Best Android Auto Head Unit: Wired and Wireless Picks

For a standard double-DIN slot, we would start with Pioneer’s DMH-W2770NEX at about $430. It is the cheapest receiver in stock on a maker’s own US store that runs Android Auto without a cable. If you are happy to plug the phone in, Pioneer’s DMH-1600NEX has the same 6.8-inch screen for about $300. Where the dash has only a single-DIN slot, a floating-screen unit such as the 9-inch Pioneer DMH-WT5000NEX, about $850, is the way to get a big display.

Every unit below also runs Apple CarPlay, wired or wireless to match. The details are the makers’ own, so nothing here is a judgement of how a unit sounds or how quick its screen is.

Some links on this page go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Head units compared

Pioneer and Alpine publish US prices on their own sites. Kenwood’s and JVC’s US sites show none, and Sony’s site would not load for us, so those three are priced from US dealers, named in each section.

These are US model numbers. The same makers sell different numbers in other regions, so match the features on your country’s site and not the name.

What your phone needs

This is from Google’s own Android Auto help page, which is the one to trust. Some makers’ pages still quote older Android versions.

• With a cable: a phone on Android 9.0 or higher with an active data plan, and a good USB cable.
• Without a cable: a phone with an active data plan and 5GHz Wi-Fi. Google says wireless works with any phone on Android 11.0.
• No app to install. Google says Android Auto is built into the phone.
• Not on Android Go. Phones running the Go edition of Android cannot use it.
• Not in every country. Google lists the countries where Android Auto works. India, the UK and the US are on it. South Africa is the only African country there, so Nigeria is not, and Google says most features will not work outside the list.

That last point matters more than any spec. In a country off the list, treat Android Auto as something that may not run, and do not spend $300 on a stereo for that feature alone. Kenwood and JVC point buyers to Apple’s own availability list for CarPlay as well.

Will it fit your car

Car stereo slots come in two heights. JVC gives the chassis of its floating-screen KW-Z900W as 178 by 50mm, which is single DIN. Kenwood gives the DMX5710S an installation size of 7 by 3-15/16 inches, twice the height, which is double DIN. A floating unit hangs a large screen in front of a single-DIN box, so it suits older dashboards, provided the screen does not cover vents or switches.

Depth matters too. Pioneer’s store says its fitment guide is for reference only and tells buyers to check every dimension, depth included. Alpine gives the iLX-W670-M and iLX-W770-M a mounting depth of 2.4 inches, and Kenwood, JVC and Sony all describe a short rear chassis on their 6.8-inch and 6.95-inch models.

Then there are the parts that are not in the box. Kenwood, JVC and Alpine each say the iDatalink Maestro module, which keeps steering wheel buttons and a factory amplifier working, is sold separately. Reversing cameras are separate as well. None of the makers’ pages we read mentions a dash kit or a wiring harness for a particular car, so assume those are extra, ask the installer what your car needs, and add it to the price.

Wired, from about $300

Pioneer DMH-1600NEX, about $300

A double-DIN chassis with a 6.8-inch capacitive screen, wired Android Auto and CarPlay, Bluetooth, a 13-band equaliser and a reversing camera input. It is the cheapest Android Auto receiver in stock on Pioneer’s store. Pioneer also lists the wired DMH-160BT-II at about $255 and the wireless DMH-260BT at about $300, and both were sold out. If the DMH-260BT comes back, it is the better buy. Pioneer DMH-1600NEX on Amazon

Alpine iLX-W670-M, about $340

Alpine calls it a 7-inch receiver and gives the touchscreen as 6.75 inches. Its selling point is the 2.4-inch depth, which leaves room to bolt one of Alpine’s small amplifiers to the back. Alpine iLX-W670-M on Amazon

Kenwood DMX4710S, about $350 to $420

A 6.8-inch screen, wired Android Auto and CarPlay, and USB mirroring for either kind of phone. The dealer Abt had it at about $350 and Car Toys at $420, so shop around. JVC, Kenwood’s sister brand, lists the similar wired KW-M595BT. Kenwood DMX4710S on Amazon

Wireless in a double-DIN slot

Pioneer DMH-W2770NEX, about $430

The same size as the DMH-1600NEX with built-in Wi-Fi, so both Android Auto and CarPlay work with or without a cable. The extra $130 mostly buys that. On a short commute, not having to plug in each time is worth it. Pioneer DMH-W2770NEX on Amazon

JVC KW-M695BW, about $430

A 6.8-inch capacitive screen, wired and wireless for both systems, and wireless mirroring. JVC’s site gives no price. The dealer Safe and Sound HQ had it at about $430 against a list price of about $480. JVC KW-M695BW on Amazon

Alpine iLX-W770-M, about $450

The wireless version of the iLX-W670-M, with the same shallow body. Pick it over the Pioneer only if you plan to add Alpine’s amplifier behind it. Alpine iLX-W770-M on Amazon

Sony XAV-AX4000, about $450 to $600

A 6.95-inch anti-glare screen with wired and wireless Android Auto and CarPlay. Sony’s own site would not load, so this is from the listing at the dealer Abt, which had it at about $450. Car Toys asked $600 for the same unit. Sony XAV-AX4000 on Amazon

Kenwood DMX5710S, about $460 to $480

Wired and wireless for both systems, with wireless mirroring for iPhone and Android. Abt had it at about $460 and Car Toys at $480. At that price the Pioneer does the same main job for less. Kenwood DMX5710S on Amazon

Big floating screens

Pioneer DMH-WT5000NEX, about $850

A 9-inch screen at 1024 by 600 on a single-DIN chassis, wired and wireless, with HD Radio built in. It is the cheapest of the floating units here by a wide margin. Pioneer DMH-WT5000NEX on Amazon

Pioneer DMH-WT8600NEX, about $1,500

This was on our 2020 list and Pioneer still sells it: a 10.1-inch HD screen on a single-DIN chassis, wired and wireless, with Alexa built in. Pioneer’s other 10.1-inch floating unit, the DMH-WT6000NEX, is about $1,100, which makes this one hard to justify. Pioneer DMH-WT8600NEX on Amazon

Alpine Halo9 iLX-F509, about $1,650

A 9-inch HD screen that adjusts for height, depth and angle on a single-DIN chassis, wired and wireless, with high-resolution audio playback. The 11-inch Halo11 is about $1,900. You are paying for the audio side here, since Pioneer’s 9-inch costs about half. Alpine Halo9 iLX-F509 on Amazon

Kenwood DMX1038S, about $1,650

A 10.1-inch HD panel that adjusts four ways, wired and wireless, with four camera inputs. Kenwood shows no price. Car Toys listed it at $1,650 and was out of stock. JVC’s 9-inch floating KW-Z900W is the sister model to look at. Kenwood DMX1038S on Amazon

What changed since 2020

• Alpine Halo9 iLX-F309: replaced by the iLX-F509 above.
• Alpine iLX-W650: no longer on Alpine’s site. The wired iLX-W670-M is the nearest current model.
• Pioneer AVH-W4500NEX: still on Pioneer’s store at about $1,000. It is a 6.94-inch CD and DVD receiver with wireless Android Auto, and the price only makes sense if you need the disc slot.
• Pioneer DMH-1500NEX: out of stock new on Pioneer’s store, which still sells reconditioned ones at about $385. The DMH-1600NEX has taken over as the budget model.
• Kenwood Excelon DNX997XR: gone from Kenwood’s US Excelon page.

Which to pick

• Lowest price: the Pioneer DMH-1600NEX at about $300, wired.
• Wireless on a budget: the Pioneer DMH-W2770NEX at about $430.
• A shallow dash, or an amplifier to hide: the Alpine iLX-W770-M.
• A single-DIN slot: the Pioneer DMH-WT5000NEX.
• The car is not worth a $300 stereo: a plug-in Bluetooth adapter gets phone audio into the speakers for far less. Our guide to FM transmitters for Android explains what works.

Quick answers

What does a phone need for wireless Android Auto?

An active data plan and 5GHz Wi-Fi, on a phone Google counts as compatible. Google says any phone on Android 11.0 works, and the head unit must support wireless too.

Can I get Android Auto in a single-DIN slot?

Yes, with a floating-screen unit. The Pioneer DMH-WT5000NEX, Alpine Halo9 and Kenwood DMX1038S all sit on a single-DIN chassis.

Is there an Android Auto head unit with a CD player?

Pioneer’s AVH-W4500NEX plays CDs and DVDs and is about $1,000. Kenwood also lists DVD receivers with Android Auto in its DDX range.

Does Android Auto work in Nigeria or India?

India is on Google’s list of supported countries. Nigeria is not, and Google says most features will not work outside the list.

Do I need to download the Android Auto app?

No. Google says it is built into the phone, and the phone may ask to update it the first time you connect.

Prices move, so confirm with the maker or dealer before you pay.