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Best Car Backup Cameras for 2022

New cars are required to have backup cameras installed in them before they leave the factory, but not everyone can afford the luxury of a brand-new 2023 model vehicle. That’s why you’re able to purchase a backup camera that you can install yourself. It’s a great purchase for anyone who drives, especially because it adds another layer of safety that you can’t have enough of. Some of the best backup cameras can be integrated with your dash cam. Investing in a backup camera is a safe and affordable way to improve your visibility while driving and can help in situations where you are parallel parking or checking for blind spots.

Many of us are still driving vehicles made before 2018, but don’t fret if you’re feeling left out. There are plenty of aftermarket cameras designed for these older vehicles that you can install yourself. All you need to do is attach the backup camera to the rear of your car (preferably as close to the center of the car as possible) and send the footage to a monitor attached to a console display, your dashboard or an inset screen on your rearview mirror, giving you better visibility with no straining to see your blind spots while going in reverse.

Some backup cameras give you a simple rear view, while others use a wide angle or even a series of cameras to simulate a bird’s-eye view of your car and its surroundings (especially useful for a large vehicle). Some of the best backup cameras have a sensor that produces a beeping sound when your car gets close to another object. Most will at least have a grid of lines that appears on the screen to provide context for how close you are to objects in view. 

Just because you have a rearview camera, though, doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it. You can always upgrade your backup cam — you might even be able to add an additional camera to an existing system if you’ve got the technical know-how to wire it properly or know someone who does. 

Here are our picks for the best backup cameras in a variety of categories, based on expert opinions and consumer ratings. And be sure to continue reading for some pro tips on picking the right rear camera system for you.

Comparison of the best backup cameras

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Backup cameras are required by law now in all new vehicles, but owners of older cars can get one by looking to the aftermarket.

Jon Wong/CNET Cars

What to look for in a backup camera

For starters, there are three main categories to consider: wired backup cameras, wireless backup cameras and smartphone backup cameras. Wired cameras are hooked to output screens with wires, which means the connection is stronger, but professional installation may be required. 

Wireless cameras are easy to install since there are no wires or cables connecting the camera to the monitor (there may still be cables connecting them to power sources), but the connection may be spotty, especially in bad weather. If you have continued problems with your screen capturing images from the camera, you’ll need to talk to a professional (and potentially even switch to a wired camera). Don’t be discouraged, though — any kind of camera can likely be fixed. “Take it to [a service center] to figure out what’s wrong with it,” advises Zoriy Birenboym, CEO of eAutoLease.com. Birenboym spent over 15 years in the auto industry as a salesman before founding the online auto leasing company. “It should be an easy fix if nothing is wrong with the wires.”

Smartphone cameras are wireless and use smartphones as displays, making them easier to use but also introducing even more potential connection issues. You also might want to consider your phone’s screen size. “Make sure the screen is large enough for you to get a clear view,” says Harry Anapliotis, marketing director and full stack developer at Rental Center Crete, a rental car agency that’s been serving the Greek island for over 45 years. “Its sole purpose is to show you what’s behind you and it’s no good if you’re squinting to see the screen.”

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The eRapta ERT01 is an affordable backup camera for vehicles that already have a compatible screen.

eRapta

There are also features available in certain backup cameras that might be important to you and variations among different cameras. For instance, different cameras have different fields of view, which determine how wide of a lens angle you can see behind you. Typically, angles around 165 to 170 degrees are the maximum, while angles under 120 degrees are considered too narrow by some. The larger the angle, though, the more distorted the image will be on your screen.

Some cameras also provide night vision to help you see in darkness and low light, but there’s an efficacy difference between military-grade night vision and standard night vision. The latter often simply means that one or more infrared lights have been added to the camera. Finally, as mentioned earlier, you can have the footage recorded by the camera sent to either a screen in your console, a mounted screen or an inset in your rearview mirror. You can pick whichever you prefer, but a dashboard or mounted screen will offer a larger image.

You also might need to moderate your hunt based on your vehicle. You can add a rear camera to just about any vehicle, but the details may change. For instance, many RV owners are particularly interested in backup cameras due to the difficulty that comes with maneuvering such large vehicles in reverse, but they may have to adjust their expectations in terms of cost and capability.

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For the best image quality, installing a wired backup camera system like this RVS-062710 on larger vehicles is recommended.

Rear View Safety

Like backup cameras for cars, RV cameras come in wired, wireless and smartphone varieties, but the connection between the cameras and screens in wireless models may be particularly unreliable in large vehicles, as the distance between them is increased. Likewise, a wired camera may cost more to install than it would in a car because of the size of the vehicle. RV cameras should also be mounted higher than they would be on a regular car, with 9 feet off the ground considered ideal.

In some ways, though, all cameras are the same. For instance, the quality of the view and the picture depends on your connection and some brands have a reputation for higher performance than others do. For car backup cameras, popular brands include Auto-Vox, Yada and LeeKooLuu. When it comes to RV cameras, some of the brands frequently cited as the best include Rear View Safety, 4Ucam and Furrion.

Finally, it’s important to remember that backup cameras come with their own rules. While they make driving in reverse easier and safer, they still can’t provide complete, 360-degree visibility (no matter what they claim), so it’s crucial to use your mirrors and remain attentive while you drive. There are also ways to wire your camera so that it’s on all the time, including when you’re driving forward — but is it worth it? You’ll get a better view of what’s going on behind your car, but it may also present a distraction while you drive, rather than help your view as it does when going in reverse.

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The Toguard system features both a backup camera and a forward-facing dash camera.

Toguard

What to expect to spend on — and get from — a backup camera

Price is a major concern when selecting a backup camera and prices can vary widely. Based on a number of factors, such as the type and brand of camera and whether or not you already have a dashboard screen, they can range from $10 to $500, or even more for larger vehicles. The cost simply depends on the equipment you need and the equipment you already have. This is evident in the way cameras for sale are typically grouped — they’re sold as camera units that hook to existing screens, individual components and all-in-one systems.

Installation is another concern. If you plan to install your camera on your own, make sure to set aside 3 hours for the job. If you need professional installation, that can set you back an additional $400 to $600. Before you make your decision, it’s important to remember that the most reliable backup wired cameras are also the most difficult to install. That said, the money and hard work can be worth it — if you get the right backup camera, install it properly and take care of it, it can provide you with 10 years of safer driving. “It might get outdated and not have all the best features,” says Birenboym, “but it should have enough life to last that long.”

“People report backup cameras lasting anywhere between a month to 10 years, which tells us that what we really need when looking for a backup camera is something that is sturdy and something that comes with a warranty (just in case)!” says Michael Lowe, CEO of Car Passionate. “The hope is that the camera will last as long as you own the car, but cars are sturdy and cameras not as much. So when you are buying, it’s worth considering whether [the camera] comes in a protective case that can help protect against mishaps or falls. Aside from all the snazzy features, what you want is a product that does what it says on the tin and can last the distance.”

The Auto-Vox CS-2 backup camera system comes with a 4.3-inch monitor.

Auto-Vox

If you’ve decided you want to install your camera yourself but you’re intimidated by the prospect of the job, you should consider a license plate backup camera. Some of these wireless backup camera systems are mounted in license plate holders, while others can easily be attached to your existing holder. You’ll need to have a screen as well, whether it’s an existing one in your dashboard or a mounted monitor. Some of the most well-regarded license plate backup camera brands are LeeKooLuu and Esky.

A backup camera can be a large expense or a minor one, but possessing the necessary knowledge will help you make a fitting investment. In the end, what’s most important is that you’ll be driving more safely.

What you need to know before getting a backup camera

• Does your car already have a screen in the dashboard? If it does, you may be able to use it to display the camera’s images. But if it doesn’t, you’ll need to have someone install a mounting bracket for an LCD monitor or use a different viewing option. 
• Do you want a wired, wireless or smartphone camera system? Weigh the pluses and negatives of each type of camera and measure them against your personal needs and preferences before making a decision.
• Are there special concerns related to adding a backup camera to your vehicle? Depending on the size and shape of your vehicle, you may need to mount the camera in a different place, or you may find that a certain brand or model is better suited for the job.
• How much are you willing to spend? Backup cameras vary greatly when it comes to price, so it’s better to have a budget in mind before you start shopping. You must also allow for the cost for installation, if you don’t want to install the rearview backup camera yourself.
• Which model best suits your needs? Once you’ve answered all the other questions, you’ll be able to consult resources such as this list to find which backup camera is the best choice for you.

Written for CNET Cars by Scott Fried.

This list is updated with new products periodically.

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Backup camera FAQs

Best Backup Cameras For 2023 – Forbes Home

Since the U.S. Department of Transportation mandated backup cameras on all new vehicles, it’s hard to live without them. Backup cameras are an incredibly useful safety tool in everyday driving as they provide a clear and wide-angle rearward view of the vehicle when reversing. This helps prevent accidents by revealing what the eyes cannot see in a vehicle’s blind spot when looking behind and over your shoulder.

However, if you have an older vehicle manufactured prior to the 2018 model year, there’s a high chance that it didn’t come with a backup camera. Thankfully, the aftermarket has affordable units that you can retrofit to your vehicle. Like the ones already equipped from the factory, these aftermarket kits come with a mountable and tiny camera unit with an accompanying dashboard screen to display the picture.

These kits do require some modifications to your vehicle to mount the camera, such as snaking wires through the interior to connect to the display, finding a power source and a signal trigger to activate the camera when the vehicle is put into reverse. This typically means you’ll have to splice a wiring harness or connection somewhere for the camera to turn on when the vehicle is put into reverse gear. The alternative is to have the camera running all the time, though some may find this distracting during normal forward driving. The other alternative is to opt for a wireless unit.

Because the camera and portable display technology are cheap and widely available, there are tons of options available, many of which come with more functionality than just a backup camera. To make things easy, we’ve rounded up a very small list of some of the best units on sale today.

Show More

{{ showSummarySection ? ‘Hide Summary’ : ‘Show Summary’ }}

• Best Backup Cameras

• Auto-Vox CS2

• Auto-Vox T2 Backup Camera Rear View Mirror

• DoHonest S4

• Wolfbox G840H

• Garmin BC 30

• What’s the difference between a wired and wireless system?

• Methodology

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Information provided on Forbes Home is for educational purposes only. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances.

Forbes Home adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.

Why do we need a rear view camera in a car

01/19/2017

What is a rear view camera?

This attachment is a small device that is attached to the rear of the vehicle and transmits a signal to the monitor using various methods (wire, cord, wireless technology). The screen displays a complete picture of the rear view, including signs that facilitate the parking process.

These devices may differ in several ways:

• Monitor Color – Color or B&W.
• Monitor size that can be up to 10 inches.
• Camera viewing angle, which depends on the quality and technical characteristics of the equipment.
• Camera resolution – a parameter that determines the quality of the broadcast video.
• Complete set – some are presented with a separate camera in the complete set, or a complete set (monitor, mounting system).

Regardless of the parameters, all cameras perform the same function – they improve visibility and make it easier to drive the car if it is necessary to use reverse gear. Despite the rather high price of the device, it greatly facilitates parking and will save money that can be spent on repairing dents caused by collisions with foreign objects. Many Chinese cars are equipped with such cameras, but if it is not available, it is bought and installed on any car.

What cameras are for

It’s hard to say that this device is a mandatory attribute of every car, but its usefulness is simply impossible to deny. He will always help with the overview and prevent unwanted damage.

The need to place these cameras is due to several factors:

• Driver inexperience. In this case, the device helps to understand what is happening from the back of the car and cope with the controls.
• Constant trips to unfamiliar places where there is no way to constantly evaluate a parking space.
• Parking aid at night.
• The specifics of the car, which does not allow to fully visually assess the state of the rear view.

Considering all the factors, we can conclude that such cameras will be an excellent assistant not only for novice drivers, but also for experienced motorists.

Advantages and disadvantages of reversing cameras

By mounting the camera on your car, you get a wide viewing angle of up to 130°, as well as a high-quality image that symmetrically displays the rear of things. They are convenient to use and make it easy to drive a car without looking back.

The disadvantages of this viewing method include the rather high cost of instruments, installation and maintenance. In addition, a low-quality camera is unlikely to help you at night in an unlit area.

If you have not purchased a car yet and are thinking about buying it, we advise you to pay attention to models that already have such a camera. This saves you unnecessary installation costs and saves time. One of these cars is Geely Emgrand 7. A standard rear-view camera is included in its package, so when buying this car, there is no need to bother with installing video devices.

If you decide to take a closer look at a car with rear view cameras, then take a look at the DOLAVTO car dealership. We have a wide range of Chinese cars, which are equipped not only with rear view cameras, but also with other devices that increase the comfort of using cars. Contact us and you will receive detailed advice about all the brands presented in our showroom.

Reversing camera installation – correct connection!

Photo report of work

All certificates

With and without screen

For trucks and cars

Installing a rear or front camera for your make and model of car

• Display of the image on the radio screen
• Installation of the camera in 4. 5 hours in your presence
• Wiring under interior trim
• Installing a wireless rear view camera

Installing the rear view camera

The camera allows you to see a clear and sharp picture in any weather. Installation is usually 3 hours.

Front view camera installation

We install a front view camera in your car. It will not spoil the appearance and will not be noticeable at all. Installation is usually 3 hours.

Installing a rear view camera washer

By installing a rear view camera washer, you can see a clear and sharp picture in any weather. The washer is powered by a regular barrel and its installation takes 3 hours.

Front camera washer installation

We install a hidden front camera washer. It will not spoil the appearance and will not be noticeable at all. Installing the front washer usually takes 3 hours.

Reversing cameras: a good view when parking and maneuvering

Parking in narrow spaces and precise positioning when maneuvering a car requires special skills. The obstacle that will be in your way will be quickly identified and noticed by you. Reversing a truck, construction equipment or station wagon can be a problem even for experienced drivers.

Installing a wide-angle rear view camera allows you to get a better view of the rear of your car, station wagon, van, trailer, truck, SUV or bus on the monitor screen, and makes you more safe on the road. All incoming information can be seen both on the head unit screen and on the screen, which you can purchase separately and install on the dashboard or hide “under the visor”.

The video from the rear view camera is not only recorded on the monitor, but in addition to the sound signal, it also indicates whether there are obstacles behind or around the vehicle. For you, this means greater comfort and better orientation for the driver. Thus, you can easily perform “parking maneuvers” with an accuracy of a centimeter and see all this on the screen or hear a sound signal (modern cameras have such an option that will soon replace parking radars).

The guidance line, which shows you the exact limits of your maneuver, helps you determine the distance to obstacles. Guiding lines make it easy to maneuver even in difficult driving situations. This “traffic assistant” protects nerves, pedestrians and helps avoid costly vehicle damage. Paying attention to the trajectory of the movement, not only will you not get a picture with blind spots, and you will significantly reduce the risk of accidents.

Many new vehicles are not equipped with a rear view camera system from the factory and can only be fitted as an option. A rear view camera can be easily installed by hand in both new and used cars. Good value for money reversing cameras can be used in passenger cars, commercial vehicles, road vehicles and trucks. With all the richness of choice, you can install a universal rear view camera.

FAQ

• How does the rear view camera work?
• Where are rear view cameras used?
• What equipment is important for a rear view camera?
• How reliable are rear view cameras?
• How is the rear view camera attached?
• What are the benefits of a rear view camera?

How does the rear view camera work?

Vehicle specific rear view cameras operate similar to factory installed camera systems. One or more cameras record the environment at the rear of the vehicle and transmit the traffic image via cable or wireless network to a monitor that the driver can conveniently install and use as a traffic orientation aid. Modern rear view cameras come with a monitor that you can display in a convenient place for you.

Rear view camera kits contain everything you need to get started. The rear view camera is equipped with a cable for connecting, depending on the model of the camera you are installing, to the head unit or monitor.

Where are rear view cameras used?

Used to solve the most important task – error-free driving. The main criterion for choosing a rear view camera is the transfer of data from the camera to the display. You can choose between models with connection cable or wireless rear view camera.

Wired rear view cameras

When installing a rear view camera yourself, pay close attention to this. All data is transmitted via cable, which is not very convenient. Cable pulling usually takes 3 to 4 hours and for this procedure you need to disassemble your car. Wireless rear view cameras are now on sale, which will greatly simplify its installation for you.

Wireless rear view cameras

Some models of wireless rear view cameras use the screen of a paired smartphone to display an image from it. The devices do not require an additional screen, which makes installation easier and saves space. To do this, the driver must have a mobile phone (smartphone, tablet) at hand. To view, you’ll need a car phone holder that securely holds your smartphone.

Depending on the model, transmission is via analog radio transmission or digital radio transmission via WLAN or Bluetooth, which ensures secure data transmission. Please note when choosing : the range of WLAN cameras is longer than models with Bluetooth technology.

Vehicle specific rear view cameras

Vehicle specific rear view cameras are adapted to these vehicle types as indicated in the product description. They are suitable for installation in a standard car system and do not require an additional monitor to connect.

Rear view camera angle

The larger the camera angle, the more information you get on the monitor. Pay attention to the horizontal and vertical viewing angles indicated in the description when installing the rear view camera.

Wide viewing angle with reliable and least distorted information makes it easier for you to find your way when reversing. The position and distance of people and objects depends mainly on the camera lens and setting.

The cameras use a wide-angle lens with special lenses to capture as much of the area behind the car as possible. The image and distance on the monitor are very different from the actual image and distance, which provides a larger range of obstacle detection.

Additional display monitor

The choice of monitor depends on its size and good image quality. Smaller monitors display the video image at a minimum resolution and it will be difficult for you to see something in it. Be careful when buying a monitor for a rear view camera. The larger the LCD monitor and the higher the resolution, the more details can be recognized and the easier it is to determine the distance to an obstacle.

How to install a rear view camera yourself

Rear view cameras are easy to install. Installation of the rear view camera system is carried out in accordance with the attached instructions, depending on the type of vehicle, using a screw mount, magnet, clip, or you can install the camera using a license plate mount. The rear view camera is powered by electricity from the reversing lights.

Some manufacturers recommend installing a camera instead of a license plate light. In addition, the camera takes on the function of lighting. Mounting the camera under the luggage compartment handle and mounting above or below the license plate bracket has also proven to be effective. When installing, pay attention to the angle, the camera slightly tilted down in relation to the ground improves orientation.