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Comparison Dash Cams

VIOFO A229 Pro vs Garmin Mini 2: Which Should You Buy?

Quick answer

Choose the VIOFO A229 Pro 2CH for sharp front and rear coverage; choose the Garmin Mini 2 for a tiny, simple front camera.

By Buyzello Editorial Team 1 min read

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Illustration of dash cams (not a photo of this product)
Recommended

VIOFO A229 Pro 2CH Dash Cam

Best video front and rear

Typically $280–$350

Check Price on Amazon at Amazon Paid link
Illustration of dash cams (not a photo of this product)
Recommended

Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2

Best for small and simple

Typically $110–$130

Check Price on Amazon at Amazon Paid link

Quick comparison

FeatureVIOFO A229 Pro 2CH Dash CamGarmin Dash Cam Mini 2
VerdictRecommendedRecommended
Typical price$280–$350$110–$130
Best forBest video front and rearSmall and simple
Key feature4K front with STARVIS 2 sensorsCar-key-sized front camera
Front video4K—
Rear video2K—
PowerSupercapacitor—
Video—1080p
Field of view—140°
Screen—None
Where to buyCheck Price at Amazon Paid linkCheck Price at Amazon Paid link

Main differences

Coverage

VIOFO records front and rear; Garmin records the front only.

Video

VIOFO records 4K front; Garmin records 1080p.

Size

Garmin is about the size of a car key.

Price

Garmin costs less than half as much.

Which should you choose?

Choose the VIOFO A229 Pro 2CH Dash Cam if you

  • want front and rear coverage
  • drive at night often
  • want parking mode
Check Price at Amazon Paid link

Choose the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 if you

  • want something discreet
  • only need a front view
  • want simple voice control
Check Price at Amazon Paid link

Which specifications matter?

Focus on the differences above rather than headline numbers. For more options, see our list of the best dash cams.

Not sure about either? Consider these

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, the VIOFO A229 Pro or the Garmin Mini 2?

Choose the VIOFO A229 Pro 2CH for sharp front and rear coverage; choose the Garmin Mini 2 for a tiny, simple front camera.

Which is better value?

The VIOFO A229 Pro typically costs $280–$350 and the Garmin Mini 2 typically costs $110–$130. The better value depends on which differences above matter to you.

Buyzello Editorial Team

Part of the Buyzello research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we test and score Editorial policy

VIOFO A229 Pro vs Garmin Mini 2: the deciding differences

VIOFO A229 Pro vs Garmin Mini 2: which should you buy? Choose the VIOFO A229 Pro 2CH for sharp front and rear coverage; choose the Garmin Mini 2 for a tiny, simple front camera. Typical prices are $280–$350 for the VIOFO A229 Pro and $110–$130 for the Garmin Mini 2.

The VIOFO A229 Pro is best for best video front and rear. Its key feature is 4K front with STARVIS 2 sensors. Buy it if you want sharp front and rear video, strong night footage and proper parking mode. Owners and specs point to strengths such as 4K front with Sony STARVIS 2 sensor, strong night video owners praise and fast Wi-Fi downloads, while the main drawbacks are parking mode needs a hardwire kit and larger than mini cams.

The Garmin Mini 2 is best for small and simple, with car-key-sized front camera as its headline feature. Buy it if you want a tiny, discreet front camera that hides behind the mirror. Its strengths include tiny and discreet, voice control and easy app; the trade-offs are no screen and 1080p only.

The differences that matter most: Coverage: VIOFO records front and rear; Garmin records the front only. Video: VIOFO records 4K front; Garmin records 1080p. Size: Garmin is about the size of a car key. Price: Garmin costs less than half as much.

Choose the VIOFO A229 Pro if you want front and rear coverage, drive at night often and want parking mode. Choose the Garmin Mini 2 if you want something discreet, only need a front view and want simple voice control. If neither fits, our list of the best dash cams covers more options at different prices.

Front and rear coverage helps with rear-end collisions, the most common crash type. Supercapacitors cope with hot parked cars better than lithium batteries. Parking mode needs a hardwire kit or OBD power cable for full protection.

Yes, in every state, but windshield mounting rules vary. Mount behind the mirror and check your state’s rules on obstruction and audio recording consent. Most US insurers do not offer a discount, but footage can help prove fault after a crash.

Dash cams are popular Prime Day and Black Friday deals. Check your state’s windshield-mounting and audio recording rules, and buy a high-endurance microSD card at the same time.

Across the dash cams we cover, typical prices run from $110 to $350. Store prices change often, so treat these as typical ranges and check the current price before you buy.