The Best Car Stereos
No drive is complete without a great car stereo system. A good stereo doesn't just make your music sound better, it can also boost the sound of your calls for hands-free chatting. But there's a huge difference between a good car stereo and a great one, which is why we've made this list of the absolute best you can find today. Read on and get ready to ride in style.
What to Look For
We kept a few things in mind when determining if a car stereo would be a good fit for our list: Does it have superb audio quality? Is it easy to install and set up? Finally, does it synchronize well with features like apps and Bluetooth? Every car stereo on this list hit the mark when it came to these three categories. Our favorite car stereo came from Jensen, which excelled at both convenience and delivering high-quality sound. We also couldn’t count out Atoto, who offer a stereo with CarPlay and other advanced features. Keep reading to see which car stereo should be blasting your favorite tunes today.
Jensen MPR210 Seven Character LCD Car Stereo
The cream of the crop
Jensen provided the perfect cross-section of all the features we most want in a car stereo. With a dedicated button for Google and Siri assistance, integrated Bluetooth, and a USB port, you have plenty of options for how you get your audio fix. The LCD screen is also bright and bold, making it easy to read what your stereo is up to. Anyone in need of a car stereo that excels at all the essentials should give this one a gander.
Pros
- It sounds great and installs easily into older car models as well as new ones.
- The bass is surprisingly deep considering the compact size of the unit.
Cons
- Some folks may find the LCD screen to be a bit too bright at nighttime.
Boss 611 UAB Multimedia Car Stereo
Crystal clear connections
Easy access to excellent sound sets this car stereo apart from the pack. It can reach up to 200 watts total and features both front and rear pre-amp outputs for enhanced sound. It also has an auxiliary port and Bluetooth connectivity, letting you enjoy that fantastic audio in a variety of ways. Add in a superb user interface and you have a car stereo system for audio lovers who don’t want a lot of roadblocks to reaching great sound.
Pros
- It’s easy to use in conjunction with adapter kits and amplifiers.
- Bluetooth stays connected consistently once paired with your car stereo.
- It plays nice when being installed in older car models, with no extra wiring needed.
Cons
- The memory settings can get finicky if something gets installed incorrectly.
Atoto F7 Double Din Car Stereo
Fine-tune your vibes
This advanced car stereo leaves others in the dust with its forward-thinking inclusion of modern tech. It’s designed to work seamlessly with your phone, making everything from activating CarPlay to showing your phone screen on the stereo monitor a simple affair. You don’t have to skimp on your rearview camera either, as it can work with video quality up to 720p. Any techie worth their salt will be glad to have this car stereo along for the ride.
Pros
- The touchscreen is bright and responsive.
- This is the rare car stereo that can support SD cards, letting you increase its speed, storage, and overall options exponentially.
- It features many of the options found with a high-end car stereo, but at a fraction of the cost.
Cons
- Curiously, it doesn’t have a native option for saving your favorite radio stations.
Alpine iLX-W650 Mech-Less Car Stereo
Almost everything in life has a touchscreen nowadays, so why shouldn’t your car stereo have one too? Alpine utilizes the same type of touch technology that your phone or tablet does, ensuring a seamless experience that allows your fingertips to glide wherever they wish. And not only is it compatible with Siri voice control, but it can utilize Eye Control as well. You won’t have to deal with a downgrade when you hook up this sophisticated car stereo.
Pros
- It’s the rare car stereo that supports FLAC audio files, making it a must-have for audio geeks.
- It has incredible bass for a unit as small and shallow as it is.
Cons
- Installation can be a bit of a hassle on some older car models.
Boss BV9370B Double Din Car Stereo
Finding a great double-din car stereo isn’t always easy, but that’s no problem here. This receiver is incredibly robust, with features such as screen mirroring, Push to Talk, a variety of inputs including SD card compatibility, and even more. And with its double din sizing, it’s sure to fit comfortably in the dash of your van or truck. This is one car stereo that owners of larger vehicles will love.
Pros
- This car stereo supports preamp and subwoofer hookups, letting you get incredible sound quality from it.
- The touch screen is responsive and easy to use.
Cons
- The maximum volume doesn’t get especially loud, though it does stay balanced at all levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy new speakers if I improve my car stereo?
New speakers couldn’t hurt for getting better audio quality, but you might be surprised at how much good simply changing out your car stereo receiver can do. Many newer stereos are optimized to provide high-quality audio, so your standard car speakers may be enough to get the sound you want.
What should I look for in a new car stereo?
A modern car stereo should provide a good mix of audio enhancement, phone compatibility, and even safety features. Many parking cameras operate from the car stereo screen nowadays, so any choice that will help you park with greater efficiency and safety will probably be a good one.
About the Author
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.