Last Updated on February 2, 2024 by John Robinson
There are several different types of car stereo available in the market. People tend to prefer those that come with a built-in amplifier as well as an AM/FM radio tuner and the option to play digital music files. A USB port is also an added advantage in some types of best car stereo under 500, which you can use to play MP3 files from your flash drive.
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Best Overall car stereo under 500
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Best budget car stereo under 500
Pioneer AVH-3500NEX
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Best performance car stereo under 500
As far as the brand, Pioneer and Alpine make some of these devices that come with all these features. There are also different types of car stereos that come with LCD screens, which can be used to view the lyrics of songs currently being played. These contain all the basic features that you want in your car radio.
Best Car Stereo under $500 at a Glance:
8 Best Car Stereo under $500 You can Buy Today
1. Alpine ILX-W650
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size: 7” | Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, USB | Built-in GPS: No | Android Auto and Carplay: Yes
REASONS TO BUY
✓1-year warranty
✓Capacitive Screen
✓CTA-2006 compliant
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Does not play CDs
The Alpine ILX-W650 is a great solution for anyone looking to upgrade their car audio system without breaking the bank. It provides plenty of features so you can take advantage of modern technology, without compromising the traditional listening experience.
With a touch-screen lacking a CD player, the ILX-W650 will make some traditionalists wary of its functionality. However, it is built with modern technology in mind and the ability to play the most popular streaming music apps. This means you’ll still be able to play your favorite songs and also be the envy of your friends when they see you driving around with all of Apple CarPlay’s modern features at your disposal.
The ILX-W650 also has support for Android Auto, if that’s more to your preference. The built-in amplifier gives you a good amount of power, but the real advantage comes from the use of an external amplifier. By teaming up with Alpine’s KTA-450, you’ll be able to enjoy full power and a much richer sound. This is a great pick for anyone looking to make a major upgrade on a budget.
2. Pioneer AVH-3500NEX Single DIN flip out
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size: 7” | Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, Auxiliary | Built-in GPS: No | Android Auto and Carplay: Yes
REASONS TO BUY
✓Built-in Amplifier
✓Remote control
✓Play CDs
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Capacitive screen technology
The Pioneer AVH-3500NEX is one of the best car stereos under 500 out there on the market. This car stereo will have your ride blaring in no time at all. It has a few key features that justify its cost and its ease of use makes it even more worth it. This car stereo is compatible with all devices you can imagine, phones, phones, media players, etc…
With the product, you get a remote control and everything is very simple to use and understand. It even comes with parking assist guidelines which will make finding the right spot a breeze for you. The display of this car stereo is a crisp 7 inches and it comes with a few color options that you can choose from, 5 to be exact.
The Pioneer AVH-3500NEX is Its compatibility with all devices makes life easy for anyone who wants to use it and the colorful display makes it look very sleek and professional.
3. Pioneer AVH-1400NEX
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size: 6.2” | Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth | Built-in GPS: No | Android Auto and Carplay: Only Apple CarPlay
REASONS TO BUY
✓Play radio, CD, or stream music wirelessly
✓High-quality microphone
✓The intuitive touch screen interface
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Only Apple CarPlay
The Pioneer AVH-1400NEX is a stereo deck that allows the user to have complete control of your music from an iPhone. It will play Apple Music, Pandora, Spotify, and a number of other streaming providers wirelessly through the stereo. The menu is intuitive and it responds to screen touches so you don’t have to repeatedly jab at the unit.
Navigating through your music collection is easy and playing it back is even easier with the touch of a button. The microphone that comes with the stereo is high quality and it picks up your voice clearly for hands-free calling and Siri integration. You can use the microphone to navigate through menus and make changes with your voice.
The stereo will also play video, whether it be from your iPod, DVD player, or video game console. It won’t take up the whole screen (the screen is only seven inches) but it is big enough for viewing purposes. The stereo comes equipped with Bluetooth technology so it is easy to connect your device wirelessly and play music, podcasts, or turn-by-turn directions through the speakers. If you only listen to CDs or the radio, this is not the stereo for you.
4. Bizine 10.1 car stereo
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size: 10.1″ | Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, Auxiliary, Wi-Fi, USB | Built-in GPS: Yes | Android Auto and Carplay: Yes
REASONS TO BUY
✓Android 10 OS
✓Large screen
✓Budget-Friendly
REASONS TO AVOID
The Bizine 10.1 car stereo has great specs for a reasonable price. It’s especially ideal for people who don’t want to spend too much on their car stereos but still need something of high quality. The unit comes with 1024x600px resolution which is higher than most other units in the same price range. This product uses DSP sound processing system to ensure the best sound quality.
The unit has 2GB of RAM and 32 GB ROM which is more than enough for its price. You can save your favorite songs easily in the unit and never run out of music to listen to, which is perfect when you are on a long journey. The double din head unit also supports wireless connection by Bluetooth and has Mirrorlink support for Android and iPhone, making it easier to navigate when you are in a call.
The Bizine car stereo is equipped with a 10.1 inch HD screen which is just right for daily use. The unit also comes with a built-in microphone so that you can use it to talk when you are on a call. The product also comes with a built-in GPS system so that you can easily navigate when you are driving.
5. Sony XAV-AX5000
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size: 7” | Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, USB | Built-in GPS: No | Android Auto and Carplay: Yes
REASONS TO BUY
✓Subwoofer controls
✓Built-in amplifier
✓Dual USB
REASONS TO AVOID
✗No HDMI input
✗Lacks HD radio
The Sony XAV-AX5000 is an advanced audio system. It has a 7″ display and can be mounted on your car’s dashboard. One of the main features is the ability to play from two devices at once. This means you can have a separate iPhone and Android device playing music at the same time. This product is great for people who like to switch between different types of music since both can be played with ease.
The great thing about this system also is that it plays a variety of video formats. This gives you a lot of freedom in what you can do with your stereo. Both Android and Apple users will be able to play any of the music stored on their devices, as it is compatible with both operating systems. The picture shows how big the display is, and its high quality.
With two USB ports that are easy to access, this means that you could have a USB drive with all your music on it, and play from there. The USB ports can also be used to charge devices if they run out of battery while you are driving.
With four 55-watt channel amplifiers, this Sony car stereo is powerful enough to fill your car with the sound of your music. The quality of sound is clear and crisp, with great bass to create a vibrant audio experience!
6. Sony XAVAX1000
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size: 6.2” | Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth | Built-in GPS: No | Android Auto and Carplay: Yes
REASONS TO BUY
✓Volume knob
✓Voice control
REASONS TO AVOID
✗No custom wallpaper option
✗No Android Auto
The Sony XAVAX1000 is a versatile and easy-to-use car stereo. The large 6.2″ screen makes it great for viewing photos during the drive, and the connectivity options include USB, aux, and a rear-view camera for the convenience of the driver. The built-in 20 watt RMS power amplifier is sufficient for most cars. It’s compatible with the SiriusXM satellite radio tuner, which can be an added convenience for those who already subscribe to the service.
It is a great, cost-effective option with easy connectivity, and media support for your phone and iPod. The screen is bright and crisp and the interface is easy to use. It’s not particularly fancy or full of features, but it will allow you to listen to your music and keep an eye on the road at the same time.
Sony XAVAX1000 is perfect for those who are on a tight budget but still want to have an enjoyable experience inside the car. With the options of different color choices, it is one of the best car stereos available for under $500.
7. Kenwood DMX7706S
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size: 6.95” | Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, USB | Built-in GPS: No | Android Auto and Carplay: Yes
REASONS TO BUY
✓Great Sound Quality
✓Easy to install
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Only one USB Input
✗Resistive screen
The Kenwood DMX7706S is a great head unit that can fit any budget. It has everything you would need in a head unit and more. The resolution is perfect for viewing in bright sunlight and the screen has a great angle to it. It has a 13 band equalizer, balance/fader, and time alignment.
It has 3 camera inputs which are perfect for all of us who need to see behind our car while we back up. You can hook your phone up to it and play all of your music through the head unit. It has a 4-volt pre-out and can put out 22 watts per channel. All in all, great head unit for the price.
8. JVC KW-M560BT
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size: 6.8” | Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth | Built-in GPS: No | Android Auto and Carplay: Yes
REASONS TO BUY
✓Capacitive screen
✓Built-in amplifier
✓Time Alignment Options
REASONS TO AVOID
✗No front USB input
✗No wireless mirroring
✗Clock Issues
The JVC KW-M560BT is an impressive option for the Best head unit under 500. This receiver offers many popular smartphone-integration options, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Built-in Bluetooth is also included for hands-free calling and wireless audio streaming. The USB port can be used for charging a phone and playing music from a USB flash drive.
The JVC KW-M560BT makes use of JVC’s supremely user-friendly, responsive capacitive touchscreen technology. It has one of the standard screens in its class at 6.75 inches. It also has a 13-band equalizer with digital time alignment, high-pass, low-pass, and subwoofer crossover adjustments. Its rear-panel USB port allows for playback of MP3, WMA, FLAC, and WAV files.
Tips to buy the best car stereo under 500
Before you head out to purchase one for your car, read the rest of this guide for some useful tips to help you buy the best product.
Screen Size: The size of the screen is an important factor when purchasing a car stereo. LCD screens are usually larger in size compared to their counterparts and can come in different sizes, depending on the manufacturer. You can find smaller screens that range from 4 to 7 inches and bigger ones, which are 10 inches or larger. However, when shopping around for the best screen size for your car, always choose capacitive touch screens over resistive ones, since they are much more responsive.
Features: You should also consider getting the head unit that comes with a built-in GPS navigation system. This is particularly useful if you are out on the road and need to find your way back to your destination. There are also models made by reputable manufacturers such as Pioneer and Alpine that come with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, which will enable you to integrate your smartphone seamlessly with the receiver.
Sound quality: As you would expect, the sound quality of any car stereo under 500 is also an important factor to consider. If you want your music to sound better than FM radio, get a model with a built-in amplifier and at least 50 watts of power. This will make a world of difference in terms of audio clarity. Some receivers also come with subwoofers that have control options for different frequencies.
Speed and Performance: One factor that can affect the performance of your best car stereo under 500 is its speed. A good model should be able to recognize music files quickly and give you the option to skip or repeat songs with just a touch of a button. It should also come equipped with an intuitive user interface and be compatible with most mobile operating systems.
Input Types: You will also need to consider the input types on your unit. These include auxiliary and USB inputs for connectivity with mobile devices and flash drives, respectively. You should also check the availability of Bluetooth connectivity, which is useful if you want to play songs from your mobile phone or tablet with ease. It is also advisable to choose a device that comes with an auxiliary input option, as this will allow you to connect devices such as an iPod or an MP3 player.
Warranty: You should also check how long a car stereo is covered by its warranty, which provides you with additional security in case your device malfunctions within a certain period of time. This is particularly important if you are purchasing the product online, as it will enable you to have it replaced or repaired by the company, in case it does not function properly when you unbox it.
Conclusion
When it comes down to shopping for the best car head unit under 500, there are a lot of factors that you need to take into consideration. It is always best to consider the size of the screen, because if it is too small, you may not be able to play your music clearly. You should also look into the features that come with any model that you are considering and check to see if it has a built-in GPS system and support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
As long as you take your time to make a decision and pay attention to the important factors, buying the best car stereo under 500 will be relatively easy. But if you’re still unsure about which model to choose, we suggest you buy Alpine ILX-W650. If you’re on a budget, you should consider Bizine 10.1 car stereo.
