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There’s almost nothing worse than a bad-sounding car stereo. No matter what you do, you can’t drive your car from the outside, and being stuck inside with awful sound is less than ideal. You can fiddle with a worn-out sound system and never hit the sweet spot, but for most cars, it’s possible to replace the head unit to get better sound and connectivity features old systems don’t have.
It’s easy to find dozens of generic head units, but it’s best to find a trusted brand from a well-known seller. The touchscreen car stereo purchase is just your first step in the process, so you’ll want to have the option to get support, repairs, and a replacement if needed.
Summary List
- Best Overall: Pioneer DMH-WT7600NEX
- Best Value: Boss BE950WCPA
- Honorable Mention: Sony XAV-AX8100
- Best Big Screen: Alpine Halo11 iLX-F411
- Best Bargain: Kenwood DDX276BT
- Best for Flexible Installation: Pioneer DMH-WC5700NEX
Our Methodology
To select the best touchscreen car stereos, I reviewed pricing, functionality, customer reviews, and quality ratings. I selected head units with the best reviews possible, but I also looked at ease of installation and longevity. Paying someone to install a stereo can add up to big bucks, so it’s good to have the option to install it yourself. I also selected screens that fit in the largest number of vehicles, as a big screen can be a big pain in older cars.
I also kept entertainment in mind, because that’s the primary purpose of a car stereo. I selected head units that offer the broadest possible feature set, including things like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and SiriusXM tuner compatibility. You can be confident that these touchscreen car stereos are packed with the most desirable features.
Best Touchscreen Stereo Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
Pioneer DMH-WT7600NEX
Best Value
Boss BE950WCPA
Honorable Mention
Sony XAV-AX8100
Best Big Screen Touchscreen
Alpine Halo11 iLX-F411
Best for Flexible Installation
Pioneer DMH-WC5700NEX
Best Touchscreen Bargain
Kenwood DDX276BT
Our Verdict
I picked the Pioneer DMH-WT7600NEX as the best overall touchscreen car stereo system because it offers an excellent mix of screen size, features, ease of installation, and quality. I chose the Boss BE950WCPA for value because it gives up very little in the pursuit of a good price.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Touchscreen Stereo
The most important thing to consider before buying a stereo is the size. The best touchscreen car stereo system in the world won’t do you any good if it doesn’t fit your car. It’s also good to check for overall fit, meaning the space the screen takes up on your dash. Air vents and physical buttons can be obstructed by a giant screen, which will be annoying even if you love the display. That said, it’s possible to buy adapters and brackets that allow you to install single-DIN head units in larger spaces, but that’s an added cost you’ll have to pay on top of the purchase and installation price.
It’s also good to research the things you need to install an aftermarket unit. The product itself might be just one of several components you’ll need for installation. Depending on your vehicle, you may need separate adapters to enable steering wheel controls, and you’ll have to think about wiring a backup camera if that’s on your to-do list.
Finally, consider the rest of your stereo. If you’re upgrading an old unit, it might be time to spring for new speakers and wiring as well. Connecting a brand-new head unit to a bunch of tired old speakers probably won’t yield the results you were hoping for.
Pricing
You have a couple of options when it comes to choosing a touchscreen head unit. The lower-cost option is to prioritize the touchscreen and price over all other functionality. On average, expect to pay $300 or less for a budget touchscreen stereo.The second option is to prioritize features and functionality. Most touchscreen car stereo systems with robust feature sets start for around $500, but it’s possible to spend more than $1,500.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
A: While it’s common to find touchscreen car stereo systems without a CD player, we’re not yet in a place where they can be phased out completely. Many people have older cars with old stereos that play CDs and many companies still make them, so we’re likely to have them around for some time to come.
A: “Best” depends on your needs and wants when it comes to car audio. If you prioritize a display and want the graphical component that they bring, a touchscreen may be best, but if you want a simpler experience, there are dozens of straightforward head units on the market.
A: The stereos in many newer cars are integrated with several vehicle functions, like climate and safety systems. Even if a replacement fits, which in many cases it won’t, you’ll lose all of the functionality benefits that a tightly wound in-vehicle ecosystem brings.
A: You can install a backup camera with a standalone display, so you’re not required to buy a new stereo to get a camera. If you want an all-in-one solution, many touchscreen car stereos offer connections for backup cameras, but it’s an extra cost.