The 10 Best Radar Detectors (Updated 2022)

It used to be that seeing someone with a radar detector in their car was commonplace, but not so much these days. Crowdsourced apps like Waze and cost seem to be the biggest factors behind the waning interest in radar detectors. Another factor may be the unfortunate misperception that they are only for people who want to speed. However, considering the fact that around 41 million speeding tickets are written every year, which is about one ticket issued per second, it’s a wonder that radar detectors aren’t on every car! Along with accessories like phone mounts, dash cams, and GPS systems, they can be incredibly helpful and worthwhile additions to your vehicle.

The utility of a radar detector is evidenced by the fact that even a costly one can pay for itself if it helps you avoid the potentially exorbitant cost of just one ticket. But, as with anything else, you don’t have to have the most expensive to have a good product.

Deciding to get a radar detector isn’t as simple as just picking any old one, there are many factors to take into consideration like where and how you drive, and what features you want, or at least feel like you need. To help with your plunge into the world of radar detectors, here’s a buyer’s guide and a listing of the best radar detectors available. It’s time to make your driving more aware.

A good radar detector doesn’t have to have every conceivable feature in order to be one of the best. When it comes down to it, an endless list of features won’t matter much in the face of getting a ticket. The Cobra RAD 480i doesn’t have every feature, but what it does have it does well.

The 480i is a sleek-looking radar detector measuring 4.25 x 2.75 x 1.25 inches and comes with front and rear detection. Top-situated controls include menu, mute, dim, and SEN (sensitivity). A volume scroll wheel is on the side. The front OLED screen is bright and displays band identification and signal strength. The 480i can detect X-band, K-band, Ka-band, and laser. Features include long-range sensitivity, anti-falsing circuit to cut down on false alarms, the above-mentioned SEN button to adjust sensitivity and filtering modes, digital signal processing (DSP) for early detection, loud and clear voice alerts, and Bluetooth, among others. The Bluetooth feature allows the 480i to connect to the Cobra iRadar app for real-time alerts from the Cobra community of drivers for outstanding road coverage.

Though it certainly doesn’t have every feature, the Cobra RAD 480i has a lot of features that make it a reliable and trustworthy radar detector. Its outstanding performance demonstrates that every possible feature like GPS lockout and directional arrows isn’t necessary to make a radar detector one of the best.

Key Features

Front and rear detection
Sensitivity button
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for early warning

Specifications

Power Source: DC
What’s Included: Power cord, windshield mount, hook and loop fastener
Display Type: OLED
Brand: Cobra

Pros

Bluetooth
iRadar community app
IVT filter to lessen false alarms

Buy This Product

When it comes to tech, many times a cheaper model will perform just as well as a premium one. But, sometimes, top-notch features and performance are worth the expense especially when additional hits to your wallet are at stake. The Escort Max 360C MKII is a premium radar detector that is absolutely worth what it costs.

The MKII is a sleek-looking radar detector measuring 5.15 x 1.38 x 3.25 inches. The MKII has a dual-radar setup for 360-degree awareness. Along the top of the unit are buttons for power, sensitivity, volume up, volume down, mark location, brightness, and mute. The front of the MKII features a bright, multicolor OLED screen with information on the speed limit of the road you’re on, your current speed, and the status of any active alerts. The front also features arrow-shaped LCDs that light up to show the direction of the threat. The MKII’s performance is exceptional with features like an exceptional range that can detect threats miles away, fast response time, and false alert filtering. Enhancements like intelligent GPS that learn your driving make the MKII incredibly accurate. Connectivity includes Bluetooth and dual-band Wi-Fi making it compatible with connected cars. The included EZ MagMount makes installation easy and intuitive.

If there is a feature that a radar detector should have to make it worth its cost, the Escort Max360C MKII has it. An outstanding feature set and top-of-the-line performance make the MKII one of the best radar detectors on the market today.

Key Features

360-degree awareness
Exceptional range
Intelligent GPS

Specifications

Power Source: DC
What’s Included: Power cord, travel case, mount
Display Type: OLED
Brand: Escort

Pros

Dual-band Wi-Fi
False alert filtering
EZ MagMount

Cons

OLED screen burn-in risk over time

Buy This Product

A good radar detector doesn’t have to be overly complicated to be effective. Depending on your driving habits, sometimes all that’s needed is a radar detector with good range and sensitivity. The Uniden DFR1 is an excellent bare-bones radar detector option that performs well.

The DFR1 sports a minimalist design measuring just 2.5 x 6.75 x 10.1 inches. The top of the DRF1 has controls for operating mode, mute, and display dim. A volume control button is on the site of the unit. The front features an easy-to-read LED icon display that shows the type of band detected, mode, and signal strength. The DFR1 features 360-degree coverage and detects X-bands, K-and, Ka-bands, and lasers. A strong feature of the DFR1 is its range is quite extensive which when combined with its impressive sensitivity makes the unit very reliable. Unfortunately, the DFR1’s sensitivity has limited adjustability with only three increments: city, city1, and highway. The DFR1 is excellent at detecting threats, but the lack of adjustability can make the DFR1 prone to false alarms. The DFR1 is easily mounted with the included dual suction cup windshield mount and is powered via a 12V DC power cord.

The Uniden DFR1 does not come with a lot of features, but it has the range and sensitivity that make it an effective radar detector. Stable performance combined with a very affordable price point makes the DFR1 one of the best radar detectors available.

Key Features

360-degree detection
Long range
Three sensitivity modes

Specifications

Power Source: DC
What’s Included: Power cord, mounting bracket, hook and loop fastening tape
Display Type: LED
Brand: Uniden

Pros

Detects radar and laser
Eagle Eye laser detection technology
Memory feature

Buy This Product

No one has the exact same drive every time they get behind the wheel, sometimes it’s city streets, sometimes it’s rural highways, and sometimes it’s a mixture of both. It just makes sense to have a radar detector that you can customize to where and how you drive. The Uniden R3 has the adjustability to make it a great choice when it comes to radar detectors.

The R3 sticks with the typical pager-like design for radar detectors and measures a compact 4.5 x 2.81 x 1.25 inches. Buttons for volume up, volume down, menu, and power are located along the top of the unit. Buttons for mark (to lock out GPS in false alert areas and mark areas prone to monitoring) and mute/dim are on the front of the R3. The front also has a bright OLED screen that shows information on alert status, current speed, etc. The R3 has excellent range and sensitivity detecting X-band, K-band, Ka-band, MultaRadar, and lases. The R3 has excellent sensitivity with its three modes (city, advanced, and highway) and each mode’s sensitivity can be adjusted to suit your driving and the type of alerts that are more prevalent. The capabilities and customization of the R3 are only enhanced by onboard GPS and traffic sensor filtering which also allow for increased accuracy. The voice alerts as well as preloaded speed camera and red light alerts are nice features.

The Uniden R3 has features and customizations that make it one of the best radar detectors you can find. It’s not a one size fits all model meaning it can be adjusted to fit how and where you drive.

Key Features

GPS
Long range
Customizable

Specifications

Power Source: DC
What’s Included: Power cord, two mounting brackets, hook and loop fastener tape, carrying case
Display Type: OLED
Brand: Uniden

Pros

Preloaded red light and speed camera alerts
False alert filtering
Voice alerts

Cons

No directional alert arrows

Buy This Product

A radar detector isn’t of much use if it’s difficult to use. Fumbling around with something that is supposed to keep you alert while driving can end up costing you in tickets or even worse. A radar detector should be easy to use and the Uniden R7 expertly exemplifies that very attribute making it one of the best radar detectors.

With more of a modern looking aesthetic with sharp, clean lines, the R7 measures 3.86 x 4.81 x 1.38 inches. It offers long-range 360-degree protection via dual antennas as it detects X, K, and Ka radar bands and laser guns. Controls buttons for the menu, power, and volume are along the top, and mark, mute buttons are located on the side. The OLED display is tilted for easy viewing and shows the type and signal strength of the threat, directional arrows, and current speed. Other features include GPS, false alert filtering, preloaded red light and speed camera alerts, and voice alerts. Where the R7 shines is how easy it is to use with intuitive sensitivity and performance customizations, easily accessible buttons, and a sizable screen with all the information you need while driving.

The Uniden R7 is one of the best radar detectors because, despite the fact that it has many of the top features, you don’t have to be a techie to operate it.

Key Features

360-degree radar and laser detection
False alert filtering
Built-in GPS

Specifications

Power Source: DC
What’s Included: Power cord, two mounting brackets, two carrying cases
Display Type: OLED
Brand: Uniden

Pros

Large, tilted OLED screen
Directional alert arrows
Headphone jack

Buy This Product

The last thing you want with a radar detector is for it to be so chatty that you can’t help but succumb to the ‘cry wolf effect’ wherein after so many false alarms, you just don’t believe or trust that a threat is near. When an alarm goes off, you want to be assured that it does so for good reason, especially while driving. The Radenso XP is one of the quietest radar detectors making it also one of the best.

Typically compact for radar detectors, the XP measures 4.5 x 2.75 x 1.5 inches and comes with a windshield suction cup mount. Top-mounted controls include buttons for volume adjustment, mode selection, power, menu, and mark. The front display is an OLED screen with the current speed, compass direction, and current alert status. The XP operating features include detecting X, K, Ka, Laser, and POP radars, long-range sensitivity, automatic speed muting, red light/speed camera alerts, voice alerts, three driving modes, GPS lockout, and more. While many radar detectors will have the same features, the XP excels in that it expertly implements features that make using it a quieter experience. Low-speed muting silences the XP when driving under the required speed limit, GPS lockout allows you to teach the XP false alarms along your usual routes, and blind spot and traffic monitoring filtering all work together to prevent false alerts and enhance not only the quiet in your ride but also your trust in your radar detector.

The Radenso XP may be quiet, but what makes it one of the best radar detectors is that you can rest assured that when it’s silent, there’s no threat about.

Key Features

GPS lockout
Long range sensitivity
False alarm filtering

Specifications

Power Source: DC
What’s Included: Power cord, windshield mount, carrying case, USB data cable,
Display Type: OLED
Brand: Radenso

Pros

Automatic speed muting
Three driving modes
OLED display

Cons

No threat detection direction arrows

Buy This Product

It’s usually good to know from whence a threat is coming. Radar detectors are great at notifying you of a threat, but if it can’t tell you its direction, you can feel sort of only partially warned. The Valentine One V1 Gen 2 is more of a threat locater as well as one of the best radar detectors you can get.

Valentine One revolutionized directional radar with its Gen 1 unit, now there is the Gen 2. The Gen 2 measures slightly smaller than its older brethren and adds a whole host of updated features. Controls for volume are on the top while power/mute are on the front. The front display is an easy-to-see LED with band and strength indication and threat directional arrows. Gen 2 uses top-notch radar detection providing 360-degree, long-range detection of lasers and X, K, Ka/Super Wideband Ka radar. Accuracy with the Gen 2 is impressive with false alert filtering and quick response times. While the Gen 2 does not have GPS, it does have Bluetooth allowing for connectivity with compatible apps bringing much more functionality like GPS lockout.

The Valentine One V1 Gen 2 is a very capable radar detector that does its job quite well. Its strong suit is its long-range sensitivity and directional arrows so you won’t have to strain your neck trying to find out where the threat is coming from. The Gen 2 is a straightforward radar detector that won’t leave you wondering if you have adequate protection and is one of the best.

Key Features

Directional arrows
360-degree long-range detection
Bluetooth

Specifications

Power Source: DC
What’s Included: Power cords, windshield an visor mounts,
Display Type: LED
Brand: Valentine One

Pros

False alarm filtering
Quick response
Display is easy to read in bright conditions

Buy This Product

Some of us instinctively gravitate to the flagship model of something knowing that all the new bells and whistles will be included, and there’s no shame in that. Whether you’re an enthusiast or not, the flagship models can oftentimes represent the upgraded version and when it comes to radar detectors, an upgrade can be all the difference when it comes to radar and laser threats. The Uniden R8 is a flagship that effectively demonstrates what a flagship should be and why it’s worth the plunge.

Slightly bigger than its predecessor, the R8 measures 5 x 4 x 1.4 inches. Located on the top of the R8 are buttons for power, menu, and volume while buttons for mute and mark are on the front. The multi-color OLED display shows the current speed and detected radar bands with signal strength and direction. As the flagship, the R8 has a dual antenna setup that offers increased long-range, 360-degree detection of X, K, and Ka bands as well as laser. Other upgrades include enhanced DSP for quicker detection speed, GPS with Auto Mute Memory which automates the lockout/mute function, advanced false alert filtering, and Bluetooth capability.

The Uniden R8 is the flagship radar detector for when you want the very best. Its range, accuracy, and responsiveness are all upgraded from earlier models. The R8 is one of the best radar detectors with features and performance that are hard to match by any competitor.

Key Features

Long range, 360-degree detection
GPS built in
Auto Mute Memory

Specifications

Power Source: DC
What’s Included: Power cord, two mounts, USB cable for software & firmware updates, two carrying cases
Display Type: OLED
Brand: Uniden

Pros

Bluetooth
Preloaded red light and speed camera alerts
Voice alerts

Buy This Product

It can be hard to measure value when it comes to radar detectors. Cheap models can be sufficient, but that low cost won’t offset the cost of a ticket. Top-of-the-line models may be more capable, but you’ll still have to justify the expense. The Escort X80 is the sort of middle-of-the-road radar detector that has the features and performance to put your mind at ease when it comes to cost and value.

Sporting the same minimalist profile as other Escort models, the X80 measures 5.13 x 3 x 1.13 inches. Control buttons for power, mute, volume, brightness and sensitivity are located along the top. The front display is multi-color OLED and shows the current speed and threats detected. The X80 detects X-band, K-band SuperWide Ka-band, and POP radar along with laser. To assist with cutting down on false alarms, the X80 features Ka-segmentation which allows you to shut off the detection of unused Ka-band frequencies. Other features include DSP for quick responses and voice alerts. Bluetooth is a great feature that brings the features of the Escort Live App with its crowd-sourced alerts for red and speed camera locations as well as live traffic updates.

How Radar Detectors Work

So, how exactly does the thing work? A radar detector monitors the frequency bands used by law enforcement radar guns mainly X, K, and Ka bands. But, radar guns aren’t the only tool used by law enforcement, they also use laser guns and a good radar detector will monitor both. Once one of the radar bands or laser is found, the radar detector alerts you to its presence and hopefully saves you from getting a ticket.

Not all radar detectors are the same and there are many factors that make a radar detector effective, here are some of the major ones to look out for. One of the most important aspects of a radar detector is its range, the longer the range, the more time you will have to slow down. A related consideration here is how quickly the radar detector warns you of a threat, obviously the quicker, the better regardless of range. Another important feature is false alert filtering which helps the radar detector ignore signals from electric warning signs, automatic door sensors, and especially with more modern vehicles, in-vehicle driver assistance systems (i.e. blind spot monitoring, autonomous braking, etc). False filtering is essentially a sensitivity adjustment that can come via different operating modes or be done manually.

Other Features to Consider

Other features that come with radar include GPS and smartphone/Bluetooth functionality which provide even more functionality like memory, red light/speed trap alerts, and more.

Though radar detectors aren’t as prevalent as they once were, there are still a lot of quality choices available. The one that is best for you is the one that will help you stay alert on the road with increased awareness. To help choose the best one for you, take a look at this listing of the best radar detectors out there today. The peace of mind that you’ll get with a good radar detector might just make you a better driver.

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How Radar Detectors Work

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