Best Aftermarket Android Auto and Carplay Head Units for Car

If you love the idea of having Android Auto or Carplay in your ride, you don’t have to wait until it’s time to get a new vehicle to make it happen—there are a slew of excellent aftermarket solutions available.

For those who may not be familiar, Android Auto and Carplay are Google and Apple’s respective car-based interfaces that offer simplified, more driver friendly experiences when behind the wheel. These aren’t standalone units, however—they’re both powered by your phone. Android Auto is for Android phones, and Carplay is for iPhones.

While Carplay requires a compatible head unit to use at all, you can actually try out Android Auto on your phone without the need for car compatibility—though the experience isn’t quite as good when using just your phone. Just install the Android Auto app and give it a whirl.

Before you jump into our best-of list, there’s one thing in particular you’ll need to pay attention to in regards to your car: whether it’s a double DIN or a single DIN system. (DIN is a unit of measurement used in car audio, it’s an acronym based on the German phrase “Duetch Industri Normen” and stems from their push to standardize radio sizes in 1980s era BMWs, Mercedes, etc.)

If it’s a more modern ride with a full screen display, then it’s likely a double DIN. If it’s a more traditional CD player without a large screen, then it’s probably a single DIN. A little research for your vehicle’s make and model should tell you everything you need to know.

Regardless of whether you’re an Android or iPhone user, however, AA and Carplay are both excellent systems to have in the car. Here’s a look at the best Auto and Carplay-compatible head units to get you started.