Choosing the best car stereo is not just a matter of sound quality. Modern car radios are compatible with mobile devices such as smartphones. They can receive calls and may even offer to enable navigation applications.
We can say that the classic car stereo has become a multimedia device. And in our rating of car radios we will tell you which car radios are the best in sound quality and help you choose the best device depending on your needs and budget.
What you need to know before choosing a car radio
The main thing you need to know when choosing a car radio is its typical size. The most popular sizes are 1 DIN or 2 DIN. The German abbreviation Deutsches Institut für Normung translates as "German Institute for Standardization."
- Size 1 DIN - 18 x 5 cm, depth, as a rule, up to 19 cm.
- The double DIN has a size of 18 x 10 cm and a depth of 19 cm. As a rule, such a radio tape recorder has a touch screen.
- The choice of one of these formats depends on the available space in the compartment for the multimedia system.
As for the choice of the manufacturer, then the choice is much wider than in the case of sizes. We already wrote about the best manufacturers of car radio tape recorders in terms of sound quality, and we entered the five of the most-most:
- Alpine
- Pioneer;
- Kenwood;
- JVC;
- Clarion
1 DIN Car Audio Rating
3. JVC KD-X161
The average price is 2,580 rubles.
Specifications:
- 1 DIN car radio
- Max. power 4 x 50 W
- USB playback
- front panel audio input
- radio
Here is the answer to the question of which inexpensive and good car radio to choose, so that later it would not be insulting for aimlessly spent money.
In our selection of the best car radios there are models that are more powerful and more beautiful. But the JVC KD-X161 has one undeniable advantage - the price. And if you think that such a budget device has a bad sound, then you are mistaken. It is very clean, although not too loud (4 × 22 W rated power and 4 × 50 W peak).
The radio can connect to the joystick on the steering wheel of the car and allows you to switch between the rear speakers and a subwoofer.
pros: nice design, attractive price, removable panel.
Minuses: no bluetooth.
2. KENWOOD KMM-BT205
The average price is 4,470 rubles.
Specifications:
- 1 DIN car radio
- Max. power 4 x 50 W
- USB playback
- iPhone support
- front panel audio input
- RDS radio
In terms of actual sound quality, this model offers a rated power of 4 × 30 watts and a peak power of 4 × 50 watts. This volume level is more than enough for the average user.
Thanks to the ability to connect to a smartphone via Bluetooth, KENWOOD KMM-BT205 can open a new world of songs from the Internet, which means that the driver will not get tired of the repertoire even during a long trip. Of course, all your favorite tracks can first be downloaded to a flash drive, and then connect it to the radio.
This model is fully Russified, compatible with controls on the steering wheel and has a 13-band equalizer. Users can select one of the presets according to their preferred type of music.
pros: excellent value for money, there is a removable panel, there is support for Russian tags, clear sound even at maximum.
Minuses: One backlight color, not adjustable in brightness.
1. Pioneer MVH-280FD
The average price is 6 570 rubles.
Specifications:
- 1 DIN car radio
- Max. power 4 x 100 W
- USB playback
- iPhone support
- front panel audio input
- RDS radio
The 2019 DIN 1 Car Stereo Rating tops the creation of one of the most popular brands in the audio industry.
The Pioneer MVH-280FD is equipped with a monochrome display with brightness control and a removable front panel for added security. An infrared remote control is included with this unit.
Although this is an entry-level model, it offers many features, including MP3 and WMA playback, five equalizer presets and twice as much power as conventional car radio systems. The radio works with mobile phones with a USB connection, and you must install the Pioneer ARC App. Without this application, an Android smartphone will be perceived as a flash drive.
pros: full Russification, simple and logical navigation, can be connected to the steering wheel joystick.
Minuses: very thin power wires.
2 DIN Touch Screen Car Radio Rating
3. Mystery MDD-7005
The average price is 3 979 rubles.
Specifications:
- 2 DIN car radio
- 7 ″ touchscreen
- Max. power 4 x 50 W
- USB playback
- front panel audio input
- RDS radio
- SD card support
An ideal option for those who primarily need a large screen from the radio, convenient controls, beautiful design and good sound, and any options like Bluetooth support and the equalizer can be neglected.
Mystery MDD-7005 has good Russification, allows you to play music and video from both an SD card and a flash card, and reads the most common formats. What else is needed for such a price?
pros: large selection of button illumination, content conveniently arranged in folders.
Minuses: the panel is not removable, slightly slows down the video in high resolution.
2. KENWOOD DMX6018BT
The average price is 17,990 rubles.
Specifications:
- 2 DIN car radio
- 6.95 ″ touch screen
- Max. power 4 x 50 W
- USB playback
- RDS radio
- SD card support
This infotainment system is one of the largest in its class. It is designed to play music or streaming video via Bluetooth, has ID3 tag support and is equipped with a 24-bit DAC - this is quite enough for most “four-wheeled music lovers”.
Have we already mentioned the big screen? So, he also supports gesture control! And the radio tape recorder reads not only usb-sticks, but also usb-hard drives.
pros: many sound settings, supports communication with several smartphones simultaneously via Bluetooth.
Minuses: clumsy Russification, only 1 USB input, and quite fragile and does not work with adapters and hubs.
1. Pioneer AVH-190G
The average price is 10 190 rubles.
Specifications:
- 2 DIN car radio
- 6.2 ″ touchscreen
- Max. power 4 x 50 W
- USB playback
- iPhone support
- front panel audio input
- RDS radio
How to choose a car radio in a car? Here are three simple steps:
- We take the Pioneer car radio with a clear and loud sound, add to it a large touch screen with a quick response.
- We look to make the device fully Russified, have convenient control and play audio and video files of the most popular formats.
- And we get the Pioneer AVH-190G.
And in this device there is something that many users in other models lack - the ability to change the color of the backlight. A trifle, but nice.
pros: high-quality assembly, five-band equalizer, you can connect an external amplifier and a rear view camera.
Minuses: No Bluetooth support.
Best 2 DIN car radios on Android
3. Navipilot DROID7L Universal 7 ″ 2DIN
The average price is 15 900 rubles.
Specifications:
- 2 DIN car radio
- GPS navigator
- 7 ″ display
- without power amplifier
- USB playback
- Android operating system
- radio
This new product among 2 DIN car radios on Android 7.1 offers a pleasant sound in a small space, for example: in a car, minibus or SUV. It is equipped with a seven-inch frost-resistant screen with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels, and allows the connection of a huge number of the most necessary devices in the car. Bend your fingers:
- front and rear view cameras;
- DVR
- external hard drive;
- active USB splitter;
- 4G / LTE USB modem;
- 4G Wi-Fi router,
- steering wheel mounted remote control;
- BluRay player;
- TV tuner DVB-T2;
- acoustic amplifier and processor.
The fingers are already over, and we have not yet called the diagnostic adapter OBD-II and TPMS - a tire pressure monitoring system.
If necessary, you can turn your car into a Wi-Fi access point and display the car’s standard information on the radio screen. And this is not to mention the presence of navigation software, which eliminates the need to spend money on a GPS navigator.
pros: full Russification, there is a dependence of sound level on speed.
Minuses: sometimes it is not the first time that programs that were opened before shutting down can start, the dependence of the volume level on speed does not always work correctly (for example, the device may “scream” if you are in a traffic jam).
2. Ownice C500
The average price is 30 900 rubles.
Specifications:
- 2 DIN car radio
- GPS navigator
- Max. power 4 x 45 W
- 8 ″ display
- USB playback
- Android 8.1 operating system
- radio
- Bluetooth
This model, released by the Chinese company Ownice, has earned the love of many Russian motorists due to its wide functionality.
This head unit comes with a built-in GPS-navigator, a microphone (you can also connect an external one), a Wi-Fi module and has a high-quality audio chip. So your favorite tunes will sound loud and clear.
Ownice C500 is also equipped with two USB inputs, two AUX OUT and a separate output to the subwoofer, allows you to display information from the front and rear view cameras and supports buttons on the steering wheel. There are various Ownice C500 models suitable for a particular car brand (for Mazda 3, universal for Volkswagen, for Kia Ceed 2, etc.).
pros: You can connect a stereo headset, can work as a Wi-Fi access point.
Minuses: high price, the built-in microphone may sound dull when making calls and voice search, it is better to connect an external one.
1. CARMEDIA OL-7002
The average price is 26 900 rubles.
Specifications:
- 2 DIN car radio
- Dvd player
- GPS navigator, GLONASS
- 7 ″ touchscreen
- Max. power 4 x 45 W
- USB playback
- Android operating system
- RDS radio
Here is a car radio assembled in China. And if with the word “China” you felt a desire to switch to another model, then it is completely in vain. This model has excellent sound quality and IPS display.
It is equipped with convenient hardware buttons that allow you to carry out standard actions in the Android OS and the ability to play from CD and DVD media.
This head unit supports micro SD cards, has a built-in 3G / 4G (LTE) modem and the ability to install a sim card. And if you want to “hook” your mobile phone to the radio via Bluetooth, you can do it quickly and without problems. Agree, a good set of functions for a reasonable price.
pros: there is an adjustment of the screen brightness and button illumination, you can connect to the steering wheel joystick,
Minuses: Although there is support for an IR remote control, it must be purchased separately.
Top car radio with GPS navigation
3. ACV AD-7180
The average price is 11,490 rubles.
Specifications:
- 2 DIN car radio
- GPS navigator
- 7 ″ touchscreen
- Max. power 4 x 50 W
- USB playback
- Android operating system
- radio
With its attractive design based on a large and bright 7-inch display, this car radio is one of the most interesting projects in its class.
Support for MirrorLink technology allows you to broadcast data from a smartphone to the radio screen, as well as connect a remote control on the steering wheel, rotary knobs or additional buttons to it. This provides the driver with secure access to his favorite mobile apps while traveling.
In addition, the ACV AD-7180 allows you to view data from the rear view camera on the radio screen, supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and has a built-in radio.
As for the navigator, a map of Russia is built into it, many POI points are marked, as well as the most convenient routes.
pros: continues to play the track from the moment it was interrupted, Android 8.1, you can adjust the color of the touch buttons.
Minuses: there is no SD card slot, the glossy plastic with which the screen is covered is easily scratched, the actual dimensions of the radio are 177x103 mm, and not 180x100 mm declared by the manufacturer. Because of this, the system may not coincide with the standard mount.
2. Alpine INE-W990BT
The average price is 44,490 rubles.
Specifications:
- 2 DIN car radio
- Dvd player
- GPS navigator
- 6.1 ″ touch screen
- TV tuner
- Max. power 4 x 50 W
- USB playback
- iPhone support
- RDS radio
If, when choosing a head unit, you put quality in the first place, not price, then the Alpine INE-W990BT is the perfect choice. This is a top-class car radio with installed navigation software from Navitel that can play audio and video files from all media except Blu-ray, has an equalizer, TV tuner and amplifier. And you can connect a smartphone to it via Bluetooth and, if necessary, make voice dialing.
The screen of this radio has a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels, and users can enjoy movies or any other type of high-definition video on the go.
With integrated compatibility with Apple and Android devices, the Alpine INE-W990BT is a true multimedia processor that can offer you a comprehensive and very enjoyable experience when listening to music or watching videos.
pros: convenient control, the kit includes a microphone, multi-color backlight, you can connect to the joystick on the steering wheel, you can connect a rear view camera.
Minuses: not full Russification, the remote control is not included.
1. Mystery MDD-6280NV
The average price is 11,145 rubles.
Specifications:
- 2 DIN car radio
- Dvd player
- GPS navigator
- 6.2 ″ touchscreen
- TV tuner
- Max. power 4 x 50 W
- USB playback
- front panel audio input
- radio
- SD card support
This car radio has everything that might be required from such a device. Starting with the ability to play files from CD and DVD media, the presence of an equalizer and a TV tuner, and ending with an infrared remote control, the ability to connect to the steering wheel joystick and rear view camera.
The sound of the Mystery MDD-6280NV cannot be called “vicious”, but if you are not an avid audiophile and do not plan to pump sound in the car using this radio, take it safely.
And the cherry on the cake - customizable key illumination.
As navigation software installed from Navitel, working in offline mode.
pros: price, simple menu, perfectly catches the radio, responsive touch control.
Minuses: no Bluetooth support, reads data from flash drive slowly.