No one likes looking in your rearview mirror just to end up seeing red and blue strobe. If you're like many others, you may want to try anything that might help to keep you from getting points on your license or having to pay hefty fines when you're on the road.
That's why more and more people are using radar detectors to protect them from getting caught in speed traps.
If you want to avoid ticket-writing police, then a radar detector might be just the thing for you. We're going to offer information on several radar detectors so that you can find the one that will be able offer excellent range and other features to help make your shopping easier.
Best Radar Detectors Of 2018
It's important to know at least some basic things about the features offered when you're choosing the radar detector that will offer you the best in threat detection. Some of the models offered will be able to offer filters that can help to remove potential false alerts as well as other helpful features. The US market is positively swarming with radar options, so to make things clearer we're going to offer you a list and reviews of the top 9 radar detectors of 2018.
The table below is going to be able to help you get the most out of the following reviews.
| Name | Weight | Bands | Power Source? | POP Mode? | Undetectability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escort Passport S55 | 2.7lbs | Laser, K, Ka, X, Ku | Corded | Yes | No | Check Price |
| Valentine One | 1.7lbs | X, K, Ka, SuperWide Ka, Ku, Laser | Corded | Yes | Invisible to VG-2, possibly not to others. | Check Price |
| Cobra ESD7570 | 10.4Oz | X, K, Ka, Laser | Corded | Yes | Yes | Check Price |
| Escort iX | 1lb | X, K, SuperWide Ka, Laser | Corded | Yes | No | Check Price |
| Escort Max 360 | 1.8lbs | X, K, Ka, Laser | Corded | Yes | No | Check Price |
| Escort Solo S3 | 1.11lbs | X, K, SuperWide Ka, Laser | Battery | Yes | No | Check Price |
| Beltronics PRO100 | 14.4Oz | X, K, SuperWide Ka, Laser | Corded | Yes | No | Check Price |
| Beltronics GT-7 | 1.5lbs | X, K, Ka, Laser | Corded | Yes | No | Check Price |
| Escort Passport Max | 1.5 lbs | X, K, Ka, Laser | Corded | Yes | No | Check Price |
It's important to know the bands you want to be able to look out for so that you can get a device that will keep you covered. Many radar detectors are made to detect multiple bands so you're likely to have plenty of options. The type of power source that a detector requires can help you to determine whether or not it will be portable enough for your needs.
It's also going to being important to know if the radar will be offer a POP mode and if police are going to be able to use radar detector detectors to discover whichever device you choose.
With Escort's Passport S55, you'll be able to get a radar/laser detector that offers excellent performance and long-range detection. It also offers top notch performance when it comes to eliminating false positive alerts and having the maximum range for detection. It's designed to offer high-quality protection by locating digital signals from long distances and giving you a long-range warning you so that you can drive safely and avoid any problems.
The S55 also offers an Auto Sensitivity mode that can help to filter out and eliminate false alarms as well as locate the radar sources of both real threats and false threats whether they are speed traps or red light cameras. With the help of the Traffic Signal Rejection feature, this device is able to go beyond radar detection to decrease the amount of false alert issues by rejecting interstate traffic sensors. This device is going to be able to connect to several different radar and laser bands including K, X, and Ka.
There's a POP mode on the S55 that comes with an instant-on for convenience. This radar can connect to Escort Live, which will be able to give you warnings for upcoming alerts that have been reported for the sake of real-time threat detection. You'll also be able to get local speed limit information as well as alerts for when you're going above a designated speed because you'll be connected to the Ticket Protection Network. This will be especially helpful when you're driving on roads that aren't familiar to you. Having this “V-tuned” device on-board will definitely be able to help you with avoiding both speed traps and cameras on the road.
The range on this device is excellent, but be aware that the installation may come loose so you might need to find another way to install it.
- Longer range detection than other radar options
- Offers great value for the cost
- Gives you added protection from speeding and speed traps while driving
- Assists with ensuring lawful citations
- Some customers complain of the device giving off many false alarms
- In some cases, the attachment mechanism can become loose on the windshield
The S55 detector is a great option that has the ability to automatically sort out the false alerts from those that are real, which helps a lot because you won't have to worry about being distracted from driving while trying to hit a button to let the device know the alert is unwarranted.
If you're looking for a detection range that can put other radar retectors to shame, the Valentine One is a great option. It comes with excellent range and performance, which is due to the design of the radar antennas on this device. With the Valentine One, you'll be able to get a full 360 degrees of protection, which will help to detect laser types as well as Super WideBand Ka, K, X, Ku and Ka bands.
This detector offers two antennas, one in the front and one in the back. Due to this setup, you'll be able to see just what kind of band is being detected as well as the strength of the band being detected and how many radar units the device is detecting. You'll also be able to identify the signal direction. Valentine's signal is also known by many users to be able to reach up to five miles.
One downfall of this detector is that it is lacking when it comes to the GPS technology that we see in other models. This can make it a little more difficult to track things like red light and speed cameras. GPS can also often help with fake signal reports, but the simplicity of this device is retained through the lack of digital qualities.
The design of this detector is made to allow you the most possible protection, regardless of where an alert is coming from. With its directional indicators that are in the shape of arrows, you'll be able to get a sense of where the threat is easily so that you can adjust yourself accordingly or just be aware of the presence of it. Valentine's AutoMute is created to lower the volume of your alert after the first notification in order to avoid annoying the driver.
Customers love the long-range alerts that this device can offer, but make sure you're aware of the policies for returns and replacements as on rare ocassion the detector does arrive in a non-working state.
- Offers high-end performance
- Can detect police and other emergency signals from long distance
- Has an easy to read display
- Can save you money by helping you drive more safely and avoid speeding tickets
- In some cases, the radar has arrived in defective condition
- Some customers have noted many false alarms
With a full 360 degrees of protection, you'll be sure to be protected from several different kinds of potential threats. Some customers have experienced issues with too many false alarms, but that can happen while the machine is learning which threats are real and which are false. The Valentine One is absolutely a great option for those who want to avoid speeding tickets.
3. Cobra ESD7570 9-Band Performance Radar/Laser Detector – Best Value
The Cobra Detector is a very compact little nine-band radar and laser detector that can provide you with a great digital display that is UltraBright so you will be able to see and interpret warnings easily and clearly. You'll also be able to see the strength of the signal, which will give you greater protection by giving you proximity alerts.
By using the highway/city selector, you'll also be able to help reduce the of false alerts. The included Traffic Warning System will also be able to help distinguish the real threats from false ones. With the Cobra's Laser Eye, you will have the ability to get warnings for signals no matter where they are within a 360 degree radius.
It will also be able to go undetected by both the Spectre I radar detector and VG-2 so you won't have to worry about your detector being discovered. This is due to the Cobra's Spectre Undetectable Technology, which keeps you in the know without getting caught by radar detector detectors.
The Cobra is going to be able to give you alerts not only for speed traps, but also offers safety alert transmitters so that you can be warned of road hazards, emergency vehicles and even railroad crossings while the device is on-board. This detector is FCC compliant and is going to be able to detect any frequency that is currently used in Canada or the United States, creating a lot of versatility. With this device, you'll get a high quality at a fraction of the cost of a device like the S55 earlier mentioned in this list.
While people do tend to enjoy that this model doesn't react as often to false alarms as others, some people do find that the volume on the alerts is too low or that the device stops working so make sure you understand the warranty policies before purchasing just in case.
- Designed to rarely react to false alarms
- Helps you to drive more safely
- Volume of alert lowers after three beeps
- Great suction mount
- Some customers have noted the device ceasing to work when they haven’t owned it for long
- In some cases, customers have found the volume to be too low
The Cobra is made so that it will be able to sort the false threats from the real ones, so you won't have to listen to a lot of alerts for no reason. Some customers have found the volume to be too low, but if you try it out and are able to hear it well enough then that does mean you won't be startled by alerts because they won't be too loud.
4. Escort iX Long Range Radar Laser Detector – Best Detection
If you're seeking out one of the longest range radar detectors available that is also able to tap into POP frequencies, the Escort iX is going to be an excellent option. The Escort IX is made to provide high quality performance and warn you of potential threats with maximum range coverage, which is great for those long stretches on the road. Drivers will be able to get advanced detection warnings and information from multiple bands, including both instant-on and conventional options for X, SuperWide Ka and POP mode as well as the standard bands.
You'll also be able to get off-axis coverage and maximum laser range warnings. This is all possible through the Escort's DSP technology in combination with several laser sensors so that you can get the earliest warning for speed monitoring threats along the road.
It is made with a GPS capability that allows it to deny false alarms that come from a fixed position automatically, so you won't have to worry about false-threat detection in the same places repeatedly that aren't something of genuine concern. This can help the device to reduce the number of false alarms for drivers, as it learns where common false alarm spots in your area are. It also works to lower the number of false alarms that are caused by collision avoidance systems and other similar technologies.
With the connection to Escort Live, you'll be able to use Escort's live community for live police alerts and real time ticket protection for iX users. This feature can also be useful for protecting against the photo enforcement that stems from radar and speed cameras by offering the cutting edge of threat detection.
While overall, this product has worked very well for a lot of people, you might want to pay extra attention to the alerts for speed traps in order to make sure you are getting an alert early enough to be able to make adjustments.
- Excellent GPS that will allow you to mark stationary alerts that you don’t want to be bothered by
- Highly effective in saving you from receiving tickets
- Rarely gives off false alerts
- Offers alerts without a shocking volume level
- In some cases, customers have found that it doesn’t detect speed monitoring in time
- Some customers have noted frequent false alarms
The GPS ability on this detector will allow you to be able to block static signal points where you don't want to receive alerts, helping the Escort iX to learn which signals are real threats and which are false. Some customers have noticed that it doesn't always detect speed traps quickly enough to be able to adjust.
5. Escort Max 360 Radar Detector – Best Splurge
The Max 360 strives to raise the quality many have come to expect from Escort by adding the ability to locate where a signal is coming from. You'll also be able to get alerts from a farther distance than other options. With all of this, you'll be able to learn about potential threats earlier and be able to adjust your driving or route accordingly based on where the signal is coming from. It also offers front and rear antennas so that you'll be able to get alerts from all around the area. In combination with the Digital Signal Processing in this device, you'll be able to get information more quickly.
The Max 360 also offers five different filtering levels in order to help clean out false alarms. Like the Escort iX, it uses GPS to help reduce the number of false threats. You won't have to worry about your detector going off constantly during the ride because it will be catching and noting certain kinds of alarms and recognizing them as something that isn't a real threat.
It also comes with three unique driving modes as well as Cruise Alert and the ability to connect to the Escort Live app via Bluetooth. With the help of the Defender Database, you'll also be able to gain information on the locations of red light and speed locations all over North America.
With five false-threat filtering levels, you'll surely be able to use this detector without a lot of worry for false alarms, but customers claim that they do still note them happening on the K band especially. If that's a band you're going to need to use option, it may be worth taking a look at other detector options.
- Easy to use and offers plug and play features
- Great range
- Does an excellent job of filtering out false alarms
- Great value for the cost
- Customers notice that the K band can have a lot of false alarms
- On the expensive side
The Escort Max 360 offers you the ability to easily filter out false alerts so you won't have to receive them and is exceedingly simple to use. You'll also get alerts from a good distance away from the threat, so you'll be able to make sure you're safe as you pass through speed traps or other signal points.
6. Escort Solo S3 Cordless Radar Detector – Best Cordless
Without a doubt, Escort's Solo S3 is the best cordless radar detector in this list. The main difference between this radar detector and others is that it's able to run on batteries, which gives it an edge on its corded rivals.
The S3 also comes with a system designed to watch the battery power and alert you both visually and through audible sounds when the batteries need to be changes out. There is also an added AutoPower feature that will allow the S3 to shut off so that it can conserve battery power.
The S3 is a great choice for the frequent traveler because it can easily be moved between cars and other vehicles that you may need to drive. This can give the S3 quite the advantage when compared to its Escort siblings. It's also designed to help you get the most by offering the earliest warning possible on the spread of radar bands you'd expect, including X, K, Ka, and SuperWide Ka both through instant-on and conventional methods as well as laser frequencies and POP.
A downfall for the S3 is that due to the battery, the detection range is going to be less capable than corded options. It also lacks GPS alerts that can often help to reduce false alerts and offer the benefit of speed camera detection. However, there is still ample coverage for driving in more abundant areas such as urban and city environments.
Like some other models, the S3 is designed with Digital Signal Processing that allows it to seek out signals as early as possible. Through the high-resolution display, you'll be able to read and understand any alerts given with the utmost ease. It will also be able to offer information on the signal strength that will help the device to choose an appropriate range for locating signals and threats. You'll also have access to safety signals, which can help provide alerts for emergency vehicles.
This device does offer you access to the SuperWide Ka band on top of the more standard bands as well as the extreme portability of using batteries instead of cords. This is great if you're often on the go.
- No cord to get in the way
- Offers long range notice
- Highly portable
- Helps you to be safer on the road
- Battery life can be short
- Some customers have noticed a high level of false alarms
The benefit of the Escort Solo S3 is that it isn't required to be plugged in like most other models. Instead, it only requires a pair of batteries to run. While the battery life on this device can be on the short side, it still offers a lot more portability, which means that if you are often traveling in rented cars or change cars often for any reason, it's very simple to just take the Escort Solo with you.
7. Beltronics PRO100 New Pro Radar Detector – Best Overall
The Beltronics PRO100 represents one of the most optimized radar detectors for detecting laser frequencies as well as POP mode threats in the US market. This device is also designed to do a great job detecting laser guns and radars in the United States specifically.
This model is made to be easy to use, so you won't have to worry about a lot of trouble while you're trying to set it up and get it in tune with your driving style. It's also going to be able to easily monitor threats while still being able to focus on the street rather than the device. The Beltronics PRO100 also brings you multiple sensitivity modes so that it can reduce the number of false alarms. Like the Escort iX, it seeks to limit these false alarms without you having to put a lot of effort into teaching it.
You also won't have to worry about being annoyed by audible alerts while you're traveling, because the Beltronics PRO100 comes with an AutoMute feature that will lower the volume of the alert. The display on this device is an ultra-bright LED matrix that you will always be able to see it easily. The level of brightness can even be adjusted to suit whatever you need while driving. You'll also be able to see the signal strength in order to help determine how far away the threat is.
The AutoMute feature on this device is highly beneficial and keeps the driver from being annoyed by alerts, but newer cars can cause it to send off more false alerts due to the safety features.
- Excellent long range alerts
- Great value
- Simple and easy to use
- Offers an ideal warning volume
- For cars with newer safety features, false alarms can happen more often
The PRO100 is known to be excellent for POP detecting, and works very well at giving you alerts from a good distance away. You certainly get a great value with this device, though it can have some false alarms that are related to safety features in newer cars. The good news is that there are plenty of filtering features available to help reduce the frequency of those alerts.
8. Beltronics GT-7 Radar Detector – Best Design
The Beltronics GT-7 is undoubtedly top-notch when it comes to the design department of radar detectors. With the Beltronics GT-7, you'll be able to get alerts for POP, radar and laser through digital voice as well as audio tone so that you'll always be in the know when there are potential threats around. The auto scan, traffic signal rejection as well as digital signal processing allows the device to eliminate false alerts. Nobody likes to be alerted when there's no reason for them to actually be concerned or need to adjust for the threat only to find that there isn't one. That's why reducing false-threat alerts is highly important. Not to mention, the alert isn't likely to be a pleasant sound because it's designed to warn you of speed traps or other issues so you likely aren't going to want to listen to it going off unless it's going to be meaningful.
With this device, you'll be able to get long-range detection alerts for three different radar bands in a 360 degree radius so you'll be in the know about what's going on around you at all times. The exclusive threat display will also allow you to see and track multiple signals and their strengths, so that you can get an idea for how far away specific threats are. With the GT-7, you'll also get a magnetic mounting system to help you set everything up easily. It also comes with a SmartCord that is equipped with a mute button as well as a built-in alert lamp.
While this device is overall very easy to use and generates minimal false alarms, it can sometimes not give alerts early enough to make sure to stay aware even while using the device.
- False alarms are rare
- Easy to install and use
- Volume is easy to hear without being too loud
- Comes with free firmware updates
- Some customers have noted it not working at far enough ranges
- In some cases, there have been difficulties with the parts included for installation
GT-7 offers a greatly reduced level of false alerts, which is highly convenient when you only want to receive alerts of the utmost importance. You'll also be able to get firmware updates that can help to keep your device from becoming obsolete. Some customers have had trouble with installation, so make sure to follow instructions carefully.
9.Escort Passport Max – Runner Up, Best Choice With GPS
With the Escort Passport Max, you'll be able to use GPS capabilities to locate radar signals and reduce false positives. You can also get alerts for K, Ka, X, and laser bands. It offers high quality performance and excellent graphics to allow you to easily read and understand the kind of alerts coming across as well as the threat they represent.
With the use of Digital Signal Processing, the Passport Max is going to be able to find threats more quickly and more accurately than many other options. It also uses an AutoLearn technology in order to take a closer look into the frequency of an alert as well as the GPS location of it in order to seek out and reject false-threat alerts such as those that can come from door-openers and other alerts from fixed locations.
This device is also fully customizable, meaning you can set it up to match your personal driving style as well as any specific preferences you have. For example, you can set the device to keep an eye out for particular kinds of bands and pick a meter that you want to be able to see whenever that band is found.
You'll also have access to the Defender Database that can help you locate speed traps, red light cameras and other hot spots that can otherwise cause the tickets to begin to build up. You'll also be able to get regular updates from the Escort website so that you and your device can stay up to date on the kinds of threats out there.
The GPS on this device is extremely helpful for a variety of reasons and you get the added benefit of a long-distance detection range, but it may help to be quite knowledgeable on how GPS works because in some instances it can go out on this detector without an explanation.
- GPS helps to locate red light cameras and offers the ability to tag false alarm locations
- Offers a long distance detection range
- Has the ability to detect POP radar and laser
- Offers a beginner mode for those new to using a radar
- Some customers have experienced problems with the GPS going out
- In some cases, the radar has stopped working suddenly
Unlike some other models, the Escort Passport Max is able to use GPS features to not only keep you aware of more static traps such as red light cameras but can also help with marking false alerts that may be due to door-openers or other similar false-threats. That way, you'll be able to teach the device which alerts to actually signal you for and which to ignore.
Conclusion
All of these radar detectors are going to offer you a lot in the way of avoiding speeding tickets, traps and red light cameras. From the Beltronics PRO100 to the Valentine One, there are options that will be able to suit whatever your needs are. With the help of one of these devices, you'll be able to keep points off your driver's license. You'll feel so safe using one of these quality radar detectors, it'll be as if you have your own police escort.