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

Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 vs VIOFO A119 Mini 2

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

VIOFO A119 Mini 2 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.4). VIOFO A119 Mini 2 is best for: drivers who want sharp front-only footage and buffered parking mode in a small, discreet camera. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #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

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Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Dash Cams Under $200

VIOFO A119 Mini 2

4.6

1 source$130as of Oct 17

The VIOFO A119 Mini 2 is a compact, front-only dash cam with a Sony STARVIS 2 sensor, a 140-degree lens, a 1.5-inch screen, GPS and dual-band Wi-Fi. PCWorld rated it 4.5/5 and found its footage excellent for colour and headlight-flare handling, while Vortex Radar names it the best budget front-only dash cam for its low-light clarity and buffered parking recording. The Gadgeteer praised the voice control and notifications, but found the default 60fps mode soft and the collision sensor over-eager on the motorway. It suits drivers who want strong front video in a small, discreet body; anyone who needs rear coverage or cloud alerts should look elsewhere.

Strengths

— Small body blocks less of the windscreen view and draws less attention than most dash cams
— Good colour and detail at night, with decent control of headlight flare
— Buffered parking mode saves footage from before and after an impact when hardwired

Watch-outs

— Mount uses semi-permanent adhesive and cannot be re-angled after fitting
— Front-only recording, with no rear camera option
— Collision sensor saved clips on lane changes and bumps even at low sensitivity

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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.

VIOFO A119 Mini 2

Like the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 and Vantrue E1 Pro, the A119 Mini 2 is a small front-only camera, but it adds a built-in screen, GPS and voice control, and PCWorld judged it a worthy competitor to Garmin's small cameras, which keep the advantage of a fully adjustable mount. Unlike the Redtiger F7N it has no rear camera, so buyers who need front-and-rear coverage should look at that model instead.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2	VIOFO A119 Mini 2
Resolution	1080p	—
Field Of View	139°	140 degrees
Display	None	—
Storage	microSD up to 128GB	microSD up to 512GB (not included)
GPS	No	—
Parking Mode	Yes	—
Night Vision	Yes	—
Sensor	—	Sony STARVIS 2 IMX675
Video Resolution	—	2560x1440 at 60fps; 2592x1944 at 30fps
Screen	—	1.5-inch colour LCD
Connectivity	—	2.4GHz/5GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS
Power	—	USB-C via GPS mount

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