Everything You Need To Know To Find The Best apple car stereos sale

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Our Picks

The best overall Apple CarPlay head unit Pioneer AVH-WNEX View details View details The best cheap Apple CarPlay head unit Pioneer DMH-NEX (Currently out of stock) View details View details The best single DIN Apple CarPlay head unit Alpine Halo9 iLX-F309 (Update: Currently out of stock) View details View details The best big-screen Apple CarPlay head unit Pioneer DMH-WTNEX View details View details The best Apple CarPlay digital multimedia head unit Alpine iLX-W650 View details View details The best wireless Apple CarPlay DVD head unit Pioneer AVH-WNEX View details View details The best wireless Apple CarPlay head unit if money is no object Kenwood Excelon DNX997XR View details View details

Wireless streaming is incredibly convenient, but unless you've recently upgraded your car, you will probably need a stereo head unit upgrade to unlock that feature. For iPhone users, investing in one of the best Apple CarPlay head units is a game-changer.

Apple CarPlay offers more than just great music&#;it lets you navigate, make calls, and send texts using simple voice commands. Plus, you don&#;t need a brand-new vehicle to enjoy this functionality. Since its debut in , aftermarket brands have created head units designed to fit a wide range of cars, bringing modern tech to older models.

Beyond CarPlay, top manufacturers like Sony, Kenwood, and Pioneer offer head units packed with features such as HD and satellite radio, USB ports, CD and DVD players, built-in GPS, and Bluetooth connectivity. Many even support bigger displays and additional upgrades like backup cameras and engine performance gauges, turning your car&#;s stereo into a full infotainment system.

Choosing the right Apple CarPlay head unit can be overwhelming with so many options on the market. To simplify your decision, we teamed up with experts at Crutchfield, who&#;ve helped millions upgrade their car audio systems since . Below are our top picks to help you find the perfect fit for your ride

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. Many models also include pre-outs for adding external amps and subwoofers, in addition to HD and satellite radio tuners. For the ultimate convenience, look for a unit with Bluetooth and wireless Apple CarPlay app connectivity for your Apple device.

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Using Apple's Siri in a car is great; plugging and unplugging your when you're running errands isn't. We like the Pioneer AVH-WNEX as our best overall Apple CarPlay car stereo head unit because the double DIN head unit has the option for a wired or wireless Apple CarPlay connection, HDMI input and Bluetooth and audio streaming. For music lovers, this CarPlay stereo's CD/DVD drive, HD Radio, FLAC support and satellite radio have you covered regardless of digital format. Coolest of all? With an accessory (sold separately), you can view engine performance info on this Pioneer head unit's 6.9-inch touchscreen.

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You don't need to spend a fortune to get Apple CarPlay into your vehicle. If money is tight, look no further than the DMH-NEX car stereo head unit from Pioneer. Control your Apple iPhone's music library from the 7-inch touchscreen, and use Siri to answer questions like "Has anyone ever found a marmoset in Topeka?" before you cross into the city limits. This Alpine stereo receiver isn't lacking for expandability either, featuring six-channel preamp outputs, compatibility with most digital audio formats and dual camera input options.

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A single DIN car stereo opening in your vehicle doesn't mean you can't have a huge touchscreen anymore. With the Alpine Halo9 iLX-F309 car head unit, a 9-inch floating display attaches to a 2-inch head unit. There's plenty of height and angle adjustment, too, in addition to a rear USB port input, aux input, HDMI input and Bluetooth. Built-in Apple CarPlay means Apple Maps, text messages, calls and weather are only a voice command away.

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On the aftermarket, Apple CarPlay head unit stereos don't get much bigger than the Pioneer DMH-WTNEX. This digital wired and wireless CarPlay multimedia player ditches optical discs in favor of a 10.1-inch 720p capacitive touchscreen that floats over a single DIN dash unit. For $1,500 you also get wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity, HD Radio, Bluetooth and compatibility with a variety of digital music formats including AAC, FLAC, MP3 and WMA.

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Who needs discs and a CD player? Not the Alpine iLX-W650 Apple head unit. Forgoing an optical drive frees up space and makes this double din stereo unit an easy choice if space inside your dashboard is at a premium. In addition to the usual Apple CarPlay car stereo head unit integration, the iLX-W650 boasts front and rear camera inputs and six-channel preamp outputs. Speaking of expandability, you can easily add Alpine's power-pack amplifier for an additional 50 watts RMS by four channels for even more sound.

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The Pioneer AVH WNEX is our pick for best overall Apple car stereo above, but it's also our pick for the best wireless Apple CarPlay DVD head unit because it brings the right combination of expected features to the mix along with surprises like the aforementioned ability to display engine performance read-outs. And while there are cheaper options, if you're a die-hard CD enthusiast, this is the best way to play them for most people with the CD/DVD drive and still have all the features of Apple CarPlay from your Apple iPhone or Android at the same time.

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What does a $2,000+ Apple CarPlay-capable car stereo head unit look like? The Kenwood Excelon DNX997XR. All those ducats get you a raft of features, the headliner being a built-in Garmin GPS navigation system with three years of free updates included. In addition to wireless Apple CarPlay, wired and wireless screen mirroring, passengers can wirelessly control Pandora from an Apple or Android device. This double DIN car stereo model also has a motorized 720p, 6.75-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth and a built-in HD Radio tuner.

This head unit typically sells for closer to $1,400, but it's pretty tricky to find in stock right now. The best available price at the moment it's $2,300 at Amazon, but it's probably worth waiting for a restock at other retailers, which could save you $900.

Before you buy

Depending on where you buy your Apple car stereo, it may come with free installation. Failing that, Best Buy charges $100 for installation and promises a factory-installed look without a loss of factory functionality. You'll have to pay for any additional parts beyond the flat labor fee.

When it comes to self-installation of a head unit, you have a few options, but both involve premade wiring harness adapters. Scosche and Amazon sell a variety of connectors that eliminate the need for cutting and soldering into the factory wiring harness. You can also pick up adapters so you don't lose features like OnStar, steering wheel controls or door chimes. These range in price from a few dollars to more than a few hundred bucks, depending on the complexity. You can buy trim pieces and mounting kits as well and chances are finding a YouTube how-to video for your stereo model and vehicle won't be too difficult.

If you don't have the time or energy to track everything down yourself, consider buying your Apple CarPlay stereo head unit from Crutchfield. Crutchfield's trademark is making installation dead simple for do-it-yourselfers. By including premade wiring harnesses, connectors, trim pieces and vehicle-specific installation instructions with every head unit and speaker, Crutchfield takes the intimidation out of upgrading your stereo yourself.

Best of all, DIYing doesn't mean you lose steering wheel audio controls, backup cameras or other factory creature comforts, either. That comes at a price, though. When you're drafting your upgrade budget, expect to set aside between $300 to $500 in addition to the cost of your head unit for the necessary harnesses and data controllers. Older vehicles make for cheaper installs, however. The Pioneer AVH-WNEX's install kit for a Ford Ranger lists for $56, for example, but it's currently discounted by $50. 

"You can 100% get a very modern [smartphone-connected] radio experience in your car," even if it's over a decade old, said Adam "J.R." Stoffel, a training manager who's been with Crutchfield since .

Written for CNET Cars by Timothy Seppala.

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Apple CarPlay head unit FAQs

Can you add Apple CarPlay to a head unit?

Depending on your head unit, you might not need to entirely swap it out. Aftermarket interfaces and receivers designed to work with existing stereo systems can tack on compatibility to your head unit.

Is it worth investing in a CarPlay-equipped head unit?

Yes, a CarPlay-equipped head unit offers a range of features like turn-by-turn navigation powered by your , as well as the latest streaming services.

How do I know if I have single DIN or double DIN?

While choosing a head unit, you'll want to keep an eye out for the DIN size. This is easy to identify. Single DIN refers to a stereo that is 2-inches high, and 7-inches wide, while Double DIN is four-inches high. Most CarPlay-equipped head units tend to be Double DIN.

We couldn&#;t think of a touchscreen more deserving of the "Best Fully-Loaded Car Stereo Touchscreen" honor than the Kenwood DNX997XR. This unit replaces the DNX996XR (which won last year&#;s top honors) and some mentionable improvements to the new model would be wired mirroring for your iPhone, four camera inputs, and support for Kenwood&#;s new high-definition backup camera, the CMOS-740HD. The DNX997XR still has the built-in Garmin navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, HD Radio, three sets of 5-volt pre-amp outputs for additional external amplification, and a whole lot more. Literally, a WHOLE. LOT. MORE. Like what?

How does an extensive sound tuning suite suit you? Or perhaps the touchscreen&#;s ability to read high-resolution music and help reproduce it in stunning clarity? Not quite sold yet? You also get three years of free Garmin map updates. Yup, we thought that might intrigue you!

To quickly circle back to a couple of features we rattled off, we wanted to let you know a little bit more about the wildly popular Apple CarPlay and Android Auto conveniences that a lot of folks are looking for nowadays. These software platforms connect your iPhone or Android either wired or wirelessly (-specific) to this Kenwood and allow you to use the on-board navigation apps (think Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze) to get you to your destination, control music streaming apps (Spotify, Tidal, Pandora, Apple Music, and more), and also allow you to connect with friends and family via text/ through Siri/Google Assistant.

What are you waiting for? Click the &#;Add to Cart&#; button and let&#;s get you started down the path to audio zen. (Don&#;t need built-in Garmin navigation? Check out Kenwood&#;s DDXXR model).

Pros:

• Built-in Garmin navigation
• Built-in Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
• Superb sound quality
• Capacitive touchscreen

Cons:

• Longer boot-up time
• Menu system can be confusing

Imagine plugging your Android into the USB input that your touchscreen offers you and being able to use the maps pulled right from your , peruse your playlists in your favorite music streaming app, and handle incoming/outgoing calls and text messages via voice. Sounds pretty good, right? Sony&#;s XAV-AX car touchscreen allows you to do all of that (and more!) all from a bright, vibrant, and easy-to-use touchscreen! And for those reasons, this Sony was crowned our "Best Value Android Auto Touchscreen Car Stereo"!

The has a lot to offer when you consider its price: an AM/FM tuner, Bluetooth for hands-free calling and music streaming, a backup camera input for a new or existing backup camera, and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity.

On the audio side of things, the built amplifier has max output of 55 watts per channel (RMS power output is 20 watts per channel), a 10-band EQ to permit sound sculpting to a really decent degree, and 5-channel pre-amp outputs for system expansion for amplifiers. This touchscreen really knocks it out of the park, doesn&#;t it?

The USB input where you plug in for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay usage will charge the smartphone so when you get to where you want to be, you don&#;t have a near-dead . This input can be run to a discreet location for a stealth look.

All in all, the Sony XAV-AX was a shoo-in to make our Gear Guide lists. It&#;s really hard to beat the value that this touchscreen offers you. We really believe that you will agree.

Pros:

Dingpei supply professional and honest service.

• Excellent value compared to other models out there
• Easy-to-use interface
• Compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Cons:

• No wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay
• Lacking on in-depth audio tuning options
• Clear resistive screen can be difficult to see in bright environments

The DDXXR from Kenwood eXcelon&#;s series took the gold in the "Best Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Touchscreen Car Stereo" due to its unparalleled sound quality, easy-to-use touchscreen interface, expansive audio tuning suite, and a whole lot more. Let&#;s tackle the sound quality bullet point first, shall we? Kenwood decided to use top-shelf components (think transistors, capacitors, etc.) in the making of this model. All these components come together to help you achieve some truly impressive sound quality. No joke &#; it&#;s awesome. Sure, it sounds good, but is it easy to use? Heck yeah, it is.

The slick capacitive touchscreen that Kenwood sourced for this model is marvelous. It can be seen day or night in your car (some touchscreens have issues being seen in bright environments) and the interface is fluid and you&#;ll grasp the gist of it in minutes. If you&#;re an audio aficionado and love to tweak the audio settings, you&#;ll be thrilled with the built-in 13-band EQ, digital time alignment, crossover settings, etc. Get the perfect sound &#; and from any seat!

We saved the best for last here: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are built into this unit (and it can be used wirelessly with select smartphones), so you can remain connected throughout your journeys via text or cell. You can use Apple Maps (iPhone), Google Maps/Waze (iPhone and Android) for navigation purposes, listen to your favorite playlists from Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, Pandora (and more!), and even enjoy some audiobooks. The DDXXR is a fantastic option for you to consider. (Need built-in Garmin navigation, check out Kenwood&#;s DNX997XR model)

Pros:

• Superb sound quality
• Wired/Wiress Android Auto/Apple CarPlay
• In-depth audio tuning suite
• Multiple camera inputs

Cons:

• Menu system can be confusing

The &#;Best Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay Touchscreen Car Stereo&#; crown went to Kenwood&#;s DMX908S touchscreen receiver. We knew this Kenwood was going to be the winner when this category was created. It&#;s just one heck of a touchscreen.

We love the value associated with this eXcelon touchscreen! It is chock-full of goodies like an AM/FM HD Radio tuner, Bluetooth for hands-free calling and music streaming, a tuning suite that can please even the most demanding of enthusiasts, and (saving the best for last) wired/wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It doesn&#;t boast a CD player, but most folks are keen on using the music from the streaming service of their choice.

In terms of Android Auto/Apple CarPlay usage, you have two paths of using either service: wired or wirelessly. Plug into the Kenwood&#;s USB-C input (or use the USB-A-to-USB-C adapter, if necessary) for a wired experience (that will also charge the ) or allow your smartphone to connect to the WiFi network that the DMX908S establishes, and enjoy the wireless option. There&#;s no wrong way of using it!

One area we kept coming back to was the audio suite. The eXcelon touchscreen has everything from a 13-band equalizer to high-pass/low-pass filters to digital time alignment adjustments. You can use all (or some) of these features to further enhance your vehicle&#;s audio system. Why settle for &#;stock sound&#; when you can make it awesome?

We believe that you&#;ll be thrilled with the DMX908S. If you have questions about it, you can reach us by , chat, or to learn even more about this touchscreen as well as our other offerings!

Pros:

• Superb sound quality
• Wired/Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay
• Comprehensive audio tuning suite
• Capacitive touchscreen

Cons:

• Menu system can be confusing
• No CD player

Kenwood&#;s DMXXR 10.1&#; high-definition car touchscreen is truly a marvel to behold, and that&#;s exactly why it took our &#;Best Over-Sized Car Stereo Touchscreen&#; award. Not only does it offer that slick &#;floating tablet&#; design, but it&#;s also packed with features and conveniences such as wired or wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, Bluetooth for hands-free calling as well as music streaming, high-resolution music playback via USB input, and a whole lot more. This thing literally has everything but the kitchen sink built into it!

From an installation standpoint, the DMXXR 10.1&#; touchscreen connects to a double-DIN-sized chassis. The positioning of the screen is mostly set at the time of installation, but small adjustments can be made on the fly to get the best-possible viewing angle.

If you&#;re into sound quality, this Kenwood is part of the eXcelon Reference series, so it receives top-shelf audio components to ensure superb sound quality. The built-in 13-band equalizer, digital time alignment, high-pass/low-pass filters, and more offer robust sound sculpting options so you can dial in the perfect sound for the driver&#;s seat.

With multiple camera inputs, you can exceed the traditional backup camera option and add a front camera to eliminate the possibility of your vehicle&#;s front bumper smacking into yet another parking block. You could even add Kenwood&#;s DRV-N520 dash camera to record incidents on the road while driving.

Lastly, the DMXXR boasts a 2-year warranty, so you can have some peace-of-mind that you&#;re covered for quite some time.

Pros:

• Large screen make everything easy-to-see
• Killer sound quality
• Comprehensive audio tuning suite
• Wired/Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay

Cons:

• Large screen can block vents or buttons on dash
• User interface can look a tad underwhelming at times
• Confusing menu system

The Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X705 stereo won our &#;Best Single-DIN Car Stereo&#; title because it&#;s simply the best radio on the market when you&#;re not looking at the fancy touchscreens. Just because it&#;s tucked away in a small chassis doesn&#;t mean that it&#;s lacking in features or sound quality. Read on to understand what this radio has to offer you!

If you&#;re in the market for a fully-loaded single-DIN-sized stereo, we believe the KDC-X705 ticks all of the boxes on your convenience wishlist. It&#;s got Bluetooth built into it for hands-free calling and music streaming, HD Radio reception for digital broadcasts of your favorite AM/FM stations (assuming they are taking part in that), two USB inputs (one front and one rear) for connectivity of your smartphone or thumb drive that&#;s been loaded with your favorite tunes, an AUX input for any device with a headphone output, and a CD player if you&#;re still vibing off your expansive CD collection. 

When it comes to sound quality, Kenwood doesn&#;t skimp with their elevated eXcelon lineup. Top-shelf audio components are installed into the KDC-X705 for unparalleled sound quality. A comprehensive audio tuning suite allows you to sculpt the sound to your standards. There are even a handful of audio presets built into the radio if you just want to enjoy the sound quality on easy mode.

The radio&#;s display can also be tailored to fit your style or your vehicle&#;s dashboard lighting. A variety of color options are at your disposal, and you can change the color of the display independently from the buttons. For example, you can set a white display surround by red buttons!

Lastly, as a member of the eXcelon family, the KDC-X705 sports a 2-year warranty, which is longer than a lot of other manufacturers. Kenwood believes their radios will go the mile and aren&#;t afraid to give that longer-than-average warranty.

What do you think? If you&#;re sold on it, click that Add to Cart button and get ready to enjoy a truly awesome car stereo!

Pros:

• Great sound quality
• Large text display
• CD player
• Dual USB inputs

Cons:

• Display can be difficult to read depending on chosen display color
• Small buttons can make operation difficult

Looking for an affordable, instant upgrade over your featureless factory radio? Look no further than the MEX-NBT from Sony. This radio took our &#;Best Value Single-DIN Car Stereo&#; with ease when you compare the price point to the goodies that you receive.

Packed with features like an AM/FM tuner, CD player, USB/AUX inputs (one of each), and Bluetooth for hands-free calling and music streaming, the Sony is no slouch.

When it comes to Bluetooth, you can connect up to two phones simultaneously, so there isn&#;t any room to argue whose is paired on those longer road trips. If either paired rings, the Sony will let you know and give you the opportunity to accept the call.

If personalization is your thing, the MEX-NBT permits the user to change the color of the buttons and the display to your liking. The unit even allows you to change those colors independently (think yellow display and purple buttons, for example) for a unique look.

A built-in 10-band equalizer allows you to tweak the audio to your liking or you can choose from the several that are pre-defined.

We have no doubt that you&#;ll dig Sony&#;s MEX-NBT as much as we do. Especially with its minimal impact to your wallet!

Pros:

• Great sound quality
• CD player
• Front USB and AUX input for easy connections

Cons:

Are you interested in learning more about apple car stereos sale? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

• Display can be difficult to read depending on chosen display color