Are you a true audiophile who wants nothing but the best sound quality in your car? If so, you know that an amplifier is essential for getting the most out of your speakers.
But, adding an external amplifier can be expensive and take up valuable space in your car. Luckily, there is a solution – a head unit with a built-in amplifier.
The head unit that has a built-in amp can solve all of these problems for you. Therefore, I’ve tested the 10 best car stereos with built-in amplifiers, and now I’m going to review them for you.
Here are 10 Best Head Units DIN With Built-In Amplifier
1. Pioneer DMH-W4660NEX 6.8” – Amazon Alexa Built-in, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay
Our Verdict
All in all, the Pioneer DMH-W4660NEX is a top-of-the-line head unit that offers the amazing sound quality, dual Bluetooth connectivity, and a variety of convenient features. While it may come with a hefty price tag, it’s a great investment for those who want to upgrade their car’s audio and entertainment system
Specifications
Phone Connectivity: Android Auto, Apple Carplay | Equalizer: Auto EQ | Touchscreen: Yes | Radio: Yes | Bluetooth: Yes | Voice Assistant: Alexa | Backup Camera: 2 Inputs
Pros
- Improved sound quality with built-in amplifier
- Dual Bluetooth connectivity
- Amazon Alexa built-in
- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support (wireless)
- Customizable home screen
- Bluetooth hands-free calling
Cons
- Expensive
- Daylight sensors may not work well in bright sunlight
The Pioneer DMH-W4660NEX is the 8th best head unit that I have for you. This is the best head unit for people who have deep pockets. Pioneer’s W46 Next in-dash receiver is a great way to upgrade your car’s features without having to purchase a new one.
The receiver offers the improved sound quality, dual Bluetooth connectivity, Amazon Alexa built-in, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a customizable home screen. It’s worth mentioning that Android Auto and Apple Carplay are wireless in this head unit, which is quite useful.
What really impressed me was the dual-Bluetooth feature. I can connect both my phone and my friend’s phone to the receiver at the same time. It’s perfect for when we’re driving together, as either one of our phones can pick up through the Bluetooth system if someone calls.
Other than that, this DIN has Bluetooth hands-free calling, which makes it easy for you to take calls without even moving your hands off the wheel. Also, the Bluetooth worked flawlessly for me, whether I was taking calls or listening to music.
This head unit features a 6.8″ capacitive touchscreen that is leg-free, responds quickly, and is very easy to use. However, while driving, sometimes the daylight sensors of the screen don’t work, which makes it hard to see the screen in the daylight.
If I talk about the sound quality of this head unit, then it’s really top-notch. Because it has a built-in amplifier, the RMS CTA-2006, which provides enough power to the speakers and improves their sound quality,
The head unit also has a 13-band equaliser and crossovers (1/1) (high/low pass), which allow me to set the tone of the sound the way I like.
This Pioneer head unit also includes wired screen mirroring, a remote control, and support for streaming services such as Pandora and Spotify.
2-Alpine iLX-W650 7″ Mech-Less Receiver
Our Verdict
The Alpine iLX-650 is the best head unit as per its price. It has pretty good sound quality and a great touchscreen with all of the needed functions on the menu. The issue with Bluetooth is real, but it may not necessarily be the same for your device. So, I definitely recommend buying this head unit, as it is really worth your bucks.
Specifications
Phone Integration: Android Auto & Apple Car play | Equaliser: 13-band equalizer |Touch Screen: Yes | Radio: Yes | Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB | Hands-Free calling: Yes | Camera support: Yes | Music Streaming: Pandora, SiriusXM, Internet Radio, Spotify | Voice Assistant: Google assistant
Pros
- Easy to use.
- The screen is capacitive and quite responsive.
- Leg-free display.
- Automatically gets dim at night and can easily be seen in the daylight.
Cons
- Bluetooth doesn’t work so well for phone calls.
- Doesn’t have a CD player.
The first head unit with a built-in amplifier that I’ve used is the Alpine iLX-W650. This is the best head unit that comes with a 7-inch capacitive screen, which I found to be quite responsive, leg-free, and easy to navigate.
Its touch works flawlessly; I mean, you don’t need to wait for any function to change after clicking it.
The display itself looks huge due to the very thin bezels around the screen. The best part is I could see everything on the screen, even in the daylight. Also, the display automatically dims at night so that your eyes may not strain.
The Alpine iLX-W650 comes with built-in Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. I tested it with my phone, and it worked flawlessly for me. But the Bluetooth of this head unit may not be so helpful to you for taking calls.
I tried to take calls through Bluetooth, but it didn’t work properly for them. Well, it may depend on the device. You may not have this issue with your device.
When it comes to the sound quality of the Alpine ILX-W650, this head unit produces the best sound that you’ll become a fan of. It’s equipped with a Class-D built-in amplifier, which provides enough power to the system and makes its sound quality more crisp, clear, and loud.
Moreover, the head unit has a high pass crossover and low pass crossover and a 13-band equalizer, which allowed me to set the sound quality according to my liking.
Check out: How to choose an amplifier for car speakers?
3-JVC KW-M865BW Built-in Wi-Fi for Wireless CarPlay Android Auto
Our Verdict
Overall, the JVC KW M865BW double din digital media receiver is an impressive unit with wireless connectivity, customizable GUI, and good sound quality. However, it may not be the best fit for everyone due to the lack of wireless video app transfer, potential connectivity issues, and higher price points
Specifications
Phone Integration: Android Auto & Apple Car play | Equaliser: 13-band equalizer |Touch Screen: Yes | Radio: Yes | Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB | Hands-Free calling: Yes | Camera support: Yes | Music Streaming: Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and YouTube | Voice Assistant: Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Pros
- Wireless connectivity for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wired and wireless screen mirroring for Android and iPhone
- Customizable dynamic GUI with gesture commands and swiping features
- USB cable connection for accessing video apps
Cons
- Video apps do not transfer wirelessly
- Can be a bit complicated to set up and navigate at first
- Can be pricey compared to other head units on the market
Since the JVC brand is quite popular these days, here is another great double DIN JVC head unit with a built-in amplifier. First off, let me just say that this thing has it all.
Whether you’re an Apple or Android user, this unit has got you covered with its wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And if you prefer to use a cable, no worries—you can still access both features that way and even charge your device at the same time.
But that’s not all. The KW M865BW also has wired and wireless Android screen mirroring as well as wired iPhone mirroring. So no matter what device you’re using, you can easily connect it to this stereo.
One of the standout features for me is the new dynamic GUI, which includes gesture commands and swiping features. It’s highly customizable, too; you can even have the widget in the centre of the home screen display whatever audio source you’re currently listening to.
Now, there is one downside to note. Video apps won’t transfer wirelessly, but again, you can still access them through a USB cable connection. And the other con of this head unit is that it has a resistive screen instead of a capacitive one, which makes it less responsive.
Furthermore, this head unit has a radio tuner that features 18 FM and 12 AM preset stations, and the M865BW has four camera inputs, including a backup camera, a front camera, and a third camera.
This head unit also has a single 3.5-millimeter AV jack input, which is designed to be used as a potential fourth camera with the included adapter, enabling users to add a reverse rear-facing camera, a front camera, and an additional two blind spot cameras, further enhancing driver safety and convenience.
What about its sound quality, though? The sound quality of this head unit is quite impressive; it’s clear and has pretty good bass. Also, it has a 13-band equaliser that lets you set the sound, but it doesn’t change the sound very dramatically.
4- Pioneer AVH-3500NEX 1-Din 7-Inch Flip Out AV Receiver
Our Verdict
Overall, the Pioneer AVH-3500 NEX is a great car stereo with top-notch audio quality and cool features like Bluetooth, Weblink, and customizable key and display colours. However, it doesn’t come with a SiriusXM tuner, and the Auto EQ feature requires an extra microphone purchase. If you can overlook those drawbacks, it’s the best pioneer car stereo with a built-in amplifier that you can get your eyes on
Specifications
Phone Integration: Android Auto & Apple Car play | Equaliser: 13-band equalizer |Touch Screen: Yes | Radio: Yes | Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB | Hands-Free calling: Yes | Camera support: Yes | Music Streaming: Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM, and iHeartRadio | Voice Assistant: Siri Eyes Free and Google Assistant
Pros
- Seven-inch LCD motorised fold-out screen
- Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming
- Access to Web Link for YouTube and audio/video content
- Plays high-res FLAC audio files up to 192kHz/24 bit
- 13-band graphic equalizer
Cons
- Auto EQ feature requires the purchase of a separate mic
- Sirius XM tuner requires separate purchase of a tuner
- Screen doesnt’ look so good
Now, it’s time to review a head unit from Pioneer, which is the AVH-3500NEX. I must say, this head unit is jam-packed with features. One thing that immediately caught my attention was the seven-inch motorised fold-out LCD screen.
It’s quite responsive and allows for easy navigation through the different functions of the head unit.
In terms of the screen’s look, it’s not so good, as the screen is resistive, not capacitive. The resolution of the screen is quite low. I’d say even today’s smartphones have a better touchscreen than this head unit’s.
Although it supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, they’re not wireless. You’ll have to have a USB cable connection to use both of the features.
The Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming worked flawlessly during my testing, and I loved the fact that it has access to Web Link, which allows you to display YouTube from iPhones and Androids. That’s a pretty cool feature!
It’s hard to beat the Pioneer AVH-3500 NEX when it comes to audio quality. You can play FLAC audio files up to 192kHz/24 bit on it, and it’s got a 13-band graphic equaliser, high- and low-pass filters, and Auto EQ that equalizes from your car’s interior automatically (you’ll need a microphone).
One of the drawbacks of this head unit is that it doesn’t come with a SiriusXM tuner. You will need to purchase the tuner separately, which could be a deal-breaker for some.
Additionally, the Auto EQ feature requires an extra purchase of a microphone to work, which could be a hassle for some users.
This Pioneer head unit has a colour illumination feature that I can use to change the colour of the display and the buttons on the screen and match them with the colour of my car’s stereo. It gives my car an extraordinary look.
The best part? There are 112 key colour options available that you can choose from for your car’s display.
5-JVC KW-M150BT Bluetooth Car Stereo Receiver
Our Verdict
The JVC KW-M150BT is a feature-packed and affordable head unit that car enthusiasts will love. With Bluetooth support, rear camera view, USB mirroring, and more, this system is user-friendly and easy to control. The 13-Band EQ is a bit complicated, but overall this is a great option for upgrading your car’s audio and video system
Specifications
Phone Integration: Android Auto & Apple Car play | Equaliser: 13-band equalizer |Touch Screen: NO | Radio: Yes | Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB | Hands-Free calling: Yes | Camera support: No | Music Streaming: Spotify, Pandora, and iHeartRadio | Voice Assistant: Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Pros
- Affordable price for a head unit with many features
- User-friendly and easy-to-navigate interface
- Bluetooth support for hands-free calling and wireless audio streaming
- Rear camera view for added safety while reversing
- USB mirroring feature allows you to mirror your phone’s screen on the head unit’s display
Cons
- 13-Band EQ can be difficult to understand for some users
- The settings may be overwhelming for those who are not familiar with car audio systems
The JVC kW-M150BT is another affordable head unit that you can get your eyes on. Compared to the JVC KD-X470BHS that we just discussed, this JVC car head unit has a lot more amazing features.
The JVC Car Info System is an excellent product for car enthusiasts who want to upgrade their car’s audio and video system. It is user-friendly and comes with various features like Bluetooth support, rear camera view, and digital time alignment.
And USB mirroring is one of the coolest features of this head unit. It means if you want to mirror anything from your phone to your head unit’s screen, you can do that with the help of USB mirroring. This is the best feature when you’re willing to watch something in your car with your whole family.
You can control the system using your car’s steering controls, and the capacitive buttons make it easy to use, which ensures your security as well. Moreover, you can connect your USB drive, and the video starts playing instantly.
You can change the aspect ratio, brightness, contrast, colour, and tint in the settings. The system settings allow you to change the beep tone language, date and time, clock mode, steering remote, and Bluetooth settings. It has a 13-band EQ, which is good for tuning the sound, but it’s quite hard to understand.
The JVC Car Info System also allows you to connect your Android phone using a USB cable and mirror it on the display.
It also comes with Bluetooth technology, Bluetooth hands-free calling, Android and Siri Eyes Free, and a free remote control. All of these features are available at a very affordable price.
6- Kenwood DMX7706S 6.95″ Digital Media Receiver
Our Verdict
With a responsive touch screen, amazing sound quality, and flawless Bluetooth connectivity, the Kenwood DMX7706S is a great head unit. Unfortunately, the interface is cluttered, and the screen is resistive instead of capacitive or HD. The stereo is a good choice for those seeking a compact and feature-rich device.
Specifications
Phone Integration: Android Auto & Apple Car play | Equaliser: 13-band Graphic EQ |Touch Screen: Yes | Radio: Yes | Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB | Hands-Free calling: Yes | Camera support: Yes | Music Streaming: Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, YouTube Music | Voice Assistant: Amazon and Alexa
Pros
- Easy to install
- MOSFET Built in AMP
- !3 Band Graphic EQ an Time alignment
- Camera support
Cons
- The menu is cluttered
- There are some annoying warning pop-ups on the screen
The third head unit that I’ve tested is the Kenwood DMX 7706, which is a double din stereo that comes with an impressively short chassis of 3 inches, which made it easy to install for me. Although it has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, they’re not wireless.
You’ll need a USB connection to use both of these features. But they work pretty well in the head unit.
Kenwood is a futuristic-looking head unit with a touch screen that’s quite responsive and doesn’t take so much time to change the functions. However, the screen of the Kenwood is neither HD nor capacitive; it’s resistive which makes it less responsive.
But, for me, it didn’t make much difference. Compared to the Kenwood DMX125, this head unit doesn’t have as much of a user-friendly interface.
It’s cluttered with options, which makes it quite hard for me to find some settings. Also, there are different types of warnings that pop up on the screen when you start your car. So,that could have been better.
I tested the Bluetooth of the head unit with phone calls and playing music, and it worked perfectly for me. It didn’t even skip once, which is quite convenient.
The sound quality of the Kenwood DMX7706S is amazing. It has a deep base, and it sounds great to the ears. It’s because of the built-in MOSFET amplifier and 13-band graphic EQ, which allowed me to set the tone of the sound according to my wishes.
This head unit also has radio support but the SiriusXM satellite radio doesn’t come with it. You’ll have to buy it separately. Furthermore, this DIN is packed with an Auxiliary, USB Port, two video inputs for front- and rear-view cameras and Amazon and Alexa’s voice control.
7-Sony XAV-AX8000 1 DIN chassis 8.95” floating LCD screen with Apple CarPlay
Our Verdict
In short, the Sony XAV-AX8000 is an impressive single-din head unit with a sleek design, a powerful built-in amplifier, and a bright display that’s easy to see even in daylight. While it has some limitations in terms of customization options, and the sound quality might not be perfect for audiophiles at high volumes, its three-way adjustable mount and new OS features make it a solid choice for those looking for a reliable and modern car stereo.
Specifications
Phone Integration: Android Auto & Apple Car play | Equaliser: 10-band equalizer | Touch Screen: NO | Radio: Yes | Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB | Hands-Free calling: Yes | Camera support: Yes | Music Streaming: Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM | Voice Assistant: Siri and Google Assistant
Pros
- Three-way adjustment mount for adjusting screen height
- Impressive 55 watt by four-channel amplifier
- Sleek and modern design with white button illumination
- Comes with a steering wheel control harness
- Bright display that can be easily seen in daylight
Cons
- Limited customization options for wallpapers
- Sound quality may be dull at high volume
The Sony XAV-AX8000 1DIN is one of the best single-din head units with a built-in amplifier. The thing that I liked the most about this head unit is its three-way adjustment mount, which allows me to adjust the height of the screen.
The XAV-AX8000 has an impressive 55-watt output from the four-channel amplifier, and it looks sleek and modern with its white button illumination. The stereo comes with a steering wheel control harness to connect your factory wiring and steering wheel control presets.
I’ve had other Sony head units as well, and I can clearly tell that the software has not changed much, but some new OS features include new backup camera guidelines, driving position selection, touchscreen calibration for more accurate responses, and illumination level.
The display of the head unit is quite bright and can easily be seen in daylight, which is great as I have to drive most of the time in the day time. The ability to change the wallpaper on the screen is quite good, but you’re not allowed to customise anything.
The wallpapers that are saved in the head unit are the only ones that you can use. Also, you can’t upload your own wallpapers, which I guess Sony should improve in its upcoming mode.
I found that the sound quality of the head units is good, but when played at high volumes it is a little dull. But you shouldn’t feel it if you’re not an audiophile. The 10-band EQ allows you to set the tone of the sound according to your liking.
8-Jensen CAR 710 7” Mechless Multimedia Receiver with Apple CarPlay l Android Auto
Our Verdict
The Jensen Car710 head unit has impressive sound quality, Bluetooth hands-free calling, and streaming services, but the display isn’t great, and the touchscreen can be unresponsive. The wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay are useful, but Carplay crashes after extended use. It’s a decently budget-friendly option
Specifications
Phone Integration: Android Auto & Apple Car play | Equaliser: 8-band equalizer |Touch Screen: Yes | Radio: Yes | Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB | Hands-Free calling: Yes | Camera support: No | Music Streaming: Pandora, Spotify, and iHeartRadio | Voice Assistant: Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Pros
- Decent audio settings
- Bluetooth hands-free calling
- Supports wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay
Cons
- Low-resolution display that is not capacitive
- Unresponsive touch screen at times
- Limited display settings (brightness and dimmer only)
- Cannot upload or download wallpapers
This unit boasts a built-in amplifier and a 7-inch display that unfortunately isn’t HD, and it’s not a capacitive touchscreen. The operating system is just okay and can be a bit unresponsive at times. The audio settings are decent, but the only display settings are brightness and dim.
One thing that really bugged me was the lack of control over the background or wallpaper. You’re stuck with the ones that are already set, which is a bit of a bummer.
On the bright side, this head unit does support wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which is great. However, during my testing, I did find that CarPlay would crash after an hour of use and require me to unplug and replug the unit to get it to work again. Not the best experience, but at least it’s there.
Now, when it comes to sound quality, I was totally impressed. The audio was crisp, clear, and pretty loud, with decent bass.
Plus, Bluetooth hands-free calling, Android and Siri Eyes Free, and support for streaming services like Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and SiriusXM are all great features.
See Best Single DIN Head Units 2023
9- JVC KD-X470BHS Bluetooth Car Stereo Receiver with USB Port
Our Verdict
If you’re on a tight budget but still want a great head unit with a built-in amplifier, the JVC KD-X470BHS is definitely worth considering. It has Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, colour illumination, and supports streaming services like Pandora and Spotify. The downside is that it doesn’t have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but overall, it’s the best JVC car stereo with a built-in Amplifier.
Specifications
Phone Integration: Android Auto & Apple Car play | Equaliser: 13-band equalizer |Touch Screen: NO | Radio: Yes | Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB | Hands-Free calling: Yes | Camera support: Yes | Music Streaming: Pandora, SiriusXM, Internet Radio, Spotify | Voice Assistant: Alexa and Google Assistant
Pros
- Built-in MOSFET Amplifier and 13 Band Equaliser for great sound customization
- Bluetooth hands-free calling, Amazon Alexa built-in, and remote control included
- Colour illumination for buttons and display
- Supports Pandora and Spotify streaming services
- Built-in HD radio tuner
- Affordable price
Cons
- No Apple Carplay or Android Auto support
- Bluetooth may take longer to connect
For those people who are looking for the best budget head unit with a built-in amplifier, the JVC KD-X470BHS is the way to go.
This is the single DIN, and with the help of an installation kit, I could easily fit my dashboard. The installation seemed to be a breeze and took only a few minutes.
The head unit sounds amazing as it has a built-in MOSFET amplifier and 13-band equaliser, which allow you to set the tone of the sound according to your liking.
This head unit has Bluetooth hands-free calling, Amazon Alexa built in, and a remote control that you get for free with the head unit. The Bluetooth worked well for me, but sometimes it can take a little longer to connect with your device.
Not just that, with such an affordable price range, you get to see a colour illumination in the head unit as well that you can use to change the colour of the buttons and the display of the head unit. Sounds interesting?
You can also get the most out of the Pandora and Spotify streaming services with this head unit.
For people who like listening to the radio when they’re driving, this head unit has a built-in HD radio tuner.
Coming to the downside of this head unit, it doesn’t have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which are easy to live without with this affordable head unit. Moreover, this head unit supports MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, and even high-resolution FLAC playback files.
10-Sony DSX-GS80 GS Series High Power 45W X 4 Rms Digital Media Receiver
