How we set spec grades

What a letter means

Each camera gets three spec grades: evidence, parking and night. They aren't averages of customer star ratings. They're our reading of what the maker publishes, against two questions: is the camera likely to catch a readable UK plate, and can it keep recording once the engine's off?

• A — the manufacturer lists a current sensor class, plus a parking setup described in full (including radar or a real buffer) on a hardwire path they document.
• B — a mid-level published setup: a listed sensor or 4K, parking that exists but needs extra kits, or a dual with a weaker rear camera.
• C — 1080p, unnamed night vision, or parking that is mainly a G-sensor wake unless you buy extra cables and, in some cases, a subscription.

Evidence

Evidence is about resolution, the sensor class the maker lists, and whether a dual has a useful rear camera. A named Sony STARVIS 2 sensor is a stronger starting point than unnamed “night vision”. And for car-park bumps, a 2K rear camera is usually more useful day to day than a 4K front with nothing covering the back of your car.

Night

Night uses the same sources, and we won't make up a plate-read distance. An A means the maker lists a current STARVIS 2-class front (and a capable rear on duals). A C means 1080p, or no sensor model given. That can still be fine if you mainly want something discreet, but it's a weaker choice if you need clear evidence after dark.

Parking

For parking, an A means a full setup on a documented hardwire path, with radar or a real buffer named by the maker. A B means parking's there but needs kits, or the best mode is optional. A C means a G-sensor wake, no hardwire option, or useful alerts sitting behind a subscription.

Parking rule

If a camera needs a hardwire kit or a battery pack to keep recording once the ignition's off, we'll tell you, and we don't count parking mode until that kit's fitted. A cigarette-lighter lead is fine while you're driving, but it won't power the camera after you've locked the car.

What we will not do

• We won't make up a night-plate distance we haven't measured.
• We won't print a price that's likely to be wrong next week.
• We won't show star scores we didn't collect.
• We won't scrape Amazon for reviews, and we aren't using the Product Advertising API yet.

Sources

Manufacturer manuals and published specifications (VIOFO, Nextbase, Thinkware, 70mai, Garmin, BlackVue). ASINs are static and were checked against amazon.co.uk listings. Listings change, so we'd look at the live Amazon title and stock before you buy.

If you'd like the short version of how to buy, read the guide. For the five recommendations by use case, open the Best 5.