Article Contents
Here are some of the best Android Auto head units, in terms of size, price, and how they can be used. You’re very wrong if you think that Android Auto is only for people who can afford to buy a brand-new car. Because there is now a busy market for aftermarket head units that can be put in most cars quickly and easily.
Making the interior look new and giving the dashboard serious Android compatibility. When a phone is wired or wirelessly connected to the head unit, the phone‘s interface is shown on the bigger screen inside the car. With so many options, it can be hard to figure out which Android head unit is the best for your car.
Best Android Auto Head Units Comparison Table
| Model | Connectivity Technologies | Manufacturer | Dimensions (inches) | Weight (lbs) | Price ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pioneer SPH-EVO62DAB-UNI | Bluetooth, USB, DAB+ | Pioneer | 9.00 x 3.94 x 6.50 | 3.31 | 550 |
| Sony XAV-AX100 | Bluetooth, USB, Apple Carplay | Sony | 7.01 x 3.94 x 6.18 | 2.89 | 500 |
| Pioneer AVH-W4500NEX | Bluetooth, USB, Apple Carplay | Pioneer | 7.01 x 6.50 x 11.00 | 4.41 | 700 |
| Alpine Halo9 iLX-F309 | Bluetooth, USB, Apple Carplay | Alpine | 9.06 x 3.94 x 6.50 | 3.75 | 1000 |
| JVC KW-Z1000W | Bluetooth, USB, Apple Carplay | JVC | 9.25 x 3.94 x 6.50 | 4.19 | 800 |
| Pioneer DMH-WT8600NEX | Bluetooth, USB, Apple Carplay | Pioneer | 7.01 x 6.50 x 11.00 | 4.19 | 1200 |
| Alpine iLX-W650 | Bluetooth, USB, Apple Carplay | Alpine | 9.00 x 3.94 x 6.50 | 2.65 | 400 |
Pioneer SPH-EVO62DAB-UNI
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.8-inch |
| Resolution | 800 x 480 pixels |
| Compatibility | Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Audio Formats | FLAC, MP3, WAV, WMA |
| Rear Camera Input | Yes |
| Preamp Voltage | 4 volts |
The smart modular design of this very modern unit means that even the smallest single DIN car stereo spaces can fit a large touchscreen display with all of its benefits. The Pioneer is a good choice for older cars because it has almost everything you could want in an entertainment system.
The clear 6.8-inch screen responds quickly to touch, the list of features is really impressive. It has DAB+ Digital Radio, both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and entertainment features like Spotify, Bluetooth streaming, WebLink, FLAC file playback, and much more. Overall, it is one of the best Android Auto Head Units that you can buy.
The Good
- Touchscreens that are big and easy to see
- works with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- High preamp voltage makes the sound better.
The Bad
- Compared to other models, the screen resolution isn’t that great.
- The version of Bluetooth is not the newest.
Sony XAV-AX100
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.4-inch |
| Resolution | 800 x 480 pixels |
| Compatibility | Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 |
| Audio Formats | FLAC, MP3, WAV, WMA |
| Rear Camera Input | Yes |
| Preamp Voltage | 2 volts |
Even though it’s not as big as some of the other head units we’ve talked about, this one from Sony looks great and has a real volume dial. Many others have separate plus and minus buttons or use the touchscreen to control the volume, which can be very annoying.
The dial is fun to use, and the rest of the system is fast and responsive, making it easy to navigate, use Spotify, and do other Android things. The built-in 4 x 55-watt Dynamic Reality Amplifier makes it possible to play music at very high volumes.
The Good
- Interface that is easy to use and understand
- works with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Affordable price point
The Bad
- Compared to other models, the screen size isn’t that big.
- Some models have a lower preamp voltage than others.
Pioneer AVH-W4500NEX
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.94-inch |
| Resolution | 800 x 480 pixels |
| Compatibility | Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Audio Formats | FLAC, MP3, WAV, WMA |
| Rear Camera Input | Yes |
| Preamp Voltage | 4 volts |
The Pioneer AVH-W4500NEX is our best overall Android car stereo head unit because the double DIN head unit can connect to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto through a wired or wireless connection, has HDMI input, and can stream phone calls and music over Bluetooth. Overall, it is one of the best Android Auto Head Units that you can buy.
It has a CD and DVD drive, HD Radio, FLAC support, and satellite radio, so music lovers can listen to music in any digital format. Who is the coolest? With a separate accessory, you can get information about how the engine is running on the 6.9-inch touchscreen.
The Good
- High preamp voltage makes the sound better.
- works with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Touchscreens that are big and easy to see
The Bad
- Compared to other models, the screen resolution isn’t that great.
- The version of Bluetooth is not the newest.
Alpine Halo9 iLX-F309
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 9-inch |
| Resolution | 800 x 480 pixels |
| Compatibility | Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Audio Formats | FLAC, MP3, WAV, WMA |
| Rear Camera Input | Yes |
| Preamp Voltage | 4 volts |
Even if your car only has a single DIN car stereo slot, you can still get a big touchscreen. The Alpine Halo9 iLX-F309 car head unit has a 2-inch head unit and a 9-inch floating display. This Android device has a lot of height and angle adjustments.
As well as a rear USB input, an auxiliary input, an HDMI input, and Bluetooth. This single DIN head unit has Android Auto built in. This means that you can use your voice to get Google Maps, text messages, phone calls, and the weather.
The Good
- A big, high-quality screen
- High preamp voltage makes the sound better.
- works with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
The Bad
- Compared to other models, the screen resolution isn’t that great.
- Expensive price point
JVC KW-Z1000W
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 10.1-inch |
| Resolution | 1280 x 720 pixels |
| Compatibility | Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Audio Formats | FLAC, MP3, WAV, WMA |
| Rear Camera Input | Yes |
| Preamp Voltage | 4 volts |
The JVC KW-Z1000W has a 10.1-inch screen and works with both CarPlay and Android Auto. You get not one, not two, but four different camera inputs this time. With high-resolution audio and 13-band equalization, the sound quality should be great, but it also depends on how good the car stereo is.
Bluetooth lets you make phone calls or stream music from your phone, but the USB port lets drivers play their own music from a USB flash drive. The JVC KW-Z1000W usually costs $1,249. However, if you buy it on Black Friday, you might be able to get it for around $1,000.
The Good
- A big, high-quality screen
- Compared to other models, the resolution of the screen is high.
- Use the newest version of Bluetooth to connect better
The Bad
- Compared to other models, it’s pretty pricey.
- Due to its advanced features, it may take some users longer to figure out how to use it.
Pioneer DMH-WT8600NEX
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 10.1-inch |
| Resolution | 1280 x 720 pixels |
| Compatibility | Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Audio Formats | FLAC, MP3, WAV, WMA |
| Rear Camera Input | Yes |
| Preamp Voltage | 4 volts |
This head unit from Pioneer has a similar set of features and a single-DIN chassis with a 10.1-inch floating display. The driver can control the device’s horizontal, vertical, and tilt angles, which is an added benefit of the floating design model.
In terms of smart features, the Pioneer media receiver has two camera inputs and built-in support for Alexa. Like the Kenwood unit, the Pioneer media receiver can work with both a backup camera and a second camera.
The Good
- A big, high-quality screen
- Compared to other models, the resolution of the screen is high.
- works with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
The Bad
- Compared to other models, it’s pretty pricey.
- The version of Bluetooth is not the newest.
Alpine iLX-W650
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 7-inch |
| Resolution | 800 x 480 pixels |
| Compatibility | Apple CarPlay |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 |
| Audio Formats | FLAC, MP3, WAV, WMA |
| Rear Camera Input | Yes |
| Preamp Voltage | 2 volts |
With the iLX-W650, Alpine found a great middle ground between price and features. The head unit is easy on the wallet and has most of the features that people want in an upgraded stereo. Alpine’s interface is simple and easy to use, and there are a lot of audio controls for people who like to dig deep into settings and customize sound.
Alpine built physical controls into the iLX-W650, which makes it easy to use while the car is moving. Installation is also easy because there are a lot of cables for the USB and microphone inputs. Because the unit is shallow, it can also be put in places where there isn’t much space behind the dashboard.
The Good
- Affordable price point
- Interface that is easy to use and understand
- Input for a rear camera to make things easier
The Bad
- Compared to other models, the screen size isn’t that big.
- Apple CarPlay is the only thing that works with it.
FAQs
How does it work? To use Android Auto, you must first make sure that you have the Android Auto app on your phone. (you can download it for free from the Google Play Store). Then, use a cable made by Android to connect your phone to your head unit.
Yes. 800×480, which isn’t good enough, and only 1GB of RAM. It looks like it’s based on Intel Sofia MTCD. Avoid any android headunits like that with only 1GB of RAM.
High frequency: WAV, FLAC, and extractor codecs have been updated to work with 192 kHz. Standard frequencies are used to test 192 kHz support in the default Android effects. The standard frequencies that can be used are 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, and 192 kHz.
Android Auto is a great tool for drivers because it makes using your phone while driving easier and safer. Because all of the apps you downloaded can help you in many ways without getting in the way. It’s Google’s answer to Apple CarPlay, which lets iPhone users do pretty much the same thing.