Nextbase 322GW vs 522GW: is the step up to 1440p worth it?

We built this comparison from Nextbase's product pages and the Amazon.co.uk listings, plus owner reviews. We have not tested either camera.

Specs side by side

Nextbase's 322GW page lists 1080p at 60fps in its spec table but 30fps in its body text, so we have left the 322GW frame rate out of the table. The Amazon listing states 1080p/60fps.

The differences that matter

Number plates and night driving

The point of dash cam footage is usually a number plate or a clear view of who did what at a junction. The 522GW's 1440p gives more detail when you zoom into a frame, and its F1.3 lens lets in more light than the 322GW's F1.6. That combination helps most on unlit A-roads and in winter rush hours, when much of a UK commute happens in the dark.

Glare from the windscreen

A polarising filter cuts reflections of the dashboard in the windscreen and glare off wet roads. It is built into the 522GW. On the 322GW it is an optional add-on. If your car has a light-coloured dash or you often drive into low winter sun, this is a real difference in usable footage.

Screen and controls

The 522GW's 3-inch screen against the 322GW's 2.5-inch matters mostly during setup and when reviewing a clip at the roadside. Voice control on the 522GW lets you save a clip without taking your hands off the wheel. Once set up, either camera starts recording with the ignition, so the screen size matters less after the first week.

What is the same

Both share the GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth setup, the Click&Go Pro magnetic mount, Intelligent Parking Mode, Emergency SOS and the same rear camera modules. Neither has image stabilisation. If you want a rear view too, the 322GW is also sold as a front and rear bundle with a 720p Rear Window Camera.

Pick the 322GW if...

• You want GPS, Wi-Fi, parking mode and SOS without paying for the extras.
• Most of your driving is in daylight on familiar roads.
• You want a ready-made front and rear bundle.

Pick the 522GW if...

• You drive at night often and want the brighter F1.3 lens.
• You want 1440p for more detail on number plates.
• Windscreen glare is a problem and you want the polarising filter built in.
• You would use voice control to save clips.

Not sure which features you need? Ourdash cam features guide explains each one, and is a rear dash cam worth itcovers the rear module question. For parking mode, readhow to hardwire a dash cam, and for storage see what size memory card a dash cam needs. Browse all our dash cam picks or more fromNextbase.

Frequently asked questions

Is 1440p noticeably better than 1080p on a dash cam?

It gives more pixels to work with when you zoom into a frame to read a number plate or a road sign, which is the main job of dash cam footage. The 522GW records 1440p at 30fps and also offers 1080p at 60fps. The 322GW records 1080p. The 522GW also has a brighter F1.3 lens against the 322GW's F1.6, which helps at night.

Can I add a rear camera to either model?

Yes. Nextbase lists the same rear modules for both: the Rear Window Cam, the Car Rear View Camera and the Cabin View Cam. The 322GW is also sold as a front and rear bundle with a 720p Rear Window Camera. Nextbase says the 522GW keeps recording in 2K at the front when a module is attached.

What SD card does the 522GW need?

Nextbase's Amazon listing recommends a Nextbase SD card, or a 32GB U3 High Endurance card with at least 48 MB/s write speed. For the 322GW, Nextbase gives about 2, 4 and 8 hours of recording on 32GB, 64GB and 128GB cards and recommends a card designed for dash cam use.

Do both have parking mode and Emergency SOS?

Yes. Both list Intelligent Parking Mode, which records a protected clip when the G-sensor detects a bump while parked, and Emergency SOS, which can alert emergency services after a serious collision if you do not respond. Nextbase recommends hardwiring for parking mode.