If you’re like most drivers, you want to avoid getting pulled over and ticketed. One way to do that is to ensure your car is equipped with the best radar detector. But with so many options on the market, how can you be sure you’re making the right choice? These Black Friday radar detector deals on top-end models are a chance to save a good deal of money on the best models. While the deals aren’t as great as other Black Friday sales, you could save up to $200.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to buy a radar detector and our favorite pre-Black Friday radar detector deals. For more Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals on radar detectors and dash cams, bookmark this page and our Black Friday Dash Cam deals page to stay on top of the latest deals we find.
A quick note here on our list: there are quite a few radar detector brands with substantial discounts on Amazon not on this list. We generally do not recommend these off-brands as their performance is questionable. Remember, you get what you pay for!
Black Friday Radar Detector Deals
Here are deals we’ve found on top Escort and Cobra models. Note that all deals END on Saturday!
- Long-range
- Can remember and automatically mute false alerts
- Preloaded red light and speed camera locations with free updates
- Color OLED display
- Voice alerts
- K/KA Band filtering
- Deal Price: $296.00 (Original Price: $399.99)
- Discount: 26%
- Deal Duration: Unknown
- Deal Price: $729.95 (Original Price: $849.95)
- Discount: 14%
- Deal Duration: 11/17/23 – 11/25/23
- Key Features:
- Combines radar detection with a dash camera.
- Offers 360° protection and great range.
- Features shared alerts to keep you updated on the road.
- Deal Price: $299.95 (Original Price: $449.95)
- Discount: 33%
- Deal Duration: 11/17/23 – 11/25/23
- Key Features:
- Long-range detection capabilities.
- Front and rear detection for complete coverage.
- Integrates with the iRadar app for enhanced functionality.
- Deal Price: $479.95 (Original Price: $549.95)
- Discount: 13%
- Deal Duration: 11/17/23 – 11/25/23
- Key Features:
- Bluetooth enabled for wireless connectivity.
- 360° directional arrows for precise threat location.
- Exceptional range for early detection.
- Deal Price: $349.95 (Original Price: $399.95)
- Discount: 13%
- Deal Duration: 11/17/23 – 11/25/23
- Key Features:
- Bluetooth connectivity for wireless updates.
- Premium range for early and accurate detection.
- Advanced filtering to minimize false alerts.
The Best Radar Detectors
The following radar detectors aren’t on sale (at least yet), but are well-reviewed and reliable. If you don’t see a detector that fits your needs from the list above, we’d recommend one of the below models.
- Detects radar up to 5+ miles away
- GPS allows you to mark user points
- 360-degree detection
- Announces type of radar detection (red light, etc.)
- Display shows direction of detection
The Uniden R7 is a step down from the company’s top-of-the-line R8 radar detector, but you’re not missing much. Reviewers gush over the R7’s super-long range capabilities, with some reporting detections miles away. Built-in GPS technology is also a key feature, which allows you to mark spots where common false detections occur, further limiting false alarms.
While it doesn’t have the smartphone connectivity of more expensive models like the Escort MAX360C, its range is far better, according to reviews. Some reviews mention blind spot monitoring filtering as a weak point, but this can be fixed by lowering K-Band sensitivity a bit.
- Long range
- 360-degree detection
- Led light and speed camera locations built in
- Companion app
If you don’t need the Wi-Fi that the MAX360C has, stepping down to the MAX360 can save you a bit of money. This mainly affects how easy it is to update and tweak your MAX360 — with the MAX360C, you can do it from your phone, but with the MAX360, you need to connect it to your computer for those updates.
The MAX360 has Bluetooth, so you can do some basic things without disconnecting everything, but not much. Some may consider the app a feature they don’t need, so we thought including the base model here was a good idea.
- Long range and advanced false alert filtering
- GPS built-in
- Red light and speed camera alerts
While not as sensitive or fully featured as the R7, the Uniden R3 still has outstanding range for a radar detector at its price point. The one thing it doesn’t have is a lot of storage space: so if you use the GPS lockout feature heavily to limit false alarms, you may want to opt for the R7 instead. You also lose the directional arrows that the R7 has, but not the sensitivity that has become a hallmark of Uniden’s R series radar detectors.
Like the R7, the R3’s blind spot monitoring filtering is weak, but this can be fixed by lowering K-Band sensitivity a bit.
- Can detect radar up to several miles depending on conditions
- Made and supported by USA-based employees
- False alert filtering
- Built-in GPS
- One of the smallest windshield detectors on the market
Ohio-based Radenso’s Pro M radar detector is a great option if you prefer supporting an American company. It’s the smallest high-performance detector on the market, with support for MRCD/MRCT/Traffistar radar. The company has also limited K and Ka-band detection to the exact frequencies used in North America, which should limit false alarms. It also has GPS built-in, and Radenso guarantees free GPS and firmware updates for life.
There are some negatives to the Pro M, mainly in X-band (used in Ohio, New Jersey, and North Carolina) and low laser sensitivity, the latter seeing an increasing amount of use by law enforcement. It could be that this radar detector has been on the market for several years and at the time, was one of the best — now, some other detectors offer better sensitivity and functionality.
- Long range
- GPS built-in
- Low-speed muting
- Made and supported by USA employees
Like the Pro M, the Radenso XP isn’t as sensitive as some of our other recommendations, but reviews say this works to the XP’s advantage in high-traffic and urban settings. Its blind spot monitoring radar filtering is the best in its class, and it offers several features that keep flashes, beeps, and alerts to a minimum — which might be better for those with sleeping children.
- 360-degree detection using Cobra’s new LaserEye technology
- Long range with advanced anti-falsing circuitry
- Companion app
- Early Warnings through Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
The Cobra RAD 480i lacks the whiz-bang features of its more expensive (and more sensitive) brethren, but it certainly is a step above most “cheap” radar detectors on the market thanks to Bluetooth integration and a companion app, something you only find on radar detectors two or three times the price and the feature set is much like the Escort — which so happens to be manufactured by the same company.
While reviewers report a much higher rate of false positives with Cobra, it’s not so much as to make it unusable. If budget is a real concern, and you like the idea of a companion app to enhance your radar detector’s capabilities, you can’t go wrong with the 480i.
What to Consider When Buying a Radar Detector
There are a few key factors you should keep in mind when shopping for a radar detector. Here are the most important things to look for:
- Detecting range: This is perhaps the most critical factor to consider. The best radar detectors will have long range, so you can be sure you’re getting early warnings of speed traps.
- False alert filtering: Another important factor to consider is how often the radar detector will generate false positives. False positives are when the radar detector goes off even though there isn’t a police officer around. Too many false positives can be annoying and cause you to tune out the detector.
- Ease of use: You also want to ensure the radar detector is easy to use. It should be easy to read the display and understand the warnings. Additionally, installing the unit in your car shouldn’t take too long.
What do the different alerts mean?
- X-band: operating between 8.0 and 12.0 GHz, the X-band is an older band used mostly by automatic doors. If you receive this alert, it is most likely not law enforcement. You may want to turn this band off if your radar allows you to.
- K-band: operating between 24.05 and 24.25 GHz, the K-band is a somewhat popular frequency used by police radar guns today. If you receive this alert, look around, though it may be a false alarm. If you can turn the K-band sensitivity down, we suggest doing so.
- Ka-band: operating between 33.4 and 36.0 GHz, the Ka-band is the most popular frequency used by police today. If you receive this alert, SLOW DOWN! We recommend leaving this alert on at all times, as it is widely used.
- MultaRadar(MRCD/MRCT): a frequency-modulated radar or a radar that oscillates between multiple frequencies. Many red light cameras are MultaRadar. If you receive this alert, it is most likely from law enforcement.
- Laser: this is often used by higher law enforcement. If you receive this kind of alert, take it seriously.
Are Radar Detectors Legal?
Radar detectors are legal in most states, but a few exceptions exist. Both Virginia and Washington, D.C., prohibit the use of radar detectors. So if you live in or plan to drive through one of those states, you’ll need to leave your radar detector at home.
Additionally, while radar detectors are legal in most states, there are some places where they can’t be used. For example, commercial vehicles above 10,000 pounds are banned by Federal law, although some state laws may ban the use in commercial vehicles of any weight.
Finally, it’s important to note that even if radar detectors are legal in your state, using one does not give you free rein to speed. You should always drive the speed limit and use caution when driving.
We also strongly recommend you consult your local laws before purchasing a radar detector. Laws change frequently, and it’s your responsibility to ensure you’re following all state and local traffic laws.
(By the way, since most radar detectors are windshield mounted, the guidance in our “Are Dash Cams Legal?” blog will also be helpful to understand whether your state has any prohibitions on what can be on your windshield.)
Radar Jammers are a Different Story (Somewhat)
Radar jammers are devices that emit signals that confuse police radar guns. These devices are illegal in some states — California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia — and can lead to hefty fines if caught using one.
But they’re not illegal in all states. Our general recommendation is to stay away from these devices. If you’re caught with one, even where it’s not expressly illegal, law enforcement could use the device as evidence you planned to break the law.
Are dash cameras better?
While we have experience with the value of a dash cam, for some, a radar detector will offer better peace of mind for those who sometimes have a lead foot. It’s possible to have a dashcam and radar detector installed in your car, but that may clutter your dash and be reason enough for a law enforcement officer to pull you over.
image sources
- image_adobe_express: Stephen Fore - stock.adobe.com
- Police Speeding Sign: Adwo - stock.adobe.com
- image_adobe_express (1): visoot - stock.adobe.com
