Android Auto Car Stereos: BOSS Audio Head Units Compared

The fastest way to get Android Auto in a car that doesn’t have it is an aftermarket double-DIN or single-DIN head unit — most run $40-$180 and support both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in the same box.

If your car’s factory stereo doesn’t support Android Auto, you don’t need a new car to get it. A replacement head unit slots into your existing dashboard opening and adds a touchscreen, Bluetooth, and phone-mirroring support for a fraction of what a new vehicle costs. Below are three real options at different price points and installation levels, followed by answers to the questions people ask most before buying one.

Not sure whether your current car already supports Android Auto out of the box before you shop for a replacement unit? Check our guide on whether your car supports wireless CarPlay and Android Auto first — some newer factory stereos already have it built in.

Best Android Auto Car Stereos

BOSS Audio Systems BVCP9700A (Double-DIN)

This is BOSS Audio’s full-size double-DIN option, built for drivers whose current dash opening already fits a standard two-slot stereo. It runs a 7-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so either an iPhone or an Android phone can mirror maps, calls, and music to the dash.

• Pros: Works with both CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth hands-free calling, straightforward touchscreen menu, compact enough for tighter dash cutouts
• Cons: No built-in CD/DVD drive, and most double-DIN swaps go smoother with a professional installer who has the right wiring harness adapter

Because it’s wired rather than wireless, you’ll plug a USB cable into your phone each time — a minor tradeoff that also means a more reliable, lower-latency connection than some wireless setups. See current pricing on Amazon.

BOSS Audio Systems BVCP9700A-FL (Single-DIN)

Older and smaller vehicles often use a single-DIN dash opening rather than a double-DIN one, and this is BOSS Audio’s answer for that size. It’s also the wireless version — both CarPlay and Android Auto connect over Bluetooth/Wi-Fi instead of a cable, which matters if you’d rather not run a USB cord across the dash every drive.

• Pros: Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto (no cable needed), 7-inch touchscreen, AM/FM radio included
• Cons: Single-DIN size won’t fit a double-DIN opening, only available in black, install still typically needs a wiring harness adapter

Measure your dash opening before ordering — single-DIN and double-DIN units aren’t interchangeable, and this is the single-DIN model. Check current price on Amazon.

Portable Wireless CarPlay Car Stereo

This one skips the dash swap entirely. It’s a standalone 7-inch touchscreen that mounts on top of your existing dashboard, at roughly a quarter of the price of the BOSS Audio units above, and it works alongside your car’s factory stereo rather than replacing it. It also adds a backup camera input, mirror link, and voice control, which none of the built-in head units above include.

• Pros: No dashboard cutting or wiring harness needed, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, supports a backup camera, much cheaper than a head unit swap
• Cons: Doesn’t replace or upgrade your factory speakers/amp, screen mount can feel less integrated than a built-in unit, FM only (no AM)

This is the option worth trying first if you want CarPlay or Android Auto without committing to a full stereo replacement, or if your car’s dash isn’t a standard DIN size at all. See current price on Amazon.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does Android Auto Improve Car Audio Experience?

Android Auto mirrors your phone’s maps, music apps, and messages onto your car’s touchscreen, so you can use them with voice commands instead of holding your phone. That keeps your hands on the wheel and your eyes closer to the road than glancing down at a phone mounted on the dash.

Is The Boss Audio Bvcp9700a Compatible With All Vehicles?

It fits any vehicle with a standard double-DIN dash opening, which covers most cars, trucks, and SUVs built in the last couple of decades. Measure your existing stereo opening before buying, since some older or smaller vehicles use a single-DIN slot instead (the BVCP9700A-FL above is the single-DIN version).

Can I Use Bluetooth With The Boss Audio Systems?

Yes. Both BOSS Audio units include Bluetooth for hands-free calling and audio streaming independent of CarPlay or Android Auto, so you can pair a phone for music and calls even without using the phone-mirroring features.

Does The Portable Wireless Stereo Support Backup Cameras?

Yes, the portable wireless unit has a dedicated backup camera input, which the two built-in BOSS Audio head units above don’t include out of the box. That makes it a practical add-on if reversing visibility is a priority alongside CarPlay/Android Auto.

Do I Need A Professional To Install These Stereos?

The portable unit is designed for DIY mounting with no dash cutting required. The two BOSS Audio double-DIN and single-DIN head units involve pulling the factory stereo and wiring a harness adapter, which is doable yourself with basic tools and patience, but many drivers have a shop do it to avoid wiring mistakes or a dashboard that doesn’t sit flush afterward.

Conclusion

Getting Android Auto into an older car comes down to how much you want to change about your dashboard. The BOSS Audio Systems BVCP9700A is the strongest all-around pick if your car takes a standard double-DIN stereo and you want both CarPlay and Android Auto built in. The BVCP9700A-FL covers the same ground for single-DIN dashboards and adds wireless connectivity. And the Portable Wireless CarPlay Car Stereo is the fastest, cheapest route if you’d rather not touch your factory stereo at all.

Whichever route you take, measure your dash opening first and confirm the unit is in stock before ordering — those two checks avoid most of the return headaches people run into with aftermarket stereos.