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Few things are worse than a bad car stereo. No matter what you do, you won’t be able to drive your car from the outside, and being stuck in a terrible sound isn’t ideal either. You can fiddle with a worn out sound system and it will never be at its best, but for most vehicles it is possible to replace the head unit for improved sound and connectivity that the old system did not have.
It’s easy to find dozens of generic hosts, but it’s best to find a trusted brand from a reputable seller. Purchasing a touchscreen car stereo is only the first step in this process, so you’ll need support, repair, and replacement options (if needed).
This easy-to-use touch screen stereo is also a DVD, CD, USB and MP3 player with Bluetooth calling. It can also be connected to a backup camera for added versatility.
It features a large 7″ 1024 x 600 HD LCD display and a responsive, intelligent touchscreen that puts all controls at your fingertips. This device supports both iOS and Android smartphones.
Compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, this model allows you to use your smartphone to make calls, get directions, send and receive messages and listen to music hands-free.
To select the best touch screen car stereos, I researched prices, features, customer reviews, and quality ratings. I chose hosts with the best possible reviews, but I also considered ease of installation and durability. Paying someone to install a stereo can always pay off, so it’s best to do it yourself. I also chose a screen that would fit most cars, as large screens are a hassle in older cars.
I also mean entertainment as that is the main purpose of a car stereo. I chose the head unit that offers the widest range of features, including features such as Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and compatibility with the SiriusXM tuner. You can be sure that these touch screen car stereos have the features you need.
Our reviews are based on field testing, expert opinions, real customer reviews and our own experience. We always strive to provide honest and accurate guides to help you find the best option.
The Pioneer DMH-WT7600NEX is one of the most complete and feature-rich touchscreen car audio systems on the market today. It’s not cheap, but its 9-inch HD display, single DIN mount, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wired or wireless capabilities make it a great choice for a wide variety of vehicles. The WT7600NEX has an 8.0-inch screen, but if you need a larger display, Pioneer sells the same unit with a 10.1-inch display.
Installing a non-original head unit in an old car with a factory tape recorder and other basic stereo can be annoying due to the size of the new products. Pioneer solves this problem with a single DIN mount that easily slots into an existing stereo slot. The only downside here is that the large screens “float” in front of the dash, potentially covering buttons or air vents if they are too close to the display.
Boss is a strong name in the audio aftermarket, offering affordable and feature rich touchscreen car stereos. The BE950WCPA offers wired or wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, voice control, Bluetooth, auxiliary input, backup camera input and more. With four channels of 20W RMS or 80W peak power, the Boss system also has enough power to deliver clear sound for just about any vehicle.
Buyers report that the Boss is fairly easy to install, but many complain about poor documentation and unclear instructions. Unlike some of the touchscreens on our list, the Boss is a full double DIN block, which means you can’t fit it into a smaller space with a single DIN. Despite the larger body, the screen size is only 6.75 inches, so the trade-off for the lower price in this case is the smaller and annoying screen orientation.
Sony has years of experience in audio equipment manufacturing and this experience is reflected in the XAV-AX8100. The touch screen car stereo features an 8.95″ display mounted on a single DIN chassis. The display is 3-way adjustable so you can position it exactly where you want it, and Sony has added physical buttons for quick access to features like volume and tracks. The device also comes with a 10-band equalizer system to customize the sound you want.
While it has a large screen, some buyers say the Sony device isn’t bright enough to be easily viewed in direct sunlight. Most people are thrilled with the responsiveness and value the Sony division represents. Physical controls make it easy to change volume or tracks, making it less distracting to use while driving.
Many new cars come with huge infotainment displays from the factory, but if you need this feature in an older model, you can’t go wrong with the Alpine Halo11 iLX-F411. The 11″ touch screen car stereo is equipped with a single DIN chassis and can be installed in large rooms with adapters. The floating screen design is adjustable and offers multiple viewing angles.
The Alpine head unit is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and has Pandora and Spotify controls connected to your smartphone. This unit provides a rear view camera input and a switch to accommodate a dual camera system. SiriusXM requires a separate tuner, but once installed, the head unit can support traffic, weather and sports information from satellite broadcasters.
Stereo manufacturers do their best to make head units that fit different cars, but sometimes they just don’t fit. If you have a wacky car with a dashboard that never seems to fit a new touchscreen car stereo, the DMH-WC5700NEX might be just right for you. Pioneer has designed the unit for modular installation, meaning the screen and cabinet can be mounted together or separately. If your dashboard is giving you problems, you can mount the display and hide the chassis in the glove box or other hidden place.
Pioneer’s 6.78-inch display isn’t the largest on our list, but it’s bright, responsive, and easy to view from just about any angle. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wired or wireless compatible, and Amazon Alexa features are built in. A 13-band equalizer lets you fine-tune your sound, and SiriusXM is available through a separate tuner.
If you really need a touch screen but don’t want to spend too much money, Kenwood has you covered. The DDX276BT doesn’t offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but it does have smartphone connectivity for music streaming, and you can still use it to take hands-free calls in the car. The 6.2″ is bright and responsive, and the head unit has a USB input that can be set to work with factory steering wheel controls.
Like many aftermarket head units, the Kenwood system requires an optional SiriusXM radio tuner. Users have also reported that the console sometimes “forgets” the tuner and needs to be rebooted in order to reconnect.
I choose the Pioneer DMH-WT7600NEX as the best touch screen car stereo because it offers the perfect combination of screen size, features, ease of installation and quality. I chose the Boss BE950WCPA for its value for money as it didn’t lose much in the pursuit of a good price.
The most important thing to consider before buying a stereo system is the size. The world’s best touchscreen car audio won’t do you any good if it doesn’t fit your car. It’s also good to check the overall fit, which is the space the screen takes up on the dashboard. Air vents and physical buttons can get blocked by the massive screen, which can be annoying even if you like displays. However, it is possible to purchase adapters and brackets that will allow you to install one DIN base unit in a larger space, but these are additional costs that you will have to pay on top of the purchase and installation cost.
It is also helpful to learn what you need to install a secondary unit. The product itself may be just one of several components required for installation. Depending on your vehicle, you may need a separate adapter to enable steering wheel controls, and you may need to consider wiring if you have a rearview camera on your to-do list.
Finally, consider the rest of your stereo system. If you’re upgrading old equipment, it might be time to buy new speakers and wiring. Connecting a brand new head unit to a bunch of tired old speakers will probably not give you the results you expect.
When it comes to choosing a touch screen host, you have several options. The cheaper option puts the touchscreen and price above all other features. On average, be prepared to pay $300 or less for a budget touchscreen stereo. The second option is to prioritize features and functions. The most powerful touchscreen car audio systems start at around $500 but can cost upwards of $1,500.
A: Even though touchscreen car audio systems without CD players are widespread, we have not yet reached the point where they are completely phased out. Lots of people have old stereos that play CDs in their old cars, and lots of companies still make them, so we’ll probably be using them for some time.
A: “Best” depends on what you want and want from your car’s audio system. If you favor displays and want to make use of the graphical components that they bring, touchscreens are probably best, but if you want a simpler experience, there are plenty of simple consoles on the market.
A: The audio system in many newer vehicles integrates several vehicle functions, such as the climate control system and the security system. Even with the right replacement (and in many cases there won’t be), you will lose all the functional benefits of a tightly wound onboard ecosystem.
A: You can install a backup camera with a separate display so you don’t have to buy a new stereo to get the camera. If you need a one-stop solution, many touchscreen car stereos can be connected to a backup camera at an additional cost.
Post time: Apr-10-2023