Key Takeaway
1. Cheap Chinese car stereos offer comparable features to branded units at a significantly lower price, but come with risks such as limited warranty and potential quality issues.
2. These units generally have modest hardware specs, which can lead to slow performance over time, especially with apps like Google Maps.
3. While hardware quality and durability can vary, basic functionalities like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and sound quality are usually acceptable for the price paid.
4. Integration with existing vehicle systems may be problematic, potentially causing loss of features or compatibility issues.
5. Despite potential drawbacks, these units can be a cost-effective upgrade and can last several years if used with awareness of their limitations.
Affordable Car Stereo Options
Car stereos, often called head units, are not cheap especially when you’re shopping from known brands like Kenwood, Pioneer, or Sony. These brands provide modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that can be added to cars that are a bit older. For example, a 7-inch Kenwood stereo with a 6.8-inch display, support for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and reversing camera can easily cost around $250 or more. But, you might find similar features on cheaper units from China, often under $100, which makes you wonder if they’re worth the gamble.
Specifications and Warnings
- Most budget units run on Android, giving access to the Play Store which is not offered by most mainstream brands.
- They come with processors at the bottom of the barrel, usually between 2GB and 4GB RAM, with storage options from 32GB to 64GB, and various screen sizes.
- If you buy from Amazon, a 12-month warranty is usual, but buying one is still a risk. After 5 years of use, some units develop issues like vertical lines on the screen that sometimes appear and disappear, which can be annoying but not deal-breaking.
Performance and Longevity Considerations
My own unit, a 9-inch display, was not super clear at 720p but was acceptable. Touchscreen remained responsive, but after about four years, the screen developed faint vertical lines that randomly appeared. These don’t ruin the experience, and considering the cost of around $80, they are manageable but still something to keep in mind. The device shipped with 4GB RAM and an unspecified processor, probably Rockchip or Allwinner, which was slow from the beginning and worsened over time. Even with a minimalist launcher, apps like Google Maps can take a long time to load, sometimes a full minute, which can be frustrating especially in navigation. While you can install media players like VLC, the main advantage of these units is that the processing is offloaded to your phone, making Android Auto and Apple CarPlay work pretty well.
Physical Design and Sound Quality
The slim profile of these units, often just over an inch thick, is a stark contrast to bigger, branded units that take up more space. The sound quality, surprisingly, is comparable to stock units, mainly because it just powers the factory speakers. If you want better sound with multiple high-power speakers, an external amplifier might be necessary, and wiring harnesses often support this upgrade. Additional USB ports are great for connecting CarPlay dongles or adding extra music storage without hassle. WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity are also functional for updating apps or tethering to hotspots, though the native Google Maps app can be painfully slow sometimes.
Additional Features and Durability
The reversing camera that comes with these units is usually adequate though not designed for harsh weather conditions. Over time, the steel bracket began to rust, and the camera lens started to separate after about six months, risking falling out. Weatherproofing was minimal—necessitating some electrical tape to keep things together which surprisingly held up for years. The camera does not have infrared lights for night reversing, but it captures enough light from reverse lights to be somewhat effective in the dark. The image quality remains decent, but the longevity of these parts isn’t guaranteed, and replacements might be needed down the line.
Risks and Rewards
Investing in these units means accepting several risks. There are many stories online about their failure, no long-term warranties, and limited after-sales support. Software updates and security can also be issues. Compatibility with existing vehicle features such as steering wheel controls or additional cameras may suffer, sometimes resulting in loss of functionality. Nevertheless, if your vehicle setup is simple, you could potentially save a lot of money by opting for these units, possibly even buying two for the price of a branded one that might last only a fraction of that time. Personally, upgrading from an old CD player was worth it, and despite some concerns, many of these units do last longer than expected, your experience might vary.
