Best Backup Cameras of 2023, Tested

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We pored over pixels, sought the opinions of Car and Driver editors, and ran our Corolla through an obstacle course to see which rearview camera is the best.

Since 2018, the U.S. Department of Transportation has mandated that every car coming off a production line features a backup camera as a standard component. While this is a welcome driver aid for buyers of new cars, what if you want to add one to your older vehicle or improve the quality of the one that came with your new car? Simple, you buy an aftermarket option and install it yourself.

Unfortunately, the market is muddled with misleading claims, poorly built cameras, and enough cables and wiring to span the globe. Thankfully for you, the Gear Team got their hands on some of the most popular models on the market and put them to the test.

The fundamental task of a backup camera is to provide a clear, real-time view of what's behind your vehicle. Look for models that deliver high resolution, crisp imagery, and excellent contrast. The wider the field of view, the more you can see—but a balance must be struck to avoid fisheye distortion.

Whether it's an overcast day, dusk, dawn, or the middle of the night, you need a backup camera that performs reliably in all lighting conditions. Look for a camera with a good low-light rating to ensure visibility even in the dark.

There's a lot of confusion when it comes to "wireless" backup cameras. With few exceptions, almost no backup cameras are entirely wireless. Permanently installed cameras need a power source, and even cameras that don't connect directly to the display still need power. Most often, this is done by hard-wiring the camera to the reverse lights so the camera turns on only when your vehicle is shifted into reverse. Fully wired models typically use a standard 12-volt cigarette lighter port, which sometimes powers both the camera and the display through a single connection.

Ease of installation can vary between each of these systems, and both wired and wireless models have limitations in terms of how far the camera can be from the display. So take all of this into consideration when making your purchase.

Consider the complexity of the installation process. Some cameras may require professional installation, especially if you're uncomfortable dealing with your car's electrical system.

A backup camera must withstand a range of harsh conditions, including rain, snow, and extreme temperatures. Prioritize cameras with high waterproof and dustproof ratings to ensure longevity.

Some backup cameras include onscreen guidelines to help you gauge the distance between your car and obstacles. These lines can be helpful for many drivers, although some may prefer a cleaner display without these lines.

If your vehicle doesn't already have a screen in the dashboard, you'll need a backup-camera system that includes a monitor. The size of the screen is a key consideration. Too small, and you may struggle to see details; too large, and it could obstruct your view or further clutter your cockpit. Additionally, if you're integrating the camera into an existing infotainment system, ensure it's compatible.

More expensive models generally come with better features like high-definition imagery, superior night vision, and enhanced durability. However, there are also budget-friendly options that don't compromise too much on quality. Define your budget and understand the features most important to you to find a backup camera that provides the best value.

Like all of our tests, we wanted to compare different types of backup cameras to find which ones suit certain situations better than others. We gathered objective data to support our recommendations, along with subjective opinions from the Car and Driver staff. To wrap it all up, we built a makeshift obstacle course to determine just how helpful these little devices are.

Here are the parameters we measured in our backup-camera test:

After testing out each backup camera, we determined the best one for different situations and uses. Without further ado, let's back right up into the results.

Welcome to the future. The Wolfbox G840S has it all and then some: a massive 12.0-inch display that doubles as a mirror, a high-quality camera that performs fantastically well both day and night, and an integrated dashcam built into the display for recording what's going on in front of you as well.

Setup for this camera is mostly straightforward. The mirror display is powered via a 12-volt cigarette lighter plug, which also charges the internal super capacitor for snapping photos even when your vehicle is off. The camera is powered via a hard-wired connection, and the video signal is sent over a cable, which terminates in a mini-jack that plugs into the mirror display. This does mean you'll have a cable running through your vehicle, but the 20-foot length should be more than enough to tuck it away out of sight as much as possible.

As visible in the image above, the touchscreen display for this camera is actually an attachment you strap over your rearview mirror. When the display isn't active, it works perfectly fine as a rearview mirror, but turn it on and put your car in reverse, and you get a high-definition image from one or both of the cameras in the system. In addition to the 1080p rearview camera, you also get a 4K dashcam built into the mirror attachment.

Both camera feeds can be shown on the display at the same time, or you can view just one at a time for a better field of view. Beyond simply showing the camera feeds, the Wolfbox G840S can also record video from one or both of the cameras at the same time. Other neat features include a gyro-based automatic recording mode, loop recording for constantly documenting your driving, and even a time-lapse parking monitor mode that will snap a still image once a second to help you see if anything happened to your vehicle while you were away.

Of all the cameras we tested, the image quality from this system is unmatched. This is likely aided by the high-quality display. The sensors and lenses are very capable, providing excellent low-light video with negligible flaring when cars or lights are behind you.

While it does require you to retrofit the display over your existing mirror, this backup camera and dashcam system are levels above nearly everything else we tested and a great value as a whole.

Of all the cameras we tested, the LeeKooLuu Backup Camera had the most straightforward installation process. It was as simple as running the camera cable from the trunk of the car through the cabin to the front seat, where it plugs into the display. That display, in turn, is plugged into a 12-volt cigarette lighter plug, which powers the entire system. This does mean you're limited by the 30-foot cable, but that length should be more than enough for all but the longest of pickup trucks or RVs.

Image quality is lacking across the board, with low resolution and less than stellar nighttime performance. But it's more than clear enough to see any reasonable obstacles with relative ease. And while the cables might be a pain, being hard-wired means there's essentially zero lag between what the camera is capturing and what's shown on the display.

This system didn't "wow" us in any sense of the word—but considering how tough some of these backup cameras were to install, we very much appreciated the plug-and-play nature of this system.

The EWay Wi-Fi Backup Camera isn't your standard backup camera. This entirely wireless system is a use-as-needed camera designed to be magnetically attached to the back of a car, trailer, RV, or whatever else you might be towing. It's powered via an internal battery that's charged over USB-C and uses a local Wi-Fi connection to display the image on your smartphone.

While the setup is straightforward, the instructions are confusing, and finding out which app to download can be tricky (hint: it's this one for Android and this one for iOS). Image quality was poor, but the wide-angle lens did allow for a comprehensive view of the backup area, particularly when the device was mounted higher on the vehicle.

And while its setup simplicity is nice, it also means you'll need to attach the camera every time you want to use it, ensure it's charged between uses, and connect your phone to its local hotspot every time. Not exactly elegant. But if you use it on an RV or trailer, as is recommended, it's a simple solution for retrofitting older equipment with the modern convenience of being able to see whether or not you're peeling a hole in the side of your '80s Airstream.

While the name Garmin might conjure fond memories of a decade-long sweet spot between Mapquest and the advent of Apple/Google Maps, the navigation gurus also make backup cameras such as the Garmin BC 40.

While this tiny camera is convenient in that it is wireless between the camera and display (when hard-wired into a 12-volt power source such as a reverse light connection), that display must be one of Garmin's compatible navigation units. That means unless you already have one of said units, you're not only shelling out for the $150 camera but also for one of Garmin's GPS modules, which may or may not be overkill. For our test, we used the BC 40 alongside Garmin's DriveSmart 65 GPS unit.

Image quality from the BC 40 looked great in daylight conditions and offered a nearly 180-degree field of view, meaning everything from the plane of the backup camera was visible. Dynamic range is decent and despite the signal being entirely wireless, there was almost zero lag. Image quality changed dramatically in low-light conditions, however. As you can see from the image below (which was captured with a perfectly clean lens), any light behind the camera caused terrible flares, washing out the image and making it very difficult to back up, particularly in a crowded parking lot as headlights go by.

While we're not optical engineers, we do have experience using and writing about cameras and lenses in the photography world, and it's quite clear that Garmin failed to put any kind of optical coatings on the lens elements and failed to properly protect the ultra-wide-angle lens from stray light. Considering the image quality looked great when we tested blocking stray light from above, it's a real shame this wasn't improved, as the sensor otherwise holds its own in both day and night.

If you already have a compatible Garmin GPS unit or planned on getting one anyway, the BC 40 might make sense for you. Outside of that, considering the investment required and the concerns with nighttime image quality, we can't recommend it.

Our parents always taught us to not say anything at all if we couldn't say anything nice. Unfortunately, our editor won't let us leave this section blank, so let's be frank: Don't pick the Auto Vox CS-2 backup camera. While it's one of the most purchased cameras on Amazon, everything about it proved to be a struggle.

Image quality was the worst out of every camera we tested, both during the day and at night. The wireless transmission proved very unreliable, and there was considerable lag between the camera and display. Once we got it set up, it did work—but getting there wasn't worth the price of admission. Considering the other options on the market, we can't recommend this backup camera.

Remember, kids: Just because something sells well on Amazon doesn't mean it's a fantastic product.

We know backup cameras are built to serve one purpose: allowing a driver to see obstacles behind them that might otherwise elude rearview mirrors. They can't be all that different, right? We set to work to answer this.

Our first step was to pull our trusty Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX up to the garage to be our test mule. We then built a way to provide constant power to these cameras and installed them near the license plate. Next, we routed everything back to the monitors on the dashboard to get a true in-car setup. Extensive notes were taken on this process, pointing out connectivity issues, cord lengths, and more.

Once everything was up and running, we called out Car and Driver staff members to get a good look at the backup camera displays. They then provided a clarity rating from 1–5 (5 being superb). We also ran through each display, taking even more notes on the user interface through menus, settings, and so on.

We set up five cones in five-foot segments behind the car to give a sense of the camera quality. We also considered the field of view, nighttime performance, and any other feature the camera provided.

To wrap everything up, we designed a special Gear Team Backup Crash Course to see if a backup camera would help us—you guessed it—not crash. A tight "S" was outlined in cones, dotted with obstacles like a grill, a minibike, and our team mascot, whose name we're still working on. By channeling our inner firework-dodging Terry, we found that putting it in reverse with a backup camera did help keep the car within the lines and away from these obstructions.

The best backup cameras provide high-resolution imaging, a wide field of view, night vision capabilities, reliable connectivity, and an easy-to-use interface. Additional features such as parking guidelines or collision warnings might be included in some models.

Installation complexity depends on the specific model. Some backup cameras are wireless and attach to your license plate, while others may require professional installation. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions to assess the installation process.

Most backup cameras are designed to be universal, but verifying that your selected model is compatible with your specific vehicle make and model is important.

Backup cameras are not only legal but are mandated on all new vehicles sold in the U.S. If you're retrofitting an older car, however, you should check your local laws to insure installation and operation are up to code.

High-quality backup cameras are designed to withstand various weather conditions, from extreme heat to freezing cold. And most do so with little issue in all but the most extreme conditions. Nevertheless, severe weather may affect visibility or operation.

Hearst Autos combines the talent, resources, and expertise of three of the largest, most influential automotive publications in the world. The Gear Team has tested a wide variety of automotive products, parts, accessories, and gear, such as car jacks, electric coolers, and electric car chargers. We get our hands on each and every product we test. Most are purchased; manufacturers supply some.

Hearst Autos doesn't need to game algorithms for traffic or promote lousy products to earn a buck. Instead, we're more concerned with our legacy, our reputation, and the trust our readers have in Autoweek, Car and Driver, and Road & Track to deliver honest opinions and expert evaluations.

Visit our Tested & Trusted page to see the very best in automotive gear. Read more about our product testing and evaluation process here.

Gannon Burgett loves cameras, cars, and coffee: a perfect combination for his Hearst Autos work. His byline has appeared in USA Today, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Digital Trends, the Detroit Free Press, and more.

Katherine Keeler is an Assistant Testing Editor at Hearst Autos. By day she evaluates tools for your enjoyment; by night, she Frankenstein’s her ever changing fleet of rust-bucket-oddities back to repair. Her dream is to open a roadside attraction where the public can view, drive, and learn repairs at her emporium of curious cars.

Collin Morgan is an Associate Commerce Editor at Hearst Autos, where the former Rust Belt mechanic and gadget enthusiast presents the best gear for your automotive endeavors.

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