Are you tired of your outdated car stereo and looking for an affordable upgrade? Look no further! In this blog, we share our top picks for the 5 best double din car stereos under $300 in 2023.
From overall performance to specific features like volume knobs and GPS navigation, we’ve thoroughly tested and reviewed each option to ensure only the best for our readers.
With over 20 years of experience in the car audio industry, we’ve helped countless individuals upgrade their car stereos and overcome any issues they may have faced. Trust our expertise for your next car stereo purchase! And now, let’s dive into our top picks.
Top 5 Best Double Din Car Stereo under $300
- Our Top 5 Picks
- 1. ATOTO A6 PF — Overall Best Car Stereo Under $300
- 2. Sony XAV AX-1000 — Best Stereo under $300 with Volume Knob
- 3. BOSS BVNV9384RC — Best Car Stereo under $300 with GPS Navigation
- 4. JVC KW-M150BT — Another Great Option under $300
- 5. Pioneer DMH-1500NEX – Honorable Mention
- Buying Guide: Things to Consider Before Buying a Car Stereo
- FAQs
- Final Verdict
1. ATOTO A6 PF — Overall Best Car Stereo Under $300
- 7-inch HD 5-Touch Capacitive Touchscreen
- Wireless (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto)
- 200 Watts max Power, and 4 x 29 watts RMS
- 32 Band Graphic Equalizer, DSP with Time Correction feature for sound customization
The ATOTO A6 PF head unit is a great option for anyone looking for an Android auto car stereo. It has a sleek design, a 7-inch IPS display, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto support, and dual Bluetooth.
The only downside is that it doesn’t come with a CD player. Overall, the ATOTO S8 is a great option for anyone in the market for an Android car stereo.
The ATOTO A6 offers a 7-inch IPS display. The display is bright and crisp, and the colors are accurate. The viewing angles are good, but there is some slight color shift when viewed from an angle. The display quality is excellent also you can change the brightness level. It also comes with a gesture control feature.
More than 20 options work with gesture control such as picking calls, playing or changing music, and many more through gesture.
A mirror linking feature is also available, which can be compatible with almost all types of phones. You can listen to the radio and tune it with a built-in FM/FM tuner.
The ATOTO A6 PF has a sleek and modern design. It is a double-DIN head unit, so it will fit in most cars. The bezels are black and the front panel is made of aluminum. There are physical buttons for the volume, power, and menu. There is also a physical knob for the sound settings.
The ATOTO A6 PF supports wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. This is a great feature, as it allows you to use your phone’s maps, music, and other apps while keeping your hands on the wheel. The connection is stable and there is minimal lag.
The ATOTO S8 has dual Bluetooth. This allows you to connect two devices at the same time. One can be used for hands-free calling and the other can be used for streaming music. The connection is stable and there is no lag.
It comes with advanced Bluetooth (5.0) which allows you to connects two phones at a one time. Music Streaming and Hands-free calling both works flawlessly. It has a powerful built-in amplifier which has a power output of 200 watts.
The sound quality of the ATOTO A6 PF is good. It has a built-in amplifier with a power output of 4 x 50 watts. The sound is clear and the bass is decent. The built-in equalizer has 32 bands which helps you to create your own custom settings.
It takes two seconds to boot which is quite impressive in this segment.
Specification
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 7 inch IPS Floating Display |
| Resolution | 1024 x 600 |
| Operating System | Android 6.0 |
| Processor | 1.5Ghz Quad-Core CPU |
| RAM/ROM | 2GB / 32GB |
| Power Wattage | 45 watts x 4 Channel Power Wattage |
| RMS | 24 watts x 4 channel RMS |
| EQ | 32 Band EQ |
| Bluetooth | Dual Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Phone Mirroring | Yes |
| SWC Connection | Supported |
| Backup Camera Input | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| USB Ports | Four USB Ports |
Pros
- Big display size and has a good picture quality
- Fantastic sound quality with a powerful amplifier
- Built-in GPS Navigation works very accurately and fast
- Connects quickly with Wi-Fi
- Latest Bluetooth with dual connection support
- 2 Seconds Boot-up
Cons
- No Built-in HD Radio
- The built-in equalizer is not as great you might think
- It fits only in double din dashboard
2. Sony XAV AX-1000 — Best Stereo under $300 with Volume Knob
Quick Review: The other best car radio in our list is the Sony XAV AX-1000. In this head unit, you will get the latest features like Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and smart voice control via Siri eyes-free. This stereo can fits easily in any double din dashboard and takes not so long to install.
Sony XAV AX-100 is also compatible with Sirius XM, in which you can enjoy unlimited sports, news, or comedy channel. Also, you can GPS Navigation antenna with stereo. This unit is pretty much compatible with all iPhones as well as Android phones.
Nearly everything can be controlled or controlled from a bank of basic controls on the XAV AX-1000 screen’s left-hand side.
Although it does give you all the modern features like Pioneer considering its price, it right head unit which you can it under 300 dollars from online.
Consolidate that with the voice control and order choices you’ll appreciate, and you won’t need to stress over being a diverted driver while taking advantage of all the XAV AX-1000 has to bring to the table.
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.45″ Resistive Touchscreen Display |
| Bluetooth | Built-in Bluetooth |
| Apple CarPlay/Android Auto | Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Support |
| Power Output | 4 x 55 watts |
| Sirius XM Ready | Sirius XM Ready |
| Preamp Output | Five channel |
| GPS Navigation Ready | GPS Navigation Ready |
| Aux/USB Input | Aux/USB Input |
| Camera Input | Camera Input |
| Remote Control | Remote control included |
| Warranty | 12 Months |
Pros
- Apple CarPlay works great with the latest as well as old iPhone
- Impressive virtual speaker with Dynamic Stage Organiser
- Bluetooth is compatible with all Android/ iPhone
- Excellent sound quality due to good built-in amplifier
Cons
- Does not Support Android Auto
- Limited settings available
3. BOSS BVNV9384RC — Best Car Stereo under $300 with GPS Navigation
Quick Review: The other best stereo under $300 is BOSS BVNV9384RC. This head unit comes with a built-in GPS Navigation system that can work with or without an internet connection.
It comes with a decent size LCD touchscreen, which works fine. This car receiver’s cost isn’t so high, you will also get a free backup camera.
The installation process is also pretty simple; you can easily install the stereo and backup camera in your Car.
This car stereo also comes with a built-in equalizer that helps you to get the best sound in your car.
You can play videos and audio via a built-in CD/DVD player, Aux, USB connection, SD Card, or via Bluetooth. This unit supports many high-resolution files such as FLAC-24, MP3, MP4, WMA, and more.
There is a built-in output to connect your speakers or subwoofers, and even it allows video output to connect your headrest in your car.
Hands-free calling, music streaming via built-in Bluetooth works great. However, it does not support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.2 inch |
| Resolution | 800 x 480 |
| Power Output | 4 x 80 watts |
| RMS | 20 watts |
| GPS Navigation | Built-in GPS Navigation system |
| Bluetooth | Built-in Bluetooth |
| MP3 Playback | Supported |
| EQ | 10 Band EQ |
| USB Inputs | Dual USB input |
| AUX Input | AUX input |
| Audio Formats | FLAC, WMA, APE formats |
| Tuner | AM/FM tuner |
| USB Charging | USB Charging |
| Preamp Output | Six preamp outputs |
| Camera Input | Camera input |
| Warranty | 3 Years |
Pros
- Hands-free calling works flawlessly.
- Excellent sound quality
- Easy to install and setup
- Good backup camera and has a clear picture quality.
- Free GPS Navigation system with full installation kit.
Cons
- Slow volume adjuster
- Low wire quality
4. JVC KW-M150BT — Another Great Option under $300
Quick Review: The next head unit on our list is the JVC Double Din stereo. In this unit, you will get both Apple CarPlay and Android for using your iPhone and Android features in your vehicle.
The best thing about this head unit is incredible sound quality and advanced features like built-in Bluetooth at an affordable price, which you can get under 300 dollars.
Sirius XM is compatible with the receiver, but you need to buy it separately; those who don’t want to buy Sirius XM can use their built-in Radio, in which AM/FM tuner is available.
It has a standard screen size in which you will get a capacitive touchscreen display.
You can also cast your phone screen on the presentation of the stereo with its mirror link feature. Time Alignment this also provided, which helps to distribute the sound in the whole Car equally.
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display Size | 6.8″ Capacitive Touch Display |
| Equalizer | 13-Band Graphic Equalizer |
| Bluetooth | Auto-pairing, Bluetooth |
| Apple CarPlay | Supported |
| Power Output | 200 watts max. |
| RMS | 88 watts max. |
| Android Auto | Supported |
| Mirror Link | Supported |
| Gesture Control | Gesture touch control |
| Sirius XM Ready | Supported |
| Audio Formats | MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC, FLAC |
| Video Formats | MPEG 1-2-4, AVI, MKV, WMV |
| USB Charging | 1.5A USB Charging |
| Preamp Output | 5 Channel PreAMP Output |
| Backup Camera Input | Connection for Backup Camera |
| Inputs | Aux, USB, SWC |
| Warranty | 12 Months |
Pros
- Capacitive Touchscreen display
- Hands-Free Calling via Bluetooth
- Many equalizer settings
- Compatible with both iPhone and Android
- Easy to install due to its shallow chassis size
Cons
- CarPlay / mirror link only with USB
- No CD / DVD playback
5. Pioneer DMH-1500NEX – Honorable Mention
Quick Review: The reason for selecting this head unit in our priority list is its excellent audio quality and impressive design with all the latest features like hands-free calling via built-in Bluetooth. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in which you will be able to use all of your iPhone or Android phone features in the large display of this stereo.
With Pioneer DMH-1500NEX, GPS navigation, watching videos on YouTube, playing music in Spotify or Pandora, or sending a text message is possible due to its Built-in CarPlay feature.
The display is pretty huge, and the touch response is excellent; the picture and video quality are also acceptable. There are many settings available that allow you to change the display button’s colors with five different options.
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display Size | 7″ WVGA Touch Display |
| Size | Double Din |
| Resolution | 800 x 480 |
| Power Output | 4 x 50 watts |
| RMS | 14 watts per channel |
| Equalizer | 13 Band EQ |
| Bluetooth | Hands-free calling, Bluetooth |
| Sirius XM Compatible | Compatible with Sirius XM |
| Alexa Built-in | Alexa Built-in |
| Audio Playback | MP3, FLAC |
| Video Playback | MPEG 1-2-4, AVI/DivX, WMV |
| Image Playback | JPEG |
| Wired CarPlay | Wired CarPlay |
| Weblink Ready | Weblink Ready |
| Camera Connection | Dual Camera connection |
| Aux Input | Aux input |
| USB Input | USB input |
| Steering Wheel Control | Compatible with Steering Wheel Control |
| Warranty | 12 Months |
Pros
- Impressive design with a good touch screen display
- A built-in equalizer is just fantastic.
- Connects quickly with iPhone as well as Android for Bluetooth pairing
- A not too expensive head unit like other models of Pioneer
Cons
- No built-in HD radio
- CarPlay only works when you connect your phone with the receiver via USB.
Buying Guide: Things to Consider Before Buying a Car Stereo
Power Wattage
It is the amount of power your car receiver will get. The ideal power output is around 45-80 watts and RMS power of 20 to 50 watts per channel.
Compatibility
It is the most crucial aspect you should keep in mind because if the stereo is not compatible with your phone, then you can take full advantage of the Radio. Also, hands-free calls work only if your device is consistent with the unit.
Screen Size
The display must be capacitive or resistive, which helps to use it without pressure. The screen size depends on your choice.
Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
This is another helpful feature, as mention above; you can use all of your iPhone or Android features in a display of Radio.
Connection
The head unit must connect for various car accessories such as Steering Wheel Control, Backup Camera.
FAQs
Which is the best car stereo for the money?
In our opinion, the best car stereo for the money is ATOTO A6 PF which is currently available under 300. The head unit comes with great display quality and audio quality with the latest features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Which brand is best for a car stereo?
Pioneer, JVC, Alpine, Boss, ATOTO are the best aftermarket head unit brands. Where Pioneer and Alpine head units are quite costly. However, ATOTO and Boss are head units that come at a very affordable price and offer good display and sound quality with all sets of the latest features.
How much does a good car stereo cost?
If you want the right Car in quality and functionality, it will take you around 300 to 1000 dollars depending on what company’s head unit model you are buying.
What is the best cheap double din radio?
BOSS BVNV9384RC is one of the best car stereos which you can buy it under 250 dollars.
Final Verdict
Here comes the final decision which car stereo is the best? The answer to this question is depends on person to person. Some person wants best in the class unit but other wants best in class in cheap price.
Well, all the units that are listed are listed only due to their awesome functions and great price tag. But, if you are asking for the best car stereo for the performance. By considering the features and budget under 300 dollars, ATOTO A6 stands best from all the other units. But if your budget is comparatively low for Pioneer, then Boss BCPA9685RC will be a great choice.
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