What is the difference between a dash cam and rear view mirror camera? A dash cam is specifically made for recording video and documenting accidents. A rear view mirror camera also records footage, but also functions as a backup camera and a rear view mirror.
A rear view mirror dash cam is a great way to utilize the existing space in your vehicle without having to clutter your windshield or draw unnecessary attention to a separate device. A mirror dash cam fits on top of your rear view mirror and is powered through a cigarette lighter or USB outlet.
VanTop H612 12″ 2.5K Mirror Dash Cam
The VanTop H612 is a mirror dash cam that comes with quite a few features for $100. It has a full 12″ IPS touch screen display with 2 5k and 1080p recording. The 170 degree field of view for the front camera and 160 degrees for the rear camera is quite good and among the high end for a mirror camera. The image quality is decent thanks to its Sony sensor and the VanTop H612 will support up to a 128gb memory SD card. The GPS and a G-sensor are included. In addition, you can control the mirror using voice commands. This is quite useful when you are driving where trying to access the menus on the mirror can be distracting and dangerous. In addition, with the voice commands you can turn it off and use it as a regular rear view mirror. When using the mirror, the full screen is clear and easy to see. Overall, this is one of the better mirror dash cams. It comes with a lot of features and the video recording is above average for a mirror camera.
Pros
- Good video quality for the front and rear camera
- Has a full touch screen
- Voice Control
Cons
- Some people complain the screen is too bright and night
- The rearview mirror is quite large
VanTop H612T 12” 4K Mirror Dash Cam
The VanTop H612T 12″ is a premium rear view mirror dash camera. It is Vantop’s top of the line and the only mirror dash camera that can record front 4k ultra HD and 1080p full HD for the rear camera. The front and rear cameras have a good field of view making the VanTop H612T ideal for larger trucks or RV’s. Like other VanTop mirror dash cams, it has a built in G-sensor and GPS. The 12″ IPS touch screen on the rear view mirror is easy to see with a good viewing angle. It can support up to a 128gb SD card. This is probably the rear view dash camera available in terms of features and the video quality is comparable to some dash cams at this price.
Pros
- Good image quality for mirror dash camera
- Only model that offers 4K video
- A lot of options like a built in G-sensor
- Works with voice commands
Cons
- Expensive
- Like the other Vantop dash cams, the screen is bright in low light conditions.
VanTop H609 Dual Dash Cam 1080p
The VanTop H609 is a budget rear view mirror dash cam. The front and rear camera record at 1080P full HD with decent resolution that can even record a license plate. It does have a parking mode and can be used as a backup camera. The rear view mirror is somewhat smaller at 10″ making this ideal for a smaller car. The wide angle lens has a good field of view for the front and rear cameras. At $70, this is one of the best rear view mirror dash cams you can buy.
Pros
- Decent video quality for the price
- Good for smaller vehicles
Cons
- Does not have GPS or a built in G-sensor
- No voice control
AKASO DL12 2.5K Dual Dash Cam
The AKASO DL12 is similar to the Vantop H612. It features 2.5K resolution video recording for the front camera and 1080p for the rear. The video quality is good quite good for a mirror camera thanks to its Sony sensor and super night vision is on the higher end for a rear view mirror dash cam. The image quality is comparable to dedicated dash cams and it comes with a good set of features like loop recording, a G sensor, and can be used as a backup camera. The AKASO DL12 also supports up to a 128gb memory SD card and has a wide angle lens for good coverage. At just over $100, this is a good value for the money especially in terms of night vision.
Pros
- Split screen viewing for front and rear cameras
- Good night vision
- Comes with a lot of features
Cons
- Questionable build quality
- No voice control
TOGUARD 12″ 2.5K Dash Cam
The TOGUARD 12″ rear view mirror dash camera is good option in the $100 price range. It also features 2.5k video recording and 1080p full HD for the rear. Video quality is good and similar the the Vantop H612. Like the AKASO, the night vision is quite good and comparable to some similar priced dash cams. It also has voice commands and like most rear view mirror dash cams, the TOGUARD is easy to install and the screen fits over your existing mirror. Straps hold it securely in place and it can be removed easily. The G sensor is built in and the TOGUARD features a parking mode that will record video when an event is detected.
Pros
- Good image quality
- Easy to install
- Has a lot of features
- Voice commands
Cons
- Questionable build quality
VTIN 10″ FHD Dash Cam
The VTIN 10″ FHD dash cam is ideal for smaller cars where a 12″ mirror may be too big. Costing just under $100, it comes with quite a few features like full HD video recording on the front and rear camera with a Sony sensor for high quality video. It has most of the features you would see in a rear view mirror dash cam like loop recording and like most rear view mirror dash cams it has a backup camera. The IPS touch screen on the rear view mirror has a good viewing angle and is easy to see at night.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Good night vision
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Does not have GPS
- No voice commands
WiMiUS Mirror Dash Cam for Cars
With a lot of features, the WiMiUS is a good rear view mirror dash cam for the money. It can record video at 2.5k with good clarity and low light recording is good as well. The 12 inch anti glare display is easy to see in the daytime. Like most of the the rearview mirror dash cameras, the WiMiUS has loop recording, works as a backup camera, and has GPS. It is also one of the few rear view mirror dash cameras to have a parking mode.
Pros
- Clear videos
- Low light recording is good
- Can be used as a parking monitor
Cons
- Some complaints of glare at night
Campark 2.5K Dash Cam
Comparable to most of the 2.5k dash cams we reviewed, the Campark 2.5k rear view features high quality video recording with high quality night vision and is easy to install. It is one of of the better equipped rear mirror dash cameras in terms of features. It can be used as a rear camera and has a wide angle lens. With the hardwire kit the Campark can be used as a parking monitor. Low light recording is good and it works with voice commands. It also switches to the rear camera view with when are backing up. If you do not want to spend a lot of the money, this is one of the better options to consider in this price range.
Pros
- Includes a lot that are extra on some rear view mirror cameras
- Super night vision recording is good
- Can be used as a parking monitor
Cons
- Some complaints of glare on the screen
PORMIDO 12 inch Dash Cam
The PORMIDO rear view mirror camera is different than some of the models reviewed here. It is more like a conventional dash cam as the front camera is detachable from the mirror. In other words, it can compared to a wedge dash camera with a large 12 inch screen. What this does is give you some extra flexibility in installing the front camera. The touch screen rearview mirror can also display front, rear, or split screen. Night vision is quite good and the mirror is bright and easy to see in the daytime.
As this is the most expensive rear view mirror dash cams reviewed here, it comes with a lot of features. As expected, the PORMIDO 12 inch dash cam has loop recording, GPS, and can be used as parking monitor. A 33 foot cable for the rear camera is included and a 49 foot one can be purchased separately. The PORMIDO rear view mirror dash camera is ideal for larger vehicles and RV’s and a 32gb SD card is included.
Pros
- HD recording is good
- Ideal for larger vehicles like trucks or RV’s
- Good night vision
- Detachable front camera
Cons
- Expensive
- Hardwire kit for the parking mode sold separately
TOGUARD Backup Camera for Cars
The TOGUARD is the cheapest rearview mirror camera reviewed here. At $60 it does have some decent features like a G sensor, loop recording, and a parking monitor. It can be used as a backup camera and has a 7 inch IPS touch screen. The front camera records HD video and the rear view camera only has a 480p resolution. It will be decent for a parking camera but not much more but the small view screen. However, it is a budget rear view mirror camera and the image quality is below average for the models reviewed here.
Pros
- Affordable
- Decent front video
- Ideal for a smaller car
Cons
- Rear camera video is poor
- Display is small
Can you use a rear view mirror camera at night?
Yes. The rear view mirror cams work like a regular dash cam. The difference is they replace the rear view mirror and can be used as a backup camera. If you do not want to use the camera it will work like a regular rear view mirror. The problem with some of the rear view mirror cameras is the glare can make the screen difficult to see in the daytime or at night when a car is behind you.
This is where the voice commands on some of the models comes in handy. You can turn the video off and it will function like a conventional rear view mirror and turn it back on later. The obvious benefit is not having to switch through the menus which for obvious reasons should not be done while you are driving. Also, in low light conditions, the screen can be fairly bright and it can be a distraction at times. Most of the models reviewed here do not have auto dimming so you may have to turn the mirror off. For the mirrors without voice control you will have to do this manually.
How to Install a Rear View Mirror Dash Cam?
The installation of a rear view mirror camera is similar to a regular dash cam. However, if you want to use it as a backup camera the ideal placement is outside of the vehicle. For the most part, all of the mirror dash cameras work in this regard. The resolution is sufficient to see clearly behind you with lines to guide you. However, it is more work to get it working depending on the vehicle and you may have to adjust it several times to get an ideal viewing angle. If you are not going to use it as a parking camera, the rear camera can be installed on the inside glass like a dash cam.
You will also need to find a power source for the camera. This can be done by plugging it in to the vehicle’s accessory port. However, if you want to use the parking mode, a constant power source is necessary.
Installing the touch screen is easy for most rear view mirror cameras. They usually attach to the back of the rear view mirror with straps. After everything is connect you will want to position the camera for an ideal viewing angle.
Are Rear View Mirror Dash Cams Good?
It depends on what is more important for your needs. A mirror cam has more features than a regular dash cam. They can be used as a backup camera and a rear view mirror. They are ideal for larger trucks and RV’s where you may not have good visibility behind you. Some of the mirror cams you can run a split screen and easily switch between the front and rear view. The other feature on some of the higher end models like the VanTop and TOGUARD are the voice commands. You can turn the screen on and off. This is useful when you are driving where trying to switch through the menu can be dangerous and distracting. Other features are turning the audio on and off or lock the video so the camera doesn’t record over it. They are also fairly discrete as the camera is integrated into the rearview mirror. Also, the mirror can be easily removed for times when you may not want to use it.
There are some downsides to a rearview mirror camera. The mirrors on some are 12″, which is somewhat larger than the standard mirror in many cars. They may not be ideal for a smaller car or you may want to consider the 10″ version. However, many of them do not have as many features and 1080P or lower recording. The screen can be a distraction at times and it can be fairly bright at night since many do not have auto dimming. Also, many newer cars have a backup camera and systems for blind spots so some of the features many not be necessary. Aside from the Vantop H612T, the video quality on most of the rear view mirror dash cams is equivalent to a lower end dash cam. The license plate will generally not be legible except for some of the 2.5k models. However, the video is still of decent quality to be used as evidence.
With that said, the tradeoff for a rear view mirror camera is the extra features. However, that usually comes at the expense of image quality for a similar price dash cam. It comes down to what is more important as everyone has different needs.
Is the HD Mirror Cam any good?
Some of the higher end models have high resolution. The screens are clear and visible and they are useful in large vehicles that have blind spots. However, for the same price, a dash camera will record better video as they have better sensors and are designed with high definition recording in mind. The mirror camera sacrifices some of that for versatility as they function as a rearview mirror and a backup camera. With many costing $100, that is equal to a low-end dash cam. Unsurprisingly, there are some trade offs between them.
What is the best rear view mirror camera?
In terms of features, the PORMIDO 12″ and the Vantop H612T are the best overall. The Vantop wins in terms of video quality and it is the only model that offers 4K HD video. The front camera is comparable to some dash cams and license are fairly legible. The high resolution night vision is clear as well. It has all of the extra features like voice commands which can be useful when driving and the parking mode is works like a 24 hour surveillance system for your vehicle .
The PORMIDO 12″ video quality is somewhat less than the Vantop but it is still decent. It includes all of the basic features in the Vantop although the front camera can be installed separately. Basically, it works like a regular dash cam with a large view screen. The included 33′ cable for the rear camera is longer than most and a 45′ is available. This makes it ideal for larger vehicles and it has good coverage for the blind spots.
The AKASO DL12 is probably the best value for the money. While it does not have the 4K HD video of the Vantop H612T, it costs just over $100. The 2 5k recording for the front camera is good. However, it does not have voice commands. The high definition video is detailed enough to record license plates up close. It also most of the features of a dash cam with the extras like parking mode and a backup camera. The low light recording is clear and detailed and it also has a full touch screen display.