Upgrade Your Sound With These Android Auto Head Units
It’s time to graduate from cassettes to Android Auto.
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Adding an Android auto head unit to your car gives you more options when it comes to choosing tunes, directions, and style. Many cars come with a boring head unit that’s only capable of playing music. Choosing your own Android head unit gives you much more customization. You can connect it to your phone, have it guide you with GPS, and listen to a larger selection of songs through Spotify, Pandora, etc. Here are the best Android auto head units you should consider if you’re looking to upgrade.
One of the best ways to breathe life into an old car is to upgrade the stereo. But this isn’t a job for any old head unit. If you’ve got an Android phone, the best solution for your car stereo is one that includes Android Auto. The smartphone interface lets you mirror many of your Android’s best features right in the dash of your car, including music, texts, navigation, and more.
Finding an Android Auto head unit is easy, but finding the right one can be a little more difficult. I’ve scoured the internet to find the best Android Auto head units in a variety of categories. And I looked for products with great reviews that should also be easy to install at home. Let’s take a closer look at what I found.
Pioneer AVH-W4500NEX
- Large, responsive touchscreen
- Great equalization tech
- Pioneer interface easy to use and quick
- Strong Bluetooth
- More expensive than some
- No GPS antenna included
- Backup camera costs extra
Alpine iLX-W650
- Shallow design makes installation easy
- Great pricing
- Responsive screen
- No video outputs
- Limited interface customization
Sony XAV-AX3200
- Huge, vibrant screen
- Wireless smartphone integration
- Highly customizable
- Large screen limits installation options
- Much more expensive than most
- Lacks hard drive storage
Our Methodology
The Drive’s editors love car audio, and have spent years working with products of all types. We looked for Android Auto head units that offer great value and quality, but also for those that are easily installed at home for most people.
There’s nothing more satisfying than pulling off an audio upgrade, so it’s important to find head units that work for DIYers. We cut products with several bad reviews, or that note difficulties with installation to find the best handful of head units on the market today. If you want to learn more about how we select the products we do, head to The Drive’s Gear About page for more information.
Best Android Auto Head Unit Reviews & Recommendations
Specs
- Brand: Pioneer
- Wattage: 50 watts
- Backup Camera Capable: Yes
Pros
- Large, responsive touchscreen
- Great equalization tech
- Pioneer interface easy to use and quick
- Strong Bluetooth
Cons
- More expensive than some
- No GPS antenna included
- Backup camera costs extra
Specs
- Brand: Alpine
- Wattage: 50 watts
- Backup Camera Capable: Yes
Pros
- Shallow design makes installation easy
- Great pricing
- Responsive screen
Cons
- No video outputs
- Limited interface customization
Specs
- Brand: Sony
- Wattage: 55 watts
- Backup Camera Capable: Yes
Pros
- Bargain pricing
- Simple controls
- Great EQ adjustments
Cons
- Limited feature set
- Smallish screen
- Some report challenging installation
Specs
- Brand: Pioneer
- Wattage: 50 watts
- Backup Camera Capable: Yes
Pros
- Huge, vibrant screen
- Wireless smartphone integration
- Highly customizable
Cons
- Large screen limits installation options
- Much more expensive than most
- Lacks hard drive storage
Specs
- Brand: JVC
- Wattage: 50 watts
- Backup Camera Capable: Yes
Pros
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Four camera inputs
- Slim design
- Adjustable screen position
Cons
- Controls feel temperamental at times
- Only one USB port located in back
Specs
- Brand: JVC
- Wattage: 50 watts
- Backup Camera Capable: Yes
Pros
- Large HD display
- Wireless or wired smartphone connections
- Pairing for up to five devices at once
Cons
- More expensive than most
- Camera inputs are not HD
Our Verdict on the Best Android Auto Head Units
Pioneer offers the best feature set and construction of the bunch, and though the Pioneer AVH-W4500NEX is far from the cheapest head unit on the market, it’s one of the most full-featured and easy-to-use. You get what you pay for, and it’s surprisingly easy to make a bad stereo purchase, so steer clear of brands and names you don’t recognize, unless you’re willing to put in the time and do the research.
What to Consider When Buying Android Auto Head Units
Android Auto Head Unit Key Features
Features
We know you’re looking for a head unit that offers Android Auto, but what else are you after? Do you need wireless smartphone connectivity? Is a GPS antenna important to you? Stereo head units come with lengthy features lists, so you’ll want to be sure you’re getting what you need.
Size
Yep, we get it. You want to buy the biggest, best head unit you can find. Take a step back, though, and you might find that you don’t have room for such a large screen in your car. It’s also important to note that most head units come in either single- or double-DIN sizes, so you’ll need to figure out which one you have before buying.
Security
Aftermarket stereos present big targets to thieves looking at breaking into cars, so you might want to shop for a unit with a removable faceplate. Even if you live in a safe area with little to worry about, the sight of a large stereo touchscreen might be enough to tempt a would-be thief that would ignore your car otherwise.
Android Auto Head Unit Pricing
You can spend as much or as little as you want for a new Android Auto head unit, but you absolutely get what you pay for. Sites like Alibaba and others sell generic Android head units for as little as $150 or so, but you’ll be missing out on many features, you’ll have to wait a long time for delivery in most cases, and you will be out of luck if you have difficulties during installation or use. In general, expect to pay between $400 and $1,750 for a head unit, depending on the brand and feature set you choose.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
Q: Can you put a new stereo in any car?
A: If you have a newer car with an existing touchscreen stereo, you may not be able to change it for another unit. It’s best to check with your dealer to find out which functions are compatible with a new screen and to determine what you’ll be giving up by changing the unit.
Q: How much does it cost to have a stereo installed?
A: Installation costs will depend on your car, but can also vary based on other services you opt for during the process. If you want to add speakers or a subwoofer, you’ll pay more. The same goes for backup cameras and other devices. Most installations can be done for between $100 and $200, but more complex installs can reach $500 or more if there are custom fabrication needs.
Q: Do I need a special wiring harness?
A: This depends on your car, but in many cases, the answer is yes. You may need a wiring harness to continue using steering wheel controls or to allow the head unit to work with existing amplifiers and speakers.
Q: Is it hard to install an aftermarket head unit?
A: Difficulty depends on your car and on your skill level. If you are confident and have done the job before, stereo installs are not the most difficult project. However, if you’re unsure or think your car will require some fabrication to allow a stereo to work properly, it’s best to contact a pro for help.
Why Trust Us
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
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