VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH vs Vantrue E1 Pro
VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH (#2, best value) vs Vantrue E1 Pro (#4): in our Dash Cams with Parking Mode scoring the VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH totals 8.4/10 and the Vantrue E1 Pro 7.2/10, the VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH leading on Coverage and Parking Protection.
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. Prices and availability shown are accurate as of Aug 7, 2026 and are subject to change; the merchant's price at purchase applies.
TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH | Vantrue E1 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.99 | $149.99 |
| Parking Mode | 3 modes (buffered / time-lapse / low-bitrate) | 24/7 buffered motion |
| Channels | 2 (front + rear) | 1 (front) |
| Front Resolution | 2K (1440p) | 4K (2160p) |
| Image Sensor | Dual Sony STARVIS 2 | Sony STARVIS 2 (IMX678) |
| Power Source | Supercapacitor | Supercapacitor |
| Cloud Backup | No | Optional (LTE-ready) |
| Connectivity | 5GHz Wi-Fi + GPS | 5GHz Wi-Fi + GPS |
| Max Storage | microSD up to 512GB | microSD up to 512GB |
How they differ in real use
Built from our dash cams with parking mode scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH and the Vantrue E1 Pro made our Top 5 Dash Cams with Parking Mode, at #2 (best value) and #4. The smartest money for parking protection: dual Sony STARVIS 2 sensors cover the front and rear in 2K each, a supercapacitor rides out the heat of a parked car far better than a battery, and with the hardwire kit it offers three parking modes — buffered, time-lapse, and low-bitrate — so drivers can trade storage against continuous coverage. It ranks below the Thinkware only because it lacks that camera's low-power radar and tops out at 2K rather than 4K, but at roughly a third of the price with front-and-rear coverage, it is the value benchmark of this list. The most discreet way to protect a parked car: barely larger than a coin, the E1 Pro hides behind the mirror yet records true 4K on a Sony STARVIS 2 sensor with PlatePix to keep plates legible, and its supercapacitor keeps the 24/7 buffered parking mode reliable through prolonged heat. It ranks below the front-and-rear picks because it is a single front-facing lens — blind to hits from behind — and parking mode needs a hardwire kit or battery pack bought separately. For a small car or a stealthy install, though, it packs the most parking capability into the smallest body here.
We score dash cams with parking mode on Parking Protection (30%), Video Quality (25%), Coverage (15%), Power & Reliability (15%) and Value (15%). On that basis the VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH totals 8.4 out of 10 and the Vantrue E1 Pro 7.2. The widest gap is Coverage, where the VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH scores 8 against 5 for the Vantrue E1 Pro — front, rear, and cabin channels the camera protects. Parking Protection also separates them: 8 for the VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH versus 7 for the Vantrue E1 Pro.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Parking Mode — 3 modes (buffered / time-lapse / low-bitrate) on the VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH versus 24/7 buffered motion on the Vantrue E1 Pro; Channels — 2 (front + rear) on the VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH versus 1 (front) on the Vantrue E1 Pro; Front Resolution — 2K (1440p) on the VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH versus 4K (2160p) on the Vantrue E1 Pro; Image Sensor — Dual Sony STARVIS 2 on the VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH versus Sony STARVIS 2 (IMX678) on the Vantrue E1 Pro; Cloud Backup — No on the VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH versus Optional (LTE-ready) on the Vantrue E1 Pro. They match on Power Source, Connectivity and Max Storage.
Pricing as of August 7, 2026: $169.99 for the VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH and $149.99 for the Vantrue E1 Pro, a $20 difference in the Vantrue E1 Pro's favor. Owners praise the VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH for supercapacitor withstands the heat of a parked car far better than a lithium battery and three parking modes with the hardwire kit — buffered auto-event, time-lapse, and low-bitrate; the most common complaint is parking mode requires the HK4 hardwire kit, sold separately (about $20). Owners praise the Vantrue E1 Pro for supercapacitor withstands extreme heat, so parked recording stays reliable in a hot car and true 4K on a Sony STARVIS 2 (IMX678) sensor with PlatePix keeps plates legible day and night; the most common complaint is front-only — no rear coverage for parking hits from behind.
VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH
- Supercapacitor withstands the heat of a parked car far better than a lithium battery
- Three parking modes with the hardwire kit — buffered auto-event, time-lapse, and low-bitrate
- Dual Sony STARVIS 2 sensors record 2K front and 2K rear with HDR
- 5GHz Wi-Fi, ultra-precise GPS, and voice control for around $170
- Parking mode requires the HK4 hardwire kit, sold separately (about $20)
- 2K resolution rather than the 4K of the pricier picks
- No cloud backup — footage lives on the card
Vantrue E1 Pro
- Supercapacitor withstands extreme heat, so parked recording stays reliable in a hot car
- True 4K on a Sony STARVIS 2 (IMX678) sensor with PlatePix keeps plates legible day and night
- Dollar-coin-sized body mounts discreetly behind the mirror
- 5GHz Wi-Fi, GPS, and an included CPL filter to cut windshield glare
- Front-only — no rear coverage for parking hits from behind
- Parking mode needs a hardwire kit (about $20 extra) or a battery pack
- No built-in cloud backup
Which should you buy?
The VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH is the better fit for value-focused buyers who want front-and-rear parking coverage and drivers who park in hot climates where battery cameras struggle — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Coverage and Parking Protection. The Vantrue E1 Pro is the better fit for drivers who want the smallest, most discreet parking camera and owners of hot-climate cars who need supercapacitor reliability. If the $20 saving matters more than Coverage, the Vantrue E1 Pro is the better value. The VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH is a poor fit for drivers who want 4K resolution; the Vantrue E1 Pro is a poor fit for drivers who need rear parking coverage.
Choose the VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH if
- Value-focused buyers who want front-and-rear parking coverage
- Drivers who park in hot climates where battery cameras struggle
- Anyone wanting three selectable parking modes
Skip it if
- Drivers who want 4K resolution
- Those unwilling to buy a separate hardwire kit
Choose the Vantrue E1 Pro if
- Drivers who want the smallest, most discreet parking camera
- Owners of hot-climate cars who need supercapacitor reliability
- Anyone wanting 4K plate capture in a mini body
Skip it if
- Drivers who need rear parking coverage
- Those who want parking mode with no extra purchase
Common questions
Is the VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH better than the Vantrue E1 Pro?
In our Dash Cams with Parking Mode ranking the VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH scores higher overall, 8.4 to 7.2, with the biggest advantage in Coverage. The Vantrue E1 Pro does not out-score it on any criterion we weigh.
How much more does the VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH cost than the Vantrue E1 Pro?
$20 more as of August 7, 2026: $169.99 for the VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH against $149.99 for the Vantrue E1 Pro. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure. What the extra buys is mostly Coverage — 8 versus 5 in our scoring.
What is the main difference between the VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH and the Vantrue E1 Pro?
The headline spec difference is Parking Mode: 3 modes (buffered / time-lapse / low-bitrate) on the VIOFO A229 Plus 2CH versus 24/7 buffered motion on the Vantrue E1 Pro. In use, the gap that matters most is Coverage (8 vs 5 in our scoring): front, rear, and cabin channels the camera protects.