After a minor fender bender in a Perth car park where the other driver tried to claim I was at fault, I became a dash cam convert. The footage clearly showed what happened and resolved the insurance claim in my favour within days. Since then, I’ve tested numerous dash cams and recommend them to everyone. Here are the best options available in Australia right now.

Why Every Aussie Driver Needs a Dash Cam

Insurance fraud, disputed liability in accidents, and even parking incidents are all situations where dash cam footage can save you thousands of dollars and enormous stress. In Australia, dash cam footage is admissible as evidence in insurance claims and court proceedings. It’s also useful for capturing unexpected moments on the road, from wildlife encounters to capturing dangerous drivers that you can report.

The Australian heat is a serious consideration for dash cam selection. Many cheap dash cams from overseas marketplaces will fail in the extreme temperatures inside a parked car during summer, especially in WA, Queensland, and the Northern Territory. Always choose a cam rated for high-temperature operation.

Best Overall: Viofo A139 Pro 3CH

The Viofo A139 Pro 3CH (around $449) is my top recommendation. It’s a three-channel system with front, interior, and rear cameras, giving you complete coverage. The front camera records in 4K, which provides excellent detail for reading number plates. The build quality is solid, and Viofo has a good reputation for reliability in Australian heat.

The parking mode works well, automatically recording if it detects motion or impacts while your car is parked. You’ll need a hardwire kit (around $30) for parking mode to work without draining your car battery. Installation is straightforward for anyone comfortable with basic car wiring, or an auto electrician will do it for about $100.

Recent developments in AI-powered dash cams have been interesting to watch. I was reading about how business AI solutions are being applied to fleet management and driver safety, using AI to analyse dash cam footage in real-time for things like lane departure and driver fatigue. It’s only a matter of time before consumer dash cams incorporate similar features at an affordable price.

Best Value: Viofo A229 Duo

If you don’t need an interior camera, the Viofo A229 Duo (around $299) offers front and rear recording with 2K resolution on both cameras. Image quality is excellent for the price, night vision is strong, and the GPS module logs your speed and location.

This is the sweet spot for most drivers who want solid front and rear coverage without breaking the bank. The Viofo app allows you to download footage wirelessly to your phone, which makes it easy to save and share clips.

Best Budget: Viofo A119 Mini 2

For a single front-facing camera, the Viofo A119 Mini 2 (around $159) is the best budget option. It’s tiny, unobtrusive, records in 2K, and handles Australian heat well. You miss out on rear coverage, but as a front-facing only option, it’s hard to beat for the price.

What About Nextbase?

Nextbase is a popular brand in the UK but has less presence in Australia. Their products are good, but local availability and support are more limited than Viofo. If you can source a Nextbase 522GW (around $349), it’s a solid front-only camera with good emergency SOS features. But for most Australians, Viofo offers better value and easier purchasing.

Installation Tips

Most dash cams mount to the windscreen using adhesive pads or suction cups. Adhesive pads are more secure and less likely to fall off in hot conditions. Route the power cable along the headliner and down the A-pillar to keep it tidy. Most modern cars have enough gap behind the trim panels to tuck cables away without any tools.

For parking mode, a hardwire kit is essential. It connects to your car’s fuse box and includes a voltage cutoff to prevent battery drain. Many Australian auto electricians will install a dash cam including hardwiring for $100-$150, which is worth it if you’re not confident with car electrics.

Memory Card Matters

Use a high-endurance microSD card designed for continuous recording. Standard cards will fail quickly under the constant write cycles of a dash cam. Samsung PRO Endurance and SanDisk High Endurance cards are the reliable choices. A 128GB card gives about 12 hours of recording on most cameras, with older footage automatically overwritten in a loop.

Legal Considerations in Australia

Dash cam footage is legal to record on public roads in all Australian states and territories. You don’t need to display any signs. However, recording audio inside the car may require consent from passengers in some states, so check your local laws if you have an interior camera recording audio.

Where to Buy

Amazon AU has the best prices on Viofo products. Supercheap Auto stocks some dash cam brands. JB Hi-Fi carries a limited selection. For Viofo specifically, Amazon AU and the Viofo website are your best bets.

The Verdict

The Viofo A139 Pro 3CH is the best overall dash cam for Australian drivers who want comprehensive coverage. The Viofo A229 Duo is the best value for front and rear recording. And the Viofo A119 Mini 2 is the budget pick for front-only coverage. Whichever you choose, having any dash cam is better than having none.