Driving for Uber or Lyft is a great way to make some extra cash. However, all of that time spent on the road will also increase your chances of being involved in an accident. That is why you must protect yourself at all costs.
In order to keep themselves and their cars protected, many rideshare drivers are turning to dash cams. But finding the best dash cam for Uber drivers can be tough because there are so many options on the market.
That’s why the team at FreightWaves created this helpful guide. Below, we’ll identify several of the top dash cams for Uber drivers. We also outline what to look for in a high-quality dash cam system.
Quicklook: Best Dash Cams for Uber and Lyft Drivers
- Best For Drivers on a Budget: Yi Dash Cam
- Best For Long Drives: Pruveeo D30H
- Best For Discretion: Garmin Dashcam Mini
- Best For Interior Video: Garmin Dash Cam Tandem
- Best For Overall Coverage: Vantrue N2 Pro
5 Best Dash Cams for Uber and Lyft Drivers
Now that we have discussed some of the most important features to look for in dash cams for Uber drivers, let’s take a look at our top picks. Below are the top 5 dash cams for Uber and Lyft drivers!
Yi Dash Cam
Best For: Drivers on a Budget
The Yi Dash Cam is our top choice for drivers on a budget. If you are just getting started as an Uber driver, then this camera should be your go-to. It can capture about 7 hours of video.
| Technical Specifications | |
| Lenses/Channels | 1 |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
| Coverage | Front-facing |
| Operating Temperature | Between 22 and 185 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Audio Recording | Yes |
| GPS | No |
| Memory | 64 GB |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Low-Light Capabilities | Yes |
Special Features:
- Wi-Fi
- Wide-angle lens
Benefits:
- Affordable
- Simple menu
- Wi-Fi
Disadvantages:
- Odd shape
- Internal battery instead of using a capacitor
- Color is bland
Pricing:
- Under $100
Pruveeo D30H
Best For: Long Drives
If you complete a lot of long trips and frequently drive at night, then the Pruveeo D30H is a great choice. It is affordable, it has multiple lenses, and it is extremely user-friendly.
Check it out if you need a dash camera that can do it all.
| Technical Specifications | |
| Lenses/Channels | 2 |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
| Coverage | Front-facing and interior |
| Operating Temperature | Up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Audio Recording | Yes |
| GPS | No |
| Memory | 128 GB |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Low-Light Capabilities | Yes |
Special Features:
- Low-light capabilities
- Two lenses
- HD video
Benefits:
- Front-facing and interior views
- Excellent storage
Disadvantages:
- Susceptible to failing in high-heat environments
- Requires hardware kit to keep it running while parked
Pricing: $79
Garmin Dashcam Mini
Best For: Discretion
If you want your dash cam to go unnoticed, then the Garmin Dashcam Mini is the best solution for you! It is the smallest dash cam for Uber drivers on our list.
This Garmin camera is reliable and produces clear videos time and time again.
| Technical Specifications | |
| Lenses/Channels | 1 |
| Resolution | 1080P HD |
| Coverage | Front-facing |
| Operating Temperature | Between -4 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Audio Recording | Yes |
| GPS | No |
| Memory | 8BG |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Low-Light Capabilities | No |
Special Features:
- Compact
- Incident-detection capabilities
Benefits:
- Discrete
- Affordable
- Wi-Fi
Disadvantages:
- Only one lens
- Small storage capacity
Pricing: $129.99
Garmin Dash Cam Tandem
Best For: Interior Video
Our next option provides optimal cabin recording and HD front-facing video footage. The Garmin Dash Cam Tandem is reliable and easy to install. If you want interior and exterior recording options, consider this quality dash cam.
| Technical Specifications | |
| Lenses/Channels | 2 |
| Resolution | 1440P front-facing and 720P interior |
| Coverage | Front-facing and interior |
| Operating Temperature | -4 to 172 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Audio Recording | Yes |
| GPS | No |
| Memory | microSD memory up to 128GB |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Low-Light Capabilities | Yes |
Special Features:
- Night vision
- Garmin app
- Voice controls
- Wi-Fi
Benefits:
- Dual cameras
- Excellent video quality
- Upgradable storage
Disadvantages:
- Night vision is low quality
- No GPS
Pricing: $299
Vantrue N2 Pro
Best For: Overall Coverage
The Vantrue N2 Pro is the best overall dash cam for Uber drivers. It provides excellent video quality and superior storage. It is also extremely reliable and has multiple lenses.
| Technical Specifications | |
| Lenses/Channels | 2 |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 on both cameras |
| Coverage | Front-facing and interior |
| Operating Temperature | -20 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Audio Recording | Yes |
| GPS | Yes |
| Memory | 256GB |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Low-Light Capabilities | Yes |
Special Features:
- Dual cameras
- GPS
- Wi-Fi
Benefits:
- Great video quality
- Large storage capacity
- Durable
- Good sound quality
Disadvantages:
- GPS requires an additional fee
Pricing: $200
How Does a Dash Cam Work?
Dash cams are mounted to the windshield or the dash of your vehicle. The cameras are plugged into either a USB port or another power source in your car.
Dash cams continuously record while you drive. Some devices only have front-facing cameras, while others offer the ability to capture video from multiple angles. You can even record audio, though that will depend on the features of the device that you purchase.
What Makes a Good Dash Cam for Uber Drivers?
Not all dash cams are suitable for ridesharing drivers. When you’re shopping for a good dash cam for Uber drivers, you should look for the following features in particular.
Reliability
Does the camera have great ratings? If not, then it may malfunction when you need it to work the most.
Video Quality
At a minimum, the quality of your dash cam video should be good enough to read the license plate of vehicles in front of you. Modern dash cams are available in 4K, meaning they can produce quality, detailed videos.
Good Memory
Make sure that your dash cam has enough storage to record multiple trips. If you normally drive for Uber in six-hour intervals, look for a camera that can store at least eight hours of video.
That way, your dash cam will not only be able to record footage while driving for Uber but it will also work for the duration of your trip home as well.
Customer Satisfaction
Customer reviews are a great source of information. If a dash cam has consistently high reviews, then it is probably a good buy. Likewise, a device with mixed reviews is probably not the best choice for Uber drivers.
Ease of Use
Dash cams need to be user-friendly. If a dash camera seems like it’s too complicated, keep searching. There are plenty of options out there that are simple and easy to set up.
Discretion
While Uber allows drivers to install dash cams, some passengers may not like the idea of being recorded. That’s why we recommend using compact, discrete camera systems. They are less likely to agitate customers and they won’t obscure your view while driving.
Extra Features
Some dash cams feature multiple cameras and audio, while others only include a front-facing lens. When you’re shopping for a dash cam for Uber drivers, identify which features are most important to you.
Choosing the Best Dash Cam for Uber Drivers
Before you make a purchase, take the time to compare each camera. By doing so, you can find an impressive mix of value and features that will meet your needs.
FAQ
Yes, Uber drivers are allowed to have dash cams. However, Uber does not provide these cameras to their drivers.
There are many different dash cams available. The equipment featured above in our guide are all great choices for rideshare drivers.
Yes, there are 360 dash cam options available. However, front- and rear-facing cams are far more common. These devices do not capture what is happening beside the car, but usually provide enough information to determine fault in an accident.
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