- 1. Baby Car Mirror by So Peep
- 2. Shynerk Baby-0011 Baby Car Mirror
- 3. COZY GREENS Baby Car Mirror
- 4. Pikibu 180-Degree Clarity Baby Car Mirror
- 5. Baby Car Mirror by DaffaDoot
- 6. Baby Mirror for Car by Lusso Gear
- 7. Baby Car Mirror by Baby Caboodle
- 8. Baby Car Mirrors by Totview
- 9. Baby & Mom Back Seat Baby Mirror
- 10. Safe Baby Tech Baby Car Mirror
When everything is going smoothly and the traffic is moving at a good pace, taking your baby or young child out for a ride in the car can be a refreshing and happy experience. However, it takes very little for that to all change. Your child can become upset or fussy, or you start worrying because she gets quiet, her breathing has changed, or she just isn’t happy anymore. Worrying about your child or trying to comfort her without being able to make visual contact can severely impair your concentration and the quality of your driving. This puts you, your child, and other road users at risk.
The answer does not have to be pulling over constantly or not taking your child out in the car. A simple answer that avoids all of this is investing in a car seat mirror. However, with so many different types, styles, and brands to choose from, how do you know which one is right for your needs? Our panel of automotive experts and experienced parent drivers have created a shortlist of the best car seat mirrors to point you in the right direction.
The Best Car Seat Mirror
The Baby Backseat Mirror for Car by So Peep is created from baby-safe shatterproof acrylic glass and includes an ultra-strong double strap system to ensure that the mirror stays exactly where you position it. The strap system also ensures that the mirror doesn’t shake or rattle while the car is in transit. This means that you are less likely to be distracted and your child will be not be disturbed by unusually noises or movement. The simple-to-install mirror requires no assembly, and the extra-large convex mirror gives you the best possible view of your child. The mirror also pivots so that it can be adjusted to meet your specific needs. The mirror is not suitable for use with fixed headrests.
- Shatterproof acrylic safety glass
- Extra-large convex mirror
- Easy to install with no assembly required
- Fully adjustable
- Secure double strap system
- No image distortion
- Brand So Peep
- Model SP3000
- Weight 15.2 ounces
The Shynerk Baby-0011 Baby Car Mirror installs quickly and is easy to fit to any rear seat headrest. The mirror pivots to give the best possible view, while the wide angled convex mirror ensures good coverage of the back of your vehicle. The mirror is made from acrylic safety glass that is surrounded by a black plastic frame. The mirror is shatterproof, even in the event of a collision. The double strap installation system ensures that the mirror does not slip or move while the car is in transit.
- Shatterproof acrylic glass
- 306-degree pivot point
- Wide angled convex mirror
- Easy to install with no assembly required
- Double strap installation system
- Crash tested and certified
- Brand Shynerk
- Model Baby-0011
- Weight 13.4 ounces
The Baby Car Mirror by COZY GREENS provides a fully adjustable, crystal clear view of your child while he or she is in a rear-facing car seat. The mirror is constructed from strong, sturdy materials, including a shatterproof mirror surface, and has undergone crash testing to meet both US and EU standards. It includes a secure strap system that keeps the mirror in place while driving. The mirror requires no assembly. It just needs to be strapped to the headrest and adjusted to give the best possible view. Requires an adjustable headrest to fit correctly.
- Fully adjustable rear seat mirror
- US and EU crash tested and certified
- Shatterproof mirror surface
- Double strap securing system
- Easy to install with no assembly required
- Convex surface with crystal clear view
- Brand COZY GREENS
- Weight 1 pounds
If your car is not suitable for a rear headrest mirror, then you might want to consider the Pikibu 180-degree View High Definition Clarity Baby Car Mirror. The mirror attaches over the interior car rearview mirror, allowing the driver to clearly see the interior of the car and any passengers in the rear seats. The mirror includes high-quality independent spring connectors that allow the mirror to sit securely over the factory installed rear view mirror. The design of the mirror carefully balances clarity with maximum viewable area.
- Offers a clear view of the rear interior of the vehicle
- Easy to install over factory fitted rear view mirror
- Balances clarity with maximum viewable area
- Convex mirror design
- Brand Pikibu
- Model P111906
- Weight 7.4 ounces
The Baby Car Mirror by DaffaDoot offers an extra-large, crystal clear viewing area. The mirror includes a pivoting base that allows you to angle the mirror to give the best possible view of your child while giving the baby the best view of you as well. The mirror includes shatterproof glass and is USA crash tested and safety certified. The mirror can be installed on any adjustable headrest; it requires no assembly and can be installed very quickly. The mirror can be mounted horizontally or vertically and won’t move around once secured in place.
- Lightweight and shatterproof
- US crash tested and safety certified
- Wide angled mirror with pivot point
- Horizontally or vertical mounting
- Dual strap mounting system
- Easy to install with no assembly required
- Brand DaffaDoot
- Model MIR42240
- Weight 14.6 ounces
The Baby Mirror for Car by Lusso Gear gives you a clear view of your child while you are driving. The mirror gives a panoramic view while being secured in place with two straps to reduce movement once it is installed and suitably adjusted. The mirror cannot be used with a fixed headrest; however, the pivot means that it can be adjusted to work on either the central headrest or the one on either side. The large shatterproof, convex mirror provides crystal clear images, greatly reducing the potential for stress when driving with young children in the vehicle.
- Dual strap attachment system
- Shatterproof, convex mirror
- Crystal clear view
- Easy to install with no assembly required
- Fully adjustable
- Brand Lusso Gear
- Model BBM-Black
- Weight 1.28 pounds
The Baby Car Mirror by Baby Caboodle is easy to fit and includes easy to tighten straps that remain in place while you are driving. The padding on the rear of the mirror ensures that it does not damage your car headrests, regardless of the material they are made from. The mirror is shatterproof, lightweight, and scratch resistant. The fully adjustable mirror allows you to see two children at once if they are sat side by side, offering you complete peace of mind.
- Easy to install with no assembly required
- Padded rear to prevent headrest damage
- Fully adjustable
- Shatterproof and scratch resistant mirror
- Dual strap attachment system
- Brand Baby Caboodle
- Weight 1.01 pounds
If you are looking for a mirror that is designed to cover rear-facing car seats, then Baby Car Mirrors by Totview might be just what you are looking for. The mirrors are crashed tested to European safety standards so that you can be completely confident that it will not harm your baby should a collision occur. The wide-angle, fully adjustable design of the mirror gives the clearest possible view of your baby without you needed to take your eyes off the road. The durable, nylon, dual strap system ensures the camera stays in place and does not slip, rattle, or otherwise move while the vehicle is in motion. The mirror is not suitable for use with fixed headrests.
- Crash tested to European standards
- Wide-angle, fully adjustable design
- Durable, nylon, dual strap attachment system
- Shatterproof, acrylic mirror
- Easy to install with no assembly required
- Brand GroCreations
- Model GC-TV-BLACK
- Weight 1.19 pounds
The Back Seat Baby Mirror by Baby & Mom is designed with a wide-angle convex mirror that gives you the best possible view of your child. The mirror is made from shatterproof acrylic glass, while the surround includes a 360-degree sturdy pivot point for full adjustability. The mirror attaches to your headrest using reinforced nylon straps that are wear and rip resistant.
- Shatterproof acrylic glass
- 360-degree pivot point
- Reinforced nylon attachment straps
- Wide-angle convex design
- Easy to install with no assembly required
- Brand Baby & Mom
- Weight 1 pounds
The Baby Car Mirror by Safe Baby Tech provides a crystal clear image of your baby, so you can see and interact with them safely while you are driving. The extra-large, wide-angle mirror gives you the largest possible viewing area, while the shatterproof acrylic safety glass ensures that your baby is safe. The mirror is fully adjustable and is suitable for use with most vehicles.
- Extra-large, wide-angle mirror
- Crystal clear viewing
- Shatterproof acrylic safety glass
- Easy to install with no assembly required
- Fully adjustable
- Brand Safe Baby Tech
- Weight 1.3 pounds
Best Car Seat Mirror Buying Guide & FAQ
A car seat mirror is the ideal way to be able to communicate with your baby or young child during a car journey. One of the many benefits of this approach is that it allows you to do this without taking your focus off the road. However, this only remains true if you have a baby mirror that is suitable for its intended purpose. In this section of the buying guide, we explore the key things to look for in car seat mirrors, the benefit of using such a mirror, and how to install a baby car seat mirror in your vehicle. We also answer some of the most frequently asked questions about baby car seat mirrors.
What to Look for in Car Seat Mirrors
The main purpose of a car seat mirror is to allow you to see your child clearly while you are driving, and to allow your child to see you. This makes the clarity and size of the image very important. But it is not all about having a large mirror surface. Other considerations include:
- The shape of the mirror
A convex lens will give you the greatest possible viewing area. However, check the angle of convex to ensure that the image is not distorted, particularly from your child’s perspective as this could cause more problems than it solves.
- A pivot point
You need to be able to angle the mirror so that you can see your child effortlessly without taking your eyes off the road. The mirrors position should also allow your child to see you with relative ease. Mirrors that are intended to fit over the interior rearview mirror will not have pivot points, they can be adjusted by gently adjusting the existing factory fitted mirror.
- Sturdy attachment straps
Most of the best car seat mirrors have dual attachment straps that fit over and around the rear headrest closest to where your baby is sat. This stops the mirror from slipping, rattling, or falling while you are driving. It gives you additional peace of mind, reduces the risk of harm to your child, and cuts down on potentially annoying noises that could distress your baby. Nylon reinforced straps are ideal for this purpose. Where you are using a mirror that fits over your internal rearview mirror, then instead of straps you should have sturdy clips, possibly sprung for ease of fitting and to ensure no damage is done to your factory fitted mirror.
- A shatterproof mirror
No one likes to think of themselves being involved in an accident, but it can happen. In this event, you need to know that the mirror will not cause your baby any injury. Shatterproof, acrylic glass that has been crash tested to US standards or better still to the more stringent EU standards is the best way to go.
- Simple installation
Ideally the mirror should be ready to go with no assembly being required. All you should need to do is strap it to the headrest and adjust as necessary. If you are using a mirror that fits over your interior rearview mirror, then installation should involve simply clipping it over your factory installed mirror.
Benefits of a Baby Car Mirror
Rear-facing car seats are essential for the safety of babies. However, it is very difficult to see them and check on their wellbeing for the front drivers’ seat. A baby car mirror provides you with a great view of your child without you needing to turn your head or take your attention away from the road. This improves the safety of everyone concerned, including other road users. The mirror also allows baby to see you, this can be all that is needed to provide comfort to a tired or fussy baby.
Even once your child is in a forward facing car seat, seeing and interacting with them can be difficult while you are driving. A car seat mirror again makes things easier and safer. Children can speak to you using the mirror, reducing the risk of them trying to unbuckle safety restraints or leaning forward out of their seats. Again, you can reply, provide instructions, and even join in with games and sing songs, while keeping your eyes and your focus firmly on the road.
How to Install a Baby Car Seat Mirror
Installation of a baby car seat mirror depends on the type of mirror you have purchased. There are two main types – one that sits over the rear headrest and one that sits over the factory installed interior rearview mirror.
If you have purchased the former, then to install it, you need to use the two straps that are connected to the rear of the mirror to attach the mirror to the rear headrest. With a rear-facing car seat this can be the headrest directly above your child. More commonly the middle headrest is used. If your car does not have a middle headrest then the headrest on the other side can be used depending on the pivot angle of the mirror.
Once you have chosen the correct headrest, one strap should be fed under and over the headrest and the other around it from side to side. Tighten the straps to ensure there is no slippage or sideways movement in the mirror. This will also stop it from rattling while the vehicle is moving.
Once the straps are connected and tightened, adjust the mirror so that your child’s reflection can be seen by you in your interior rearview mirror and your reflection can be seen in the car seat mirror. Once you are happy that the angle is right and you have a clear view, you are good to go.
These types of car seat mirrors require you to have moveable rear headrests; they cannot be installed onto fixed headrests. If this is the type you have or you have no headrests at all, then you might want to consider a mirror that fits over your interior rearview mirror. This type of mirror simply clips over the existing mirror, providing you with a larger viewing area to reduce blind spots in your car’s interior. While this type of mirror is great for forward facing car seats, multiple children, and older children, it will not give you a full view of a baby in a rear-facing car seat.
Best Car Seat Mirror FAQ:
A baby car mirror is a convex mirror that fixes to one of the rear headrests in your vehicle. It can be angled to allow the driver to see the baby clearly and for the baby to see the driver as well. Other types of car seat mirrors fix over the interior rearview mirror and provide a similar service; however, they are not the best answer for rear-facing car seats.
No, the type of mirror you use will depend on the type of car seat your child is in, the type of headrests you have, and the position of those headrests. Most car seat mirrors require a moveable rear headrest in order to be properly installed. If the headrest is fixed, then the straps that secure the mirror cannot be passed underneath, meaning that the mirror is not secure and therefore not safe. If you not have a middle moveable headrest but do have one on the other side to where your child’s car seat is situated, then a car seat mirror can still be used if it has a wide enough viewing angle and a pivot point that allows it to be correctly adjusted for both driver and child. If neither of these is options, then you may want to consider a mirror that fits over your interior rearview mirror. Such a mirror will give you an excellent view of the rear seats but is not necessarily ideal for use with a rear-facing car seat.
Yes, car seat mirrors are safe for your baby as long as they are properly fitted, and you choose one that is specifically designed for this purpose. Look for a mirror that has dual fitting straps that are made from nylon and are reinforced to reduce wear and the risk of them breaking. Car seat mirrors should be crash tested to at least US standards. Some of the best mirrors are also tested to the higher EU standard. Car seat mirrors should be strong and durable and contain shatterproof acrylic glass. This safeguards your baby should you be involved in a collision or other traffic-related incident while driving.
The best way to keep your baby’s car seat mirror clean is to use a soft, lint-free cloth, similar to the one you would use to clean your glasses. If there are stubborn marks on the mirror, then a damp cloth should be enough to remove them. However, ensure you buff with a soft cloth afterward to remove any smears to give you the clearest possible image.
Our Top Pick
Our top pick is the Baby Backseat Mirror for Car by So Peep. It is created from baby-safe shatterproof acrylic glass and includes an ultra-strong double strap system to ensure that the mirror stays exactly where you position it. The strap system also ensures that the mirror doesn’t shake or rattle while the car is in transit. This means that you are less likely to be distracted and your child will be not be disturbed by unusually noises or movement. The simple to install mirror requires no assembly and the extra-large convex mirror gives you the best possible view of your child. The mirror also pivots so that it can be adjusted to meet your specific needs. The mirror is not suitable for use with fixed headrests.
Sources:
- How to Replace a Rear View Mirror – DoItYourself
- How to Use a Rear View Mirror – WikiHow