Best car radios 2022

Car radios or popularly “heads” in recent years have somehow lost their former popularity. Previously, when buying a new car, a person would definitely add music to the standard set of tire mats. Now even inexpensive cars are equipped with audio systems, so for the majority this need has disappeared. But you can still buy a complete set of a budget car without “music”. But there are still people who want decent sound or a big touchscreen with CarPlay (or Android Auto) support. Car radios, as a class of devices, are too early to bury. And we will tell you about the best models in 2022 right now.

Top 10 rating according to KP

Editor’s Choice

1. Alpine iLX-F903D (average price 68 thousand rubles)

An expensive “head” from the Japanese manufacturer of car audio Alpine for expensive cars. The main features of the radio are a huge 9-inch touch screen and support for working with the Apple CarPlay system. True, the first by the standards of 2022 has a tiny resolution of 800 x 480 pixels, but in the auto world this is still forgivable. The functionality of the iLX-F903D is highly dependent on the CAN adapter for a specific car model. In Our Country, the choice is somewhat limited, so if you look closely at this solution, carefully study the issue of compatibility. The radio tape recorder is designed for installation in size 1 DIN, which means that outwardly the screen may look somewhat alien to the dashboard. The peak power that the iLX-F903D can deliver to speakers is 50 watts. The radio tape recorder supports many file formats, of course, it can connect to a smartphone via Bluetooth and become a screen for the rear view camera.

2. Pioneer MVH-S510BT (average price 8000 rubles)

MVH-S510BT belongs to the class of so-called. “processor tape recorders”. If you do not delve into the intricacies of car audio, then in practice this means the ability to fine-tune the sound, channel lengths and other things. In other words, for such a “head” the acoustics should be better than standard ones. Although the radio does not look modern, but in fact it supports everything that today’s motorist needs. Want to put music control on the steering wheel? Please. Multiple USB ports? Yes, not a problem either. There is also work with smartphones via Bluetooth, and not only as a signal receiver. So, you can set up the radio from a device on Android and iOS, you just need to install a special application. MVH-S510BT can play audio files in Hi-Res quality such as flac. You can complain about the screen, blinding in sunny weather and a rather weak FM tuner, which rustles even with a high-quality antenna.

3. ACV AD-7180 ​​(average price 15,2 thousand rubles)

This radio tape recorder belongs to the class of multimedia combines running on a full-fledged operating system, in this case Android. In fact, the control and configuration device is not much different from a smartphone or tablet. The manufacturer claims a size of 2 DIN, but many users complain that the radio tape recorder is actually somewhat smaller, which means that frame adapters have to be invented. In addition to Bluetooth “on board” there is Wi-Fi and GPS, which dramatically expands the functionality of the device. The radio has its own memory of 16 GB, but you can also connect flash drives. But for some reason there was no slot for a memory card in such a rather big case. The 7-inch touch screen with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels has no duplicate physical control buttons, only a touch zone. Well, the sound that the radio produces cannot be called a reference.

What other radios are worth paying attention to

4. DIGMA DCR-420B (average price 1500 rubles)

A very affordable option for those who need at least some music in the car. However, even in this price segment, such options as USB, 3,5 mm audio jack and memory card have long made their way. The “head” is designed for size 1 DIN. The maximum power that the radio can output to four speakers is 45 watts. It’s interesting, but judging by the reviews, the sound is not bad here, and the channel is confidently picking up FM stations (at least in large cities). There are complaints about the glare screen, but such a simple radio is easy to control even blindly.

5. KENWOOD DMX7018BTS (average price 24 thousand rubles)

This model is built on the Android Auto system, a version of the “green robot” for the car that has been stripped down for the sake of usability. The seven-inch screen has a small resolution of 800 x 480 pixels, but it works smartly and clearly. “Smart” functions are all due to the same Android Auto only work when a smartphone is connected via Bluetooth. The possibilities for fine-tuning the sound have been worked out here – 13 equalizer bands and adjustable time delays. There is also support for playing music in Hi-Res. The radio is designed for size 2 DIN, but it may have to be customized for a specific seat. Questions in this model can only be caused by the absence of a volume control knob (only with touch buttons) and a USB port on the back. However, the latter can even be interpreted as a plus – with the help of an extension cord, it can be brought to any place in the cabin.

6. Sony DSX-A210UI (average price 4000 rubles)

Once “heads” from Sony were one of the most popular radio tape recorders for a motorist. Times have changed, and the offer of such equipment from the Japanese brand has been greatly reduced. DSX-A210UI is a classic representative of the radio, but with some features. For example, it does an excellent job of playing music when connected via USB. Yes, there is no Bluetooth support here, which means that it will not work to use the device for handsfree. But there is a 10-band equalizer and even options with the powerful name EXTRA BASS. The last, however, is a marketing ploy that adds an unnatural amount of low frequencies to the composition. And it will appeal to those who obviously do not listen to music in flac, although there is such an opportunity here. And yet, DSX-A210UI can be “make friends” with steering switches.

7.Prology Retro ONE (average price 7500 rubles)

An interestingly stylized 1 DIN radio tape recorder, the front panel of which should evoke associations with radio receivers from the middle of the last century. Probably, such a thing would look good in the salon of some restomod, like the 21st Volga with modern stuffing. The peak power of the amplifier reaches 55 watts. There are also AUX, and USB, and a slot for a memory card. That’s what really surprises by the standards of the early 20s is the presence of a disk drive – now the music on the CD looks almost as retro as the time, to which the radio tape recorder is an homage.

8. JVC KW-R520 (average price 6100 rubles)

But this car radio already looks like an alien from the beginning of the 2st century – it very much resembles the music centers of that era with its appearance. Moreover, this is a XNUMX DIN format, not with the already familiar large touch screen, but a monochrome display. Next, there is a CD drive. And there was no place for Bluetooth. There is a USB connector, but do not expect full synchronization with your smartphone. But you can play music in flac from a flash drive – music lovers will appreciate it. The sound that this radio produces is quite high quality. But n, of course, also depends on the acoustics.

9. Mystery MMD-4304 (average price 5300 rubles)

How to combine usable touch screen and 1 DIN size? One solution is the Mystery MMD-4304 with a motorized display panel. And there are also many physical buttons. In this radio, there was a place for a drive that reads not only CDs, but also DVDs (although who needs discs in 2022?) There is no Bluetooth, but there is a memory card and a USB port. Of the completely exotic, the MMD-4304 has an infrared control panel, the usefulness of which in a car, where everything is at hand, is doubtful. The sound here does not have a wide setting, and users note the thoughtfulness of the interface. But you can connect the car radio to the rear view camera.

10. Yandex.Auto (average price 30 thousand rubles)

The Internet giant, in order to keep up with its Western counterparts, has been promoting the Yandex.Auto multimedia system since 2017. It can be found not only in the rich trim levels of some models, but you can also buy such a head unit separately. Yandex.Auto is based on Android, but the radio has its own shell and many features. There is an 8-inch touch screen, and USB, and “blue tooth”, and support for memory cards. There are many possibilities, such as navigation or reading messages in instant messengers. But, as often happens, the “first pancake” came out lumpy. If users can still forgive a mediocre sound, then slow work, shell glitches, issues with working with the Internet and many other shortcomings upset people. Of course, something (maybe) will be fixed with updates, but why was it necessary to release an openly raw product for sale for such and such money?

How to choose a car radio

Car audio is a delicate matter. For some, it becomes a hobby that spends a lot of money on. But it all starts with the head unit. Together with Healthy Food Near Me, he will tell about how to choose the best car radio Armen KopelyanCertified Automotive Installer.

What car radios are

If you do not have enough standard system or it simply does not exist, then the question arises of choosing music, because few people agree to ride under the rustle of tires. In modern cars, two standard sizes are used – 1 DIN and 2 DIN. The first option is more compact, most often there are no touch color screens. The second one is already larger, it can fit the color display coveted by many, but there are exceptions. Sometimes manufacturers of radio tape recorders do not fall into DIN sizes. Then the panel has to be redone and look for spacer frames.

Display

With screens, everything is very simple – a large touch screen significantly increases the cost of the radio. But this is a worthwhile investment, because you can output a signal from a rear view camera to it or even set up broadcasting from a DVR. And smart systems have generally taken interaction with the driver to a new level. But keep in mind that the screen must be bright and with a good response to clicks, otherwise, you will be disappointed in the purchase.

Communications

The standard set for today is a memory card, USB and AUX. Moreover, the latter goes out of fashion, giving way to Bluetooth. Wireless, of course, cannot compete with traditional media in terms of sound quality, but it’s simple and you can make a hands-free device out of the best car radio. Of course, if the radio supports this.

New multimedia systems

Back in the noughties, systems running on WinCE appeared – in fact, full-fledged computers in the car. Then they were replaced by Android. He was very fond of nameless Chinese manufacturers, who offered whole tablets in radio cases for little money. But truly convenient systems have only been around for a few years – CarPlay for Apple and Android Auto from Google. First, regular systems appeared on their basis, and now you can pick up third-party ones. Yes, without a connected smartphone, their functionality is weak, but there is full synchronization or easy navigation. Moreover, this direction is only developing.