Side by side

Thinkware ARC700 vs ARC900: ARC900 brings touch playback plus an optional remote-alert route

Quick verdict

The ARC700 leaves your windshield less cluttered and handles serious parking needs. What the ARC900 brings is the touchscreen, a higher storage ceiling, dual STARVIS 2 hardware and optional LTE connectivity.

Before you buy

Why, and what it costs you

Card ceiling: how big the gap is

The published “Card ceiling” figure is 100% higher on Thinkware ARC900 2CH: 512GB, against 256GB on Thinkware ARC700 2CH.

Where this comes from

This sets how much stays on the device before you have to deal with files or recordings. The percentage is worked out from the lower published figure.

The catch

Thinkware ARC700 2CH

Setup runs through an app. There is no handy on-camera display.

The catch

Thinkware ARC900 2CH

Wedge and screenless models take up less windshield space than this bigger screen.

Thinkware ARC700 2CH

Thinkware ARC700 2CH

Why pick it
  • You would rather have no screen
  • 256GB is enough for you
The catch
Setup runs through an app. There is no handy on-camera display.
See price & reviews on Amazon
Thinkware ARC900 2CH

Thinkware ARC900 2CH

Why pick it
  • Direct playback is a plus
  • You’d use 512GB of storage
The catch
Wedge and screenless models take up less windshield space than this bigger screen.
See price & reviews on Amazon

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Comparison updated , Product data updated , Amazon.com / United States

What this page compares

A low-profile camera without a screen set against Thinkware’s larger, touchscreen flagship.

This one comes down to interface and card ceiling first, then to the limits of your own setup.

Which one fits

Pick the situations that sound like you

  • Once it is set up, I want the camera hidden

    Thinkware ARC700 2CH lists “256GB” for card ceiling, while Thinkware ARC900 2CH lists “512GB”. This sets how much stays on the device before you have to deal with files or recordings.

    Thinkware ARC700 2CH
    Better fit
    Thinkware ARC900 2CH
    Depends
  • I want to watch a clip back on the camera itself

    On the camera itself, settings and roadside playback are easier to reach.

    Thinkware ARC700 2CH
    Depends
    Thinkware ARC900 2CH
    Better fit
  • In summer heat, my car sits outside

    Its supercapacitor and thermal design suit repeated heat exposure.

    Thinkware ARC700 2CH
    Better fit
    Thinkware ARC900 2CH
    Good
  • I want the car covered while it is parked

    Surveillance after shutdown is supported once the required power setup is paired with it.

    Thinkware ARC700 2CH
    Good
    Thinkware ARC900 2CH
    Better fit
  • I want to be able to add alerts for when I am away

    Thinkware ARC700 2CH lists “Local Wi-Fi” for connected option, while Thinkware ARC900 2CH lists “Optional LTE module”. This affects what you can connect and how data can move. A higher rating on the label does not guarantee the same real-world result in every setup.

    Thinkware ARC700 2CH
    Depends
    Thinkware ARC900 2CH
    Better fit
  • I want to check framing with no phone needed

    You can confirm framing and review basic settings with no phone.

    Thinkware ARC700 2CH
    Depends
    Thinkware ARC900 2CH
    Better fit

In practice

Differences you will notice

Card ceiling: how big the gap is

The published “Card ceiling” figure is 100% higher on Thinkware ARC900 2CH: 512GB, against 256GB on Thinkware ARC700 2CH.

How we worked this out

This sets how much stays on the device before you have to deal with files or recordings. The percentage is worked out from the lower published figure.

Where these two really part ways

Thinkware ARC700 2CH is the better match for “Once it is set up, I want the camera hidden” and “In summer heat, my car sits outside”. Thinkware ARC900 2CH is the better match for “I want to watch a clip back on the camera itself” and “I want to check framing with no phone needed”.

How we worked this out

This lines up the current strong and useful fit ratings for the exact products. It does not roll them into one overall score.

How many models fit “I want to watch a clip back on the camera itself”

8 of the 38 dash cams checked fit this need. Thinkware ARC900 2CH makes the cut. Thinkware ARC700 2CH does not.

How we worked this out

The count filters every model in the current category for a strong or useful fit on this single need.

Models that handle “My car stays parked for several days” and “I want to watch a clip back on the camera itself”

1 of the 38 dash cams checked handles both “My car stays parked for several days” and “I want to watch a clip back on the camera itself”. Thinkware ARC900 2CH makes the cut. Thinkware ARC700 2CH does not.

How we worked this out

You can reproduce the count by filtering the current category for models with a strong or useful fit on both needs.

Option A
Thinkware ARC700 2CH

Thinkware, TW-ARC700D

ARC700 2CH

The ARC700 is a screenless camera that records 4K at the front and 2K at the rear. It also offers energy-saving parking and leaves room to add Thinkware’s radar accessory.

Best for
Parked-car protection from a low-profile two-camera system

Facts we checked

  • 4K front, 2K rear recording
  • Built-in GPS, along with 5 GHz Wi-Fi
  • Takes microSD cards up to 256GB
Option B
Thinkware ARC900 2CH

Thinkware, TW-ARC900D

ARC900 2CH

Once it is installed, the ARC900 is easy to run thanks to its roomy 3.5-inch touchscreen, 4K and 2K STARVIS 2 cameras and well-designed low-power parking modes.

Best for
Strong parking tools and controls you can use right on the camera

Facts we checked

  • 4K front, 2K rear recording
  • 3.5-inch touchscreen, IPS
  • Takes microSD cards up to 512GB

Spec by spec

Where they really differ

Where Thinkware ARC700 2CH and Thinkware ARC900 2CH differ
SpecThinkware ARC700 2CHThinkware ARC900 2CHIn practice
InterfaceScreenless app control3.5-inch touchscreenSetup and everyday use depend on it more than the core physical job does.
Card ceiling256GB512GBHow much stays on the device before you have to deal with files or recordings depends on this.
Connected optionLocal Wi-FiOptional LTE moduleIt bears on what you can connect and how data can move. A higher rating printed on the label is no guarantee of the same real-world result in every setup.

Trade-offs

What each pick costs you

With Thinkware ARC700 2CH

  • It supports smaller cards than the ARC900 and current 1TB Vantrue models do.

With Thinkware ARC900 2CH

  • The remote Connected features depend on the optional LTE module and compatible service.

By the numbers

What the data shows

What we found across the dash cams we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.

How many fit

None of the 38 models checked meets all of “My car stays parked for several days”, “Once it is set up, I want the camera hidden”, and “I want to watch a clip back on the camera itself”, so the pick goes to the closest practical compromise.

0 models fit, out of 38 checked
Show the facts and the math
Models in the comparison
38 models
Sources
2 covering these models
Product data updated

How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “My car stays parked for several days”, “Once it is set up, I want the camera hidden”, and “I want to watch a clip back on the camera itself”. A need with no documented match is not counted.

The facts and sources behind each product in this recommendation
ProductNeeds it meetsFacts we checkedSources
Thinkware ARC700 2CH
  • Low-power parking
  • Screenless
  • 4K front, 2K rear recording
  • Built-in GPS, along with 5 GHz Wi-Fi
  • Takes microSD cards up to 256GB
Thinkware ARC900 2CH
  • Low-power parking
  • Touchscreen
  • 4K front, 2K rear recording
  • 3.5-inch touchscreen, IPS
  • Takes microSD cards up to 512GB

Ready to buy

See today’s price and what owners say

Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.

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