Most car dash cams require wires to power the device. We aren’t at a point technologically to be able to have a truly cordless experience. But why let technology hold us back? And if you are in need of a cordless dash cam, whether it be because you don’t have a power source or you simply hate wires, where there is a will, there is a way. I can tell you for a fact there isn’t going to be a perfect solution but we have some manageable solutions that might be perfect for you. Let’s explore the best cordless dash cams.
- Long Duration: Lasts 3.5 hours. Avoid replacing battery frequently while driving
- Multiple Protection: The protective frame is used to protect the camera and side power from shock, scratches or accidents.
- Wide Use: This side power is essentially a high-capacity power bank, which means your GoPro camera can work directly even though there is no battery in it.
Do wireless dash cams exist?
Let’s first start with some definitions. You will find dash cams saying they are “wireless”. In this context, these “wireless” dash cams have the ability to connect through WiFi. They can connect to your phone for playback or download, thus never having to remove the SD card. Yes, this is a nice feature to have, but no, this isn’t the type of “wireless” we are talking about. We want to be able to operate a dash cam without any wires.
We will use wireless and cordless in this article interchangeably and will refer to a functioning dash cam without wires.
What is cordless and why do you need it?
Some vehicles do not have accessible power outlets or an easy way of hiding wires. You may be operating a motorcycle, or feel the need to be able to carry the dash cam outside your vehicle in a crash.
Do you despise cable management and will do whatever it takes to become wireless? Is there ever a chance your car battery dies and you need to record something?
There are many reasons why you might want to look into cordless setups, and we have a few recommendations.
ORBMART GoPro Extended Battery
For a truly wireless experience, action cameras can act as a cordless dash cam. GoPro’s are the industry standard for lightweight, durable action cameras. By itself, GoPro’s battery lasts about 1 hour. Yes, we know that it’s pretty useless. But paired with an extended battery, you now have enough juice for 3 hours of continuous loop recording. Ideal for someone who already has a GoPro, or is in the market for one. This can be useful for folks who have short commutes and don’t mind charging the extended battery once or twice a week. The great thing about GoPro’s is that they have tons of mounts, so you aren’t restricted by the length of a cord. Taking your car to the track and want to stick your camera on the side of your car? No problem!
And best part is that the extended battery pack snaps into the existing GoPro body, wireless!
Pros:
- Truly Wireless
- Can be used for other action sports
- Portable
- Durable
Cons:
- Battery life can’t compare to wired solutions
- Expensive if you don’t have a GoPro
- Manual recharge/Power On/Off
Ankur USB Powered Power Bank
The next solution is a psuedo-wireless setup. It does have a wire, but it isn’t connected to your car. It is a very mobile configuration and doesn’t need to depend on a fixed power source, like the 12V cigarette lighter. The power source in this scenario is a USB Power Bank.
A power bank is an external mobile battery that can charge many devices on the go. The good thing about a power bank is that it can work with a variety of devices, including dash cams! So if you want to go mobile, you aren’t restricted to an action sports camera. You can pair it with any dash cam.
We are recommending a charger that has just over 20,000mAh, we find this is a good balance of weight and power.
Depending on the dash cam, this should give you a run time of about 5 hours. Again, this is a very versatile setup. You can use the power bank when your car is off, recording while parked. Any dash cam with USB or mini USB can be powered with a portable battery. To store the power bank, it will depend on the car, but a large overhead pocket, or attaching it to your sun visor can be utilized. Or having the cable hang onto your glove compartment housing to charge is an option.
Mobius Dash Cam
Our next solution involves another action sports camera, the Mobius. This setup averages about 2 hours of run time. What I love about the Mobius is its small form factor. It is perfect as a quick and dirty portable situation, if you have a car rental and need a dash cam but don’t want the hassle of setting one up.
Use the Mobius with suction cups and you now have a viable dash cam setup. You can of course pair this with a power bank for a much longer capture time.
Conclusion
There is no one size fits all set up when it comes to these setups. To find the best cordless dash cam, you have to be creative and see how you can adapt the options available to you. Maybe it’s sacrificing some battery life, or using an action sports camera. Either way, do not give up on your quest to find the perfect dash cam setup. Worse case, just mount an old phone to your dash board!