You might think aftermarket parking sensors could be a bit of an unusual car upgrade at first, a bit like aftermarket reversing cameras, and you’d be right. Across the internet, there are dozens of cheap setups available, but most of these should be avoided.
Firstly, because they are made cheaply by brands without any rapport to the market. And secondly, in one form or another, they probably won’t work properly.
Happily however, hidden beneath the largely rubbish majority, there are some decent aftermarket parking sensors out there. Quite a few of them are designed for large vehicles and/or loads in the USA that didn’t come with parking sensors from the factory. They can also work comfortably on motorhomes, campers, or if you’re towing a trailer. They’re a nice little add-on to the rest of your automotive organisation.
The best aftermarket parking sensors 2024 at a glance:
The best aftermarket parking sensors: Dolphin DPS450 Sensor Kit – buy from Amazon
Editor’s pick: Dolphin DPS400 Sensor Kit – buy from Amazon
The best budget aftermarket parking sensors: Autoutlet Rear Reversing Sensors Kit – buy from Amazon
But if visibility of your vehicle is compromised, and you don’t have factory parking sensors, then an aftermarket option could be a very viable option. We’ve scoured the internet and found a selection that are both from good, reputable brands, and are useful to a number of different vehicles. Installing them (on some at least) isn’t too much harder than setting up a dual dashcam.
The best aftermarket parking sensors 2024
The best aftermarket parking sensors
You can choose between a plethora of colours to suit your tastes and/or paintwork. You get a one-metre power cable for connecting the reverse light with the sensors along with four sensors on 2.5-metre cables along with a six-metre lead attached to the display unit. You can also adjust the detecting distance via the Brainbox, if for example, your vehicle's bumpers are slightly angled.
Pros
- Good quality little items available in a range of colours (32 different types)
- Adjustable distance/sensitivity can be done via thew Brainbox
- The sensors allow for very close parking, which can be useful if you're backing into a garage
Cons
- The front parking sensors have to be bought separately
Editor's pick
As before, the buzzer starts beeping 1.5 metres from an object, increasing in frequency until you are 30cm away, at which point the beep becomes a continuous tone – just like in factory-fitted parking sensors. We also like that the sensors have a socket plug into the main cable just 150mm from the sensor. This means that fitting and potential replacement is so much easier.
Pros
- Wide spec selection with 32 different colours available
- The buzzer is subtle and compact, meaning it could be well-hidden if you wanted it to
- Good quality item that isn't that difficult to install
Cons
- You don't get a light and measurement display unit
| Display | No |
| Sensors | 4 |
| Available colours | 32 |
The best aftermarket front parking sensors
It's also available in 32 different colours and comes with the adjustable Brainbox if your front bumper is an odd angle and/or shape. If you're concerned about it going off while on the move, there is an on/off switch included in the kit, which you can simply flick when you're about to head back out onto the road.
Pros
- On/off switch included, so the system won't sound on the road
- 32 different colours available, which adds to personality of the item
- Perfect sensors if you're parking in a tight garage and/or parking space
Cons
- Rear parking sensors have to be bought separately if you want the full set
Best mid-range aftermarket parking sensors
What you do get which rivals the Dolphin setups is an LED display to pop on your dashboard that indicates the distance of impending collision, in addition to a beep. They can detect distance up to 1.5-metres, but it's not stated at what point the chime tells you you're too close.
Pros
- LED display head unit included, which helps with precision parking
- Great value for money at just under £30 for the set
- Four sensors included, which rivals the Dolphin sets, yet undercuts them on price
Cons
- They're only available in black, which limits the personality aspect
- Distance sensitivity isn't clear, unlike the Dolphin sensors
| Display | Yes |
| Sensors | 4 |
| Available colours | 1 |
The best budget aftermarket parking sensors
Each sensor is connected via a 2.5m lead for compatibility in even very large cars, allowing the sensor display to be set up on the dashboard for safety and convenience. For four sensors at just under £15, this is a great kit for a great price.
Pros
- LED display with green, amber, and red indications makes it easy to follow
- Great value for money at just under £15 for the set
- 2.5-metre cable caters well for some larger cars
Cons
- Limited colour choice unlike the Dolphin sensors
| Display | Yes |
| Sensors | 4 |
| Available colours | 1 |
The best number-plate mounted parking sensors
In terms of installation, it can be a bit fiddly as the wires will need to be fed into the boot and connected to the control box and via the reverse light. But once installed, you have a very subtle and not-too-intrusive (to your vehicle) parking sensor kit.
Pros
- Sensors in a very subtle location, consisting of the frame of a rear number plate
- Good quality sensors with a sensible 1.5m to 30cm beeping distance
- Costs the same as the regular DPS400 sensors at £50
Cons
- Slightly tricky to install, given the feeding of the wires into the boot
FAQs and things to consider with aftermarket parking sensors
Are aftermarket parking sensors worth it?
Ask yourself this: how confident are you at precise levels of parking? Of course, it largely depends on your personal preference and whether you wished your car had sensors, but if you feel they would make parking a bit easier for you, then they’re absolutely worth it. If you’re carrying a set of bike racks, an aftermarket sensor kit might be a nice idea to assist with reversing with one of those on the back.
However, if you’re more confident and can deal with parking without them and you have a lot of visibility from within your vehicle, then aftermarket sensors probably aren’t for you.
How do parking sensors work?
Simply put, the sensors emit radar waves that bounce of objects, and the sensors pick up the rebounded waves. The electronic brainbox then computes the distance of the detected obstacle and sends the appropriate warning signal to you.
How easy is it to install aftermarket parking sensors?
So long as you plan how to tackle the task, and read the instructions several times, and set aside a few hours to get it done, installing parking sensors yourself is very doable. The same can apply when installing a set of roof racks, but if in doubt, seek help.
The most concerning stage is drilling holes in your car’s bumpers. All these kits are meant for use in plastic bumpers, which is what modern cars use these days due to safety regulations. Practice using the hole saw a couple of times before doing it for real – the main event is always rehearsed and the same applies to installing your parking sensors.
The key thing to remember is to let the hole saw do the cutting, don’t push it hard against the surface. Use masking tape around the drill points because this will not only help keep the surrounding paint intact, but also help the hole saw grip.
Also before you drill, ensure that there is enough space behind the bumper to house the sensors and pay attention to how the instructions suggest wiring the kit. If you don’t feel confident or comfortable installing the parking sensors yourself, you can always pay a professional to install them for you.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.
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