10 Best Remote Car Starters Reviewed & Rated for Quality
You open the door one morning and are immediately blasted in the face by intense cold or heat. Extreme weather has paid your town a visit, and it brought all of its buddies, leaving the climate on one side of the temperature at uncomfortable levels, and you at its mercy. With this in mind, you probably aren’t in the mood, necessary as it may be, to get into your car, which has no doubt become either a pressure cooker or a refrigerator on wheels. If only there was a way to turn on your car and have the air conditioner running long before you got in the car. Well, your prayers have been answered.
There are many reasons to get your hands on a remote car starter if your car doesn’t already come with those functions, from the convenient to the practical, to overall security. We’re counting down the ten automatic car starters we think are the best, to help take some of the research off your to-do list.
Featured Recommendations
- Factory OEM
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Our rating - Prewired
- Price: See Here
- Viper 5906V
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Our rating - Long Range
- Price: See Here
- Viper 5706V 2-Way
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Our rating - Door and Trunk Triggers
- Price: See Here
10 Best Remote Car Starters
1. Factory OEM
With a lot of remote car starters, you typically have to keep track of a separate device apart from your car remote, which you use to activate your car remotely. However, this starter doesn’t have that problem, wiring itself directly into the same system as your key remote. Now, if you want to activate your car, you simply need to press the lock button three times in succession.
Prewired
With lesser models of remote car starters, it usually falls to you to figure out how to wire the thing, and then you have to figure out how to install it. Seeing as how we’re just going to assume that not everyone who reads this is an expert mechanic, experienced in electrical wiring, this is not the best setup. Fortunately, while it still falls to you to install it, this car starter is 100% prewired.
Cost and Value
Of course, such devices like these do not come cheap, and if you want the really good models like this one, you’d best be ready to ante up. Thankfully, by the metric set by this list, the price of this car starter is actually not that bad.
No separate hardware
Prewired
Affordable for what it’s offering
Can only be used on Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep cars
2. Viper 5906V
If you want to get your car started and warmed up long before you get to it, like if you’re stepping off a plane and want to have your car nice and ready when you get to it, then you’ll be happy to know that this remote car starter has a range of up to one mile, which is a lot farther distance than it sounds.
OLED screen confirmation
While this starter doesn’t come with a camera, it does come with a simulated image of your car, shown on a small OLED display. This image serves as confirmation that the signal is actually getting through to your car, as if you turn it on, the simulated car on the screen will also turn on. Handy for those skeptical of technology and needing that extra assurance that yes, it’s working properly.
Cost and Value
Remember how we said that the price for the previous entry was considered tame when compared to its peers. Well, meet the eponymous peers. While not the most expensive entry on the list, that fact is not for lack of trying.
Long range
OLED screen confirmation
900 MHz Spread Spectrum Technology
Very pricey
3. Viper 5706V 2-Way
There’s nothing worse than coming out to find that your car has long since been stolen, with you none the wiser. But with this car starter, you will be immediately notified on up to 4 different channels that someone is tampering with your vehicle without your express permission. You can then notify the proper authorities and get the matter settled before you lose your property.
Door and trunk triggers
Need to open your door or trunk, but have your hands full? No problem, as this car starter has you covered there as well. If your car has the capability of having a device like this installed in it in the first place, then it likely uses some kind of electrical locking mechanism for the door and trunk, which this car starter can access. So, with the push of a button, you can open any door or trunk on your car.
Cost and Value
While still pretty pricey, this remote car starter isn’t anywhere close to the previous entry’s price, so if you want a top shelf remote car starter for a modest price, then you’re looking at the right device.
4 channel security system
Door and trunk trigger
Affordable by Viper standards
The screen can scratch easily
4. Avital 4105L Avistart
Even if you’re an expert with mechanics and electrical engineering, in general, the fewer wires you have to constantly deal with, the better. Which is why this car starter comes equipped with a dedicated A-to-D converter, which samples your car’s voltage hundreds of times per second. This eliminates the need for a tachometer wire connection completely.
Compatible with other interface devices
Do you have other interface systems or devices in your car? If so, then you know that the less interference they have with one another, the better. So, it’s a definite benefit that this remote car starter can interface with almost any other interface device you have in your car, thanks to a D2D serial data port.
Cost and Value
The best part about this entry is the price. Gone (for now) are the triple digit prices, and we have a very advanced car starter, for a very reasonable price.
Eliminates tachometer wire
Compatible with other interface devices
Very affordable
Not to be installed yourself, get a pro to do it
5. Avital 4113LX
If your car is being broken into, you could call the police, and then have to wait up to 8-10 minutes for them to arrive. A carjacker can cover a lot of ground in that time, so it’s better to stop them beforehand. Fortunately, any unauthorized tampering with your vehicle and this remote will automatically send the car into panic mode.
Comes in a pair
Because of the panic mode, it stands to reason that anyone who wants to get in your car for legitimate reasons without you immediately there (like if they forgot something in the car) would want a means of getting in without sending the car into a hissy fit. Which is why this car starter comes in a set of two remotes.
Cost and Value
While a bit more expensive than the previous entry, this remote car starter is still very affordable by the standards of this list.
Panic mode
Comes in a pair
Very affordable
Installing is an arduous process
6. Crimestopper RS4-G5
If another vehicle has this system installed in its wiring, and you need to get in, then you’re in luck. Among the usual buttons found on these remotes, one for locking and unlocking respectively, one to start the engine, etc. there is also a button to provide multi-vehicle compatibility.
Versatile system
But don’t think that that’s all this system is capable of. In fact, if you know what you’re doing, you can program in up to 31 features into this system, including tachometer features, hybrid modes, and engine monitoring. So, if you want to get as much out of this system as you can, then have at it.
Cost and Value
This may be the cheapest entry thus far. At just a little below the #4 entry, this remote car starter is the ideal choice for the car owner on a tight budget.
Multi-vehicle compatibility
Versatile system
Cheap
No security options
7. Avital 4103LX
Need a valet to park your car, but want to make sure that this complete stranger you just met doesn’t go running off with your car? Get your hands on this car starter, which is outfitted with valet mode. With it, you can keep the car running, even after the ignition key has been removed, which you can turn off and on with the push of a button. So, when the valet returns and tells you that your car has been parked, you need only push a button, and the car will shut off until you’re ready for it.
Panic mode
Parking in a suspicious area? A push of a button will enact panic mode, a mode that will cause the car to go on alert if it detects any kind of tampering while you’re away. However, let’s say it’s in the middle of the night, and you’re on a street where a lot of people are sleeping. You probably don’t want to disturb the whole dang street over a single carjacker. So, the panic mode alarm bell is optional, whereas the car will instead flash its parking lights, alerting any authorities nearby that the person driving the car should not be doing so.
Cost and Value
As is typical of Avital at this point, this is a very affordable remote car starter that provides excellent service and security despite the low price. Though the valet mode function does ratchet up the price a tad, it isn’t by a lot.
Valet mode
Panic mode
Affordable
Professional installation only
8. CompuSTAR CS700-AS
Most cars let out an alarm siren when the window is broken from the outside, but sometimes you come across those clever thieves who know how to bypass those systems before breaking in the window. Which is why this system acts as a backup, letting out a 6-tone siren whenever its dual stage shock sensor detects an external impact.
Advanced transmitter
But a remote car starter is only as good as the transmitter you use to activate it. And fortunately, this entry has one of the best. A four button transmitter with LED light for added visibility, this transmitter has a range of 1000 feet, and will immediately have your car do whatever you command it to do at the push of a button.
Cost and Value
While not quite as expensive as the earlier entries on this list, this is still a far cry from the affordable prices of the immediately preceding entries that came before this.
The dual stage shock sensor
6-tone alarm siren
Advanced transmitter
Does not come with a security bypass module
9. Python 5706P
When you first get these remote car starters, it can be hard to keep reminding yourself to keep track and bring it with you when you need it. So, to help you along, this remote car starter comes with a smartphone application you can download onto your iOS or Android, and use to do basically the same thing as the transmitter if you’d prefer not to have to keep track of another peripheral.
Integrated shock sensor
What do you do when someone breaks your car’s window to steal it? Or just accidentally rams into it because it’s too dark to see where they’re going. This is where the integrated shock sensor comes into play, keeping you constantly apprised of the car’s physical condition, particularly when that condition changes due to a sudden impact.
Cost and Value
The main problem with this entry is its price. We’re well back into the triple digit price ranges for this entry. In fact, in its lineup, this is considered to be one of the cheaper varieties, which should say a lot.
Smartphone application
Integrated shock sensor
One mile range
Remote doesn’t hold a lot of charge compared to others on the list
10. Yescom 2 Way
Maybe you want your motorbike to be as quiet as a mouse when you leave it behind. Most remote vehicle starters will have the vehicle emit a loud noise to notify you that the function has been enacted. However, if you would prefer that not happen every time you press a button, you can just use the optional silent mode to make the motorbike completely silent when you activate one of its features.
Powerful programmable siren
Let’s say you’re on your way back to your bike when you see some shady characters taking a liking to it. You would rather them keep away from it, and the siren only usually activates when the bike is tampered with (assuming your motorcycle even has a siren, which is rare). Fortunately, you can scare them off with the press of a button, by using the programmable, powerful 125db siren.
Cost and Value
A rather average price for a remote vehicle starter of its kind. While it doesn’t offer quite as many security options as the other entries on this list, that’s mostly due to the fact that the others on this list are meant for cars, whereas this is meant for motorcycles.
Silent mode
Powerful programmable siren
Affordable
Meant for motorbikes, not cars, so it doesn’t have nearly as many security options as the other entries
There’s nothing like a good remote car starter to give you that extra bit of efficiency you need from your vehicle. Whether you’re getting one for your car or motorcycle or whatever else, having a means by which to remotely activate the car and even enact some security or safety features as well is always appreciated. While this is by no means a required feature, it is definitely a luxury that you will find a lot of use out of. From warming up your car before you get in on a cold winter morning to activating a panic mode to ward off potential thieves, to making sure that a valet actually parks the car where you want it to be parked. And if even one of those sounds like something you could really use a remote car starter for, then we can’t recommend these ten entries enough. All of them bring something different to the table that puts them above the rest of this niche market in terms of quality and efficiency. So, if you need a remote car starter in your life, look through this list, find one that you like, and enjoy.
Criteria Used in Choosing the Best Remote Starters
Assembling a set of criteria for this list was certainly an interesting experience, to say the least. This is very niche technology we’re dealing with, and a lot of technicals go into it that you don’t see in this sort of article very often. However, through diligence and research, we managed to come up with a good list of criteria. So, with that said, here are the most vital criteria we used to judge what entries got on the list and where.
Range
Seeing as how a remote starter lives and dies on the quality of its transmitter, a lot of the criteria for this list came from that source. And one of the most important qualities for a transmitter to have is a long range. After all, all of the high-quality construction, high tech settings, and functions don’t really mean anything when you can’t get the thing to work because you’re more than a few inches away from the car. The typical range of a remote car starter transmitter is about 1-2 miles. Depending on the model of the transmitter, however, that range can be interrupted by certain objects like lead or even a large number of other cars. Also, areas like parking garages, where signals of all kinds are notoriously weak, will also be a problem. These are the general problems you have to worry about with all car starter transmitters, but some have it worse than others.
Security features
These aren’t necessarily required, as there are plenty of entries on this list that don’t have security features. But better to have them and not need them, and all that jazz. This is a rather broad definition, but what we generally refer to are functions and systems put in place with the intent of deterring attempts of theft or otherwise tampering with your vehicle. Whether it’s a means of alerting the police to the theft, or automatic activation of the car’s siren in order to scare off anyone you feel is getting too chummy with your car’s window. There are a great many different ways you can use a remote car starter to keep your car secure. Now, you may think you may never need these functions, and you may be right. But again, better to have and not need, than to need and not have.
Overall features
But beyond security features, there are also a number of miscellaneous features you can also add onto it if you want. You honestly have the pick of the litter here, seeing as how most cars nowadays have almost every feature be electronic to some extent. So there are remote car starters with the capacity to open the doors of the car, the trunk, turn on the lights, activate the alarm siren, and if you have the really big bucks, you can even get a remote car starter that will let you keep the car on even when the key is not in the ignition. So, if you want to make sure that valet puts the car where you want it to be, you can just keep the keys turn the car off when they park it. And for certain systems, there are even security modes you can put your car in, even when it’s turned off. So, if your car thief is a crafty sort who knows how to hotwire a car, you can have the car turn itself back off the minute it feels pressure on the gas pedal.
Bypass module
Like we said, most cars nowadays have mostly electronic components, which also means they have an onboard computer. But computers tend to get testy when a new computer system comes muscling in on their turf, so it can be a bit hard to install a remote car starter into these cars. Unless, of course, you have a car starter equipped with a bypass module. Because of the ubiquity of onboard computers, having a bypass module on your remote car starter should be considered mandatory, because otherwise, there is literally no way for the starter to work, even when installed. The onboard computer already there will treat it as an intruder to its system and lock it out. The bypass module will help the remote car starter to, as the name says, bypass those systems to grant it access. So, when you go to buy a remote starter, always check to make sure that it comes with a bypass module.
Price
The last criteria we looked at for this list was the price of each item, and how it reflected back on the value of the item itself. What we mean by this is that the prices for these remote car starters didn’t have a lot of consistency to them. Sure, there are definitely some functions that are a guaranteed price ratchet, but for the most part, the functions and construction of a remote car starter have little bearing on the price of the device. Which is definitely good when you consider how much installing them is going to cost you. But for this list, we decided to judge each entry based on how well they could justify the prices they had. If the price of the remote car starter reflected the kind of service it provided, we were more likely to go easy on our judgment of the price.
FAQ
For the last segment of this list, we’ll be taking a look at some frequently asked questions surrounding remote car starters. These are complex devices that you have to pay a lot of money to both buy and install into your car, so it’s no wonder that most people would prefer to have as many of their questions answered as possible before making that purchase. So, with that said, here are the most frequently asked questions surrounding remote car starters, and the answers thereof.
Q: Do I need to have a professional mechanic install my remote car starter, or can I do it myself?
A: This all depends on the remote car starter itself. Sometimes you’ll have a remote car starter that can be installed DIY and be just fine. But other times, usually with remote car starters that have more complex components, you really do need to have a professional install it for you. Fortunately, the starter’s box will clearly tell you which side of the spectrum the one you’re looking at falls under, so just make sure to keep an eye out for that, and you should be just fine.
Q: I have a remote car starter that can be installed DIY, do you have any tips for me when it comes to the installation process?
A: First and foremost, read the manuals. Yes, manuals, plural. As in, you need to read both the manual for the remote car starter and the manual for the car you’re going to be installing it in. You need to know everything about both objects, top to bottom, to make sure that the two are compatible with each other, and that there’s nothing in either that will pull a fast one on you.
Next, you need to make sure that the battery is disconnected. When the battery is connected to the car, people aren’t really meant to be rifling around in those areas, so there’s a lot of electricity freely flowing throughout. And on top of that, installing this device is going to involve a lot of soldering and new connections, so a reboot of the battery (i.e., taking it out and putting it back in) is necessary regardless.
Finally, make sure that the place you’ve chosen to install the remote starter is safe. As long as it has a clear and stable connection to the battery, technically you can put the starter anywhere. But it should always be somewhere safe and secure, where it’s unlikely to get damaged while driving. The most common spot pros like to install it is one of the panels under the dashboard.
Q: I know that a remote car starter can help my security, but is there anything else you recommend I do to improve the security of my car?
A: The best thing you can do, if you don’t trust the area you’re parking in, is to park somewhere well-lit and where there are a lot of people. People equal witnesses, which will discourage wrongdoing. The other thing you can do if that isn’t an option is to hide any valuables in the car since that’s what most thieves are after. Most cars can be tracked, but your diamond rings can’t. So, anything like electronics or valuable items should go on the floorboard where it’s harder to see them.
