Best of Car: every dash cam and tyre inflator we recommend, by situation

+Strengths

• 1440p HDR rear camera, the best rear here
• 512 GB cards and 5 GHz Wi-Fi
• Buffered parking mode with the hardwire kit

−Limitations

• Rear camera needs a cable run to the back window
• No Emergency SOS or what3words
• Viofo's UK support is through sellers

→Good for

• someone who wants readable plates behind as well as in front

↺Look elsewhere if

• a driver who wants a touchscreen and a brand on the high street

+Strengths

• 4K, stabilisation and a polariser: the best footage here
• what3words and Emergency SOS, which matter on a rural A-road
• Touchscreen and rear module that clicks in without a cable to the back

−Limitations

• The dearest here before you add the rear camera
• Stabilised mode drops to 2K
• 128 GB card limit by retailers

→Good for

• a driver who wants the best evidence and will pay for it

↺Look elsewhere if

• a budget or a second car

+Strengths

• Front and rear in one purchase
• GPS and Emergency SOS at a mid price
• Touchscreen

−Limitations

• Rear is 720p
• Frame-rate figure is inconsistent on Nextbase's pages
• No stabilisation or built-in polariser

→Good for

• a family car that wants front and rear cover without the 622GW price

↺Look elsewhere if

• someone who wants to read plates behind at night

+Strengths

• 4K front plus a rear camera in the box
• GPS, a big screen and Wi-Fi 6
• Optional 4G for remote access

−Limitations

• Dual recording cuts the front to 24/25 fps
• Hardwire kit for parking is separate
• A budget sensor compared with the Viofo's STARVIS 2

→Good for

• someone who wants 4K and rear cover for the price of a 1080p Nextbase bundle

↺Look elsewhere if

• a driver who wants the smoothest high-frame-rate footage

+Strengths

• 1440p at 60 fps and HDR for the price of 1080p cameras
• GPS and 5 GHz Wi-Fi built in
• Supercapacitor for a hot windscreen

−Limitations

• 1.5-inch screen is for menus, not review
• Parking mode needs the hardwire kit
• No rear option

→Good for

• a front-only camera for someone who cares about night footage

↺Look elsewhere if

• a driver who wants rear cover or a touchscreen

+Strengths

• GPS on a camera this small
• Screen for reviewing without a phone
• Driver alerts, which the Nextbases at this price lack

−Limitations

• 1080p only; no 1440p or 4K option
• Parking Guard needs the Vault subscription
• Battery is a 20-minute backup, not a feature

→Good for

• a driver who wants GPS evidence in a camera that does not shout

↺Look elsewhere if

• anyone who wants a rear camera in the box

+Strengths

• Two-minute claim on a 13-inch tyre, by Ring
• 3.5 m cable reaches every wheel
• Ring publishes a specification sheet

−Limitations

• Needs the car's 12 V socket; nothing cordless
• Listing warranty is one year, which needs checking against Ring

→Good for

• a boot-kept inflator for monthly checks and a slow puncture

↺Look elsewhere if

• bicycles in the shed, where a cordless pump wins

+Strengths

• Works away from the car: bikes, a trailer, the other car
• 12 V cable in the box if the battery is flat
• Memory for saved pressures

−Limitations

• Battery capacity and tyres per charge not published
• Slower than the plug-in UltraInflate 30

→Good for

• a household with bikes and two cars

↺Look elsewhere if

• someone who only ever tops up one car in the drive

+Strengths

• Auto-stop and a digital display at a lower price
• Wind-up cable keeps the boot tidy
• Ring's spec sheet behind the figures

−Limitations

• A minute and a half slower than the 30 on Ring's own figure
• 3 m cable may not reach the far rear wheel of an estate

→Good for

• a small car and occasional top-ups

↺Look elsewhere if

• a van or a trailer

+Strengths

• 30 l/min: a car tyre from flat in minutes
• Runs on the same battery as a Bosch mower or drill
• Adapters stored on board

−Limitations

• No battery or charger in the box
• Auto-stop not stated; you watch the gauge
• 1.2 kg before the battery

→Good for

• a garage with Power for All batteries already

↺Look elsewhere if

• anyone buying their first inflator with no battery system

+Strengths

• 430 g, charges from a phone charger
• 150 psi with auto-stop: bikes, balls and car top-ups
• Bosch publishes every figure

−Limitations

• 10 l/min: slow on a car tyre and not for a flat one
• 20 cm hose

→Good for

• a cyclist who also checks the car's tyres

↺Look elsewhere if

• a van or a flat tyre at the roadside

+Strengths

• Fits a glovebox
• Digital gauge
• Four minutes claimed for a car tyre

−Limitations

• No maker page; the listing gives two maximum pressures
• 10 cm hose means kneeling at every valve
• No auto-stop stated

→Good for

• an emergency compressor that is always in the car

↺Look elsewhere if

• bikes at 100 psi or anyone who wants to set a target and walk away