Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are excellent interfaces to have when driving. If you have an iPhone, you can hook it up to your car’s stereo system to enjoy CarPlay. That being said, if you have an older car, chances are that it doesn’t support CarPlay. In such a case, the best thing to do is to get an Apple CarPlay head unit.
SJOYBRING Car Stereo
- Size: Double Din
- Display: 7-inch
- Wireless CarPlay: No
If you’re looking for a basic CarPlay head unit at an affordable price, you cannot go wrong with the SJOYBRING stereo. Make no mistake, the inexpensive price doesn’t mean you miss out on functionality. What’s more, this head unit also includes a backup camera in the package.
The 7-inch screen on the SJOYBRING car stereo is accompanied by physical controls on the left. This is a nice addition since media controls are better with buttons and knobs. To fire up CarPlay, all you have to do is connect your iPhone to the stereo using a USB-A to lightning cable and you’re good to go.
What We Like
- SD card slot
- Includes a back up camera
What We Don’t Like
- Slightly laggy interface
BOSS Car Audio System
- Size: Double Din
- Display: 7-inch
- Wireless CarPlay: No
This audio system from BOSS also has an SD card slot, just like the one from SJOYBRING. So, when you don’t want to connect your phone, you always have the option to play your offline playlist. If you want to use CarPlay, you just have to connect your phone to the USB port onboard.
Connecting your phone to the USB port gives you the ability to control media, use navigation, and make/take calls — all via the screen in your car. There’s FM Radio built-in too. So, if you want to listen to your local stations, you can do so.
What We Like
- SD card slot
- FM Radio
What We Don’t Like
- Physical buttons feel cheap
JVC KW-M560BT
- Size: Double Din
- Display: 6.8-inch
- Wireless CarPlay: No
The audio output from the JVC KW-M560BT is quite rich, thanks to expert tweaking by JVC. There’s also a 13-band equalizer to further fine-tune the music to your tastes. While you get to groove to excellent music, you also have to make certain compromises with the JVC CarPlay head unit.
For starters, you miss out on an SD card slot so you’ll have to resort to a USB drive to play offline media. But that would take up the sole USB port and can’t charge your phone. But overall, if you’re willing to put in the effort for better audio, you should consider the JVC KW-M560BT.
What We Like
- Good audio quality
- Custom equalizer support
What We Don’t Like
- Complicated installation process
Sony XAV-AX3200
- Size: Double Din
- Display: 7-inch
- Wireless CarPlay: No
Similar to the JVC Head unit mentioned above, the Sony XAV-AX3200 focuses primarily on audio quality. The unit comes with 2V front and rear pre-amp outputs for excellent sound. However, despite its high price, it misses out on some handy features like wireless Apple CarPlay.
However, if you have a good set of speakers and a sub-woofer in your car, the Sony XAV-AX3200’s true capabilities come to life. But it’s important to note that Sony has made some compromises to accommodate better audio drivers. The main area where Sony has cut corners is in terms of the display. It houses a resistive touch screen instead of a capacitive one which is a bummer.
What We Like
- Impressive audio quality
- Good for taking calls
What We Don’t Like
- Resistive touch screen
Pioneer MVH-AV251BT
- Size: Double Din
- Display: 7-inch
- Wireless CarPlay: No
Pioneer is another brand that specializes in audio equipment. So naturally, the audio output from the MVH-AV251BT is excellent. The best part is you won’t have to compromise on the screen or other features for it.
The bottom of the Pioneer head unit has physical controls for media volume, skipping tracks, or even launch various menus without interacting with the display. Speaking of the panel, the MVH-AV251BT has a matte texture display for better visibility under direct sunlight.
What We Like
- Easy to install
- Anti-reflective display
What We Don’t Like
- No Wireless CarPlay
- Slightly pricey
ATOTO S8 Ultra
- Size: Double Din
- Display: 7-inch
- Wireless CarPlay: Yes
The biggest USP of the ATOTO S8 Ultra is its convenience. It’s one of the few head units at this price point that supports wireless Apple CarPlay. Thanks to this, you don’t have to plug your iPhone into your car every time you drive.
Wireless CarPlay is not only easier to use but it also prevents your iPhone’s battery health from deteriorating. Apart from this, there are several features unique to the S8 Ultra. For starters, it runs on a native Android OS. So even if you don’t want to use Apple CarPlay, features like navigation and media playback will still be available. And if you’re not impressed yet, the ATOTO S8 Ultra has a QLED display, hand gesture controls, dual Bluetooth device support, and to top it all, a built-in LTE modem.
What We Like
- Wireless CarPlay support
- LTE connectivity
- Screen mirroring
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive
- SD card fails to recognize at times
FAQs
1. Can I also use Android Auto on head units with CarPlay?
It depends on the head unit installed in your car. For instance, all the above-mentioned head units also support Android Auto alongside Apple CarPlay. That being said, there are other products in the market that support Apple CarPlay only.
2. Is wired CarPlay better or wireless?
Both wired and wireless CarPlay have their own pros and cons. While wireless CarPlay is more convenient, it drains your phone’s battery quicker. Wired CarPlay on the other hand requires you to plug your iPhone in all the time. This is stabler but it can also end up damaging your iPhone’s battery health in the long run.
3. Can I watch videos on my car’s stereo via CarPlay?
Natively, Apple CarPlay doesn’t allow you to stream content or mirror your iPhone’s display onto your car’s head unit. However, if you pick up an infotainment system like the ATOTO S8 Ultra which supports screen mirroring, you will be able to watch videos on your car stereo.
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