Traveling throughout the country has taught me one thing: our country’s highways and roads aren’t the easiest to traverse. But there are ways for you to make things a bit easier, especially when it comes to knowing how to avoid speeding tickets.
Whether it’s a police officer gauging your speed limit or a traffic cam perched in hard-to-find locations, it’s very easy to get caught driving over the speed limit.
But there’s an easy way for you to find out what’s up ahead. Below are the budget radar detectors under 100 dollars, chosen for their ability to read and detect cameras/radars of different types. Look further to see which are geared for your driving technique!
Best Radar Detectors Under $100:
1. Cobra RAD 480i Laser Radar Detector
The Cobra Electronics RAD 480i is a great piece for people who want something a little bit different than a conventional radar detector. Let’s see what it can do for you.
When you first look at the device, you might notice how it has an attachment for smartphone hookup. That’s no mistake. If you use your phone as a dashboard camera or GPS during transit, you can now receive alerts whenever radars are in the presence of the RAD 480i.
Because of how it’s designed, the look will be harder for others to see that you’re using a radar detector in your car.
Although most users have favorable views about the RAD 480i, some experience too frequent false alerts when driving in heavy traffic. You probably wouldn’t want to take this on a long-distance trip, but it does output acceptable and accurate readings on ordinary roads.
Pros
- Has an inconspicuous frame that stays hidden in plain sight
Cons
- False alerts in crowded locations are likely to happen
2. Uniden DFR1 Long Range Laser and Radar Detection
The Uniden DFR1 is a radar detector under $100, built for people who must find traffic cams and other speed-detecting equipment that is positioned hundreds of feet from the users. If you spend most of your time on highways, this is the right tool to have in your vehicle. There are a lot of features listed under its belt. Let’s go over those that are most valued.
There are three buttons fixed on the detector, one of which turns on the “City” mode for driving in populated areas. This is useful for avoiding lots of false alarms when you’re in a location with heavy traffic.
It doesn’t have to be used only in a city area. The body is black and compact, easily fitting on the windshield of your car. The dimensions are also great for storing in the pocket when you don’t want it on the glass. It has good durability and won’t break if you drop it from a short distance.
The best feature of the Uniden DFR1 would be its range. You’ll be able to tell where patrol cars are situated much farther away than some of the brand’s competitors, even when they aren’t in your line of sight.
The signal is spread out over a circular 360-degree angle that picks up laser detectors from all sides. And don’t worry about not hearing the speaking on time; it gets loud to the point where you’ll know what’s going on, even when you have music playing.
Most reviewers liked how easy the product is to get mounted on their vehicles, along with how it finds radar in enough time for drivers to adjust their speed to the appropriate limit.
Some were taken aback by the digital display due to the dullness of the light. You can see it in low-light visibility without any problems but might have trouble making out the screen when under the sun’s glare.
Overall, the Uniden DFR1 is an affordable radar detector and one of the longest in range. You’ll love the way it avoids picking up electromagnetic signals that you don’t need to detect. And for that, the product has one of the highest recommendations on the list.
Pros
- The range is significant enough to detect patrols that aren’t in the driver’s immediate line of sight
- Scans for detectors and signals within a 360-degree area of the device
- Good speaker volume with an alarm that can be heard over loud music
Cons
- The digital display is difficult to read during the daylight hours (due to sun glare)
3. Uniden DFR3 Long Range Laser/Radar Detector with 360 Degree Protection
The Uniden DFR3 is the budget radar detector, meaning that you’ll get the most out of this unit for less. Although it might look the same as most other radar detectors, you’ll quickly realize how dependable it is at finding patrols are cameras that are near your automobile. Read more to see what it has to offer.
Again, the body of this device is the typical build that you’ve probably seen on other radar detectors. But what this one does differently is scan and find detects on both city roads and large highways with ease.
It doesn’t matter how big they are, either. Even on an eight-lane stretch of the interstate, you’ll always pick up on cams and speed traps before your car approaches them.
If you need a detector that’s easy to mount, you’re in the right place. Doing so with this product is simple. Just place the mounting bracket onto your windshield and that’s it. There’s no lengthy instruction manual to get it in a car.
The overall likable feature of the Uniden DFR3 was its voice warning attribute, a good way to find out what’s going on nearby without relying on a sound alarm or the detector’s screen. Although those are available too, not everyone prefers to use them.
However, take note that this model must be plugged into a DC outlet to work since it uses no batteries. You’ll have to deal with the adapter cable hanging from your windshield whenever you mount the device.
If you want a radar detector that has outstanding voice control features and is easy to mount, stick with the Uniden DFR3. You’ll love how it finds signals quickly without burdening you with things that you don’t need to be alerted to.
Pros
- Can be changed to better detect laser signals on highways and city roads
- Mounts easily on most windshields
- Has a voice warning option
Cons
- The unit can be powered only through a DC outlet; can’t be used
4. Radar Detector for Cars, New Version Radar Detector
The Huwufun Radar Detector is a good option for people who want something with small dimensions. It’s also the radar detector under 50, tiny but numerous in capabilities.
Many radar detectors pride themselves on being compact electronic devices, which most of them are. However, some make this even smaller to ease up transport.
They are products that aren’t always mounted to the same degree as a dashcam. From this, having something like the Richoyy around ensures that you won’t be bothered when the time does come for you to put it inside your pockets.
Small dimensions aren’t the only thing that’s good about the Huwufun. Instead of a solid mounting bracket, you can place it on your windshield with provided suction cups.
These are strong enough to cling to the glass without causing scratches are marks in the process of holding the detector. Even if mild condensation builds up around the suction cups, there’s no need to worry about it falling when you’re driving and scanning.
The consensus about the Huwufun describes a detector that has an easy-to-read display. It’s made for people to see well in light or dark driving conditions. However, some may not be able to hear the voice commands when music is playing; the volume doesn’t get loud enough.
And since no instruction manual is included with the unit, you’ll have to either contact the company or find an informal video if problems arise when assembling it to your vehicle.
The Huwufun has great features that any driver concerned about getting speeding tickets would love to have around. So long as you don’t listen to your music too loud, it’ll likely meet most of your expectations.
Pros
- Compact and small, easily fits in the pocket
- Comes with suction cups for mounting on a windshield
- The display is bright enough to be read during the day and night
Cons
- Difficult to hear voice alerts over music; not loud enough
- No instruction manual is included with the detector
5. Whistler CR70 Laser Radar Detector
The Whistler CR70 has the look of a traditional laser detector. It’s made for people who have used such products in the past but want something with a small chance of churning out false alarms. For this reason, you’ll love the way it works only when you need it to work.
The body of the CR68 is black with red highlights. It’s easy enough for most to make out the dark, and the digital display helps with this as well. The product weighs less than a pound (10.2 ounces, to be exact) so you don’t have to put it too close to your dashboard for fear of it falling after being mounted. Just attach it, plug it into your DC outlets, and let the scanning begin.
This model has a feature that’s called Traffic Flow Signal Rejection. This reduces the chances of running into other vehicles’ signals and other equipment that’s irrelevant to the purpose of a radar detector. Technically, this can happen with any model but you’ll find that most of the devices being detected are legitimate traffic cams and laser/radar scanners.
Most consumers liked how the CR68 refrains from picking up signals too close to the equipment that’s being scanned. You won’t find yourself scrambling to reduce your speed from getting alerts at the last minute.
As for response time, this is one of the better radar detectors sold online. However, you might get some alerts from cameras housed in the opposite lane of the one that you’re driving. It won’t happen too often but the risk is there.
Try out the Whistler CR70 if you like the idea of a scanner that can pick up numerous radar guns of various types. For people who drive in different cities (each city could have law enforcement that utilizes different radar guns), this is highly recommended.
Pros
- False alarms rarely occur, thanks to its Traffic Flow Signal Rejection feature
- Can detect multiple radar gun types; not exclusive to laser
- Good response time; doesn’t pick up signals at the last minute
Cons
- May alert to cameras that are on the opposite side of the road (or on a completely different road)
6. Cobra RAD 350 Laser Radar Detector
The Cobra RAD 250 with a decent range and great detector speeds. It looks similar to the other Cobra product that was evaluated and is just as dependable. Being that it’s a good inexpensive radar detector for road travel, you’ll love it if you live in a city.
The buttons on the RAD 250 are easy to see and press. They’re outlined in gray and housed next to the small speakers in the middle. Make no mistake, this device can get very loud. If you listen to a lot of music and need a detector that’ll be distinguishable over the thumping speakers of your car, then try it out for yourself.
Lound audio alerts are just a fraction of what this product can do for you on the road. The suction cups are very strong and hold the body in place, no matter how hard of a bump or pothole you hit when driving.
And the digital display showcases large fonts that are easy on the eyes. If you wear corrective lenses or have less than stellar eyesight, the RAD 250 will quickly become your new best friend.
If there’s anything about the RAD 250 that consumers like the most, it would be the voice alerts. However, this was also a major point of frustration for some, with the alert being described as a little too shrill.
For people with sensitive hearing or tinnitus problems, this could become an annoyance. Look into some of the other radar detectors if you know that sharp noises hurt your ears.
The RAD 250 works best for people who drive on the road. Regardless, feel free to take it on a highway but things would work well. You’ll never miss an alert since the volume gets high enough to keep you on your toes.
Pros
- The voice alert gets loud, discernable over highway noise and music
- Its suction cups are strong, sticking to the windshield in dry and moist conditions
- Displays have large fonts that are easy to notice from a distance away
Cons
- The beeping alarm might be a little too shrill for people with sensitive hearing/tinnitus
Tips on Choosing
A good radar detector for the money can find different types of radars and cameras with minimal false alerts. The products shown in the reviews all have unique features that make them worthy of a buy.
But if you want to be sure that you’re getting the right brand, always factor in your style of driving and the place you drive the most. In addition, you need to know how the detector works.
For example, highway drivers would find that the detectors with both voices, digital, and alarms are better at combating the noise in such locations.
Road travel generally has more options for digital display alerts, although you should still consider sound warnings if you play your music loud.
Summary
What do you think are the radar detectors under 100 dollars? Out of those shown, the Uniden DFR1 has the most favorable features and the fewest instances of false alerts.
The others perform great too but some of them (particularly numbers 5-10) are better for specific road conditions and/or driving locations. But you’ll be satisfied with whatever brand you pick. Go with the radar detector that you like the most and buy now!
