Looking for the best camera for your car? Whether it’s for security, capturing scenic drives, or providing evidence in case of an accident, a reliable car camera is an invaluable asset. After extensive testing, we’ve found the Viofo A229 Pro to be the top choice. This dash cam delivers exceptional, super-high-resolution video quality, both during the day and night. Beyond excellent footage, it’s packed with essential features like continuous 24-hour parked-car monitoring, precise GPS tracking, and a heat-resistant supercapacitor, offering superior reliability compared to traditional battery-powered cameras.
Photo: Michael Hession
The Viofo A229 Pro stands out as the best camera for your car because it truly has it all. The front-facing camera boasts stunning 4K resolution, a significant leap in sharpness compared to older 1080p dash cams. The recorded videos are rich in detail and contrast, ensuring license plates are clearly visible even at a distance and in nighttime conditions. This level of clarity is crucial for capturing vital information.
Reliability is paramount in a car camera, and the A229 Pro excels here too. It utilizes a supercapacitor instead of a traditional lithium-ion battery. This design choice enhances safety and reliability, especially in varying climates. Supercapacitors are known to withstand extreme temperatures much better than batteries, ensuring consistent performance. Integrated GPS and a comprehensive 24-hour parking mode provide continuous, data-rich surveillance, giving you peace of mind whether you are driving or parked. Furthermore, the Viofo A229 Pro offers versatility with 1-channel, 2-channel, and 3-channel versions, allowing you to customize your car camera system to perfectly match your specific needs and vehicle type.
Unmatched Video Quality for a Car Camera
The video quality of the Viofo A229 Pro is truly exceptional, setting it apart as a top-tier camera for your car. During our tests, its video performance was equal to or even surpassed any other dash cam we evaluated. Equipped with a state-of-the-art Sony Starvis 2 (IMX678) image sensor, this car camera excels in various lighting conditions. It captures low-noise images in low light environments and vibrant, high-contrast footage in bright sunlight. While it may not quite reach the pinnacle of action cameras or the latest smartphone cameras in terms of absolute image quality, the A229 Pro comes remarkably close for a dedicated car camera. In fact, the only other dash cam that approached its video quality was the 70mai, which we discuss in our section on other good dash cams. For capturing crucial details on the road, the Viofo A229 Pro delivers the clarity you need.
Built to Endure Extreme Temperatures in Your Vehicle
Extreme temperatures can severely impact electronic devices, especially car cameras left exposed to the elements. Most devices rely on lithium-ion batteries, which are known to be vulnerable to high heat and extreme cold. In hot conditions, these batteries can overheat, causing the car camera to malfunction temporarily. In more severe cases, although rare, battery expansion or even explosion is a risk. This makes a heat-resistant camera for the car essential.
The Viofo A229 Pro addresses this issue by using a supercapacitor instead of a battery. A supercapacitor provides enough power to save the current video recording and safely shut down the camera when you turn off your car’s ignition. This technology also allows the camera to operate reliably in a wide temperature range, from a frigid -4°F to a scorching 149°F (-20°C to 65°C). This robust temperature tolerance ensures that the A229 Pro remains a dependable car camera regardless of the weather conditions.
User-Friendly App for Easy Access and Control
Ease of use is a critical factor when choosing a camera for your car. The Viofo A229 Pro shines with its intuitive and user-friendly mobile app. Simply activate the camera’s Wi-Fi and connect with your smartphone, and the Viofo app (available for both iOS and Android) provides seamless access to watch and download your recorded videos. During playback, the integrated GPS receiver displays the recording location on a map, adding valuable context to your footage. The app also offers a comprehensive suite of settings, allowing you to fine-tune camera exposure and video quality to your preferences. This level of control and accessibility makes managing your car camera footage effortless.
Versatile Multi-Channel Options for Comprehensive Coverage
The Viofo A229 Pro is designed to cater to various needs with its multi-channel options, making it a truly adaptable camera for the car. It is available in three configurations:
- The base 1-channel version, purchasable from Viofo’s website, includes a single, forward-facing 4K camera integrated into the main unit.
- The 2-channel version (Amazon), which we recommend as the ideal setup for most drivers, adds a rear-facing 1440p camera to capture events behind your vehicle.
- The 3-channel version (Amazon), the model we tested, further enhances coverage with an interior camera. This interior camera utilizes infrared night vision, supported by four small IR lights that illuminate the car’s interior with invisible light, ensuring bright video recordings even in complete darkness. This is particularly useful for rideshare drivers or anyone wanting in-cabin recording.
The Viofo A229 Pro’s large screen and multiple buttons make it easy to check footage and settings. Photo: Michael Hession
Fast and Flexible Video Download Options
Quick and efficient video retrieval is essential for a practical camera for your car. The Viofo A229 Pro offers multiple download options to suit your needs. If your smartphone supports it (as most modern phones do), the camera can create a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network, enabling significantly faster download speeds compared to standard 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Alternatively, for even faster transfer speeds, you can remove the microSD card and use a card reader to transfer files directly to your computer. Some newer smartphones may also support direct download via a USB-C cable, connecting the camera directly to your phone. While we encountered some difficulties getting this to function with our Pixel 7, this feature offers another potential avenue for quick video access.
Simple Installation for Immediate Use
Setting up a new camera for your car should be straightforward, and the Viofo A229 Pro excels in its ease of installation. The camera comes with a sticky adhesive pad pre-attached to a flat mount, ensuring secure attachment to your windshield. If you need to reposition the camera, a plastic lever tool is included in the box (designed to assist with car interior trim removal), which easily detaches the mount without damage. You also have the option to detach the camera unit from the mount while leaving the mount affixed to the windshield, offering added convenience.
Power is supplied via USB-C, and a long cable and a compact 12V adapter are included in the package. If your car has a 2-amp or higher USB port, you can also power the camera directly through USB, simplifying the setup further.
Optional Hardwire Kit for Parking Mode
Many cars automatically cut power to the 12V and USB ports when the ignition is turned off. To enable continuous 24-hour parking recording with your car camera, you’ll need to hardwire the Viofo A229 Pro directly to your car’s fuse box.
Viofo provides a range of hardwire kits to suit different vehicle configurations. The specific kit required will depend on your car’s make and model. Refer to our guide on How to set up a dash cam for detailed instructions and considerations.
Useful Included and Optional Accessories
Viofo enhances the A229 Pro package with both included and optional accessories, adding further value to this camera for your car. The included 12V adapter features an additional USB port, allowing you to charge another device simultaneously. A circular polarizing lens (CPL) is also included, a feature often optional or unavailable with other car cameras. The CPL lens effectively minimizes dashboard glare in certain lighting conditions and can enhance video aesthetics by improving contrast. Its impact on low-light performance is negligible. Available separately is a Bluetooth remote control, which allows you to instantly and permanently save the currently recording video clip with a simple click – ideal for quickly capturing important moments.
Reliable Warranty for Peace of Mind
The Viofo A229 Pro comes with a standard one-year warranty, demonstrating the manufacturer’s confidence in its product quality. By registering your camera with Viofo, you can extend the warranty by an additional six months, bringing the total coverage to 18 months. This extended warranty provides added peace of mind and protection for your investment in this high-quality car camera.
Minor Drawbacks to Consider
- MicroSD Card Not Included: The Viofo A229 Pro does not include a microSD card, which is necessary for recording. You will need to purchase one separately. Given that this camera records in 4K, Viofo recommends using at least a Class-10 or UHS-I rated card (their own UHS-III card is recommended). Due to the loop recording feature, where the camera overwrites the oldest videos when the card is full, a larger capacity card is advisable to ensure you don’t lose important footage. Based on our tests, approximately 25 GB of storage is needed per hour of 4K recording.
- Vertical Design May Impact Visibility in Some Cars: While generally compact (3.9 inches tall by 2.3 inches wide), the A229 Pro’s vertical design is somewhat unusual. For most vehicles, this is not an issue. However, drivers of cars with smaller or shorter windshields might find that the Viofo occupies more of their forward viewing space. If maximizing driving visibility is a top priority, consider the Vantrue N4 Pro, mentioned in our other good dash cams section.
- Rear Camera Tinted Window Issue: The A229 Pro’s rear camera offers excellent clarity and higher resolution than most. However, if your car has tinted rear windows, the recorded image will appear darker. While you can increase exposure settings in the Viofo app to compensate for window tint during the day, this can negatively affect nighttime image quality. This is a common limitation with rear dash cams and tinted windows, not specific to the Viofo A229 Pro, but it’s important to be aware of.
- Initial LED Lights Can Be Distracting: Upon initial setup, you’ll notice that the Viofo has several LEDs illuminated, including two red and two cyan lights that remain constantly on. Fortunately, these lights can be easily turned off within the Viofo app settings.
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