A single dash cam recording the road ahead through your windscreen is better than nothing (and you can check our guide to the best dash cams to find one)… But what about a second camera recording rearwards too?

Systems that shoot forward-facing 4K include the Thinkware U1000 and the Nextbase iQ, with the latter also available in cheaper 1080p and 2K (also known as 1440p) guises.

This twin-camera set-up impressed us in our tests, not only offering 4K video recording to the front and out the back, but doing it all at an impressively low price. A real bargain.

🔎 The Nextbase 622GW is an all-singing, all-dancing dash cam packed full of features. If that’s what you want, then it’s just about perfect. It also boasts 4K video, the option for 120 fps (at 1080p) and a potential life-saver in the SOS emergency calling function. ★★★★½⯨

It’s possibly the most expensive dash cam ever made, but it is also one of the newest and arguably the most impressive (when it works). What makes it especially useful for Uber drivers is how, like the Garmin Dash Cam Tandem, every version of iQ (with 1K, 2K or 4K front cameras) comes with an integrated interior camera with Full HD video and infrared night vision.

❌ You have a firm-riding car: the dash cam’s image stabilization can work well, but in stiffer cars it interferes too much for my liking.

✅ You need wide lenses: the Garmin 67W has the widest lens of any dash cam I have used, at 180 degrees. This creates some distortion at the edges, but still provides for a very wide view.

You get a 3in LCD screen at the rear, which allows you to control the features and review footage. Its not touch sensitive, but you do have the option to control the units using an app if you so desire. Likewise, you get the choice or recording onto a microSD, or sending recordings across to your phone. If you choose 4K, you can expect to use up 0.4GB of storage for every minute you record. That means the supplied 64GB card can fill up in four hours driving, but incidents are saved in a protected folder - so you don't need to panic about losing all-important video evidence.

This replaces the 66W, which was already one of our favorites. It can be used as a regular front-facing dashcam, but it can be used as a dual dashcam, too. That's thanks to Garmin’s smart Dash Cam Auto Sync expandability feature, where up to four compatible cameras can be set to record at the same time.

A rear camera is also available as an optional extra. All three save footage to a microSD card, or with a subscription you can have footage automatically uploaded to the cloud via the iQ’s 4G connection. This is also used to notify you via the Nextbase smartphone app when the iQ detects a parking prang or attempted theft. And I love that the camera cleverly receives a constant power supply from your car’s OBD II port - a much neater, easier solution than the hardwiring required for other dash cams.

✅ You want a high frame rate: 4K video is nice, but I prefer switching the Nextbase 622GW to 1080p because that boosts the frame rate from 30 to 60 fps.

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This isn't a budget dash cam, but it is less expensive than most other two-camera alternatives. The front camera is one of the best around, offering 4K - and boasting great dynamic range and night vision to great results in bad lighting conditions.

Yes. Some dash cam systems record 4K video (also known as 2160p), but only with the forward view. There are currently no systems that record 4K to the rear.

Other favorites include the hugely capable (but equally expensive) Nextbase iQ, as well as the Cobra SC 400D for its excellent video quality, and the Garmin 67W for the company’s clever way of wirelessly linking up to four dash cams at once. Dash cams from Viofo always offer great value, and the A129 Pro Duo featured in this guide is no exception. For a dash cam packed with features, including emergency phone calling in the event of a heavy crash, Alexa and support for what3words, we highly recommend the Nextbase 622GW.

✅ You’re happy with paying a subscription: advanced features – like live video streaming, SmartSense Parking and automatic emergency SOS calls – require a monthly fee.

In addition, the manner in which body-worn camera use is implemented and governed could have a substantial impact on their effectiveness as it relates to cases of excessive use of force or other matters that may engage the police oversight system. Similarly, access to recordings must also be strictly governed, both to prevent breach of privacy by both internal and external actors, and to ensure that all recordings are preserved in their full, unedited form on the system, throughout their retention period. Finally, the transparency of the implementation of this Policy by the Service, including public access to information on its effectiveness in achieving the Policy’s goals, is a critical element of building the public trust necessary for the achievement of the Policy’s purposes and goals.

Other features include digital image stabilization, which I’ve found can be handy if your car has a firm ride and tends to create shaky dash cam footage, and the option to record at 120 frames per second. This knocks the front camera resolution down from 4K to Full HD (1080p), but I like how the high frame rate can produce smoother footage.

❌ You’re relying on the battery: this is one of precious few dash cams to have a battery, but since it only lasts for 30 minutes you should really consider plugging in (or go for a hardwired installation) instead.

No, but in some cases it can make a big difference. This is especially true with front-and-rear systems, since they include a long cable that connects the main unit on the windscreen to a secondary camera on the rear screen. It can be difficult to route this cable neatly around the interior or your car, and while not impossible for an amateur – most dash cams come with a tool for tucking the cable into gaps between and behind interior panels – a professional might well do a neater job.

History ofpolice body cameras

Ultimately, Full HD is acceptable, 1440p (also known as 2K) is preferable, and 4K is a luxury only found in today’s most expensive dash cams. Be sure to avoid cheaper, sub-$150 models claiming to offer 4K, because the pixel count is true but the video quality is far from cinematic.

In addition, body-worn cameras are an effective tool for gathering evidence and providing a more accurate record of events, thus improving the work of the criminal justice system as a whole.

Our overall favorite front and rear dash cam is the Thinkware U1000. We’re big fans of the 4K video of the front camera, but also love how the resolution can be lowered to 1440p in favor of a higher 60fps frame rate. The rear camera is Full HD at 30 fps, and we like how the main unit lacks a display, making it relatively compact and discreet when installed.

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This is a setup with an optional rear camera, which shoots 2K 1440p at 30fps and does so through a lens with a decent 156-degree field of view, giving you a wide latitude for seeing what's going on behind your vehicle.

Nextbase promises a steady supply of over-the-air software updates and new features are coming to the iQ soon, including radar-powered vehicle monitoring that uses artificial intelligence to estimate the speed and trajectory of every vehicle within its sight; this data is then added to recordings to help show who caused a collision. The radar is also used to alert you if the iQ spots a potential thief loitering by your unattended car.

This is a luxury priced dash cam, and although it has a cabin camera as standard, you have to pay extra for the rear camera. The key selling point is 4G cellular connectivity - so you get 24/7 surveillance even when parked up.Read more below ↓

In my full review, I noted that it is sharp, bright, and nicely balanced, with minimal grain and a great amount of detail in the recorded footage – a revelation compared to some 4K dash cams that often overpromise and underdeliver when it comes to their video performance.

This means two-channel dash cam systems often require professional installation, or at the very least they need their long cable tucking into the gaps between and behind the interior panels and roof lining of your car. They are then powered either by a single cable attached to the front camera and your car’s 12v lighter socket, or by a hardwiring kit that draws power from the vehicle’s fuse box. The latter is best installed by a professional. Some two- or three-channel dash cams are powered by the car’s OBD port, which is a more accessible means of delivering constant power.

I feel the camera units themselves are rather bulky, and can't be removed from their mounts. The front unit especially is sizable, which is partly due to the LCD screen. If you're not bothered about a display and want a smaller dashcam, it may be worth considering one of the others on this list, like those from Garmin or Thinkware. Otherwise, I think the Viofo A229 Pro is a really solid buy.

🔎 It’s not the most attractive dash cam, but the Viofo A129 Pro Duo offers great value for money, with 4K video, excellent night vision, Wifi and GPS.

There are an increasing number of dash cams that promise 4K video capture, but often these give disappointing results. Not so the Cobra which greatly impressed us when we reviewed it. It offers built-in Alexa support and GPS too.

The Toronto Police Services Board (the Board) is committed to providing fair, effective, efficient, equitable and accountable policing services to the members of all of our communities, in accordance with the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Human Rights Code of Ontario. The Board is also committed to ensuring that the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals who come into contact with police is respected in all interactions.

❌ You’re on a tight budget: buying multiple dash cams to create a system quickly gets expensive. This is only a solution intended for specific use cases.

Rear cameras usually stick to the rear screen with an adhesive pad. Some models offer a lot of adjustability, while others need to be positioned carefully to get a perfect view. Although rare, we’ve seen a handful of dash cams where the rear camera is weather-resistant and designed to attach to the rear of the car, close to the license plate.

It's a fairly large unit, however, and there are definitely smaller options available on this list, like the Garmin 67W, but if this doesn't bother you then it's highly recommended.

Alistair is a technology and automotive journalist who has reviewed dozens of dash cams over the years. Whether they are $20 or $400, he has tried and tested dash cams from companies like Garmin, Thinkware and Nextbase, as well as lesser-known brands. Every model is fitted to his car and used as if his own before it is reviewed, and then judged if suitable as a recommendations in one of our buying guides. With over a decade of experience, Alistair also writes for Wired, Forbes, T3, and The Independent. A typical week includes reviewing light switches, Lamborghinis, and everything in-between.

Naturally, I cannot truly test the crash detection of these cameras, but endeavor to try out every other feature and function before reaching a verdict.

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That way, you could fit dash cams to the front and rear of your car, but also facing out of the sides, which could be particularly useful for larger vehicles like vans and motorhomes. Obviously, this means you need to buy two or more cameras (as these are not sold in kits) and they each need their own power supply – so I urge you to factor that into your comparisons.

The rear camera isn't quite as high quality as that of the Thinkware U1000, being only Full HD rather than the U1000's slightly higher 2560x1440 resolution. This may well be more than enough for your needs, however, and I think it still looks pretty darn good.

🔎 If you want the best 4K front-and-rear dash cam money can buy, the Nextbase iQ is for you. Its 4G connection turns it into a security camera for your car, complete with radar and fast, reliable smartphone notifications when it spots something suspicious. I also love how it uses the OBD port as an alternative to hardwiring into the fuse box.

❌ You want simplicity: there’s a lot to get your head around here. My advice is, if you can’t see yourself using all of the features,  get a simpler dash cam.

If you want to only cover the front of your vehicle, we also have a guide to the best dash cams for single-direction recording. Then there’s also our guide to the best budget dash cams if you want to spend less money.

The iQ is large, expensive, and has ongoing subscription costs to consider, but if you want the very best front and rear dashcam, it’s hard to ignore.

✅ You need an interior camera too: the iQ records forwards and into the interior from the main unit. A third camera for the rear is available separately and connects with a long cable.

This is where the two-channel, front-and-rear dash cam system comes into play. Fitted to both the front and rear screens, they record the road ahead and the road behind, with the latter useful for determining blame after a rear-end collision.

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It is the purpose of this Policy to authorize the Service to deploy and use body-worn cameras and to ensure that their use by the Service occurs in such a way as to ensure the following public interests are served:

The Board will monitor the Service’s implementation of this Policy to mitigate these risks, including the provision of robust training to Service Members to ensure the effective deployment of this tool. The Board will also continue to monitor best practices and recommendations made by relevant stakeholders to identify possible revisions to this Policy, where appropriate. The Board will also continue to work with the Service and a broad range of stakeholders to identify other opportunities and strategies to achieve the crucial goals of delivering professional policing in a manner that respects individuals’ dignity, privacy, worth and human rights.

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Sometimes also known as 2CH dash cams, these systems often include a regular forward-facing camera with a smaller rear camera. The resolution of the second camera is usually lower than the front, and it attaches to the forward camera with a long cable.

🔎 This is a very good dash cam that feels well made. I especially like its video quality, and the inclusion of GPS, Wifi and Alexa voice assistant.  ★★★★⯨½⯨

The Thinkware U1000 dash cam is a hugely impressive piece of kit that gets my top-spot recommendation. It can record footage in UHD 4K at 30fps or 2K 1440p at silky-smooth 60fps. Both are great, although opting for the lower resolution and higher frame rate might make it easier to see detail in paused frames of the footage, and also keeps the file sizes lower.

✅ You need great night vision: all dash cams offer some form of night vision, but I was particularly impressed by the quality, brightness and detail of the A129 Pro Duo’s low-light recordings.

In some cases there are multiple rear camera options available. For example, the Nextbase 622GW featured earlier can be fitted with a camera that plug directly into its side, then records a zoomed-in view through the rear windscreen. That way, there[s no need to run a cable to a camera stuck to the rear screen itself. Alternatively, an interior camera can be connected directly to the 622GW, while a rear-view camera can be attached via a long cable.

✅ You want a security camera for your car: the iQ acts as a 4G-connected security camera, ready to alert you via a phone app and start recording the moment it spots (or feels) something.

Every dash cam featured in our buying guides is installed and tested thoroughly. I fit each dash cam to my car and use it as if it is my own, logging into the smartphone app (where necessary) and using the camera for every journey. I test the dash cams at day and night, adjust their video settings, and look at any additional features they have.

The Nextbase 622GW dash cam comes in-built with Amazon Alexa assistance. This means you can tell the dash cams to start recording, as well as ask Alexa on other devices for directions,  play music, get weather updates, make a call, and so on. And as you don’t want distractions while driving, this is one situation when voice control really is handy.

You also get some useful extra modes such as Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) and Super Night Vision, meaning you're always prepared no matter the weather and lighting conditions.

It is, therefore, the policy of the Toronto Police Services Board that the Chief of Police, in consultation with the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario and other relevant stakeholders, will develop Procedure(s) that:

This is assuming you plug the dash cam into a 12V socket or a USB port. If you want to hardwire the camera, this involves attaching it to the car’s fuse box for a constant source of power, and unless you are a competent home mechanic, we recommend paying for professional installation. With that complete, the dash cam (and rear camera) will be neatly installed, automatically turn on when the car is powered up, switch into parking mode when it’s turned off, and look like it was installed when the car was built.

The 67W records in 1440p (so a little higher than Full HD) at 60 frames per second and with HDR. It also has a really wide 180-degree lens. Unusually for a dash cam, the 67W has a battery. But since it only lasts for about 30 minutes, you’ll really want to plug in for most journeys, or better still, permanently hardwire the camera to your car for constant power.

Constant power and 4G means this is a dash cam that also doubles as an in-car security camera, ready to stream footage to your phone from anywhere in the world.

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Up to four of Garmin’s dash cams can wirelessly connect to each other, then record four streams of synchronized video. This can be a nice alternative to running long cables to the rear screen, but each camera requires its own power connection.

The Board recognizes the important constitutional principle: that individuals have a justified expectation of privacy as they go about their daily business, even within public spaces, and this expectation must be respected subject to reasonable limits.

After that, you’ll want to strike the best balance you can between your budget and a dash cam that offers high quality video with a resolution of at least 1080p (Full HD), ideally with HDR and perhaps also a frame rate about 30 fps. After that comes the design of the dash cam – does it fit neatly behind the rear view mirror?; is the rear camera also compact and easy to install in your vehicle? – and finally we suggest buyers look at additional features. These can include speed camera alerts, but also functions like the SOS emergency calling of the Nextbase 622GW, or the always-on 4G connection of a Nextbase iQ.

The Cobra SC 400D is a chunky-looking front/rear dash cam, but what impressed me most was the quality of the footage from the 4K front camera.

We love that you can now find a dash cam that offers you great video quality at the front and rear without it having to spend a fortune. The Miofive impresses with its twin 4K cameras - providing detailed, high-quality footage in all driving conditions.

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The Garmin Dash Cam 67W succeeded the 66W, which was already one of my favorites. The new model can be used as a regular front-facing dash cam, but it also works as a dual dash cam, too. That's thanks to Garmin’s clever Dash Cam Auto Sync feature, where up to four compatible cameras can be set to record at the same time.

By recording interactions with members of the public, body-worn cameras have been advanced as one way to increase transparency, enhance accountability for rights protections and situations in which force is used during an interaction with police, and improve law enforcement practices by identifying where a need may exist for additional training, supervision or discipline. Body-worn cameras will also enable the timely and fair investigation of any allegations of misconduct by Service Members, and a quick resolution of complaints.

Alistair has been a journalist since 2011 and used to be Deputy Technology Editor at IBTimes  in London. His specialist tech subjects include smart home gadgets, phones, wearables, tablets and dashcams. He is the host of  The AutoChat Podcast.

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If you're seeking something a little cheaper than my first three choices, check out the Viofo A129 Pro Duo. In terms of video quality, I found its front camera to be one of the best around, capable of capturing 4K UHD, utilizing its 8.29MP Sony Exmor R sensor. You also get multiple bitrate options and H.265 high-efficiency video coding.

A suite of handy features like GPS, speed-camera detection and average speed warnings make the Thinkware U1000 a tempting proposition for the vast majority of users.

Cobra isn’t as well known for dash cams as rival manufacturers such as Garmin, Nextbase and Thinkware – but I wouldn't let that put you off. It’s not as clever as the pricier Nextbase iQ, nor is it as compact as the Garmin 67W, but I think the SC 400D does a great job nonetheless.

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✅ You want LOTS of features: from SOS emergency calling and what3words support, to GPS, support for multiple cameras, parking mode and a polarizing filter, this dash cam has everything you could ever need.

🔎 The Garmin 67W is one of my favorite dash cams , thanks to its compact design, tiny magnetic windshield mount, wide lens and great 1440p image quality. Adding a second 67W creates a fantastic system, but you’ll need to find a power source for the second (or third, or fourth) camera.  ★★★★★⯨

The Thinkware U1000 dash cam is a hugely impressive piece of kit that gets our top-spot recommendation. It can record footage in UHD 4K at 30fps or 2K 1440p at silky-smooth 60fps. Both are great, although opting for the lower resolution and higher frame rate can make it easier to see detail in paused frames of the footage, and keep file sizes lower.

Most do, but not all. You should check carefully that the dash cam you want to buy can be connected to a rear-facing secondary camera. We recommend buying a two-camera kit, so that you can be certain the two cameras will connect and work together.

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In some cases, the front camera’s ability to shoot in 4K is removed when a rear camera is connected, because of the processing power required when running two cameras at once. You might also see a drop in frame rate for the front camera when a second is installed, often from 60 frames per second to 30. Carefully check the specifications of a dash cam – and check if this changes when a rear camera is connected – before making your purchase.

The rear camera offers a slightly narrower field of view, and an inferior Full HD image quality - but there is still plenty to like here. The integrated GPS and Alexa features are particularly welcome.

It might look like a fairly regular dash cam at first glance, but the Nextbase 622GW is absolutely packed with features. Compact, and with what I think is a well-designed magnetic mount, the 622GW features 4K video recording, GPS, and a function that automatically calls the emergency services and shares your location if the driver is unresponsive after a heavy crash.

The same rules apply here to most other types of dash cam. You of course need to pick a system that works with a secondary, rear-facing camera. Sometimes these are included as part of a bundle, other times you can buy the second camera separately.

There are dash cams with better design, and more high-tech features – but overall the Miofive impressed us a lot in our tests, and is a great option who want high-resolution recording at a budget price.

There’s more. It also has support for what3words, the system for precisely pinpointing your location when local maps and data coverage aren’t up to the job, and there’s integrated Alexa, the Amazon voice assistant.

Dash cams cannot be hardwired for every test. Instead, they are plugged into the 12V socket of my car – or the OBD port, as is an option in some cases – and the cables are tucked away as neatly as possible. How a dash cam is hardwired to the fuse box varies by car, so isn’t included as an assessment criteria for our reviews and buying guides.

I found it to be a pleasingly compact and unobtrusive unit, so won't be distracting or get in the way. Just stick it to your rear screen and forget about it.

Ultimately, your choice will come down to whichever dash cam offers a front-and-rear system with the best video quality for your budget.

I was less impressed by the clunky smartphone app, but as with most dashcams, this is only needed while setting everything up, and then can be cast aside.

✅ You want a two, three or even four camera setup: Garmin dash cams have a feature called Auto Sync, where up to four can be wirelessly connected – but each will need its own power supply.

A secondary rear camera can be attached via a long cable, in the traditional manner, or Nextbase also sells a rear-view camera that attaches directly to the side of the 622GW. In fact, it actually sells two such cameras; one with a zoomed-in view for recording through the rear window, and another that records the interior. You can only fit one of these at a time, however.

Although inherently more expensive than an equivalent one-channel dash cam, front-and-rear systems are available at many price points, from under $100 to over $500. It’s also possible to buy a front-facing dash cam, and then expand the system with a compatible rear camera at a later date.

🔎 The Thinkware U1000 is a top-notch system that records high-quality video. It also has a discreet and compact design that, when professionally installed, looks like it was fitted to your car at the factory. ★★★★½⯨

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The Auto Sync feature is not exclusive to the 67W; it also works with Garmin’s 46, 56, Mini, and Tandem dash cams. The latter has two lenses of its own, to record the interior of the car as well as the exterior.

The Board acknowledges that the use of body-worn cameras is not without its own challenges. There are important concerns surrounding privacy, particularly where what could be perceived as surveillance of vulnerable people and racialized communities is concerned, or in sensitive situations such as domestic violence calls.

Pair this dash cam up with a Garmin Mini 2 and I reckon you’ll have a formidable two-camera system, albeit one that requires two power sockets or professional hardwiring.