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Whether it’s because of a need for speed, the type of car you drive, or just bad luck, some people seem more prone to getting speeding tickets than others.
If you’ve faced the consequences of a police radar or laser gun, chances are you’ve thought about getting a radar detector. But if you’re looking for something on a budget, it’s hard to tell what models are worth the investment.
We’ll be honest; it’s hard to find a cheap radar detector under $100. But there are three that perform well for the price.
If you’re looking for the best radar detector under $100, we recommended the following three products:
Cobra RAD 380
Cobra Electronics Features:
- Multiple radar bands and laser radar detection
- Fast and accurate digital signal processing
- LaserEye technology
- False alert filtering
- Adjustable sensitivity
Review:
For the price, the Cobra RAD 380 is honestly impressive. It has many features that you might not expect from a radar detector that’s this affordable.
It has Digital Signal Processing that picks up incoming radar and laser signals and quickly alerts you to impending threats, giving you enough time to slow down. Better yet, it has Cobra’s LaserEye technology which picks up signals from the front and back, meaning you’re protected from every direction.
To help stop false alerts, the Cobra RAD 380 has an in-vehicle technology filter, which stops alerts from things like blind-spot monitoring or collision avoidance systems in the cars around you. You can also adjust the sensitivity and filtering so you can control what you hear and what you don’t.
The simple design is sleek and easy to use. It features a full-color display that shows you the type of signal and its strength, and it has large, easy-to-use buttons to dim the display, mute alarms, and adjust the sensitivity.
[affiliatable id=’39786′]
Cobra RAD 350
- Multiple radar bands and laser radar detection
- LaserEye technology
- False alarm filtering
- Instant-On Ready
Here’s another option from Cobra, the Cobra RAD 350. It’s the brand’s basic model, delivering the quality you can expect from Cobra in a stripped-down, affordable package.
The RAD 350 detects multiple signals, including radar, laser, and VG-2. The instant-on-ready feature means that it’s quick to let you know when it picks up on something, alerting you with both an audible signal and on the screen. It also shows the type of band it’s picking up and the signal strength, so you know when you need to slow down. There are audio alerts, too, so you can stay informed without taking your eyes off the road.
Like the RAD 380, this model also features LaserEye Detection, looking for threats from the front or rear, helping you avoid any surprises. Plus, it filters out false alarms. The In-Vehicle Technology filter prevents annoying alerts from blind-spot monitoring systems and other tech in the cars around you.
[affiliatable id=’39787′]
Uniden DFR1
Uniden DFR1
- LONG RANGE SENSITIVITY - Wide Band Protection from Radar and Laser Guns with False Alert Filtering technology.
- FRONT & REAR DETECTION – Uniden's Eagle Eye Laser Detection Technology provides you all-around 360° Protection.
- LONG RANGE SENSITIVITY - Wide Band Protection from Radar and Laser Guns with False Alert Filtering technology.
- FRONT & REAR DETECTION – Uniden's Eagle Eye Laser Detection Technology provides you all-around 360° Protection.
- HIGHWAY/CITY/CITY 1 - Three modes for driving in Urban and Rural environments, with Audible & Visual Signal Strength Alerts, and Volume control.
- MEMORY FEATURE - Conveniently saves your last settings (except Mute) when the unit is powered down or disconnected from power.
- INVISIBLE - The DFR1 is invisible to VG-2 and Spectre I/IV/IV+ radar detectors.
- EVERYTHING INCLUDED - The Uniden DFR1 radar detector comes with a 12V DC vehicle Power Cord, Dual Suction Cup Windshield Mount, Hook and Loop Fastener Tape, and Spare fuse for 12v Power Cord.
- Multiple radar bands and laser radar detection
- 360-degree detection
- K-band and false alert filtering
- Highway and city mode
Another option for the best radar detector under $100 is from Uniden, a well-known brand in the industry.
The Uniden DFR1 laser radar detector detects multiple radar signal bands and lasers, including fast K-band filtering for fast and easy identification of true threats. You get warnings with plenty of time to slow down, and you can choose from highway mode or city mode to help prevent excessive false alarms. Best of all, it provides 360-degree detection, so it alerts you of threats no matter where they’re coming from.
The DFR1 has a multi-color easy-to-read display that tells you the type of band it’s detecting and the strength on a scale of 1 to 5. There are also voice alerts if you prefer to keep your eyes on the road.
[affiliatable id=’39790′]
Final Words
If you’re looking for a bargain when buying a radar detector, be cautious. Many of the options for under $100 don’t deliver on what they promise. If you’re on a tight budget and have to get something in this price range, the three that we listed above are the only ones that you should consider. They’re good products from reputable brands that will offer you some protection.
That said, if you can afford a little more, look for something in the $200 to $300 range. There is a vast difference in the features between radar detectors under $100 and those that cost a little more.
First of all, while the three products we mentioned above are good options, most inexpensive radar detectors don’t deliver on what they promise. Not only are they unreliable, but cheap products also tend to have a lot of false alarms and limited functionality.
When you upgrade to something that costs a little more, you get some really great features. Some of the best radar detectors under $300 have GPS, so you can program your own alerts and block out common false alarms. Most pair to your smartphone with Bluetooth, and you can use them to access various apps to get notifications about traffic lights, school zones, and road construction. If you pay a little more, you can also find radar detectors with directional arrows, so you know where police radar or laser gun is coming from, and you get a better detection range.
While you may be a little nervous about spending close to $300 on a radar detector, think of it this way. If you avoid two or three speeding tickets using one, it pays for itself. If you’re the type of driver who is often targeted for speeding tickets, it’s worth considering investing a little more. But, if you’re on a tight budget, don’t worry. The three products we reviewed here all cost less than $100 and can help you avoid another speeding ticket.
