The 6 best remote car starters in 2024

While some modern vehicles come standard with remote start features, it’s still relatively uncommon. That’s a shame because if you live somewhere where cold weather, snow, and ice are frequent concerns, a remote car starter is one of the best auto accessories you can have. If you’re not familiar with them, a remote car starter works similarly to a key fob, except it will actually start your car from a distance instead of just unlocking the doors or trunk. That means you can start your car from the warm comfort of your home or office before venturing out. If you live somewhere hot, you can even start your car and let the AC run for a little bit. You’ll never enter a freezing cold or scorching hot vehicle again.

Contents

The best remote car starters in 2024
Viper VSM550 SmartStart Pro
Compustar CS925-S
Clifford 4105X
Avital 5105L
Viper 5706V
Audiovox APS997E
How we chose these remote car starters

The best remote car starters have long ranges, replaceable batteries, and other handy features — but how do you know which is best for you? We’ve compiled a list of the best car starters in a range of prices and features. Keep in mind that while you can install some yourself, some will require a professional.

The best remote car starters in 2024

Buy the if you want to remotely control your vehicle with your smartphone.
Buy the if you want an easy-to-install and DIY-friendly kit.
Buy the if you’re on a tight budget but still want excellent features.
Buy the if you don’t like any of the other options.
Buy the for the best wireless range sans mobile connectivity.
Buy the if you want a feature-rich remote starter kit.

Viper VSM550 SmartStart Pro

Best smartphone-compatible kit

Specs:

Range: Anywhere
Paging: 4G LTE/3G in the United States, Mexico, and Canada
Price: ~$200

These days, everything is controlled or interactive via smartphones and mobile devices, so it makes a lot of sense that you’d want a remote start system that you can control on your phone. Cue the Viper VSM550 SmartStart Pro, which also offers on-demand location sharing, speed alerts for the installed vehicles, and a lockdown alert to detect unwanted movement in, say, a parked vehicle. The