Nextbase 322GW NBDVR322GW322 Schwarz 2022

The Nextbase 322GW is a compact 1080p dash cam with a 2.5 inch touchscreen, GPS, and Wi-Fi. Video quality is solid but not spectacular, and build quality is a real weak spot. It's worth considering at the lower end of its price range, but there are sturdier options for similar money.

The 322GW records 1080p at 60fps, which gives you smooth footage and a better chance of freezing a frame to read a license plate than a 30fps camera would. The 140 degree field of view covers a good chunk of the road without the fisheye distortion you get from ultra-wide lenses. The 6G lens does a decent job with detail in daylight, though low light performance is nothing to write home about.

In our database, the video quality lands right around the middle of the pack at the 51st percentile. That's not a knock, it's just reality. You're getting solid 1080p footage, not the crisp 4K you'd get from something like a GoPro. The display is a 2.5 inch touchscreen, which ranks at the 63rd percentile, so it's a bit above average for this category. Connectivity also sits at the 63rd percentile, which makes sense given the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support. But the sensor quality is a weak spot at the 29th percentile, and build quality is a real concern at the 16th percentile. This thing isn't built like a tank.

The Nextbase 322GW goes up against some interesting competition. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 is a mirrorless camera, not a dash cam, but it shows up in our comparison data because people cross-shop these categories. If you want a dedicated driving recorder, the 322GW is the better fit. The DJI Osmo Action is a different beast entirely, an action camera with far better stabilization and build quality, but it's not designed to sit on your windshield 24/7.

The SJCAM C400 is probably the closest real competitor here. It's another budget dash cam with similar specs, and in our experience SJCAM tends to offer slightly better build quality at this price point. The Minolta MNF10Z-BK and LIYTIFOR LR1 are also in the mix, but they're less established in the dash cam space. If you're torn between the 322GW and the SJCAM C400, the Nextbase wins on brand recognition and the touchscreen interface, but the SJCAM feels sturdier in hand.

At USD 150 to 160 in the US, the 322GW is priced like a mid-range dash cam but delivers entry-level performance in some areas. The build quality ranking at the 16th percentile is hard to ignore, especially when you're mounting this thing on your windshield in direct sunlight day after day. In Europe, the price spread is wide, from EUR 142 to EUR 213 across four listings. The cheapest EUR 142 option is the one to grab if you're set on this model. Paying EUR 213 for it makes less sense when competitors offer better build quality for similar money. The refurbished units on Newegg are worth a look if you want to save a bit more, but make sure you're comfortable with the warranty situation.

The Nextbase 322GW is a compact dash cam that sits in the budget-friendly end of the car camera market, usually landing between USD 150 and 160 in the US. It records 1080p footage at 60fps through a 140 degree lens, which is plenty for catching plates and road signs during your commute. The 2.5 inch touchscreen makes it easy to fiddle with settings without pulling out your phone, and the built-in GPS logs your location and speed as you drive.

Is the Nextbase 322GW good for everyday driving? For most people, yes. It's not trying to be a 4K action camera or a security system on wheels. It's a straightforward dash cam that does the basics well enough, with a few connected features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for pulling clips off the device. The emergency SOS response feature is a nice touch if you're worried about accidents in remote areas.

We've seen this model bounce around in price depending on where you shop. In Europe it ranges from EUR 142 to EUR 213 across four listings, so it pays to check a few stores before you commit. The refurbished units on Newegg tend to be the cheapest way in if you don't mind a pre-owned device.

Skip the 322GW if you need something rugged. The build quality is near the bottom of our database, so if you drive on rough roads, park in direct sunlight, or live somewhere with extreme temperatures, this camera will likely degrade faster than competitors. If you want 4K recording or image stabilization, look at action cameras like the DJI Osmo Action or higher-end dash cams instead. And if you need parking mode for overnight surveillance, this isn't the right tool. The SJCAM C400 or a dedicated parking-mode dash cam would serve you better.

Should you buy the Nextbase 322GW? If you want a simple, connected dash cam with a touchscreen and don't care about 4K, it's a reasonable choice at the right price. The 1080p 60fps footage is smooth, the GPS logging works well, and the Wi-Fi transfer saves you from digging out a microSD card every time you want to save a clip.

But the build quality concerns are real. At the 16th percentile in our database, this is one of the flimsier devices we've tracked. If you live somewhere with extreme heat or cold, that plastic housing and the internal components are going to take a beating. For USD 150, you can find dash cams with better construction. If you can grab the 322GW at the lower end of its price range, especially the EUR 142 listing in Europe, it's a decent deal. At full price, we'd look elsewhere.