The Nextbase 322GW proves you do not need to spend a fortune to get solid evidence on the road: clean 1080p footage, an easy touchscreen and the same Emergency SOS safety features as the pricier models, all for under a hundred pounds. It is our best budget pick, and the sensible first dash cam. Here is what you get, and what you give up, at this price.
The 322GW sits in the middle of Nextbase's range but, in value terms, it is the standout. It takes the brand's genuinely useful touchscreen interface and signature safety features and packages them with a 1080p sensor at a price that makes a quality dash cam accessible to almost anyone. For a first-time buyer, or for a second car, it removes the main objection to fitting a camera at all: cost. That is exactly why it is our best budget recommendation.
| Model | Price | Resolution | Field of view | Connectivity | Rating | Link | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ★ Top pick Nextbase 322GW Dash Cam | £113.98 | 1080p (1920 x 1080) | 140° | WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS | ★ 4.4 | View → |
£113.98
1080p (1920 x 1080) · 140° · WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS
The verdict from David Osei, motoring and in-car tech tester
The best budget dash cam. The Nextbase 322GW proves you do not need to spend a fortune for solid evidence: 1080p footage is clean and steady, the touchscreen keeps setup simple, and you still get Emergency SOS and what3words. It will not match a 4K camera for reading plates in the dark, but for everyday cover at this price it is the sensible first dash cam.
Daytime footage looks clean and stable; in dim light it is usable rather than razor-sharp.
The 322GW is the right camera if you want reliable, no-fuss evidence at the lowest sensible price. It suits the first-time dash cam buyer who is not sure they need 4K, the driver kitting out a second or family car, and anyone who wants the reassurance of a recorded journey without a big outlay. The touchscreen makes it genuinely easy to set up and review footage, and the inclusion of Emergency SOS and what3words means you do not sacrifice the important safety features just because you are spending less.
It is less suited to the driver who wants to read distant number plates in poor light, or who does a lot of fast motorway miles where the extra detail of 4K pays off. If clarity at distance and at night is your priority, the Nextbase 622GW is the camera to step up to. But for everyday cover at the keenest price, the 322GW is exactly right.
The 322GW records smooth, clean 1080p footage. In daylight it is genuinely good: plates and details are clear at the distances where most incidents happen, which is close to your own car. The footage is stable and easy to follow, and for the overwhelming majority of everyday situations it gives you exactly the evidence you need. What it cannot do is match a 4K camera for reading a plate several vehicles ahead, so set your expectations to the resolution and the price.
After dark, the 322GW is usable rather than razor-sharp. It captures enough to identify vehicles and read close plates under street lighting, but in genuinely poor light, or against strong oncoming headlights, detail softens more than it would on a higher-end camera. This is the most honest limitation at this price: the budget sensor does the daytime job well and the night-time job adequately. If much of your driving is after dark, it is worth budgeting for a stronger camera such as the Thinkware U3000.
The 2.5-inch touchscreen is the 322GW's everyday strength. It makes setup and playback genuinely simple, with none of the menu-diving that plagues cheaper cameras. Crucially, Nextbase has not stripped out the safety features to hit the price: you still get Emergency SOS, which can alert the emergency services with your location if you are in a serious crash and unresponsive, plus what3words location sharing. Getting those on a sub-£100 camera is a real selling point.
Fitting is as easy as it gets. The Click&Go Pro magnetic mount snaps the camera on and off with one hand and carries the GPS, so you can lift the camera out when you park somewhere less secure without unplugging anything. Powered from the 12V socket the install takes a couple of minutes, and the cable tucks neatly along the headlining for a tidy finish. Like the 622GW, it accepts Nextbase's modular rear and cabin cameras if you decide to add cover later.
The 322GW's only real compromises are the ones you would expect at the price: it is 1080p, not 4K, and its night-time clarity drops off in poor light. Neither is a fault, they are simply the trade-offs that let it cost so much less, and for everyday cover most drivers will never miss the extra resolution. If you want the same easy Nextbase experience with sharper, more detailed footage, the answer is to spend more on the 622GW. For everyone else, the 322GW does the core job well for remarkably little.
For everyday cover, yes. The 322GW's 1080p footage is clean and stable, and in good light it captures plates and details well. It will not match a 4K camera for reading plates in the dark or at a distance, but for the price it gives you reliable, usable evidence.
Click&Go Pro is Nextbase's magnetic mount with built-in GPS. The camera snaps on and off the windscreen with one hand, so you can take it with you when you park in a less secure spot, without unplugging anything.
Yes. Like the pricier Nextbase models it accepts the modular rear-view and cabin-view add-on cameras, so you can start with the front camera and add rear cover later if you decide you need it.
The Nextbase 322GW is our best budget pick because it makes a genuinely good dash cam affordable: clean 1080p footage, an easy touchscreen and the same Emergency SOS safety features as Nextbase's flagship, all for under a hundred pounds. It will not read distant plates in the dark like a 4K camera, but for everyday cover, a first dash cam or a second car, it is exactly the right buy. If you want sharper footage and stronger night vision, step up to the Nextbase 622GW; if rear cover is your priority, see the Viofo A129 Plus Duo. Before you choose, our buying guide covers the rest of the spec.