5 Best Single Din Radio 2023: Reviews + Buying Guide

If you want the best possible on-the-go music listening experience, you’ll need to select the right radio. In this article we will take a close look at some of the best options available today.

Our top choice is the JVC KD-X270BT Car Stereo, which features built-in Bluetooth for wireless music streaming. It also allows for hands-free calling and a variety of voice commands.

Before you decide on a certain radio for your vehicle, we recommend learning about each of the following products. All of these radios have a number of great features to offer.

How We Picked The Best

As we compiled our list, there were several different things we took into consideration. We first looked at the connectivity options each one offers. It is important that you have a variety of methods for listening to your favorite songs.

You’ll definitely want to look for preamp outputs on these radios, especially if you are planning on connecting speakers. Check the wattage of each channel so you know how much powerful you will have.

We even learned about each radio’s display. Bright and colorful front panel illumination can go a long way towards enhancing your listening experience. Many of these radios feature customizable displays with thousands of different colors to choose from.

Top Five Single Din Radio to Buy in 2023:

BOSS Audio Systems 616UAB Multimedia Car Stereo

The BOSS Audio Systems 616UAB Car Stereo features bright and colorful illumination with multiple brightness settings. The flashing LED lights allow you to enhance your listening experience considerably while driving.

We really like this stereo’s Bluetooth connectivity, which lets you make calls on the road hands free. It features a built-in microphone that lets you issue voice commands to play music and navigate through various apps. This allows you to do exactly what you want without putting your own safety at risk.

You will also have a USB port, which allows you to play digital music files from a thumb/flash drive. Some of the supported file formats include WMA and MP3. The AM/FM radio function lets you listen to your favorite stations. There’s also an aux input that lets you hook up your smartphone to play music through it.

The front and rear pre-amp outputs allow you to connect speakers for a bigger and more immersive overall sound. These outputs are compatible with most standard speakers. You’ll have 50 watts x 4 for optimal listening power.

One of the reasons we chose the BOSS Audio Systems 616UAB for our list is its simple and intuitive design. You’ll be able to figure out how everything works within just minutes. This stereo does come with a comprehensive user manual just in case.

While there is no CD player, you will have lots of different connectivity options to choose from. You can play everything from digital music files on USB devices, as well as stream music wirelessly from your phone.

Pros:

• Wide range of connectivity options to choose from
• Built-in Bluetooth lets you stream music from a variety of mobile devices
• Simple and intuitive layout makes it easy to use out of the box
• Pre-amp outputs allow you to connect speakers
• Supports many different digital media files via USB flash drive
• Bright dimmable illumination enhances your listening experience

Cons:

• Does not feature a CD player

 

JENSEN MPR210 Single DIN Car Stereo Receiver

The JENSEN MPR210 Car Stereo Receiver boasts a high resolution LCD display that is capable of displaying up to seven characters at a time. It offers hands-free control with Google Voice and Siri compatibility. This lets you play songs or fire up your favorite podcasts quickly and easily.

This stereo’s built-in Bluetooth connectivity provides you with additional layer of convenience. It will let you make and receive calls without having to take your hands off the steering wheel. You can also use it to play, pause, and stop music at any time.

One of the reasons we decided to put the MP4210 on our list is its variety of connectivity options. It has a USB port that you can use to play music from digital files on a flash drive. This port also gives you an easy way to charge your smartphone and other devices on the road.

There are also the RCA inputs on the back, which allow you to connect speakers. This stereo receiver supports up to 200 watts of speaker power, which is quite impressive. The aux input on the front panel can be used for playing music off your smartphone or mp3 player device.

You will quickly find that this radio has a simple and easy-to-use design that is very intuitive. Each of the buttons on the front are responsive and illuminated for easy visibility.

Pros:

• Preamp outputs support speakers up to 200 watts of power
• High-res LCD display gives you a clear view at all times
• Compatible with Siri and Google Voice Assist for hands-free commands
• Built-in Bluetooth lets you stream and control music wirelessly
• Lots of customizable EQ settings to achieve the perfect overall sound

Cons:

• Some customers claim to have issues with USB devices not being recognized

 

Pioneer MVH-85UB Digital Media Car Stereo Receiver

The Pioneer MVH-85UB features a detachable face, which decreases the risk of theft. It is also designed to resist corrosion, so you can trust that it will stay in good shape for a long time.

You will have a number of connectivity options, including a USB port. This lets you plug in a flash drive and play digital music files. This stereo supports FLAC files, which are compact and don’t take up as much space on portable storage devices as other formats.

There is also an auxiliary input that allows for hooking up your smartphone and other devices. The USB auto switch feature allows you to play music off your phone or just charge it.

The simple but sophisticated design of the MVH-85UB is one of the reasons it made our list. You won’t have to follow any complicated instructions.

You have the option of streaming music from your phone via the aux port. You can use a variety of apps, including Spotify. This gives you complete control over your music in an easy and familiar way.

We also really like the illumination timer, which lets you decide when the dimmer comes on and turns off. This eliminates the need for you to manually do this, which is definitely a nice convenience. You can expect the illumination to fade in and out when certain actions are performed, such as loading or ejecting a CD.

Pros:

• Lets you choose when illumination comes off and turns off
• Variety of corded connectivity options
• Supports compact FLAC music files via portable devices
• Allows for charging smartphones and other devices via USB port
• Simple design is very intuitive

Cons:

• Earbuds that come with stereo aren’t the best quality

 

Sony DSX-A416BT Single Din Car Stereo

The Sony DSX-A416BT has built-in Bluetooth connectivity for wireless music streaming from your smartphone. This technology also allows you to make and receive calls without compromising your safety.

We are particularly fond of this stereo’s voice control, which lets you do everything from getting directions to playing songs hands free. When you connect your iOS device, you can use Siri. This allows you to issue a variety of commands to perform a wide range of options as you are driving.

You have the option of matching the front lights on this stereo to the colors in your vehicle. The bright and colorful two-zone illumination will help you take your music listening experience to the next level. You will have 35,000 different colors to choose from.

There is a USB port on the front of this stereo receiver that allows for playing music through smartphones, mp3 players, and even portable flash drives. It supports many different digital file formats, including mp3 and FLAC.

The four-channel amplifier provides you with 220 max watts of power. You can therefore achieve a very full and robust sound without any hassle.

We chose the DSX-A416BT for our list because of its numerous connectivity options. You can play music through direct corded inputs or wirelessly via Bluetooth.

Pros:

• Four-channel amp design allows for a big and powerful sound
• USB port lets you charge or play music through your smartphone
• Bluetooth connectivity lets you make calls and control music wirelessly
• Customizable illumination with thousands of colors to choose from
• Voice control lets you issue a variety of audio commands

Cons:

• Bluetooth can be a bit slow when starting up unit

 

JVC KD-X270BT Bluetooth Car Stereo

The JVC KD-X270BT Car Stereo features an LCD display with colorful illumination for easy visibility. It is equipped with a USB port that can charge smartphones and other mobile devices quickly.

You’ll also have an aux input to play music through your smartphone and other devices. Some of the supported file formats include MP3, WAV, FLAC, and WMA.

You can use the built-in Bluetooth to stream music from your phone through a number of different apps, such as Spotify and Pandoa. The microphone in this stereo allows for hands-free phone calls, which can be a huge convenience. You’ll also have the option of voice recognition dialing.

The 13-band equalizer makes it easy to customize the sound of your music perfectly. This is just one of the features that make it worth considering for best. You will have access to a variety of tools to get the most out of your listening experience in the car.

There are two 50-watts preamp outputs that allow you to connect external speakers for the best possible sound. You’ll find that installing this stereo is fairly easy and won’t require following any complicated steps.

We were very impressed with the versatile design of this car stereo. It offers a number of classic and modern features for the best possible performance.

Pros:

• 13-band equalizer allows for full sound customization
• USB port gives you a way to quickly charge mobile devices
• Play music wirelessly via a number of different streaming apps
• Hands-free dialing with voice recognition
• Very easy installation with no hassle

Cons:

• Equalizer interface could use some improvement

 

Buying Guide

When searching, there are some factors that you’ll need to take into consideration. We have put together a list of things to look into as you explore these options.

Connectivity Options

 

You will find that the very best models offer a good variety of connectivity options. An auxiliary input will let you hook up your smartphone, tablet, or mp3 player.

You should also look for a USB port, which allows for charging mobile devices on the go. This port can also let you play digital music files through a flash drive. Some of these radios even have an SD card reader, which you can use to play stored files.

We recommend looking into the different file formats that each radio supports. Some of the more common formats include mp3, WMA, and FLAC. This will let you know which stereos will allow you to play all of your digitally-stored music.

If you want to stream music from your phone without any annoying cords, you’ll want to look for stereos with Bluetooth built in. This will give you an easy way to play your favorite songs on a variety of devices without a physical connection.

Last but not least, you’ll want to look for preamp (RCA) outputs. If you want to connect external speakers, this is going to be very important. You’ll also need to know the number of channels and the wattage. A four-channel, 200-watts max amplifier will give you a very full and powerful sound.

Display

 

It’s also a good idea to look at the display when exploring options online. You’ll want to choose one that has a bright front display that is ready to read in any lighting.

Many car stereo receivers offer dimmable illumination, so you can set the brightness to your own preference. Look for models that allow for color customization. If you find the right radio, you’ll be able to choose from thousands of different colors. This will help you vibe to your favorite music on a whole other level.

We also recommend searching for a radio with a removable faceplate. This can be very effective at deterring theft while your car is sitting unattended at home or while you are shopping.

Ease of Use

 

There is no question that the best will have a simple and intuitive interface. Just take a good look at the front panel of each model. This should help you determine which ones are truly easy to use. You shouldn’t have to mess around with a lot of complicated instructions to get started.

A lot of modern car stereos also come with a remote control. This will allow you to control every function and setting without having to reach over to the actual radio.

Installation

 

Another factor to consider when seeking out is installation. You should receive everything that is needed to install the radio in your vehicle.

Make sure that the model you select is actually compatible with your vehicle. You’ll also want to find out just how easy the installation process is going to be.

Voice Control

 

The very best will also offer a voice control option. These radios typically have a built-in microphone that allows you to issue a variety of commands. You should be able to do everything from controlling your music to getting directions to wherever you want to go.

You should find out which radios are compatible with Siri and Google Voice Assist. This can make it a lot easier for you to perform a wide range of tasks without taking your hands off the steering wheel.

Voice control will also let you make and receive calls while you are driving. This is a very big convenience, and it could even keep you from getting pulled over and ticketed while on the road.

Equalizer

 

We’ve found that models offer a comprehensive equalizer. This lets you customize the sound of your music down to the smallest detail. Take a look at how many different settings each one offers. You’ll almost certainly want a radio that offers a variety of these tools.

Conclusion

 

Before you can select the best single din radio, you’ll need to look at the connectivity options each one offers. If you want to stream music wirelessly, you’ll want to look for models that feature built-in Bluetooth. You should also look at the other connectivity options these stereos have. Feel free comment down below so we know what you think about our list.