Is 60 FPS in Dashcams Worth the Hype?

If you’ve recently been looking into buying a dashcam, you’ve probably come across the term “60 FPS” being thrown around like it’s a game-changer. It sounds fancy, but what does it actually mean—and do you really need it? Let’s break it down in plain, no-geek-speak language.

What is FPS?

FPS stands for frames per second. It’s how many images your camera captures every second to create a video. Most dashcams record at 30 FPS, which is already smooth enough for daily driving. A 60 FPS dashcam records twice as many frames each second—so in theory, the video should look smoother and more detailed.

But is it really that simple? Not quite.

The Good Side of 60 FPS

  1. Smoother Playback
    60 FPS makes motion look more fluid, especially when things are moving fast. If you’re involved in an accident involving over-speeding vehicle, it could help you see what happened more clearly in the footage.
  2. Better for Slow Motion
    Need to slow down your footage to catch details—like who ran the red light? With 60 FPS, slow-motion playback is less choppy and more usable compared to 30 FPS.

The Not-So-Great Side of 60 FPS

  1. Bigger File Sizes
    More frames mean more data. 60 FPS videos take up more space on your memory card, which can lead to older footage being overwritten sooner—unless you’re using a large-capacity card.
  2. Doesn’t Reduce Motion Blur
    Here’s a common misconception: more frames don’t mean less blur. Motion blur is actually controlled by shutter speed. So if the shutter speed is slow, 60 FPS alone won’t magically make moving license plates clearer.
  1. Nighttime Limitations
    At night, cameras often slow the shutter to capture more light. This creates blur, even at 60 FPS. So instead of crisp details, you may still end up with fuzzy footage.
  2. Can Stress the Camera
    Some dashcams use HDR (High Dynamic Range) to balance bright and dark areas. To do that at 30 FPS, the camera combines two frames—so it’s really processing 60. If you switch to 60 FPS, it has to process 120 frames per second. That puts more strain on the processor, which can lead to overheating or performance drops.
  3. Not Always Needed in Daylight
    During the day, your dashcam already has plenty of light and can use fast shutter speeds. That naturally reduces blur, so the extra frame rate doesn’t always add noticeable value.
  4. Compression Trade-Offs
    Bigger video files can lead to more compression when saved, which may reduce overall video quality—kind of the opposite of what you’d expect.

When Is 60 FPS Actually Worth It?

60 FPS isn’t just a marketing gimmick—it really shines in high-speed situations. Sports broadcasts, F1 races, skateboarding tricks, wildlife videos, or cinematic slow-motion scenes all benefit from that ultra-smooth look and extra detail. That’s where you want every frame. But dashcams? You’re not filming an action movie—you just need clear, reliable footage when it counts.

So… Should You Get a 60 FPS Dashcam?

If you love the idea of silky-smooth playback or plan to analyze footage frame-by-frame, go for it. Just make sure the rest of the dashcam’s specs—like lens quality, low-light performance, and HDR—are equally solid.

For the average driver? A good-quality 30 FPS dashcam will serve you better, without filling up your memory card too fast or pushing your camera too hard.

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