Thanks to technology and the 2018 mandate that all cars must have a backup camera, you won't have to strain your neck to check your rearview as you reverse. Because we don't want you pumping your car into something and running your day, we're going to look at the best backup camera for you.
You'll find that backup cameras are usually attached to the rear of your vehicle as close as possible to the centre. Your backup camera then sends footage to the monitor attached to your dashboard, console display, or the in-set screen on your review mirror.
Let's look at some of the best aftermarket backup cameras for you. You can choose the best aftermarket backup camera from the various categories we'll look at today.
1. AMTIFO A8 FHD 1080P RV Wireless Backup Camera
Sale
RV Backup Camera Wireless HD 1080P 7'' Split Screen DVR Monitor Bluetooth Trailer Rear View Cam 4...
- ►【Latest Digital Signal】RV backup camera with Unique...
- ►【4CH 1080P Monitor】The back up camera systems wireless...
- ► Trailer backup camera with super large HD 1080P 7” monitor....
- ►Backup camera for truck with a very high IP rating of 69...
- ►【Quality Guarantee】AMTIFO A8 Security camera for car...
Starting our aftermarket backup cameras list is this best backup camera that has up to four cameras. You could say that this is the ultimate RV & Camper backup camera. With a theoretical maximum (no obstruction), these 1080P video signals can travel approximately 1000ft. This means that these backup camera signals still have a good range when the radio waves have to negotiate the structures of an RV or truck.
Each of the cameras on this backup camera system can withstand the outdoors with an IP69 rating. Although the mounting brackets are not designed for smaller cars at 3.3-inches/8.5cm wide, they afford you a great range of movement. This range is very important. However, the reason for their large size is to house 16 LEDs that give you automatically enabled infra-red night vision at night or whenever you need it.
Remember to hook your cameras to power sources like a big vamper's running lights. The bottom line is that these backup cameras work best for cars that are approximately 60ft. This backup camera's 7-inch monitor is sharp and has buttons that allow you to tweak settings such as split screens and enabling the reversing lines. This dual-camera arrangement also offers bracket or fun-shaped bases and 32GB records 68 hours. The SD card allows for this.
Pros
Cons
2. VanTop H612T 12” 4K Mirror Dash Cam
VanTop H612T 12” 4K Mirror Dash Cam for Cars, Voice Control Full Touch Screen Rear View Mirror...
- 【4K Ultra HD Front Recording】Features ultra HD 4K front cam...
- 【Hands-free Control with Voice Commands】 Access to basic...
- 【GPS for Tracking Route and Speed 】 GPS records accurate...
- 【More than A Standard Dash Cam】 Meet all of your demands for...
- 【Compatible with More Vehicles】 23ft rear camera cables is...
This is a very high-quality dash cam that has the best 4K front dashcam. The built-in battery ensures that you still have great video quality despite the dashcam not being powered by the cam. With this purchase, you get a front-facing dash cam and a backup camera.
The front camera acts as a dash cam and is the Sony IMX415 4K camera. The rear camera is 1080P and can occupy the 12-inch mirror as required by the parking guidelines. You can change the brightness of this dash cam by sliding your finger up and down the screen. The hands-free voice command feature works great, especially when the radio is off the car is quiet.
If you want to use this record function, you'll need to use your own Class-10 microSD card with this dash cam. However, the purchase comes with a GPS sensor that you plug into the dashcam. You also get a 23-inch cable for installation. The bottom line is that you get to enjoy great features with this best backup camera for your car.
Pros
Cons
3. AUTO-VOX CS-2 Wireless Backup Camera Kit
AUTO-VOX CS-2 Wireless Backup Camera, Stable Digital Signal Rear View Camera &4.3'' Monitor, Back Up...
- 【Stable and Vivid Image】With digital wireless signal, CS-2...
- 【Accuracy - Top priority for parking】The bigger the camera...
- 【Ideal Camera】The waterproof standard of this camera is IP...
- 【Easy Installation】The suction cup mount allows you to...
- 【Good Service】 Auto-vox offers a clear user guide...
If you're looking for backup cameras that are easy to install and still gives you great picture quality at a great price, this is the option for you. These backup cameras are wireless backup cameras that come with a wireless transmitter. You can easily attach one of these backup cameras to the back of your car without incurring any installation fee costs.
You can also choose to mount the suction-cup enabled screen onto your dashboard. This backup camera uses digital wireless transmission, which means that you won't experience any interference from other signals that may distort the image. This camera is great for any car that is less than 32 feet long.
The viewing angle for the CS-2 rearview camera is 110 degrees. Therefore, this not be great for a driver who likes a wide field of vision. Nonetheless, the 110 degrees work great for close quarters or parallel parking because it cuts down the amount of image distortion created on your screens. Although this best buy backup camera is more expensive than other options on this list, it comes with reliability and high performance.
Pros
Cons
4. TOGUARD Backup Camera for Cars
TOGUARD Backup Camera for Cars 7" Mirror Dash Cam Touch Screen 1080P Rear View Mirror Camera Front...
- 7" IPS TOUCH SCREEN & 1080P FHD: Dual car cam simultaneous...
- BACKUP CAMERA KIT for SAFE PARKING: Connect the red wire from the...
- PARKING MONITOR & G-SENSOR: Triggered by the Parking Monitor, Car...
- ONE-KEY SWITCHING: Based on this design of mirror camera,it is...
- EXQUISITE APPEARANCE & EASY to USE: Car camera with 2.5D advanced...
The best thing about this camera for your car is that it combines modern tech features and the natural inclination of your driving experience. The chances are that you often look at your rearview mirror now and then. Especially when you're backing up, you often glance at your rearview mirror by habit or necessity.
This backup cam gives you a display that replaces your rearview mirror but provides you with a similar but superior field of view. All the footage on this backup camera monitor can be recorded and played back. The display you get works as a touch screen and incorporates picture-in-picture features to show you a dash cam's feed.
If you don't want the feed by the view camera and want to use your rearview mirror, you can turn the screen off, and it will function like your rear view camera. Nonetheless, you can also choose to use the mirror mode viewing option, which still allows the cameras to remain on and record, although the screen size shows the normal rear view mirror.
Pros
Cons
5. eRapta ERT01 2nd Generation Car Rear View Reversing Backup Camera
HD eRapta ERT01 Backup Camera Rear View License Plate Reverse Camera Universal for Pickup Truck Car...
- ►Excellent license plate wired backup camera,designed for...
- ►Universal rear view camera,Suit for 12-24V DC Power.26ft RCA...
- ►Crystal Clear Image Nice Night Vision: Pretty Clear Video,6...
- ►Easy to Install:Just need to connect camera’s power to...
- ►IP69 Waterproof Level Reversing cam:Highly Waterproof backup...
As our budget option, this camera for your vehicle does not disappoint. Winding up our best backup cameras list, this rearview camera easily attaches to your vehicle's license plate and comes with a 26-foot RCA cable. You use this cable to connect the camera to a screen that has a compatible output. Small enough to fit your license plate, this camera is designed for convenience when you cannot afford our other options.
Although the purchase of this camera doesn't come with a screen, it's convenient that your vehicle most likely has its own mounted screen display. However, check that your screen is compatible with the cable output. If it's not, you can always opt to buy a separate screen.
This wired camera can be difficult to install compared to the other items on our list. However, you can install it in a few minutes or get a technician to do it for you. This camera is waterproof, durable, and has a 149-degree field of vision. Coming at a great price, you'll not be disappointed with this option.
Pros
Cons
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Backup Camera
1. Image Sensor
The sensors on the backup cameras convert light to signal in two different ways. These two ways create the two types of motion sensors you'll find in most backup cameras: CCD and CMOS. A CMOS sensor uses less power but is more sensitive to image noise compared to a CCD sensor. However, a CCD sensor is more adapted to handle any fluctuating lighting scenarios.
The type of sensor you choose depends on the environment that you typically drive your car in. However, the bottom line is that both these sensors are great options and will likely not affect the camera you choose.
2. Mirror Image
If you plan to use your camera as a front view camera, this is a factor that will determine your choice of camera. A mirror image means that the view in your camera monitor is reversed to mimic the view of your rearview mirror.
This is a selectable feature in most cameras, and you'll need to check the camera features to ensure that it has this rear view mirror feature.
3. Viewing Angle
When it comes to the viewing angle, the wider it is, the more you'll get to see behind the car at a glance. Nonetheless, most cameras provide you with a healthy horizontal viewing angle. Some go as far as 190 degrees. Therefore, this depends on what you want. If you want to see more without paying too much attention, go for a camera with a wide viewing angle.
4. Low Light
Most cameras enhance their low light capability by using an additional LED or infrared light. This extra light comes on when your car is in reverse. When you look at some cameras, you'll see the minimum Lux rating.
This rating tells you the least amount of light needed to take an acceptable picture. On a full moon, the rating is approximately 0.1 Lux. On a sunny day, the rating can be around 10,000 Lux.
5. Mounting
How you mount your camera affects the type of camera you'll choose. Here are some mounting styles that you can choose from.
a). License Plate Mounting
Like our last option above that comes at a great price, some camera options fit directly onto the license plate frame while others need a strap mount. You can also fasten the strap mount option with existing screws that come with it.
b). Lip Mounting
This pick of cameras is more subtle than the one above and works best if you have an insert area on the rear end of your car. You can mount this pick and go back to driving safe in the knowledge that no accidents will occur as you reverse.
c). Vehicle-Specific Mounting
You'll find that some brands give you brackets that replace your factory parts. These replacements are a near-perfect match for your vehicle. However, for this type, ensure that you enter your vehicle information to get the camera that fits your vehicle.
d). Bracket Mounting
This is a universal approach and comes with an adjustable bracket that allows you to mount your pick wherever you want.
6. Parking Lines
Look for 'selectable parking lines' as an option on your camera of choice before purchasing it. This gives you the flexibility of choosing whether or not to use the parking lines when you are backing out of precarious positions.
Some cameras allow you to remove these features during the installation of the camera. Another option to look out for is 'active parking lines.' This is when the parking lines bend as you turn your steering wheel as the sensors predict your trajectory in reverse.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I choose a backup camera?
Check your vehicle's make, then ensure that the backup camera you want is compatible with your vehicle. Countercheck that it matches the correct interface to get the signal from your screen. Take note that if you opt for a wireless system, it will draw power from your car, although it'll use radio frequencies to transmit the images to your monitor from the camera.
2. Which is better? Wired or wireless camera?
The advantage is that the wired camera has a direct connection to your car's screen. This means that frequently, the image quality will be better than a wireless backup camera. This is also because the wiring can receive the image faster and handle more data than a wireless camera.
Nonetheless, both of these options are great, and the decision rests with you and your preferences.