These are the best Android Auto and Apple CarPlay radios you can buy right now:
- The best Android Auto and Apple CarPlay radio in 2021: Sony XAV-AX3005
- The best entry-level Android Auto and Apple CarPlay radio: Atoto F7 G1A8PE
- The best high-end Android Auto and Apple CarPlay car stereo: Sony XAV-AX8050D
- The best Android Auto and Apple CarPlay radio for VW, Tiguan, Golf 5: Atoto A6 Pro
Editor’s choice: Sony XAV-AX3005
The best Android Auto and Apple CarPlay car radios in 2021
More than just a car radio, the Sony XAV-AX3005 is a technological gem that will make the driving experience more comfortable. It plays the sound of your choice just like in your living room and can be used for GPS navigation.
On its 6.95 inch screen, the Sony XAV-AX3005 displays your favorite tracks and radio channels. With a simple swipe, it displays GPS navigation. You can also use Android Auto voice control and Siri on Apple CarPlay for easy operation without ever taking your hands off the wheel.
The Sony XAV-AX3005 radio offers exceptional sound quality. The system has a band equalizer to adjust the ultra-powerful Extra Bass and the 4 x 55 W audio system. This car radio can be installed without any problem on 2-DIN dashboards.
The best cheap: Atoto F7 G1A8PE
The best entry-level Android Auto and Apple CarPlay radio
The Atoto F7 G1A8PE has almost all the features you might expect from a classic car stereo. Besides its affordable price, this model supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features of the Atoto F7 G1A8PE seamlessly integrate your smartphone with the screen and integrated controls of the SA102 via a USB connection. Now you can make phone calls, access your music, send and receive messages, get directions and more while staying focused on the road.
There are also the classic options, including radio (AM / FM), hands-free calls, reading USB keys or the possibility of connecting a reversing camera. The Atoto F7 G1A8PE allows users to broadcast what’s happening on their smartphone or tablet screen to its 7-inch touchscreen via the specific EasyConnection app.
The best high end: Sony XAV-AX8050D
The best high-end Android Auto and Apple CarPlay car stereo
The Sony XAV-AX8050D is a must have when it comes to Android Auto and Apple Carplay compatible car radios. Its large and responsive screen, its mounting suitable for luxury vehicles and modern features justify these claims.
Among Android Auto and Apple CarPlay radios, the Sony XAV-AX8050D cannot be overlooked. This top-of-the-range model is notably equipped with a rear frame compatible with 1-DIN and 2-DIN dashboards. Thanks to its flexible installation bracket, you can adjust the height and tilt of the screen with a simple gesture.
This car radio offers a dynamic display on an 8.95-inch touch screen, undoubtedly one of the largest on the market. Of course, it is compatible with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and web Link Cast. In terms of sound, this car radio offers optimal quality like all the other models of the brand elsewhere.
Excellent: Atoto A6 Pro
The best Android Auto and Apple CarPlay car radio for VW, Tiguan, Golf 5
If you are looking for a recent car stereo, consider the Atoto A6 Pro. A real on-board computer, it comes with an integrated GPS antenna, a gesture sensor and wide compatibility with various iOS and Android applications.
The Atoto A6 Pro is an excellent Android Auto and Apple CarPlay car stereo. It has an internal memory of 256 GB, enough to ensure a huge storage. You can preload all your favorite tracks in the player to stream them and enjoy them even offline. The design is simple: we see few physical buttons. In addition, you can perform all functions while navigating on the 7 inch FullHD touchscreen.
The operating system is customized for vehicles and can support rear camera, AM / FM radio, dash cam and other accessories without any problem. ATOTO A6 Pro has a built-in Wi-Fi system to give you easy access to online maps and a number of applications. Finally, it should be noted that the integrated EasyConnect application allows you to stream what is displayed on your Android or iOS smartphone.
Buying guide: How to choose your Android Auto and Apple CarPlay car radio
Choosing a car radio is not that easy anymore. Today, technology has made it possible to offer a wide variety of functionalities. All models are quite simply very different. To find the most suitable Android Auto and Apple CarPlay radio for you, you should consider the following criteria.
1: The screen size
The larger the screen, the better the visibility. Below 6 inches, the screen of a car stereo is too small to provide a comfortable display. Therefore, prefer car radios with touch screens of 6 inches or more. Some manufacturers offer models with screens of up to 10 inches. You can then use it to display data from the GPS and the rear view camera. Note that the size of the car stereo’s screen has a major impact on its price.
2: The functionalities
The features help improve the ergonomics and handling of the car radio. A model compatible with voice commands like Siri and Google Assistant lets you keep your hands on the wheel while setting up the device. Many other features can be offered on an Android Auto and Apple CarPlay radio. This is the case for shortcut gestures on the screen, connectivity (Bluetooth, Wifi) or the Blu-ray player and the sliding screen support.
3: The compatible support
The dashboards include a space specially dedicated to fitting a car radio. This space is 1-DIN when its height is 5cm. The 2-DIN dashboards provide a space with a height of approximately 10 cm for the installation of the car radio. It is important to refer to the space available on your car’s dashboard when purchasing a car stereo. It is possible to fit a 1-DIN model on a 2-DN dashboard. On the other hand, 1-DIN dashboards are incompatible with car radios with 2-DIN support.
4: The sound quality
The sound quality mainly depends on the audio system installed in your car. The car radio, which is directly connected to this audio system, also helps to define this sound quality. The equalizer is a feature found on all modern car radios. It allows you to adjust the sound according to several parameters. Also, take the total power of the speakers installed in your car. The chosen car radio must provide equal or greater power to avoid a drop in the performance of the audio system in general.
5: The control panel
Even though voice commands are present on the vast majority of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay radios, a button control panel is still essential. The buttons must be easily accessible and clear. Otherwise, you may encounter difficulties in handling the device and it may even be dangerous.
How to connect a smartphone to an Android Auto and Apple CarPlay car radio?
The connection of your Android Auto and Apple CarPlay car radio with a smartphone is usually done via a USB cable. A wireless connection is also possible in some models. If you are using an Android smartphone, the instructions to follow will appear automatically as soon as you plug in the USB cable. For iPhone, Siri must be activated before connecting via a cable.
You should know that connecting your smartphone (Android or iOS) to a cable is still required even if you opt for a wireless connection. The connection process is simple. To launch the application (Android Auto or Apple CarPlay), all you have to do is press the icon on your smartphone and on your car radio.
If the connection is not established, your smartphone may not be compatible. Also, make sure you have the updates (operating systems and apps) required to use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
The different types of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay radios
The DIN is a standard that governs the size of the space dedicated to the car radio in a vehicle. This standard identifies two main types of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay radios, namely: single-DIN (DIN or 1-DIN) models and double-DIN (2-DIN) models.
- The Android car radio and Apple Carplay single DIN
The single DIN Android Auto and Apple CarPlay radio can be mounted on a space of 180 x 50 mm. These dimensions refer to the size of the rectangle that accommodates the device on the dashboard. This space is restricted. Thus, the car radio takes up relatively little space and leaves room for a storage compartment. This standard is mainly related to car radios without touch screens. Some models with touch screens are also compatible with the single DIN, but there are not many.
This type of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay car radio is intended for owners of vehicles whose dashboard is equipped with a single DIN bracket.
- Android car radio and Apple Carplay double DIN
The Android Auto and Apple CarPlay double DIN car radios are much more common today. All modern models meet this standard introduced by German cars. They are attached to a dashboard with a space dedicated to the car radio of 180 x 100 mm. The height of this space is therefore twice as large as that of a single DIN model.
This type of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay car radio is suitable for you if, on your dashboard, the space dedicated to the device is 180 x 100 mm.
- Android car radio
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are some of these software specially designed for cars. They allow you to access your smartphone applications on the screen of a compatible car radio. These applications are particularly practical. You could change playlists or radio channels, access GPS or make and receive calls without taking your hands off the wheel. Voice commands like Siri and Google Assistant can also be accessed on the car stereo using these software.
- MirrorLink car radio
Mirrorlink was designed to share the display of a smartphone on the screen of a car radio. Certain applications accessible directly on the car radio screen. At startup, the vast majority of these applications will be frozen to avoid their use while driving. Mirrorlink is jointly developed by car manufacturers and certain smartphone companies. The system is therefore not compatible with all smartphones. It is also absent from many car models.
Verdict
If you want to benefit from better ergonomics and wider compatibility, choose an Android Auto and Apple CarPlay radio. These applications provide you with a wider range of functionality. They are also compatible with all smartphones that work with Android and iOS while Mirrorlink offers more limited compatibility.
- Automatically activate Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
You can set up your car stereo so that Android Auto and Apple CarPlay work automatically as soon as you plug in your smartphone. It saves you time and you don’t have to launch the app every time you want to use it.
- Use a cable supplied by the manufacturer.
To enjoy the optimal operation of your Android Auto and Apple CarPlay radio, use the USB cable provided by the manufacturer. Of course, you can use other USB cables, but this may affect the performance of some features.
- Use night mode.
The night mode, or dark, is particularly appreciated. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay now have this mode. You can turn it on permanently or change the mode manually as needed.
- Take your calls without touching your smartphone.
Thanks to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, you can receive your calls without touching your smartphone. The applications automatically activate the hands-free option. So you just need to press a button to pick up and communicate without stopping driving.
- Use voice command.
Siri and Google Assistant are integrated with Apple CarPlay and Google Assistant respectively. Use voice control, if your car stereo allows it, to access certain settings and options without taking your hands off the steering wheel.