The industry's best for the best parking mode protection
Top Dual-Channel Parking Mode Dash Cams
Getting a dash cam for your car is like having a silent witness. It keeps you secured, and gives you the peace of mind that whatever happens while you’re driving, everything’s recorded on video. But what about the dangers when your car is already parked?
This is where Parking Mode comes in. This feature was previously only found in premium dash cams, but by mid-2023, more dash cams offer parking mode than not. This is because dash cam manufacturers have seen how important it is to have 24-hour car surveillance - whether you’re on the road or parked in your garage.
If you're looking for the best dash cam with parking mode, especially one that records the front and rear of your vehicle, check out this list of brands and models that we highly recommend.
Thinkware U3000 2-Channel Dash Cam
4K UHD Sony STARVIS 2 | Built-in RADAR sensor | Thinkware CONNECTED Cloud
Say hello to our most premium dash cam to date, the Thinkware U3000. This 4K HD dash cam is the first Thinkware to use the Sony STARVIS 2 image technology, an all-new model to 2023.
Beyond that, it also boasts more ‘Thinkware’s First’ features such as built-in Bluetooth connectivity for pairing, Super Night Vision 4.0, and a built-in RADAR sensor. Best of all, the Thinkware U3000 is also compatible with the Thinkware CONNECTED Cloud which allows users to conveniently monitor everything that’s happening around the car, all in one tap.
The Built-in RADAR sensor is featured in both the front and rear cameras, an industry first, providing drastically better energy efficiency for parking mode, while ensuring front and rear protection. This Radar allows the camera to be drastically more energy efficient than other models, lasting for a full 24 hours of parking mode, off a car battery alone.
Speaking of parking mode, it’s now easier than ever with the U3000’s included OBD cable, allowing for a plug-and-play connection to your OBD port, while supplying all necessary features for parking mode. This OBD cable is universal, and will work with Gas and Electric vehicles alike.
Thinkware stays at the top of the parking game, even without the new advancements of the Thinkware U3000. Other models such as the Thinkware Q1000, and Thinkware F200 Pro, maintain core Thinkware staple features that help with parking mode, including super night vision, better energy efficiency than other brands, and buffered parking mode, ensuring you capture before and after an event.
BlackVue DR970X-2CH + CM100G LTE Module
4K UHD Resolution | Dual-band Wi-Fi | BlackVue Cloud Connectivity
Launched in early 2023, the BlackVue DR970X-2CH boasts 4K UHD resolution through an 8MP Sony STARVIS sensor for its front, and 2MP Sony STARVIS sensor for its rear camera. It also sports an upgraded SigmaStar CPU and ISP tuning software to ensure that all details are captured clear and crisp.
The DR970X 2-CH Plus is a top-selling premium dash cam, renowned for its professional design, advanced cloud features, and the capability to capture 4K UHD videos. It features customizable motion detection zones with buffered recording. In other words, not only do you get a comprehensive account of the incident, you can also tell your dash cam to ignore swaying trees in the background to conserve power and microSD storage space during parking mode.
With an optional CM100LTE connectivity module add-on, which you can insert a SIM card directly into, providing an internet connection for the camera whenever it’s operational. Simply connect the CM100LTE to your BlackVue dash cam to provide an always-on 4G LTE connection to the BlackVue Cloud and its suite of unique live features.
VIOFO A229 PRO 2-CH Dash Cam
4K UHD with Dual Sony STARVIS 2 Technology | Up to 512GB Memory | Parking Mode Solutions
Fresh from the oven, the newly-released VIOFO A229 Pro triple-channel dash cam is the brand’s flagship model. The A229 Pro boasts 8MP Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 for its 4K UHD main camera, and another Sony STARVIS 2 IMX675 for its 2K QHD rear camera – both equipped with HDR and Super Night Vision.
For maximum parking mode protection, the VIOFO A229 Pro has Auto-Event Detection with buffered recording, Time Lapse, and Low Bitrate Recording. Beyond that, this dash cam also has built-in Wi-Fi, Ultra-Precise Quad-Mode GPS, an SD card maximum capacity that can go up to 512 GB, and a free CPL filter to keep your footage clear and glare-free!
VIOFO models do not come with a hardwire kit included, you'll need to purchase the HK4 Hardwire Kit or a Battery Pack for parking mode.
The A229 Pro also comes in a 3-channel configuration, sporting an interior IR camera, capable of capturing any parking incidents in your vehicle for further parking coverage. Find the A229 Pro 3-channel here.
Power Up Your Parking Mode with Dedicated Battery Packs
For users who want to extend their parking mode functions, dash cam battery packs are an alternative to traditional hardwiring kits. Powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate or LiFePO4, these accessories are ideal for drivers who park for long periods of time and come in handy when the vehicle's battery is insufficient to power up the dash cam.
BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 Battery Pack
If you are looking for higher specifications, capacity, brand compatibility and better value for money, go for the BlackboxMyCar Powercell 8 battery pack.
The BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 was designed by BlackboxMyCar and is manufactured by Egen Inc, the world's largest and most trusted dash cam battery manufacturer, which also produces the Cellink NEO battery packs.
Like the B-130X, it is built with the safest battery technology, LiFEPO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate), which will keep your dash cam running in parking mode for longer hours in extreme weather conditions.
Because of the unique characteristics of LiFePo4, the BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 could be charged quickly in 50 minutes while also maintaining a longer life of up to 2,000 cycles even with frequent deep discharge cycles.
BlackVue B130X Ultra Magic Battery Pack
If you’re using a BlackVue dash cam like the DR900X and DR750X, we recommend the BlackVue B130X Ultra Magic Battery Pack. Compared to the previous BlackVue B-124X unit, this new model has 25% more power, while maintaining the same high reliability. It carries 7,500 mAh / 12.8 V / 96 Wh and includes a fuel gauge integrated circuit.
The BlackVue B-130X can either be connected to a cigarette lighter-type power socket or hardwired to your vehicle's fuse panel. Within 50 minutes, this Power Magic Ultra Battery can reach a full charge, while also lasting for over 30 hours in parking mode.
Get Protected with Parking Mode Function
If you are concerned about hit-and-runs, theft, or vandalism while your vehicle is parked and left unattended, your dash cam's Parking Mode feature is the ultimate saviour.
With the numerous two-channel dash cam options we listed above, plus the recommended battery packs, it is now simple to figure out which works for your daily driving needs, while ensuring the safety and security of your vehicle for extended periods of time.