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- Best Double Din Car Stereo Head Units
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George Kennedy Contributor
George Kennedy has reviewed cars and provided car advice for outlets such as Consumer Reports, CarGurus, U.S. News & World Report, the Boston Globe, AutoBlog and others. He is the managing editor for UpShift, the official publication of the Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline, Massachusetts. George has owned multiple future-classics before they were collectible, including a 1986 Toyota 4Runner, an XJ Jeep Cherokee and a two-door Chevy Tahoe.
By George Kennedy
George Kennedy Contributor
George Kennedy has reviewed cars and provided car advice for outlets such as Consumer Reports, CarGurus, U.S. News & World Report, the Boston Globe, AutoBlog and others. He is the managing editor for UpShift, the official publication of the Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline, Massachusetts. George has owned multiple future-classics before they were collectible, including a 1986 Toyota 4Runner, an XJ Jeep Cherokee and a two-door Chevy Tahoe.
Contributor
Updated: Jan 5, 2024, 6:55pm
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Aside from your home and your workplace, your vehicle is the place where you spend most of your time. The way we interact with our cars heavily impacts our daily lives. If a car’s controls are intuitive, we are more focused on the road. If they are clunky to operate, we can be distracted, which is unsafe and adds unneeded stress to our lives. And one of the areas where we interact the most with our vehicle is our radio.
Modern cars have completely unique stereo setups with elaborate touch screens, but for decades, there was the DIN. The most common basic stereo control unit was called a single-DIN, but there are larger stereo head units called double-DIN.
In our modern market for automotive technology, the real estate afforded by double-DIN spacing allows for some modern and comprehensive in-car stereo units. Whether you are trying to update your older vehicle with a more modern stereo interface or you are trying to give your late-model vehicle a custom, aftermarket look, there are plenty of great double-DIN stereo units. Here are some of the best.
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- Best Double Din Car Stereo Head Units
- Pioneer MVH-AV251BT
- JVC KW-M560BT
- MONOMODE Multimedia Player
- BOSS Audio Systems BCP62
- Pioneer MVH-S622BS
- Methodology
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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1
Naifay Double Din Car Stereo
Connectivity Technology
Bluetooth, USB
Connector Type
Bluetooth, USB
Controller Type
Google Assistant, Siri
2
BOSS Audio Systems 616UAB
Connectivity Technology
Bluetooth, Auxiliary, USB
Connector Type
3.5mm Jack
Controller Type
Push Button
3
Kenwood DMX4707S
Connectivity Technology
Bluetooth, USB
Connector Type
USB
Controller Type
IOS, Android
Best Double Din Car Stereo Head Units
- Pioneer MVH-AV251BT: Best Overall
- JVC KW-M560BT: Best for Apple and Android Users
- MONOMODE Multimedia Player: Best Discount/Value
- BOSS Audio Systems BCP62: Best Touchscreen/Volume Dial Combo
- Pioneer MVH-S622BS: Best Classic Radio
Best Overall
Pioneer MVH-AV251BT
Dimensions
11.0 x 7.0 x 11.0 inches
Wattage
50w
Extras
Sirius XM Compatible
Best Overall
Pioneer MVH-AV251BT
Dimensions
11.0 x 7.0 x 11.0 inches
Wattage
50w
Extras
Sirius XM Compatible
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Best for Apple and Android Users
JVC KW-M560BT
Dimensions
8.9 x 7.2 x 6.3 inches
Wattage
50w
Best for Apple and Android Users
JVC KW-M560BT
Dimensions
8.9 x 7.2 x 6.3 inches
Wattage
50w
Extras
Sirius XM Compatible
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Best Discount/Value Buy
MONOMODE Multimedia Player
Dimensions
8.2 x 5.9 x 4.7 inches
Wattage
45w
Extras
Maps functionality
Best Discount/Value Buy
MONOMODE Multimedia Player
Dimensions
8.2 x 5.9 x 4.7 inches
Wattage
45w
Extras
Maps functionality
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Best Touchscreen/Volume Dial Combo
BOSS Audio Systems BCP62
Dimensions
6.3 x 6.8 x 3.8 inches (and larger)
Wattage
350w
Extras
Pre-amp outputs and rear-view camera input
Best Touchscreen/Volume Dial Combo
BOSS Audio Systems BCP62
Dimensions
6.3 x 6.8 x 3.8 inches (and larger)
Wattage
350w
Extras
Pre-amp outputs and rear-view camera input
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Best Classic Radio
Pioneer MVH-S622BS
Dimensions
3.9 x 7.0 x 2.0 inches
Wattage
50w
Extras
Easy-to-use physical controls
Best Classic Radio
Pioneer MVH-S622BS
Dimensions
3.9 x 7.0 x 2.0 inches
Wattage
50w
Extras
Easy-to-use physical controls
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Methodology
Double-DIN stereo units are much more than fancy radio plates. They’re twice the size of a Single-Din unit and almost always have a big, bright touchscreen. In older vehicles that can accommodate them, this means they can provide a proper infotainment system where none previously existed, and they can also stand in as navigation units in some cases. The capability and quality of these units vary pretty wildly, with the priciest ones topping $600 or $700 and the simplest ones offering relatively few features over a smaller, traditional Single-DIN unit.
Despite these variances, we rate them on some universal weighted criteria:
- Screen quality and depth of features (30%)
- Price (25%)
- Ease of installation (15%)
- Predicted durability and customer ratings (15%)
- Warranty (10%)
- Brand reputation (5%)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Does Double DIN Mean On a Car Stereo?
Fun fact: The term DIN is German. It stands for Deutch Industri Normen and was a result of the German car industry’s effort to standardize radio chassis sizes. The Single-DIN measures 8 inches wide by 2 inches tall. Doubling that, the Double-DIN is 8 inches wide by 4 inches tall.
Are Double DIN Stereos Better?
There’s not necessarily a correlation between DIN-size and the sound quality of what’s coming out of your stereo. But with a Double-DIN setup, you can have more controls, a touchscreen, and more features packed into it.
Do Double DIN Stereos Fit All Cars?
The simple answer is No. It’s all about real estate. Some cars have the space in the center console to receive the full Double-DIN. Others can only receive a single. Some cars (such as older Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep products) actually have a 1.5-DIN.
What is the Difference Between a 1 DIN and a 2 DIN Car Radio?
This is another way to refer to single- and double-DIN radios. A single DIN radio is a standard measuring seven inches wide by two inches tall. A double DIN is four inches tall.
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George KennedyContributor
George Kennedy has reviewed cars and provided car advice for outlets such as Consumer Reports, CarGurus, U.S. News & World Report, the Boston Globe, AutoBlog and others. He is the managing editor for UpShift, the official publication of the Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline, Massachusetts. George has owned multiple future-classics before they were collectible, including a 1986 Toyota 4Runner, an XJ Jeep Cherokee and a two-door Chevy Tahoe.
