If you are a speed enthusiast, then this article is what you need to ensure that you do not get in trouble with traffic officers. The article seeks to identify the best radar app for Android so that users can get a device that is worth their time and money. A functioning radar app will help one avoid a speeding ticket and, in a worst-case scenario, a possible jail sentence.
Radar Detect App FAQ
We have prepared this product FAQ section to ensure that the reader has a better understanding of what the best radar app for Android should do and answer common questions asked about a radar app and detector.
1. What Is a Radar App for Android?
A radar app is an app that is used to detect radar such as those used by police speed guns on major highways in America and Europe. Though there are numerous radar devices in the market, the user should only consider the best radar app for Android to ensure they have a reliable app that will not get them in trouble.
2. How to Choose the Best Radar App for Android
Before we divulge into the technical aspect of a radar app, it is important to note that some of these apps are free on the Google Play store and are just as useful as paid apps. Though this article seeks to expand more on Android apps, it is worth mentioning they can also be used on an iPhone.
One golden rule that one should keep in mind is that the best radar app for Android is one with the most features. Keep in mind that the features should be relevant and based on your goals which in this case is avoiding a speeding ticket. The app should be able to monitor the speed, notify one if the speed limit is exceeded and detect police radar.
Another way of choosing the best radar app for android is by looking at the reviews. 5-star reviews are the most important as they will enable you to know whether the app is worth your time and money. If people liked the radar app, then it will have a higher rating. It is important to consider what people said so you can evaluate if the app is a functioning app or not.
3. How Does a Radar Device Work?
To understand how a radar app works one must first understand how a radar device works. For the traffic police officer to detect the speed of your car, he/she will use a radar device popularly known as a speed gun. This device emits radio waves which move at the speed of light.
Once the radio waves meet an object on its path, it will bounce back to the speed gun. If the object is in motion, then the return frequency is altered and this enables the device to calculate the speed of the moving object.
4. Where Can One Buy the Best Radar App for Android?
The good thing about these radar apps is that most of them are free and few are for sale. Sometimes, the apps that are free will have an in purchase system where the user can upgrade the features of the app by paying for those features. From experience, we can comfortably say in most cases the app will work just fine without having to pay for the additional features. The apps can be downloaded/purchased on the Google Play store.
5. Are Radar Detectors Legal?
Though it is wise to check the regulations in your county regularly, use of radar detectors is legal. This, however, does not apply to the state of Virginia. As a user, it is essential to distinguish between a radar detector and a jammer. Radio jammers are devices or apps that may interfere with police readings, and this is illegal.
How We Reviewed
The following apps were reviewed based on their features, pros, and cons. To ensure that we give you an unbiased “best of” list, we invested our time and money into researching only the best radar app for Android on the market. Once we were satisfied that the apps met the comparison parameters we had set, we shortlisted them. We are confident that this is an unbiased best of list worth your time and money.
Overall Price Range of These Products
Though most of these apps are free, some of them can be upgraded for around $1- 30.
What We Reviewed
- Waze
- Speed Camera Radar
- Radar Beep – Radar Detector
- Escort Live Radar
- Cobra iRadar
- Radarbot Speed Camera Detector & Speedometer
- Speed Cameras Radar
- Speed Cameras & Traffic by Sygic
- Police Radar
- Police Detector
Waze
Features
One reason this app made it on the top list of our best radar app for Android is its amazing features and the fact that the app can be used both as a driver app and a police detector app. With this, we mean it is a GPS app and a radar detector app. Other essential information that one can benefit from is on traffic hazards, where to get cheap gas, and police locations.
Waze is popular because it is a community-based app, and this makes it more reliable than other apps on the market. This also makes it more accurate as more users regularly post on its platform. This app is free to use.
Pros
- Free to use
- Live data forecast
- Accident alerts
Cons
- Poor graphics
- Regularly crashes
Download
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.waze
Speed Camera Radar
Features
Unlike other favorite apps on this list, the Speed Camera Radar app is known for its ability to detect red light cameras, police ambushes, and static speed cameras. The app is also popular among users because of its simplicity. Though some only work in a specific region, this app has a worldwide appeal, and this makes it suitable for use among tourists.
Other features worth mentioning about include a daily database update that ensures the users are regularly informed and a live traffic update when connected to the internet.
Pros
- Free
- Simple to use
- Worldwide appeal
- 3D tilt on maps
- Voice alerts
Cons
- False notifications
- No accurate data
Download
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lelic.speedcam
Radar Beep – Radar Detector
Features
Radar beep is a free app for drivers to detect radar to avoid possible jail terms. To ensure it is efficient, it integrates with third-party mobile phone GPS navigators. Unlike other apps, this comes with an impressive NFC Magnetic sticker that is placed on the car. This helps to conserve battery usage as the app turns on when the phone is placed near the sticker.
Other notable features of this app include a Bluetooth auto start feature, an intuitive user interface design, and the ability to communicate in over three different languages ranging from German and English to Japanese.
Pros
- Intuitive interface design
- Free
- Comes in different languages
Cons
- Not in most countries
- Too many ads
- Inaccurate GPS positioning
Download
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.radarbeep
Escort Live Radar
Features
The Escort app made it on this radar app for Android list because it boasts of winning awards such as the 2012 Car and Drivers Award and the Electronic Product Award. It is free to use, and this is ideal as it is accessible to most users. One feature that makes it suitable for use among drivers is the ability to notify the users of speed traps and the location of hidden traffic cameras.
Other notable features of this app include an Escort Live Network that makes it possible for users to share road threats such as accidents and police swaps. Unlike other apps that are known for draining the battery life of a phone, this is designed to operate in the background and thus helps to maintain battery life.
Pros
- Escort Live Network
- Prolongs battery life
Cons
- Limited features
- Regularly disconnects from Bluetooth
Download
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.escort.androidui.root
Cobra iRadar
Feature
The Cobra iRadar is an award-winning app that uses GPS to locate nearby police radars and then conveys the message to the user. It is worth noting that the app is a crowdsourced app, and this means that the user can receive updates from other users and post through the platform to make others aware of hidden speed guns. Unlike other best radar apps for Android on this list, this app is ad-free. Other features include a 95% accuracy rate on the information provided, the ability to detect red light cameras, and a verifiable camera database.
Pros
- Verifiable camera database
- Ad-free
Cons
- Bluetooth loses connection
- Regular navigation crash
Download
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cobra.iradar
Radarbot Speed Camera Detector & Speedometer
Features
Radarbot is often a favorite because it is a community-based app. It is also among the few apps in the market that provide live traffic updates and a high-speed camera detection system at the same time. It is worth noting the app is available for both Android and iOS smartphones. Another feature worth mentioning is the ability to integrate with most GPS navigators.
Notable features include a database that is updated daily and a vibration mode that’s convenient for motorists. It also boasts of voice alerts and real-time alerts for users. For limited battery usage, the app can work in the background, and this makes it ideal for long distance drivers.
Pros
- Vibration mode
- Detects fixed speed cameras
- Detects tunnel cameras
Cons
- Too many ads
- No speed limit notification
Download
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vialsoft.radarbot_free
Speed Cameras Radar
Features
Though this is a police radar detector app, the app is mainly used for detecting hazards such as bad roads, speed cameras, and speed bumps. For the app to work efficiently, other users must have updated the hazards on the system. Favorite features include a radar view mode and a map mode. It also has a night mode feature for easy night navigation and a 3D effect feature.
Unlike other apps that are region specific, this can be used in most countries around the world. As a result, it is tourist friendly.
Pros
- Supported in most countries
- 3D effects
Cons
- Poor English accent
- Crushes a lot
Download
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.italia.autovelox.autoveloxfissiemoibli
Speed Cameras & Traffic by Sygic
Features
This app is free and is mostly used by users to know the speed limit of the road they are traveling. This is ideal for travelers who are visiting a new city for the first time and do not know about the state of the road there. Though it is a free app, advanced features can be unlocked for around $0.99–30. Unique features that made it list on our best radar app for Android list include real-time notifications on radar traps set up by the police and the ability to send messages over other apps.
Pros
- Real-time data
- Accurate speed limits
Cons
- Does not start correctly
- Locked features
Download
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sygic.speedcamapp
Police Radar
Features
This app is favored by motorists who would like to avoid speed cams and speed traps. It can also be used to make traffic safer as users can warn others of accidents and black spots. A unique feature is that no login or account creation is required. The app developers also do not share user GPS data, and this is ideal for privacy.
Pros
- No login required
- It is free
Cons
- Not a universal app
- Crashes regularly
Download
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=polis.koll&showAllReviews=true
Police Detector
Features
This app is simple to use and easy to understand. It works by allowing the user to mark the location of speed cameras and police patrols. Once the user has marked a location, it is shared with other users on the platform. The user can also mark areas where a road accident has occurred or where there are repairs. The app is free to use, and no registration is needed.
Pros
Cons
- Not for all countries
- System hitches
Download
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tat.example.ildar.seer&showAllReviews=true
The Verdict
Based on our best radar app for Android list, all the reviewed apps are worth your time and money. The apps will only be best for you if they solve your particular need or problem. If you require an app that will provide live traffic update and hazard reports, then the Waze app is best. If you require an app that can be used in most countries, then the Speed Camera Radar app is best.