p, so our research team recommends 1080p in order to better ensure your dash cam captures license plate numbers or street signs when needed. Some cameras film in even higher definitions, like 2K or 4K, but these cost several hundred dollars more.
Which camera angles do you need?
Most dash cams are single-lens, front-facing cams, which film just the road in front of a vehicle. (Some of these cameras can also be swiveled to film inside the cab when needed during a traffic stop). Other types of cameras include dual-facing dash cams, with two lenses that allow for simultaneously filming the road in front and the inside of the cab. These might be used by a fleet of trucks, if the manager wants to monitor driver behavior (such as checking that a driver's eyes were on the road during a collision incident).
What storage do you need?
A dash cam's storage capacity is key: A camera that offers a loop recording feature will record until storage is full, and then begin to record over the oldest existing footage. So, the more storage you have, the farther back you can record. One extra wrinkle is that a higher resolution video will take up more storage.
What display size do you need?
A dash cam's display size refers to the physical screen of the camera itself, which drivers can watch, or operate if it has touchscreen functionality. If you are mainly using a cam to record footage in case of a collision, your display shouldn't need to be very large, and our testers find a typical 2 or 3 inch display will work fine.
Do you need GPS data?
Some dash cams don't include GPS location tracking, while others include GPS data logging in the video, allowing viewers to match a timestamp to a specific location (this GPS ability can typically be turned off if needed).
Do you need a small camera?
Some dash cams are slimmer and more compact than others, allowing them to be discreetly mounted in a vehicle, without drawing attention.
Do you need night vision?
Any long-haul trucker will frequently find themselves driving outside of daylight hours, and their dash cam will need to have night vision capabilities. All of the best dash cams for truckers, including all of our research team's top picks on this page, have night vision included as standard, but cheaper models may not.
Do you need a fleet management system?
A dash cam by itself can record video, but a dash cam offered by a major fleet management software company like Verizon Connect or Samsara can integrate with their main fleet management software to offer additional features like fuel tracking, safety habit tracking, ELD compliance, or routing and dispatch abilities. You can further add to your capabilities with one of the best dash cam apps, which are available independent of fleet software providers.
About Our Research
Tech.co's research team tracked each of the above-listed qualities in order to determine the best dash cam on the market today. We ranked each device across categories including storage, features, pricing, and video quality, as well as more granular specifics like whether it has night vision and how big the dash cam actually is.
We found fleet management software bundles are a huge money saver, too: If you're looking for dash cams for a fleet of five or more vehicles, you can find the right dash cam for your business here.
Additionally, if you want to know how we rate and rank these dash cams and other business tools, check out our research guide for more information about the process.
The 8 Best Trucker Dash Cams Reviewed
The five key factors we use to select the best dash cams for truckers are video quality, hardware features, software features, pricing, and storage support. You can read our buyer's guide below to figure out your own dash cam needs, or simply read on to see all our dash cam reviews and advice.
Pros
- Easy to operate
- 4K Ultra HD
- GPS tracking embedded
Cons
- Price is on the high end
Best for: Picture quality
Overview: The Blackvue DR970X-2CH dual dash cam is a well-loved camera, and for good reason. It meets all the requirements for a pro-grade dash cam, offering a wide 155 degree view and more than impressive 4K Ultra HD — that's 3840×2160 pixels at 30fps (frames per second), with an 8MP (megapixel) image sensor. It's the highest quality video footage you'll get from a dash cam.
Top features:
- 155 degree front view
- 139 degree rear view
- 4K Ultra HD
- Up to 256GB micro SD card
- 8MP image sensor
- Motion sensor
- Wi-fi capable
What we like: Thanks to a built-in 5GHz Wi-Fi G-Sensor, the Blackvue is Wi-Fi equipped, so if your mobile phone is within reach of the dash cam unit, you'll be able to view live footage or download recorded video through a free app available on Android and iOS. Our team of researchers also liked the device's design, which embeds GPS data into the video. This allows a fleet to know the speed, location and coordinates of any incident they're reviewing — a major boon for a fleet manager dealing with insurance claims.
The setup process and the user interface are simple and easy to understand, so drivers will be happy with the device as well. Plus, it has a key functionality: A CMOS Sensor that enables the night vision any long-haul driver needs.
Overall, our research team couldn't find any specific fault with this trucker dash cam. The price is high, but not unreasonable given the features and quality offered. The company's older S series offers many similar specs but starts at just $295, so some fleets may be interested in seeking out the Blackvue DR900S-2CH. But if you're looking for a modern dual dash cam, the Blackvue DR970X-2CH nets you the highest possible quality of video. It also has up to 256GB storage with the right micro SD card, and many 4K cams cost even more.
Granted, Blackvue cameras aren't made to integrate with fleet management software, so users won't be able to benefit from the added insights, trends and tracking that some of the top other dash cams on this list offer.
Price: $498 (with 64GB storage)
Pros
- Records in-cab and road ahead
- Built-in operability with Samsara for streamlining fleet operations
- Prevents distracted driving
- Real-time alerts
- Great data collection ability, including GPS tracking
Cons
- The high-end features may cost you more
Best for: Safety alerts
Overview: The Samsara M32 is offered by Samsara, a top fleet management software service. This means it also includes capabilities aimed to help fleets gather the data they need to further streamline their operations, such as internal accelerometer (G-sensor) that tracks crashes and harsh driving, and driver scorecards and trend reports: This is great for driver safety measures.
Best of all, the built-in AI can identify driving events- including near-misses- and send in-cab audio alerts in real time to distracted drivers, to make sure they stay safe. The inclusion of a proactive driver monitoring system here is great news for both fleet managers and drivers.
The camera is dual-facing, with two distinct lenses. The front-facing camera is 1080p and offers a 121 degree angle, while the rear-facing one is 720p with a 177 degree view, and includes Infrared LEDs for night driving.
Top features:
- 170 degree wide angle view
- Infrared LEDs
- HD video
- Internal accelerometer
- Real-time alerts and AI coaching
- Withstands extreme temperatures
What we like: This cam is not designed for livestreaming, but does automatically upload ten seconds of video before and after any incidents it detects, to cloud storage. The previous 40 hours of driving time are also accessible at any time, if needed.
Samsara is a popular fleet management provider for good reason: check out our Samsara review to learn why. This dash cam is likely a no-brainer for anyone already using Samsara's service, or for a fleet considering an FMS upgrade. The price tag is a little high, but our researchers believe most large fleets will recoup the expense through money saved by reducing incidents and improving driver behavior.
Samsara's fleet software allows dash cam footage is be displayed alongside a map of the vehicle's location at the time the footage was shot. Image source: Samsara
Price: It depends, as you'll likely want to include this cam as a bundle with Samsara's fleet software. Costs for the M32 alone start at a $2,160 one-time fee for a three-year license (about $60 per month). Easily compare quotes from Samsara and other dash cam providers here.
Pros
- Pairs with Lytx vehicle tracking software
- AI-powered risk assessment
- Ability to add cams for up to 360 degree view
- Easy to use cloud storage dashboard
Cons
- Doesn't record in 1080p resolution
Best for: Ease of use
Overview: The Lytx Drivecam has a lot of features: It includes an omnidirectional microphone, a speaker for audible alerts, night vision, GPS location tracking, a two-year warranty and the ability to record up to 100 hours of continuous video footage. Plus, Machine Vision and AI features are integrated into the device, providing enhanced risk detection not available on most other dash cams.
This is another dual-facing dash cam, capable of filming the exterior and interior of a vehicle with a single unit. It offers a 131 degree interior and 82 degree exterior view. On top of this, up to four side and rear cams can be added with the Lytx Hub adapter, for vehicles that need 360 degree coverage.
In tandem with the Lytx vehicle tracking software, the device can log speed, fuel, and vehicle data from your vehicle, making it a good option for a fleet of trucks that needs historical data to help streamline its operations.
Top features:
- 720p HD video quality
- 131 degree interior; 82 degree exterior
- Night vision: 8 high-lumen infrared LED lights
- Microphone and speaker
- GPS location tracking
- Up to 100 hours of local storage
- AI risk detection
What we like: The dashboard is easily searchable, making this a great option for a manager who wants to comb through data and footage often and rapidly. It's cloud-connected, so managers can get videos minutes after they are taken (provided they have the cellular network coverage they need).
Overall, the dash cam offers exceptional features, even while the video quality isn't as great as many other cams on our list. The cost for Lytx's cameras and software varies depending on each fleet's size, needs, and industry, so you'll need to get in touch in order to learn how much their dash cams will cost you.
Price: Lytx offers tailored quotes, so get in touch to find out more.
Pros
- Videos are stored for 90 days
- Powerful insights alongside the Verizon Connect Reveal platform
- HD incident footage available minutes afterwards
- Free installation
Cons
- No night vision capabilities
- Requires Verizon Connect Reveal
Best for: Verizon Connect clients
Overview: Verizon Connect, one of the best fleet management software providers around, sells a dash cam that integrates perfectly with the rest of its services. Fleets that are just getting set up would do well to invest in Verizon Connect's platform Reveal, as the combined impact of its dash cams, GPS tracking, ELD compliance, fuel management, asset tracking, field service management, and more, can transform business efficiency for a real boost in customer service, and profits.
Verizon Connect's dash cam video recordings are triggered by incidents such as rapid acceleration, or harsh braking or cornering. These incidents are then automatically uploaded to Verizon's online platform, and available to download within a few minutes. Managers can also watch in “street view” mode to see a live feed of each driver's dash cam. Our research team was impressed by the service's recording histories, which remain available for 90 days after recording — well above the expected retention time for dash cam footage.
Top features:
- 720p HD
- 150 degree view
- 90-day history
What we like: The camera's specs — 720p video with a 150 degree angle — are pro-grade, though not the absolute best. Through the Verizon Connect Reveal software, users can add an additional 145° night-vision-capable driver-facing camera, for a view inside the cab as well.
Verizon Connect includes free installation of its dash cams, which are typically located behind the vehicle's rear view mirror. Managers will need to use the Verizon Connect Reveal platform in order to use this dash cam.
Price: Verizon Connect offers tailored quotes, so get in touch to find out more.
Pros
- Offers more video coverage than any other camera
- Up to 100 hours of local storage
- AI monitors driving safety
Cons
- Learning curve can be tough
Best for: AI features
Overview: The Driveri semi truck dash cam is sold by fleet software company Netradyne, which partners with GPS Insight. This partnership has produced a dash cam with truly impressive AI capabilities and a viewpoint that allows you to see it all: No blind spots.
AI is a hot topic in 2023, but the Driveri cam has offered its own AI features for years. They can identify driver drowsiness, traffic light violations, unsafe tailgating and more. The 360 degree view means you'll be able to see what's happening to either side of the vehicle as well as at the front and inside of the cab- with no add on camera purchases required. Video footage is stored for an unlimited time period in the cloud, or locally for up to 100 hours.
Top features:
- AI processor
- 360 degree view
- Unlimited video storage
- 1080p HD footage
- 4G LTE support
What we like: Any managers who want to head off false claims will be well prepared with the Driveri dash cam. It can track and verify all kinds of incidents, from harsh braking/accelerating, to driver drowsiness, traffic violations, and unbuckled seatbelts. The addition of GreenZone Scorecards can provide visibility into which drivers have above-average performance, and where safety improvements can be made, so you can reward good decisions. Overall, it's a dash cam that will keep you covered, from all angles.
Price: GPS Insight offers tailored quotes, so get in touch to find out more.
Pros
- Great wide angle lens
- Low price
Cons
- Not very resistant to bumps in the road, or temperature
Best For: Small budgets
Overview: Starting at a low $50 price, the Old Shark Dash Cam's features are a grab-bag of great perks, from the 170 degree view, to collision auto-detection (via G-sensor), night vision, and a Wide Dynamic Range. It'll start rolling when the engine is turned on, ensuring no driving time goes unrecorded.
Top features:
- 1080p HD
- Accident auto-detection
- 170 degree view
- Night vision
- Wide Dynamic Range
- 32GB micro SD card
What we like: This cam will record plenty of footage and context thanks to its wide angle view, and the price is about as low as you can hope for, which should please budget-conscious managers with an entire fleet to equip. One potential downside? Our testing found that the windshield mount is less durable than the camera itself, which is a problem as it's tough to replace if it snaps.
The Old Shark cam is currently one of the cheapest trucker dash cam deals around, too: It's just $50 from some outlets, down from $55.
Price: $50
Pros
- Night vision and WDR
- Easy to mount and remove from vehicle
Cons
- View isn't as wide angle as most pro-grade dash cams
- Wire must be plugged in to cigarette lighter port
Best for: Portability
Overview: The Z-Edge cam comes with a suction cup mount, and has a quick-release mechanism that allows it to be easily removed or replaced on a windshield, making it a good option for truckers that move between vehicles often. It offers a decent 155 degree view, with WDR technology to balance out extreme bright or dark exposure, and night vision.
Top features:
- 1080p HD
- 155 degree view
- F2.0 aperture
- Night vision
- WDR
- 256GB micro SD card
What we like: It's another dual cam, so you'll get both a 1080p (30FPS) rear view and 2560x1440p front camera (30FPS) as well. It also includes GPS, can handle a 256GB micro SD card, and provides HD video quality – delivering each of the major elements a trucker needs in a dash cam, and offering a great value for its cost.
Price: $99
Pros
- HD video
- Great for auto-monitoring
Cons
- An extra GPS mount is needed to enable GPS functionality
Best for: Auto recording
Overview: The Vantrue T2's HD video and night vision sensors can capture crisp images of license plates and traffic signs alike. The 160 degree view isn't quite as impressive as the 170 degrees offered by most of the cameras on our list, but can capture all four sides of a traffic stop at once, and should suit the needs of most drivers.
When parked, a built-in wave guard motion sensor can send out a microwave signal from the front of the vehicle, which triggers the cam to start recording if anything interferes with the beam. This can help to ensure your unattended vehicle remains secure. Another automated monitoring system is the cam's “time lapse” function, which takes snapshots at set intervals to create a time lapse video.
Top features:
- 1080p HD
- 160 degree view
- Wave guard indicator
- Time lapse function
- 18-month warranty
What we like: The cam's automatic features, such as the time lapse and motion sensor settings, make it a great pick for drivers who want to know what's happening around their vehicle when no one's there to see it.
Price: $120
Here at Tech.co, we want you to know that our recommendations are the very best for your needs, which is why we take our research seriously.
When it comes to dash cams, we compare the market to find the models that offer the best features, and can provide you with a reliable and trustworthy device to take on the road.
Among the criteria we use to assess dash cams, we look at:
- Picture quality - Having a dash cam in your cab is a great reassurance, but if the recorded image is blocky or dimly lit, it might not provide you with the proof you need. We only recommend dash cams with excellent image quality, meaning you can get on the road knowing that if the worst happens, you'll have crystal clear evidence.
- Storage - How much footage you can keep on your dash cam can be very important, especially if you're recording at a high image quality, which can be more demanding on storage space. We let you know the capacity of a dash cam, and you won't need to worry about not capturing key moments because there wasn't any space left.
- GPS - Some dash cams offer GPS, which allows users to pinpoint the exact location of an incident, and can also prove yourself to those not in the truck at the time. We tell you which models have this useful feature.
- Night vision - We know that truckers don't just work during the day, and that night time driving can be dangerous. In fact, a serious traffic incident is more likely to happen at night than during the day. For this reason we only recommend dash cams that have a night vision mode.
If you want to learn more about the process by which we rate and rank business software providers, take a look at our in-depth research guide for more information.
Compare Dash Cam Prices
But at $295, it's not the cheapest. The budget alternative is the Old Shark dash cam, which is six times cheaper, at just $46. Mid-range options include the Samsara or Verizon Connect dash cams, which come with a fleet management service.
Don't risk another day on the roads without the security of dash cams: one unlucky turn and you'll wish you'd invested sooner. To find the best dash cam deals for trucks today, and upgrade your fleet, use Tech.co's dash cam comparison tool.
If installed anywhere else on a windshield, a trucker might run into legal trouble when visiting some states.
Commercial vehicles also handle more extremes than non-commercial automobiles. Truckers need a dash cam that can record continuously for hours on end, handle bumps and jolts, and function despite temperature fluctuations. The best dash cams for truckers also include a raft of additional features aimed at helping commercial motor vehicles specifically record their route. Many pro-grade dash cams include GPS data embedded in video footage, can be triggered to record and upload a quick clip when they register a collision or a harsh driving incident, and will record HD video that can capture license plate numbers in both dark or bright lighting.
They might also be front/rear-facing dash cams, which means they include two devices to shoot video of the road in front of the vehicle and the road to the vehicle's rear, syncing the footage to ensure it can be played back for a full picture of what was recorded. Sometimes these kinds of dash cams can even be converted into 360 degree view cameras, to capture a vehicle's side footage, too.
That's a long list, but as long as truckers mount their dash cams between their rear view mirror and windshield, it will be legal anywhere in the US, without cause for concern.
While you can find a $50 dash cam, few will offer the quality of video you need, and they may need to be replaced sooner. Learn more about all the factors that influence dash cam prices, including installation, warranties, insurance savings, features, and where to find the best cheap dash cams, in our dash cam price guide.
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