Quality car stereo devices are hard to come by, and double din car stereos require even more effort to find. They are often more expensive than single din units because of their ability to handle more features and better components. However, developments in 2020 mean that many new designs and innovations now populate stores making our task even harder. Regardless, here are some of the best double din car stereos in 2021 that give you bang for your buck.
1. Pioneer AVH-X490BS
With a 50W output across four amplifier channels, AVH-X490BS’s 200W output is a rare find for its price. The stereo includes a disc player that can handle both CD and DVD, and is compatible with MP3 ID3 tag. However, Pioneer’s 7” display doesn’t quite reach the clarity we’d expect for its cost.
Features
- 14W RMS
- Time Alignment
- 480p WVGA display
- Bluetooth 4.1
- LED backlight
- USB with MTP
- Graphic Equalizer
- Sirius XM compatible
Pros
- Complete car stereo capabilities
- Offers plenty of connectivity
- Can handle quick file transfers
- Quality audio performance
- LED backlighting
Cons
- Poor Bluetooth range
- Low display resolution
Price: View on Amazon
2. Kenwood DPX504BT
It comes at half the price of Pioneer but has almost the same capabilities except for a touchscreen. Kenwood DPX504BT handles all its control affairs with a couple of soft-body button s and a knob. The best part is that it even surpasses AVH-X490BS by offering Alexa voice control.
Features
- Three-line display with colour illumination
- Bluetooth 4.2
- Pandora/Spotify streaming
- CD-R/CD-RW/DVD playback
- 13-band Manual EQ tuning
- USB 2.0 with MTP
Pros
- Offers hands-free stereo control
- Cheap
- Solid audio quality
- Has bright LCD with backlighting
- Intuitive to use
Cons
- The Bluetooth performance is poor
- Not easy to use with mobile
Price: View on Amazon
3. Pioneer AVH-W4500NEX
It’s a souped-up version of AVH-X490BS with plenty of new features and improved upon old parts. The built-in Bluetooth works as advertised, and supports hands-free calling as well as hands-free control. However, AVH-W4500NEX doesn’t come cheap.
Features
- Sirius XM tuner
- DVD/CD player
- Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2
- Android Auto and Apple Car Play
- Google VR voice
- Detachable motorized screen
- One-year warranty
Pros
- Excellent display
- Adjustable viewing angle for less glare
- Terrific acoustics
- Responsive with wide compatibility
- Bluetooth performs magnificently
- Includes HD-radio
Cons
- Can overheat
- Pricy
Price: View on Amazon
4. BOSS Audio Systems BVCP9685A
Despite its relative cheapness, BVCP9685A can give any Pioneer receiver a run for its money in functions and components. There’s Bluetooth, hands-free control/calling, USB MTP, 6.75” touchscreen, and many more.
Features
- AM/FM radio
- Android Auto and Apple Car Play
- Four 80W amplifiers
- Pre-set integrated EQ
- MP3 ID3 tag
- TFT capacitive touchscreen
- Three-year warranty
Pros
- Incredible price
- Easy to use
- Decked full of functions and components
- Hands-free calling for convenience
- Built-in Bluetooth mic
- Smooth backup camera
Cons
- Poor graphics and wire quality
- Terrible instructions
Price: View on Amazon
5. P.L.Z MP-800
This car stereo also has a backup camera system and offers 240W of output for less than a hundred dollars. It’s 7″ HD-touchscreen offers impressive clarity, and you also get to enjoy built-in Bluetooth and radio.
Features
- USB MTP
- Full-color screen
- Wide media compatibility
- Ultra-viewing angle
- 10-band EQ
- MP3 ID3 tag
- Wireless remote
Pros
- Supports hands-free Bluetooth calls
- Awesome video output
- DIY installation
- Awesome audio performance
Cons
- The bluetooth mic is weak
- No Spotify or Pandora stream
Price: View on Amazon
