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If you're still listening to music through your phone's weak, crackly speaker on your drives, Buy it Now eBay US (click through the up coming website page)'s time for an upgrade. It's tough to beat the convenience of wireless streaming, but chances are you'll need to upgrade your vehicle's stereo head unit to use that feature. And iPhone users will want to make sure that they're upgrading to one of the best CarPlay head units on the market right now.
There are tons of benefits to using an Apple CarPlay head unit beyond access to great music, too: Anyone with an iPhone can use simple voice commands with CarPlay for navigation, taking calls, sending texts and more. What's more, you don't need a brand-new vehicle to experience any of this functionality in a safe, distraction-free way. Since Apple CarPlay's 2014 debut, aftermarket stereo manufacturers have been designing head units with Apple's automotive OS to fit a variety of vehicle models.
Beyond Apple CarPlay, many head units from the likes of Sony, Kenwood, JVC, Pioneer and others include HD radio, satellite radio, USB ports, CD and DVD players, preamps, built-in GPS navigation and wireless and Bluetooth connectivity. With all of their capabilities, there's a reason the term "infotainment system" has caught on. Upgrading to a new Apple CarPlay head unit also opens the potential for a bigger display screen than what you may already have. Some new stereo system units may even add features your factory stereo didn't have before, like the ability to add a backup camera or gauges for engine performance.
With so many options, trying to figure out the best Apple CarPlay head unit for your vehicle can be tough. That's why we spoke with the folks at Crutchfield to help us pick the best Apple CarPlay car stereo head units. Crutchfield has helped over 6 million customers upgrade their car audio experience since 1974. Check out some of the best Apple CarPlay head unit options below to find the right fit for your vehicle.
Criteria for choosing the best Apple CarPlay head unit
We've assembled our list of the best Apple CarPlay car stereo head units from models that fit the most common radio sizes: single DIN car stereo and double DIN head unit car stereo slots. These car stereo system picks are based on Crutchfield's expert recommendations, user reviews and ratings at popular shopping sites.
Before you dig in, find out exactly which Apple CarPlay car stereo will fit in your vehicle by using Crutchfield's Find What Fits tool. Enter your vehicle make, model and year and you'll be greeted with speakers, Apple CarPlay head units and more to outfit your ride.
Three things to look for in a new Apple CarPlay head unit
- Double DIN or single DIN: DIN is a standardized head unit size, so the two most common unit sizes are double DIN and single DIN. Single DIN stereo openings measure 2x8 inches, while double DIN openings measure 4x8 inches. If you're replacing a double DIN unit, there are more options for adding smarts to your stereo. If you have a single DIN unit, that doesn't automatically mean you're out of the running for pairing your Apple iPhone to your car for Apple CarPlay, but you will have fewer choices.
- Types of receivers: There are a few different head unit categories, each offering a different feature set depending on your needs. Can't let go of discs? You're in luck, as you can have physical and digital in one auto head unit package with a DVD receiver. Digital multimedia receivers don't have an optical drive, but they can play back audio and video and many have touchscreens.
- Features: When you're looking for an Apple CarPlay stereo head unit, Apple iPhone integration isn't all you'll get for your dollar. If you want something closer to your smartphone look for a capacitive touchscreen rather than a resistive one.