If you’ve got an Android smartphone, Android Auto is a service that you won’t want to do without from your car’s head unit. Here are several of the best Android Auto car stereo options. 

What if you could have all the things you love about you smartphone neatly packed into your car’s center console/stereo? Well, with Android Auto, you can! However, unless you’ve got a pretty new car, it’s unlikely that your ride will have Android Auto built-in as standard. But don’t worry – as ever, the aftermarket is here to help.

Here are several Android Auto-compatible stereos designed to replace the old, standard one sitting in you dash. A word of warning though – before buying, make sure to check that each device will actually fit into your specific car. Anyway, with that PSA out of the way, let’s get into it!

Best Android Auto Car Stereo

Sony XAV-AX3200

RRP: $289.95 / £319. Buy the Sony XAV-AX3200 here. 

The Sony XAV-AX3200 is another budget-friendly device that’s still packing plenty of quality. The screen is marginally larger than that of the JVC above, measuring 6.95 inches rather than 6.75. Plus, although it might not be the cleanest look, there are some tactile buttons at the bottom of the device which some of you may prefer to use rather than unresponsive bezzles.

As far as capabilities go, this Sony is very comparable to the JVC. As well as Bluetooth and USB inputs for calling and streaming, the Sony XAV-AX3200 comes with a number of outputs for external devices and a graphic equalizer too – though the equalizer is 10-band compared to the JVC’s 13. Also, whereas the JVC is firmly for double-DIN stereo housings only, the Sony’s compact rear packaging should allow you to fit it into cars with tighter compartments available.

Alpine iLX-W650

RRP: $449.95. Buy the Alpine iLX-W650 here. 

If you’ve got a bit more cash to spend, you could end up with something like this. The Alpine iLX-W650’s party-piece is its size, or rather lack thereof. Don’t get me wrong, its 7-inch screen is far from small, but it its chassis is incredibly shallow. As such, it can fit into many of the more problematic double-DIN setups that exist out there. What’s more, it’s designed to fit with Alpine’s small but mighty 50-watt, 4-channel KTA-450 power pack amplifier too. In short, if you’re looking for great sound from a really compact set-up, then this is the sort of thing you’ll want.

As for the features included, you can expect all the usual Android Auto goodness as well as an AM/FM radio (which the cheaper options mentioned above also have too, as you’d hope). Bluetooth connectivity is also packed in, as are hands-free voice controls. And of course, you get that certified Alpine sound quality too.

JVC KW-M560BT

RRP: $279.95. Buy the JVC KW-M560BT here. 

If you look for them, there are plenty of options out there that will completely tear your wallet apart. But unless you’re a serious sound nerd, or building a crazy audio car, there’s no point spending close to four figures or above on a car stereo. Instead, if you’re sticking to a tight budget, you can enter the world of Android Auto for less than $300.

The JVC KW-M560BT is a great example of the sort of entry-level tech I’m talking about. For the money, you get a 6.75-inch touchscreen with hands-free calling and a 13-band graphic equalizer to help you adjust the sound of your tunes. This stereo also has enough outputs to get some external amps and subs involved too if you fancy upgrading the rest of your car’s audio system further down the line.

You can connect your Android phone to the stereo via USB or Bluetooth, so it really couldn’t be simpler. Overall, this is a no-nonsense option with the core qualities you’d look for in a commendable Android Auto car stereo. However, if you want some extra features (and potentially an even better sound), keep scrolling further…

Pioneer DMH-2660NEX

RRP: $449.99. Buy the Pioneer DMH-2660NEX here. 

You can always trust Pioneer to come up with some brilliant audio tech, and theDMH-2660NEX is no exception to that rule. Fitted with a 6.8-inch touchscreen, this Android Auto-compatible stereo also features Bluetooth, a HD radio tuner, and SiriusXM compatibility (for our Stateside viewers). There is also the ability to input two cameras for a display of the front and rear of your ride.

On top of that, you get a 13-band graphic EQ, as well as 6-channel preamp outputs out the back. The overall design of Pioneer’s hardware and software interface is also arguably the sleekest of any brand.

Sony XAV-AX8100

RRP: $748.00. Buy the Sony XAV-AX8100 here.

If you fancy going big – in size, performance and (unfortunately) price – then let me steer you towards something like the Sony XAV-AX8100. This mammoth 8.95-inch touchscreen is connected to a diddy single-DIN chassis, meaning even retro rides can receive a major infotainment upgrade.

That big ol’ screen ‘hovers’ over the face of your car’s center console, and has the ability to tilt to your preferred angle. The audio quality itself is also notably more powerful than that of cheaper options, and as a nice added bonus, this stereo is very quick to wake up when you switch on the ignition. Though, a word of caution – there can sometimes be too much of a good thing. The screen measures 9.005 x 5.335 inches, so if you want to buy this stereo, make sure it doesn’t interfere with important dash controls, or your gearstick even.

As for compatibility, it has input sockets for USB, HDMI and camera devices, while there are 5-channel preamp outputs too.

Pioneer DMH-WC5700NEX

RRP: $730.00. Buy the Pioneer DMH-WC5700NEX here.

US car audio specialists Crutchfield rate this as one of their favorite car stereos for 2023, and it’s easy to see why. Let’s start with the design. Once again, you get the sleek, flush Pioneer look, but more importantly, the touchscreen and its chassis can be mounted either as one, or separately. In short, that’s a whole lot of flexibility when it comes to installations in vehicles with problematic dashboards. The touchscreen itself is 6.78-inches wide and 3.95-inches tall, so bear that in mind when considering how it may fit within the landscape of your car’s cabin.

As for its features, the Pioneer DMH-WC5700NEX can play MP3, WMA, AAC, and high-res FLAC, WAV, and DSD music files. So whatever you’re playing, you should be covered. It’s got a 13-band EQ, built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling and music streaming, as well as a built-in HD Radio tuner too.

Possible inputs are plentiful. This stereo has a USB-C port (USB-A adapter supplied), rearview camera input, two rear A/V inputs (3.5mm and RCA, the latter of which can be converted to a second camera input) and even HDMI capabilities. As for the outputs, it has 6-channel preamp ports in addition to its in-built 14-watt amp (roughly the sort of standard you can expect from the in-built amps of other stereos on this list too), and a video output too.

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