► The best radar detectors tested
► Subscription and free-to-use options considered
► Popular brands like OOONO, Road Angel and Garmin
Speed cameras are a necessary thing on UK roads, as they help reduce road accidents, and keep you safe. They’re almost always signposted too, but those signs can be easy to miss if you’re distracted. Thats’ where radar detectors come in: useful, reliable and relatively inexpensive, they can add an extra layer of safety to your driving, warning you when to even more closely monitor your speed.
According to the Department for Transport, 43% of cars exceeded the speed limit on 30 mph roads under free-flowing conditions in 2024. It was a similar percentage (44%) of cars that exceeded the speed limit on motorways, with 7% exceeding the limit by 10 mph or more.
Radar detectors can help drivers identify speed limits and ensure they’re driving at a safe speed. Some can even alert you of a hazard ahead, and thanks to the ability to utilise extensive databases, they can even recognise temporary speed limits on smart motorways. If you’re unsure how fast you should be going, then the safest thing to do is drive below the recommended limit and remain vigilant, and that’s exactly what a radar detector can help you to do.
The best radar detectors 2025 at a glance:
The best radar detector: Road Angel Pure One – buy from Amazon
Editor’s pick: OOONO Co-Driver No.1 – buy from Amazon
Best large screen: Snooper S5100 My-Speed-Plus – buy from Amazon
Also called speed camera detectors, a radar detector can help you keep check of your speed, and are perfect if you miss a speed limit sign when driving. These gadgets are up there with dashcams when it comes to keeping you within the law, so we’ve found the best radar detectors on the market in the UK and listed them below.
How we tested radar detectors 2025
Each radar detector that was tested was fitted as instructed and assessed over the course of a couple of weeks. Where required, a subscription was enabled to access the relevant features of the product, and this was considered when rating the radar detector.
Once the product had been installed/mounted to a car, it was driven to a number of different types of cameras and traffic situations. Hazards were detected and alerted on the radar detector, as well as speed cameras. The same was observed for mobile speed camera locations. To test how accurate the products were, they were taken to a junction where a red-light camera had recently been removed to see how up-to-date the database was.
The best radar detectors 2025
Road Angel Pure One
Editor’s pick
Pros: Easy to use, useful screen, great for more than just speed cameras
Cons: Requires a paid subscription, speedometer has a slight delay
The Road Angel Pure One is a simple, and easy-to-use, speed camera detector that can be mounted on your dashboard for ultimate peace of mind. It can do more than just detect speed cameras: it can also detect lane closures on the motorway and even alert you when you enter a school area. I quite like the range of features and how they are displayed on the LCD screen. I also found the digital speedometer to be quite accurate, which is always important in this type of product, but with a slight delay when speeding up or slowing down. Overall, the delay in detecting speed changes didn’t affect the ability of the unit to work as intended.
A radar or speed camera detector must help you stick to the speed limit, and that’s why I think the Pure One is massively useful since it will alert you if you begin straying over the speed limit. There is a subscription that you’ll have to commit to, which is in addition to the initial cost of the unit, but if you want a convenient speed camera detection device then the Road Angel Pure One is a great choice.
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OOONO Co-Driver No.1
The best simple radar detector
Pros: Simple and easy to use, data from over 80 countries, useful for more than just cameras
Cons: The OOONO Co-Driver No.2 offers more features, requires constant input
The Co-Driver No.1 is a simple radar detector will quite happily sit on a dashboard minding its own business most of the time. At only 44mm in diameter, it’s easy to mount it almost anywhere in the cabin to provide speed camera and hazard alerts without distracting you. I particularly liked the fact that I could mount the OOONO to my car’s centre console rather than have it take up space on my dashboard or windscreen.
It will need to be mounted within reach, however, as the audible chime and appropriate flashing lights don’t only warn, but they also require input from you to keep the database accurate. As I pass a camera or reach a hazard I receive the alert and then click the OOONO to confirm the camera or hazard is still present. It requires a lot more input from users, but that makes it rather quite accurate.
Where some radar detectors were detecting phantom cameras (an area where a camera had recently been removed), I found the OOONO didn’t alert me. That’s because the OOONO’s system relies on users to constantly and consistently keep their database up to date. That beats having to update your device.
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OOONO Co-Driver No.2
The best for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Pros: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, USB-C port for charging, easy to install
Cons: Magnetic stand not included
The Co-Driver No.2 is the new and improved radar detector from innovative brand, OOONO. The Co-Driver No.1 was quite popular in its time, but the No.2 comes fresh with improvements. It works by giving you a subtle light dance and sound when there is a detected hazard ahead, such as a speed camera or other obstructions. It also networks with other OOONO detectors to learn new information constantly about the roads and where things are. The most notable update to the Co-Driver No.2 over the No.1 is the compatibility of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – allowing for alerts to be sent to your car’s infotainment system or other display screen.
It also has a new USB-C port, so you can charge up the Co-Driver while on the go. It also has new LED lights, a new light dance, and sounds, but these are minor updates to what was already a standout radar detector. The only real downside is the magnetic mount that fits into the air vent to hold the device, isn’t included and will set you back an extra £9.
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Snooper S5100 My-Speed-Plus
Best for quality
Pros: Five-inch screen, no subscription required, adjustable settings
Cons: Slight GPS delay is common
The Snooper S5100 has the hallmarks of a brilliant radar detector. It has a large five-inch screen, clear graphics, and doesn’t even require a subscription. I was quite excited to text the Snooper but I immediately encountered a problem: where do I mount it? The S5100 comes with a suction mount that can only be mounted to the windscreen, but with relatively short wires (compared to a dashcam for example) it cannot reach my car’s power supply – and I don’t want to mount the camera within the windscreen wipers swept area. Thankfully, the Snooper is battery-powered, so it can be removed to be charged and replaced when in use – great for a wire-free cabin.
Like the Road Angel, the Snooper’s GPS was very accurate in recognising my speed, but it did have a slight delay of a couple of seconds when I changed speed. I did, however, find comfort in knowing the device is able to recognise the road that I’m on, which means I can trust the speed limit displayed to be correct.
The Snooper uses the AURA and HERE databases, and at times I found some inaccuracies with camera locations, but generally the alerts were useful and accurate. I did have to turn the volume down of the alerts thanks to a rather loud GATSO alert. I quite liked the fact that the settings could be adjusted, including the type of vehicle that I was driving, which makes speed limit detection easier if I was in a motorhome or truck etc.
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Garmin DriveSmart 65 MT-S Sat Nav
The best satnav radar detector
Pros: Clever features in sat nav, reliable Garmin quality, nice graphics on screen
Cons: Dedicated radar detectors may perform better
The DriveSmart 65 MT-S combines smart technology and navigation to become your in-car control device as well as the navigator and radar detector. Through Garmin’s Drive app, you can launch Alexa and get the sat nav to provide not only speed camera information but also play music, make hands-free calls, and give you updates on the weather.
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Saphe One+
The best budget radar detector
Pros: Compact size and discreet, no subscription needed, can be paired with an app
Cons: No laser detector
The Saphe One+ is a compact radar detector and the best budget option. Connect your phone to the device using the app, and it will beep to inform you of changing traffic conditions. All information is supplied by the network of users and can inform you of more than just nearby speed cameras.
It can also warn you of accidents and dangerous conditions ahead. You can also get an official mount so you can fit it on one of your car’s air vents.
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Saphe Drive Pro
The most comprehensive radar detector
Pros: Comprehensive piece of kit, good value for money, useful for some European travelling
Cons: Some useless features, subscription runs out after 12 months
With the ability to connect to Apple CarPlay and/or Android Auto, the Drive Pro is continuously smart and warns you of upcoming speed cameras with both sound and on-screen warning.
You also get a free 12-month Saphe premium subscription included in your purchase, as well as a GPS-accurate digital speedometer. It works throughout Europe (where you’re legally entitled to use it) and even warns you of upcoming traffic jams as well as accidents, red lights and much more. It really is a comprehensive piece of kit for the money.
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Cobra RAD 480i
The best long range radar detector
Pros: Drive Smarter App also compatible with Cobra dashcams, decent range, good build quality
Cons: Range claim may not be too effective in the UK, Red light detector may be a bit overkill
For long-range detection, Cobra’s RAD 480i is a great shout. It can be paired with Bluetooth to the Drive Smarter App, which gives you access to speed camera locations and red light signals. We believe the red light spotter is a bit of a far stretch, but perhaps it’s nice to have if you’re in an unfamiliar area.
You can also adjust the sensitivity settings. Cobra says that the range of the device is circa two miles, but this can be affected by hills and curves – something which the UK has a lot of. The Drive Smarter App can also be used to pair a Cobra dash cam, so it’s quite multi-use if you happen to have an SC400D model or similar.
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Uniden R7
The best all-round radar detector
Pros: Useful for detecting speed cameras, comes with some useful kit, one-year warranty included
Cons: Isn’t as comprehensive as the Cobra, doesn’t come with its own app
One handy feature of the R7 is a user marking mode. Essentially, if you spot a hazard zone, you can input it into the R7, and it’ll remember it if you ever happen to drive back through. This can be useful if you’re travelling somewhere new and you’d like to make a note of speed camera zones and the like.
It also has a voice notification feature as well as an automatic learning mode. The range is reportedly not as great as the Cobra 480i (some report around a mile, tops). Still, it’s a reportedly very accurate and handy device for detecting speed cameras and zones where they are regularly placed.
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OOONO Magnetic Phone and Device holder
The best mount for OOONO devices
Pros: Great value phone holder, fits Co-Driver No.1 and No.2, compact and easy to install
Cons: Not the strongest phone holder available
The Co-Drivers above aren’t sold with the magnetic phone and device holder that’s best suited for the things. At £9, it’s pretty good value, and because it’s magnetic and fits into your car’s air vent, it can be used as a normal phone holder as well, should you need it for that purpose.
It measures just 4.4cm in width and height, making it a wonderfully compact device that won’t intrude too much space on your dashboard.
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What you need to know about radar detectors:
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Are radar detectors legal to use in the UK?+
It may be against the highway code (Rule 110) to warn other drivers of upcoming speed cameras, the idea being that it’s obstructing the duty of a police officer. However, radar detectors are 100% legal to own and use under UK law. There have been whispers from the government about banning them, but no legislation has been presented so far.
Note that these are different to radar jammers, which block the radar. Some police forces consider using a laser jammer to be perverting the course of justice, which can come with a hefty fine and even jail time in some instances.
And remember, if you’re planning a trip to France, Spain, or a number of European countries, leave your radar detector at home. They’re illegal to use, and you will be fined and have the device confiscated, so make sure to check before you go.
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How do speed camera detectors work?+
Radar detectors will alert you to the position of fixed-speed cameras (some can also detect mobile ones, too). Some are GPS-based and will know when a speed camera is nearby, while others use radar to detect the signals coming from police speed detectors. Some are reliant upon eagle-eyed drivers to report hazards and cameras, which means they’re not really detectors, more reporters.
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What features should I look for in a radar detector?+
Your number one priority should be to get a quality item. There are plenty of less-than-reputable examples for sale that are suspiciously cheap, and these should be avoided. The last thing you want is to find out that your radar detector doesn’t work or is inaccurate.
Speed camera locations are always changing, so look for a device that can be updated. This is usually done by plugging the device into a computer and downloading an update, although some will require a subscription.
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What are the penalties for speeding?+
Currently, there are three bands (A, B, and C) which are in place based on the severity of your speed. Under Band A, the court will begin considering 50% of your weekly salary and three points on your licence. The percentage can vary, depending on your offence.
With Band B, it can be 100% of your weekly salary with a range of 75-125%. This is an additional four to six points on your licence or a 28-day driving ban.
Under Band C (the most serious), the starting point is 150% of your weekly salary with a 125-175% range. Additionally, you can be hit with either six points on your licence or a seven to 56-day ban. But depending on your offence, there’s no set limit, and you can be hit with even more painful charges.
In terms of the speed itself, Band A to Band C depends on how much faster you were driving over the limit. On a 70mph road, for instance, Band A classes 71-90mph, Band B classes 91-100mph, and Band C classes 101mph and above, and the same sort of scale applies to other speed limits.
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Are radar detectors worth it in the UK?+
While radar detectors are illegal to use in some other countries, here in the UK they’re legal to own and use. They can warn you of a speed camera or an upcoming hazard, which can not only save you from a fine and some points on your licence, but can also save you some time on your journey by avoiding hazards and inevitable traffic.
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