The Best Radar Detector 2021
Escort MAXcam 360c, Passport Max 360c, Redline 360c, Max 3, X80, iXc,
or Radenso Pro M?
By Radartest Staff
Last updated: 2021
What's The Best Radar Detector?
Escort MAXcam 360c, Escort Redline 360c, Escort Passport Max 360c, iXc, Max 3,
X80 or Radenso Pro M?
By Radartest Staff
Last updated: 2021
The best radar detectors spot radar at long range and filter out false alerts. They balance sensitivity (range) with selectivity (filtering).
The most desirable ones use GPS to lock out false alerts caused by radar-controlled automatic door openers. Drive past any store using a non-GPS detector and it will alert to the store's radar.
Top models also have firmware to identify and ignore BSM (Blind Spot Monitor, or lane-change-warning) radar in vehicles, a major source of false alerts.
We evaluated several in the $299 - $849 price range. Six have GPS while the Escort X80 ($299) does not. Listed in descending order by price, here's what they offer.
The Escort MAXcam 360c has front and rear antennas, a built-in dashcam and directional arrows that point toward a threat. A motion sensor activates the dashcam when the owner is away.
It has Bluetooth that links it to the Escort Live app, the real-time, crowd-sourced ticket-avoidance network.
The Escort MAXcam 360c uses Wi-Fi to update itself wirelessly, same with its red light camera database.
The Escort Redline 360c is the only detector with three antennas, two pointing foward, the third toward the rear. The two in front are for maximum range; the rear antenna allows its arrows to tell where the danger lies.
Bluetooth links to the Escort Live app.
The Escort Redline 360c uses Wi-Fi to update itself wirelessly and does likewise with its red light camera database.
The Escort Passport Max 360c has built-in Wi-Fi, allowing it to link seamlessly with Escort Live.
It has a rear radar antenna with arrows that point toward a threat. This removes the guesswork about which direction to scan for trouble.
Like other upscale Escorts the Max 360c has Auto Learn—drive past a nuisance signal a few times and next time you go by, it recognizes the door-opener radar and remains silent.
The Escort iXc succeeds the Passport iX and differs by having built-in Wi-Fi. This enables it to use a vehicle's Wi-Fi to connect to the Escort Live app.
Wi-Fi also allows users to wirelessly upload updates of its red light camera database, keeping it current. Same for firmware updates—no obsolescence.
The iXc is the lowest-priced GPS-enabled Escort with features similar to the Max 360c's, save for the rear antenna and arrows.
Radenso's range-topping model has shown above-average performance in our tests, sometimes outpacing pricier models. It has GPS to lock out false alerts and warn of red light cameras.
The Pro M allows users to vary the onset of audible alerts, based on speed, further reducing noise.
One downside: To avoid conflict with patent-holder Escort, the feature isn't automatic and it takes a knowledgeable user to use it correctly.
The Max 3 is Escort's entry-level model with GPS and Bluetooth. Like other upscale Escorts it has AutoLearn that automatically locks out non-police radar as you drive.
Sensitivity adjusts according to your speed, keeping a lid on false alerts.
Bluetooth links with Escort Live, providing early warning of speed traps and roaming police vehicles.
The Escort Passport X80 is a stripped-down model whose primary virtue is a low price.
The X80 lacks GPS, making it more prone to false alarms. It uses the corporate OLED display which is colorful but low in contrast.
The X80 is relatively short on features, although performance is good. It's the least expensive Escort in the lineup.
The best radar detectors spot radar at long range and filter out false alerts. They balance sensitivity (range) with selectivity (filtering).
The better ones use GPS to lock out false alarms, plus firmware to identify and ignore BSM (Blind Spot Monitor, or lane-change-warning) radar in other vehicles.
We evaluated several in the $299 - $849 price range. Six have GPS while the Escort X80 ($299) does not. Listed in descending order by price, here's a look at the features of each.
- Front and rear antennas
- High-resolution dashcam with motion sensor
- Arrows point to the threat
- 360° radar and laser protection
- Red light and speed camera warnings
- Wirelessly updates itself via Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth links to Escort Live network
- GPS locks out door-opener false alerts
- Updateable IVT filter
- Windshield mount attaches magnetically
- Triple radar antennas—two front, one rear
- Arrows point to the threat
- 360° radar and laser protection
- Bluetooth links to Escort Live network
- GPS locks out door-opener false alerts
- Red light and speed camera warnings
- Built-in Wi-Fi, updates itself wirelessly
- Updateable IVT filter
- Magnetic windshield mount
- Front and rear radar antennas
- Directional arrows point to the threat
- 360° radar and laser protection
- Wi-Fi connects to Escort Live network
- GPS locks out door-opener false alerts
- Red light and speed camera alerts
- IVT filter fights BSM radar false alerts
- Wi-Fi updates software and database
- Magnetic windshield mount
- Detects Multaradar CD/CT, Gatso RT3
- Red light camera alerts
- BSM radar filter
- GPS locks out false alerts
- Speed-variable sensitivity cuts falses
- Lifetime free firmware updates
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Links instantly with Escort Live network
- Red light camera alerts
- GPS eliminates false alerts
- BSM and IVT filters
- Magnetic windshield mount
- GPS locks out false alerts automatically
- Red light camera alerts
- BSM and IVT radar filters
- Bluetooth links to Escort Live
- Speed-variable sensitivity
- Updateable software and IVT filter
- Magnetic windshield mount
- Built-in Bluetooth
- Voice alerts
- AutoSensitivity
- TSR radar filter
- Color OLED display
- USB port for online updates
