The Top 8 Remote Car Starters to Fire Up Your Engine From Afar

This remote starter has a lot of great features, but the highlight is its temperature control. It allows you to check the exact internal temperature of your car on the LCD screen on the key fob. This allows you to decide if the car is ready to get into, or if you should wait a bit longer. The range is also impressive, reaching up to a mile, and the two way fob informs you if the signal reached the car. It also has a great security system which sounds alarms if anything happens to your car, and will alert you on your key fob.

Not all starters are designed to work with diesel engines, but this one is designed specifically for them which means that it will not only be safe, but effective on your heavy duty vehicles. Just because it is designed for diesel however does not mean that it can't be used for non diesel engines. It has a one mile range, and a great security system which includes a dual-stage shock sensor and an alarm siren. It also has a large screen which informs you when information is sent and received by your car.

While the Compustar CSX4900S features 3,000 feet of range out of the box–using the included water-resistant key fob–the two-way system also includes the Drone X1 LTE Module, which allows for worldwide smartphone control and GPS tracking. While wireless connectivity is a big selling point, it does come at a cost. If you have your eye on the added functionality, Compustar offers a DroneMobile Basic plan, which allows for vehicle control. The Premium plan offers both vehicle control and unlimited range.

What really stands out on the Avital 4105L is the impressive 1.5-mile range. While you probably don’t want to be that far away from your car when starting it, this gives you a lot of power to send the signal through walls, trees, and anything else in your way—making it a great option if, say, you’re in the house and want to start the car up from the other side of the garage wall. It also allows you keyless entry into your car and is compatible with any make and model, meaning it’s an affordable, universal option. It doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles like temperature control, and it’s only a one-way system, but it performs its few functions well for the price.

You won’t find much of anything more affordable than the Audiovox Prestige. At under $65, it’s incredibly economical and, though simple, proves reliable and effective. Its range of 1,500 feet should be more than enough for most car owners, easily reaching from your house to the driveway—it also works with hybrids and even pairs with your phone through Carlink. The three-button system makes it easy to use without adding any fancy functions or customization—a plus for those of us that are less technologically fluent. The buttons on the fob allow you to start the car for a set time (from five minutes up to an hour), lock and unlock it, and pop the trunk.

This system by Python combines a LCD two-way security system with the convenience of a remote start. It has a long-reaching 1/4-mile range, so you can easily pre-cool or -heat your car from a distance. The included remote allows for two-communication for both security and remote-start commands. The system is completed by six siren tones and a trio of aux channels.

This remote-start system by CrimeStopper arrives with two brushed metal transmitters capable of starting your engine from a distance of 1,500-plus feet. The four-button transmitters can also unlock your vehicle, but note that they're unable to pop a trunk. On the plus side, the multi-vehicle system is compatible with gas, diesel, and hybrid engines and can also be configured for manual transmissions.

Designed to work with any car with a 12-volt battery, this universal remote starter is affordably priced at under $110. It comes with two key fobs so you can start your car from just under 500 feet away. Better still, the system offers a convenient app that connects to your vehicle via Bluetooth. Note, however, that the starter isn't compatible with Volkswagen or Buicks.