When discussing car audio and video, it’s a matter of choosing high-end or going without. Believe me, you certainly won’t want to miss out. By simply investing in the top-quality single DIN head unit, you can unlock a universe of entertainment.
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If you’ve contemplated buying a single DIN car stereo, you’re on the right path. Now let me show you:
- The best single DIN Head Units on the market
- Features, pros, and cons of these single DIN units
- Factors to consider when buying a single DIN car stereo
After this review, you’ll be buying a single DIN head unit in no time. But before that, let’s take a critical look at each of these products.
Best Single DIN Head Unit Comparison Chart
Amplifiers, subwoofers, and other car entertainment gadgets are nothing without a DIN head unit. The final factor determines the quality of sound produced in your car.
Therefore, you want to purchase a head unit not just for its style but also for its functionality. The head units in this piece are your best bet at combining both qualities. Luckily, they can be purchased at reasonable prices too. Take a look.
| Power Ratings | Display | Playback Options | Expandability | Smartphone Integration | Control Method | |
| JENSEN MPR210 Single DIN Car Stereo | 50 watts x 4 channels | 7- channels LCD | USB, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay | 2 input & 2 pairs of output ports | Available for Apple (iOS) & Android devices | Touch, voice control, J-link smart remote app |
| Alpine CDE-172BT Bluetooth Receiver | 18 watts – 50 watts x 4 channels | 1-line high-contrast LCD text display | CD receiver, USB, Bluetooth, SiriusXM | 2 input & 4 output ports | Available for Apple (iOS) & Android devices | Steering wheel and wireless remote control |
| JVC KD- T915BTS Bluetooth Car Stereo | 22 watts – 50 watts x 4 channels | 13-digit, 2-line LCD | CD receiver, Bluetooth, USB, Amazon Alexa | 3 input & 4 output ports | Available for Apple (iOS) & Android devices | Voice remote control |
| Kenwood Excelon KDC-X304 CD Receiver | 22 watts – 50 watts x 4 channels | 1.5-line LCD | CD receiver, USB, Bluetooth, Portable player, Amazon Alexa | 2 input & 3 pairs output ports | Available for Apple (iOS) & Android devices | Voice remote control |
| Pioneer AVH-3500NEX Flip Out AV Receiver | 17 watts – 50 watts x 4 channels | 7″ motorized fold-out touchscreen display | CD, DVD, USB, Flash | 3 input & 7 output ports | Available for Apple (iOS) & Android devices | Voice remote control |
JENSEN MPR210: Best Budget Single DIN Head Unit
TThe Jensen MPR210 car stereo receiver ideally combines a couple of quality sound features. Its 50 watts power rating evidently makes it powerful. But this single din head unit is more than just that.
It was designed to aid hands-free usage of the car stereo receiver. Thus, it has a Push-to-Talk button that affects an instantaneous switch between transmission and reception. The AM/ FM tuner allows you to store up to 18 FM and 12 AM station presets.
What the stereo lacks in a DVD/CD player makes for numerous media playback options. These include USB media playback, WMA & MP3 player, and the Apple CarPlay feature for iPhone users.
Pros
- High-resolution LCD
- 4 EQ curve presets (Classical, Pop, Rock, Flat)
- Easy installation
- Super responsive touch screen
- Cost-effective car stereo
Cons
- Lack a CD-player
- Only suitable for playing music
Final Verdict
This Jensen gives you a variety of quality sound options. If you want a sleek, compact car head unit that is powerful, affordable, and easy to use, then the MPR210 is ideal for you.
JENSEN MPR210 Single DIN Car Stereo Receiver
Alpine CDE-172BT: Best Single DIN Head Unit For Sound Quality
Many car stereos have great sound quality. The audio quality of this Alpine model, however, is unrivaled. This single head unit guarantees the ultimate car audio quality regardless of the media source.
It is designed with 3-band parametric: treble, mid, and bass. Though these metrics are quite limited, the high pass and low pass frequency crossovers help the single DIN head unit produce the best sound. And at the same time, it protects the speakers from wearing out fast.
The CDE-172BT receiver also comes with a lot of hands-free options. It has steering wheel control, a tuned microphone with noise interference, and Bluetooth hands-free technology. As a plus, this product is built with a detachable anti-theft security faceplate.
Pros
- Detachable anti-theft faceplate
- USB port equipped for phone charging
- Rotary knob for easy music control
- Excellent sound quality
- High-contrast display with RGB illumination color options
- Auto-sync with user’s phone book
Cons
- Band parametric is somewhat limited
- No touchscreen display features
Final Verdict
Alpine CDE-172BT single DIN head unit gives you sound at its best. It allows you to make calls while driving at a fast speed with the interference of the wind. This product is the best for quality sound freaks.
Alpine CDE-172BT Bluetooth Receiver
JVC KD- T915BTS: Best Single DIN Bluetooth Head Unit
I believe the JVC car stereo receiver allows for the best use of Bluetooth services. With this single DIN head unit, you can pair two phones at once via Bluetooth. Once paired, you can easily switch between both devices for hands-free calls. The same goes for the Streaming DJ feature, which allows you to pair 5 phones, and every user takes a turn streaming.
However, the most amazing feature of the KD- T915BTS model is the Amazon Alexa Voice Control. The luxury that comes with this feature is unparalleled. You have to download the app and hook it up to the head unit. Then you can access weather updates, music, news, and many other features by merely pushing a button.
Pros
- Alexa Voice Control
- Streaming DJ feature
- 13-band parametric equalizer
- 2-zone variable-color customization
- Sound lift technology
Cons
- Lack video display settings
Final Verdict
Folks who appreciate stereo illumination should definitely go for the KD- T915BTS sound receiver. It’s also your best bet at achieving the ultimate Bluetooth optimization for car entertainment.
JVC KD- T915BTS Bluetooth Car Stereo Receiver
Kenwood Excelon KDC-X304: Best Kenwood Single DIN Head Unit
The KDC-X304 car stereo is a sister product to the JVC Bluetooth car stereo. The only difference is that this product has a lesser display setting. Thus, while the JVC Bluetooth car stereo has a 2-line 13-digit display, this Kenwood single din head unit has a 1.5-line display setting.
It has the Alexa Voice Control that makes the use of the stereo extremely easy. Additionally, the Excelon single din head unit allows five phones to connect to the stereo at once via Bluetooth. The feature that allows this to happen is the Music Mix feature.
Pros
- Music mix feature
- Alexa Voice Control
- 6 AM and 18FM presets
- Easy access to phone book profile
- Dual phone connection
Cons
- Limited display setting
- Have no video display qualities
Final Verdict
This product proves the best of things comes in measure. It’s a wholesome product. It has good sound, numerous output, and input options. Furthermore, it has features that allow for easy use.
Kenwood Excelon KDC-X304
Pioneer AVH-3500NEX: Best Single DIN Touchscreen
This single DIN head unit blows my mind every single time. It faults the myths that only double din head units can have excellent DVD receivers.
This product not only has a DVD receiver but is also built with a cutting-edge touchscreen display. This touchscreen display sits on a 7″ motorized screen that folds away anytime it’s not in use. And for optimal car use, you can connect the AV receiver to other headrest monitors.
The feature I love the most, though, is the parking assist. It makes parking so easy. It eliminates the need to crane your neck in all directions to have a clear rear view of your car.
Pros
- 7″ motorized touchscreen display
- Apple CarPlay feature
- Easy access to YouTube and other popular apps
- Crystal-clear display interface
- Rear-view parking guidelines assist
- CD/DVD Receiver
Cons
- Slow weblink connectivity
- Have no HDMI input
Final Verdict
Like the name, this product sets the pace for other single DIN AV receivers. It gives you the best visual quality at a relatively affordable price. If your pocket can bear the cost, I don’t see why you shouldn’t buy this product.
Pioneer AVH-3500NEX Flip Out AV Receiver
Read more: Sony XAV-AX5000 vs. AX7000 vs. AX8000: Choose the best head unit for your road trip
How To Buy The Best Single DIN Head Unit
When buying a single DIN head unit, there are a couple of things you should take into consideration. These factors, when put together, make the best car stereos.
Power Rating
The minimum standard power rating for car stereos is 10 watts RMS. However, a powerful stereo should have nothing less than 17 watts RMS and 50 watts peak power ratings. This shows that the stereo can handle a wide range of power frequencies.
Thus, all four channels in a single DIN head unit should be powered by a 50 watts peak power capacity.
Display
If your head unit is solely for audio input, you don’t have to bother about the display. You can go for a head unit with a 2-line display. However, you will have to be particular about the display if the head unit comes with video settings. You want to ensure you have a screen with a cutting-edge display.
Playback Options
The more playback options it has, the better you experience. It means that your head unit does not restrict you from accessing certain audio or visual files. Get a head unit that allows you to play MP3 files, WMA, FLAC, CD, and, where applicable, MP4 files.
Expandability
The versatility of a head unit is solely dependent on its capacity to expand. This means that a head unit is expandable when it allows you to connect to external sources. It makes the head unit multifunctional.
Thus, you should only settle for a head unit with USB ports, HDMI ports, rear camera inputs, and other inputs and output sources.
Smartphone Integration
You should ensure that the single DIN head unit you intend to buy allows for smartphone integration. It’s best if the car stereo allows you to do more than just play music. Find a head unit that allows you to place and receive calls easily.
Control Method
Most DIN head units are controlled manually by pushing buttons. And that’s not safe. As much as you want to enjoy the best of car entertainment, you shouldn’t endanger yourself.
Consequently, the voice control method appears to be the safest.
Read more: Single DIN vs. Double DIN: What is the best head unit for your car?
Recommendation
Having the best single DIN head unit in your car is one of the best conditions to drive in. And you are guaranteed the best of car entertainment with any of the already suggested car head units.
But there must always be a winner, right?
In this case, the Pioneer AVH-3500 NEX Flip Out AV Receiver is unrivaled. The Alpine CDE-172BT Bluetooth Receiver is also highly recommended, especially if you’re so particular about the sound quality of your head unit.
Now that you have a guide, I trust you to make the right decision when buying your next single DIN head unit. Good luck.
