When it comes to enhancing your safety behind the wheel, it’s hard to beat a rear view mirror camera. Standard mirrors aren’t the best tool for estimating distance while driving and will leave you with a dangerous blind spot.

Installing a rear view mirror camera will widen your field of view, giving you more visual info when backing out of your driveway or changing lanes. Many mirror dash cams will also record your activity on the road in case of an accident. The best part is that the video feed is displayed on your rear view mirror itself so everything feels intuitive and natural.

Backing into your garage or a tight parking space becomes much easier when you can better see your surroundings. Let’s get right into your best options.

Best Overall – TOGUARD 12″ 2.5K Mirror Dash Cam

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• 2.5k resolution with 1080p night vision
• Full voice control
• GPS tracker
• Additional parking assistance

The TOGUARD 2.5K was the first dash cam to incorporate voice commands fully. Instead of taking your eyes off the road to fiddle with a touchscreen, you can speak a few simple phrases to achieve the same result. Hands-free is undoubtedly the future of car safety.

In terms of the design, the TOGUARD looks a lot like other backup cameras. It has a 12-inch rounded screen that replaces your stock mirror. It uses a high-quality mesh to protect the front camera and monitor, enhancing its durability on the road.

The other standout feature is the G-sensor that locks in the footage if it detects your car has been in an accident. The ability to automatically save footage is a priceless feature considering how crucial to have as much evidence as possible after a collision.

Pros

• Voice control is responsive, making it a perfect tool for hands-free adjustments on the go
• The built-in G-sensor automatically locks what it was recording during an accident
• It’s easy to install this camera in minutes; it attaches directly to the original rear view mirror with a strap
• The anti-glare mirror is easy to see even during the daytime
• Customer support is helpful and responsive no matter what problem you have

Cons

• There is no built-in GPS system, so you can’t check your route, speed, or navigation
• The rear view mirror dash sometimes has minor lag
• VanTop H612T 12″ 4K rear Camera

Best Value – VanTop H612T 12” 4K Front and Rear View Dash Cam

Last update on 2021-07-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

• 4K Dual Cams with wide field-of-view
• Starlight super night vision for safety after dark
• Backup camera plus parking assistance
• 12-inch IPS display to see more at once

The VanTop H612T is another excellent choice for protecting yourself on the road. This setup includes dual cameras that record both what’s behind and in front of you. These cameras also have additional parking assist features like a parking guard and a wide dynamic range (WDR).

Most notably, this VanTop model includes an ultra-HD camera with clearer footage than its other models. You also have the choice of operating both H612T cameras at 1440p, capturing more of your environment at a consistent quality. The 12-inch screen display 20 percent more activity than a standard 10-inch mirror.

Finally, the VanTop also comes with starlight night vision to ensure you’re still protected even in the middle of the night.

Pros

• Hands-free control thanks to voice commands
• Compatible with most vehicles
• Comes with a parking monitor, loop recording, and other assist features

Cons

• Customer service isn’t the most helpful
• Not compatible with electric mirrors
• Voice control can pick up random road noise from outside your car

Best for Compatibility – NikoMaku Rear View Mirror Camera

Last update on 2021-09-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

• OEM design
• Compatible with 70 percent of vehicles on the market
• Parking assistance functionality
• Full touch screen

At first glance, the NikoMaku front and rear dash cam can look underwhelming. In practice, it installs quickly and works efficiently — two essential aspects of any useful safety feature.

Other features include a parking lot monitor mode that keeps recording when your car is left unattended. The monitor lets you playback recorded video and displays the date and time on the right-hand side. The mirror dash cam can also show speed and GPS directions.

One important thing to remember is that this camera requires an SD card but doesn’t come with one. Fortunately, SD cards are relatively cheap nowadays, a small oversight.

Pros

• Both cameras record at full 1080p HD at 30 FPS
• The supplier offers two types of brackets for mounting
• The screen is high quality and has a very wide viewing angle

Cons

• You have to get in touch with the supplier to request the alternate bracket
• Reflections make it hard to see the screen in daylight

Best for 24-hour Monitoring – WOLFBOX 12“ Mirror Dash Camera

Last update on 2021-09-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

• 12-inch IPS screen with full touch capability
• Free SD card for recording
• Superior night vision
• Records in 1296p HD quality

The WOLFBOX rear view mirror camera plays back crystal clear video whether it’s the middle of summer or the middle of a pitch-black night. The 12-inch anti-glare LCD excels under nearly all lighting conditions and reflects little of its immediate environment. The screen is easily WOLFBOX’s star pupil thanks to its curved design; it’s more comfortable to see while driving.

Additionally, the dash cam comes with lane departure warning, GPS function, loop recording, and even a live-stream process. With a full suite of smart driving functions available with the WOLFBOX, it’s almost a wonder that others don’t model their backup cameras after it.

You can also use the split-screen function to view both camera feeds simultaneously.

Pros

• The 1296p resolution gives you a crisp image from both the front camera and rear camera
• The combination of a 12-inch LCD with split-view support is advantageous
• It’s effortless to install
• The 500MP lens outscores most of the competition
• You don’t need to buy additional accessories

Cons

• The screen still suffers from slight glare when it’s directly under the sun
• The rubber straps aren’t the highest quality and can wear down

Best for Easy Installation – AUTO-VOX T2 Rear View Mirror Backup Camera

Last update on 2021-09-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

• Installation to your car only takes four steps in most cases
• 480p sharp image
• 170-degree wide viewing angle
• IP68 waterproof backup camera
• Original Equipment look

Like many rear view mirror camera setups, the AUTO-VOX comes with a glare-free display. As a bonus, you can adjust the brightness of the T2 camera with ease. Both the front and rear view cameras support night vision for safety no matter what time you drive your car.

The camera comes with additional tools if it’s not compatible with your car out of the box. Having to adapt a vehicle adds to installation time, of course, but it’s not too bad. Once you’re done, you get the same benefits.

The rear view mirror dash camera comes with a Sony sensor designed to survive impact. For further protection, the AUTO-VOX includes a parking mode that protects the car even when you’re not driving it. If someone collides with your parked vehicle the g sensor will activate, causing the front and rear dash cam to lock 30 seconds of footage. Both cameras also support night vision for driving your car in low light.

Pros

• Both cameras feature anti-glare technology
• Both cameras can record at 1080p
• Rugged construction prevents premature wear and tear
• GPS tracking mode is available
• Both cameras capture video even when it’s bright out

Cons

• The display can sometimes be a bit fiddly
• The product packaging is a little cheap

Best for Responsive Touch – VanTop H610 10″ 2.5K Mirror Dash Cam

Last update on 2021-07-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

• Dual cams with 2.5K resolution
• Enhanced starlight vision for driving in low light conditions
• Responsive 10-inch touchscreen
• Backup camera with parking assist features
• Easy to install in your car

The VanTop front and rear dash cam setup comes with a 10-inch touchscreen display that can record in Ultra HD. The cameras are also waterproof, so you have protection even when it’s raining. They’re also well constructed and durable.

The VanTop H610’s 2.5K resolution footage is nearly picturesque as it can reveal clear license plates from a long distance day or night. The vivid display is eye-catching and also adds a certain elegance to a vehicle.

Together, the two lenses encompass a vast 300 degrees of vision. With fewer blind spots and a responsive design, the VanTop H610 is well-equipped to keep you safe on the highway and in the parking lot.

Pros

• The adjustable lenses cover a 300-degree view
• The waterproof cameras are suitable no matter what the weather is like
• 2.5D glass protects the display
• Anti-glare technology prevents light reflection

Cons

• Customer support is less responsive
• Rear View Mirror Camera Buyer’s Guide

Why It’s a Good Idea to Get a Rear View Mirror Camera for Your Car

When you shift your car into reverse, a backup camera can show you the things you wouldn’t otherwise see behind you. Automakers have been required to include cameras in their new models since May 2018. However, there are plenty of aftermarket options if yours didn’t come with one. Many aftermarket cameras will work with any vehicle even without GPS navigation capability.

Front and rear dash cam setups give a driver a much more accurate idea of the obstacles surrounding the car. There are many reasons to consider installing one, but three reasons stand out the most.

Car Safety

The most obvious benefit of a rear-facing camera is that it can prevent injury or death. These cameras can detect a person about to walk by that you can’t otherwise see from the driver’s seat. Children and pets are the most at risk because they are often too short for drivers to see. An HD mirror cam can also increase the width of the image, further eliminating blind spots.

Parking

Front- and rear-facing cameras can also make parking safer and quicker. Nearly all camera systems include on-screen guidelines to help you park straight. Most backup systems also play a warning tone to alert the driver if he’s backing up too close to a pole or similar obstacle.

Insurance Benefits

Finally, your car insurance company might offer a discount for installing a new safety feature. Insurance companies want you to be safe on the road; it’s just common sense. That’s why cars without safety features usually fetch higher premiums.

Installing a Mirror Camera

It’s not hard to install an aftermarket camera in your car. Some systems mount onto a license plate frame using little more than a screwdriver. Others may require you to drill holes or add a few extra tools to install them to a bumper cover or a rear trim piece. Of course, dual camera systems double the installation time. The specifics will depend on the exact model you choose, so consult with the manual after you make your purchase.

Features to Consider

Having a rear view mirror camera in your car rewards you with a well-lit, wide-angle view of your surroundings. Whether you’re worried about safety, have a bad habit of backing up too far, or want to see something you’re towing, the decision to get a camera is a no-brainer. The real question is: Which is the right system for you?

Types of Rear View Mirror Cameras

I like to break down dash cams into four main categories:

Camera-only systems: If your car already comes with a stock screen, you can install this system in a pinch. You simply plug the rear camera’s video feed into your screen and you’re good to go!

All-in-one systems: These come with a display to mount into your vehicle if it doesn’t come with one. Installation can sometimes be a bit tricky – it totally depends on your vehicle.

Individual cameras and displays: These setups work together, but you have to buy them separately.

Cameras and mirror display bundles: This type of rear view camera shows it’s feed on the rear view mirror whenever you shift to reverse.

Camera-only systems are the least expensive since you don’t need to buy a display. They integrate with the car’s electrical system and outputs everything to the stock screen in the dash. It’s important to verify that the camera is compatible with your car’s make and model before shelling out the money for it.

All-in-one systems come with a display and may either be wired or wireless. Wireless all-in-one systems use radio frequencies to transmit the feed from the dash cam to the display. Certain wireless models may work with a portable navigation system.

Finally, cameras and display bundles transmit the feed’s image to a replacement rear view mirror in your car. This is the type of rear view mirror camera being reviewed here.

The Top Features of a Quality Rear View Mirror Camera

Camera Quality

The resolution of a mirror cam determines how clear and accurate the image will be. Considering that this image could be the one piece of evidence you have after a collision, it is vitally important that it captures every detail possible. Generally, you should look for the highest resolution possible. These days, there’s no excuse to get anything less than 720p HD; you wouldn’t be able to make out car models, license plates, or faces with a lower resolution.

Ideally I would look for a 1080p mirror dash cam that can capture high quality video. The back up camera should have a wide angle lens if possible so that it doesn’t miss anything critical.

Generally the front camera and rear camera should both record be the same type.

Display Quality

Similar to above, it is a measure of how clear the little screen that will display the live video feed is. When you are reversing your car you want to be able see clearly what is behind you for obvious reasons! The camera and display resolutions should be the same – they should record and display at the same video quality.

I prefer my dash cam to have an IPS full touch screen which displays in high definition. IPS is just the type of technology used in the screen, it simply looks more natural and pleasing to the eye.

Obstructive Design

The best rear view mirror cameras will not obstruct your view after installation. Ideally, it should take up no more space than your naked mirror occupies. With that in mind, you still need to see the display without straining yourself. I would recommend a model designed to replace your rearview mirror because it’s high enough to avoid obstruction of your view.

Loop Recording

Loop recording is a simple yet convenient feature to consider when you’re looking for a backup camera. Its purpose is to keep recording even if your memory card runs out of space. Loop recording goes back to the beginning and overwrites the oldest footage on your SD card, effectively recording forever.

Night Vision

Accidents don’t just happen in the daytime; you need to have protection when it’s dark out, too. I would always recommend a rear view mirror camera with night vision and accept nothing less. Even though many cities use street lights, you can’t always rely on them to provide sufficient illumination to record license plates in detail. Protect yourself and always go for the camera that can record at night.

Image Quality

I touched on this with the resolution section, but it’s so important that it bears repeating: You need to know that you’ll get a good picture with your camera. To some degree, you get what you pay for in this aspect. As long as you’re focusing on high-resolution cameras that support super night vision, you’re in good hands.

Durability

Never underestimate how fragile technology can be! It’s crucial to know that your rear view mirror camera can withstand the elements and last for years of driving. The best dash cams, such as the ones I reviewed, can also take a few hits without disrupting the video feed.

Durability is even more important for a dash camera you plan to mount outside the car since they’re more likely to take damage. Cameras that can function in all conditions are often waterproof, and many other durable cameras are even shockproof.

Functionality

When I say functionality, I mean the way you plan to use the mirror dash cam. Do you need one that can easily rotate and change angles? Do you need something that automatically records without making those adjustments? Maybe you would benefit from a technologically advanced system instead. This one is entirely about personal preference.

For me, one of the most important features in a dash camera is the functionality of the touch screen. It must be very easy to use and sensitive to the touch. I don’t want to be constantly struggling to use the thing while I am driving down the highway!

Cost

Finally, how much do you want to spend on this new device? If you want something simple and straightforward, you won’t have to pay a fortune. However, if you want the best rear view mirror camera available on the market, you will need to pay a bit more. High resolution, low light sensitivity and dual lens are all features which will cost you extra. Either way, you should establish your budget before shopping around.