Our top picks
Best baby mirror for car safety: So Peep Crash Tested Baby Mirror
"This extra large, shatterproof, stable baby car mirror provides a full view of rear facing car seats."
Best digital baby car mirror: Shynerk Baby HD Digital Mirror
"Getting a clear view of baby on night drives without disturbing their sleep is finally possible with this digital mirror."
Best for budget: Jolly Jumper Driver's Baby Mirror
"The perfect no-frills option, this shatterproof pick lets you keep eyes on baby and dollars in the bank. "
Best baby car mirror with remote: Brica Baby In-Sight Owl Mirror
"Soothing lights and sounds offer sensory engagement to baby with this nature-themed mirror. "
Best baby mirror for fixed headrest: Munchkin Brica Baby in-Sight Mega Car Mirror
"This wide angle mirror is compatible with nearly every car, including those with fixed headrests, thanks to multiple attachment systems."
Best for bumpy rides: Lusso Gear Baby Mirror
"It's easy to get a clear glimpse of baby during even the bumpiest rides with this extra-large mirror that's known for staying put."
Best full view: Pikibu 180 Degree Definition Clarity Mirror
"Perfect for watching older kids, this mirror extends your rear view without impacting your field of vision."
In this article:
Using a baby car mirror can take some of the stress out of traveling with your tot by letting you keep an eagle-eye on the backseat, but, mirrors that don’t secure properly can be a danger to your baby — plus, fancy mirror systems aren’t always worth the big spend.
We looked at some top picks to find the best baby car mirror options for value, safety, and utility, and are confident there’s something here for every family.
Ready to take a look?
Our top picks for the best baby car mirrors
Best baby mirror for car safety
Our opinion
Your baby is safest while rear-facing until they’ve outgrown the weight limit of their convertible car seat. A rear-facing mirror like the So Peep (check price on Amazon) makes driving easier by letting you see and interact with your tot.
The shatterproof, acrylic, glass mirror is fully adjustable via a pivoting joint that tilts to attain the perfect angle and can be attached quickly to your car’s headrest with a secure double-strap system.
At 11.5″ x 7.5″, its large size gives you a head-to-toe visual of your child, so you can quickly see if anything’s amiss.
If your local terrain includes rocky roads (with loads of potholes!) don’t fear — this mirror is engineered to stay in place even on bumpy drives, so you won’t lose your carefully calibrated view of their car seat.
Adjustable: Yes
Colors: Black
Lights and sounds: No
Size: 11.5″ x 7.5″ x 3.5″
Requires headrest: Yes
Shatterproof: Yes
What we love
- Usable in rear-facing position, the safest riding position for most passengers under 5, plus the extra large panel offers a full view of baby
- Shatterproof, so, even in the event of an accident, your child won't be harmed
- Adjusts securely and doesn't lose position on bumpy drives
Watch for
- An adjustable headrest is required for installation
Best digital baby car mirror
Our opinion
It’s hard to catch a clear glimpse of the baby in the car mirror at night, but the night mode featured on the Shynerk Baby Car Mirror (check price on Amazon) lets you observe your little ones without disturbing their sleep.
The digital monitor installs much like a typical baby car mirror, except it’s a camera connected to the headrest via a system of straps.
You’ll be able to view your baby through a monitor on the center console, allowing you to take quick glances at what’s going on in the back seat without taking your eyes off the road for more than a second.
You’ll need a 12V socket (read cigarette lighter in older cars) to power this device which isn’t wireless, so a cord must run from the center console to the backseat camera — meaning installation is slightly more complex.
Adjustable: Yes
Colors: Black
Lights and sounds: No
Size: 7.48″ x 5.12″ x 3.98″
Requires headrest: Yes
Shatterproof: Yes
What we love
- Unlike a regular baby car mirror, you can see your child clearly at night using night mode, checking up on them without disturbing their sleep
Watch for
- It's not wireless, so you'll need to find a way to feed cords from the console to the camera, and they're hard to hide
Best for budget
Our opinion
You already know how much baby gear can set you back — so anything that gets the job done at a reasonable price, like the Jolly Jumper Baby Mirror (check price on Amazon), is a winner in our book.
The no-frills mirror doesn’t pivot for an adjustable view, but the wide-angle of the device gives you a clear view of the rear-facing car seat letting you monitor your baby’s safety while you drive.
The shatter-resistant mirror installs quickly using adjustable straps, though movable headrests are required.
Adjustable: No
Colors: Black
Lights and sounds: No
Size: 8.75″ x 5.5″ x 1″
Requires headrest: Yes
Shatterproof: Yes
What we love
- Shatterproof and offers a wide view at a budget-friendly price
- Easy installation
Watch for
- The angle of the mirror can't be adjusted
Best baby car mirror with remote
Our opinion
Infant car mirrors can be a tremendous help for parents, but, apart from being able to look at themselves, they’re low on ‘stimulus options’ for babies.
Cute and cheerful, the Brica Owl (check price on Amazon) is a brightly colored, headset-mounted mirror that’s perfect for rear-facing babies.
The sweet, outside design uses soothing LED lights that gently fade in and out, avoiding harsh, bright, flashing that can be overstimulating and uncomfortable for babies.
The unit plays eight different custom songs with great audio quality that both parents and babies can enjoy.
It also features a crash-tested mirror featuring Clear-Sight, offering a distortion-free image with superior quality.
The audio and LED lights on this baby car mirror operate via remote control, so parents can switch off the power when baby falls asleep and turn it on when they wake.
Adjustable: No
Colors: Green, blue, yellow, orange, red, white
Lights and sounds: Yes
Size: 12.25″ x 13.75″
Requires headrest: Yes
Shatterproof: Yes
What we love
- Has a sweet, nature design and engages kids through soft LED lighting and music
- Is remote-controlled, so easy to operate from the front seat without taking your eyes off the road
Watch for
- Attaching the mirror takes a little bit more time than some other picks on our list
- This mirror does not work with car headrests that aren't adjustable
Best baby mirror for fixed headrest
Our opinion
Most baby car mirrors are incompatible with fixed headrests, but the Munchkin Brica Baby In-Sight Mega Car Mirror (check price on Amazon) comes with multiple attachment options and can be installed in almost any vehicle.
That makes the Mega Car Mirror a great pick for families who need to move it frequently between vehicles — as there’s little worry of compatibility issues.
The wide-angle, convex mirror installs in a snap, so taking a peek at the baby is as easy as looking in your rearview mirror.
It even boasts a sleek, modern design, so won’t add extra “baby stuff” to your car’s aesthetic.
Adjustable: No
Colors: Grey, Tan
Lights and sounds: No
Size: 12.75″ x 10″
Requires headrest: Yes
Shatterproof: Yes
What we love
- Can be installed in almost any car, thanks to multiple-attachment options
Watch for
- The angle of the mirror can't be adjusted
Best for bumpy rides
Our opinion
When rough terrain is part of your daily driving life you quickly learn to adjust to both your driving style and what you keep in your car.
It only takes one drive down a bumpy road to realize that anything unsecured will fall over or go flying.
This emphasizes the need for baby car mirrors to be super secure, and we think the Lusso Gear Baby Mirror (check price at Walmart.com) is Fort Knox-level!
It takes only seconds to install this mirror, which is both large and shatterproof and will withstand even the rockiest roads without parents needing to fix, readjust or reattach the unit.
It’s easy to remove when not being used, which makes cleaning the 11.5″ matte surface a breeze.
Adjustable: Yes
Colors: Black
Lights and sounds: No
Size: 11.6″ x 9.5″
Requires headrest: Yes
Shatterproof: Yes
What we love
- This pick is extremely stable, so parents won’t struggle with keeping the mirror adjusted when driving down rocky or bumpy roads
Watch for
- It only works with adjustable headrests
Best full view
Our opinion
Once kids reach age four, it’s usually safe to transition into a front-facing car seat. As all parents of older kids know, your rearview isn’t always sufficient for keeping an eye on the backseat – plus, you need to choose a position that helps you see the road, not just the kids.
This Pikibu 180-Degree Mirror (check price at Walmart.com) offers parents the best of both worlds, conveniently attaching to their existing rearview mirror to extend the range of view without impacting the driver’s field of vision.
It’s no more distracting than a phone or GPS mount, and no adjustable headrests are required, so compatibility is a non-issue.
It’s a full-view mirror that’s quick to install securely and is ideal for watching over kids and pets.
Adjustable: Yes
Colors: Black
Lights and sounds: No
Size: 10.5″ x 3.8″
Requires headrest: No
Shatterproof: Yes
What we love
- Quick and easy installation
Watch for
- Some parents felt 'dizzy' when they switched between looking in the rear view mirror and checking on the kids in the backseat
Our verdict
After going deep on the research and parent reviews, we’ve concluded that the So Peep Crash Tested Baby Mirror (check price on Amazon) is the best baby car mirror on our list, as it’s both shatterproof and crash-tested.
It’s also easy for parents to install, and the wide-angle mirror panel gives you a full view of your rear-facing infant.
It’s durable and easy to clean, plus the view can be adjusted with a pivoting joint for a perfect angle that won’t fall out of place on bumpy drives.
How we chose these infant car mirrors
Our editorial team consists of real parents with real children. We understand the need to easily and safely keep an eye on your baby as you cruise to the shops or do the school run.
Like you, we also want to avoid cheap products that break in no time. Let’s be honest, your little one is gonna grab and kick that mirror like it’s a plaything, so if it is easily broken, then it’s a waste of time.
Beyond parental experience, our expert reviewer, Kristen Gardiner, brought to bear her professional knowledge of child car safety.
She’s a Child Passenger Safety Technician and will only recommend back seat baby mirrors that meet strict safety criteria.
Editor’s Note:
Always check the latest children’s product recalls when purchasing anything for your child.
FAQs
What are the benefits of having a baby car mirror?
The answer here is pretty simple. The National Highway Traffic Safety Committee recommends that children be seated in rear-facing car seats until they max out the height and weight limits of their seat, usually around the age of four.
It’s always safer for little ones in a crash, plus it helps tiny babies from being overstimulated by bright, flashing lights as seen on the road.
There’s just one issue here for parents: it’s a position that makes it hard to sneak a peek at your baby.
It’s difficult and unsafe to be repeatedly turning around while the car is in motion — especially if you’re the one driving!
A good back seat car mirror mounts securely to the back of the headrest, or existing rearview mirror, to give parents and caretakers a set of eyes in the back seat of the car.
If the baby is fussing, has dropped their toy, or spilled their snack, parents will know right away. Likewise, it satisfies the natural compulsion to check with a quick glance that they’re okay, while you still drive safely.
On the flip side, be careful to limit the frequency with which you check that backseat mirror as this can possibly become a distraction if you’re not careful.
Is there a benefit to using baby car mirrors if my child’s seat is no longer rear-facing?
Certainly! Even if your child is riding forward-facing, baby car seat mirrors with dashboard mounts can be used to keep an eye on what’s going on in the backseat.
You can be sure that kids are buckled in and behaving, plus mounted mirrors give you a far wider, expansive view of your back seat.
It’s never a bad thing to see what your kids are up to, and, on rare occasions, it can help you quickly identify issues or dangers.
Are baby car mirrors safe? How can I be sure I’m using mine safely?
In the past, some parents have expressed safety concerns over the use of mirrors to keep an eye on baby.
It’s a valid concern — after all, traditional mirrors are breakable, and the idea of having one in the back seat with your baby can feel nerve-wracking.
Another concern that’s often expressed is the danger of a small object, like a baby mirror, becoming a dangerous projectile in the event of a car accident.
Let’s put your mind at ease: most of the latest mirrors made for viewing babies while you drive are extremely safe, as long as you choose picks that mount securely and are crash and shatterproof.
Our biggest safety and efficacy tip? Check your mount and adjustable straps! Wiggle it around a little bit, practicing adjusting and securing the mirror.
Since most picks — as are all those on our list — are crash and shatterproof, the majority of hazardous situations that occur are caused by user error.
Checking that it’s securely installed and stable eliminates one of the few remaining potential risks of using a baby car mirror.
If I don’t have a headrest, can I still install a baby car mirror?
Sure! There are lots of great car seat mirrors that let parents view the backseat without relying on headrests that may not be present, or adjustable, in every vehicle.
Most of them mount on the dashboard, so they’re generally easier to use when kids are front-facing, and there are some that don’t require a headrest while allowing parents to view their rear-facing kids.
As always, just make sure the mirror you choose is safe and that you’ve installed it securely.
What to look for in a baby car mirror?
There are loads of benefits to keeping an eye on your kids by using a car seat mirror, though the sheer variety of choices out there can feel daunting. Wondering what features you should be looking for?
Crash tested
One of the biggest safety concerns around baby car mirrors is the proximity of a potentially breakable mirrored surface in the backseat near your child.
While there are no federally mandated crash-testing standards for a baby rear view mirror, many manufacturers do their own crash testing.
You can use this information to decide which mirror is right for you. You want a baby car mirror that will remain intact rather than shatter while shedding dangerous pieces of glass.
Shatterproof
Another factor that has a big effect on how safe the product is.
Whether it’s a car crash or simply your baby playing with the detached mirror, you want to feel confident that it won’t shatter, creating a dangerous situation.
A shatterproof mirror will ensure that your baby is free from harm.
Easy, secure installation
This one is part-safety and part-efficacy. A product as simple as a baby car mirror shouldn’t be overly complex to install — if so, you may be overlooking some great picks that install easily in only a few minutes.
Likewise, you shouldn’t be struggling to secure or adjust your installation.
Great picks have secure mounts and adjustable straps that keep infant car mirrors firmly in place, making them safe and effective.
