Music and audiobooks entertain the driver on the road and help stay awake during a long trip, so you can't do without a good radio in the car. And so that your choice fell on the most suitable model in terms of price and characteristics, we will tell you which car radios are the best in sound quality and point out the strengths and weaknesses of each participant in the selection.
Our rating of car radios is composed of models with standard sizes 1 DIN and 2 DIN from different price segments. The choice of car stereo system is based on the recommendations of Crutchfield experts, feedback from Yandex.Market users and ratings of popular shopping sites.
10. BOSS Audio 508UAB
- Size 1 DIN
- USB input
- Bluetooth
- Memory card slot
- LCD display
- Max. power 4 x 50 W
BOSS is known for producing some of the best car stereos on the market. And one of its popular models is the BOSS Audio 508UAB. If you still have a large collection of CDs, then this car radio is a great choice because it offers perfect CD and DVD playback.
It allows you to connect an external device via Bluetooth, AUX and USB, and also has Electronic skip protection - "anti-shock", eliminating gaps in sound playback.
The BOSS Audio 508UAB has front and rear speakers, and comes with a handy wireless remote control.
pros: Bluetooth for hands-free calling, electronic anti-skip protection.
Minuses: difficult to find on sale in Russia, available on Amazon and eBay.
9. Pioneer SPH-10BT
- size 1 DIN
- Bluetooth
- Front USB
- Max. power 4 x 50 W
- radio receiver with RDS
- iPhone support
- Outputs: Audio out, PreAmp subwoofer, PreAmp rear, PreAmp front
Pioneer is famous for its good car radios, and this one is no exception. The SPH-10BT model provides for a smartphone connection either via Bluetooth or via a USB cable, while the mobile phone becomes the main control for the audio system. If the smartphone is not connected, then the radio is controlled by buttons.
To operate the radio with a smartphone, you need to download the Pioneer Smart Sync app, it is available for iOS and Android.
The sound quality of the Pioneer SPH-10BT is branded, smooth and pleasant. But if initially you don't like it, you can adjust it using the 31-band equalizer. In the memory of the car radio there are 9 equalizer settings, of which 2 are user and 7 presets
pros: beautiful design with the ability to customize the backlight, excellent sound quality, many settings, a convenient holder for a smartphone, there is a digital input for connecting the Pioneer ND-PS1 model parking sensors.
Minuses: although it starts on its own when the ignition is turned on, it takes a long time.
8. Pioneer MVH-S610BT
- size 2 DIN
- Bluetooth
- Front USB and AUX
- Max. power 4 x 50 W
- radio receiver with RDS
- iPhone support
- Outputs: Audio out, PreAmp subwoofer, PreAmp rear, PreAmp front
One of the best 2 DIN car radios, it has excellent sound, with a peak power of 50 watts. A 13-band Graphic EQ is used to fine tune it.
If you use Spotify, you will love how easy it integrates with this car stereo. And thanks to the Bluetooth function, the Pioneer MVH-S610BT can connect up to two mobile phones and make hands-free calls.
pros: high-quality assembly, excellent sound quality, high-quality microphone, many customizations.
Minuses: the screen gets covered with dust quickly, small buttons.
7. JVC KD-X33MBTE
- size 1 DIN
- Bluetooth
- Front USB and AUX
- Max. power 4 x 50 W
- radio receiver with RDS
- iPhone support
- outputs: audio out, PreAmp subwoofer
This model's 13-band EQ means you have complete control over the purity and quality of its sound. JVC KD-X33MBTE car radio is compatible with most smartphones, Apple Carplay and Android Auto and allows hands-free calls.
To make this easier, you can access your contacts through your car stereo and the display will also show the names of all incoming calls. The bluetooth connection is really fast and works really well.
pros: high build quality, good sound quality according to user reviews, reliable radio reception.
Minuses: the microphone is slightly deaf, which may cause the interlocutor to hear you poorly when making a call.
6. Alpine Halo9 ILX-F903D
- size 1 DIN
- High power amplifier 4x50 W
- Bluetooth
- 9 inch touch screen
- Gesture control
- USB, HDMI and AUX
- Apple CarPlay support
- Android Auto support
The first thing you notice when looking at the Alpine Halo9 iLX-F309 car device is a huge 9-inch touchscreen display with the ability to change the angle of inclination, move up and down and back and forth from the body. But the best headunit should have more than just a great screen. Fortunately, the Alpine Halo9's sound is also exceptional, with 50W peak power.
Built-in Apple CarPlay means Apple Maps, text messages, phone calls and weather are available via voice commands. In addition, the car radio is compatible with the interface of the standard remote control buttons on the steering wheel, and allows you to control the standard capabilities of the car, such as climate control and parking sensors.
Alpine Halo9 allows you not only to listen to music of different formats, but also to watch videos from a flash drive in FAT32, including MKV files with a stereo soundtrack. You can separately set filters for the subwoofer, front, rear speakers.
This model is also compatible with GPS and Glonass. For this, a special antenna is included in the kit.
pros: Bluetooth module supports simultaneous connection with 5 smartphones, support for Advanced Audio Codec, equalizer with presets,
Minuses: high price.
5. Mystery MDD-7005
- size 2 DIN
- Front USB and AUX
- 7 ″ touch screen
- Max. power 4 x 50 W
- radio receiver with RDS
- outputs: audio out, PreAmp subwoofer, video composite
If you are looking for which inexpensive and good car radio to choose for your iron horse, pay attention to Mystery MDD-7005.
According to user reviews on Yandex.Market, it has good sound, has a large touch screen and a large selection of button illumination. With its help, you can listen to your favorite radio station, or watch a video from a flash drive.
pros: responsive screen, convenient search for radio stations, simple Russified menu, there is a remote control.
Minuses: no Bluetooth, no equalizer, slightly larger than the standard space for a car radio in some cars, so you may have to "modify it with a file."
4. KENWOOD DMX7018BTS
- size 2 DIN
- Bluetooth
- touch display 6.95 ″
- Max. power 4 x 50 W
- rear view camera support
- radio receiver with RDS
- outputs: audio out, PreAmp subwoofer, PreAmp rear, PreAmp front, video composite
This multimedia receiver offers users the choice between simply playing FM / AM radio and connecting a smartphone or MP3 player via AUX or Bluetooth 4.1 connection.
Pay attention to the letter S in the model name. This means that the controls are completely touch-sensitive. It also has a preset equalizer, so you can also customize the sound to suit your needs. And you can manage hands-free calls through this device.
pros: beautiful design, build quality, sound quality, omnivorous media formats.
Minuses: the interface for resistive rudders is unstable (it is "treated" by purchasing an adapter).
3. Sony DSX-A210UI
- size 1 DIN
- Front USB and AUX
- Max. power 4 x 55 W
- radio receiver with RDS
- iPhone support
- outputs: audio out, PreAmp rear
The top 3 car radios in terms of sound quality and functionality are opened by a product from the Japanese Sony.It is distinguished by its stylish and even aggressive appearance, good reception of radio channels, works with iPhones and reads flash drives quickly.
Perhaps, the bass quality of this device is inferior to expensive models from BOSS, Pioneer and other recognized masters of car radio production, but the price is half as much.
pros: simple operation, beautiful design.
Minuses: not enough sound settings, no Bluetooth
2. VARTA V-AVM650DN
- size 2 DIN
- Bluetooth
- CD-DVD-player
- touch screen 6.5 ″
- GPS navigator
- Max. power 5 x 50 W
- rear view camera support
- radio receiver with RDS
- outputs: PreAmp subwoofer
One of the best features of this car radio is the ability to connect a rear camera to it and then use the display to see what's behind the car.
The model also differs in omnivorous formats and has a built-in GPS receiver. So, if you need a 2 DIN all-in-one radio tape recorder so that music from CDs can be played and navigated, then it is difficult to find an option better than the VARTA V-AVM650DN.
pros: high-quality build, many settings, 7-band equalizer, monitor with bright colors and good viewing angles, many inputs and outputs.
Minuses: no.
1. Podofo 2DIN
- size 2 DIN
- Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi
- 7 ″ touch screen
- Max. power 4 x 50 W
The rating of 2 DIN car radios is topped by an inexpensive device that can be found on Aliexpress, and for which there are hundreds of positive reviews.
The display is very clear and easy to read in daylight. The model can work with Yandex navigator (users recommend installing version 3.96 or any 3 version), catches the radio, can read video and audio from a flash drive, and even has a gps receiver in the kit, which is mounted on the windshield.
pros: Wi-Fi works stably, good viewing angles, good volume and sound quality, can be connected to a multifunction steering wheel.
Minuses: no.