Car Mirror vs. Baby Car Monitor: Which One Should I Choose?

We all become parents at some point, and that experience is truly amazing. Suddenly, our world revolves around the little one, and their safety becomes our top priority. We make careful choices and have a very thoughtful approach to every decision. 

One such choice for driving parents is whether to go with the car mirror or upgrade to a baby car monitor. Yes, mirrors are simple and reliable, but they have a limitation; they only provide a direct view of the rear side. 

Now, what if your child is side-seated or in a rear-facing seat? You may not be able to adjust the mirror to get a clear angle. So, should you choose a baby monitor instead? Does it make sense to spend extra on a device with cameras and screens? 

To help you cut through the confusion, we’ll break down the pros and cons of a car mirror and baby car monitor, and then put them side by side to see which option best fits your needs.

Car Rear Mirror: Pros and Cons

The car’s built-in rearview mirror is the standard, rectangular mirror mounted on the windshield inside your vehicle. Its primary purpose is to help you see traffic behind you, but many parents also use it to keep an eye on their kid/baby seated behind them. It could be titled or rotated to get the right view. 

Pros:

• Comes standard in all cars.
• No extra cost of installation.
• Runs without any wiring or power.

Cons:

• Limited viewing angle
• Probably seeing in low-light/night conditions.

Baby Car Monitor: Pros and Cons

A baby car monitor is a system of a camera and a screen. The camera is usually mounted on the backseat headrest or seatback, whereas the display screen sits on the front dashboard. The two are connected with a cable, giving the driver a constant live video feed of the baby.

Since a high-quality camera is used (rather than a mirror), the image is digitally clear and can be adjusted for better viewing angles. Moreover, many monitors have night vision, so you can see your baby even in the dark.

Pros:

• Real-time monitoring on the dashboard
• Detailed video feed and recording option.
• Flexible positioning of the camera.
• Night vision for low light.
• Smart alerts and notifications.

Cons:

• Required wired installation.

Car Mirror vs Baby Car Monitor: Why Pick the Latter?

You might already sense that car mirrors fall short compared to baby car monitors in multiple aspects. Let’s further break down those critical aspects to better gauge the effectiveness of these smart devices. 

Placement Options

Rearview mirrors have just one placement option: the windshield. Yes, you can tilt or rotate them slightly, but their position is static and limited by design. 

In contrast, baby car monitors offer dynamic placement: their cameras can be strapped to headrests, clipped onto seatbacks, or any position that provides a better viewing angle. That’s similar to how you can adjust a smartphone camera for the perfect shot.

Range of View

Standard rearview mirrors are legally required to provide a minimum 20-degree horizontal field of view to monitor traffic behind the vehicle. Although this works for glancing at older children in forward-facing seats, it’s inadequate for rear-facing infants or side-seated toddlers. 

Whereas baby car monitors use wide-angle lenses (like SMILE), offering up to 120° coverage. That’s enough to capture all passengers seated in the backseat.

Night View

Mirrors rely on ambient light, which becomes a liability at night. Glare from headlights or streetlights can obscure your view, and low-light conditions make it hard to see your child.

Baby cams are designed to work in low-light conditions (even in darkness) with added infrared light. They are also programmed to digitally enhance the footage quality in real-time, and due to their placement inside the car, they don’t catch any glare from headlights.

Smart Features: Recording and Notification

Mirrors are passive tools; they just reflect light but lack interactivity. However, modern baby monitors have advanced tech. 

Some options, like AKEEYO SMILE, offer HD resolution video recording to capture the precious interactions. Moreover, they have a smart alert and notification system, as well as off-site viewing via smartphone apps.

Installation Costs

The last one is cost. This might be the only factor where a rearview mirror wins. Since it comes standard with the car, you don’t have to install it. No costs are incurred.

Baby car monitor, does adds a significant cost, around $150 to 200. But as a parent, you would be more willing to prioritize peace of mind that comes with clear visibility and safety alerts.

AKEEYO SMILE: The Baby Car Monitor That You Surely Need

Convinced that a baby car monitor is the way to go? We have just the perfect option for you – SMILE, designed to bring peace of mind and joy to parents as their child grows.

SMILE is a smart car monitor thoughtfully crafted to address the real challenges parents face. It lets you keep a close eye on your little one and capture precious moments – whether they’re peacefully sleeping, laughing, or gazing out the window.

The IPS LCD display, mounted right on your dashboard, offers a clear, direct view that’s visible even from the sides. You no longer need to constantly look back or adjust your rearview mirror. With a wide 120-degree viewing angle and zoom capabilities, you can capture every detail effortlessly. Plus, its infrared night vision ensures a crystal-clear view even in complete darkness.

SMILE also comes with smart alerts; for example, if you accidentally leave your baby in the car, it will remind you with a gentle voice prompt: “Please remember to take your baby.” You can record videos, snap pictures, and customize settings through the control app.

So, why wait? Get AKEEYO SMILE now, and keep your baby in sight, day and night!