How many GB would be enough for a Dash Cam?

In today’s world, a dash cam is more than just a gadget—it’s an essential tool for ensuring safety on the road. Whether you’re using it for protection in case of accidents or simply to record scenic road trips, understanding how much storage your dash cam needs is crucial for getting the most out of your device. Too little storage can lead to important footage being overwritten, while too much might be an unnecessary expense. So, how do you find the right balance? In this guide, we’ll explore the factors that influence your dash cam’s storage requirements and help you determine how many gigabytes are enough for your specific needs.

1. Factors Influencing Dash Cam Storage Needs

When deciding how much storage is required for your dash cam, several factors come into play. Each of these factors will affect the overall storage consumption, and understanding them is crucial to determining how many gigabytes (GB) your dash cam needs.

Video Quality

One of the primary factors influencing storage needs is the quality of the video your dash cam records. Dash cams typically record in different resolutions, with the most common being 1080p (Full HD) and 4K (Ultra HD). The higher the resolution, the larger the file size.

1080p (Full HD): This is the most common resolution for dash cams. A 1-minute video at 1080p typically consumes between 60MB to 100MB of storage, depending on the frame rate and video compression settings. For daily use, a 32GB or 64GB card should suffice for several hours of footage.
4K (Ultra HD): Dash cams with 4K resolution produce significantly larger file sizes. A 1-minute video at 4K resolution can consume anywhere from 300MB to 500MB. If you choose a 4K dash cam, you’ll likely need a 128GB or 256GB card to ensure enough storage for extended use, especially for long trips or frequent recordings.

Recording Time

The length of time you expect your dash cam to record continuously or over a period also plays a role in determining how much storage you need. Dash cams typically use loop recording, meaning once the storage is full, the oldest footage gets overwritten with new recordings.

If you plan to use your dash cam for long drives or trips, you’ll need more storage to avoid frequent overwriting. For example, a 64GB card could provide enough storage for about 6 to 8 hours of 1080p footage, but for extended trips or cross-country drives, a 128GB card might be necessary. If your dash cam also records in higher resolutions (like 4K), the storage will fill up much quicker, making a 256GB card or higher preferable for those needing several hours of footage before the loop recording starts.

Loop Recording

Loop recording is a feature that automatically overwrites the oldest footage when the storage is full. While this is convenient, it also affects the storage requirements. Dash cams with larger storage cards can record for longer periods before overwriting occurs, which can be helpful if you want to capture footage for an extended time without worrying about losing important moments.

If your primary concern is capturing incidents on the road, loop recording ensures that even with limited storage, you won’t miss critical footage. However, if you want to keep non-overwritten footage for longer periods, a larger storage card is ideal. For example, using a 256GB card instead of a 32GB one will give you significantly more footage before it starts overwriting.

Additional Features

Dash cams today come with a range of additional features, such as parking mode, GPS, motion detection, and event recording. These features can increase the amount of storage required, particularly if your dash cam is set to continuously monitor and record in parking mode.

Parking Mode: When the vehicle is parked, the dash cam may still record footage if it detects motion or impact. These recordings are typically shorter but can accumulate over time, especially in busy areas or when parking for extended periods.
GPS Logging: Dash cams with built-in GPS will also record location data along with the video footage, which adds a small amount of additional data storage. The increase is not significant but should be considered if your dash cam uses this feature extensively.
Event Recording: Many dash cams will automatically save footage when they detect an incident (like hard braking or a collision). These files are typically saved separately from regular footage and can be larger, requiring more storage. If you frequently experience events, you may need extra storage to accommodate these additional files without overfilling the card too quickly.

2. How Much Storage Do You Actually Need?

Determining how much storage your dash cam needs depends on several factors, including the video quality, the length of time you plan to record, and the specific features your dash cam includes.

For 1080p Recording

Most dash cams on the market today record at 1080p resolution, which offers a good balance between video quality and storage space. If your dash cam is set to record in Full HD (1080p), the storage requirements are relatively moderate. The amount of footage stored on your SD card will depend on the video compression used and the frame rate.

On average, a 1-minute 1080p video at 30 frames per second (fps) can consume between 60MB and 100MB of storage, depending on the level of compression. This means that with a 32GB card, you can expect to store around 5 to 6 hours of footage before the card fills up. A 64GB card should give you around 10 to 12 hours of continuous recording.

For everyday use, especially in urban or short-distance driving, a 32GB or 64GB card is typically enough. However, if you’re planning on long road trips or need more backup footage, you might prefer a 128GB card to have a larger buffer before the footage starts overwriting.

For 4K Recording

If you opt for a dash cam that records in 4K, the storage requirements will increase significantly due to the larger file sizes. A 1-minute 4K video at 30fps can take up anywhere from 300MB to 500MB, depending on the compression and the bitrate.

With this in mind, a 32GB card might only store about 1.5 to 2 hours of 4K footage, while a 64GB card will give you approximately 3 to 4 hours. For those who plan to record for longer periods without overwriting important footage, a 128GB card is a more suitable choice, providing around 6 to 8 hours of continuous 4K video.

If your dash cam supports 4K and you need extensive recording time, or if you simply prefer not to risk losing any footage, a 256GB card is the best option. This size can store 12 to 16 hours of 4K video, making it ideal for long road trips or continuous monitoring of high-quality video.

For Specific Usage

Your specific driving habits and use cases can also affect the amount of storage you need. For example, if you primarily use your dash cam for short daily commutes, a 32GB or 64GB card should suffice. These cards allow you to record all necessary footage without frequently overwriting. However, if you frequently go on long road trips or need to store footage for a longer period, you may need more storage.

For drivers who spend long hours on the road or travel for several days at a time, a larger card such as a 128GB or 256GB may be essential to store all the necessary footage without the risk of overwriting important recordings.

Storage for Different Driving Conditions

Your dash cam’s usage in different driving conditions also plays a role in your storage needs. In city traffic, with frequent stops and starts, footage may be recorded in short bursts. This can result in less footage being captured overall compared to highway driving, where the camera records longer, uninterrupted segments.

For frequent city driving, a 32GB or 64GB card should be enough. For highway driving or long-distance trips, a 128GB or larger card may be more practical.

The Role of Loop Recording and Event Marking

As mentioned earlier, loop recording ensures that the dash cam doesn’t run out of storage by overwriting the oldest footage once the storage is full. This feature significantly reduces the need for massive storage unless you specifically want to save footage for an extended period before it’s overwritten.

Event marking (when the dash cam detects an incident, such as sudden braking or a collision) can also influence how much storage you need. These event recordings are usually stored separately from regular footage, so if your dash cam has this feature, you might need more storage to accommodate these additional files. While event videos tend to be shorter than regular footage, they add up over time, especially if you drive in heavy traffic or areas with lots of sudden stops.

3. Storage Options Available

When choosing storage for your dash cam, there are several options to consider, with the most common being microSD cards. However, depending on your needs and preferences, there are additional storage solutions available to enhance your dash cam experience.

MicroSD Cards

The most widely used and recommended storage option for dash cams is the microSD card. These small, portable memory cards are specifically designed for devices like dash cams, smartphones, and tablets, offering a good balance between performance and cost. MicroSD cards come in various sizes and speeds, which is important to consider when choosing one for your dash cam.

Capacity: MicroSD cards are available in different storage capacities, typically ranging from 8GB to 512GB or more. As mentioned earlier, for 1080p recording, a 32GB or 64GB card is often sufficient for everyday use. For 4K recording, you should consider a 128GB or 256GB card to ensure you can store more footage without constantly overwriting files.
Speed Class: It’s also important to consider the speed class of the microSD card, as this determines how fast the data can be written to the card. Dash cams require cards with a minimum speed class to ensure smooth recording and avoid dropped frames or corrupted footage. Look for cards labeled as UHS-I U3 or UHS-II for 4K dash cams, as they offer high-speed data transfer necessary for recording high-definition video.
Brand and Quality: While there are many brands of microSD cards available, choosing a reputable brand like SanDisk, Samsung, or Lexar is essential to ensure durability and reliable performance. Some dash cams are also designed to be compatible with specific brands, so be sure to check your dash cam’s recommendations.

Cloud Storage and Backup Solutions

While microSD cards remain the most common storage method, some dash cams offer the option to store footage on the cloud. Cloud storage is becoming more popular due to its convenience and security benefits. By uploading footage to the cloud, you can access, review, and back up your recordings from anywhere using a smartphone or computer.

Benefits of Cloud Storage: Cloud storage eliminates the risk of losing footage if the physical SD card becomes corrupted, damaged, or stolen. It also offers a remote backup for incident footage, which can be vital if the physical device is damaged during an accident. Many dash cam manufacturers offer cloud storage services as part of a subscription plan, providing various storage capacities based on the price tier.
Limitations: The major downside of cloud storage is that it relies on internet connectivity. If you’re in an area without reliable internet, the upload process may be delayed or fail entirely. Additionally, cloud storage typically comes with a monthly or yearly fee, which adds an ongoing cost.

External Storage Devices

Another storage solution for your dash cam is using an external storage device, such as a portable hard drive or a USB flash drive. While this option is less common for most dash cams, some advanced models support connecting to an external storage device for additional storage capacity.

USB Flash Drives: Some dash cams can connect directly to a USB drive through their USB ports, offering an easy way to expand storage. This is particularly useful for longer road trips or for drivers who frequently record large amounts of footage. USB flash drives come in a variety of sizes, from 16GB to 1TB, allowing flexibility based on your storage needs. However, you’ll need to ensure that your dash cam supports this feature, as not all models have USB ports.
Portable Hard Drives: For those who want even more storage, connecting a portable hard drive to their dash cam might be an option. These hard drives can store large amounts of video footage, especially if you’re using a 4K dash cam. The downside is that these devices are bulkier and require more effort to set up, but they provide substantial storage for users who need long-term or high-capacity recording.

Built-in Storage

Some high-end dash cams come with built-in storage, which can be a convenient option if you don’t want to worry about buying and replacing memory cards. Built-in storage typically ranges from 16GB to 128GB, depending on the model. However, this storage is not always expandable, so it may not be ideal if you plan to store large amounts of footage over extended periods.

Benefits: Built-in storage removes the need for purchasing additional microSD cards. It also ensures that the dash cam manufacturer has optimized the internal storage for seamless recording. Many dash cams with built-in storage also offer features such as automatic cloud backups, providing an additional layer of security.
Limitations: The main limitation of built-in storage is that it’s often fixed and non-expandable. If the storage fills up quickly, you’ll need to delete older footage to make room for new recordings. Also, if the internal storage fails, it may not be as easy to recover footage compared to using an external SD card or cloud service.

Storage Recommendations

When choosing storage for your dash cam, it’s essential to match the storage solution with your needs. For most users, a microSD card of at least 32GB or 64GB will be enough for daily driving with 1080p resolution. However, if you plan on recording in 4K or need extended storage for long trips, you should consider a 128GB or larger microSD card. If your dash cam supports cloud storage or external devices, these can be excellent options for additional backup and security.

Enjoyed this guide of how many GB would be enough for a dash cam? Then be sure to check out our other dash cam guide.

Guides and Tips dash cam