Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam review: compact but clever

Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam review in a sentence: This small and very versatile dash cam is ideal for those with fairly simplistic requirements.

I can understand Nextbase releasing its premium iQ model, which appeared last year and has to rate as one of the best dash cam offerings currently on the market. However, not all of us want a high-end dash cam to keep us covered when we’re out on the roads. I’ve been living with the Nextbase Piqo for a while now and, to be honest, it’s perfect for my needs, especially seeing as I frequently need to move my dash camera from one car to another.

The bonus with the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam, though, is the way it features many of the same features and functions as those found inside the Nextbase iQ model. The downside is that these are served up in a sort of ‘Lite’ format, but as far as I’m concerned, there is still plenty nestling inside the svelte design lines of the Piqo to make it very appealing.

There are other compromises to be had from the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam too, with the absence of a rear screen being one thing that might put some off considering it. Sure, there’s a supporting Nextbase app, which realistically is needed in order to get the best out of those features and functions too. Aside from that though, this dinky little dash cam has a lot going for it, all topped off with a budget price tag.

Bear in mind this is a front-facing only model, so if you're after a front and rear view bundle, try exploring our best front and rear dash cams selection.

(First reviewed February 2025)

How much is the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam?

Nextbase offers the Piqo in two different model variants. There’s the 1K (HD 1080p) edition, which costs a meagre $129.99 / £99 / AU$199. Meanwhile, a slightly better shooting capacity makes the 2K (HD 1440p) model similarly appealing. It costs $149.99 / £119 / $299, which means either model is notably cheaper than the premium price tag of the Nextbase iQ. That starts at $399.99 / £349.99.

Design and build

One of the things I like most about the Nextbase Piqo dash cam is its compact form factor. As you’ll see from the images in this review, the main camera unit itself is very compact, with a long slender shape, which is a bit like a stretched lozenge. There’s the camera lens on one side of the body and, on the back, a button that glows with a red surround when the unit is operating. There’s a microSD card slot on one side and a port for the power cable on the other.

Another bonus with the Nextbase Piqo dash cam is the way it is mounted in your vehicle. The box contains a small mounting bracket, which has a self-adhesive pad that can be fixed to the windscreen either directly or onto a static sheet. The latter is a great idea if you need to move the camera and don’t want to ruin the self-adhesive sheet although there is a spare sticky pad in the box.

Elsewhere, the cable is nice and long while a charging plug for 12V power sockets found inside most vehicles is suitably robust. Everything feels nicely designed and very well made. That extends to the bracket that joins the camera to the base, which moves around in a ball socket design.

This means it’s very easy to get into a prime position for filming the road ahead. However, it’s worth noting that the app is needed to see how the footage looks. Alternatively, it’s easy enough to pop out the microSD card and view test footage in a laptop instead.

Features and functions

One of the biggest benefits of the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam is the ease of installation that comes with it. Unlike the more premium Nextbase iQ, which needs to be plugged into a vehicle’s ODB II port, this model simply connects via a 12V power socket. There’s also the shooting specification, which for the 1K HD version of the Piqo means 1080p via the 2560x1080 pixel resolution and 140-degree field of view. Meanwhile, the 2K model offers 2560x1440 pixels and a 145-degree field of view.

In order to get the best from the Nextbase Piqo though, I had to look at the subscription options rather than use its plug-and-play simplicity to enjoy more functionality. Nextbase has a base level ‘Protect’ plan, which costs a not bad £29.99 per year. Alternatively, the free ‘Solo’ subscription model might work and comes with the journey data included in video content adding in the likes of date, time and speed. This can be vital if any evidence is needed in the unfortunate event of an accident.

Anyone wanting to take a deep dive into the more potent features available from the Nextbase Piqo can do so by exploring the app. Available for both iOS and Android, this requires a Nextbase account to be registered and the subscription options outlined above to be triggered to get the best from its charms. The camera will still record without this being used, just as long as there’s a microSD card inserted into the slot on the side of the camera unit.

How does the Nextbase Piqo perform?

I’ve been generally impressed with the quality of the video footage from the Nextbase Piqo, although it is clear to see there is some degree of compromise to be expected. Unlike the 4K clarity offered by the Nextbase iQ model, footage shot after dark (as shown above) can be a little patchy, with things like license plates not being quite as clear as I’d hoped for. The video content is perfectly serviceable, but if you’re nervous about wanting every last detail to be captured by your dash cam, it’s probably worth spending a little more and heading for a 4K model.

Nevertheless, the ease with which the Nextbase Piqo captures video is still one of its main strengths. Add on the simple but effective way it can be mounted, and unmounted then moved to another vehicle, is what really does it for me. This is especially useful and with a simple 12V power connection, the Nextbase Piqo offers a super simple way of getting in-car video. Capturing stills is also very straightforward thanks to the button on the back of the unit.

The Nextbase Piqo really begins to shine once the more advanced features are unlocked via the app and the aforementioned subscription route. By doing this it was possible to make use of SOS, Guardian Mode, Witness Mode and Smart Parking tools, although they are ‘Lite’ variants of those found on the Nextbase iQ model.

Even using the free Solo edition delivers Smart Parking, Guardian Mode Lite and Witness Mode Lite along with allowing access to 30 days of cloud storage. The Protect subscription adds 180 days of cloud storage, emergency SOS functionality and gets you an extra two-year warranty. Either way, voice control is also an option if you want hands-free simplicity.

Should I buy the Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam?

There’s no doubt that the Nextbase Piqo dash cam is an ideal option for anyone who’s keen to have the backup of an always-on video source in car. It’s one of the easiest models out there in terms of setup and configuration. However, the added benefit is that it’s possible to tap into a suite of features and functions that boost its overall shooting appeal.

Choose from 1K or 2K camera models, with the cheaper one being absolute bargain-basement. The 2K edition offers slightly crisper footage but both fall short of the impressive footage provided by more expensive models, including the Nextbase iQ. Nevertheless, overall, the Piqo is handy to have in your vehicle and, for the money, represents great value.

Also consider

If you're looking to save a little money then you can check out our best cheap dash cam deals page, and if you're looking to record all angles then you can read our best front and rear dash cam guide.