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Shopping for the best dash cam under $100 forces a clear hardware decision before you look at resolution numbers: do you spend your budget on one compact front camera with a supercapacitor and a magnetic GPS mount, or stretch the same budget across a front-and-rear (2-channel) kit? Budget listings also differ on power source, GPS, and how close the price sits to the cap, so check each spec row before you buy.
We reviewed 16 budget dash cam candidates from eight brands (Vantrue, 70mai, REDTIGER, Garmin, VIOFO, ROVE, Thinkware, and Rexing). Four made the list based on Keepa sales-rank history, ratings, and seller feedback, plus maker pages and warranty terms. Prices change, so confirm the listing price before you buy. If you are still deciding between one camera and two, read our guide to front-only vs front-and-rear dash cams, and for premium dual-channel kits see the best dash cam for cars.
Quick answer
- Best mini cube with supercapacitorThe Vantrue E1 Lite is the best dash cam under $100 if you want a compact single-channel 1080P camera with HDR, built-in dual-system GPS, a magnetic-assist mount, 5GHz Wi-Fi, voice control, and a supercapacitor.Check price →See review ↓
- Best entry-level front cameraThe 70mai M310 sits in the lowest $ price band and records 2304x1296P video at 30fps with a 3.5M Type-C power port and voice control, though it runs on a 300mAh battery and its spec list does not include GPS.Check price →
- Best screenless dual-channelThe REDTIGER F9 (no card) is the only pick here that pairs 4K front + 1080P rear recording with a supercapacitor (-20°C to 70°C), along with a GPS logger and 5.8GHz Wi-Fi.Check price →
- Best dual-channel with 3-inch screenThe 70mai A800S pairs a Sony IMX415 4K front camera and a rear camera with a 3-inch screen, built-in GPS, and ADAS, running on a 500mAh internal battery (-10°C to 60°C).Check price →
Best dash cam under $100: our picks at a glance
Budget models split between supercapacitors (Vantrue E1 Lite and REDTIGER F9) and internal batteries (70mai M310 and 70mai A800S). Compare the power source and channel counts below before choosing. Price bands are relative, and $ is the budget tier.
| Model & Price Band | Channels & Resolution | Power Source & Operating Temp | Screen & GPS | Warranty (Maker Page) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vantrue E1 Lite ($) | 1-Channel: 1920x1080P with HDR | Supercapacitor | Built-in dual-system GPS, voice control | 12 months, extendable to 18 months free when registered on vantrue.net |
| 70mai M310 ($) | 1-Channel: 2304x1296P 30fps, WDR (F2.0, 130° FOV) | 300mAh internal battery (-20°C to 60°C / -4°F to 140°F) | No screen or GPS on the spec sheet | 12 months (70mai official-store warranty policy) |
| REDTIGER F9 (No Card) ($) | 2-Channel: front 4K (2160P) + rear 1080P (F1.8, front WDR) | Supercapacitor (-20°C to 70°C / -4°F to 158°F) | No screen (5.8GHz Wi-Fi app), GPS logger | Free 18+6 months, listed as official-site only |
| 70mai A800S ($) | 2-Channel: front 3840×2160 (Sony IMX415, F1.8, 140° FOV) + rear camera | 500mAh internal battery (-10°C to 60°C / 14°F to 140°F) | 3-inch screen (854×480), built-in GPS, ADAS | 12 months (70mai official-store warranty policy) |
The 4 best dash cam under $100 picks
Every pick below passed our Keepa sales-rank and seller checks, with 99% to 100% positive seller feedback, and each was listed under the $100 line when we checked its Amazon listing. The sellers are VANTRUE, 70mai, and TANLINK-Direct.
Vantrue E1 Lite
Best for: Commuters and leased-car drivers who want a discreet cube camera with a supercapacitor, built-in GPS, and voice control
The Vantrue E1 Lite is our top pick as the best dash cam under $100 for drivers who prioritize a tiny footprint over multi-camera wiring. According to Vantrue’s E1 Lite product page, it records 1920x1080P video with HDR and lists 5GHz Wi-Fi with a free app, smart voice control, a built-in dual-system GPS logger, 24/7 parking mode with 15s pre-recording buffered motion detection, support for 512GB cards, a magnetic-assist mount, and a supercapacitor that Vantrue says lets the camera withstand cold and heat. Vantrue’s warranty page lists 12 months, plus 6 free months (18 total) when you register on vantrue.net.
On Keepa, the Vantrue E1 Lite holds a steady sales rank in the On-Dash Cameras category, with a 4.3 rating across 1,226 reviews and sold by VANTRUE (99% positive).
Fine print: Vantrue’s page says the CPL filter is sold separately and lists support for 512GB cards. It describes parking mode as 24/7 with 15s pre-recording buffered motion detection, so plan on a hardwire kit or battery pack for engine-off recording. Check the listing’s box contents to see whether a microSD card is included.
What we like
- Supercapacitor power, a magnetic-assist mount, built-in dual-system GPS, and 5GHz Wi-Fi in a compact cube
- Supports up to 512GB microSD cards and 15-second pre-recording buffered motion detection (with optional hardwire kit)
- 12-month warranty extends to 18 months free with online registration
Watch out for
- Single-channel 1080P only; no rear camera
- CPL filter is sold separately
Verdict: A compact single-channel camera with a supercapacitor and built-in GPS. Skip it if you need a rear camera or higher than 1080P resolution.
70mai M310
Best for: Drivers on a strict budget who want a simple, screenless 1296P front camera with USB-C power and voice commands
If you want to spend as little as possible while still getting a manufacturer warranty and more pixels than 1080P, the 70mai M310 records 2304x1296P (2K QHD) video at 30fps, about 1.44 times the pixel count of 1920x1080P. According to 70mai’s official M310 specification page, it uses an SC3336P image sensor, an SSC337 processor, and a 2G2P+IRF F2.0 lens with a 130° field of view, WDR, 3DNR, a 3.5M Type-C power port, and voice control. 70mai’s warranty policy lists 12 months for dash cams bought from its official online store.
On Keepa, the 70mai M310 holds a steady sales rank in the On-Dash Cameras category, with a 4.2 rating across 3,649 reviews and sold by 70mai (100% positive).
Fine print: Check three things on 70mai’s M310 specification page: (1) it uses a 300mAh battery (-20°C to 60°C working temperature) rather than a supercapacitor; (2) its function list does not include GPS, so it cannot stamp speed or location; and (3) 24H parking surveillance needs 70mai’s hardwire kit, sold separately.
What we like
- Sharper 2304x1296P front video than 1080P, a Type-C power port, and voice control at an entry-level price
- Compact 100.3 x 52.5 x 36.1 mm body
- Supports 16GB to 256GB microSD cards
Watch out for
- No GPS on the spec sheet, and it is a front-only camera
- Uses a 300mAh internal battery instead of a supercapacitor, and its 130° FOV is narrower than the 140° listed for the A800S
Verdict: A simple, low-cost front witness camera for everyday commuting. Skip it if you want GPS speed stamps, a rear camera, or a supercapacitor.
REDTIGER F9 (No Card Edition)
Best for: Drivers who want front-and-rear recording, built-in GPS, and a high-temp supercapacitor under $100
According to REDTIGER’s official model comparison table, the REDTIGER F9 is a 2-channel system that records front 4K (2160P) + rear 1080P through an F1.8 lens with front WDR, a GPS logger, 5.8GHz Wi-Fi (8M/s as listed), a dedicated 3M mount, and a supercapacitor with a -20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F) working temperature. The same table lists no display and no voice control for the F9, and REDTIGER lists a free 18+6 month warranty as an official-site-only benefit.
On Keepa, the REDTIGER F9 (no card) maintains a steady sales rank in the On-Dash Cameras category, with a 4.2 rating across 2,620 reviews and sold by TANLINK-Direct (100% positive).
Fine print: This passing Amazon listing (B0C1Z4MQF8) is the no-card edition, so you must supply your own microSD card; REDTIGER’s table lists support for up to external 256GB. The table also lists front WDR rather than HDR for the F9, and 5.8GHz Wi-Fi at 8M/s versus a max of 20Mb/s on the F7N Touch.
What we like
- True 2-channel (4K front + 1080P rear) coverage with a supercapacitor rated up to 70°C (158°F) and built-in GPS
- Dedicated 3M mount and no display
- Free 18+6 month warranty is listed for orders from REDTIGER’s official site
Watch out for
- No screen and no voice control; all live aiming and setting changes require connecting to the smartphone app
- This no-card listing does not include a microSD card, and the F9 supports cards up to 256GB
Verdict: A front-and-rear camera with a supercapacitor and GPS at a budget price. Skip it if you want an onboard screen to aim the lens and review clips without your phone (pick the 70mai A800S).
70mai A800S
Best for: Drivers who want a 4K Sony IMX415 front camera + rear camera with a 3-inch screen, built-in GPS, and ADAS alerts
The 70mai A800S is the only pick here that combines a 4K front camera, a rear camera, a 3-inch screen, and built-in GPS. According to 70mai’s official A800S product page, it lists 3840×2160 video at 30FPS from a Sony IMX415 image sensor behind a 7G F1.8 lens with a 140° field of view, a 3-inch screen (854×480), dual-channel recording, built-in GPS with route tracking, ADAS, 3D dynamic noise reduction, and a 500mAh battery. 70mai’s warranty policy lists 12 months for dash cams bought from its official online store.
On Keepa, the 70mai A800S held a steadier sales rank in the On-Dash Cameras category after wider swings earlier (with a minor slip in recent weeks), backed by a 4.4 rating across 1,561 reviews and sold by 70mai (100% positive).
Fine print: (1) The A800S runs on a 500mAh internal battery with a -10°C to 60°C working temperature, which is narrower at the cold end than the -20°C listed for the M310 and F9. (2) 70mai lists Smart Parking Surveillance, and its 1fps time-lapse mode compresses every 30 minutes of video into 1 minute, but check which hardwire kit your car needs. (3) It sits closest to the $100 line of our four picks, so confirm the listing price before you buy.
What we like
- 3840×2160 front resolution from a Sony IMX415 sensor and 7G F1.8 lens, with a 3-inch screen and a rear camera
- Built-in GPS shows time, speed (mph or km/h) and coordinates, plus ADAS alerts
- 1fps time-lapse parking mode compresses every 30 minutes of video into 1 minute to save card space
Watch out for
- Uses a 500mAh internal battery rated for -10°C to 60°C rather than a supercapacitor
- Sales rank showed wider swings earlier and a minor dip in recent weeks on Keepa
Verdict: The only pick with a 3-inch screen alongside front-and-rear 4K recording. Skip it if you live in a region with sub-14°F (-10°C) winters or extreme summer cabin heat (choose the supercapacitor REDTIGER F9 or Vantrue E1 Lite), or if sitting close to the price cap matters to you.
Best dash cam under $100: storage and time-lapse math
Check whether a microSD card is included before you buy, because it changes your total cost. Maker pages list different maximum card sizes: the Vantrue E1 Lite supports 512GB, the REDTIGER F9 lists up to 256GB, and the 70mai M310 lists a 16G-256G slot. Here is the pixel and time-lapse math from the maker specs:
Resolution pixel gain and 30:1 parking time-lapse math
Step 1 (pixel count): 1080P (1920 x 1080) is 2,073,600 pixels per frame. 2304 x 1296 (70mai M310) is 2,985,984 pixels, about 1.44 times 1080P. 3840 x 2160 (70mai A800S front) is 8,294,400 pixels, 4.0 times 1080P. REDTIGER’s footnote says its 4K label means exported video of at least 3840 x 2160.Step 2 (time-lapse ratio): 70mai says the A800S records at 1fps in parking mode and compresses every 30 minutes of video into 1 minute, a 30:1 reduction from normal 30fps recording.Example (12-hour overnight park): 12 hours = 720 minutes; 720 / 30 = 24 minutes of saved video.More pixels per frame means bigger files on the same card, so check each camera’s card-size limit. Sources: 70mai A800S specification page and 70mai M310 specification page.
Buying checks for the best dash cam under $100
When shopping for the best dash cam under $100, check four fine-print details on the maker pages before you mount the camera:
- Check whether your 12V socket stays powered when the car is off. Some vehicles keep the socket live with the key out, so a camera plugged into it keeps running. Check your owner’s manual, and if the socket stays live, unplug the camera or use a hardwire kit. VIOFO says its hardwire kits and OBD power cables have low-battery protection that shuts power off when the car’s voltage is low (see its parking mode guide). For what else a 12V socket can run, see our guide on how many amps a 12V car fridge draws.
- Match the card to the camera’s limit: The Vantrue E1 Lite lists support for 512GB cards, the REDTIGER F9 lists up to external 256GB, and the 70mai M310 lists a 16G-256G slot. A 4K camera writes much more data per frame than a 1080P one (see the pixel math above).
- Warranty terms depend on where you buy: 70mai’s warranty page covers purchases from its official online store (12 months for dash cams), REDTIGER lists its free 18+6 month warranty as official-site-only, and Vantrue extends 12 months to 18 free when you register at vantrue.net and lists authorized online sellers on its warranty page, so check the seller name.
- GPS is not on every budget camera: The Vantrue E1 Lite, REDTIGER F9, and 70mai A800S list GPS. The 70mai M310’s spec list does not include it.
Dash cams we rejected for the best dash cam under $100 list
Several well-known dash cams fall outside our rules for this guide. We rejected the 12 models below after checking their Amazon listings and, where a Keepa history existed, their price and sales-rank history:
| Model Checked | Why We Rejected It |
|---|---|
| Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 | Multi-month average price on Keepa sits above the budget cap, dipping under the limit only intermittently |
| Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 | Active Amazon listing sits far above the budget cap in a higher price band |
| VIOFO A119 Mini 2 | Buy Box price sits above the budget cap |
| VIOFO A119 V3 | Active Amazon listing sits above the budget cap |
| ROVE R2-4K | Active Amazon listing sits above the budget cap |
| REDTIGER F7NP-N (No Card) | Short Keepa tracking history and a Buy Box price above the budget cap |
| Thinkware F70 PRO | Weak and declining sales volume on Keepa compared to our passing single-channel picks |
| 70mai A510 | Buy Box sits above the budget cap (the lower price is Prime-only) |
| 70mai A810 Lite | Short Keepa tracking history and a Buy Box price above the budget cap |
| Rexing V1 | Flat review count over recent periods and a weak category sales rank on Keepa |
| REDTIGER A3 | No matching US Amazon listing available |
| 70mai A410 Dual / A500S | No matching US Amazon listing found as named for the dual-channel kit |
How we chose these picks
We did not lab-test dash cams; to find the best dash cam under $100, we checked Keepa sales-rank histories and Amazon listing prices, then checked every specification we cite against maker pages and warranty terms.
Sources: Vantrue Official Comparison & Warranty, 70mai M310 Specs, 70mai A800S Specs, REDTIGER Official Comparison, NHTSA Recall Report 21V-834
Bottom line: If you want a compact, heat-resistant single-channel camera with built-in GPS and voice control, the Vantrue E1 Lite is the best dash cam under $100. If you want front-and-rear coverage without breaking your budget, the supercapacitor REDTIGER F9 (screenless) or the 70mai A800S with a 3-inch screen is the best dash cam under $100 for two-window protection, while the 70mai M310 is a simple 1296P front-only witness camera at the lowest $ price point.
A budget camera plugged into an always-live socket can keep drawing power after you park, so read do dash cams drain your car battery before leaving one plugged in, and see dash cam parking mode explained for how parking modes work. For pickups and work rigs, check the best dash cam for trucks.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get a reliable front and rear dash cam under $100?
Do dash cams under $100 come with a microSD card?
Which dash cam under $100 is best for hot climates?
Do budget dash cams record speed and GPS location?
Do I need a hardwire kit for parking mode on a budget dash cam?
Do dash cams under $100 include a warranty?
Researched by Shahzad
Amazon seller who researches products using sales-rank history, price tracking and owner reviews before recommending anything. Read our disclosure.