When we reviewed the Nextbase 522GW in 2021 it earned high marks for its sharp 2K video quality and robust features including an Emergency SOS button, a polarizing filter, and integrated Alexa voice capabilities. With the $399.99 Nextbase 622GW, you get those features and more, including stunning 4K video, dual-band Wi-Fi, image stabilization technology, and support for the location identification service What3words. Its three-inch color touch screen is spacious and bright, even if its touch controls were somewhat erratic in testing. If you can live without Alexa voice control, the Garmin Dash Cam Live offers more driver assist features and cellular connectivity for the same price, earning it our Editors' Choice award for dash cams.

Same Design, Sharper Video

The 622GW shares the same basic design as the 522GW. It has a dark gray enclosure that measures 2.0 by 3.7 by 0.7 inches (HWD) and features a camera lens on the front that adds another inch to the overall depth, a removable dust cover for the magnetic mounting point, and a speaker. The rear of the camera holds a three-inch IPS color touch screen with a 960-by-480-pixel resolution and a Protect button that will save a clip containing the 15 seconds before a press as well as the 30 seconds after. Here you’ll also find two microphones and two small LED indicators. The top LED glows blue while the camera is charging and the bottom LED shines solid red when the camera is powered up or flashes red when it is recording.

A power button and a microSD Card slot reside on the left side of the camera. The slot can accommodate cards of up to 256GB for storing video locally, but Nextbase suggests using cards with a 64GB to 128GB capacity. Either way, you’ll have to supply your own media. For reference, a 128GB card will hold around 360 minutes of video. The 622GW also includes free unlimited cloud storage with a 30-day history that lets you share video links with friends, law enforcement, and insurance companies.

The top of the camera holds a mini-USB port for charging the internal battery, which provides up to 15 minutes of recording time in the event of a power loss. On the right side is an HD-OUT/RearCam port for connecting the camera to an optional Rear View Camera ($69.99), a Cabin View Camera ($69.99), or to a TV or monitor. The bottom of the camera houses an ambient light sensor and a reset button.

Included in the box are the camera, a magnetic camera mount/power port with an adhesive pad to attach to your vehicle’s windshield, a 13-foot power cable attached to a 12-volt adapter, a USB cable for charging, a tool for hiding the power cable during installation, and a quick start guide. A $29.99 hardwire kit (sold separately) is available if you prefer a more permanent wired power solution.

The 622GW offers many of the same features as the 522GW including built-in Alexa capabilities, Bluetooth and GPS radios, an Intelligent Parking mode, and Emergency SOS. Alexa voice support allows you to interact with the virtual assistant through the camera to get the latest news and sports, ask about traffic, play music, and control smart home devices. Intelligent Parking uses a G sensor to detect bumps and other unplanned movements to trigger video recording while the car is parked.

To use the SOS feature, you have to connect the 622GW to the MyNextbase mobile app (available for Android and iOS). SOS is free for the first 12 months, then costs $4.99 per month, $49.99 for a year, or $99.99 for three years. When the dash cam detects an accident, the app uses your phone as a beacon to send an emergency alert if your car is no longer moving and you fail to respond that you're OK. The alert will contain your GPS coordinates as well as any medical information that you have supplied via the mobile app such as blood type, allergies, and medications.

New to this model is an 8MP camera that captures 4K video (3,840-by-2,160) at 30fps and has a 140-degree field of view (the 522GW has a 2K camera, with the same field of view). It also adds image stabilization technology for a cleaner picture with less vibration, dual-band Wi-Fi, and support for What3words, a location-sharing service that works with the GPS radio to pinpoint your exact location. Missing are the cellular connectivity and driver assist features such as forward collision, lane departure, and red light camera alerts that you get with the Garmin Dash Cam Live.

The dash cam screen shows the action taking place in front of your vehicle, and a red button in the lower left corner flashes when the camera is recording. To end a recording, press this button.

A blue button in the lower right corner connects the dash cam to the mobile app via Wi-Fi and a play arrow in the upper right corner lets you watch recorded videos and view still images. Tap the gear icon in the upper left corner to configure video settings, set up Parking Mode and Alerts, set the time and date, and connect to the Alexa and MyNextbase apps.

In the MyNextbase mobile app, you can view live video from the Home screen and access all of your recorded video via the Dash Cam button at the bottom of the screen. Tap a thumbnail to view the video on a split screen with a GPS map of your route. Here, you can switch between the Map mode, Telemetry mode which shows your speed and heading, and Info mode which shows the time and date of the recording and the file name. Tap the download icon to save the file, the file folder icon to save it to your library, or the trash can icon to delete it. To view your saved videos, tap the Library button at the bottom of the screen. There’s also an SOS button here that lets you configure SOS settings.

Easy Installation and Reliable Performance

Installing the 622GW in my Ford F-150 was relatively easy. After determining the optimal mounting point, I secured the camera mount to my windshield using the adhesive pad, plugged in the power cable, and routed the cable up into the windshield/headliner trim. Using the included tool, I tucked the cable into the trim and out of sight, then continued to run the cable down through the passenger side door trim and under the dash. I plugged in the 12-volt adapter and the camera was ready for setup.

With the device installed in my truck, I powered it up then selected my language (English-US). I followed the on-screen First Time Installation directions to configure my time zone, Daylight Savings Time settings, and Speed Unit (MPH, KMH). Next, it prompted me to connect the dash cam to my phone, so I downloaded the app and selected the 622GW from the list of supported devices. After a few seconds, it appeared in the Select An Accessory box so I tapped it, confirmed the pairing code, and the device was paired with the app. I updated the firmware and the dash cam automatically connected to the same Wi-Fi SSID as my phone. Once the firmware update was complete, I gave the app permission to use my location, then set up the SOS and Alexa features to complete the installation.

The 622GW delivered very sharp video in my tests. The image stabilization feature worked wonderfully, providing clear, steady video despite the road conditions. Daytime colors were sharp and well-saturated, and night vision was crisp with very little glare from oncoming headlights.

Alexa commands worked as intended. I was able to retrieve news and sports scores using voice commands and I had no trouble controlling a Wyze Bulb in my house that is connected to my Alexa account. The Parking Mode feature worked without issue and the GPS radio did a great job of locating my truck on the map while traveling.

A Top Garmin Dash Alternative

With the Nextbase 622GW, you get crystal-clear 4K video, location tracking, built-in Alexa functionality, and dual-band Wi-Fi in a compact dash cam. The 622GW automatically records and saves video when it detects a crash and it will send an SOS alert with your location and other critical information in the event that you are unable to respond. Cloud storage is free, but you have to pay an annual fee for the SOS feature (after a 12-month free trial). At $399.99 the 622GW is a good value and it supports lots of add-on accessories, but it doesn’t provide the cellular connectivity and extensive driver assist features that you get with our Editors’ Choice, the $399.99 Garmin Dash Cam Live.