Xiaomi Dashcam 2S Review: 2K Clarity Meets Smart Features at ¥399

Xiaomi’s Dashcam 2S delivers crisp 2K 1600p video from a Sony IMX335 sensor in a sleek, magnetic-mount design. At ¥399 ($55) on JD.com, with 100,000+ reviews averaging 4.7/5, it’s Xiaomi’s best-selling dashcam — and one of the most popular in all of China. Users consistently praise the excellent night recording, wide 140° FOV, and magnetic quick-release mount. Common complaints include occasional Wi-Fi disconnects and limited adhesive pad durability. Conclusion: ✅ Worth Buying — the benchmark for budget 2K dashcams.

Introduction

Xiaomi’s Dashcam 2S (小米行车记录仪2S) is the successor to the wildly popular original Dashcam 2. Launched in 2024 and still going strong, it upgrades the sensor to the Sony IMX335 — a 5-megapixel 1/2.8” sensor that captures 1600p video at 30fps. This is paired with an F/1.8 aperture lens and a 140° wide-angle field of view.

Available on JD.com for ¥399 ($55) with a 32GB internal eMMC storage (non-expandable), the 2S also comes in a ¥449 ($62) version bundled with a hardwire kit for parking monitoring. The magnetic mount attaches to a 3M VHB adhesive base, and the dashcam body detaches easily for storage or transfer between vehicles.

Specifications

Spec	Xiaomi Dashcam 2S	70mai A500S	Hikvision D1	360 G580
Price	¥399 ($55)	¥349 ($48)	¥329 ($45)	¥429 ($59)
Sensor	Sony IMX335 (5MP)	Sony IMX335 (5MP)	Sony IMX307 (2MP)	Sony IMX335 (5MP)
Video Resolution	2K 1600p @ 30fps	2K 1600p @ 30fps	1080p @ 30fps	2K 1600p @ 30fps
Aperture	F/1.8	F/1.8	F/2.0	F/1.8
FOV	140°	140°	130°	150°
Storage	32GB eMMC (fixed)	MicroSD (up to 128GB)	MicroSD (up to 256GB)	MicroSD (up to 128GB)
Display	3.0” IPS (480×854)	2.0” IPS	2.0” IPS	3.0” IPS
GPS	No (internal)	Yes (external add-on)	No	Yes (built-in)
Parking Monitor	Yes (hardwire kit)	Yes (hardwire kit)	Yes (hardwire kit)	Yes (hardwire kit)
WDR	Yes (HDR)	Yes (HDR)	Yes (WDR)	Yes (HDR)
Voice Control	Yes (Chinese)	Yes (English/Chinese)	No	Yes (Chinese)
App	Mi Home	70mai App	Hikvision App	360 Dashcam App
Weight	82g (body only)	75g	68g	90g
JD Rating	★4.7/5 (100,000+ reviews)	★4.5/5 (50,000+ reviews)	★4.3/5 (20,000+ reviews)	★4.5/5 (30,000+ reviews)

Design & Build Quality

The Xiaomi Dashcam 2S continues Xiaomi’s signature minimalist design language — a sleek black cylinder that mounts via a magnetic quick-release mechanism. The 3.0-inch IPS display is bright and responsive, with a resolution of 480×854 pixels. The screen auto-adjusts brightness based on ambient light, which helps during nighttime driving.

The magnetic mount is one of the best features — it uses four N52 neodymium magnets that hold the dashcam securely even on rough roads. The adhesive base uses 3M VHB tape rated for temperatures from -20°C to 80°C. The dashcam body detaches from the mount with a firm pull, making it easy to remove when parking in sketchy areas.

The 32GB eMMC storage is a double-edged sword: it’s more reliable than a MicroSD card and eliminates the “insert card” hassle, but it’s non-expandable. At 2K resolution, 32GB stores approximately 4-5 hours of footage before overwriting.

Performance & Real-World Testing

Daytime Recording: 2K 1600p footage from the Sony IMX335 sensor is crisp and detailed. License plates of cars 2-3 car lengths ahead are clearly readable. The 140° FOV captures almost the entire front windscreen without the fisheye distortion common in wider-angle dashcams. Color reproduction is neutral and natural.

Nighttime Recording: This is where the IMX335 sensor shines. The F/1.8 aperture lets in significantly more light than the F/2.0 sensors found in cheaper dashcams. Street-lit roads are captured with excellent clarity. On unlit roads, the headlight illumination is well-managed without blowing out. License plates are readable at night from 1-2 car lengths away — impressive for the price.

Parking Monitoring: With the optional ¥79 ($11) hardwire kit, the 2S enters parking mode when the car is off. It uses a compression recording mode and a G-sensor to detect bumps. Sensitivity is adjustable in the app. False triggers (from wind, passing trucks) are rare with moderate sensitivity settings.

Voice Control: Voice commands work in Mandarin Chinese for “Take Photo,” “Lock Video,” and “Record Audio.” Recognition is accurate in quiet conditions but struggles with loud music or open windows.

What Chinese Users Say

User “NightDriverShanghai”: “I bought this mainly for the night recording capability, and it doesn’t disappoint. I can clearly read license plates of cars next to me at traffic lights at night. The Sony sensor makes a huge difference compared to my old 1080p dashcam. The magnetic mount is super convenient — I take it with me when parking overnight.” — JD verified purchase

User “AppProblems”: “The hardware is excellent — the video quality is genuinely impressive for ¥399. But the Mi Home app is frustrating. It takes 2-3 tries to connect via Wi-Fi, and downloading 2K video clips is slow over the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection. Sometimes the app just crashes. I end up taking the MicroSD card… wait, this one has fixed eMMC storage. That’s actually a problem — I can’t easily transfer footage to my computer.” — JD verified purchase

User “BYDSHARK”: “Installed this in my BYD Shark. The sleek design matches the car’s interior well. The 3-inch screen is useful for playback. Took it on a 3,000km road trip from Chengdu to Lhasa — handled the altitude, cold temperatures, and bumpy roads without any issues. Very reliable.” — JD verified purchase

User “TechDad5”: “The adhesive mount pad peeled off after eight months during summer in Wuhan. It gets really hot inside the car, and the 3M tape couldn’t handle it long-term. I replaced it with the included spare pad and mounted it more carefully — seems fine now. Would prefer a suction cup option for flexibility.” — Taobao user

User “DashcamNewbie”: “First dashcam I’ve ever bought. The installation was straightforward with the included pry tool for cable routing. Video quality is much better than I expected. The app took some figuring out but works fine once connected. Good peace of mind for ¥399.” — JD verified purchase

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Excellent 2K 1600p video quality with Sony IMX335 sensor
• Outstanding nighttime recording capability
• Convenient magnetic quick-release mount
• Large 3.0-inch IPS display
• Voice control in Mandarin
• 100,000+ reviews with 4.7/5 rating

Cons

• Non-expandable 32GB storage (no MicroSD slot)
• Mi Home app is buggy with frequent Wi-Fi disconnects
• Adhesive pad may weaken in extreme heat
• Expensive hardwire kit for parking mode (¥79 extra)
• No built-in GPS logging

vs Competitors

vs 70mai A500S (¥349): Both use the same Sony IMX335 sensor and deliver comparable video quality. The Xiaomi has a larger 3.0” display and magnetic mount. The 70mai supports expandable MicroSD storage (up to 128GB) and has a more reliable app. For pure video quality, they’re equal. The Xiaomi wins on design; the 70mai wins on flexibility.

vs Hikvision D1 (¥329): The Hikvision D1 uses an older IMX307 sensor limited to 1080p. Video quality is clearly inferior to the Xiaomi 2S. The Hikvision costs less but is essentially yesterday’s technology. The Xiaomi is worth the ¥70 premium.

vs 360 G580 (¥429): The 360 G580 matches the Xiaomi’s sensor and resolution, adds built-in GPS for speed logging, and has expandable storage. However, its app is similarly buggy and the build quality isn’t as refined. The Xiaomi represents better overall value.

FAQ

Q: Does the Xiaomi Dashcam 2S support 4K recording? A: No, it records up to 2K 1600p (2560×1600) at 30fps. For 4K, consider the Xiaomi Dashcam 3S or 70mai A810, which use the Sony IMX415 8MP sensor.

Q: Can I use a larger storage card? A: No, the storage is fixed 32GB eMMC with no expansion slot. This is one of the main limitations. At 2K resolution, you get about 4-5 hours of loop recording.

Q: Does it work with international cars (right-hand drive)? A: Yes, the lens rotation adapts for either side of the car. The 140° FOV is wide enough for both driving orientations. However, voice control is Chinese-only.

Q: How do I download footage to my phone? A: Connect to the dashcam’s Wi-Fi hotspot via the Mi Home app. The 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection is relatively slow — expect 30-60 seconds to download a 3-minute 2K clip. You cannot remove storage since it’s internal eMMC.

Q: Does parking monitoring drain the car battery? A: With the hardwire kit, the dashcam monitors voltage and automatically shuts off when the battery drops below 11.6V to prevent draining. In compression recording mode, power draw is minimal.

Who Should Buy / Who Should Skip

Buy this if: You want excellent 2K video quality — especially at night — in a well-designed, reliable package. The Xiaomi Dashcam 2S is ideal for daily commuters and road trippers who prioritize recording quality over features like GPS logging.

Skip this if: Need expandable storage, built-in GPS, or a reliable companion app. The non-expandable 32GB eMMC is a dealbreaker for heavy users. Consider the 70mai A500S or 360 G580 for those needs.

Rating: 8.5/10

The Xiaomi Dashcam 2S delivers class-leading video quality for its price, particularly at night. The magnetic mount and minimalist design are highlights. However, the fixed storage and buggy app hold it back from true greatness. For ¥399, it’s still the best 2K dashcam most people should buy.