If you require a quick answer, the best reversing camera is the PARKVISION ZL-191M and it’s designed to connect with your car’s stereo to provide unbeatable video quality. However, if you would prefer a wireless reversing camera, the AUTO-VOX TD-2 is the best alternative that’s very easy to install and comes with a 4.3 inch LCD display.
To rate the reversing cameras within this article, we based our recommendations on installing multiple kits, plenty of research and a number of factors. Some of the factors that we considered included the type (wired or wireless), viewing angle, quality of the components supplied, functionality, video quality, ease of installation, warranty and value for money.
Best Reversing Camera Overview
- Best Overall: PARKVISION ZL-191M
- Best Wireless: AUTO-VOX TD-2
- Best For Motorhome: Yakry Kit
- Best Wired With Screen: BOSCAM K3
- Best Mirror: AUTO-VOX T1400W
- Best Quality: Alpine HCE-C1100 HDR
- Best Budget: POMILE PYM
Although the majority of cars feature rear parking sensors, with a reverse camera system installed, you are able to see any hazards before getting too close. Whether you want to wire a camera into your stereo, rear view camera or use a wireless alternative, they are available in a wide range of kits.
Below is a list of the best reversing cameras that are easy to install and increase your rear view safety.
The Best Reversing Cameras
1. Best Overall: PARKVISION ZL-191M
The PARKVISION ZL-191M is a highly rated reversing camera that’s designed to connect with your stereo. Although there are plenty of cheaper alternatives, this particular setup has been built without compromise. It features a high sensitivity CMOS sensor and a 155 degree viewing angle for the best possible footage during the day or night.
- 155 degree viewing angle
- RCA video cable interface
- Parking line selection
- IP68 waterproof rated
- Superior night vision quality
- Supplied with all hardware and cabling
- Installation may require some DIY knowledge
Overall, the PARKVISION ZL-191M ticks all the boxes and it’s built to a much higher standard than other comparable alternatives. No other similar priced cameras come close to the video quality and it certainly won’t disappoint.
2. Best Wireless: AUTO-VOX TD-2 Reverse Camera
If you would prefer a hassle-free wireless reversing camera, the AUTO-VOX TD-2 is the best option. It comes as a complete kit that includes a 4.3 inch LCD display, digital transmitter and a charger that doubles up as a USB car charger. The only wiring that’s required is connecting a wire to the reverse light and another to a metal ground.
- 140 degree viewing angle
- Wireless installation
- IP68 waterproof rated
- Sensitive CMOS sensor
- Stick on camera
- Relatively expensive when compared to other wireless reverse cameras
Although expensive, the AUTO-VOX TD-2 is the best wireless reversing camera in the UK. It’s easy to install, provides excellent video quality and even has a spare USB port for charging other devices too.
3. Best For Motorhome: Yakry Reversing Camera Kit
If you are willing to invest slightly more for something quite special, the Yakry kit is a great option to consider. It’s a wireless reversing camera system that allows you to add up to 4 cameras for viewing your vehicle at all angles. Although this may not be desirable for most cars, if you drive a motorhome or van, this may be exactly what you require.
In terms of viewing the video from the cameras, you have the choice of selecting between multiple full screens or using the pre-programmed split or quad screen.
- Easy to install to your van or motorhome
- Backed by a two year warranty
- Optional backup lines and image flip modes
- High quality image footage (1080P HD)
- Strong wireless signal (up to 97 metres)
- Large 7 inch screen
- The most expensive reversing camera within this article
Although expensive, the Yakry wireless camera system is by far the best option for motorhomes or other large vehicles. The fact that you can add up to 4 cameras means that you can monitor each and every angle of your vehicle.
4. Best Wired With Screen: BOSCAM K3 Reversing Camera Kit
The BOSCAM K3 is the perfect alternative to the AUTO-VOX above but rather than being wireless, it has a wired installation. Although this may be more time consuming, the kit is a lot cheaper, which is of course a great bonus
- 4.3 inch LCD monitor
- IP68 waterproof rating
- Easy installation
- 170 degree field of view
- Auto display parking image
- Selectable parking guidelines
- Backed by a 1 year warranty
- 8 metre long cables (ideal for motorhomes)
- Night vision image quality could be improved
Overall, the BOSCAM K3 is an excellent all-round reversing camera and a great alternative if you don’t have a compatible stereo. It’s easy to install, provides a clear view and it won’t disappoint once installed in your car.
5. Best Mirror: AUTO-VOX Reverse Camera Mirror
Another aftermarket reverse camera type is one that connects with your rear view mirror and by far the most popular is another device by AUTO-VOX. It’s a wireless reversing camera that can be installed in a matter of minutes using the bracket that connects over the top of your existing rear view mirror.
- 6 LED’s for superior video quality at night
- IP67 waterproof rating
- 4.3 inch LCD display
- Automatically adjusts brightness
- Easy DIY installation
- Supplied with all the installation hardware
- Can make your rear view mirror look and feel bulky
The AUTO-VOX Rear Camera Mirror is a high quality bit of kit that’s easy to install and use. The only drawback is that it can make your rear view mirror fairly bulky. However, on the flip side, it makes reversing your car far easier because you have both the video image and the mirror to look at as you are reversing your car.
6. Best Quality: Alpine HCE-C1100 HDR
For those that own an aftermarket double din head unit and want a matching branded reverse camera, the Alpine HDR is the perfect solution. The kit has recently been improved to include smaller connectors and this makes installing the reverse camera and cables much easier when compared to the previous generation.
- Fast exposure adjustment whilst moving from dark to bright
- High quality night-view capabilities
- Supplied with camera mounting
- RCA video signal output
- Reverse signal synchronisation
- 131 degree horizontal viewing angle
- 103 degree vertical viewing angle
- More than double the price when compared to the alternatives from lesser known brands
The Alpine HCE-C1100 is a premium reversing camera that’s packed full of the latest technology and is also backed by a reputable brand. The new and improved design also makes it far easier to install, which is a great added bonus.
7. Best Budget: POMILE PYM Car Reversing Camera
One of the cheapest reversing camera kits that’s actually worth buying is by the Pomile brand. Unlike similarly priced alternatives, this particular camera is built to a much higher standard and has an IP68 waterproof rating.
- CMOS sensor
- 140 degree viewing angle
- IP68 waterproof rating
- Supplied with all connectors and cables
- Resolution rated at 1280 x 720
- Camera is slightly larger than the alternatives
Overall, the Pomile PYM Kit is the best value reverse camera on the market that’s easy to install and provides great video quality. It’s not as small as the Alpine alternative but for the money, you cannot go wrong with this camera.
How We Rated
Rather than spending a fortune buying a reverse camera from the dealership, there are plenty of cheaper aftermarket kits available that offer additional functionality.
With regards to the installation, as long as you are happy to route the wire from the back of the head unit to the rear of your car, a wired installation isn’t too difficult. However, if you want a quick installation, a wireless reversing camera is advised. More often than not, the wireless reverse cameras work with additional cameras, which is a great bonus if you drive a large van, motorhome or HGV and require additional footage of your surroundings.
To keep up with our commitment to testing and reviewing the latest reversing cameras (for this article), we’ve installed each of the different types in our own, family and friends’ cars. As you can see in the photos below, the wireless reverse camera was installed in a friend’s work van whereas the others were in our personal cars.
During testing, we judged the reverse cameras on the ease of installation, quality of the footage, quality of the kit and all the reverse camera’s functionality. Compared to previous reverse cameras that we’ve installed in the past, the quality of the footage has certainly improved and even the budget options provide impressive video quality.
As well as trying and testing multiple reversing cameras, we also based our recommendations on hours of research and several factors. Some of the factors we considered included the type (wired or wireless), viewing angle, quality of the components supplied, functionality, video quality, ease of installation, warranty and value for money.
Conclusion
For those that find reverse parking tricky, investing in one of the above reversing cameras is highly recommended. They help to get you into tight spaces with ease and provide an extra field of vision. All of our reverse camera recommendations are suitable for all budgets and include each type to best suit your requirements.
In terms of the installation, most come as a DIY kit and are relatively simple to install. However, if the installation isn’t something you are confident in doing, any competent audio installer will be able to fit the camera in less than 2 hours.
If you require further information regarding any of our reverse camera recommendations, feel free to get in touch and we will try to help out where possible.
