Brandt Ranj / Popular Science
Published Dec 7, 2023 4:00 PM EST
Level up your driving experience with the latest wireless audio and entertainment equipment in your dashboard.
Best overall
Alpine iLX-W650
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The Alpine iLX-W650 is compatible with Apple and Android car systems and offers dual-camera connectivity alongside a bright display, making it one of the most well-rounded options available.
Best splurge
Sony XAV-AX6000
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The Sony XAV-AX6000 features a sleek design paired with cutting-edge connectivity and OEM compatibility.
Best budget
Pioneer MVH-S622BS
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The Pioneer MVH-S622BS pairs all the basic essentials for enjoying radio and device audio with a barebones user interface that’s intuitive to use.
Published Dec 7, 2023 4:00 PM
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Adding an aftermarket double DIN head unit to your car is one of the quickest ways to upgrade your audio quality, media playback options, and overall user experience with relatively little effort. Because a wide majority of these stereos come standard with touchscreen interfaces, Bluetooth connectivity, and smartphone control capability, they’re an especially appealing option for aging vehicles with stereos from an earlier era. If your current head unit plays CDs or cassettes, swapping in a new double DIN one is also a great way to purge your collection and free up storage space in your vehicle in favor of newer media playback options like wireless, USB, and even HDMI. Here’s a quick rundown of our picks of the best double DIN head units for refreshing your car’s look, feel, and most of all sound.
Best overall: Alpine iLX-W650
Best splurge: Sony XAV-AX6000
Best budget: Pioneer MVH-S622BS
The best double DIN head units: Reviews & Recommendations
Best overall: Alpine iLX-W650
Specs
Sources: AM/FM tuner, Bluetooth, USB, SiriusXM (not included)
Screen: 7-inch capacitive touchscreen, 800 x 480 resolution
Smartphone features: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
Power: RMS: 16 watts x 4 channels / Peak: 40 watts x 4 channels
Expandability: Rear USB, two camera inputs, subwoofer compatible, microphone included
Equalizer: 9-band parametric with time alignment
Pros
Shallow chassis less than 3 inches deep
Dual-camera compatibility for front and rear views
Swipe controls for volume and navigation
Cons
Parking brake must be engaged to access settings
The Alpine iLX-W650 features all the best of what modern double DIN head units offer in a balanced and affordable design, making it one of our favorite aftermarket options overall. For starters, it’s less than 3 inches deep, allowing it to be installed in shallow dashboards or mounted with an optional Alpine KTA-450 amplifier for even greater dynamic range and up to 45 watts RMS per channel. The unit also features a 7-inch anti-glare capacitive touchscreen with at-a-glance swipe controls and plug-and-play compatibility with up to two cameras for monitoring front or rear views. Like many of the best double DIN head units, the Alpine iLX-W650 comes standard with an AM/FM radio tuner, Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone car controls, and SiriusXM satellite radio compatibility. While it sounds great out of the box, the iLX-W650 offers users further sound customization options through its built-in 9-band equalizer, complete with delay compensation for synchronizing your front and rear speakers. Some users may find the iLX-W650 frustrating to use because it requires the parking brake to be engaged for access to some settings. However, this is a very common feature found in aftermarket touchscreen systems designed to keep users’ eyes on the road whenever in motion.
Best splurge: Sony XAV-AX6000
Specs
Sources: AM/FM tuner, Bluetooth, USB, SiriusXM (not included)
Screen: 6.95-inch capacitive touchscreen, 800 x 480 resolution
Smartphone features: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
Power: RMS: 20 watts x 4 channels / Peak: 55 watts x 4 channels
Expandability: Rear micro-HDMI, rear USB-C, camera input, subwoofer compatible, microphone included
Equalizer: 14-band with time alignment
Pros
Ultra-fast 3-amp USB-C port for charging
micro-HDMI port for playing external audio and video
Compatible with iDatalink Maestro for enhancing OEM features
Cons
Requires parking brake to be engaged for access to settings
Sony’s XAV-AX6000 is a stylish double DIN unit packed with the latest tech in a user-friendly design, making it a worthwhile upgrade if you’re looking for one of the best aftermarket car multimedia experiences available. In addition to including a single input for connecting a rear-view camera, the XAV-AX6000 comes with a micro-HDMI port for streaming movies and other content from a device of your choice and a USB-C port that delivers three amps of power for super-fast charging. Like our best overall pick, the XAV-AX6000 also features all the basics like an AM/FM radio tuner, Bluetooth, backup camera connectivity, and satellite radio compatibility. If you have a compatible vehicle, this double DIN head unit can also display and perform vehicle-specific functions via iDatalink Maestro.
Best budget: Pioneer MVH-S622BS
Specs
Sources: AM/FM tuner, Bluetooth, USB, SiriusXM (not included), AUX
Screen: LCD display
Smartphone features: iPhone and Android control
Power: RMS: 14 watts x 4 channels / Peak: 50 watts x 4 channels
Expandability: Subwoofer compatible
Equalizer: 13-band graphic
Pros
Knob-based controls are easy to use at a glance
Pioneer SmartSync companion app available for wireless control
Includes classic front-panel 3.5-millimeter AUX jack
Cons
Display may be difficult to read in bright environments
If you’re open to forgoing a double DIN head unit with a touchscreen or native Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, the Pioneer MVH-S622BS offers fantastic compatibility with Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and wired audio sources at a bargain price point. In lieu of a screen, the MVH-S622BS features a classic LCD display for viewing track and source information at a glance and an intuitive suite of knobs and buttons that make the unit easy to operate while keeping your eyes on the road. Despite lacking fully integrative smartphone support, the MVH-S622BS can still be controlled wirelessly from any smartphone using Pioneer’s SmartSync companion app. In addition to supporting USB media playback like our other picks, this best value also features a classic 3.5-millimeter audio input on its front panel so you and your passengers can take turns “passing the AUX.”
Here are more double DIN units we think are, well, head and shoulders above the rest:
Best CD/DVD player: Pioneer AVH-1400NEX
Best large display: Kenwood DMX1037S
FAQs
Q: How much do double DIN head units cost?
We built this list of the best double DIN head units with a heavy emphasis on connectivity and features, opting to include products with Bluetooth, satellite radio capability, and other modern amenities. So our picks start at a couple hundred dollars and go to over a grand. With that in mind, double DIN head units can cost anywhere from $60 to over $1,500.
Q: How do you install a double DIN head unit?
All true double DIN head units conform to an automotive industry standard size and measurement, but some units require proprietary mounting brackets or hardware to maximize their compatibility across a range of vehicles. Most installations require disconnecting the car’s battery power, removing the stock head unit, and connecting your vehicle’s power and speaker wiring to the new double DIN head unit’s harness. While this type of installation shouldn’t be too difficult for a beginning DIY-er, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully according to your specific vehicle’s needs.
Q: Are all double DIN head units the same size?
All double DIN head units are the same size, and even if a specified double DIN head unit is technically smaller than its mounting location, it will always include a frame or bezel to fill in the remaining space. Nearly all of these products take advantage of their size—four inches tall (and seven inches wide)—to allow for screen-based control panels and connecting at least one camera for increased safety and environmental visibility. But you need to make sure before purchasing a double DIN head unit that your car isn’t restricted to a single DIN head unit.
Final thoughts on the best double DIN head units
Best overall: Alpine iLX-W650
Best splurge: Sony XAV-AX6000
Best budget: Pioneer MVH-S622BS
Double DIN head units can bring an aging vehicle into the modern age and elevate your car multimedia experience with satellite radio, Bluetooth, USB, and camera connectivity. While all double DIN head units are the same size, they offer a wide variety of user interfaces, connectivity, and power options. For the broad majority of users, a well-rounded double DIN head unit like the Alpine iLX-W650 constitutes a major upgrade over older stock stereos. If you want similar connectivity with a sleeker design, a boost in power, and OEM feature support, consider a premium unit like the Sony XAV-AX6000. Finally, if you’re more interested in audio connectivity options but don’t want Apple CarPlay or Android Auto support, you can save a few bucks by going with an LCD-based unit like the Pioneer MVH-S622BS.
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