Double Din Radios offer far more than factory-installed AM/FM tuners or traditional single din car stereos. 

A double din car stereo expands your car’s multimedia playback capabilities exponentially in addition to free-to-air radio station access and audio playback. 

Moreover, if you are thinking to purchase a double din radio with a backup camera, you are on the right track.

Table of Contents

You get to play car audio and video in various media formats, including MP3, WAV, AFF, MPEG, FLAC, AIF, AAC, OGG, MIDI, AVI, FLV, MKV, MOV, MP4, WMV, WEBM and many others.

Factors to Consider when Buying a Double Din Radio

Before you buy your Double Din Radio from Amazon or your local car dealership, you need to make sure the unit you purchase has all you need in an in-dash multimedia digital receiver. 

The right Double Din Radio for your car should essentially offer the following features: –

High Quality Touch Screen

A quality touch screen responds to every tap and swipe gesture you use on your Double Din Radio. 

Therefore, the screen must have the multi-touch capability, allowing you to zoom, rotate, and edit images using pinch, turn, and span gestures. Go through playlists with simple flicks of your forefinger, activate/deactivate features in one tap and so forth.

In addition to fast touch response, the screen on your Double Din Radio should display images with crisp outlines, realistic colors and perfect light balance, for photos, videos and other graphic content. 

Therefore, the screen on your Double Din Radio should have a minimum resolution of 800 by 480 pixels. 

Luckily, mainstream Double Din Radio consoles use high quality resistive or capacitive touch screens with accurate multi-touch capability and impeccable visual clarity.

Voice-Command Control

If your Double Din radio has the voice-command capability, then a dash-mounted microphone should come as part of the package. Your head unit should, therefore, have a Mic port at the back. 

Connecting the dashboard microphone allows you to execute various voice-command tasks on your Double Din Radio, including hands-free calling and texting, real-time navigation queries and weather updates and so much more.

Apple Carplay and Android Auto Compatibility

Your Double Din Radio should be compatible with both Apple Carplay and Android Auto, which means you can connect an Android or iOS device to the in-dash unit.

You only require an Apple-approved lightning cable to connect your iPhone to your car radio via USB port. On the other hand, connecting an Android phone requires two connections, the USB port and a Bluetooth connection.

An Apple CarPlay Android Auto compatible Double Din Radio not only allows you to conveniently access audio, video and any multimedia content on your phone, but also enables hands-free calling and texting, real-time GPS navigation via Google Maps and Waze, audiobook playback, and the latest weather updates.

You identify Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible Double Din Radios from the iOS and Android logos depicted on both the display box and head unit.

AM/FM Tuner

The AM/FM tuner on your Double Din radio should feature a band selector that allows you to switch between the 63Hz to 108Mhz FM and 535Hz-1605kHz AM frequency bands.

Therefore, your Double Din radio should have an antenna port at the back, which allows you to connect your car’s antenna to access free-to-air stations.

SiriusXM Satellite Tuner Compatibility

Your Double Din Radio is SiriusXM compatible if it has an SMB port at the back. The SMB port allows you to connect a SiriusXM satellite tuner to your head unit, opening up many free satellite radio stations.

By tapping on the SiriusXM icon on your home screen, you access commercial-free music, On-Demand radio episodes, live stream podcasts, major sports league broadcasts and custom radio stations via apps like Pandora.

Backup Camera Support

Your Double Din Radio has an RCA Camera IN socket if it features Rear View Camera Support.

Connecting a rear-mounted camera to your Double Din radio allows you to view a live video feed when you are reversing or parking your car.

However, you have also to connect the reverse and parking brake trigger cables to access full use of the backup camera feature on your Double Din Radio.

However, it would be best to connect the emergency brake trigger wire, before accessing video functions on your radio Double Din receiver.

This user safety feature, which includes video playback and video streaming, are locked out as long as your vehicle is in motion.

Multi-Device Bluetooth Connectivity

The built-in bluetooth feature on your Double Din Radio should allow you to connect up to 5 devices to the head unit.

Furthermore, connecting your iPod, iPhone, laptop, tablet and other Bluetooth-enabled devices, should allow you to access multimedia files on the devices, in addition to allowing seamless audio streaming.

Your Double Din Radio can only avail full Bluetooth functionality if it uses AVRCP(Audio/Video Remote Control Profile) and SSP(Secure Socket Profile) technologies.

8 Best Double Din Radio Reviews

In this review, the Double Din Radios possess all the desirable features mentioned in the above Buyer’s Guide. However, the small differences that exist between them should help you pick a favorite.

1. JVC KW-V25BT

The JVC KW-V25BT double din digital car stereo features a 6.2-inch touch screen display, a dedicated push-button panel on its left bezel and front-mounted USB and micro SD slots.

The KW-V25BT offers users a wide array of useful functions, which include: –

JVC KW-V25BT Double DIN in-Dash Bluetooth CD/DVD/AM/FM/Digital Media Car Stereo Receiver

  • CD/DVD drive
  • AM/FM Radio and SiriusXM compatibility
  • 7-inch WVGA touch screen
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible
  • Multi-device Bluetooth Audio

6.2-Inch Resistive Touch Screen

The JVC KW-V25BT media receiver uses a high-performance resistive touch screen display.

Scratch-resistant and accurate, the 6.2-inch screen on the KW-V25BT allows you to use both touch and swipe gestures to control the myriad functions featured on this receiver.

The 800 by 480 screen resolution of the KW-V25BT WVGA resistive touchscreen displays bright and vivid colors for text, photos and video without compromising other functions’ performance.

CD/DVD Slot

You play music and watch movies from a CD or DVD by merely placing the disc into the ½-inch CD/DVD slot at the top of your JVC KW-V25BT media receiver.

Sensors at the tip of the CD/DVD drive allow the automatic loading of discs, eliminating the need to push your disc into the device.

AM/FM Media Receiver

Tapping the Radio icon on your home screen menu takes you to the KW-V25BT radio user interface.

You can then use the band selector to switch between FM and AM frequencies, scan for Free-to-Air radio stations and save up to 16 FM and 8 AM presets.

Apple Carplay and Android Auto Compatibility

Compatible with both Apple Carplay and Android Auto, the JVC KW-V25BT seamlessly connects to your iPhone or Android smartphone.

Once connected, the UI on the KW-V25BT proceeds to avail you with essential first-party apps on the CarPlay and Android Auto platforms, including Phone, Messaging, Navigation, Now Playing, Podcast and Audiobook apps.

HD Backup Camera

When you buy the JVC KW-V25BT digital media car stereo, you also get an Xtreme Vision backup camera free of charge.

Bright LED lights flank the high-resolution camera on the KW-V25BT media receiver, enabling optimal visibility in low light conditions.

Voice Command

The JVC KW-V25BT media receiver package also comes with a dashboard microphone and mounting clip.

Connecting the microphone to your KW-V25BT allows you to use voice-command functions, including hands-free calling, voice-type text messages, make navigation queries, and so much more.

4 Channel Pre-Amplifier

The JVC KW-V25BT comes with a four-channel pre-amplifier that features 50-watt audio output per channel, i.e., two preamp outputs for the front left/right speakers and two outputs for the Rear left/right speakers.

Bluetooth Audio

The AVCPR Bluetooth Audio Streaming feature allows the JVC KW-V25BT to recognize your phone as a media storage device when connected via Bluetooth.

This allows you to play audio files stored on your phone on the KW-V25BT digital media receiver via Bluetooth.

Pros
  • JVC Remote App
  • Function Menu Installation
  • Music Synchronized Backlight
  • Two-year Warranty
Cons
  • WVGA Resistive Touch Screen Display

2. Pioneer AVH-2300NEX

The AVH-2300NEX multimedia DVD receiver from Pioneer is a multimedia double din car stereo that is Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatible and boasts a wide array of features.

Pioneer AVH-2300NEX Multimedia DVD Receiver

  • DVD drive
  • AM/FM Radio
  • 7-inch touch screen
  • Tilt-adjustable Screen
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible
  • Multi-device Bluetooth Audio

DVD Drive

The DVD drive on the Pioneer AVH-2300NEX is hidden behind the 7-inch resistive touch screen display. You access the DVD drive via the Eject icon on the far right of the bottom screen bezel.

Pressing the Eject button brings up the Screen Adjust Interface with three function icons, i.e., DVD Eject, Horizontal Adjust and Vertical Adjust icons.

Simply tap the DVD Eject icon to completely retract the screen and reveal the DVD drive on the AVH-2300NEX.

AM/FM Radio

Tapping the radio icon on the home screen brings up the radio UI on your Pioneer AVH-2300NEX.

You use the band selector to select either FM or AM frequency bands and scan for free-to-air radio stations via the forward and reverse icons at the bottom of the screen.

You can save up to 18 FM, and 6 AM presets on the AVH-2300NEX digital media car stereo.

7-Inch Touch Screen Display

The Pioneer AVH-2300NEX uses a high-performance WVGA touch screen to grant you use of both your touch and swipe gestures to control the myriad functions on this car stereo.

With a screen resolution of 800 x 480, the resistive touch screen display on the AVH-2300NEX displays 24-bit color to reproduce photos and videos realistically.

Apple Carplay and Android Auto Compatibility

As an Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatible car media receiver, the Pioneer AVH-2300NEX seamlessly connects to your iPhone or Android smartphone.

Via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the AVH-2300NEX avails you with essential first-party apps on the CarPlat and Android Auto platforms, including Phone, Messaging, Navigation, Now Playing, Podcast and Audiobook apps.

This car stereo also supports Pandora and Spotify internet radio apps, thereby providing you with an even more fantastic host of features.

HD Backup Camera

The Rear View camera support feature on the Pioneer AVH-2300NEX enhances driver and passenger safety in your car.

The real-time video feed displayed on the 7-inch display of the AVH-2300 allows you to confidently and safely reverse and park your car with pinpoint accuracy.

However, to use the backup camera feature on your Pioneer AVH-2300ANEX, you must install a rear view camera on your car.

Voice Command Control

When you connect a dashboard microphone to the Pioneer AVH-2300NEX car stereo, you enable voice-command control in your vehicle.

Simply press the microphone button on the push-button control panel to initialize the voice-command function on the AVH-2300NEX.

Pioneer includes the dashboard microphone and mounting clip in the AVH-2300NEX package, free of charge.

Bluetooth Audio

You can get audio stream audio from Bluetooth connected devices to the Pioneer AVH-2300NEX digital media receiver.

AVRCP or Audio/Video Remote Contol Profile and SSP or Simple Secure Profile on the AVH-2300NEX, allow this media receiver to recognize your iPod, iPhone, Android smartphone or other Bluetooth-capable gadgets as a media storage device.

Pros
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatible
  • Pandora and Spotify compatible app-internet Radio
  • Bluetooth Serial Port Profile
  • Tilt-Adjustable Screen
  • Mix Track Feature
  • Compatible with the iDataLink Maestro
Cons
  • Backup camera not included

3. S8 Double Din Car Stereo

The S8 double din car stereo, an affordable multimedia receiver from SAARCH, boasts several desirable features that any driver can appreciate.

FM Radio

When you tap the radio icon on the S8 home screen, you initialize the radio user interface.

The band selector at the top of the radio window allows you to choose between different FM frequency bands.

On the S8, you scan for free-to-air radio stations using the forward and reverse icons at the bottom of the radio window.

This digital media receiver allows you to save up to 18 FM presets on the S8 digital media car stereo.

7-Inch Touch Screen

The S8 features a 7-inch capacitive screen capable of displaying HD videos, photos and other multimedia content.

The high-performance 5-points touch screen allows you to use both touch and swipe gestures to control the numerous functions available on this media player.

With a screen resolution of 800 x 480, the capacitive touch screen display on the S8 easily reproduces realistic colors in photos and videos.d

Apple Carplay and Android Auto Compatibility

Compatible with both Apple Carplay and Android Auto, the S8 digital media car stereo connects seamlessly with your iPhone or Android smartphone.

Once connected to your phone, the S8 user interface displays the Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on the home screen.

To access the various first-party apps on either platform, simply tap the CarPlar or Android Auto icon.

Some of the essential apps you can use on the S8 include Phone, Messaging, Navigation, Now Playing, Podcast and Audiobook apps.

This media receiver also supports Pandora, Spotify and other third-party internet radio apps.

HD Backup Camera

The S8 double din media receiver offers Rear View camera support and can, therefore, display the real-time video feed from your backup camera on its 7-inch screen.

So, it includes a backup camera kit when you buy the S8 double din car stereo, free of charge. In addition to a backup camera, you also need to connect the reverse and parking brake trigger cables from your S8 media receiver before accessing the Rear Camera feature.

Voice Command Control

The S8 double din car stereo comes with an in-built microphone. You can, therefore, use the voice-command function on the S8 without connecting a dashboard mic to the unit.

To activate the feature, you simply use the microphone button on your steering wheel or activate the feature on Android Auto or Apple CarPlay platforms.

Bluetooth Audio

The S8 media receiver supports audio streaming from nearby Bluetooth connected devices.

This function is made possible by the AVRCP and SSP Bluetooth protocols which allow the S8 to easily recognize and connect to your iPod, iPhone, Android smartphone or another Bluetooth-enabled device.

Pros
  • Capacitive touch screen
  • Shallow chassis design
  • Android Auto and Apple CarPlay Compatible
  • Includes a backup camera
Cons
  • Does not have a CD/DVD drive
  • Does not support AM
  • Not SiriusXM compatible

4. JVC KW-V330BT

The stylish JVC KW-V330BT multimedia receiver is a double din car stereo not very different from the JVC KW-V25BT.

The KW-W330 also uses a WVGA resistive touch screen display and features a CD/DVD drive via a slot on the front.

JVC KW-V330BT

  • DVD/CD drive
  • AM/FM Radio and SiriusXM compatible
  • 6.8-inch resistive touch screen
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible
  • Bluetooth Audio streaming
  • Backup Camera support

CD/DVD Drive

The CD/DVD drive on the JVC-KW330BT is located at the top of the screen and is visible as a narrow ¼ inch slot.

Featuring automatic loading, the CD/DVD drive on the KW330BT detects and loads discs placed within its slot.

While playing media from a DVD or CD, the Eject icon appears at the top of the touch screen located beneath the drive.

6.8-Inch Resistive Touch Screen

The JVC KW-V330BT digital media receiver uses a resistive WVGA touch screen display.

As with the JVC KW-V25BT, the touch screen on the KW-V330BT also features high precision, allowing you to use both tap and swipe gestures on this car stereo.

With an 800 by 480 screen resolution, the touch screen display on the JVC KW-V330BT can e display vivid colours and crisp photo and video content

AM/FM Media Receiver

To access the Radio on the JVC KW-V330BT, simply tap the Radio icon on your home screen menu.

You can use the band selector to switch between FM and AM frequencies, scan for Free-to-Air radio stations and save up to 16 FM and 8 AM presets.

Apple Carplay and Android Auto Compatibility

The JVC KW-V330BT is compatible with both Apple Carplay and Android Auto, which is why this receiver simply connects to your iPhone or Android smartphone.

Once connected, the KW-V330BT detects the operating system on your device and then display either the Android Auto or Apple CarPlay logos.

HD Backup Camera

As with the KW-V25BT, you also get an Xtreme Vision backup camera and the necessary cabling when you buy the JVC KW-V330BT at no additional cost.

The high lumen LEDs flanking the Xtreme Vision camera allow you to safely back up your car even in the dark.

Voice-Command

The JVC KW-330BT media receiver package also contains a dashboard microphone and mounting clip.

When you connect the microphone to your KW-V25BT, you can use a wide array of voice-command functions, which include hands-free calling, voice-type text messages, make navigation queries, and so much more.

Bluetooth Audio

The AVCPR and SSP Bluetooth Audio Streaming function on the JVC KW-V330BT allows this receiver to recognize your phone or iPod as a media storage device when connected via Bluetooth.

This way, you gain direct control of audio playback in your car via the KW-V330BT digital media receiver.

Pros
  • Variable Colour illumination
  • JVC remote control
  • Dual phone Bluetooth connection
  • Bluetooth voice recognition
  • JVC streaming Dj
  • Includes a backup camera
Cons
  • WVGA Resistive touch screen

5. Pioneer AVH-210EX

The Pioneer AVH-210EX multimedia receiver is the simpler version of the Pioneer AVH-2300NEX multimedia double din car stereo. There is also a 211EX version of the same brand.

This digital double din media receiver has several desirable attributes that make it a viable car stereo purchase.

Pioneer AVH-210EX

  • CD/DVD drive
  • AM/FM Radio and SiriusXM compatibility
  • 7-inch touch screen
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible
  • Multi-device Bluetooth Audio

CD/DVD Drive

Unlike the AVH-2300NEX, the CD/DVD drive on the Pioneer AVH-210EX is not hidden but located at the top of a 7-inch resistive touch screen display.

The Eject button is conveniently located on the far left of the CD/DVD slot.

AM/FM Radio

When you tap the radio icon on the home screen on the Pioneer AVH-210EX, the radio user interface comes up.

You can then use the band selector to either choose the FM or AM frequency bands, prior to initiating a scan for free-to-air radio stations using the forward and reverse icons.

The AVH-210EX allows you to save up to 18 FM and 6 AM presets on the digital media car stereo.

6.2-Inch Touch Screen Display

As with the AVH-2300NEX, the Pioneer AVH-210EX also uses a high-performance resistive touch screen that allows you to use both touch and swipe gestures to control the myriad functions on this car stereo.

With a screen resolution of 800 x 480, the WVGA touch screen display on the AVH-210EX displays 24-bit color to realistically reproduce photos and videos.

Apple Carplay and Android Auto Compatibility

Compatible with both Apple Carplay and Android Auto, the Pioneer AVH-210EX seamlessly connects to your iPhone or Android smartphone.

Via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the AVH-210EX avails you with essential first-party apps on the CarPlat and Android Auto platforms, including Phone, Messaging, Navigation, Now Playing, Podcast and Audiobook apps.

This car stereo also supports Pandora and Spotify internet radio apps, thereby providing you with an even greater host of functions.

HD Backup Camera

The backup camera support feature on the Pioneer AVH-210EX enhances driver and passenger safety in your car.

The real-time video feed displayed on the 7-inch display of the AVH-210EX allows you to confidently and safely reverse and park your car with pinpoint accuracy.

However, to use the backup camera feature on your Pioneer AVH-210AEX, you require to install a rear view camera on your car. The camera is provided free of charge.

Voice Command Control

Connecting a dashboard microphone to the Pioneer AVH-210NEX car stereo, you enable voice-command control in your vehicle.

Simply press the microphone button on the push-button control panel to initialize the voice-command function on the AVH-210NEX.

Pioneer includes the dashboard microphone and mounting clip in the AVH-210EX package, free of charge.

Bluetooth Audio

You can also stream audio from Bluetooth connected devices to the Pioneer AVH-210NEX digital media receiver.

AVRCP or Audio/Video Remote Contol Profile and SSP or Simple Secure Profile on the AVH-210EX, allow the media receiver to recognize and automatically connect with your iPod, iPhone, Android smartphone or another Bluetooth-capable device.

Pros
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatible
  • Internet radio service compatible
  • Bluetooth SSP and AVRCP
  • Mix Track Feature
  • Compatible with the iDataLink Maestro
Cons
  • Resistive WVGA touch screen display

6. Pioneer AVH-1500NEX

The Pioneer AVH-1500NEX multimedia DVD receiver is quite similar to both the AVH-2300NEX and AVH-210EX double din car stereoS.

Pioneer AVH-1500NEX

  • CD/DVD drive
  • AM/FM Radio and SiriusXM compatibility
  • 6.2-inch touch screen
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible
  • Multi-device Bluetooth Audio
  • Wired Remote Input

DVD Drive

The DVD drive on the Pioneer AVH-1500NEX is not hidden behind like in the AVH-2300NEX but is located at the top of a 7-inch resistive touch screen display, as is the case with the AVH-210EX.

The Eject button on the Pioneer AVH-1500NEX is conveniently located on the far left of the CD/DVD slot.

AM/FM Radio

Tapping the radio icon on the home screen of the Pioneer AVH-1500NEX calls the Radio user interface to the screen.

The band selector on the Radio UI allows you to select either FM or AM frequency bands and scan for free-to-air radio stations via the Forward/Reverse icons at the bottom of the Radio window.

The AVH-1500NEX allows you to save up to 18 FM and 6 AM presets on the AVH-2300NEX digital media car stereo.

6.2-Inch Touch Screen Display

As with the other models in this review, the Pioneer AVH-1500NEX also uses a high-performance WVGA touch screen to grant you use of both touches and swipe gestures to control the myriad functions on this car stereo.

With a screen resolution of 800 x 480, the resistive touch screen display on the AVH-1500NEX displays 24-bit color to realistically reproduce photos and videos.

Apple Carplay and Android Auto Compatibility

As with other Pioneer media receivers, the AVH-1500NEX is also compatible with both Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

The Pioneer AVH-1500NEX seamlessly connects to your iPhone or Android smartphone.

Via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the AVH-1500NEX avails you with essential apps, including Phone, Messaging, Navigation, Now Playing, Podcast and Audiobook apps. 

HD Backup Camera

As with the previous two Pioneer receivers, the Rear View camera support function on the Pioneer AVH-1500NEX enhances driver and passenger safety in your car.

The real-time video feed displayed on the 7-inch display of the AVH-1500nex allows you to safely reverse and park your car with pinpoint accuracy.

To use the backup camera feature on your Pioneer AVH-1500NEX, you need to install a rear view camera on your car.

Voice Command Control

Connecting a dashboard microphone to the Pioneer AVH-1500NEX car stereo allows you to realize voice-command control in your vehicle.

Pioneer includes the dashboard microphone and mounting clip in the AVH-1500NEX package.

Bluetooth Audio

You can get audio stream audio from Bluetooth connected devices to the Pioneer AVH-1500NEX digital media receiver.

AVRCP and SSP on the AVH-1500NEX, allow this media receiver to recognize your iPod, iPhone, Android smartphone or other Bluetooth-capable gadgets as a media storage device.

Pros
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatible
  • Pandora and Spotify compatible app-internet Radio
  • Bluetooth SSP and AVRC
  • Mix Track Feature
  • Compatible with the iDataLink Maestro
Cons
  • WVGA resistive touch screen

7. Alpine iLX-W650

The Alpine iLX W65O is a short-chassis car multimedia console that measures 7 inches wide, 4 inches high, and 2 inches deep.

The distinct advantage of its short chassis is that you can install other in-dash components behind the Alpine iLX-W650.

Alpine iLX-W650

  • DVD drive
  • AM/FM Radio
  • 7-inch touch screen
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible
  • Multi-device Bluetooth Audio

AM/FM Digital Media Car Stereo

Tapping the radio tower icon on the home menu takes you to the radio sub-menu. The Radio on the Alpine iLX-W650 has a band selector that allows you to switch between different radio frequency bands, labeled as FM1, FM2, FM3, and AM.

However, you must connect the power antenna wire of your Alpine iLX-W650 to your car’s antenna to use the radio feature on the digital media console.

7.0 Inch Touch Screen

The stunning and glossy black front of the Alpine iLX-W650 digital media console features a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen as the primary input and output component.

On the iLX-W650, the touch screen projects outwards for two reasons.

First, the raised touch display makes the iLX a notable visual aspect of your car’s interior.

Second, the display adds a greater sense of depth to images and videos playing on the device.

HD Backup Camera

The Alpine iLX-W650 allows you to view live video feeds from the front and rear cameras installed in your car.

To connect front/rear cameras to your iLX-W650, you simply hook them up to the front/rear camera cables at the back of your iLX head unit.

Voice-Command Control

You need to connect a dash-mounted microphone to the Alpine iLX-W650 before you can use the voice command feature available on this multimedia radio console.

Once installed, the dashboard microphone allows you to execute various tasks on the iLX using your voice.

Bluetooth

You can connect up to 5 devices to the Alpine iLX-W650 car media console. Apart from your phone, other Bluetooth-capable devices you can connect to your Alpine iLX-W650 include wireless speakers and cameras.

Pros
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatible
  • Pandora and Spotify compatible app-internet Radio
  • Bluetooth Serial Port Profile
  • Mix Track Feature
  • Compatible with the iDataLink Maestro
Cons
  • WVGA resistive touch screen

8. Kenwood DDX26BT

The Kenwood DDX26BT multimedia receiver is somewhat similar to the Pioneer AVH-210EX multimedia double din car stereo.

CD/DVD Drive

Like the Pioneer AVH-210EX, the CD/DVD drive on the Kenwood DDX26BT is located at the top of a 7-inch resistive touch screen display.

To play a CD or DVD on this media receiver, you only need to place the disc into the slot before the auto-loading mechanism of the drive pulls the CD/DVD into the unit.

The Eject button is conveniently located on the far left of the CD/DVD slot.

AM/FM Radio

When you tap the radio icon on the home screen on the Kenwood DDX26BT, the radio user interface comes up.

You can then use the band selector to either choose the FM or AM frequency bands, prior to initiating a scan for free-to-air radio stations using the forward and reverse icons.

The Kenwood DDX26BT allows you to save up to 18 FM and 6 AM presets on the digital media car stereo.

6.2-Inch Touch Screen Display

As with the AVH-210EX, the Kenwood DDX26BT also uses a high-performance WVGA touch screen that allows you to use both touch and swipe gestures to control the myriad functions on this car stereo.

With a screen resolution of 800 x 480, the resistive touch screen display on the DDX26BT displays 24-bit color to realistically reproduce photos and videos.

Apple Carplay and Android Auto Compatibility

Compatible with both Apple Carplay and Android Auto, the Kenwood DD26BT seamlessly connects to your iPhone or Android smartphone.

Via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the DDX26BT avails you with essential first-party apps on the CarPlat and Android Auto platforms, including Phone, Messaging, Navigation, Now Playing, Podcast and Audiobook, Pandora and Spotify internet radio apps.

HD Backup Camera

The backup camera support feature on the Kenwood DDX26BT enhances driver and passenger safety in your car.

The real-time video feed displayed on the 7-inch display of the DDX26BT allows you to confidently and safely reverse and park your car with pinpoint accuracy.

However, to use the backup camera feature on your Kenwood DDX26BT, you require to install a rear view camera on your car.

Voice Command Control

Connecting a dashboard microphone to the Kenwood DDX26BT car stereo, you enable voice-command control in your vehicle.

Simply press the microphone button on the push-button control panel to initialize the voice-command function on the DDX26BT. Kenwood includes the dashboard microphone and mounting clip in the package.

Bluetooth Audio

You can also stream audio from Bluetooth connected devices to the Kenwood DDX26BT digital media receiver.

AVRCP or Audio/Video Remote Contol Profile and SSP or Simple Secure Profile on the DDX26BT, allow the media receiver to recognize and automatically connect with your iPod, iPhone, Android smartphone or other Bluetooth-capable devices.

Pros
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatible
  • Pandora and Spotify compatible app-internet Radio
  • Bluetooth Serial Port Profile
  • Mix Track Feature
  • Compatible with the iDataLink Maestro
Cons
  • WVGA resistive touch screen

Conclusion

Your final choice of double din radio from the eight head units in this review depends not so much on the features they have because they mainly offer similar functions, but primarily on how much you are willing to spend.

You can also use an additional amplifier in combination with these stereo receivers. We have already covered a detailed guide on buying the perfect RMS amplifier and choosing a good compact amplifier for your car.

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