Best Apple CarPlay Head Unit Car Stereos for 2025

If you're using an older car, CNET's experts recommend upgrading your car stereo with one of the best Apple CarPlay head units to take full advantage of wireless streaming and modern tech. If you haven’t recently upgraded your vehicle, this is a simple and effective way to unlock seamless media control. Apple CarPlay offers more than just music -- it gives you easy access to navigation, calls, and texts through voice commands. And the best part? You don’t need a brand-new car to enjoy it. Since its launch in 2014, aftermarket brands have created head units that fit a variety of vehicles -- bringing smart features to older models. Top brands like Sony, Kenwood, and Pioneer offer head units loaded with extras, including HD and satellite radio, USB ports, CD/DVD players, GPS, and Bluetooth. Some even support larger displays and extra features like backup cameras and engine performance gauges – turning your car stereo into a full-fledged infotainment system. With so many options availab ... Read full article.