Are you finding yourself driving on the highway more often than not without the best radar detector? Are you getting yourself irritated by those pesky speed radar detectors, even though you know you weren’t speeding, but perhaps you just hit the threshold by 1 mile over. These occurrences are happening more often than not as of late. Radar detectors assist you in avoiding these things by alerting you of their presence before you get too close to them.
These have been around for a while, and so the technology has progressed, it has evolved more to become more accurate and introduce more spectrums. They work by using superheterodyne to detect electromagnetic emissions. This is what allows them to detect different types of radars. More recently, the detectors incorporate GPS functionality to store information about marked areas
What Type of Speed Radar Detectors Are There?
There are different types of speed radar detectors, but most commonly, they generally use the same technology. By the use of a superheterodyne receiver that is capable of detecting a multitude of emissions. These then raise an alarm to the driver by alerting them with a sound. Moreover, the alarm will sound when nearing the radars on the device.
New systems use the LIDAR technology which uses laser technology. These radar laser detectors are slightly more accurate at times and let you know with more precision when a radar is near. It really depends on your budget and the type of radar you are looking for to avoid that speeding ticket next time you surpass the limit.
Benefits of Best Radar Detector
The obvious benefits of these devices are that you can avoid speed radar detectors. If you own a nice car, you’d most likely would want to use its power from time to time in a very controlled environment and of course acting safely and taking your environment into consideration. This device would allow you to take advantage of your speedy car.
A police radar detector in todays market is usually smaller than your smartphone and doesn’t take up much space. You can easily place it anywhere in the car and take it with you, or place it in the glove compartment. Although some GPS systems may have detectors on them, they are no where near as accurate as a specialized radar detector.
Downsides of Speed Radar Detectors
There are downsides to this of course. The number one issue is the legality of it. The general world outside of the United States forbid the use of these devices. It’s extremely important to check the legality of these devices in your home country and state prior to purchase. We cannot hold any responsibility with the ownership of these devices.
This is a radar detector review, which looks at the best radar detectors and evaluates each model. We also provide the pros and cons of each device as well as recommend what we believe is best according to market research. We don’t however, provide a guarantee of legality in your state or country. This is for you to research for obvious reasons.
Top 10 Best Radar Detector Comparison Table
| Picture | Name | Color | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escort RedLine Radar Detector | Black | $$$$$ | 3 | |
| Valentine One Radar Detector | Black | $$$$$ | 3.5 | |
| Cobra Electronics SPX 7800BT Maximum Performance Radar/Laser/Camera Detector | Grey | $$$ | 3.5 | |
| Whistler Cr90 Laser Radar Detector | Black | $$$ | 4 | |
| Escort Max ll HD Radar Detector | Silver/Black | $$$$ | 4 | |
| Escort Max 360 Radar Detector (Black) | Black | $$$$$ | 4 | |
| Cobra XRS9470 Voice Alert 14 Band Radar/Laser Detector with 360 Degree Protection and Ultra Bright Data Display | Silver/Black | $$ | 4.5 | |
| Escort Passport 9500ix Radar/Laser Detector (Blue Display) | Black/Blue | $$$$ | 5 | |
| Cobra ESD7570 9-Band Performance Radar/Laser Detector with 360 Degree Detection | Grey | $$$ | 5 | |
| Cobra SPX 900 14 Band High Performance Digital Radar Laser Detector with Extreme Range and VG-2/Spectre/360 Degree Protection | Black | $$$ | 5 |
10. Escort RedLine Radar Detector
We start the list off by the very famed Escort brand with the Escort RedLine Radar Detector. This is a high performance speed radar detector with a bright display for all information needed. It has capabilities to detect a very wide range of spectrums for X, K, and Ka. It has a dual antenna design, so nothing gets passed it!
You may find your device going off without you seeing anything. But don’t expect it to be giving you false information. The reason it starts warning you when nothing is around, is because it will detect any radar gun or other form of speed control miles before you get to see them. That way you have a chance to break before you get caught. Definitely a great car radar detector to have!
9. Valentine One Radar Detector
The Valentine One Radar Detector is a great speed radar detector, possessing a wide band of Ka wave detection. It’s integrated 360 detection system will keep you ticket free. It also has an attachment which you fix in the back of the car to detect those pesky rear facing detectors. Moreover, it has directional indicators which point where the radar is so you have all the information necessary.
It’s been voted as number one for laser detector and no police scanner will catch you if you have one of these in your vehicle. Unlike most, it also has the ability to tell you when you’ve passed a radar so you know you’re clear. It also detects fake radar units with a signal showing up as “J” which is short for Junk, so you don’t fall for the traps.
8. Cobra Electronics SPX 7800BT Maximum Performance Radar/Laser/Camera Detector
By the Cobra brand, the Cobra Electronics SPX 7800BT Maximum Performance Radar/Laser/Camera Detector is high functioning speed radar detector. One of the better ones that they offer, this device has a low microwaves loss system due to the gold plated boards. Moreover its low noise amplifiers will catch the silentest of speed detectors.
This is one of the top rated radar detectors simply because it works like a gem. It will warn you miles ahead. Of course it will have some false alarms but so does every other model. There’s also a city mode that lets you quiet it down as you’re generally less likely to speed while you’re in a city and there may be more police cars around.
7. Whistler Cr90 Laser Radar Detector
The Whistler Cr90 Laser Radar Detector, by the Whistler brand, cleverly named after its function of ‘whistling’ on speed radar detectors. This device has multiple modes, including three different type of modes for in the city and one highway mode. Moreover it also has six filter modes and a function called alert priority.
It has an external AUX jack for you to plug it directly into your system. This is probably the best police radar detector if you are looking for something with a cheaper price tag. It’s very affordable and still works incredibly well! Of course there are some false detections but that is to be expected. Honestly a great model.
6. Escort Max ll HD Radar Detector
The Escort Max ll HD Radar Detector, by the Escort brand is another great addition to the world of speed radar detectors. It has bluetooth functionality built in to talk to other devices, while the new receivers has military grade technology, Digital Signal Processing. It is completely customizable to your driving style.
It has a OLED display for all the information you need. It’s also especially great if you want to buy a radar detector that doesn’t require a lot of tech savvy skills. It’s pretty much a plug and play type of device. So if you want to get your hands on something simple and well working, then this may be your thing!
5. Escort Max 360 Radar Detector (Black)
The Escort brand, one of the leaders in speed radar detectors, the Escort Max 360 Radar Detector (Black) is a great addition to their already banging line up speed radar detectors. It is one of the leading radar detectors, with DSP detection system to find radars quicker xd more appropriately. Great precision and rich data with all the community who report anything they come across!
Not the cheapest but definitely one of the best radar detector. The Escort radar detector models are one of the best in the market and this model specifically combines some of the best features of it’s previous models. It’s super simple to use and thanks to the DSP scanning you get a great range and fast detection.
4. Cobra XRS9470 Voice Alert 14 Band Radar/Laser Detector with 360 Degree Protection and Ultra Bright Data Display
A great offering by the Cobra brand, the Cobra XRS9470 Voice Alert 14 Band Radar/Laser Detector with 360 Degree Protection and Ultra Bright Data Display offers massive performance by 7 different type of radar signals, but not only that it also manages to capture 6 type of laser signals, and lastly 1 safety signal. A great product for great value!
Other cool features of this radar scanner, is that you can set it to shut down when you’re driving at a lower speed. This is practical and saves a lot of headaches when you’re in the city for example or when you’re just driving around your neighbourhood. You also get the one button mute mode if you like to keep it on.
3. Escort Passport 9500ix Radar/Laser Detector (Blue Display)
A great speed radar detector, by the escort brand, the Escort Passport 9500ix Radar/Laser Detector (Blue Display) is a fantastic radar laser detector. It has different speed radar detection performance and clear voice alerts that inform you of any incoming radars. It also has safety warning system and controls for the brightness. Comes with everything you need to get it going.
It definitely qualifies as one of the best radar detectors not only for the quality and price of it but mainly for it’s smart functions. For instance, if you have routes you drive by more frequently, there may be some false radars set up. Your detector can learn to ignore these and stop warning you for these. Pretty amazing right?
2. Cobra ESD7570 9-Band Performance Radar/Laser Detector with 360 Degree Detection
Another by the Cobra brand, the Cobra ESD7570 9-Band Performance Radar/Laser Detector with 360 Degree Detection is a fantastic addition to your car. This has a 360 detection system of laser signals. It has safety warnings to make sure you move out of the way of emergency cars. This little guy also has dual mode for city and highway speeds!
A lot of radar detector reviews have given this model a bad name because of the many false alarm set offs. If you read the manual however, you can actually turn these off. The main alarms you should pay attention to are the Ka and L ones as these are highway and laser guns mostly. It really is a powerful piece so don’t be fooled by the negative reviews.
1. Cobra XRS9370 High-Performance Radar/Laser Detector with 360-Degree Protection
This is the creme de la creme of speed radar detectors, the best seller on amazon and the best radar detector, the Cobra XRS9370 High-Performance Radar/Laser Detector with 360-Degree Protection. This machine has a super fast sweep detector that can even detect the radar guns.
It even has a pop mode to detect the latest PO Radar Guns. It has dual mode for city and highway, to always have the best setting suited for you! The technology inside this device is so powerful that it can detect traps miles before you face them. The price of it is probably one of the cheapest listed here so that’s a massive plus as well! Get your’s now!
For other cool gadgets that will save you a lot of headaches and improve your life, feel free to check out some of the other technology reviews we’ve created for you! For more car related reviews try these dash cams which are incredibly popular lately!