Which aftermarket car stereo is the best

Everything we recommend. Why you should trust us Who this is for Will this fit your car, and can you install it? Why you should trust us. Who this is for. Photo: Rik Paul. Will this fit your car, and can you install it? How we picked. The most important considerations:. Wireless connectivity: We could seamlessly link to all of the stereos we tested with a USB cord, but being able to connect wirelessly to the CarPlay and Android Auto apps is a huge convenience. Easy-to-use interface: Intuitive controls, large on-screen buttons, and easy-to-read fonts make it easy to get to what you want quickly, minimizing distractions.

Most stereos have similar screens: a 6. The best have a nice tactile feel, which makes them easier to identify by touch. A few models—including three of the stereos we tested—have a knob, which makes volume adjustments much easier, although the compromise can be a slightly smaller display. Touchscreen: We preferred a capacitive touchscreen similar to the one on your smartphone , which allows multitouch gestures that can be particularly handy for pinching to zoom on navigation maps.

But those are typically available only on higher-priced stereos. The better stereos have hard buttons that are easy to use while driving, without having to take your eyes off the road for longer than necessary. The ones on this Pioneer have a tactile feel that makes them easy to identify by touch.

This lets you reflect the mood you want, adjust between modes you can see better in daylight or at night, or simply provide some variation in how the stereo looks. It sounds silly, but having the stereo match the interior lighting makes it feel much more integrated. Swapping out the factory stereo risks losing this convenience, but the better models, including most of the ones we tested, can keep it as long as you connect a special wiring harness such as the iDatalink Maestro.

If your car has other functions—such as climate controls or vehicle settings—integrated into the infotainment system, you can also usually get a wiring harness that enables those features as well. Other details that are important to some people. Built-in navigation system: Not everyone needs a built-in navigation system, but deciding whether to get one is a big part of this purchase.

It can also provide better visual navigation than some phone map apps, such as clearer lane guidance for highway exits. But unlike with phone-based nav systems, which are typically continuously updated, you often need to pay for map updates for built-in systems. Satellite radio compatibility: Satellite radio compatibility is important for anyone who has or wants to buy a subscription to SiriusXM radio. The same goes for many new cars.

One benefit to consider: Stereos with disc players also play DVDs, and include video inputs so you can play a DVD for rear-seat passengers on a separate monitor or in the head unit when the car is parked. Some higher-priced stereos also have a second or third input, which lets you also connect, say, a second camera in the front or behind a trailer, or provide a larger display for a dash cam.

Higher-priced stereos include more inputs and outputs for connecting external accessories such as backup cameras, dash cams, a GPS receiver, a satellite radio receiver, an external amplifier, or other video devices.

Pre-out outputs: Most car-stereo head units have two or three pre-outs, which are important only if you intend to expand your audio system by adding an external amplifier. If you do intend to add an amp, the power from the pre-outs usually range from a basic 2 volts up to 5 volts in higher-priced stereos. An expert at Model Electronics in Ramsey, New Jersey told us that extra voltage produces a cleaner sound, with more punch. All of the stereos we tested deliver more than enough power for a typical car-stereo setup, with 50 to 55 peak watts per channel for a four-speaker system.

Yup, we thought that might intrigue you! To quickly circle back to a couple of features we rattled off, we wanted to let you know a little bit more about the wildly popular Apple CarPlay and Android Auto conveniences that a lot of folks are looking for nowadays.

What are you waiting for? Kenwood decided to use top-shelf components think transistors, capacitors, etc. All these components come together to help you achieve some truly impressive sound quality. Sure, it sounds good, but is it easy to use? Heck yeah, it is. The slick capacitive touchscreen that Kenwood sourced for this model is marvelous. Get the perfect sound — and from any seat! We saved the best for last here: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are built into this unit and it can be used wirelessly with select smartphones , so you can remain connected throughout your journeys via text or cell.

Need to chat with someone or safely exchange a few texts? No problem — CarPlay has you covered here, too. For the music lovers, you can pull up your favorite playlists in Spotify, Pandora, Tidal, Apple Music, and more right through the touchscreen. Add a SiriusXM tuner kit and set up the subscription to enjoy coast-to-coast digital music. Android Auto is the best way to make your experience with your Android as seamless as possible while driving, making it safe and convenient for you.

If you opt to purchase the optional tuner and sign up for the service, SiriusXM satellite radio can be added into the mix, too. The on-board amplifier has robust power output with 20 watts of continuous output and peaking at 50 watts per channel.

To round it all out, a 3-year warranty comes standard with this touchscreen. That should offer some peace-of-mind to you since Sony expects these units to last a long time.

Why go scrounging around for a CD when your smartphone is probably close to hand anyway? Cool, huh? This thing literally has everything but the kitchen sink built into it! The positioning of the screen is adjustable before the final bits of the installation, so you can get the best-possible viewing angle.

We can even do most of the wiring for you with our ReadyHarness service. Most receivers will allow you to stream music from your phone and make hands-free calls. Most will allow you to connect your phone to the USB port for more extensive integration. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are the coolest and safest ways to integrate your phone with your car, since you can access most phone features with your voice.

They break down into five different types: 1 Navigation receivers: radios with built-in maps. Some play discs and some don't. This installation guide shows you how to remove your old car stereo and install and wire a new stereo in your car. Large touchscreens, loads of built-in features, and easy viewability are just some of the advantages to building your stereo around a large-screen receiver.

These car audio tips can help improve sound quality in your vehicle, whether you're listening on a factory system or a multi-channel amplified setup. Read on for advice from our experts. When adding an aftermarket receiver, you need a steering wheel control adapter to keep the functionality and convenience of your steering wheel controls. Watch this video for a step-by-step overview of a basic car stereo installation.

The actual steps involved vary from car to car, but this is a good example. From in-dash DVD players to easy-add-on portable systems, car video makes your trips a lot more fun, and this article covers the topic from front to back.

Crutchfield's car audio experts answer some of the most frequently asked questions about buying and installing a car stereo. The automotive audio terms you'll need to know when you're shopping for aftermarket CD players, nav receivers, or digital media receivers for your car or truck.

Our discounts on the kit, harness, and other gear you'll need when installing a new car stereo or car speakers can help you do it yourself while saving you money. For free personalized advice, call Our Advisors have listened to most of the speakers we carry, and can help you make the best choice for your system. Close contact box. Call See our hours Our hours Hours 7 days a week. Looking for International Support? Connect ID.

What is Connect ID? Call us at Your advisor will be able to share relevant pages and add items to your cart. Your security and privacy are ensured. Our advisors cannot see anything that is on your computer. They only have the ability to "serve" a page from our site and put items in your cart. All finished with your chat session? Continue chat Close. Our contact center is currently closed.

Why is this required? Phone Please enter your US phone number. Please choose one:. For Tech Support, call Begin chat. Thank you,! Your Advisor,. Order number. Billing zip code. Billing last name. Virtual agent:. No Yes You said.

Your phone number. Look up order. Virtual agent: Would you like to schedule a callback from Tech Support? Virtual agent: Thanks! We found your order info. Please fill out the following and we'll have someone from Tech Support call you back at your convenience. Your phone number Please enter a valid digit phone number.

When should we call you back? Callback time. You can exit this chat now. Exit chat Send. Don't wait on hold. We'll call you back when it's your turn to talk with the next available.

How can we help you today? When do you want us to call you back? Schedule a time. Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. We delete comments that violate our policy , which we encourage you to read. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. Roadshow editors pick the products and services we write about. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Roadshow staff. Jump to details. Enlarge Image. The best overall Android Auto head unit.

Alpine Halo9 iLX-F The best big screen Android Auto head unit. The best Android Auto digital multimedia head unit. Alpine iLX-W The best cheap Android Auto head unit. The best wireless Android Auto head unit if money is no object. Discuss: Best Android Auto head unit car stereos for