Whether for convenience, security, or a not insignificant cool factor, the best remote car starters can add useful features to your vehicle. Aside from, perhaps, a portable jump starter, a remote car starter is one of the best accessories you can buy for any vehicle. These handy devices are quickly becoming a common feature in new cars, and allow drivers to heat up their vehicle on cold mornings, or cool it down in the heat of summer before the door is even open. Some also give you security and monitoring capabilities.
Some, like our top pick, the Viper 5906V, can control your car from up to a mile away and feature an OLED display with which to access a wealth of powerful features. Others allow you to access numerous functions via a companion app on your smartphone. There are many proven aftermarket options available. Keep in mind that, though many are quite affordably priced for all the advantages they provide, you might also need to figure in the cost of installation depending on which model you decide to buy. We’ve taken a close look at a bunch of different options, and there’s a remote car starter here for everyone.
With up to a mile of range and a big, bright touchscreen OLED display, the Viper 5906V offers an attractive combination of quality and functionality. The system offers such basic features as locking and unlocking your car, as well as temperature and security sensors, and includes a secondary one-way transmission remote. The 5906V also features Viper’s SuperCode technology which allows you to control two cars with the same remote.
Best Overall
Viper 5906V 2-Way Remote Car Starter
Color OLED touchscreen
Long-range
Advanced security features
Large, bulky remote
Expensive
The 5906V includes the ability to pair the system to your smartphone and control it through a companion app, though you will need to purchase the additional Smart Start module to enable this functionality. The batteries in the remote last a full six months on a single 60-minute charge. The only real caveat here is that the remotes are quite bulky, and the system is quite expensive, but if you can afford it this is the single best option on the market right now.
The Crimestopper RS4-G5 remote starter is designed for those who want to be able to customize their controls. The system includes the usual pre-set buttons on the two included remotes for opening the trunk, remote start, plus locking and unlocking. It also includes a 5th button that can be assigned to the function of your choice. Among the 31 programmable options are engine monitoring and tachometer features.
Best Customization
Crimestopper RS4-G5 Remote Start
Compatible with both manual and automatic transmissions
Good value for money
Great customization options
Less range than other remote starters
Lacks advanced security features
The RS4-G5 is compatible with both automatic and manual transmission vehicles and offers smartphone control if you also purchase the optional Mobile Start MS-3 module. On the downside, the system lacks more advanced security features and only has an operating range of up to 2,000 feet. However, it’s very attractively priced at only around $60, which makes it a tasty bargain.
About Our Trusted Experts
With a driving passion for technology and the outdoors, Andy Zahn has been writing for Lifewire since 2019. As an avid hiker and photographer, he is well aware of the importance of vehicle security at remote trailheads and knows that there’s nothing like returning to an air-conditioned vehicle after a long day of hiking in the hot sun.
What to Look For in a Remote Car Starter
Two-Way connectivity
While some remote car starters use a simple one-way transmitter to send simple instructions to your vehicle, others implement a two-way system where information is also transmitted back to the remote. This allows for information such as temperature and alarms to be sent to you from your car.
Security features
A remote car starter can add significant security features to prevent theft of or from your vehicle. Some devices can remotely disconnect the ignition system in your car and prevent the car from being hotwired. Some also feature alarms, or the ability to be connected to existing security systems in your vehicle.
Smartphone compatibility
Often remote car starters will feature additional connectivity options that allow you to access various capabilities on your smartphone. This is particularly useful for viewing information gathered by the remote starter on a large screen.
Ease of installation
The kit you buy and the vehicle you install it in will dictate the difficulty of installing a remote car starter. Some older vehicles may require extra adaptors. If you aren’t confident in your ability to install a remote car starter, or your particular installation scenario is overly complicated, it may be best to have a professional install it.
