Rideshare buying guide
Best REDTIGER dash cams for rideshare drivers
Four REDTIGER dash cams compared on what an Uber or Lyft shift actually tests: cabin footage after dark, rear coverage, getting the clip off the camera, and the full cost once the parking kit and card are in.
About this guide. REDTIGER publishes this page and makes every model in it. We did not run hands-on tests for this guide. Specs and prices come from REDTIGER's US product pages, checked October 16, 2026, in US dollars before tax and shipping. Prices change often, so confirm them before you buy.
The short answer depends on your shift
Color cabin footage after dark and the sharpest rear camera in the lineup
REDTIGER F17 Elite
Full-time drivers who want the clearest rear footage in the lineup and color cabin video, and who drive where streetlights or dome lighting reach the back seat.
$259.99 Final price after REDTIGER's store discount on the Basic bundle (hardwire kit and 128GB card). Listed at $289.99, regular $349.99.
Two cabin lenses for drivers who want every seat in frame
REDTIGER F17 Plus
Drivers with larger vehicles or frequent group rides who want both sides of the cabin recorded, including after dark.
$219.99 Sale price (regular $259.99). REDTIGER's store lists a free 128GB card and hardwire kit.
Infrared cabin and a 4K front camera at a mid-range price
REDTIGER F17
Drivers who mostly work evenings on darker roads and want an infrared cabin camera without paying for the F17 Elite.
$149.99 Starting sale price (regular $199.99). REDTIGER's store lists a free hardwire kit; the option shown at this price has no microSD card.
Lowest upfront cost for front, rear, and an infrared cabin camera
REDTIGER A3
Part-time or new drivers who want cabin and rear recording for the lowest upfront cost.
$74.99 Starting sale price (regular $159.99). Every listed option includes the hardwire kit.
What a rideshare dash cam has to do
Every pick was judged on the same five jobs.
Cabin footage after dark
Evening and late-night rides leave little light in the cabin. Infrared cameras record clear black-and-white faces in a dark cabin. Color cameras keep clothing and skin tones but need some light, such as streetlights or a dome light.
Cabin field of view
A cabin camera mounted at the mirror must reach both rear doors. Check the published angle, then review sample footage with a passenger in each seat.
Rear coverage
Pickups and drop-offs mean frequent stops, so the car behind you is part of the record. A higher rear resolution gives you a better chance of reading its plate.
Getting the clip off the camera
Every model here records to a microSD card that you download to your phone over Wi-Fi. Faster Wi-Fi means less waiting before the next ride. None of them uploads footage to the cloud on its own.
Full upfront cost
Add the hardwire kit for parking mode and a high-endurance card. A low camera price can rise once those are included, so check what each bundle contains.
Four REDTIGER models side by side
US prices from REDTIGER's store on October 16, 2026, before tax and shipping. Swipe sideways on a phone to see every column.
| Spec | REDTIGER F17 Elite | REDTIGER F17 Plus | REDTIGER F17 | REDTIGER A3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Channels | 3: 4K front, 2.5K rear, 1080p cabin | 4: 2.7K front, 1080p rear, two 1080p cabin lenses | 3: 4K front, 1080p cabin, 1080p rear | 3: 2.5K front, 1080p cabin, 1080p rear |
| Cabin at night | Full-color cabin video, no infrared. REDTIGER rates it down to 0.1 lux. | Infrared on both cabin lenses. Black-and-white video in low light. | Infrared lights. Black-and-white video in low light. | Infrared lights. Black-and-white video in low light. |
| Cabin field of view | Not published | Two cabin lenses that rotate 360°; angle not published | 160° | Not published |
| Rear camera | 2.5K (1440p), Sony STARVIS 2 IMX675 | 1080p | 1080p, 155° view | 1080p |
| Footage access | microSD (up to 512GB) and 5.8 GHz Wi-Fi 6 app download, rated up to 30 Mb/s | microSD (up to 512GB) and 5 GHz Wi-Fi app download | microSD (up to 256GB) and 5.8 GHz Wi-Fi app download | microSD (up to 256GB) and 5/2.4 GHz Wi-Fi app download |
| Parking mode | Time-lapse and impact detection. Needs the hardwire kit, which the Basic bundle includes. | 24- or 48-hour time-lapse with impact lock. Needs the hardwire kit, which REDTIGER's store includes. | Time-lapse and collision detection. Needs the hardwire kit, which REDTIGER's store includes. | Impact or motion detection and time-lapse. Needs the hardwire kit, which every A3 option on the store includes. |
| Price checked | $259.99 | $219.99 | $149.99 | $74.99 |
| Price includes | Final price after REDTIGER's store discount on the Basic bundle (hardwire kit and 128GB card). Listed at $289.99, regular $349.99. | Sale price (regular $259.99). REDTIGER's store lists a free 128GB card and hardwire kit. | Starting sale price (regular $199.99). REDTIGER's store lists a free hardwire kit; the option shown at this price has no microSD card. | Starting sale price (regular $159.99). Every listed option includes the hardwire kit. |
| Extra costs | Nothing required beyond the Basic bundle | Nothing required beyond what the store includes | microSD card, if you choose the option without one | microSD card, unless you choose an option that includes one |
Who each pick suits, and where it falls short
Color cabin footage after dark and the sharpest rear camera in the lineup
REDTIGER F17 Elite
$259.99
Final price after REDTIGER's store discount on the Basic bundle (hardwire kit and 128GB card). Listed at $289.99, regular $349.99.
Full-time drivers who want the clearest rear footage in the lineup and color cabin video, and who drive where streetlights or dome lighting reach the back seat.
What it does well
- Only model in the lineup whose cabin records in full color after dark, so clothing and skin tones can stay visible instead of turning gray.
- 2.5K rear camera on a STARVIS 2 sensor, the highest rear resolution here, with HDR on the front and rear cameras.
- Basic bundle includes the hardwire kit and a 128GB card, plus a touchscreen and voice commands to save a clip without taking your hands off the wheel.
Drawbacks to weigh
- No infrared in the cabin. In a fully dark cabin, an infrared model such as the F17 or F17 Plus will show faces more reliably.
- Cabin field of view is not published, so check sample footage to confirm the third-row or far-side seat is in frame.
- Highest price in this lineup.
- REDTIGER lists HDR for the front and rear cameras only, not the cabin.
Choose the F17 or F17 Plus if most of your rides happen on unlit roads, where infrared shows faces in complete darkness.
View productTwo cabin lenses for drivers who want every seat in frame
REDTIGER F17 Plus
$219.99
Sale price (regular $259.99). REDTIGER's store lists a free 128GB card and hardwire kit.
Drivers with larger vehicles or frequent group rides who want both sides of the cabin recorded, including after dark.
What it does well
- Two infrared cabin lenses that each rotate 360°, so you can point them at different parts of the cabin.
- Infrared records faces in a completely dark cabin.
- Touchscreen and voice commands, with a 128GB card and the hardwire kit included on REDTIGER's store.
Drawbacks to weigh
- Front camera is 2.7K, not 4K. The spec table lists WDR for it, while the description mentions HDR.
- Rear camera is 1080p.
- Night cabin footage is black and white, so colors of clothing or objects are lost.
- Four cameras draw more power while parked. One owner review reports a 2.5A draw, so check your battery and the kit's cutoff before long parking sessions.
Choose the F17 Elite for a 4K front camera and sharper rear footage, or the F17 if one cabin lens covers your back seat.
View productInfrared cabin and a 4K front camera at a mid-range price
REDTIGER F17
$149.99
Starting sale price (regular $199.99). REDTIGER's store lists a free hardwire kit; the option shown at this price has no microSD card.
Drivers who mostly work evenings on darker roads and want an infrared cabin camera without paying for the F17 Elite.
What it does well
- Infrared cabin camera with a published 160° view, so you can check rear-seat coverage before buying.
- 4K front camera on a STARVIS 2 sensor with HDR.
- Hardwire kit included on REDTIGER's store, so parking mode costs nothing extra.
Drawbacks to weigh
- REDTIGER's description says the front records 4K with the cabin camera turned off. Check the manual for the resolution with all three cameras running.
- Rear camera is 1080p.
- Card limit is 256GB, half of the F17 Elite and F17 Plus.
- Night cabin footage is black and white.
Choose the F17 Elite for color cabin video and a 2.5K rear camera, or the A3 if the lowest upfront cost matters most.
View productLowest upfront cost for front, rear, and an infrared cabin camera
REDTIGER A3
$74.99
Starting sale price (regular $159.99). Every listed option includes the hardwire kit.
Part-time or new drivers who want cabin and rear recording for the lowest upfront cost.
What it does well
- Lowest price in the lineup for three channels with an infrared cabin camera.
- Hardwire kit included in every listed option, with impact, motion, and time-lapse parking modes.
- Wi-Fi app download, so you can save a clip to your phone without removing the card.
Drawbacks to weigh
- Front camera is 2.5K, the lowest front resolution here, and the rear is 1080p.
- No touchscreen or voice control.
- Cabin field of view is not published.
- Card limit is 256GB.
Choose the F17 for a 4K front camera and a published cabin angle, or the F17 Elite for color cabin video.
View productKeep narrowing it down
Rideshare dash cam questions
Which REDTIGER dash cam is best for Uber and Lyft drivers?
It depends on your shifts. For color cabin video and the sharpest rear camera, the F17 Elite fits. For dark cabins, the infrared F17 or F17 Plus are safer choices, and the F17 Plus covers both sides of the back seat. For the lowest upfront cost, the A3 records front, rear, and cabin.
Do rideshare drivers need an interior camera?
For most full-time drivers, yes. Front and rear cameras record traffic, but only a cabin camera records what happens between you and a passenger.
Is infrared or color night vision better for the cabin?
Infrared works in complete darkness but records in black and white. Color night vision keeps clothing and skin tones but depends on some light in the cabin. If you mostly drive on unlit roads, infrared is the safer choice.
Do I have to tell passengers they are being recorded?
Rules vary by location, especially for audio. Uber says some locations require rider consent. Both Uber and Lyft let you register a dash cam in the driver app so riders are notified.
Do I need a hardwire kit?
Only for parking mode. All four models need a hardwire kit to record while the engine is off. On REDTIGER's US store, the F17 Elite Basic bundle includes one, and the F17, F17 Plus, and A3 are listed with a kit included.
Can I post passenger footage online?
Uber's Community Guidelines prohibit sharing or streaming a person's image or recording on social media. Share footage with the platform, police, or your insurer instead.
Sources
All sources checked October 16, 2026. Where a product page gave conflicting numbers, or no number at all, the guide says so instead of picking one.