Finding the best baby monitor to help keep an eye on your little one is an essential task if you’re a parent. Few items are more important to your tot’s health and well being, not to mention your own peace of mind.

Anything that can help relieve some of the worry that baby is safe and sound while napping in another room, or are otherwise not right by your side, is a huge help to parents, and the baby cam is the ultimate device for this. 

Not only does a good baby monitor help you keep an eye on baby even when you physically can’t do so, but the best baby monitors also help you learn your child’s habits, such as when they are asleep and awake. 

Baby monitors also give you a little bit of freedom, so you can be away from your baby but also know they are within eye- and earshot. 

[Update: Suzy Snooze is an adorable little device that, while not qualifying as a proper baby monitor, does act as a sleep aide to your little one and will track baby’s sleeping habits. It will soothe them to sleep with music, act as a nightlight, and help you to know when it’s time for baby to wake up by waking up itself. Did we mention it’s quite cute?]

Parents every where are rejoicing that baby cams and monitors have evolved immensely since the grainy, thumb-nail size screens of old. Thanks to the introduction of smart cams in the home, the choice of the best baby monitors has also greatly expanded. 

While these aren’t dedicated baby cams, and you should always consider using them alongside – rather than as replacements for – a traditional baby monitor, they offer a viable solution rather than a substandard one. 

This buying guide has a number of suggestions that range from traditional baby cameras and monitors to smart home camera solutions. Each product in this guide has been tested with the help of one of TR’s honorary babies both in the day and the night, at long and short distance in a house. 

Here’s our pick of best baby monitors and cameras to keep a watchful eye of your bundle of joy. 

Philips Avent uGrow Smart Baby monitor

Privacy: SafeConnect technology | Extra monitoring: Humidity & temperature monitoring | Camera: 720p HD camera for day & night vision | Audio: Two-way sound and soothing lullabies

Philips has a long history of supplying monitors and the uGrow smart monitor is top of the quality pile. Both in the dark and in the day the picture was crisp and detailed. Unlike other monitors, though, the picture comes through a dedicated app on your smartphone. 

This was simple to install and does make sense considering that you are more likely to have a phone or tablet on you than remembering to take a separate monitor with you wherever you are in the house, The app also comes with some choice medical advice to help you with your baby. 

We didn’t find the medical information that enticing but it’s good to have it in one place. We did have the occasional issue of monitor dropout which was frustrating but certainly not limited to this device. Reconnecting didn’t take too long, however, and it was only a few times we experienced it – mainly when it thought our Wi-Fi signal wasn’t strong enough. 

It’s worth also noting that if the screen of your device goes off then you will have to log back into the app. It doesn’t take long but is an inconvenience. If you don’t have particularly strong Wi-Fi then don’t panic as the device will scale up or down the images to your broadband speed. 

Image quality was on the whole excellent as was sound – both were HD and some of the best we experienced on test. It is pricey, though, but you are getting a lot for your money – including things like temperature and humidity notifications, talkback functionality and medical advice. 

BT Video Baby Monitor 6000

Privacy: Data encryption technology for extra security | Range: p to 300 m with out-of-range warning | Camera: Infrared night vision, 5 inch monitor screen | Weight: 395g

The BT Video Baby Monitor 6000 was the quickest to set up in our tests. Out of the box it’s simply a case of ‘plug and play’ which meant we had our device up and running  in a matter of minutes. This is a baby cam with a dedicated monitor – the screen is a large five inches – which is a little too chunky for our liking but does a decent job in the picture and sound stakes. 

We did find the footage a little grainy compared to others on test but it’s only really noticeable when you get close up. Battery life lasted around 10 hours in our tests after a full charge and the ability to tilt and zoom the camera from the monitor is a welcomed one. 

There are a few gimmicks on board that we would avoid. It does come programmed with lullabies but they’re not that soothing, coming across more like a phone ringtone than a sleep mechanism. 

There’s also a temperature gauge and talkback functionality, all of which worked fine in our tests. It’s not the best-looking device on test – dare we say it, it all looks a little baby like, but it’s price is good, especially for the tech you get. 

Motorola MBP44

Dimensions: Packaged: H16.5 x W23 x L12.8cm | Display: 4.3 inch | Temperature display: Yes | Two way talk back Information: Yes

One for the UK crowd, the Motorola MBP44 is a John Lewis exclusive and it looks like the retail giant has something of a hit on their hands. In terms of looks, the Motorola MBP44 is similar to the more expensive MP855 but the screen size is a touch smaller at 4.5 inches and the big reason for the price difference is that you don’t get the Hubble app compatibility which offers streaming to a phone or tablet. This isn’t missed, though, as the 4.5-inch screen is decent and offers a nice vista of baby. 

The camera is clear and bright and the infrared works really well. The chassis of the camera is a decent small size, so is malleable enough to fit in most of the crevices of your nursery and the universal mount is a great addition. The remote pan, tilt and zoom is warranted but we didn’t find ourselves using it that much. 

There are a few gimmicks on board – we didn’t think much of the soothing lullabies and our baby seemed non plussed by them as well but the room temperature functionality worked well, as did the two-way talk functionality.

We never noticed signal dropout in our house, despite the monitor using the 2.4GHz band and it was certainly loud enough when our baby wanted to let us know they were awake.

Motorola has done it again with the MBP44 – it’s an easy to use, nice looking baby cam setup and one that does more than it should for its price.

Motorola MBP855

Item Weight: 599g | Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 15.7 x 11.3 cm | Batteries: 1 Lithium ion batteries required (included) | Display: Large 5 inch colour display with included infrared night vision | Voice: Two-way communication with a range of soothing lullabies

The Motorola MBP855 is for those that don’t want to lug a separate monitor around with them wherever they go. Sure, there is a 5-inch monitor that comes with the camera – and it’s one of the clearest pictures we had on test – but the key to this setup is its access to Motorola’s Hubble app. Here you can view what your baby is doing on a smartphone or tablet.

It streams 720p footage and when it works it’s great. The stream is clear and it gives you a lot more control than the monitor does. The feed did drop out on us a few times, though, which is not ideal given you want 24/7 access to footage of your child but it was more likely our Wi-Fi connection than the technology on test. The good news is it took just seconds to get back up to speed. 

Installation of the camera and the app was a cinch and it’s a good-looking bit of kit, we really liked the gold trim. The icing on the cake is the inclusion of a Star Grip accessory. This allows you to put the camera pretty much anywhere around the cot – ideal for those whose nursery decor doesn’t usually play ball with a baby monitor setup. 

Two way voice was nice and clear, infrared crisp and, as always, the room temperature display was an added bonus.

Motorola MBP855 review is one of the most well-rounded smart baby monitors we tested.

VTech DM223 Audio Baby Monitor

Type of monitor: Audio-only | Configuration: One baby unit and one parent unit | Range: Up to 1,000 feet | Security: DECT 6.0 audio transmission signal

In the land of video baby monitors, an audio-only device may seem too low-tech, but sometimes video isn’t practical, such as if you’re outside doing yard work or taking a nap yourself. You might prefer audio cues to your baby’s stirring in these situations.

In our tests, we found the VTech DM223 to be easy to use, simple to set up and efficient. Like your standard monitors, two units arrive in the box; a parent unit and a baby unit. The parent unit has a two-inch LED display to show signal strength, whether vibration is turned on or not, and battery life. One nice feature is the colored light bar along the top of the parent unit, which lets you monitor the level of sound coming through, even if the parent unit is muted. 

The range of up to 1,000 feet outside or unobstructed is excellent, while indoors the 150-foot range also worked great for us. It also does a very good job of filtering out background noise.

The VTech DM223 is a baby monitor that shows simplicity at its finest, and at its affordable price of $39.95 (about £30 / AU$50), it’s hard to find a better audio-only baby monitor for your money.

Read our full VTech DM223 Audio Baby Monitor review

Tommee Tippee Sensor Mat Monitor

Type of monitor: Movement sensor pad monitors | Extras: Room temperature display | Audio: Two way talk back | Light: Baby night light controllable from parent unit

The Tommee Tippee Digital Sound and Movement Monitor was something we paired with the Motorola MBP18 when our baby was very young. The reason for this is that there’s no camera with this model. That’s something you may want to consider before purchasing this one. But if you are happy without the visuals, then this is a fantastic device that monitors movement and sounds an alarm when no motion is detected. 

Because it is a motion sensor, it’s a little tricky to install. There can’t be any hanging wires as they have to be taut for the sensor to work properly. The device comes with plastic wire tracks that you can use to guide and tighten the wires. These go under any mattress you may have, alongside the rectangle pressure pad. We put this under a Sleepy Head in a side cot and it worked fine. Once everything is installed – it took a while on the first go but we were a dab hand by the end – the device does offer the ultimate in peace of mind.

There are a few caveats, though. The monitor clicks, seemingly in time to the heartbeat of the baby – and it’s quite loud. This can be turned off but as it’s kind of the point of having this monitor, we recommend you don’t do that. You do get used to the sound but it is quite audible. And when the clicks stop, which happens every so often, we did find ourselves anxiously waiting for them to start again. 

Then there’s the false alarm issue. Occasionally the alarm sounded, even though everything was absolutely fine. This was usually because one of the wires had come loose, so it may have been shoddy installation on our part but it is worth bearing in mind. When the alarm does sound, then it is simple to reset the device. 

A movement monitor isn’t for everybody, but they are very useful for first-time parents who are worried about leaving their baby alone in a room and want something more than visual reassurance. 

The Tommee Tippee Digital Sound and Movement Monitor also comes with a temperature gauge and the audio – which was crisp in our tests – is two way so you can communicate with your baby if you need to. 

Smart baby cam alternatives

Nest Cam IQ

Camera size: 4K sensor, 1080p output | Zoom: 12x digital zoom | Audio: HD talk and listen | Picture quality: High Dynamic Range (HDR)

The Nest Cam IQ is a sophisticated and well-made security camera that has built-in facial recognition technology. It’s not a dedicated baby cam but as it is one of the most advanced IP cameras we have ever seen, it can certainly be used as such.

Despite it being a Nest product, you don’t need any of the other Nest accessories for it to work. 

Using it as a baby cam also means that you don’t have to pay the high subscription fees – these are only really needed if you fancy recording footage of your baby sleeping. Footage from the Nest Cam IQ is superb, it’s 1080p and the best quality we found in our tests. 

All footage is viewed through a smartphone/tablet app so there’s (obviously) no dedicated monitor.

Yes, it’s pricey but this is a fantastic-looking, premium camera that works well as a baby cam but has the bonus of also being a security cam for when your little one grows up and no longer needs constant monitoring.

Hive Camera

Camera: live-streamed HD footage | Storage: 1x 16 GB Micro SD Memory Card | Audio: two-way audio | Picture extras: Night vision

Again, the Hive Camera is not a dedicated baby monitoring system, but it does a decent job moonlighting as one. 

The two essentials for baby cams are decent video-streaming capabilities and two-way audio – the Hive Camera is brilliant at both of these. 

The streams is HD quality (and there is a night vision mode) and we didn’t notice any dropout in our tests and the two way audio worked well, the camera’s mic picking up many nuances of our baby trying to get to sleep. 

It’s solidly built, too, and has a fairly small footprint, so can be placed pretty much anywhere in a nursery. If you did want to save any footage for posterity, you can have up to 16GB of expandable memory, thanks to a microSD card slot.

And when your child gets order, this smart cam is also a great security device – offering such things as a barking dog and police car alarm that you can set off if you see that someone has entered your house.

D-Link Omna 180 Cam HD Camera

Specs: H13.2cm, L5.8cm, W5.8cm | Viewing angle: 180-degree wide-angle lens | Picture: Full HD 1920x1080p | Extras: Built-in mic, Motion detection, microSD card

The D-Link Omna 180 Cam HD Camera is currently being sold in the Apple Store which gives you an idea of what kind of product this is: it’s a premium-looking device that’s packed with smart smarts. 

It works with Apple HomeKit, which means that it will seamlessly interact with your Apple products, and it also works with Siri. Its HD video feed can be watched on a smartphone or tablet, while the night vision the camera offers is superb – thanks to some hidden LEDs powering its nocturnal functionality. 

It’s so good that the camera can get five feet away from the baby and still pick their image up with no worries. The camera also has an 180-degree field of view which is one of the most expansive we tested. 

It’s a great-looking device, one you wouldn’t mind having on your mantelpiece. Its silver finish may not fit the decor of a brightly colored nursery but it’s discreet enough to be put on a shelf and a brilliant 5x zoom means it doesn’t have to be situated too close to the cot to work. 

Footage can be recorded on a microSD card but this doesn’t come in the package, while the accompanying Omna app is full of functionality. This isn’t a dedicated baby cam but it acts as a very good one, offering everything you need in one of the best-looking packages on test. 

It’s also got Apple’s seal of approval, which isn’t easy to get. If you are an Android user, though, you can still use the camera as D-Link has recently updated its software for Android compatibility, pinch to zoom functionality has also come to the app.

Somfy One

Sensor: Full HD video sensor 1080p, 30 fps | Viewing angle: Wide angle 130 degree | Zoom: Digital zoom x8 | Extras: Night vision (6m), SomfyVision motion detection (5 m)

Of all the cameras on test here, the Somfy One is perhaps the one better suited to being a security cam. It’s packed with features that will catch intruders in the act – including smart sensing capabilities, video surveillance, intrusion detection and a rather loud alarm. A lot of these features can be used to help monitor your baby, though, just maybe not use the alarm. 

Everything is controlled by the Somfy Protect app, where you have the option to turn the camera completely off when not using it and can zoom in and out when necessary. The picture is crisp, HD (180p, 30fps) and wide angle so you can get most of the cot in the view and there is the option to record footage from the camera straight on to your smartphone and 4x zoom and clear two-way audio on board. 

There is a motion-detect feature too, which is great for those who no longer need constant monitoring of your baby. The camera jolts into action when any movement is detected – so if your baby is tossing and turning and getting a little restless, then you can check as to whether or not you got go up and tend to them. 

The camera is an all-in-one system so is a lot larger than the other cameras on test – it’s a great-looking device, however, and one that has won a Red Dot award for its looks. Again, this should only be a purchase if you want a camera system to last beyond monitoring your baby. The prime focus for the Somfy One is to protect your home. 

Disable that rather loud alarm, though, and what you have is a very capable but perhaps over specced baby cam.

http://www.techradar.com/news/best-baby-monitor

Drive a car? Then you should consider investing in one of the best dash cams of 2018. 

Not only do dashboard cameras provide some peace of mind on the road, but they also allow you to have handy footage in case someone tries to scam you. 

The best dash cam can be a crucial bit of tech to in your car in the event of an accident… or in the off chance that something really amazing happens on the road that helps you become YouTube famous. 

We’ve sifted through some of the top dash cams out there to zero in on the best dash cams around. It’s important to point out that dash cams are much more than GoPros mounted on your car’s dashboard; these are car-ready cameras that perform some critical functions and can even help you save time and money that would be better spent going back into your vehicle.

Dash cams are handy for run-of-the-mill legal and insurance reasons, but now many insurance companies are reporting an increase in ‘cash for crash’ scams.

In some places, there’s also a bizarre craze in which pedestrians fake hit and run accidents. Dash cam footage can prove to be essential evidence that an incident was faked and not the fault of the driver.

Many insurance companies are reporting an increase in ‘cash for crash’ scams

Typically smaller than your standard video or action camera, dash cams also record smaller snippets of footage, usually in increments of one to two minutes at a time. 

Dash cams continually record over the oldest clip in order to keep the memory card from filling up with endless footage of your boring morning commute, or wherever else you’re driving.

Older models typically required the user to manually save or tag the appropriate clip in the event of an accident, but new G-Sensor-based incident detection technology has taken over, and now takes care of this automatically.

Best dash cam: what to look for

Generally the best dash cams have similar technology to one another, and for the most part mount somewhere along a car’s front windscreen, or windshield. Of course, wherever you place your dash cam must not block your view of the road.

There are also dash cams that boast additional features that, just like any other technology, see the price increase.

These extra features can include multiple lenses for front- and rear-facing coverage, improved sensor and image quality (HD recording, for example), night vision, built-in Wi-Fi for easy file transfer and numerous parking modes. 

These modes use a time-lapse feature as a surveillance function to capture details of those irksome car park prangs when you’re off running errands.

Whenever we get a new dash cam review in, we’ll update this list with more of the best we’ve tested. Keep reading to find out which rank among the best dash cams 2018! 

1. Nextbase Duo

Sensor: 720p | Viewing angle: 140 degrees | GPS tracker: Yes | Memory: MicroSD card (included)

Nextbase has long been a leading name on the dashcam market, and this dual camera unit offers both front- and rear-facing coverage in one simple unit, as opposed to running unsightly wires to a separate unit in the rear windscreen.

The Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) image processor makes low light and night time recording possible, while the crystal clear two-inch display makes it simple to interact with menus and change settings before setting off.

At 720p resolution, the footage isn’t the sharpest on the market, but the unit cleverly stitches both front and rear imagery together into one handy, side-by-side film for easier reviewing.

Naturally, the Nextbase features a loop recording function, which will automatically delete older files as required. But it will also automatically detect and incident and save important clips to the on-board microSD card.

It also features a built-in GPS module, which allows for the vehicle’s exact route, speed and position to be recorded, while a date and time stamp embedded on to the recorded footage provide further additional evidence.

Unfortunately, there isn’t any Wi-Fi or Bluetooth compatibility, so retrieving footage will require extraction of the memory card and synching up with a laptop or PC.

2. Thinkware TW-F770

Video quality: 1080p Full HD | Viewing angle: 140 degrees | GPS tracker: Yes | Memory: MicroSD card (included) and internal memory

The super 2.19MP Sony Exmor CMOS sensor provides excellent quality from this sleek and diminutive package, while the additional extra flourishes are an added bonus.

Designed to be mounted just beneath the rear-view mirror, the TW-F770 features just a few small buttons and no external screen – this is because it can be linked to a smartphone via its on-board Wi-Fi.

This enables clips to be quickly and easily sent to a smart device, should you need to access them quickly, for example, but it does add an additional step to any settings and menu changes.

A Super Night Vision feature boosts low-light settings for improved image quality at night, while a neat Time Lapse feature acts as a CCTV camera when the vehicle is parked.

Bear in mind, though, that this mode will require hard-wiring the unit into the vehicle’s power supply, as is the case with most cameras featured on this list, rather than simply using a standard 12V lighter adaptor.

An on-board GPS tracker, as well as speed and upcoming red traffic signal warnings make this a very accomplished piece of kit.

3. BlackVue DR650S-2CH 32G Dash Cam

Video quality: 1080p Full HD | Viewing angle: 129 degrees | GPS tracker: Yes | Memory: MicroSD card (included)

Often cited as one of the best solutions for regular or professional drivers, the dual-camera BlackVue covers many bases and boasts numerous additional features that go some way to justifying the lofty price tag.

To get the most out of its features, including a detailed parking surveillance mode, the cameras require hard-wiring to the car’s power supply, but BlackVue makes this easier with an OBD II port converter, which plugs into most vehicle on-board diagnostics ports with ease.

The 2MP CMOS sensor and 129-degree lens capture excellent-quality HD video footage from the front camera, while a smaller unit at the rear records in 720p, with incident detection technology automatically flagging the appropriate video footage.

The BlackVue’s clear advantage over some of the rivals listed here is its Over-the-Cloud abilities, which mean drivers can check live footage from the car via a smartphone, laptop or PC, even when it’s parked.

The small, sleek unit is also neat and doesn’t look out of place on modern vehicles, although the lack of screen and limited buttons mean it does require smartphone tethering to adjust settings.

4. Mio MiVue 698 Dual 1080p

Video quality: 1080p Full HD | Viewing angle: 150 degrees | GPS tracker: Yes | Memory: MicroSD card

Although the Mio MiVue 698 has been on the market for a year or so, it still remains one of the best packages around, offering superb image quality, front and rear coverage and a clear touchscreen for simple control.

The screen automatically blacks out when it detects movement, to abide with some country’s road laws and avoid unwanted distractions, but clear audio prompts take over to warn of upcoming speed traps once the screen is dimmed.

Built-in GPS takes care of speed and location video overlays, while built-in Wi-Fi makes video and image transfer to smartphones and other devices simple.

Above all else, the extra-wide 150-degree lens does an excellent job of capturing the action, while a high-performing sensor ensures the resulting video footage is some of the best around.

5. Z-Edge Z3

Video quality: 2K and 1080p Full HD | Viewing angle: 145 degrees | GPS tracker: No | Memory: MicroSD card (included)

With its sharp ‘Ultra 2K HD’ image quality, broad 145-degree field of view and super-simple user interface, the Z-Edge Z3 has regularly been voted one of the best devices in its class.

The CMOS sensor and advanced image processor ensure the resulting footage is razor sharp, making it easier to read licence plates and capture incidents with superb clarity.

A 3-inch touchscreen display makes interacting with the camera extremely easy, although you’ll likely just set the camera up and let it do its thing, as most of the functionality has been automated for ease of use.

Like most cameras on the list, the unit will power up and instantly start recording when the ignition is switched on (so long as it’s plugged into a power source), and turn off when power is cut.

Memory is managed via a loop recording function, and incident detection ensures vital clips aren’t erased.

In short, it’s a great package for those who simply want a fuss-free camera that delivers quality images without the hassle.

6. TaoTronics TT-CD06

Video quality: 2K and 1080p Full HD | Viewing angle: 160 degrees | GPS tracker: No | Memory: MicroSD card (included)

Considering the price point, it’s very difficult to fault this TaoTronics model, even if it doesn’t boast GPS for speed and location recording or some of the added niceties of more expensive rivals.

That said, there’s plenty in the box to get excited about, chiefly the various well-made suction or adhesive mounts, the extra-long power cable and a 12V lighter socket adapter that features two ports, meaning you can still charge your phone with the dashcam running.

The unit itself boasts a G-sensor, for automatic saving of important incident footage, as well as a super-wide 160-degree field of view that’s able to capture five lanes of traffic.

Low-light video footage is very good, and the audio quality is surprisingly good at this price. 

Minor foibles include the small and fiddly buttons, while the lack of speed and positioning information might be a deal-breaker for some.

7. Garmin Dash Cam 35

Video quality: 1080p Full HD | Viewing angle: 113 degrees | GPS tracker: Yes | Memory: MicroSD card (included)

Garmin has applied its knowledge of action cameras and fitness trackers to the world of dashcams, and its mid-range 35 model offers sharp imagery and enough additional features to make it well worthy of consideration.

The field of view might be narrower than that of some of the rival cameras featured here, but the video and audio quality captured are excellent, while the GPS positioning technology enables you to record speed, location, time and date information.

Again, vital clips are automatically stored via the built-in G-Sensor technology, and the camera requires little additional fiddling after the initial set-up is complete.

Plus, Garmin’s clever Dash Cam Player software (available free for most laptops and PCs) makes reviewing, organizing and saving important files easy, with the addition of a digital map helping you to pinpoint where an incident occurred.

There’s also a speed trap warning system that uses audible bleeps to capture the driver’s attention, which can get rather annoying after a while, but this can be turned off in the settings menus.

8. Cobra CDR 840

Video quality: 1080p Full HD | Viewing angle: 118 degrees | GPS tracker: Yes | Memory: MicroSD card (included)

A dashcam isn’t exactly the sort of thing you purchase for its smouldering looks, but the Cobra CDR 840 is one of the very few units on this list that seems to have been designed with aesthetics in mind.

The rear touchscreen may be small, but it’s sharp and very easy to navigate thanks to a simple joypad-style switch interface, with a clearly labelled, bright red button for manually saving important clips.

Built-in GPS will take care of speed and location, while the G-Sensor tech will automatically save clips should the device detect an accident.

The GPS system can prove a little touch-and-go if satellites are difficult to reach or if adverse weather is playing havoc with the signal, but this is another unit that’s very quick and easy to set up, with minimal on-going attention required.

9. YI Smart Dash Camera

Video quality: 1080p Full HD | Viewing angle: 165 degrees | GPS tracker: No | Memory: MicroSD card

Yi is a recent entrant into the action camera arena, and is also busy plying its trade in the world of dashcams with some neat units that cram a large amount of technology into their small forms.

The huge field of view on its Smart Dash Camera model means it can monitor the surrounding area and even warn the driver if the vehicle is straying out of its lane. Plus, a forward collision warning sounds if the device senses an impending impact with the vehicle ahead.

This is all part of the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) package, which works in conjunction with G-Sensor technology and sees the camera automatically record and save clips in an emergency situation.

An impressive all-glass, high-resolution lens and f/1.8 aperture means that video recorded in low-light situations is crisp and clear.

10. RoadHawk DC-2 HD GPS Dash Cam

Video quality: 1080p Full HD | Viewing angle: 120 degrees | GPS tracker: Yes | Memory: MicroSD card (included)

Simplicity is the name of the game here, and what the RoadHawk DC-2 lacks in exterior looks and additional features it more than makes up for with great image and audio quality.

Gyro-balanced image stabilization and a high-quality sensor team up to create excellent footage, even in low-light scenarios, while an audio-in connection allows additional microphones to be added.

GPS technology is included to take care of speed and location data, although an external GPS antenna connection is also offered should you require a more powerful and reliable signal.

http://www.techradar.com/news/the-10-best-dash-cams-you-can-buy-right-now

May’s bank holiday sales are in full swing right now and mark a great chance to get a super cheap deal on a huge range of items. We’re giving you a front row seat to the bargain bonanza too, bringing you the latest offers on this very page right through the weekend. 

Naturally, we’ll be digging out lots of TechRadar-friendly deals on the latest tech, TVs, laptops, gaming consoles and other electronic devices. But if we spot decent offers on other items we think you might like, we’ll give those a shout too. After all, you’ve got better things to do on over the long bank holiday weekend than trawling every retailer site’s deals section, like trying to sneak the barbecue out of the shed without those rain clouds noticing.

We’ve had advance warning on many discounts from the big retailers, so we’re in a great position to bring you the most up-to-date selection of the best offers. If you’d prefer to dig out a discounted treasure of your own, you’ll find links to the big stores that are having a May bank holiday sale below with deal highlights just underneath.

To stay tuned on all our regular deal updates, bookmark our deals page or follow us over on Twitter.

Bank holiday sales: quick links

The retailers below are where we’ve been finding the biggest and best discounts so far this weekend.

• Amazon: expect discounts on a wide range but TVs especially.
• Argos: cheaper items for your garden and lots of tech inside you home.
• Currys: another huge clearance of TVs, fridges, laptops and much more.
• AO: going big on cheap TVs, laptops, household appliance and electricals.
• B&Q: time for a bit of home improvement or a new BBQ?
• John Lewis: home, fashion and electricals with a price match to boot.
• Tesco Direct: toys, electricals, appliances, outdoor items and more.
• Very: home, tech, outdoors, fashion and more.
• eBay: expect discounts on pretty much every category.
• ebuyer: fresh discounts on the best laptops and TVs/ 
• Zavvi: discounted games, consoles and limited edition blu-rays for sure
• Jessops: cheap cameras, lenses and accessories for all.
• Dyson: get a discounted vacuum cleaner from the best of the best.

Keep scrolling to see our selected highlights across loads of different categories below. But if you’re after something specific that’s not included below, you’ll probably find it in one of our other regular updated deals hubs. We’ve got a massive list of super cheap TV deals, or maybe it’s time for a new cheap laptop? If gaming’s your thing and you’re looking for a new console we’ve got you covered for a cheap PS4, or maybe Xbox One deals, or maybe you’re after a Nintendo Switch bundle? We’ve seen some fantastic mobile phone deals too. Bank holidays are also usually a great time to get a cheaper Sky TV deal.

Our picks of the best bank holiday sales so far:

Bank holiday deals for TV

The best laptop prices of the bank holiday sales

More great bank holiday deals

When do the bank holiday sales start?

The next bank holiday technically starts Monday May 7th in the UK. But the deals have already been unleashed at many stores. So it might only be Saturday, but the bank holiday sales are in full swing right now.

We’ll keep this page updated throughout the long weekend. The best bank holiday deals will be made available on a first come, first served basis, so don’t leave it until the last minute to check out the deals – it might be too late!

If you do miss out though, there’s actually another bank holiday later in the month on May 28th, so we’ll be sure to bring you the best deals that weekend too.

Are the bank holiday deals usually any good?

As a taste of things to come you’ll find our picks from an older Bank Holiday sale last August. These are the sort of benchmarks we’re hoping for again, although we’d certainly appreciate prices going a bit lower too. Naturally prices have gone back up on most of these items since.

Garmin Forerunner 35 GPS running watch £114.99 @ Amazon – was £169.99
Garmin are one of the leading brands in the world of fitness trackers and we were very tempted by this discount as the GPS-fitted trackers are usually much more expensive than the more basic models. If it drops down to £114.99 again though this bank holiday sale might just be the redemption we need after three days of bacon and beer.

Dyson V6 cordless vacuum cleaner £169.99 @ Very – save £30
Very.co.uk usually gets into the bank holiday spirit by discounting a wide range of Dyson vacuum cleaners. This cordless V6 was our pick of the bunch though and a steal at just under £170. The latest version, the V8 Absolute is closer to £500 at most stores so we’re to recommend an older model considering the large savings on offer.

iPad Pro 9.7-inch 128GB £449.98 @ BT, save £100
iPad don’t often get involved in mid-year sales in all honesty, but this was a grerat deal at the time, especially given it was the larger 128GB version. If you want to shop around for current deals, be sure to take a look at our regular iPad Pro deals page.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 £299 @ Currys – was £399
The £100 discount made this one of the best Android tablet deals in the UK last year and we’re keeping our fingers crossed we’ll see it again as we’re really not keen on the regular £400 RRP, especially seeing as the S3 is out now.

Philips Hue Colour Ambiance Starter Kit (Spotlight bulbs) £99.99 @ BT– was £129.99
This excellent £30 saving was one of the best Philips Hue Starter Kit deals we’d ever seen seen for the colour-changing smart bulbs. These GU10, or spotlight bulbs, are generally found in modern-build kitchens or alcove lighting. This Philips Hue Starter Kit contains three bulbs and the Hue Bridge 2.0, the device to connect the bulbs to your home Wi-Fi. If you’d to know more about the full range of Hue products and the latest prices, take a look at the extensive Philips Hue deals guide on our sister site, T3.com.

Acer laptop with bag, mouse and security package £329 @ Tesco
The May bank holiday sales always come up with some decent laptop deals and we’re sure to find some more next week too. This was a great price for the laptop alone, but the bundled kit made it essential for anyone needing a basic work machine. Not that you have to wait for the bank holiday for a cheap laptop as shown over on our regular laptop deals page.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge £449 @ John Lewis – includes 2 year warranty
Older-gen phones tend to get some discount love over the bank holiday sales, like this S7 last year, so we’re expecting the S8 (and hopefully the S9) to get some tempting offers too.

Google Home £99 @ Currys, John Lewis, Argos – was £129
Google Home has faced stiff competition from the Amazon Echo devices, but it’s arguably a better fit for you if you enjoy the Google/Android ecosystem already. Plus you can play the free version of Spotify on Google Home – Premium only on the Amazon Echo. This was a great deal last year, but we’re perhaps likely to see a discount on the Google Home Mini too this weekend, especially if rival’s Amazon’s Echo Dot get a discount.

Nintendo Switch £259.99 @ Tesco – save £20
This year should be much better for Nintendo Switch deals as Nintendo kept running out of stock last year. The RRP has remained the same, but discounted games are included regularly now.

PS4 Pro, 90 days PS+, 4 games, £329.99 @ Tesco
PS4 Pro deals have been a bit rubbish of late, so we’re hoping the May bank holiday sales gives retailers the excuse to unleash the bargain beast. The new God of War game has been smashing it in the charts lately and is one of the best-looking games on the PS4 Pro, so we’d love to see some better bundles for that.

Xbox One X pre-order £449.99 @ Argos
We were still in pre-order phase last year and the discounts have been a little slow since the Xbox One X was released. fingers crossed May is the turning point then as we’d like to see at least two newish games bundled with the console for free to be honest.

Beeline smart navigation for bikes £76.09 – was £99.99
Beeline is an innovative (and super cheap!) gadget that’s essentially a basic sat nav for bicycles. Pop in your destination via the smartphone app you’ll get easy to read arrow-based directions. It’s super simple meaning you only need to glance at it to see which turns to make, making it easier to keep your eyes on the road and fellow road users. It’s waterproof too. Simple, safe and it was over £20 cheaper than anywhere at Amazon. With the weather (hopefully) turning around soon, this could be a great excuse to dust off the bike.

Oral-B Smart Series 4000 Electric Toothbrush £37.99 @ Amazon – save £20
This was one the cheapest bank holiday deals we saw on a  decent rechargeable toothbrush in the popular Philips range. It uses a two-pin plug often found in bathrooms. If you don’t have that socket there are plenty of cheap adapters online to charge it in a regular three-pin socket. We’re bound to see a decent electric toothbrush deal, so keep an eye on this page if you’ve been meaning to get a decent cheap one.

Stay tuned for the latest picks from the May bank holiday sales. We’ll be adding lots of fresh items soon once the deal start rolling in.

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