The current car audio market is flooded with overpriced head units that often fail to deliver a satisfactory return on investment.
Finding a head unit that offers a big display, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto for a reasonable price should be a simple task.
To help you make your decision, we’ve put together a list of top 3 best single din touchscreen head units, based on our own experience and research.
Top 3 Best Single Din Touchscreen Head Units of 2023
Sony XAV-AX8000 – Our Pick
- The Sony XAV-AX8000 single DIN receiver is undoubtedly a cut above the rest. Its impressive display, strong sound quality and effortless smartphone integration make it an ideal choice for those who value their car audio experience.
Key Features
A Stunning Display
The XAV-AX8000’s remarkable 8.95-inch anti-glare display was one of its most impressive features. Not only was it stunningly vibrant and crisp, but it also held up remarkably well under direct sunlight. Although HD or capacitive technology weren’t included, we could see why the quality of this screen was so highly rated. Its three-way adjustment mount enabled easy customisation of its height, depth and tilt angle – perfect for any preference.
Elegant Design and Universal Fit
The XAV-AX8000’s design was exquisite and modern, able to fit seamlessly into single or double DIN openings with the correct dash kit. Sony had taken great care in its many adjustable positions, ensuring it could be perfectly matched for any car. Its tilt, depth and height settings were all carefully considered so that it would look immaculate within any interior.
Impressive Audio Performance
Outfitted with a 55-watt, four-channel amplifier, the XAV-AX8000 delivers an impressive audio performance. With its extra bass feature and customisable 10-band EQ with presets, one can tailor the sound to their own preferences. The stereo has opted for a sophisticated white backlight instead of variable color button illumination – a subtle but effective touch that looks great in any setting.
Seamless Smartphone Integration
The XAV-AX8000 was a marvel of smartphone integration, enabling drivers to connect effortlessly with either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The enormous display magnificently revealed navigation tools, messaging applications and music streaming services to accompany their journey, ensuring a safer and more delightful experience all round. For added comfort, voice commands with Siri and Google Assistant could also be employed.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The lack of a disc slot may be disheartening to some, however the XAV-AX8000 is equipped with an accessible USB input for smartphone integration. The stereo accommodates various audio and video formats, and with a smart RCA video switcher, it’s easy to connect a backup camera and screen mirroring adapter.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility
- Easy-to-use interface
- High-quality hardware with a nice look and small size
- Touchscreen controls for easy operation
- Great Sound Qaulity with tons of features customize the audio.
Cons
- Lacks of features such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD display, and auxiliary input
- Poor visibility due to dim screen and anti-glare, matte finish that does not prevent reflection in bright sunlight.
Related Post – Best Single DIN Head Unit – Our Top 6 Picks for 2023
BossBCPA10 And BCPA9RC – Best Budget Single Din Touchscreen Head Unit
- Boss BCPA10 and BCPA offers similar features. The only difference is Touchscreen size and price.
- BCPA10 offers 10-inch touchscreen and BCPA9 offers 9-inch touchscreen.
Unboxing and Design
The boxes of both the BCPA9 and BCPA10 contained similar items: a Boss LPCB40 license plate backup camera with RCA and power extensions, a wiring harness, an external microphone for hands-free calling, mounting brackets, hardware, radio removal tools, a warranty card, an installation manual, an oversized floating display and single-DIN chassis.
The display could be securely attached to the chassis using a ball joint allowing it to be adjusted in height, tilt or rotation – no tools or screws were required for installation.
Display and Feature
The primary appeal of these head units is their expansive, luminous capacitive touchscreen displays. Though not in HD resolution, they deliver 800 by 480-pixel visuals. The contrast between the 9-inch BCPA9RC and 10-inch BCPA10RC is substantial – even if the latter’s touch response feels slightly more sluggish. Nonetheless, both systems work briskly and seamlessly. But the true stars of the show are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: granting direct access to music, communication apps and navigational guides across their vast displays – though sadly not video applications.
Audio and Connectivity
For audio and connectivity, there are a range of options. The head units can play WAV and MP3 files for music, as well as AVI, MKV and WMV files for videos. For hands-free calling and wireless audio streaming, there is built-in Bluetooth functionality – but accessing these features means disconnecting from Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Additionally, both head units have RCA AV inputs which make it possible to mirror an iPhone or Android device using the right adapters. Lastly, the radio tuners come with 18 FM and AM presets – unfortunately without HD radio support.
RMS Power Testing
The Boss deemed both head units worthy of an impressive 80 watts each, and upon testing the BCPA10 showed remarkable results.
At a two-channel configuration at four ohms and 14.4 volts with 1kHz frequency, it produced 19.23 watts RMS with only 1.1 percent distortion and 8.7 volts of output – closely followed by the BCPA9 which generated an almost identical 19.18 watts RMS with 1.1 percent distortion and 8.7 volts also. Power and performance was undeniably strong in both head units!
Pros
- Great value for the money
- Impressive floating displays with vibrant touchscreens
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
- Additional license plate backup camera
- Easy to use controls and settings with robust sound output.
Cons
- No HD displays
- Bluetooth may occasionally disconnect or not connect at all.
Conclusion
The Boss BCPA10 and BCPA9 head units are the perfect choices for those seeking to upgrade their car audio system without splashing out an excessive amount of money. Their impressive floating displays, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, plus the additional license plate backup camera, make them an excellent way to elevate your driving experience. Even without HD displays, their vibrant touchscreens and robust sound output more than makeup for it.
Alpine iLX-F409 – Also Great
- 9″ capacitive touchscreen, 5 Band parametric equalizer, Single DIN Chassis, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Backup Camera support, 5-band graphic EQ, (18 watts RMS, 45 watts peak) x 4 channels.
The Alpine iLX-F409 is a another single DIN touchscreen stereo great for anyone looking for a 9″ touch screen display that doesn’t take up a lot of space.
This unit offers CarPlay & Android Auto integration, so you can use your iPhone, iPod, or Android device without ever having to take your hands off the wheel.
With its built-in HD Radio, you’ll enjoy superior sound quality on both AM and FM channels. Plus, the built-in Sirius XM support means you can enjoy all your favorite satellite radio stations. And if that’s not enough, the iLX-F409 also supports FLAC files for high-resolution audio playback. Click here to read more about this head unit.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Large touch screen display with adjustable viewing angle.
- Built-in amplifier and 5 Band parametric equalizer for premium sound quality.
- Bluetooth support for hands-free calls and music streaming.
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration for seamless smartphone connectivity.
- HD Radio support for superior sound quality on AM and FM channels.
- Built-in Sirius XM support for access to satellite radio stations.
- FLAC file support for high-resolution audio playback.
Cons
- No dedicated power button; stays on while the vehicle is operated.
- Parking brake activation needed to access system menus and controls.
- Limited music storage options (no internal memory, one USB port).
- No search UI for music, limited folder structure support.
- Non-customizable button colors.
- Challenging installation procedure with screen mount.
- Audible cooling fan noise, even when cold.
- Relatively low screen resolution (800×480).
Frequently Asked Question
Which is the best single touch screen car head unit?
The Sony XAV-AX8000 is the overall best single touch screen head unit. This head unit offers 8.95-inch anti-glare display and plenty of built-in features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, equalize, bluetooth hands free calling and many more features.
What is the best brand for a head unit?
There is no one “best” brand for a head unit. Depending on your needs and preferences, you may want to consider a variety of brands when shopping for a head unit. Some popular brands include Pioneer, Kenwood, JVC, Sony, and Alpine.
Which Android head unit is best?
Binize Android is a great option for an Android head unit. It offers a lot of features and is very user-friendly. You can expect to find features like Bluetooth, hands-free calling, music streaming, phone Mirroring, and more. Additionally, Binize Android provides built-in navigation so you don’t have to rely on your phone’s GPS. It’s a great choice for anyone looking for a comprehensive Android head unit.
What is a good touchscreen radio?
There are a few things you’ll want to look for when purchasing a touchscreen radio. First, make sure the radio has a clear and easy-to-use interface. Next, check that the screen is large enough to easily see from a distance. Additionally, consider whether you need features like Bluetooth connectivity or Pandora integration.
Finally, be sure to read reviews from other customers to get an idea of how satisfied others have been with the product. Based on these factors, we recommend the Sony XAV-AX8000 Car Receiver as a good option for a touchscreen radio. It has an intuitive interface, a large screen, and plenty of features that will make your drive more enjoyable.
How much would it cost one to set up a touch-screen radio in a vehicle?
It can cost anywhere from $100 to $400 to install a touch screen radio in a car, depending on the make and model of the car. Generally speaking, older cars will be less expensive to install a touch screen radio in than newer cars, because newer cars have more complex wiring systems.
Some car stereo installation shops may charge more or less than the average quoted price, so it’s always best to get quotes from several different shops before making a decision. Also, be sure to ask about any hidden costs such as taxes or installation fees, so that there are no surprises when the final bill arrives.
What’s better: single DIN or double DIN?
It depends on your specific needs and preferences. Some people prefer the single DIN because it takes up less space in the car, while others prefer the double DIN because it offers more features and functionality. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which one is best for you.
Can you put a double DIN in a single din?
If you’re looking to upgrade your car audio system, you may be wondering if you can put a double DIN in a single din. The answer is yes, you can do this, but it will require some additional work.
First, you’ll need to purchase a double DIN mounting kit. This kit will allow you to install the double DIN head unit into the space that is currently occupied by the single DIN unit.
You’ll also need to purchase an adapter so that the new head unit will fit into the existing vehicle wiring harness. Once you have these items, installation is relatively straightforward.
What does Mechless mean?
Mechless is a term used in the car audio industry to describe a system without a mechanical amplifier. A mechless system usually consists of an head unit or source unit, speakers, and an amplifier signal processor. The signal processor receives its power from the car battery and amplifies the signal to send to the speakers.
