Head-to-head · Best Dash Cams Under $200

Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 vs Vantrue E1 Pro

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.4 vs 4.0). Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is best for: drivers who want a tiny, discreet dash cam without GPS. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Dash Cams Under $200

Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2

4.4

5 sources

The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is about the size of a key fob and records 1080p with HDR through a 139-degree lens, with no screen and no GPS. TechRadar and Tom's Guide both liked how simply it installs and how completely it hides behind a rearview mirror. Voice commands work, the G-sensor locks a clip on impact, and everything else happens in the phone app. Drivers who want unobtrusive accident documentation are the fit; anyone who wants location data or higher resolution should spend more.

Strengths

— Records 1080p with HDR at 30fps, clear enough to read plates in daylight
— Small enough to hide completely behind a rearview mirror
— Installs in minutes on an adhesive ball mount powered from the 12-volt socket

Watch-outs

— No GPS, so clips carry no location or speed data
— No screen, so reviewing footage means opening the phone app
— microSD card is not included in the box

Buy at walmart.com Full review →

Ranked #4 in Best Dash Cams Under $200

Vantrue E1 Pro

4.0

2 sources$100as of Oct 11

The Vantrue E1 Pro is a small front-only dash cam that records 4K at 30fps through a 158-degree lens, with GPS, 5GHz Wi-Fi, voice control and a 1.54-inch screen. TechRadar praised its footage, easy setup and support for microSD cards up to 1TB. Tom's Guide found daytime video 'crisp and clear' but said night footage turns noisy and that oncoming license plates were hard to read after dark, and reported that the unit runs very hot. It has no rear camera.

Strengths

— 4K 3840 x 2160 at 30fps from a Sony IMX678 Starvis 2 sensor (TechRadar)
— Daytime footage is crisp and clear with well-judged color and contrast (Tom's Guide)
— Takes microSD cards up to 1TB (TechRadar)

Watch-outs

— Night footage is noisy and grainy, and oncoming plates were hard to read after dark (Tom's Guide)
— Runs extremely hot in use, even with the display asleep (Tom's Guide)
— On-screen graphics are tiny; the app is the better way to manage it (TechRadar)

$100 · Buy at blackboxmycar.com Full review →

How they stack up

Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2

The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is the most discreet option here, with no screen where the Nextbase 522GW, Vantrue E1 Pro and Redtiger F7N all have one. It keeps the reliable Garmin app and easy install, but at 1080p it trails the 4K Vantrue E1 Pro, the 1440p Nextbase 522GW and the 2.5K Redtiger F7N on resolution, and it lacks the front-and-rear coverage that the Redtiger provides.

Vantrue E1 Pro

The E1 Pro records 4K, a higher resolution than the 1080p Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2, the 1440p Nextbase 522GW and the 2.5K front camera of the Redtiger F7N. Like the Garmin and the Nextbase it is front-only, so the Redtiger F7N is the pick here for front-and-rear recording. Its 1.54-inch screen is far smaller than the 3-inch displays on the Nextbase and Redtiger, while the Garmin has no screen at all.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2	Vantrue E1 Pro
Resolution	1080p	4K (3840 x 2160) at 30fps, front only
Field Of View	139°	158 degrees
Display	None	1.54 inch
Storage	microSD up to 128GB	microSD up to 1TB
GPS	No	Yes
Parking Mode	Yes	Yes (requires hardwire kit, not included)
Night Vision	Yes	HDR, PlatePix mode
Dimensions	—	1.73 x 1.97 x 1.73 in

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