What Is the Best Aftermarket Push Button Start Kit? (Spoiler: It’s RFID)

“Best” Depends on What You’re Actually Trying to Solve

The search for the “best” of anything often leads down a path of conflicting opinions and sponsored reviews. When it comes to the best aftermarket push button start kit, the question itself needs to be refined. The "best" kit is not simply the one with the flashiest button or the lowest price. The best system is the one that most reliably and securely solves the fundamental engineering problem: replacing a mechanical ignition switch with a superior electronic equivalent.

To find the answer, you have to look beyond surface-level features and understand the core technology that drives the system. The evaluation should focus on security, reliability, and build quality—the factors that matter long after the initial installation is complete. When you frame the question around these priorities, the field of push button start options narrows considerably, and a clear technological winner emerges.

Why This Question Comes Up So Often

The desire for an aftermarket push button start system is widespread and for good reason. It offers a cleaner dashboard aesthetic, eliminating the dangling keys that can scratch a steering column or clutter an interior. It provides a modern, convenient user experience. And, when implemented correctly, it offers a significant security upgrade over a traditional mechanical key.

This widespread interest in a keyless ignition upgrade has led to a market flooded with options at every price point. The sheer volume of choices creates confusion. Builders and owners are left to sift through products that all promise a similar outcome but are built on vastly different technological foundations. This is why the question of "what is best" is not just common; it is necessary for making a sound investment in your vehicle.

What All Aftermarket Push Button Start Kits Have in Common

Before diving into the differences, it helps to understand the shared goal of every kit on the market. At a fundamental level, they all aim to replicate the function of a traditional keyed ignition switch. When you turn a key, you are closing circuits in a sequence: Accessory, Ignition, and Start.

All push-button start systems use a control module with electronic relays to perform this same sequence. Pressing the button sends a signal to the module, which then energizes the appropriate circuits. This is the baseline of how push button start works. Understanding these keyless ignition basics is crucial because it clarifies that the button itself is just a simple switch; the real intelligence and security of the system lie within the control module and its method of authorization.

Where Aftermarket Push Button Start Systems Start to Differ

While the end goal is the same, the path to achieving it varies significantly. The primary point of divergence—and the most important factor in a push button start comparison—is the method of authorization. How does the system know that the person pressing the button is the legitimate owner of the vehicle and not a thief?

This is where you see the greatest push button start differences. The technology used to grant permission to start the engine separates the professional-grade systems from the simple, and often insecure, alternatives. This method of authorization directly impacts the system's security, reliability, and overall user experience.

Key Technologies Used in Aftermarket Push Button Start

When you strip away the marketing, you will find that nearly all push button start technology falls into one of three categories. Each has a different approach to solving the authorization problem, with varying levels of security and sophistication. Understanding these keyless ignition systems is the key to making an informed choice.

Simple Trigger-Based Push Button Systems

This is the most elementary form of push-button start. A basic push button start kit in this category is often little more than a momentary push button ignition switch wired in parallel with the factory start wire. There is no real "system" or control module. It requires the driver to still insert and turn the key to the "On" position to power the ignition circuit. Then, instead of turning the key to the "Start" position, they press the button. This offers no security benefit and is purely an aesthetic or ergonomic change.

Remote-Fob–Dependent Push Button Start Systems

This category represents a step up. These systems are often bundled with a basic aftermarket keyless entry ignition setup. The system relies on a signal from a remote key fob, typically the "unlock" command, to enable the start button for a short period. This is a form of key fob push button start. While it provides a basic layer of security over a simple trigger, it is often tied to unsophisticated, fixed-code remotes that can be vulnerable to interception. The security is only as good as the remote itself.

RFID-Based Push Button Start Systems

This is the technology used in modern OEM keyless ignition and is the core of all Digital Guard Dawg systems. An RFID push button start system uses a passive transponder (the fob) that communicates with an antenna in the vehicle via a secure, encrypted radio frequency signal. The RFID ignition system only enables the start sequence when it verifies the unique, authorized fob is present inside the vehicle. This method provides a much higher level of security and allows for a seamless, hands-free experience.

Why Ignition Authorization Matters More Than the Button Itself

The button on the dash is what you see and touch, but it is the least important part of the system from a security standpoint. The critical function is ignition authorization. A mechanical key provides this through its unique physical cut. When you remove that key, you must replace it with an electronic authorization method that is equally or, preferably, more secure.

This is where many cheap systems fail. They focus on the novelty of the button press but treat security as an afterthought. A truly secure system ensures that the vehicle is completely immobilized and cannot be started by hot-wiring or any other traditional theft method. Keyless ignition security is not a feature; it is the fundamental purpose of the upgrade.

What RFID Does Differently — in Plain Language

So, how RFID ignition works is by creating a secure, digital handshake. The RFID fob in your pocket does not need a battery to transmit its core security code. When you get in the car, an antenna connected to the main control module emits a low-power radio frequency field. This field energizes a small transponder chip inside the fob, which then broadcasts its unique, encrypted identification code.

The control module verifies this code against the ones it has stored in its memory. If they match, the system authorizes the ignition and allows the start button to function. Our systems take this a step further with Dual Frequency/Dual Encryption (DFDE) communication, which uses over 6 billion rolling codes. This makes the signal virtually impossible to capture and replay, providing a level of RFID vehicle security that far surpasses even some OEM systems.

Reliability, Not Gimmicks, Is What Defines “Best”

A car that does not start is not a car; it is a very heavy sculpture. A reliable push button start system is one that works every single time, in all conditions. This reliability is not a matter of luck; it is a result of engineering and quality components. It means using onboard 60-amp relays that can handle the high current draw of a V8 starter without failing. It means using 4oz copper circuit boards that dissipate heat effectively.

A professional keyless ignition system is built to withstand the vibration, temperature extremes, and electrical noise found in a real-world automotive environment. Gimmicks like flashy light shows or sound effects mean nothing if the relays fail on a cold morning or the module cannot handle the electrical interference from a high-output ignition system.

Why Cheaper Kits Often Feel Fine — Until They Don’t

Many cheap push button start problems do not surface immediately. A kit with undersized relays and thin wiring might work perfectly well on a workbench or for the first few weeks of use. The aftermarket ignition issues begin to appear under real-world stress.

The strain of starting a cold engine with thick oil puts a heavy load on the starter, which in turn draws significant current through the ignition relays. Low-quality relays will eventually overheat, arc, and fail, leaving you stranded. Flimsy connectors can vibrate loose, causing intermittent starting problems that are a nightmare to diagnose. These kits feel fine until the day they don't, and that day is usually the most inconvenient time possible.

Security Considerations That Separate Good from Great

A truly safe push button start system goes beyond simply preventing theft. It includes features designed for real-world scenarios. For example, all of our systems require a brake pedal press before the engine will crank. This prevents the vehicle from being accidentally started in gear, a critical safety feature, especially in high-torque vehicles.

Furthermore, the RFID keyless ignition security in our systems means there is no "master code" or simple bypass. The encrypted link between the fob and the module is the only way to authorize the ignition. This is a fundamentally more secure architecture than a system that can be disarmed by a simple unlock signal from a cheap, unencrypted remote.

Compatibility Across Classic, Custom, and Modern Vehicles

The best system should also be the most versatile. A well-engineered control module can be adapted to nearly any vehicle with a 12-volt, negative-ground electrical system. This means that a high-quality system is not limited by make or model.

This aftermarket push button start compatibility is especially important for builders working on unique projects. Whether you are installing a classic car keyless ignition in a 1950s pickup or a modern system in a restomod, the core principles of the installation are the same. A superior system is designed with this flexibility in mind, providing robust ignition control that is independent of the vehicle's specific electronics.

What Builders and Installers Tend to Prioritize

When you talk to professional builders who are putting their name and reputation on a six-figure build, their priorities become very clear. They choose builder trusted ignition systems based on reliability and support. They need to know that the components they install will not fail and cause a customer to be stranded. They look for heavy-duty construction, clean installation, and clear instructions.

Professional installers also value an installer friendly keyless ignition system. This means a system without a mess of external relays that need to be wired and hidden. It means having access to MECP-certified technical support from experts who understand both the product and the vehicle. These are factors that do not show up on a product's feature list but are critical to a successful, long-lasting installation.

So — What Is the Best Aftermarket Push Button Start Kit?

After evaluating the options based on security, reliability, and engineering quality, the answer becomes clear. The best aftermarket push button start kit is one built on a foundation of secure RFID technology. It is the only technology that provides the level of sophisticated, encrypted authorization necessary to truly replace a mechanical key without compromising security.

While other systems can make a button on the dash light up, only an RFID-based system provides the robust, OEM-level security and immobilization that a modern ignition demands. When you define the best push button start system as the one that is the most secure and most reliable, RFID is the undisputed choice.

Why RFID Systems Consistently Check the Most Boxes

An RFID-based system delivers on all the key criteria. It offers superior, encrypted security that prevents hot-wiring and code-grabbing. It provides a seamless user experience, from simple fob-in-pocket authorization to full passive keyless entry. The RFID push button start benefits are tangible and directly address the core purpose of the upgrade.

When professionally engineered with high-quality components, an RFID system delivers the long-term reliability that builders and owners depend on. It is a secure keyless ignition solution that is built for the real world. It is not about being the cheapest option; it is about being the correct and most durable one.

Learn More About RFID-Based Push Button Start Systems

We have been engineering and manufacturing professional-grade RFID push button start systems in the USA since 2006. We invite you to explore our products and discover the engineering difference for yourself. From the robust PBS-I to the fully-featured iKey Premier, all our automotive keyless ignition systems are built on this secure and reliable foundation.