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.