Place |
Name |
Characteristic in the rating |
1 | Pioneer DEH-X9600BT | Best functionality |
2 | KENWOOD KMM-361SD | Profitable price |
3 | JVC KD-X362BT | Special support for Apple technology |
4 | Alpine CDE-203BT | The best ratio of price and quality |
5 | Boss MR508UABW | Attractive design |
1 | Pioneer FH-X730BT | User Choice |
2 | Prology CMD-230UR | The most reliable recorder |
3 | KENWOOD DPX-5000BT | Balanced and pleasing design. The presence of a 13-band equalizer |
4 | DIGMA DCR-550 | Best price |
5 | Mystery MCD-989BC | Convenient management |
1 | Prology DVS-265T | Better stat balance |
2 | Pioneer MVH-A210BT | Most popular model |
3 | JVC KW-M730BT | Best Ergonomics |
4 | SWAT CHR-6100 | Duplicated mechanical control |
5 | Sony XAV-W600 | The best choice |
1 | Pioneer AVH-3800DVD | The perfect combination of striking design and performance |
2 | Prology MDD-720 | Best price offer |
3 | JVC KW-V230BT | Thoughtful ergonomics |
4 | Dolmax AV7-1D | Plenty of RAM and storage |
5 | Eplutus CA831 | The widest functionality |
What could be better than driving around the city in your own car listening to your favorite music? Turn on your favorite radio station or a range of favorite tracks on a flash drive? Or maybe immerse yourself in the old school by launching hits on disk media? Today, all these issues are easily solved with the help of functional car radios. But, when purchasing a personal car, people often face the lack of players in it and the subsequent independent selection after this. It is also not uncommon to replace old car radios with newer ones, which certainly comes down to the same choice.
Needless to say: today there are a huge number of players of different configurations and functionality, finding the “same” model of which is not so easy. Therefore, we have compiled for you a rating of the twenty best car radios worthy of priority attention.
The following criteria were used in the selection of applicants:
- popularity of models among consumers, the number and content of positive and negative reviews;
- opinion of experts in the field of electronics and verdicts of authoritative sources;
- the ratio of cost parameters and overall quality;
- a thorough comparison of specifications and overall capabilities.
How to choose a car radio - useful tips
The best 1 DIN car radios
1 DIN car radios have been produced for a long time and still make up a huge segment of the car player market. They are suitable for both domestic cars and foreign cars (with the exception of some new models).They differ in the standard display size and low cost compared to other types of radio tape recorders.
5 Boss MR508UABW
Country: USA
Average price: 9 900 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.5
Good sound is the main component for a car radio. But I want the device to also look attractive. Like, for example, Boss MR508UABW. Here, thoughtful ergonomics are perfectly combined with an eye-catching design. Mechanical control, decorated in the form of a camomile. This is very convenient and allows you to control the gadget even while driving, without being distracted from the road.
An interesting feature of the model is a high class of protection against moisture. The fact is that the radio tape recorder was scattered for installation on open-top boats, but nothing prevents you from putting it in a regular car. According to the characteristics of the device is fully consistent with its price tag. 4 channels here account for 200 watts of total power, which is not so much by modern standards, but quite enough to listen to music at the optimal volume. True, the number of formats is limited here, and it will not work to play the Flac file.
4 Alpine CDE-203BT
Country: Japan
Average price: 10 800 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.6
A radio tape recorder from a top manufacturer can guarantee high quality, which, in turn, compensates for not the lowest price tag on the market. Alpin is one of the leading Japanese car audio brands, and for him the price tag of 10 thousand is not something sky-high. This radio will last for many years and will not require repair. Mechanical control is one of the reliability factors, and it is not the only one here.
As for the technical aspects, they are average here.4 channels account for 50 watts of power. The equalizer has 16 bands and about 30 presets that allow you to set the settings for any style of music. The number of playable formats deserves special attention. Among the usual and obsolete MP3 and MPEG4 there is also Flac, thanks to which you can listen to music with the highest possible bitrate. Let not at a phenomenal volume, but with a clear and multi-channel sound.
3 JVC KD-X362BT
Country: Japan
Average price: RUB 5,024
Rating (2022): 4.7
All equipment of the Japanese brand JVC is distinguished by build quality and durability. If you do not plan to change the audio filling of your car for the next 5-10 years, then this device is especially for you. In addition, the replacement of the radio is not required for reasons of quality improvement. The sound is very good here, and the peak power reaches 50 watts for 4 outputs. The radio tape recorder reproduces most modern audio formats, including Flac, which means that it becomes possible to listen to music in real studio quality.
But the main feature in this model is specialized support for Apple technology. It is known that many radio tape recorders are not friendly with the Iphone and you have to “dance with a tambourine” for a long time to make the devices interact. Here, such a problem will not arise, since a special program is already sewn into the radio tape recorder, which easily joins American "apple" devices. And against the background of all these advantages, the price of five thousand no longer seems so high. You have to pay for a quality product, but this is still JVC.
Many car enthusiasts are interested in the question: is it advisable to buy a car radio with Bluetooth or give preference to simpler options with wired connection methods? What are the advantages and disadvantages of such systems, we learn from the comparison table:
Connection system type | pros | Minuses |
Bluetooth-system | + Bluetooth car radio can replace a headset + No extra wiring + You can transfer files directly to the car radio + A smartphone can be used as a music "station" | - May not be compatible with some types of smartphones - Telephone conversations are open for listening by unauthorized persons (passengers) - If the microphone is not remote - problematic feedback and ineffective voice commands - The duration of the action is limited by the charge of the smartphone |
Wired | + More stable connection type + Relative cheapness of equipment + Simplicity and reliability of the system + Independence from the charge of foreign elements | - Lack of voice control capabilities - Sometimes it can take a long time to read information - Playable files may be corrupted |
2 KENWOOD KMM-361SD
Country: Japan
Average price: 4 110 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.9
The line of car radios from KENWOOD has been a leader in the market segment of 1 DIN models for a long time. A worthy representative of the manufacturer, although with its own oddities, is the KENWOOD KMM-361SD radio. Its strangeness lies in the fact that the USB format (obviously one of the most popular) is controlled by means of a stick on the panel, and you still need to click to the desired “slot”.At the same time, the iPod profile, which is not at all necessary for the vast majority of motorists, is controlled by a button placed separately from everything else. Extremely unreasonable, but such is the intention of the designers. Of the positive aspects, it should be noted the richness of supported formats, design variability and high reliability.
Advantages:
- plays well even at high negative temperatures;
- optimal price;
- high build quality;
- design variability.
Flaws:
- a completely unnecessary iPod profile control button on the main panel and the absence of one for USB.
1 Pioneer DEH-X9600BT
Country: Japan
Average price: RUB 10,190
Rating (2022): 5.0
A car radio that goes beyond budget models, equipped with everything you need for productive work. In addition to possessing a practically departed CD receiver, it supports playback of tracks from USB drives, devices on the iOS platform and other devices via a Bluetooth connection. The peak power sustained by the Pioneer DEH-X9600BT is 50 watts for four sound sources - not the best by today's standards, but the sound quality is on top. Pleasant design (built on the canons of the company's corporate identity), as well as informative menus and ease of fine-tuning, can also be added to the model's asset. In terms of value for money, the Pioneer DEH-X9600BT is definitely one of the best 1 DIN car radios.
The best 2 DIN car radios
2-din is a modern car radio connector format used by most manufacturers.If a car brand does not use its own format players, then it will most likely install 2-din. The convenience of this connector is that if you still have a 1-din radio tape recorder, then it can also be installed here using an inexpensive frame. The width of the radio in the form factor 2-din is 100 millimeters. It is more convenient to manage such a device, since there is much more space for buttons and controls, and the screen can be put much more informative.
5 Mystery MCD-989BC
Country: Russia
Average price: 5 000 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.5
Good sound and convenient control are the two main components of a high-quality radio tape recorder, and this model has both of them. One glance at the front panel is enough to understand how easy it is to operate, even while driving. The buttons are symmetrically arranged on two levels and are separated by a volume control. You don't have to peer into the device to find the function you need.
Will please buyers and the price of goods. This is one of the cheapest 2 din radios. She has a monochrome display and 50 watts of power on 4 channels. There is also an RDS system, but buyers have complaints about it. It's all about the outdated display today, assembled from large pixels. Not all information can be displayed on such a screen. Another disadvantage is the limited number of playback formats. No Flac and Loosless. Only obsolete CD-Audio and MP3.
4 DIGMA DCR-550
Country: China
Average price: 3 200 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.6
It can be difficult for owners of cars with a 2-din radio connector to find a suitable radio with a budget price tag. The Chinese brand Digma comes to the rescue, and its model DCR-550.This is a 200-watt radio with 4 channels and an 8-band equalizer. There is no retractable screen and touch control, which was the reason for such a cost. All control is mechanical, which can be called a plus, as it is more durable and reliable, unlike the sensor.
The display is multi-color with the ability to change the color of the backlight. You can listen to music both through the player and from memory cards. The front panel has corresponding USB and Micro SD form factor connectors. But with the formats, everything is very modest. nothing else is supported apart from MP3 and WMA. For a modern model, this is an obvious omission, since many are already accustomed to a higher quality bitrate that these codecs cannot provide.
3 KENWOOD DPX-5000BT
Country: Japan
Average price: RUB 9,670
Rating (2022): 4.8
Spectacular radio for the car, characterized by advanced functionality and an abundance of elements on the front panel. Based on consumer feedback, the KENWOOD DPX-5000BT delivers a pleasant sound quality experience with 13-band EQ and 50W of power per source. Reads all known audio formats, from CD to FLAC to AAC.
Despite the above-mentioned abundance of small details on the panel and menu, the design of the DPX-5000BT cannot be called spoiled. Everything is combined into logical micro-blocks and done in a black and blue color scheme. KENWOOD is distinguished by the ability to make a spectacular "exterior", successfully combining it with good performance. Definitely one of the best car stereos out there.
2 Prology CMD-230UR
Country: China
Average price: 6 500 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.8
If you are looking for a radio that you buy once and forget for many years, then it is in front of you. According to online reviews, CMD-230UR is the most reliable device with the highest quality assembly and fully mechanical control. This is a 2 din car radio, but without a screen and other newfangled stuff. A real player that perfectly copes with its main task. She has a good sound and an equalizer with 16 bands. It is possible to create your own presets or use existing ones, divided into categories according to the style of music.
The total power of the device is 200 watts, divided into 4 channels. The parameter is the most common and most common. There is a preamplifier and an RDS system that displays information about the song or radio station being played on a monochrome screen. But there is no wireless pairing function, as well as a connection to the steering. However, if you do not have the newest car, then you will not need the last option.
1 Pioneer FH-X730BT
Country: Japan
Average price: 8 980 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.9
One of the best sounding car radios. Pioneer has never had problems with this component (except for defective devices), but the Pioneer FH-X730BT outdid most of the advanced player models developed by the company. Regardless of how the tracks are played (via Bluetooth, USB or AUX), the sound remains clear and pleasant, which most competing car radios cannot boast of. The traditional 13-band equalizer adds solidity, thanks to which you can make the finest adjustment of the sound component.However, it is for this quality that users love and appreciate the FH-X730BT.
Advantages:
- excellent sound quality;
- the presence of a 13-band equalizer;
- profitable price;
- high build quality;
- nice decoration.
Flaws:
- sometimes come across defective recorders.
The best car radios with touch screen
The latest milestone in terms of restyling car radios is the introduction of a touch screen into the design. The advantage is obvious - the abundance of buttons is replaced by an intuitive menu of settings and switches, which adds comfort to using the device. Alas, such car radios are expensive, and the reliability of the sensors often leaves much to be desired.
5 Sony XAV-W600
Country: Japan
Average price: RUB 14,320
Rating (2022): 4.5
When it comes to the best video or audio equipment, the first thing that comes to mind is the Japanese brand Sony, and for good reason. The company has honestly earned its unquestioning reputation and has been a benchmark for many years. Before us is one of the best car radios of this brand, designed with both functional requirements and convenience in mind. It is equipped with a 6.2-inch touchscreen display with almost instant response and a side control panel where you can change any settings and control the system while driving, without being distracted by searching for the desired icon on the screen.
By the way, the screen is as bright as possible and does not glare in the sun. This is often written in reviews, which are mostly positive for this product. The only reason why this radio is not in the first place of our rating is its price.It is really very high, even for equipment of this class, but it should be understood that this is Sony, which means quality, reliability, durability and flawless operation throughout the entire service life.
4 SWAT CHR-6100
Country: Russia
Average price: 9 900 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.6
If the car is in motion, it becomes almost impossible to control the touch radio. At least without taking your eyes off the road. But in SWAT CHR-6100 this issue is completely eliminated. All buttons of the aspen control panel are duplicated by mechanical counterparts located on the left side of the case, closer to the driver. There is a volume control and a menu navigator, designed in such a way that you can find the desired key only by tactile sensations.
Also, the advantages of the radio include the ability to connect a rear view camera. Unfortunately, not everyone has it, and often even top brands neglect this feature. If you have a recorder, you just need to connect it to the radio with or without a wire and the corresponding key will appear in the menu, displaying the image directly on the 7-inch screen. There is no need to sacrifice the music being played. She will remain in the background.
3 JVC KW-M730BT
Country: Japan
Average price: 29 900 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.7
If the car radio does not have a duplicated mechanical control, then it should have the most thoughtful ergonomics. Like JVC KW-M730BT. Android is installed here, but not ordinary, but upgraded by the manufacturer. According to the assurances of users, it is much more convenient to work with it.The most important buttons are located at the corners of the 6.8-inch screen and you won't be able to accidentally click on another option. Buttons of lesser importance are small and located at the bottom. It can be seen that the manufacturer did not just place the keys on the screen, but thought about the convenience of the driver.
Will please users and the number of supported formats. In addition to outdated MP3 and MPEG4, there is FLAC, especially for music lovers in the best quality and maximum bitrate. Equalizer 13-band with a set of your own presets and the ability to create new ones. No matter what kind of music you prefer, the radio will play it in the best quality.
2 Pioneer MVH-A210BT
Country: Japan
Average price: 19 200 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.9
Pioneer car radios are invariably in demand among buyers. Sometimes even despite the clearly inflated price tag. It's all about the high quality of equipment from this brand and its reliability. This is also true for 2-din devices with a touch screen. For example, here the screen has a high level of impact protection. You can not be afraid of accidentally damaging it or somehow scratching it. Onyx overlay will withstand everything.
We also note the convenient control, duplicated by mechanical keys. An important aspect familiar to anyone who has ever tried to change a song or change a radio station while the car is moving using the sensor. Everything is controlled by Android 8 generation. It is possible to pair wirelessly with smartphones, as well as output the sound of a mobile call to car speakers. In general, an excellent 200-watt car radio from a top manufacturer. Way and not the cheapest on the market.
1 Prology DVS-265T
Country: China
Average price: RUB 12,659
Rating (2022): 4.9
A car radio with a high peak power value that will appeal to any music lover. The sound quality is high, as is the overall structural soundness. Users unanimously talk about the user-friendly interface and ease of setup. The system does not slow down even when reading files from completely clogged media: USB drives, SD cards or disk storages. Moreover, Dolby Digital decoders are built into it, which provide stable decoding of multimedia data. A reasonable price is added to a solid set of functions without serious complaints, and, based on this, the Prology DVS-265T can be an ideal choice for completing a personal car.
Advantages:
- high sound quality;
- reliable assembly;
- nice and clear interface;
- good sensor;
- the system does not slow down when reading loaded media.
Flaws:
- not identified.
The best retractable screen car radios
Retractable screen radios are the ideal solution for cars whose design does not provide for the installation of devices with a large body. The form factor of such a radio is standard, like that of 1 dim, but after pressing the desired button, a huge display comes out of the case, often with a very high resolution and aspect ratio. The radio screen can be either touch or conventional, which directly affects the cost of the device.
5 Eplutus CA831
Country: China
Average price: 10 700 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.4
This device does not dare to call a radio tape recorder. There are so many functions here that it is more correct to refer to it as a computer, but in a 2-din format. Playing music and radio is only a small part of what the device is capable of.You can watch movies on it, surf the Internet, and even play mobile games using a wireless gamepad or remote control. There is also a pre-installed navigator and a system for pairing with mobile devices.
And if not for the limited amount of memory, the device could take a much higher position in our rating. In reviews, buyers often complain that when using several programs at the same time, freezes begin. In fact, they are inevitable, since there is only 1 gigabyte of RAM on board the radio. And the built-in memory is not so much. Only 16 gigs, which by modern standards is a real trifle.
4 Dolmax AV7-1D
Country: China
Average price: 7 900 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.7
A car radio with a retractable touch screen is often a full-fledged computer that can perform a lot of basic and additional functions. And everything requires memory, both physical and operational. In this model, you will not experience problems with these modules. The device operates under the Windows CE operating system. It has 3 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage. Impressive parameter for the radio.
Entry and exit will not be a problem either. There are all modern formats, listing which simply does not make sense. Add a built-in navigator here and get the best car radio for your money. By the way, the price tag is another advantage of the model. The brand is young and not the most famous on the market, so it does not yet increase the cost of its products only because of its own name and popularity. Perhaps soon this situation will change, and obviously not in the direction of the buyer.
3 JVC KW-V230BT
Country: Japan
Average price: RUB 15,604
Rating (2022): 4.8
Focusing on the manufacturability of the image, JVC tried to create a balanced device in a beautiful "package". It turned out well, but without the nuances that attracted meticulous consumers, it could not do. But first, the good news: the detailing of the touchscreen-driven menu seemed to consumers to be very appropriate. Sections are marked with large icons, which are easier to hit when manipulating while driving. The sound also pleased the ear - the rated power of the KW-V230BT was 4x22 W, and the peak power turned out to be twice as much (4x50 W).
Among the shortcomings, consumers attributed the instability of the system and the low screen resolution (800x480 pixels with a diagonal of 6.2 inches). If the second can be attributed to the fact that other aspects of the model took precedence, then the first seems to be a very serious omission on the part of the development team. Fortunately, glitches and friezes are found only on a small batch of products.
2 Prology MDD-720
Country: China
Average price: 12 400 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.8
A surprisingly strong car radio model from Prology, showing high standards in terms of the main evaluation parameters. Works with the most popular audio (MP3, WMA) and video (MPEG-4, DVD-Video) formats, reading them from disk media, USB flash drives and Apple devices. It has a built-in 7-inch screen with a resolution of 1440x234 dpi. It has an infrared remote control, through which it is convenient to control both the driver himself and the passengers sitting in the cabin.
The appearance of the Prology MDD-720 is also worth mentioning.The combination of predominantly gray and green, designed to emphasize the basis, is always advantageous, but with Prology detailing, it takes on more sophistication. The maximum power of the car radio is 50 W for each of the sources, which gives a beautiful box and an impressive sound. This is one of the best representatives of its category, the cost of which does not exceed the average market price.
1 Pioneer AVH-3800DVD
Country: Japan
Average price: RUB 14,590
Rating (2022): 4.9
"Pioneers" once again proved the first class of their production by releasing the AVH-3800DVD car radio. The perfect and audacious device received very high marks from consumers, who were struck by the number of readable formats and external-technical aspects. It contains as many as four outputs to other acoustic elements (three PreAmp (rear, front and sub) and one composite video), thanks to which the system can undergo significant upgrades. It is possible to connect to the steering joystick, which must be purchased separately for more comfortable control.
The Pioneer AVH-3800DVD fully justifies its price, but the weak display spoils the overall impression. Consumers were right to expect something more than 800x480 dpi at a diagonal of seven inches, but were satisfied with the content and wrote off this nuance as an opportunity for further improvement.