The Best Car Cameras and Accessories for Your Daily Driver

Written by

CarParts.com Research Team

Automotive and Tech Writers

Updated on November 6th, 2024

Reading Time: 4 minutes
Summary
  • Some vehicle owners leave their vehicle’s windshield wipers up during winter to prevent the blades from freezing onto the glass. However, this method isn’t without its drawbacks.
  • Leaving windshield wipers up isn’t good because it wears out the windshield wiper spring. It can also cause the wiper arm to slam on the glass.
  • Instead of leaving your wipers up, you should instead use deicing fluid or cover your windshield or windshield wiper blades to keep them from freezing.

Any accessory that can boost both safety and convenience on the road is a worthy investment, which is exactly why you’ll notice most vehicles have at least one type of car camera installed. Whether you’re an experienced driver or a newbie, you’re sure to find an auto camera that’ll make driving your car easier.

From back up cameras to USB power cables, here are the best auto cameras and accessories that’ll help improve your visibility, capture scenic drives, and protect your peace of mind:

Back Up Camera

Back up cameras reduce blind spots, assist with parallel parking, and help drivers avoid a collision while backing up.

You won’t find any modern vehicles without some sort of back up camera because the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) required all manufacturers to install a back up camera for all cars produced from May 1, 2018 onwards.

Back up cameras reduce blind spots, assist with parallel parking, and help drivers avoid a collision while backing up.

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Dash Camera

Unfortunately, back up cameras only work when your vehicle is in reverse. They won’t help much if you’re trying to record different areas around your car in case of an accident. This is where dash cameras come in.

A dash camera, or dash cam for short, is usually mounted on the windshield or dashboard, where it captures the events happening inside or outside your car. Some dash cams have an interior and exterior camera, allowing you to record from two angles.

Dash cam footage can come in handy when you need to dispute any false insurance claims or provide video evidence of accidents and theft.

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Front Camera Bracket

To secure a front camera to your vehicle’s grille, you’ll need to install a front camera bracket. This bracket is a car camera mount that keeps your front parking aid camera secure behind the front grille, where it can capture the road activity in front of your car.

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Lane Departure Camera

Lane departure cameras add an extra level of protection that can help drivers become much more conscious of their driving, reducing the risk of collisions.

The Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) is a safety feature that alerts a driver whenever it detects the vehicle straying from the correct lane. With the help of a lane departure camera, the LDWS uses advanced imaging technology to monitor the vehicle’s position on the road.

Lane departure cameras add an extra level of protection that can help drivers become much more conscious of their driving, reducing the risk of collisions.

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Information Display Screen

You won’t be able to make the most of your cameras if your information display screen isn’t in good condition. Back up cameras rely on information display screens to show you live video, but a damaged or broken screen can make the footage unclear and hard to see. Other safety features and sensors also use the infotainment system to provide timely information to the driver.

Nowadays, you can find all sorts of information display screens on the market. You can get a big screen with an HD color display or a screen with low power consumption.

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USB Power Cable

If you’re using a phone or an action camera as your dash cam, you will likely drain its battery pretty quickly. Because of this, it’s a good idea to keep a USB power cable with you during your travels.

USB power cables allow you to charge your phone, power banks, and other electronics by plugging the device into the port typically found on the center console. Older vehicles usually come with a USB-A port, while newer cars have USB-C ports. Be sure to double-check what kind of port your vehicle has before buying a power cable.

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Written By CarParts.com Research Team

Automotive and Tech Writers

The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.

Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.