Which Bluetooth-Enabled Car CD Player Should You Buy?
While more cars than ever are coming straight from the factory with good quality Bluetooth-enabled stereos, there are still many millions of cars limited by old and outdated systems. Today, it’s easy to find a variety of car stereos with CD players and built-in Bluetooth technology that allows for hands-free phone calls and music streaming. You can find something that sounds great and will last for years, regardless of your budget.
Double DIN Bluetooth Car CD Players
Double-DIN configurations, twice the height of an old-fashioned car stereo at 4 inches tall, are becoming more common in today’s cars. If that’s what your car has, you’re better off going for a double-DIN replacement, as they tend to offer more high-end features and are much easier to navigate due to more screen real estate. . Overall, the most reliable and feature-rich Bluetooth car stereos are the double-DIN style.
As well as being equipped with powerful components, reliable connectivity and the most user-friendly operating system in the industry, it is one of the few options to fully support wireless connections with Android Auto. and Apple CarPlay. Its precision motorized faceplate houses a responsive high-resolution touchscreen and can be removed to prevent theft.
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While not exactly cheap, the X390BS packs a lot of value, due to a bold touchscreen and feature set normally found on much more expensive units. It supports a huge range of music formats apart from digital audio CDs, including FLAC, AAC and MP3 files via USB and MPEG-4, WMV and AVI video.
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There are few cheaper ways to install a touchscreen stereo in your car than with Pyle’s. While the interface isn’t the fastest or the most complex, it has plenty of playback features in addition to reliable connectivity and the ability to play a variety of media file types.
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Perfect for hands-free phone calls, rear-view camera monitoring and GPS navigation management, this high-end device from car audio giant Pioneer offers high-end features at a respectable price. It’s also one of the most popular, and owners and expert reviewers give it high marks.
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This is one of many very affordable but high quality car stereo equipment from Boss. There’s a built-in microphone for making calls and built-in streaming apps like Spotify and Pandora when you’re not listening to your favorite CDs, plus an AM/FM receiver.
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One way to ensure you get a stereo with high-quality circuitry and consistent connectivity is to stick with a reliable manufacturer and consider sacrificing the touchscreen. The S520BT is one such model that uses a car stereo control panel and provides superior sound quality and fast operation without costing you an arm and a leg.
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Single DIN Bluetooth Car CD Players
One of the most common reasons to upgrade to a Bluetooth-enabled CD player is that your car is a bit older and doesn’t have modern audio equipment. Don’t be discouraged, though, because even if you’re in an older vehicle, you can still get your hands on a great stereo with versatile wireless functionality. These two-inch-tall CD players should fit almost any passenger car from the 80s or earlier.
If you’re restoring an old car to pristine condition and want the perfect stereo to complement the new paint job and upgraded engine, this top-of-the-line Pioneer model should do it. The screen folds out to reveal a high-resolution touchscreen and a feature set and wireless connections that few other models in any configuration can match.
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Even if you drive a drummer, it’s worth considering this budget option with a flip-out 7-inch touchscreen and all the most important playback features you could possibly need. Easy-access USB, auxiliary, and SD card ports make it easy to listen to your favorite tunes, especially if you’re traveling away from cell service.
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This one’s proof that you don’t have to spend a fortune on a high-end stereo to get something that sounds great and makes it easy to navigate your music collection. There are a variety of audio inputs, it offers an RCA output if you decide to install a subwoofer, and you can connect a rear view camera with minimal effort.
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If you’re one of those people who isn’t interested in touch controls or a motorized display, but prefers something more traditional with easy-to-use touch buttons, this is one of your best options. Despite the lack of a touchscreen, it allows for hands-free calling and can play music from USB sticks, 3.5mm aux cables or even good old AM/FM radio.
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Best Aftermarket Amplifiers
If you’re having trouble upgrading your stereo, consider an aftermarket amplifier as well. This is especially important if you have spare speakers. Most of the top recommended Bluetooth-enabled CD players can deliver up to 45 watts RMS per channel, the continuous power meter – but for optimal performance you might want a little more juice.
With an RMS value of 125 watts at a resistance of 4 ohms, it’s the perfect reasonably priced option to pair with a new CD player and mid-range car speakers. There is also a 5-channel version if you have a subwoofer in the mix.
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Punch Rockford Fosgate P1000X5
If you’ve invested in quality speakers and want to get the most out of them, it’s hard to top this mid-tier option from famed manufacturer Rockford Fosgate. It’s built with premium electrical components that can safely drive some of the most demanding car speakers with little to no distortion or interference.
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There aren’t many better amplifiers to pair with a new high-end stereo and power-hungry 4.1 speakers. This delivers a constant 100 watts of RMS to each of the four corners and 500 watts to the subwoofer, leaving your aftermarket setup truly shining.
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Chris Thomas written for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their buying decisions, saving them time and money.
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