The Best Car Stereos For Any Budget 2024

We couldn’t think of a touchscreen more deserving of this honor than the Kenwood DNX997XR. This unit replaces the DNX996XR (which won last year’s top honors) and some mentionable improvements to the new model would be wired mirroring for your iPhone, four camera inputs, and support for Kenwood’s new high-definition backup camera, the CMOS-740HD. The DNX997XR still has the built-in Garmin navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, HD Radio, three sets of 5-volt pre-amp outputs for additional external amplification, and a whole lot more. Literally, a WHOLE. LOT. MORE. Like what?

How does an extensive sound tuning suite suit you? Or perhaps the touchscreen’s ability to read high-resolution music and help reproduce it in stunning clarity? Not quite sold yet? You also get three years of free Garmin map updates. Yup, we thought that might intrigue you!

To quickly circle back to a couple of features we rattled off, we wanted to let you know a little bit more about the wildly popular Apple CarPlay and Android Auto conveniences that a lot of folks are looking for nowadays. These software platforms connect your iPhone or Android either wired or wirelessly (phone-specific) to this Kenwood and allow you to use the on-board navigation apps (think Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze) to get you to your destination, control music streaming apps (Spotify, Tidal, Pandora, Apple Music, and more), and also allow you to connect with friends and family via text/phone through Siri/Google Assistant.

What are you waiting for? Click the “Add to Cart” button and let’s get you started down the path to audio zen. (Don’t need built-in Garmin navigation? Check out Kenwood’s DDX9907XR model).

Imagine plugging your Android phone into the USB input that your touchscreen offers you and being able to use the maps pulled right from your phone, peruse your playlists in your favorite music streaming app, and handle incoming/outgoing phone calls and text messages via voice. Sounds pretty good, right? Sony’s XAV-AX3200 car touchscreen allows you to do all of that (and more!) all from a bright, vibrant, and easy-to-use touchscreen!

The 3200 has a lot to offer when you consider its price: an AM/FM tuner, Bluetooth for hands-free calling and music streaming, a backup camera input for a new or existing backup camera, and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity.

On the audio side of things, the built amplifier has max output of 55 watts per channel (RMS power output is 20 watts per channel), a 10-band EQ to permit sound sculpting to a really decent degree, and 5-channel pre-amp outputs for system expansion for amplifiers. This touchscreen really knocks it out of the park, doesn’t it?

The USB input where you plug in for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay usage will charge the smartphone so when you get to where you want to be, you don’t have a near-dead phone. This input can be run to a discreet location for a stealth look.

All in all, the Sony XAV-AX3200 was a shoo-in to make our Gear Guide lists. It’s really hard to beat the value that this touchscreen offers you. We really believe that you will agree.

The DDX9907XR from Kenwood eXcelon’s series took the gold in this category due to its unparalleled sound quality, easy-to-use touchscreen interface, expansive audio tuning suite, and a whole lot more. Let’s tackle the sound quality bullet point first, shall we? Kenwood decided to use top-shelf components (think transistors, capacitors, etc.) in the making of this model. All these components come together to help you achieve some truly impressive sound quality. No joke – it’s awesome. Sure, it sounds good, but is it easy to use? Heck yeah, it is.

The slick capacitive touchscreen that Kenwood sourced for this model is marvelous. It can be seen day or night in your car (some touchscreens have issues being seen in bright environments) and the interface is fluid and you’ll grasp the gist of it in minutes. If you’re an audio aficionado and love to tweak the audio settings, you’ll be thrilled with the built-in 13-band EQ, digital time alignment, crossover settings, etc. Get the perfect sound – and from any seat!

We saved the best for last here: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are built into this unit (and it can be used wirelessly with select smartphones), so you can remain connected throughout your journeys via text or cell. You can use Apple Maps (iPhone), Google Maps/Waze (iPhone and Android) for navigation purposes, listen to your favorite playlists from Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, Pandora (and more!), and even enjoy some audiobooks. The DDX9907XR is a fantastic option for you to consider. (Need built-in Garmin navigation, check out Kenwood’s DNX997XR model)

Kenwood’s DNX1007XR 10.1” high-definition car touchscreen is truly a marvel to behold. Not only does it offer that slick “floating tablet” design, it’s also packed with features and conveniences such as Garmin navigation, wired or wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, Bluetooth for hands-free calling as well as music streaming, high-resolution music playback via USB input, and a whole lot more. This thing literally has everything but the kitchen sink built into it!

From a installation standpoint, the DNX1007XR’s 10.1” touchscreen connects to a double-DIN-sized chassis. The positioning of the screen is adjustable before the final bits of the installation, so you can get the best-possible viewing angle.

If you’re into sound quality, this Kenwood is part of the eXcelon Reference series, so it receives top-shelf audio components to ensure superb sound quality. The built-in 13-band equalizer, digital time alignment, high-pass/low-pass filters, and more offer robust sound sculpting options so you can dial in the perfect sound for the driver’s seat.

With multiple camera inputs, you can exceed the traditional backup camera options and add a front camera to eliminate the possibility of your vehicle’s front bumper smacking into yet another parking block or maybe a Kenwood DRV-N520 dash camera records incidents you experience while driving (hopefully you don’t!).

Lastly, Kenwood’s eXcelon gear get their 2-year warranty, so you can have some peace-of-mind that the DNX1007XR is expected to last for a while.