The Viofo A229 Pro stands out as the Best Vehicle Dash Cam, delivering outstandingly crisp, super-high-resolution footage in both daytime and nighttime conditions. This dash cam is packed with essential features, including round-the-clock parked-car monitoring and GPS tracking. Moreover, it utilizes a heat-resistant supercapacitor instead of a traditional battery, enhancing its reliability and longevity.
Image showcasing the Viofo A229 Pro 3-channel dash cam, highlighting its forward, rear, and interior cameras, emphasizing its comprehensive vehicle monitoring capabilities.
The Viofo A229 Pro is equipped with everything you could possibly desire in a vehicle dash cam. Its front-facing camera boasts 4K resolution recording, providing significantly sharper video quality compared to older 1080p dash cams. The recorded videos are rich in detail and contrast, making it simple to discern license plates even from a distance, including during nighttime driving.
One of the key advantages of the A229 Pro is its use of a supercapacitor instead of a standard battery. This design choice enhances safety and reliability, particularly in varying climates, ensuring consistent performance. Integrated GPS and a 24-hour parking mode guarantee continuous and comprehensive data-rich surveillance for your vehicle. Notably, this top-rated dash cam is available in 1-, 2-, and 3-channel configurations, allowing users to customize their setup with additional cameras to meet diverse needs and applications.
Unmatched Video Quality for a Dash Cam
The video quality of the Viofo A229 Pro is on par with, if not superior to, any other dash cam we have evaluated. Powered by a state-of-the-art Sony Starvis 2 (IMX678) image sensor, this best-in-class dash cam excels at capturing low-noise images in low-light conditions and vibrant, high-contrast images in bright sunlight. While its footage may not quite reach the level of an action camera or a modern smartphone camera, it significantly outperforms most dash cams. The only model that came close in our tests was the 70mai, which is detailed in our section on other good dash cams.
Reliable Performance in Extreme Temperatures
Lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in many electronic devices, are known to be sensitive to extreme temperatures. High heat or extreme cold can negatively impact their performance. In less severe cases, overheating can cause a dash cam to temporarily malfunction. In more extreme scenarios, although rare, battery expansion or even explosion is possible.
In contrast, the Viofo A229 Pro utilizes a supercapacitor. This alternative power source maintains sufficient charge to reliably save video recordings and properly shut down the camera when the vehicle is turned off. This technology enables the dash cam to operate effectively in a wide temperature range, from a frigid -4 degrees Fahrenheit to a scorching 149 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a dependable choice regardless of the environment.
User-Friendly Mobile Application
The Viofo A229 Pro features an intuitive and easy-to-use mobile application. By simply activating the camera’s Wi-Fi and connecting with your smartphone, the Viofo app (iOS, Android) allows you to effortlessly view and download recorded videos. During playback, the integrated GPS receiver displays the recording location on a map. The app also provides access to a comprehensive suite of settings, including adjustments for camera exposure and video quality, giving users full control over their dash cam experience.
Versatile Multi-Channel Camera Options
The A229 Pro is offered in three distinct configurations to suit various user needs. The basic single-channel version, available directly from Viofo’s website, includes a single forward-facing 4K camera integrated into the main unit. The 2-channel version, which we recommend as the best option for most drivers, adds a rear-view 1440p camera. Finally, the 3-channel version, the model we rigorously tested, incorporates an interior camera. This interior camera is equipped with infrared night vision, enhanced by four small IR lights that emit light invisible to the naked eye, ensuring clear and bright video recordings inside the car even in complete darkness.
Close-up image of the Viofo A229 Pro dash cam, emphasizing its user-friendly large screen and multiple physical buttons, designed for easy on-device footage review and settings adjustments.
Rapid Video Download Speeds
For users with compatible smartphones, the Viofo A229 Pro can establish a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network, enabling significantly faster video downloads. Alternatively, users can opt to remove the microSD card and transfer files to a computer using a card reader. Some newer smartphones may also support direct download via a USB-C cable connection to the camera, although we encountered difficulties getting this to function with our Pixel 7 during testing.
Simple and Straightforward Installation
Installation of this top-rated vehicle dash cam is remarkably easy. The camera comes with a pre-applied sticky pad on a flat mount, ensuring secure attachment to your car’s windshield. If repositioning is needed, a plastic lever tool (designed to assist with car interior trim removal) is included, which conveniently pops the mount off. The camera unit can also be detached from the mount if desired, leaving the mount in place.
Power is supplied via USB-C, and the package includes a long cable and a compact 12V adapter. If your vehicle has a 2-amp or higher USB port, it should also be sufficient for powering the device.
Optional Hardwire Kit for Parking Mode
Most vehicles automatically cut power to their 12V and USB ports when the ignition is turned off. To enable the Viofo A229 Pro’s parking mode for continuous recording while parked, a hardwire kit is necessary to connect the camera directly to your car’s fuse box.
Viofo offers a range of hardwire kits, and the specific kit needed will depend on your vehicle’s make and model. Further details can be found in the “How to set up a dash cam” section below.
Included and Optional Accessories Enhance Functionality
The 12V adapter included with the A229 Pro thoughtfully incorporates an additional USB port, allowing you to charge other devices simultaneously. A circular polarizing lens (CPL) is also included. This accessory, often optional or unavailable with other dash cams, effectively reduces dashboard glare in certain lighting conditions and enhances video aesthetics by improving contrast. Its impact on low-light performance is minimal. A Bluetooth remote control is available as a separate accessory, enabling users to instantly save the currently recording video clip with a simple click.
Comprehensive Warranty and Support
The Viofo A229 Pro is backed by a one-year warranty. By registering your camera with Viofo, you can extend the warranty by an additional six months, for a total of 18 months of coverage, providing added peace of mind.
Minor Drawbacks to Consider
- The Viofo A229 Pro does not come with a microSD card, requiring a separate purchase. For optimal 4K video recording, Viofo recommends at least a Class-10 or UHS-I rated card (their own UHS-III card offering is available). Given the camera’s loop recording feature, where older footage is overwritten when the card is full, a larger capacity card is advisable to ensure important clips are not lost. Our testing indicates approximately 25 GB of storage is used per hour of recording.
- While generally compact (3.9 inches tall by 2.3 inches wide), the A229 Pro’s vertical design is somewhat unconventional. This is typically not an issue in most vehicles. However, owners of cars with smaller or shorter windshields might find that the Viofo occupies a more noticeable portion of their field of view. For drivers prioritizing maximum visibility, the Vantrue N4 Pro, mentioned in our “other good dash cams” section, may be a better alternative.
- The A229 Pro’s rear camera delivers superior clarity and resolution compared to many competitors. However, if your vehicle has tinted rear windows, the image may appear darker. While exposure can be increased in the Viofo app to compensate for tint during daylight, nighttime image quality may be compromised. This limitation is not unique to Viofo but is a general consideration for dash cams with tinted windows.
- Upon initial setup, the Viofo A229 Pro has several active LEDs. Two red and two cyan LEDs remain illuminated during operation. Fortunately, these lights can be easily disabled via the settings in the app.
In conclusion, the Viofo A229 Pro is undeniably the best vehicle dash cam currently available, offering unmatched video quality, robust features, and reliable performance. While it has a few minor drawbacks, these are easily outweighed by its numerous advantages, making it a top choice for enhancing vehicle safety and providing peace of mind on the road.
