When it comes to safety on the road with kids in the back seat, I recommend the Lusso Baby Mirror for the Car for ease of use.
Recommending a baby monitor car drivers can use or the right baby monitor mirrors can be difficult. But, I found mirrors are simple and convenient while the baby monitors use a camera and cables.
Parents are often debating whether a car baby mirror is better than a car baby monitor. What can one do that the other one can’t do? Either way, installing a baby monitor for travel or a baby car mirror will give you peace of mind while you’re driving with your precious bundle.
- My Top Picks
- Which One is Better: A Car Baby Monitor or A Baby Car Mirror?
- Benefits of Baby Camera and Mirrors for Cars
- How to Choose a Baby Car Mirror and Car Baby Monitor
- FAQ
- Best Overall – Lusso Baby Mirror for Car
- Best Value – DARVIQS Baby Car Mirror
- Best for Newborns – Itomoro Baby Car Mirror with Camera
- Best for Night Vision – Shynerk Baby Car Mirror with Camera
- Best for Different Vehicles – Munchkin Brica Baby Car Mirror
- A Final Word
My Top Picks
- Best Overall – Lusso Baby Mirror for the Car
- Best Value – DARVIQS Baby Car Mirror
- Best for Night Vision – Shynerk Baby Car Mirror with Camera
- Best for Newborns – Itomoro Baby Car Mirror with Camera
- Best for Different Vehicles – Munchkin Brica Baby Car Mirror
Which One is Better: A Car Baby Monitor or A Baby Car Mirror?
As a father myself, the safety of my daughter is of utmost importance. I’m always on the lookout for parenting gear to help me keep my child safe. I know the same applies to all parents. Taking our children in our car is a HUGE responsibility. You and I do everything we can do to be responsible drivers.
But our little one can distract us in a split second. And this is when most accidents happen. By installing a baby monitor or a baby car mirror in the car, you can keep an eye on your child without turning your head around. At a glance, you’ll see what your baby is up to in the rear seat.
This article is intended to answer all your questions about car baby monitors and baby car mirrors. When you’ve finished reading my article, you’ll be better equipped to make the right decision.
What You Need to Know About Baby Car Mirrors and Car Baby Monitors
So, what’s the difference between a car baby monitor and a baby car mirror? While they both serve the same purpose – helping you to monitor your child’s behavior in the rear seat – they have distinctive functionality differences.
- Car baby monitors: A car baby monitor comes with a camera and a screen. The components are connected with a cable plugged into the cigarette lighter. The monitor screen can be installed either on the back headrest or on the center console. The camera is installed onto the rear headrest (for rear-facing infant car seats) or on the back of the driver’s headrest (for front-facing seats).
- Baby car mirrors: This is simply what it says it is – a mirror. The mirror is designed to give you a wide-angle view of your child in the back seat. It’s attached to the back headrest and you view it through your rearview mirror.
Do I Need a Baby Car Mirror?
For first time parents, driving with your newborn can be nerve-wracking. You’ve got to keep your eye on the road ahead but you’re wondering why your baby has suddenly gone quiet. You pull over to check, only to discover they’re asleep. Or when they’re asleep you want to know how their head is positioned – which I like checking on so her airways are all clear. Then once your panic moment is over, you head off again. But this is not conducive to an anxiety-free car trip!
A mirror or a baby monitor is needed if you tend to get overly anxious when driving with your child. But, even if you’re calm, having reassurance all is well in the back seat will give you a pleasant car ride.
So, to answer your question, “Do I need a baby car mirror?”. YES! If you’re traveling with babies or kids in the car, do yourself a favor. Install a baby car mirror (or car baby monitor) so you’re not twisting your neck all the time!
By law, your baby or child must travel in the back seat so go easy on yourself and install a car baby mirror for peace of mind. Here’s an extremely quick summary video of some of the regulations. And if you’re into checking all the different regulations related to car seats in various countries worldwide, you may want to look at this resource.
Benefits of Baby Camera and Mirrors for Cars
When it comes down to looking at the advantages of using a car baby monitor or a baby car mirror, you’ll see the benefit of installing either product in your car.
- You’ll feel less anxious if you can see your baby without having to turn your head around all the time.
- You’ll avoid being distracted and losing concentration while driving. At a glance, you can see what’s bothering your baby if they cry.
- The mirror reflection or image on the baby monitor will immediately alert you if your baby is unwell or choking.
- If all goes quiet in the back seat, you can immediately see if your kid is sleeping or up to no good.
- You’ll arrive at your destination on time because you didn’t make numerous stops to check on your baby on the way!
How to Choose a Baby Car Mirror and Car Baby Monitor
When deciding whether to go with a baby car monitor or a baby car mirror, it depends on how technical you want to get. Good quality products will do the same job – give you a good view of your child seated behind you.
- Screen/mirror size: The larger the screen or mirror size, the easier it’ll be to see your baby at a glance. Both the DARVIQS Baby Car Mirror and Munchkin Brica Baby In-sight Car Mirror have large, convex mirrors with the Lusso Baby Mirror for the Car having the largest mirror.
- Image quality: For a car baby monitor, the Shynerk Baby Car Mirror with Camera came out tops with its excellent image quality. All baby car mirrors reviewed have good image quality.
- Safety: All the mirrors have been certified with shatterproof mirrors. While all the products are securely attached with straps, the DARVIQS Baby Car Mirror makes special mention of their heavy-duty straps.
- Ease of installation and use: All the car baby monitors are easily plugged into the cigarette lighter of the car. Installation is easy for all the products as well as being easy to use. The monitor screen of the Itomoro Baby Car Mirror is installed on the center console which offers easy viewing for the driver without having to use the rearview mirror. However, users of the Lusso Baby Mirror for the Car got the best results when using the mirror.
- Pricing: Both the car baby monitors were comparable with the Itomoro Baby Car Mirror being slightly cheaper than the Shynerk Baby Car Mirror. All three baby car mirrors were similar in pricing with the Munchkin Brica Baby In-sight Car Mirror being the cheapest.
FAQ
How do I attach a baby car mirror?
Most baby car mirrors are attached with a strap to the back headrest (or the back of the driver’s headrest, depending on the seating of the child). Some may be attached with a screw into the back panel of the back seat but it’s recommended to use straps for safer installation.
Are baby car mirrors safe?
Baby car mirrors are safe as long as they have been certified to meet stringent safety standards. This includes being constructed with shatterproof reflection glass. The frame should also be constructed with sturdy, durable material. As long as the baby car mirror is securely attached to the headrest, you should have no safety concerns.
Is using a car baby monitor safe for the driver?
The car baby monitor has to be one of the safest car accessories a parent could have! It minimizes head-turning to check on kids in the back seat which means you hardly take your eyes off the road while driving. The only danger lies in getting too absorbed in your baby’s antics and forgetting to focus on the road!
Best Overall – Lusso Baby Mirror for Car
A car accessory every parent can’t go without! This large mirror will help you monitor your baby in a rear-facing seat giving you peace of mind while you’re driving.
Who It’s For
This is perfect for parents who don’t want the fuss of cables.
Why You Should Consider It
The secure mount of this mirror means you never have to worry about it falling over or needing adjusting. The size means you’ll get a panoramic view of your baby, always. It’s made with premium quality materials and is durable and stable.
You can install this mirror in less than a minute!
Product Information
- Dimensions: Screen 11.5”
- Type: Baby car mirror
- Power source: No power needed
Pros
- It’s easy to remove when not being used
- Shatterproof
- Easily angled for perfect vision
Cons
- Can be difficult to install on some headrests
Best Value – DARVIQS Baby Car Mirror
This baby car mirror with its 360° wide view angle makes it easy to keep an eye on your child in the back seat.
Who It’s For
This is perfect for parents looking for a baby car mirror that won’t cost them an arm and a leg!
Why You Should Consider It
The extra-large screen of this mirror means you’ll never miss the action behind you! It’s made with shatterproof acrylic glass and attached to the headrest with heavy-duty straps. This will give you peace of mind your baby is safe if you’re in an accident – the mirror will not shatter or fly off the headrest.
It fits most vehicles and is easily installed in seconds.
Product Information
- Dimensions: 7.4 x 11.8”
- Type: Baby car mirror
- Batteries: N/A
Pros
- Cheap compared to other products
- Extra-large mirror with no dead viewing spots
- Perfect for SUVs
Cons
- Must be tied firmly or else it’ll shake
- The concave shape makes the child seem further away
- Straps too small for some headrests
Best for Newborns – Itomoro Baby Car Mirror with Camera
Combined with a camera, this baby car mirror is designed for babies seating in rear-facing seats.
Who It’s For
This is perfect for parents with newborns.
Why You Should Consider It
Real-time images are streamed to the large 4.3” mirror display placed on the center console of your car. The camera is adjustable giving a wide-angle view of your baby and is easily strapped onto the rear headrest. Specially engineered to prevent it from shaking while you’re driving, the camera will always be stable.
It’s easy to install – simply plug the video cable into the cigarette lighter socket in your car.
Product Information
- Dimensions: 4.3” screen
- Type: Baby car mirror with camera
- Power source: Car cigarette lighter socket
Pros
- Good value for money
- Easy to set up
- Can be used for front-facing seats by moving the camera
Cons
- Doesn’t give a clear image at night time
- Doesn’t have good HD quality
- May need extra reinforcing to keep it on the center console
Best for Night Vision – Shynerk Baby Car Mirror with Camera
This product gives you a clear view of your child in the back seat. The bonus feature of this product is the night vision function.
Who It’s For
This is perfect for parents driving at night with their children in the car.
Why You Should Consider It
Besides the sharp night vision images, the camera is adjustable for optimal viewing. The LCD monitor is placed so you can view it from your rear-view mirror. The camera is securely strapped onto the headrest.
It’s easy to install – simply plug into the cigarette lighter.
Product Information
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Type: LCD monitor and camera
- Power source: Cigarette lighter
Pros
- Excellent image quality
- Easy to install and to use
- Sleek, modern design
Cons
- Will be difficult to view your child if you’re sitting in the passenger seat
- Takes time to get the positioning of the camera correct
- Difficult to see the monitor screen in your rear-view mirror when wearing polarized sunglasses
Best for Different Vehicles – Munchkin Brica Baby Car Mirror
This product is lightweight and offers a superb reflection of your baby in the rear seat.
Who It’s For
This is perfect for parents looking for a mirror with multiple attachments for different cars.
Why You Should Consider It
A large, convex mirror giving you a wide-angle view of your children at all times. The image is distortion-free and the mirror is shatterproof. The energy-absorbing soft-touch frame looks elegant, adding a touch of class to your car.
It’s easily attachable to the rear headrest giving you perfect viewing of your child from your rearview mirror.
Product Information
- Dimensions: 12.75 x 10 x 1.75”
- Type: Baby car mirror
- Batteries: N/A
Pros
- Remains stable during driving
- Well-priced
- Easy to install
Cons
- Can only be attached to a headrest
- Bigger than some headrests which can cause a blind spot for the driver
- Cannot be used at night-time unless the interior car light is turned on
A Final Word
While I would recommend using a baby car mirror simply because it gives you peace of mind with fewer hassles, a car baby monitor, works just as well. It’s really your choice in the end. The Lusso Baby Mirror for the Car did it for me but would you choose a mirror or a car baby monitor?
Last update on 2024-10-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API