Best Police Radar Detector

Kyle Schurman Avatar

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Updated 11:34 pm

When compiling a list of the best police radar detector units, we considered a wide range of options from numerous manufacturers, seeking a unit that works fast above all else. If the detector cannot warn you quickly enough, you’re going to receive a ticket. Then you’ll feel like demoting that detector to its new job as an overpriced paperweight to keep the ticket from blowing away, and you’ll never trust it again. You might also want to read about the best radar gun. When we were compiling this list, we made sure to include a variety of models so you can find the best radar detector for you.

But perhaps the key feature for a modern unit is its ability to make a connection with a network to obtain realtime information on the fly. A best police radar detector app, which uses your smartphone’s GPS to find information in realtime about speed traps or speed cameras, is another great option too. And some radar detectors can pair with your smartphone to find the same real time information that a stand alone app uses. Which is to say that

But what might be important, is  radar detector that can pair with your smartphone and deliver realtime updates regarding speed traps, speed cameras, and more, alerting you to any potential “threats”. And with those criteria in mind our #1 pick is the Escort iX Long Range Radar Detector ($460) ; it’s a pricey unit, but its feature set and response speeds are outstanding, making it well worth the money.

The Escort iX offers four levels of sensitivity, easily meeting the needs of drivers with varying driving habits. For example, you may drive in an area where X-band radar is still in use (such as Ohio), so you can select this type of detection sensitivity from the iX. There’s also a K-band sensitivity reduction feature, which will eliminate false positives from automatic sliding doors on retail buildings and those alike.

Best Police Radar Detector

Escort iX Radar DetectorCobra SPX 7800 BTEscort Passport 8500 X50
Escort iXCobra SPX 7800 BTEscort Passport 8500 X50
Rank#1 Pick – Editor’s Choice/
Best Full Feature Police Radar Detector
#2 Pick – Fastest Radar Detector#3 Pick – Best Long-Range Radar Detector
Amazon/Google Play Rating4stars-new4stars-new4stars-new
Screen TypeColor DisplayColor DisplayLED
Bluetooth Compatiblegreen-check-mark green-check-mark red-x-icon
Voice Alertsgreen-check-mark green-check-mark red-x-icon
Dimensions4.15 x 2.83 x 1.33 in.3.71 x 2.43 x 1.54 in.5.3 x 1.2 x 2.9 in.
Weight0.29 lbs.0.29 lbs.NA
Price$460$88.85$159.99
Buy NowBuy NowBuy Now

How We Choose the Best Police Radar Detector

When testing radar detectors, I always look for a unit that’s easy to use. After all, it’s a tool that should work for you as you’re driving; not something that will distract you from the task of driving. There’s nothing worse as a driver than finding yourself fiddling with the settings on a police detector, nearly missing a red light, forcing you to slam on the brakes at the last second. Not only is it frustrating, but it’s also extremely dangerous to be a distracted driver. So a top radar detector must run seamlessly with minimal interaction from the driver.

I also appreciate a detector that has solid hardware and a firm attachment to the dashboard/windshield. This is something drivers who purchase a detector often take for granted, but having a unit that won’t suddenly start flying around your car whenever you make a sharp turn is important.

Read: Cobra iRAD-100 iRadar Radar Detector For iPhone Review

Finally, you will want a police radar detector that is accurate. Trust me from first hand experience: accuracy can be the difference between sailing through a radar trap because you were warned and a police officer waving you off to a side street where a ticket awaits. If a detector lacks an ability to distinguish between actual police radar and false signals, you’re going to become frustrated using the detector, perhaps causing you to unplug it. The K-band can cause the most frustration in this area, so we sought out detectors that excelled in treating the K-band properly. Ultimately, accurate detection of radar is the core mission of a top police radar detector, so this is the most important feature of all that we consider.

Why You Should Buy a New Police Radar Detector

Although you may be satisfied with your current police radar detector, if you’ve owned it for a few years, you’re going to be amazed at the technological advancements found in the newest detectors, including the following.

False Alarms:  A newer unit will have the ability to sort false alarms from actual radar signals, whereas older detectors couldn’t “learn” the permanent location of false signals — such as in the K-band from an automatic door opener at a store front. Reducing the number of false alarms makes these detectors more useful.

Multiple Radar Types: You’ll need a new radar detector unit if you want to detect multiple types of radar. Police officers will employ new radar types as they become available, so it’s important to have a new detector that can match these changes.

Feedback Options: Some drivers prefer an audio alarm, while others want a message to appear on a screen. Newer detectors are able to provide both audible and visual feedback, allowing you to select the method that works better for you.

Real Time Alerts: All of the best new police radar detectors on our list make use of smartphone apps to give them access to the latest information. Such apps are invaluable pieces of software when it comes to making your radar detector as efficient as possible. The app will connect to a network, allowing it to alert you to today’s speed trap locations in your city. Or if a new set of speed cameras has become active, the app will let you know right away.

Hiding the Detector: A newer radar detector will be removable when it’s not in use, allowing you to take it with you when you’re not in the car. Older units often could not be removed easily, making them targets for thieves.

Related: If you’d like a wireless detector then browse the best cordless radar detectors.

Having such technologies available will make a new detector easier to use and more successful in keeping you ticket-free than your older model.

[ft_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Escort-Range-Radar-Laser-Detector/dp/B01KH8JFBY?tag=best-police-radar-detector-20″ rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank” background=”red” type=”square” size=”small”] #1 Pick [/ft_button] Escort iX

Escort iX Radar Detector
Those seeking the latest and most powerful features in a police detector will appreciate the newly released Escort iX.

Award: Editor’s Choice/Best Full Feature Police Radar Detector

Price: $460 | Screen Type: Color Display | Voice AlertsYes

WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: Loaded with latest technologies and realtime speed trap alerts.

Might as well discuss the bad news first: The Escort iX radar detector has an extremely high price tag, but this is one of those cases where you get what you pay for, as the iX has all of the latest features that you’d expect to find in one of the newest units on the market.

Read: Escort Partners Up for Revolutionary CLiR Radar Detector Control System

The ability to recognize and eliminate false alarms is one of the strongest aspects of this radar detector. The Escort iX removes fixed location false alarms, such as from automatic sliding doors, as well as moving false alarms, such as from collision avoidance systems in other vehicles in the traffic stream. This unit also can connect to your smartphone to receive real time information for the newest speed traps.

[ft_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Escort-Range-Radar-Laser-Detector/dp/B01KH8JFBY?tag=best-police-radar-detector-20″ rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank” background=”red” type=”square” size=“large”] View on Amazon [/ft_button]

[ft_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G9227ZE?tag=best-police-radar-detector-20″ rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank” background=”red” type=”square” size=”small”] #2 Pick [/ft_button] Cobra SPX 7800 BT

Cobra SPX 7800 BT
The Cobra SPX 7800 BT radar detector’s fast processor allows for instant-on radar monitoring.

Award: Best Value Radar Detector

Price: $88.99 | Screen Type: Full Color | Voice AlertsYes

WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: Powerful processor provides extremely fast scanning for radar sources.

The fast performing Cobra SPX 7800 BT radar detector provides instant-on performance, which is a great defense against certain law enforcement radar monitoring systems. You can connect the 7800 with your smartphone, allowing it to receive real time updates on speed traps or speed cameras. It also has false signal rejection technology, which removes one of the biggest levels of frustration radar detector owners experience on a daily basis. Another one of the best radar detectors is the Escort MAX 360C Laser Radar Detector that has 360 degree protection and an OLED display. This windshield mount’s 360 degree protection uses front and rear facing antennas to detect any threats around your vehicle. With the Escort Live app, you can get several voice alerts, including red light, speed limit, and camera alerts to help you avoid a speeding ticket. 

[ft_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G9227ZE?tag=best-police-radar-detector-20″ rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank” background=”red” type=”square” size=“large”] View on Amazon [/ft_button]

[ft_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Escort-Passport-8500X50-Detector-Display/dp/B005IQGNCU?tag=best-police-radar-detector-20″ rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank” background=”red” type=”square” size=”small”] #3 Pick [/ft_button] Escort Passport 8500 X50

Escort Passport 8500 X50
The Escort Passport 8500 X50 is a slightly older model, but it works well over long ranges.

Award: Best Long-Range Radar Detector

Price: $159.99 | Screen Type: LED | Voice AlertsNo (other than audio tones)

WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: Strong long range detection performance gives plenty of warning time.

The Escort Passport 8500 X50 doesn’t quite have the extensive feature set of our top pick, the Escort iX, such as a full color screen and voice alerts, but it does one thing extremely well: Long range radar detection. By giving you warning of an active radar from far off, you’ll have more warning time before you reach the radar trap.

The 8500 X50 specializes in providing laser warnings, and Escort allows you to add the optional ZR4 Laser Shifter to boost its performance further. And it also works well over long distances for other types of radar, making use of V-Tune technology, which handles X-band, K-band, and Ka-band radars, all at a lower price than the iX. Be sure to also check out the Uniden R7 Radar Detector, which uses a large OLED display to show you the direction of detected threats and their distance away from you by the arrow color too (anywhere from green to red). This product sits a little lower on the price range of all the detectors on this list, which is nice for those on a budget.

[ft_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Escort-Passport-8500X50-Detector-Display/dp/B005IQGNCU?tag=best-police-radar-detector-20″ rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank” background=”red” type=”square” size=“large”] View on Amazon  [/ft_button]

What to Look for in the Best Police Radar Detector

Realtime Alerts: As the number of red light cameras and speed cameras increases, having a radar detector that provides realtime information and alerts is important. You can achieve realtime information through a radar detector unit that can connect with your smartphone, or through a standalone smartphone app.

Clear Alerts: A good radar detector should provide very clear alerts when encountering a radar signal. You don’t want to be guessing about an alert, trying to read and comprehend a display screen when you should be focusing on the road. Make sure you can receive audio alerts when needed, so you can continue to drive safely while receiving an alert. Make sure the visual alerts are easy to understand, too.

Mistakes to Avoid

Not Understanding Your Needs: Just like almost all pieces of electronics, radar detectors are available in many configurations. Some are expensive pieces of equipment providing all of the latest technologies while others – especially simple smartphone apps – just provide the basics. By thinking about how you plan to use the police detector ahead of time, you will have a better chance of ensuring that you don’t overspend.

Not Removing False Alerts: Higher quality radar detectors will provide the ability to recognize and eliminate false alerts, ensuring you don’t become inundated with false alarms to the point that you stop using the unit. False alarms can be especially problematic for those who spend most of their time driving in cities.

What Else You Should Think About

The best police radar detector selections on our list will give you a host of great features, regardless of how much you have to spend. But if you can afford our #1 pick, the Escort iX, you’re going to receive the best features currently available on the market, including the ability to precisely filter false alarms, while still giving you plenty of warning of real radar traps. Our radar detector reviews can help you understand more about these strong car accessory units. And if you’re still unsure about these devices, we’ve broken down the features to help you determine whether radar detectors actually work.

And if you’d like to supplement your radar detector with some other options, consider apps that provide realtime data about radar traps and red light cameras, for example. The free Waze app is one of the best, tapping into social media feeds and using crowdsourcing to collect relevant data. And most newer radar detectors also ship with their own apps to enhance the detector’s capabilities. Such apps are legal everywhere, but radar blockers aren’t legal in some areas. In fact, using a radar blocker can be considered a federal offense, depending on the device and how it’s used. So our recommended option is to pair a strong radar detector, such as the Escort iX, with realtime information on a smartphone app to achieve the best results!

Kyle Schurman Avatar