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Nextbase 622GW review: A feature-packed 4K dash cam with Alexa built in

From its smart magnetic windscreen mount to SOS response, this gadget has a lot going for it

Alistair Charlton
Friday 01 April 2022 16:23 BST
The camera features SOS emergency calling and what3words support
The camera features SOS emergency calling and what3words support (The Independent)

It’s easy to assume all dash cams are the same. But, from video quality and software features, to voice control, connectivity, driver assistance and even the way they mount to the windscreen, there’s a lot more to consider than you might think.

While some dash cams aim to be as simple as possible, silently recording a view of the road ahead then saving footage when a collision is detected, Nextbase takes a different approach with the 622GW.

Currently the company’s flagship, this dash cam is packed full of features, from 4K video recording and digital image stabilisation, to integrated Alexa. It also includes what3words support – an emergency response system – and the option to add a rear-facing camera too (£59, Nextbase.co.uk).

Not every driver will want to spend the £249 Nextbase is asking for the 622GW, and that’s understandable, given other options are available for half the price.

But for those who want pin-sharp 4K video quality, voice control and a whole host of other features – plus a neat, magnetic windscreen mounting system – the 622GW could be the ultimate dash cam.

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How we tested

We fitted the Nextbase 622GW to our car, connected it to our smartphone, and used it as our own dash cam for a couple of weeks. The camera faithfully recorded short and long journeys alike but, naturally, we’re not able to fully test some of its emergency features.

Crashes are simulated by the tried-and-tested “bang it on the desk” method, while thankfully we can only take Nextbase’s word for how the camera calls the emergency services when a crash occurs and the driver is unresponsive. Here’s what we made of the brand’s best dash cam.

Nextbase 622GW

Nextbase 622GW.jpg

Buy now £249, Nextbase.co.uk

  • Rating: 9/10
  • Resolution: Up to 4K
  • Field-of-view: 140 degrees
  • Frame rate: 30fps at 4K, 60fps at 1080p Full HD, 120fps at 720p HD
  • Display: Yes, 3in touch screen
  • Voice control: Yes, Alexa built-in
  • Audio recording: Yes, optional
  • Integrated GPS: Yes

Design

The 622GW looks much like other members of Nextbase’s dash cam family. It’s a fairly compact device with a protruding lens on its front and a large, 3in touchscreen on the rear. Physical buttons are kept to a minimum, with only a power button on the left side and a button below the screen for manually saving footage. The dash cam will automatically save video when it detects a collision, but the button can be used if you witness an incident and want to save footage of it.

Below the power button is a microSD card slot, but no card is included in the box. Because 4K video files are massive, you’ll want an equally large memory card, otherwise it will quickly fill up and start to overwrite older footage.

All of Nextbase’s dash cams use a magnetic windscreen mounting system. The mount attaches to the dash cam itself with strong magnets, then to the windscreen using a suction cup, meaning no adhesive pad is left stuck to the screen (as is the case with many other dash cams).

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Cleverly, the dash cam is powered via a USB cable that attaches to the windscreen mount, instead of the camera itself. This means the cable is closer to the roof lining of your car, where it can be tucked away and hidden from view, then run behind the interior trim of the car, and fed down to the included 12V power adapter.

Features

As well as 4K video recording at 30 frames per second (or Full HD at 60fps), the Nextbase 622GW benefits from integrated GPS for adding accurate location and speed data to your recordings, a six-layer lens for improved video quality, and a socket to attach a rear-facing camera (£59, Nextbase.co.uk).

Software features include Alexa, which means you can speak to the Amazon voice assistant, issuing commands like “Alexa, ask my dash cam to start recording,” or “Alexa, ask my dash cam to disable audio recording.”

You can also ask the assistant to play music, cue up a radio station, read out the weather forecast or deliver driving instructions, all using your smartphone’s internet connection and car’s sound system.

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The Nextbase 622GW is the first dash cam to work with what3words. This positioning system assigns a three-word phrase to every three-square-metre plot of land globally which then ties in with the 622GW’s emergency services function. This allows your location to be shared with the emergency services if you’re in an accident somewhere remote.

As well as your location, it’ll share pre-saved medical data like blood type, allergies and medical history with first responders. This is all done automatically after a serious collision is detected, but only if the driver does not respond or intervene before the emergency call is made. All of this is free for three months, then comes as part of the MyNextbase subscription, which costs £3.99 a month.

Performance

We were thoroughly impressed with footage recorded by the 622GW. It could be argued that a 4K resolution isn’t worth the extra cost and unwieldy file sizes, but the extra detail could prove crucial when it comes to identifying registration plates and road markings.

The digital image stabilisation works well too, but can overcompensate and cause some distortion in vehicles with a firmer ride. It can be switched off if you encounter this problem.

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We also like the peace-of-mind that comes with the SOS functions and what3words integration. Some modern cars have similar systems now too, but it is still impressive that a dash cam can store crucial evidence in the event of an accident, then also check if you’re okay, and call the emergency services with your precise location if you aren’t.

The verdict: Nextbase 622GW

If you want an all-singing, all-dancing dash cam, this is the one for you. The Nextbase 622GW nails the basics with stable, pin-sharp 4K video, then goes above-and-beyond with extra features like Alexa, SOS response and what3words. Some drivers won’t want these extras – and that’s fine, because Nextbase sells simpler, cheaper dash cams too. But for those who do, the 622GW is hard to fault.

The smartphone app isn’t the best, but this is a common complaint with today’s dash cams, where the app is little more than a way to initially set things up, then never used again. Despite that, if you’re looking for a dash cam with all the bells and whistles, this could well be the one for you.

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