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

Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 vs Nextbase 522GW

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). The gap is mostly about budget-conscious GPS users — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Dash Cams Under $200

Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2

4.4

6 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
— 1080p only, and night-time plate legibility drops to a few feet
— No screen, so reviewing footage means opening the phone app

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Ranked #3 in Best Dash Cams Under $200

Nextbase 522GW

4.0

5 sources$199.99as of Aug 1

The Nextbase 522GW handles the mid-tier basics well, recording reliable 1080p video through a wide 170-degree lens. PCMag praised its ease of use and built-in GPS tracking, and Tom's Guide noted the straightforward mobile app integration. Reviewers flagged the absence of 4K recording as a limitation in a market that keeps pushing resolution. Drivers who want basic but dependable dash cam functionality are the fit; anyone who wants 4K or advanced AI capabilities should consider competitors.

Strengths

— Records 1080p video at 30fps with wide 170-degree field of view
— Built-in GPS tracks speed and location data
— Easy-to-use mobile app for viewing and managing footage

Watch-outs

— No 4K recording capability, which is becoming standard in competitors
— App can be slow and occasionally crashes during file transfers

$199.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2

The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is the most discreet option here, far smaller than the screen-equipped Nextbase 522GW or the dual-channel Viofo A129 Plus Duo and Redtiger F7N. It keeps the reliable Garmin app and easy install, but at 1080p front-only it trails the 1440p Viofo A129 Plus Duo and the Redtiger F7N on resolution, and it lacks the front-and-rear coverage that the Viofo, Redtiger and Apeman C550 provide.

Nextbase 522GW

The Nextbase 522GW pairs a large 3-inch touchscreen and built-in CPL filter with Alexa and Emergency SOS that none of the others here offer. Its single-channel 1080p/1440p capture is sharper than the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 and the budget Apeman C550, but unlike the dual-channel Viofo A129 Plus Duo and Redtiger F7N it needs an add-on module for rear coverage.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2	Nextbase 522GW
Resolution	1080p	1080p
Field Of View	139°	170 degrees
Display	None	3 inch IPS LCD
Storage	microSD up to 128GB	microSD (up to 128GB)
GPS	No	Yes
Parking Mode	Yes	Yes
Night Vision	Yes	Yes

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