Best Dash Cam for Uber According to Drivers – 2019 Edition

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You’ve been driving rideshare for a while now and you’ve noticed that other Uber drivers are sporting a dash cam. But you don’t have one. If you’re anything like me, you probably didn’t give it a second thought. That is until you really, — and I mean really— needed it. There’s a damn good reason seasoned rideshare veterans are sporting a dash cam. In fact, there are many.

That is why we crafted this guide for you so that you can get the skinny on the world of dash cams for Uber. There are many tools that can help you smooth out the rougher edges of your rideshare gig including light up signage, best practices for the business side of your rideshare gig, and apps you should install…yesterday. However, none of the tools we’ve described up to this point are as useful as the savior that is the dash cam. So let’s get into it!

Why is it essential to install and use a dash cam for Uber drivers?

There is a multitude of reasons to install and use a dash cam every single time you click, Go Online. Listen, rideshare is a volatile and unpredictable business and because you are not considered an employee, but are in fact a contractor you put yourself at risk every time you go online with either Uber or Lyft. Accidents, traffic citations, fraud, false accusations, thieves, rowdy passengers, and much more can happen once you kick the tires and hit the road.

The harsh truth is that if any of these things happen to you while driving for a rideshare company, you are automatically behind the eight-ball. Riders have the upper hand, particularly in the eyes of Uber and Lyft and they will almost always side with the rider, or worse cover their own ass and leave you sitting in the dirt. But what if you could protect yourself? While the Dash Cam might not be a magic potion, it is one of your more powerful tools.

Accidents

The number one reason to pick up and install a dash cam for Uber is to ensure that you are protected in the event of an accident. Many drivers do not think about the rideshare gig as a dangerous line of work, but the facts state the opposite. Driving for a rideshare company not only increases your chances of being in a wreck, simply by increasing your drive time, but it also puts you at a greater risk getting into legal and financial trouble in the event of an accident. A rule of thumb here is, no one cares as much about you as you do, Uber and Lyft are no different. So, you need to find a way to protect yourself.

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Insurance

Should you take the leap and purchase a Dash Cam for Uber, you can mitigate the damage done to your business, your life, and your pocketbook. Accidents happen and that is no lie, anyone who has been in one knows that the initial crash is the easy part, its all the insurance red tape and legal pitfalls that are really hard.

But, if you have evidence provided by a cleverly placed dash cam, you can avoid the game of he said she said. Dash cams for Uber provide you with visual and sometimes audio evidence that can help get you out of a bind. Insurance companies, lawyers, and officers are much more likely to agree with your side of the story if you provide compelling evidence, which a dash cam can provide.

Coverage

Beyond accidents involving yourself and your ride, if your Uber dash cam features a front and rear facing the camera, you will often capture evidence that could aid someone else who experienced an accident, and the evidence you just collected could help someone else.

Traffic Citations

The second reason to install a dash cam for Uber falls in line with our previous reason, that is combatting ticky tacky traffic citations. Visual evidence can help turn the tide in court if you feel you might have been slighted by a traffic light ticket, or as we mentioned above, in the case of a ticket presented at the scene of an accident.

Throw in the fact that you can receive a ticket for something that your passenger does, it is imperative that you implement a way to capture visual and audio evidence as proof of your own innocence. I’ve spoken to many drivers over the years who have used Uber dash cam footage to get them out of paying monster tickets, though this has been on a case by case basis, and I cannot claim that it will always work. Still, the proof is in the visual pudding.

There are additional benefits in our modern world to having a dashcam, if you feel that you are being harassed by the boys and girls in blue, a dashcam could help keep things amiable.

Security/Safety

The third reason to install a dash cam for Uber is to protect yourself in the event of something truly wild happening in your vehicle. Passengers are largely benign, but sometimes they can get rowdy. We’ve all seen the news stories of passengers either attacking drivers or other riders. While testimonies can be helpful in court, a slam dunk case is usually open and shut with video evidence. Beyond collecting evidence, the mere presence of a dash cam makes most people think twice about pulling any funny business in your ride. In fact, you can often get a good read on someone based on their reaction to seeing it. Seriously, follow their eyes!

Protection from fraud

Tailing off of the last reason, a dash cam for Uber can help protect you from fraudulent riders or fraudulent drivers. It doesn’t happen often but there are riders out there who try to job the system, particularly with newly minted drivers. If you are recording the interactions between yourself and the rider you have a leg up on them when it comes to disputing a fraudulent incident.

Most of the time, this happens when a rider attempts to get a free ride, by lying to the Uber or Lyft customer service department through the app. Sometimes you’ll find an adjusted charge or ride that will end up costing you money. But if you have ample evidence to support that you did drop off and pick up your PAX, then you can send in the video evidence to Uber and collect the appropriate recompensation. Without the evidence, Uber and Lyft will almost always side with the PAX.

Furthermore, what if someone jumps out in front of your vehicle? There are many stories in recent news that prove just how wild this world can be. While the most common need for an Uber dash cam might not be when crazy people jump in front of your car, it doesn’t hurt to be fully prepared.

Protection from false accusations

One of the most despicable claims that an Uber dash cam can help protect you against are false accusations. The world we operate isn’t perfect and occasionally a driver will be accused of harassment, assault, sexually inappropriate behavior, or even of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. I’ve talked to drivers who have experienced this first hand and the sheer amount of red tape, stress, and loss of productive hours have cost them far more than a job.

If Uber or Lyft receive even the slightest complaint that falls within any of the above categories, you will be deactivated immediately, make no mistake. This will often instigate an investigation from Uber or Lyft, and in this case, you will want evidence to defend yourself with so that you can recoup losses once you are done. The more time you spend off the road, the more you lose out on.

Protection from thieves

Thieves are not something we often think about, but as rideshare drivers, we often stock our cars with car chargers, signage, snacks, and other tech related items that might entice a thief to make a run at your ride. However, the presence of a dash cam can often deter even the most skilled thieves. Most thieves will go after low hanging fruit, not after the vehicle that appears to be prepared to snag an image of them in the act. Even a faux dash cam for Uber can have this effect, though I do not recommend going for the head-fake.

Increase in overall passenger good behavior

Like with thieves, your passengers will often show an incredible spike in good behavior when you install a dash cam for Uber. People don’t like the world knowing that they’ve been rude or have done something wrong and the dash cam often acts as a deterrent for passengers to start anything. Many of your passengers will ask you straight up if you are recording them. This can lead to some pretty great interactions with a decently behaved passenger. It can also indicate when a passenger might be inclined to cause trouble. Once you install your dash cam for Uber, you will start to notice the subtle differences between the two kinds of passengers.

Road rage and DUI defense

We’ve all seen the chaos that is rampant during high traffic times. I can personally attest that many times I wish there was an officer around, but there often isn’t one. Well, what if you could capture the moment the wild driver tried to run you off the road or the moment a drunk driver swerved into your lane? Having ample video evidence can afford you the opportunity to bring about justice. While it is not always possible to do so and I don’t usually recommend being a traffic vigilante, a dash cam can come in handy in those insane situations.

Funny stuff can happen!

On a lighter note, a dash cam for Uber can help you capture some purely hilarious moments with passengers, even if they are only for your own enjoyment. (As I would not recommend posting or showing others without the consent of the rider as you could be majorly sued for doing so).

What to look for in a Dash Cam 

Now that we have begun to crack the surface of why you need to get a dash cam for Uber, yesterday! Let’s take a look at the necessary features to consider when purchasing and installing a dash cam in your rideshare ride.

This will depend largely on your style and type of rideshare driving. If you are a part-time driver, you might want to consider a more cost-effective dash cam with fewer features. However, if you are a full-time driver, you might want to spring for every single bell and whistle there is on the market, today.

Interior or exterior video recording

The majority of dash cams offer one-way video recording capabilities. This can provide you with a clear view of either your windshield or your passenger. Whether you are more concerned with recording your passengers or in capturing potential accidents, you’ll need to determine whether or not you want front or rear facing cameras. There are, of course, dash cam models that feature a two-way recording capability, however, those models tend to be more expensive.

Determine your budget first and see if a one way or two-way camera is worth the initial investment. Many drivers get by just fine with a single directional camera, though they know which direction is important for them to record. If your primary concern is passenger-related, a single direction camera can help you.

Interior Audio recording

Another great feature to think about is an audio recording feature. The overwhelming majority of dash cams that won’t break the bank do not offer audio recording. In the event of a dispute between a passenger and yourself, an audio recording to accompany the video recording can be incredibly useful. Keep in mind that audio recordings can be distorted in accidents or if sound rises above the appropriate decibel levels. If you spring for a model that has audio recording capabilities make absolutely sure you have calculated the need and the return on your investment.

Infrared or Night Vision

If you drive in the wee hours of the morning or during the night rush an infrared or night vision feature can be beyond helpful. Night Vision can be the difference between catching a passenger in the act or being hamstrung by low-level light. Accidents are also illuminated by this simple feature, even though it does cost extra. If you are a night-time driver you will want to find a dash cam with a night vision feature.

Motion Activated

Motion activation is a feature that might not seem to be helpful, but in the event of a hit and run when you are parked, it could save you both time and money. Not all rideshare drivers have a cushy garage to store their vehicle in and I know first hand that living in an urban setting comes with certain dangers. If you’ve been the victim of a hit and run while you were parked then you know how much you wish you had video evidence of the driver. With motion activation, you can increase your chances of catching the thief, hit and run driver, or the vandal that keyed or egged your car.

Memory Capacity

Memory is one of the biggest features you need to consider when choosing a dash cam for Uber. If you are a full-time driver or even if you are a part-time driver, you will need a certain capacity to record the events of the road. If you plan on driving full-time, you will need a dash cam that features an enormous storehouse of memory capabilities, or at the very least, one with expandable memory.

Most dash cams feature a micro or USB memory slot or port. This allows you to choose or upgrade the amount of video and audio you can record. Some of the lower-end models do not contain their own memory drive nor do they feature expandable slots, so keep that in mind. You will want to be recording as close to full-time as you can and if you run out of memory right before an accident or incident you could be up a creek without a paddle.

Loop Recording

One of the more common features that exist in the realm of dash cams is the loop recording feature. Everyone knows that recording video requires space as we talked about above. But what if you had a feature that automatically recorded and deleted information stored on your memory card?

The majority of dash cams feature what is called a loop recording. This allows drivers to continuously record and drive without losing a second of valuable footage. It works by deleting the oldest data in favor of recording the newest data. This can be quite useful, particularly once you have swapped out memory card after memory card. The only catch is, that if you aren’t careful, you could record over important information. This is not a major concern as major incidents and accidents would automatically prompt you to secure the footage as soon as possible, effectively eliminating the chance of overwriting the pertinent information.

Accident Detection and Image Stabilization

One of the things I am sure you have considered is what does footage look like when you get slammed into? Well, if you choose a dash cam for Uber with accident detection and image stabilization, you are far more likely to get a clean shot. While these features are not foolproof, they do give you a stronger possibility to capture the events that have sidelined your ride.

Viewing Angle

One of the key considerations in your dash cam is the viewing angle of the camera both front and back. Viewing angles range from 90 degrees to 180 degrees, but the primary question most drivers have is which angle is best? The common answer is: the larger the angle, the more potential to capture an event.

90 degrees is commonly considered to be one of the worst angles available on the market. Inversely, 180 degrees is often considered to be detrimental to image clarity due to distortion. Some models are capable of getting around this limitation, but overall, it is best to find a dash cam for Uber with a 150-degree angle.

Installation

One of the less attractive or tech-savvy features of a dash cam is how you mount it. I can assure you that no matter the features you end up settling on, few will be as important as how it mounts. Some feature a suction cup model, others feature adhesion methods. The general consensus is that suction cups are the best available method. That might seem counter to your history with suction cups, however, I can assure you that most suction cup technology has dramatically improved. Whatever method your dash cam has, you will want to make sure that it is both durable and sturdy in its construction. A cheap mount will do you no favors.

Record GPS position and speed

One of the features you might want to consider exists on most of the higher-end model dash cams. GPS and speedometers are critical pieces of information to record, particularly when you’ve been in an accident. GPS data is difficult to fake and can dramatically increase your chances of winning a case.

The smaller the camera, the better!

One feature that not many figures into the decision is the actual size of the dash cam. A bulky dash cam could obstruct your view, therefore increasing your risk of receiving a ticket. Also, it is important to note that the less noticeable the camera is, the less likely you are to be confronted by riders or officers about your dash cam. Considering the strange legality of dash cam utilization, it is a feature that is of particular importance.

Other Important Features

Is it legal or illegal to record with a Dash Cam in my state?

This is a question that I hear from many drivers and the answer is, yes and no. It all depends on the regulations in your state. So it is important to do your due diligence and find out for yourself.

With that being said, the general rule of thumb is that if the mount or dash cam obstructs your view of the road in any way, you can and sometimes will be penalized for it. If you’ve got a phone mount and a dash cam mount and who knows what else, you might get pinged for it. However, most of the time if the camera is out of the field of view and is not obstructing your view, you won’t typically get you into hot water. But, again do your due diligence.

At the time of this publication, the following list can act as a general guideline.

Windshield Obstructions Prohibited: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Maine, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Windshield Obstruction Restrictions: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, Utah, Vermont

No Restrictions: Missouri, North Carolina

Best Dash Cams Under $100

Now that we have examined the reasons for installing and utilizing a dashcam, let’s take a look at three of the best dash cams available to rideshare drivers.

The market is full of dash cams that claim to be the best! I’ve tested a few myself and after some extensive research, I firmly trust the cameras listed below. I have purposefully included a few high-end models and a few value models to help you choose the dash cam that is best for your rideshare business.

1: CrossTour CR750

CrossTour has one of the best under $100 dash cams on the market, with a wide array of features that meet or exceed the criteria we listed above.

The CR750 sports a dual camera setup with 1080P front-facing camera and a 720P rear-facing camera. The front facing camera sports a 170-degree wide angle lens, while the rear-facing gives you a whopping 140-degree angle, complete with crystal clear sound quality. Throw in a built-in GPS module to track your trips and collect data, as well as a Parking Monitor DVR with built-in motion detection, Infrared Night Vision, a G-Sensor to lock accident footage from being overwritten, and expandable memory up to 32 gigabytes.

When you consider the total package comes in at just under $80 and sports a four and a half star rating on Amazon, you’ve got yourself an uber good deal.

Pros:

• Dual Camera with High Definition provides clear video.
• Parking DVR automation allows you to feel secure when you aren’t around to keep an eye on your car.
• The Super Night Vision works above standard models in the dash cam game.
• The patented G-Sensor locks accident footage and Loop recording cuts back on the need to buy memory cards.
• Expandable memory also helps catapult this product into our best dash cams under $100 category.
• The mounting system is beyond adequate.

Cons:

• The featured wide viewing angle on both cameras afford you a maximum view without too much distortion, but it still rides above the threshold of 150 degrees.
• Memory cards fill up after an 8-hour shift according to most user reports.
• No wireless transfer of videos, as Uber drivers have mentioned they want.
• Reported software issues.

Overall, for a value-based dash cam that will get you through with an average amount of frustration, the CrossTour CR750 features enough of the primary criteria we outlined earlier. It is not without its quirks and kinks, but for the price point of $79.99 beggars can’t truly be choosers.

Buy the CrossTour CR720 Here

2: Pruveeo D30H Dash Cam

Pruveeo is one of the premier brands in the dash cam industry, particularly in the value category.

The first Pruveeo camera to be on our list is the D30 which features a killer dual HD camera system. The front facing and rear facing cameras both feature 1920p by 1080p picture quality. Throw in the industry standard best wide viewing angle of 150 degrees in both cameras, infrared night vision, a Sony image sensor, automatic video compression, loop recording, and an expandable memory base up to 128 gigabytes and you’ve got one of the most promising dash cams under $100.

The best feature on the Pruveeo D30H is the sleek, discrete design that fixes the camera just behind your rearview mirror, minimizing any potential viewing obstructions. That is key, particularly in states that prohibit windshield mounting devices. 

Pros: 

• Super discreet design enables you to record without confrontation.
• Dual facing cameras at a full HD of 1920 by 1080P
• A 150 degree wide viewing angle for maximum quality and capture range.
• A quality infrared night vision feature.
• Wi-Fi capability for quick playback to your mobile device.
• Automatic loop recording to save space on your memory card.
• No battery necessary as the camera uses a super capacitor to power via an external charging cord.
• Expandable memory up to 128 gigabytes is a huge leap.

Cons: 

• Comes with a 3M Adhesive Mounting kit, and for purchase expansion to a suction cup mount, which limits your ability to mount how you desire.
• No Parking Recording feature
• Missing a GPS Built-In feature
• No Accident Detection feature
• Missing a Motion detection recording feature

Overall, the Pruveeo D30H dash cam provides you with a great standard base option that leaves out a number of the bells and whistles that other models feature. But at the price point of under $80, you can’t complain too much. Where it does shine in comparison to the CrossTour is with a crystal clear picture and a killer wide angle that can capture more detailed information than its peers. 

Buy the Pruveeo D30H Dashcam Here

3: Pruveeo C2 Dash Cam

Like the previously mentioned Pruveeo model, the Pruveeo C2 Dash cam features many of the same top of the line visual components.

Both cameras follow suit and feature 1920p by 1080p dual-facing cameras with the Sony Wide Dynamic Range image sensor. The 150 degree wide viewing angle also returns to provide you with the maximum image quality and recording range. The same amazing night vision quality is also a core feature, along with the expandable memory up to 128 gigabytes. The discrete design feature also returns minimizing the potential to obscure your view of the road.

Where this model differs is in the 2.7-inch liquid crystal display that allows you to view the videos directly from the camera. It also features a 320 mAH battery for emergency recording situations where the camera loses power. 

Pros: 

• Super discreet design enables you to record without confrontation.
• Dual facing cameras at a full HD of 1920 by 1080P
• A 150 degree wide viewing angle for maximum quality and capture range.
• A quality infrared night vision feature.
• Automatic loop recording to save space on your memory card.
• A battery backup system to record videos in emergency situations.
• 2.7 inch LCD viewing display for quick access to videos.

Cons: 

• Comes with a 3M Adhesive Mounting kit, and for purchase expansion to a suction cup mount, which limits your ability to mount how you desire.
• No Parking Recording feature
• Missing a GPS Built-In feature
• No Accident Detection feature
• Missing a Motion detection recording feature

Overall, the Pruveeo CR2 does much of what the D30H model does in addition to the added display and emergency battery backup. For only $10 more, coming in at $89.99, this value-based camera provides you with the core features needed to ensure your rideshare gig against threats. But if you were looking for the best value dash cam that comes in at the low price of $60, look no further than our next pick.

Buy the Pruveeo CR2 Dashcam Here

Best Value Dash Cam

Peztio FHD 1080P Dual Dash Cam

Coming in as the Best Value Dash Cam with a killer price point of under $60 is the Peztio FHD. It features a dual-facing 1080p camera recording with a 170 and 130-degree wide-angle view, WDR night vision, parking DVR, motion detection, G-sensor accident detection, a four-inch LCD display, and a backup camera feature.

The Peztio is a low-end camera that can provide you with many of the bells and whistles that higher end models have. 

Pros: 

• Dual facing cameras in full HD.
• WDR Night Vision
• Parking DVR with 24 Hour Recording
• Four Inch LCD display with touch screen
• Accident and motion detection features.
• Hyper low price point!
  
  

Cons:

• Wide angle of 170 degree can distort the image.
• Picture quality isn’t the best.
• Not as discrete as the Pruveeo models.

The overall take on the Peztio is that at such a low price point ,it is hard to deny the value of this dash cam. However, for only ten to twenty dollars more, you can get a serious upgrade to the Pruveeo models, despite their lack of G-Sensor and Accident detection features. 

Buy the Peztio FHD 1080P Dual Dash Cam Here

Drivers Choice for Best Dash Cam Period.

Vantrue N2 Pro

The Vantrue N2 Pro grand poobah of dash cams that won’t fully break the bank. There are many models that provide more features, but they are also double the price.

What you can count on with the Vantrue N2 is a host of features that give you the best shot under $200. The dual-facing cameras records at 1080P with the WDR Sony sensor that provides stellar night vision and picture clarity is backed up by a twenty-four-hour parking mode, G-Sensor, optional GPS, loop recording, expandable memory, and more. The 170 to 140-degree viewing angles are also crystal clear and do not appear to show distortion in the video, which is a huge plus. 

Pros:

• Dual facing 1080P Cameras
• Wide distortion-free 170-degree wide angle with 140 rear facing wide angle.
• WDR Sony Imaging Sensor for Night Vision
• G-Sensor for accident detection and recording lock to prevent videos from being overwritten.
• Optional GPS to track even more data as you drive.
• Build in LCD display for reviewing
  

Cons:

• Price point is on the higher end, but is not extortion
• Design is not as discrete as some
• No Wi-Fi feature which some lower-cost models have
• High-end recording can eat up memory cards without a compression feature.

Overall, for under $200, the Vantrue N2 Pro is a sturdy, time- and battle-tested dash cam that has been voted time and time again as one of the best dash cams for Uber, Lyft, and Taxi drivers. When it is all said and done, we listen to the drivers. And the majority of drivers I asked about which dash cam they love, the Vantrue N2 was one of the most frequently bought and loved cameras. 

Buy the Vantrue N2Pro Here

Final Thoughts

There are literally hundreds of dash cams for Uber you could check out. To help you decide, make a list features that really matter to you and fit with your general rideshare needs. Once you’ve determined that, find some within your budget range and go get one.

Seriously, the more time you waste, the more risk you put yourself in as a driver. You don’t need to have a dash cam to be a successful rideshare driver, it’s true. However, if you want to drive with peace of mind, a dash cam is one of the few things that can provide it. Dash cams for Uber are a blanket of protection against a wide range of problems that can and often do come up. 

NOTE: CONSIDER GETTING A SIGN THAT STATES YOU ARE RECORDING. There are multiple options on Amazon. Consider buying either a decal or sign to hang that states to riders that they are being recorded. Some states require you to visibly post that you are recording people. If you do not have their permission or do not display a sign, you could find yourself in legal trouble. It would be wise to do your due diligence to find out whether or not you need to declare it. Check out this sign here.