Best Rearview Mirror with Backup Camera: 3 Mirrors That Show What Is Behind You

A rearview mirror with backup camera puts the view behind your car right where you already look: on the mirror. Instead of a small screen on the dash, the mirror itself becomes the display, and a small camera at the back of the car sends its picture to it. When you shift into reverse, the mirror shows the ground behind your bumper, the parking lines and anything in the way — and on the mirror dash cams in this roundup, it can show the road behind you while you drive, too.

The short answer: the best rearview mirror with backup camera for most drivers is a 12-inch clip-on mirror dash cam with a 4K front camera and a 1080p rear camera, a 9.35-inch replacement mirror with a laminated touchscreen, or a simple 7-inch clip-on mirror monitor with a license-plate camera. All three below are a rearview mirror with backup camera in one unit — the difference is whether the mirror clips over your factory mirror or replaces it, and whether it records video or only shows the rear view while you reverse. Pick the one that matches your car and how much installing you want to do.

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Quick Pick: Best Rearview Mirror with Backup Camera for Cars and Trucks

The Quick Pick labels describe the systems, not checked prices: the Pyle is the simplest, non-recording system here, and the AUTO-VOX is the full replacement mirror with a laminated touchscreen. Check the live listings for current prices before you buy.

WOLFBOX G840S: The Best Rearview Mirror with Backup Camera for a Big 4K Screen

The WOLFBOX G840S is the biggest mirror in this roundup: a 12-inch mirror dash cam that clips over your factory rearview mirror with rubber straps, so nothing is drilled and nothing is glued to the windshield. The front camera records in 4K (3840 x 2160) and the rear camera in 1080p, and the mirror shows both views on a split screen or one at a time. A 32GB card and an external GPS antenna are included in the box.

That 12-inch screen is what makes it the overall winner. A rearview mirror with backup camera is only useful if you can read the picture at a glance, and this mirror gives you more screen than the 9.35-inch and 7-inch mirrors below it. The front lens covers 170 degrees and the rear lens 140 degrees, so the blind spots at the corners are smaller, and the reversing guidelines on the rear view adjust in three levels when you back up.

The rear camera on this rearview mirror with backup camera is wired, not wireless: a cable runs from the camera at the back of the car to the mirror, which is how the picture stays steady. WOLFBOX states the rear camera cannot be installed wirelessly, and it is waterproof. Note that the G840S has no WiFi, despite the “5.8GHz WiFi” in the listing title — WiFi is on the G840H instead. The front and rear cameras record in a loop, overwriting the oldest unlocked footage when the card fills, and parking monitoring is available with a hardwire kit.

WOLFBOX G840S 12″ 4K Mirror Dash Cam Backup Camera on Amazon: 12-inch clip-on mirror dash cam, 4K front and 1080p rear cameras, wired rear camera, 32GB card and GPS included.

Buy the WOLFBOX G840S if: you want the best rearview mirror with backup camera for a big, easy-to-read screen — a 12-inch clip-on mirror that records front and rear and shows reversing guidelines when you back up.

AUTO-VOX V5 Pro: The Best Rearview Mirror with Backup Camera That Replaces Your Mirror

The AUTO-VOX V5 Pro is the only full replacement mirror in this roundup: a 9.35-inch OEM-style mirror that takes the place of your factory rearview mirror instead of clipping over it. The screen is a full laminated touchscreen, which cuts glare, and both the front and rear cameras record in 1080p. A Sony IMX307 sensor sits behind the front lens, and GPS is included, so the mirror can show speed and location data on the recording.

That replacement fit is what makes it the premium pick. A clip-on mirror adds bulk on top of your factory mirror; a rearview mirror with backup camera that replaces the factory mirror looks like it came with the car, with no straps and no second mirror edge showing. Our AUTO-VOX backup camera review covers the brand’s backup cameras in more detail, and the V5 Pro is the mirror dash cam in that family.

The trade-off is the install. The V5 Pro is a wired rearview mirror with backup camera: a cable runs from the rear camera to the mirror, the mirror is powered from the fuse box, and the mirror bracket must match your vehicle, so check fitment before you buy. Parking monitoring is built in, and the reversing guidelines on the rear view adjust when you shift into reverse. It records front and rear in a loop, like the WOLFBOX, and the touchscreen lets you switch views with a tap.

AUTO-VOX V5PRO 1080P 9.35” OEM Rear View Mirror Camera on Amazon: 9.35-inch replacement mirror, full laminated touchscreen, dual 1080p cameras, Sony IMX307 sensor, GPS, wired rear camera.

Buy the AUTO-VOX V5 Pro if: you want the best rearview mirror with backup camera that looks factory-fitted — a replacement mirror with a glare-free touchscreen and front-and-rear recording.

Pyle PLCM7200: The Best Rearview Mirror with Backup Camera for a Simple Setup

The Pyle PLCM7200 is the simplest system in this roundup: a 7-inch TFT/LCD mirror monitor that clips onto your existing rearview mirror, paired with a license-plate mount camera. The monitor shows the rear view when you shift into reverse, with distance scale lines on the screen to help judge how far back things are. The camera has a 170-degree viewing angle and night vision, and its waterproof rating is IP68.

That simplicity is what makes it the budget pick: a rearview mirror with backup camera that does one job — show you what is behind the car when you reverse. There is no dash-cam recording here and no touchscreen — the PLCM7200 is a monitor and a camera, and nothing more. The kit includes all the cables and wiring, the monitor runs on 12 volts, and the mirror assembly measures 10 inches wide. The screen resolution is 480 x 234 pixels, as listed in the Pyle user manual, which is lower than the two mirror dash cams above — the picture is a reversing aid, not a recording.

The rear camera is wired: a cable runs from the license-plate camera to the mirror, and the picture appears when the car is put in reverse. Because there is no recording, there is no memory card to manage and no footage to review — you fit it, wire it to the reverse light, and use it. Pyle backs the system with a 2-year warranty.

Pyle PLCM7200 Backup Camera & Rearview Monitor System on Amazon: 7-inch clip-on TFT/LCD mirror monitor, license-plate mount camera, 170-degree view, night vision, IP68 camera, wired.

Buy the Pyle PLCM7200 if: you want the best rearview mirror with backup camera for the simplest job — a clip-on mirror monitor that shows the rear view when you reverse, with no recording to set up.

Clip-On Mirror vs Replacement Mirror: Which Fits Your Car?

A clip-on rearview mirror with backup camera straps over your factory rearview mirror with rubber straps. The WOLFBOX G840S and the Pyle PLCM7200 both work this way, and it is the easier fit: it suits almost any car, it takes minutes to put on, and you can take it off and move it to another car. The cost is bulk — a second mirror sits on top of your mirror, and the whole unit sticks out further from the windshield.

A replacement rearview mirror with backup camera takes your factory mirror off and mounts in its place. The AUTO-VOX V5 Pro works this way, and it looks cleaner — one mirror, no straps, no doubled edge. The cost is fitment: the bracket must match your car, and the install is a longer job, often with the mirror powered from the fuse box. If your car has a rain sensor or a camera behind the factory mirror, a replacement mirror may not fit at all, so check the bracket and what sits behind your mirror before you buy either type.

Wired vs Wireless Rear Camera: What to Know Before You Buy

Every rearview mirror with backup camera in this roundup uses a wired rear camera: a cable runs from the camera at the back of the car to the mirror at the front. A wired camera gives a steady picture with no signal drop, and it draws power through the cable, so there is no battery to charge. The job is running that cable neatly along the headliner and trim from the back of the car to the front, which is the longest part of the install.

Wireless rear cameras exist, and they skip the long cable run: the camera sends its picture to a monitor by radio, usually with a small transmitter at the back. Our best wireless backup camera for cars roundup covers those kits. A wireless camera is easier to fit, but the picture can suffer interference, and the camera still needs power — usually wired to the reverse light. For a rearview mirror with backup camera, a wired camera is the steadier choice, and every pick here is wired for that reason.

How to Install a Rearview Mirror with Backup Camera

Start with the mirror: fitting a rearview mirror with backup camera begins at the windshield. A clip-on mirror straps over your factory mirror in minutes — hook the rubber straps top and bottom and check it sits level. A replacement mirror needs the factory mirror removed first, so follow the instructions for your car and check the bracket fits before you start. Then mount the rear camera: the WOLFBOX and AUTO-VOX rear cameras mount at the rear of the car with screws or adhesive, and the Pyle camera mounts on the license plate.

Then run the cable. Feed the rear-camera cable from the back of the car to the front along the headliner and down the A-pillar trim, tucking it behind the trim so it does not hang loose. Connect the camera power to the reverse light circuit, so the mirror switches to the rear view when you shift into reverse, and connect the mirror power to the fuse box or the cigarette-lighter socket, depending on the kit. Our how to install a backup camera guide covers the wiring steps in full.

Then test it before you put the trim back. Shift into reverse and check the mirror shows the rear view with the reversing guidelines, and check the picture is the right way round — a mirrored picture is a common wiring mistake. Drive forward and check the mirror dash cams show the road behind you. If the picture is blank, check the cable connections at both ends before anything else.

Mirror Dash Cam vs Backup Camera Only: The Difference That Matters

A mirror dash cam is a rearview mirror with backup camera that records video while you drive. The WOLFBOX G840S and the AUTO-VOX V5 Pro both record front and rear footage in a loop, so they work as a dash cam and a backup camera in one unit — the mirror shows the road behind you while you drive, and the rear view with guidelines when you reverse. If you want footage of a near-miss or a parking bump, this is the type to buy.

A backup-camera-only system shows the rear view and nothing else. The Pyle PLCM7200 has no recording at all: the mirror monitor stays dark while you drive and only shows the rear view when you shift into reverse. That is enough if all you want is help parking and reversing, and it is simpler to live with — no memory card, no footage, no recording settings. A rearview mirror with backup camera can be either type, so check whether the listing says it records before you buy: a mirror monitor and a mirror dash cam look alike in the box, and only the dash cam keeps footage.

Rearview Mirror Backup Camera Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is buying a replacement mirror that does not fit. A clip-on mirror fits almost any car, but a replacement mirror needs the right bracket, and cars with a rain sensor or a camera behind the factory mirror may not take one at all. Check the bracket and what sits behind your mirror before you order, not after.

The second mistake is a sloppy cable run. A wired rearview mirror with backup camera needs its cable run from the back of the car to the front, and a cable left hanging across the headliner or pinched in a door seal will fail or rattle. Tuck it behind the trim and keep it away from the airbags in the A-pillar. The third mistake is wiring the camera power to the wrong circuit: if the camera is not wired to the reverse light, the mirror will not switch to the rear view when you reverse. And the fourth is expecting a backup-only monitor to record — the Pyle PLCM7200 shows the rear view and keeps no footage, so if you want a record of what happened behind you, buy a mirror dash cam instead.

Who Should Buy a Rearview Mirror with Backup Camera — and Who Should Not

Buy a rearview mirror with backup camera if: you want the rear view where you already look, without a separate screen on the dash. It suits the driver who reverses into tight spaces, the truck or van driver whose rear window is blocked by cargo, and the driver who wants a dash cam without a second device on the windshield. A clip-on mirror suits almost any car, and a replacement mirror suits the driver who wants a factory look and is willing to fit it properly.

Do not buy a rearview mirror with backup camera if your car already has a factory backup camera with a screen you like — a mirror camera adds little then. And do not buy a replacement mirror if your factory mirror carries a rain sensor or a driver-assist camera you cannot move. If you only reverse in open driveways and never need a recording, a simple backup-only monitor is enough; if you want footage, buy a mirror dash cam, not a monitor.

The Verdict

The best rearview mirror with backup camera for most drivers is the WOLFBOX G840S: a 12-inch clip-on mirror dash cam with a 4K front camera and a 1080p rear camera, a wired rear camera, and reversing guidelines when you back up. The AUTO-VOX V5 Pro is the premium pick: a 9.35-inch replacement mirror with a laminated touchscreen and dual 1080p recording, for the driver who wants a factory-fitted look. And the Pyle PLCM7200 is the budget pick: a 7-inch clip-on mirror monitor with a wired license-plate camera, for the driver who only wants help reversing.

Whichever rearview mirror with backup camera you choose, remember the two checks that matter: clip-on or replacement, and recording or backup-only. Check the bracket fits your car, run the cable neatly, wire the camera to the reverse light, and test the rear view before you put the trim back. Start with our best backup cameras roundup if you want to compare mirror systems against dash-mounted backup cameras first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a rearview mirror with backup camera replace my factory mirror?

It depends on the type. A clip-on mirror, like the WOLFBOX G840S and the Pyle PLCM7200, straps over your factory mirror with rubber straps and leaves it in place. A replacement mirror, like the AUTO-VOX V5 Pro, takes your factory mirror off and mounts in its place, so check the bracket fits your car before you buy.

Is the rear camera on a rearview mirror with backup camera wired or wireless?

All three mirrors in this roundup use a wired rear camera: a cable runs from the camera at the back of the car to the mirror. A wired camera gives a steady picture with no signal drop. Wireless rear cameras exist and skip the long cable run, but the camera still needs power, usually wired to the reverse light.

Can I see the rear camera view while driving, or only in reverse?

It depends on the type. Mirror dash cams like the WOLFBOX G840S and the AUTO-VOX V5 Pro show the live rear view while you drive, and switch to the rear view with reversing guidelines when you shift into reverse. A backup-only monitor like the Pyle PLCM7200 stays dark while you drive and only shows the rear view in reverse.

Does a rearview mirror with backup camera record video?

A mirror dash cam records, a backup-only monitor does not. The WOLFBOX G840S records front and rear footage in a loop, and the AUTO-VOX V5 Pro records front and rear in 1080p. The Pyle PLCM7200 is a monitor and a camera with no recording, so it keeps no footage.

Will a rearview mirror with backup camera fit my car?

A clip-on mirror fits almost any car, because it straps over the factory mirror. A replacement mirror needs the right bracket for your car, and cars with a rain sensor or a driver-assist camera behind the factory mirror may not take one at all. Check the bracket and what sits behind your mirror before you buy.

Do I need a professional to install a rearview mirror with backup camera?

A clip-on mirror is a do-it-yourself job: strap it on, mount the rear camera, run the cable and wire the camera to the reverse light. A replacement mirror is a longer job, because the factory mirror comes off and the mirror is usually powered from the fuse box. If you are not comfortable with car wiring, have a professional fit a replacement mirror.