The Best Dash Cams with Parking Mode in the UK (2026)

By the Dash Wise editorial team · Updated 2026 · How we test & score

Parking mode keeps the camera watching while you are away, recording or waking on motion or impact. It is the feature that catches car-park dents and hit-and-runs. The catch: it almost always needs a hardwire kit to run with the engine off.

What to look for

Our top picks

Frequently asked questions

Does parking mode drain my car battery?

A proper hardwire kit includes a low-voltage cut-off that switches the camera off before the battery drops too low to start the car. Without one, leaving any device drawing power can flatten a battery.

Can parking mode run from the 12V socket?

Usually not, because most 12V sockets switch off with the ignition. Parking mode normally needs a hardwire kit wired to a circuit that stays live.

Bottom line

Our top pick is the ORSKEY Dash Cam (our score 9.6/10) - A practical dash cam (1080p front, dual front and rear) that captures clear evidence on the road for insurance and disputes..