Adding an Android auto head unit to your car gives you more options when it comes to choosing tunes, directions, and style. Many cars come with a boring head unit that’s only capable of playing music. Choosing your own Android head unit gives you much more customization. You can connect it to your phone, have it guide you with GPS, and listen to a larger selection of songs through Spotify, Pandora, etc. Here are the best Android auto head units you should consider if you’re looking to upgrade.
One of the best ways to breathe life into an old car is to upgrade the stereo. But this isn’t a job for any old head unit. If you’ve got an Android phone, the best solution for your car stereo is one that includes Android Auto. The smartphone interface lets you mirror many of your Android’s best features right in the dash of your car, including music, texts, navigation, and more.
Finding an Android Auto head unit is easy, but finding the right one can be a little more difficult. I’ve scoured the internet to find the best Android Auto head units in a variety of categories. And I looked for products with great reviews that should also be easy to install at home. Let’s take a closer look at what I found.
Our Methodology
The Drive’s editors love car audio, and have spent years working with products of all types. We looked for Android Auto head units that offer great value and quality, but also for those that are easily installed at home for most people.
There’s nothing more satisfying than pulling off an audio upgrade, so it’s important to find head units that work for DIYers. We cut products with several bad reviews, or that note difficulties with installation to find the best handful of head units on the market today. If you want to learn more about how we select the products we do, head to The Drive’s Gear About page for more information.
Best Android Auto Head Unit Reviews & Recommendations
Our Verdict on the Best Android Auto Head Units
Pioneer offers the best feature set and construction of the bunch, and though the Pioneer AVH-W4500NEX is far from the cheapest head unit on the market, it’s one of the most full-featured and easy-to-use. You get what you pay for, and it’s surprisingly easy to make a bad stereo purchase, so steer clear of brands and names you don’t recognize, unless you’re willing to put in the time and do the research.
What to Consider When Buying Android Auto Head Units
Android Auto Head Unit Key Features
Features
We know you’re looking for a head unit that offers Android Auto, but what else are you after? Do you need wireless smartphone connectivity? Is a GPS antenna important to you? Stereo head units come with lengthy features lists, so you’ll want to be sure you’re getting what you need.
Size
Yep, we get it. You want to buy the biggest, best head unit you can find. Take a step back, though, and you might find that you don’t have room for such a large screen in your car. It’s also important to note that most head units come in either single- or double-DIN sizes, so you’ll need to figure out which one you have before buying.
Security
Aftermarket stereos present big targets to thieves looking at breaking into cars, so you might want to shop for a unit with a removable faceplate. Even if you live in a safe area with little to worry about, the sight of a large stereo touchscreen might be enough to tempt a would-be thief that would ignore your car otherwise.
Android Auto Head Unit Pricing
You can spend as much or as little as you want for a new Android Auto head unit, but you absolutely get what you pay for. Sites like Alibaba and others sell generic Android head units for as little as $150 or so, but you’ll be missing out on many features, you’ll have to wait a long time for delivery in most cases, and you will be out of luck if you have difficulties during installation or use. In general, expect to pay between $400 and $1,750 for a head unit, depending on the brand and feature set you choose.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
