Top 10 Best Double DIN Head Units (Reviews)

Upgrading from a single DIN stereo to a double DIN head unit will almost always give you a number of extra features. This includes things like playing video, connecting with your smartphone, using an integrated GPS system, and even experiencing a backup camera.

Before you buy a double DIN unit, though, it’s important to understand that not every unit comes with the same features.

Pioneer AVH-X490BS – Reliable Performance From Leading Brand

The touchscreen makes it easy to search and find content. A wired USB connection lets you charge devices like your smartphone or MP3 player while also letting you play content from these devices through the sound system.

Alternatively, you can connect your device and the radio using Bluetooth. Smartphone integration lets you play Pandora and Spotify in your car as well.

Auto EQ and time alignment functionality ensure that you get the best sound possible. You also get a lot of control over the sound with a 13-Band Graphic Equalizer and touch panel swipe settings.

Built-in high/low pass crossover with adjustable points and slopes lets you adjust the sound to your liking. There is a possibility of using this unit for GPS navigation as well but you would need the Navigation AVIC-U280 receiver to do so.

This unit has a peak power output of 50 watts x 4 channels while the RMS is 14 watts x 4 channels. The touchscreen is easy to use and you have customization options.

This includes color choice, with 5 display colors and 12 key colors to choose from. There is also a dimmer and brightness control options as well as an illumination timer.

You can also change the shortcuts you want on the home screen.

Pioneer AVH-290BT – A Cheaper Pioneer Double DIN Deck

You can play both CDs and DVDs with this unit. In addition, there is an FM stereo and an AUX input. For the price, this is an incredible unit and it performs as reliably as any other Pioneer product.

There are a few negatives, like the awkward placement of the AUX input and there is only very limited ability to customize the background color.

EinCar Double DIN In-Dash Deck – A Decent Budget Option With Extras Included

The GPS functionality built into this unit makes it stand out. It supports satellite navigation. The GPS process has a pre-loaded GPS map and a 4GB map card for North America included.

With the Dual Zone function, the navigation system will continue running even while you play music or watch videos on the unit.

There are a lot of options for connecting different audio and video inputs to this deck. You can connect and play music using an SD card or the AUX input.

An LED night view rear back-up camera is included. There is a DVD player built into the unit as well as the standard CD player.

To be sure, there are some problems with this unit.

The instruction manual is almost worthless so you’ll probably have to rely on YouTube videos and tips from other buyers to get it installed.

The display could be a lot better as well but, for the price, you can’t really expect HD quality. Despite these drawbacks, this affordable double DIN unit has the potential to be a very good unit.

It is for sure a better option than the standard deck your vehicle likely came with.

BOSS Audio BV9382NV Double DIN – Affordable Unit With Navigation

This unit gives you a lot of control over the sound. You can use the built-in Preset EQ and customize to create the sound style best for you by using the Bass/Treble/Balance/Fader controls.

There are preset EQ curves that are ideal for different musical styles if you don’t want to take the time to customize the sound fully yourself.

In addition to using the touchscreen, you can use the included wireless remote to control the unit. There are inputs for a backup camera and steering wheel controls but you do have to buy those actual components separately.

Premium Lanzar Android 6.5″ Head Unit – Android OS With Storage Space

The touchscreen makes it easy to search and find content. A wired USB connection lets you charge devices like your smartphone or MP3 player while also letting you play content from these devices through the sound system.

Alternatively, you can connect your device and the radio using Bluetooth. Smartphone integration lets you play Pandora and Spotify in your car as well.

Something that makes this unit stand out is that it has 16GB of storage built in.

Beyond that, you can connect to a USB flash drive or insert an SD card. It can connect to any smartphone or tablet using Bluetooth functionality.

Another really nice feature is that it has 3G/4G Wi-Fi mobile hotspot capability. Because it uses an Android operating system and can connect to either 3G/4G or Wi-Fi, you can also download any number of helpful apps to use with the console. You could add YouTube, Netflix, Facebook, Twitter, and anything else you could find in the app store.

You can also use the console to search the web. Obviously, none of these apps would be appropriate to use while driving, but it can be very nice to have access to them like this in the vehicle.

The unit’s Bluetooth receiver will work with any backup camera system but you would have to buy that component separately.

For the backup camera as well as for displaying any visual content, the 1080-pixel display is crisp and clear.

For playing a DVD, it’s nice to get a picture this sharp. A remote control is included with this unit.

Pyle PLDAND697 Double Din Android Stereo Receiver System – Another Android-Based Tablet-Like Unit

Like the Lanzar, this is another unit that comes with 16GB of memory. This is in addition to all the ways you can connect. Bluetooth is one option, as is connecting via USB or SD card.

EinCar Android 6.0 Double Din Car Stereo – Front & Rear Cameras Included

While you can certainly download a map program, there is also a built-in map and navigation software pre-installed.

This is nice because you can still navigate even when you are offline.

Jensen VX7023 A/V Receiver w/ DVD – A Bit Overpriced But Good Quality

One nice feature is that you can upload your own wallpaper for the console if desired. Having a nice picture that is meaningful to you as your background can make a big difference, in my experience.

There are also 5 basic wallpaper options to choose from if you don’t want to upload your own.

Eonon GA2168 – Unique Adjustable Viewing Angle

It has a 10.1-inch HD display with 1024×600 high resolution. When you combine this large HD screen with the adjustable angle option, this unit really takes the quality of the display to a different level.

Unlike most double DIN units, this one does not have CD or DVD functionality.

This is probably going to be the trend going forward as many people no longer use these tools because of the overwhelming popularity of streaming and other digital formats.

This unit runs on the Android 7.1 Nougat System, so you have the ability to download apps, including apps for playing video and audio.

A wired external microphone is included. This can really improve the audio quality of hands-free Bluetooth calls.

Boss Audio Systems BVCP9675 – A 2-DIN Head Unit With CarPlay

This unit has a number of input possibilities and it can play a wide variety of media.

This is another unit without any CD or DVD playability, with the idea that streaming will be all most people will want or need anyway. There is a good FM/AM radio. You also have control over your overall sound.

You can adjust the Balance/Fader/Bass/Treble controls or use the pre-set EQ. The overall quality of sound is quite high with this unit. Lossless FLAC playback that is capable of 24-Bit/96kHz reproduction will make your music sound incredible, certainly better than any factory stereo would be capable of.

With USB, you can charge your phone from the unit while also using it to stream music or other media.

If color is important, you have some choices of the overall illumination color. Probably my favorite part about this unit is that it has an incredible 3-year warranty.

For any investment of this size, I really appreciate the peace of mind that a warranty like this can bring.

Buyer’s Guide & Frequently Asked Questions

Double DIN vs Single DIN – what’s the difference?

A DIN is a standard unit of size for car radios.

One single DIN is 2″ x 8″ is size. In contrast, a double DIN is 4″ x 8″ in size. The width remains the same but it is twice as tall.

DIN technically refers to the space that a unit will fit into. A double DIN head unit will be slightly smaller than 4″ x 8″ because it needs to fit into that size space.

Another difference between single and double-DIN head units is that double DIN units will often have more features.

Extra features like additional buttons, touchscreens, and navigation systems require more space so you’ll usually only see features like this on double DIN head units.

Which units are compatible with Android?

All of the double DIN head units on the above list are Android-compatible. That said, some units will work best with iOS devices. For the Android user, the Boss Audio Systems BVCP9675 isn’t necessarily the best choice since it is designed more for the Apple user. Several of the units on this list, though, actually use an Android operating system.

The Premium Lanzar unit is one example. But the Android user will ultimately be able to use any of these units, at least for basic functions like playing music and hands-free calling.

What is the best double DIN head unit with Sat Nav GPS?

Long gone are the days when everyone relied on paper maps. Today, we expect to be able to easily get where we need to go with the help of GPS. Having a Sat Nav GPS system integrated right into your vehicle makes this easier than ever.

While the majority of the units on this list make it easy to connect a GPS system, several of them do come with GPS integrated into the deck. The best double DIN head units with built-in Sat Nav GPS on this list are the EinCar Android 6.0 and the Premium Lanzar unit.

How do you mount a head unit?

Installing your new double DIN head unit might sound a bit intimidating but it’s really fairly easy.

Your best bet is to watch a tutorial video, like this one. A few of these units come with decent instruction manuals but a lot of them are pretty worthless.

You’ll likely even be able to find a more specific video for the particular unit or for your particular make and model of vehicle. In many cases, you will need to buy a new mounting kit to fit the unit into your dash.

You also might need to invest in a few tools like a wire stripper and a soldering iron.

If the project sounds too ambitious for you, you can always take it into a qualified audio technician to get it installed. Watch at least a few videos before deciding if it’s a job you can complete on your own.

Moving from a single DIN deck to a double DIN deck completely transformed the feeling of my car. A great stereo with expansive functionality really improves the experience of commuting.

All of these units are good options. The right one for you will be the one with the features that are most important to you that also fits within your budget.

Do you have your eye on any of these units? Let me know in the comments! Also, feel free to ask any questions you might have.