The Best Touch Screen Car Stereos (Review & Buying Guide) in 2020

The first model to make our list is from Boss Audio, and it is very much a budget option. For the money, however, it does have a range of useful features.

The biggest advantage is the sheer range of formats it can accommodate in playback mode. There is everything from DVD and CD playback to Bluetooth syncing to streaming audio from a phone or MP3 player to a useful USB slot that you plug stored media straight into.

There are also SD Card and AV input slots – it can even be synched to a rear view camera if you have one.

The downside is that it frankly looks as cheap as it costs, and it is not going to improve the appearance of your dashboard. It’s also missing a few of the bells and whistles you’d expect on a more premium model. Still, for the price it’s kind of hard to be too down on it.

This model from Jensen comes with a price tag about twice as much as the Boss Audio product, but it’s still somewhat toward the lower end of the scale.

It lives up to its name, bringing with it the ability to use a number of playback formats – CD, DVD, Bluetooth connectivity, and pretty much anything you can think of. The screen size in particular is impressive, a 6.2-inch LCD monster that is especially useful for DVD playback.

So, it’s shame that in any mode other then DVD, the display is pretty boring. That’s especially true in Bluetooth playback mode where there is virtually no visible display at all. That seems like a bit of a shame given the effort that Jensen went through to cram such a big and bright screen into the stereo.

Still, it does pretty much everything you want from a touch screen car stereo, and while it may not do it with the flair of more premium brands, that midrange price tag makes this a very appealing model.

Pioneer is well regarded as one of the best manufacturers of car stereos and associated electrical equipment, so it shouldn’t really come as much of a surprise that it’s on our list.

The nicest feature about this model is the screen. At 6.2 inches it is one of the bigger ones, but it is also LED backlit. That means it looks good, has a sharp display and should work well in all types of light.

The two-volt pre-amp output is decent if not top of the range, and sound quality should be good at most levels – but you may notice some background hiss if you crank it to 11. Bluetooth hands free is good and intuitive, but it’s a shame that you can’t install Siri directly. Instead, all voice commands run through the phone, which can be annoying.

Still, the Pioneer name alone is a guarantee of quality, and this is a very good model.

This single din model is a pretty unique design from Boss Audio, and it is in fact the only one of its kind on the list. Naturally, a double din is usually going to beat a single din at least in terms of usability. There is simply more space to work with, so the screen is nice and big, the display is crisp, and it’s easier to use.

Not all cars are set up for double din radios though, and if yours is not then this product could interest you. The main body of the stereo is single din sized with a large touch screen mounted atop it.

You are getting exactly the same features as the Boss product – so there’s audio streaming from a range of devices that can sync via Bluetooth or the USB slot, and Bluetooth Hands Free technology for making phone calls or talking to Siri or Alexa.

Boss is a bit of a budget level manufacturer. It is clear this is a budget model, with, for example, some of the buttons feeling a little cheap, and the overall build quality lags a bit behind a high-end model. Still, it’s a very unique design with a range of useful features.

Kenwood is another well-recognized manufacturer, and it has brought this model to the market, although it’s a bit more expensive than typical midrange stereos.

The first thing that stands out is the fact this model comes equipped with a HD radio receiver (in addition to standard FM & AM). If you like radio then consider checking out this model because HD radio is such a step up from the standard bands in terms of audio quality.

In addition to that we have a well-designed and user-friendly interface, and the model is bundled with preloaded iPod, iPhone and Android controls so you can easily sync your devices and control them through the stereo. There is also a USB for physical synching, and the port is strong enough to charge devices that are plugged in.

The only downside is that the interface can be a little sluggish, often with a bit of a delay between pressing an option on the screen and seeing the command carried out. That could well be patched in a future software release however, and until then it’s a pretty minor complaint for an otherwise very good stereo.

Here’s a premium level, extremely well designed product – however for the price tag you’d expect it to be! The Pioneer name plus the price tag is your guarantee that you’re getting a truly premium product – but what features is it packing to justify the dent it will make in your bank account?

You get all the standard features you would expect: Bluetooth connectivity for phone calls on the fly and a wide and comprehensive list of media file playback, including DVD and CD. Built-in control for an iPod, iPhone and iPad makes synching and using Apple devices incredibly easy but it also has excellent synching with Android devices (if a little less hands-on control).

The NEX (Network Entertainment Experience) is the jewel in the crown, boasting a totally innovative blend of built-in synching and external cloud-based services to provide an incredibly easy and intuitive way to use all of your apps on the go. The 7-inch screen is both gorgeous and huge and really helps you make the most of the NEX functionality too.

This is a really well-designed, really well thought-out model. If you can look past the price tag – perhaps see it as a long-term investment – you could be onto a winner.

This model from Regetek is a pretty low-priced entry, and as such has a few pros and cons. The pros, other than the price, are definitely the screen, which at 7 inches is one of the biggest on the list.

That brings us neatly to one of the drawbacks, however, which is a complete absence of DVD and CD playback. It’s a shame to have a screen this big and not be able to play DVDs on it.

Aside from that we have the standard Bluetooth connectivity, and the device has a built-in microphone to make calls easier (you don’t have to bellow into your phone!)

That’s about it. It’s a pretty basic model for a low price that will probably do a decent job even if it is severely lacking in the bells and whistles and extra features that you’ll find on higher-end models.

We like JVC products here at Car Bible. The veteran electronic manufacturer may not have the star appeal it did back in the day, but it can still crank out quality products like this one. Add in the fact that it comes with a decent price tag and you can see why it piqued our interest.

The truth is this is a midrange model. The fact that it is made by JVC adds an air of quality. But feature-wise there are minimum expectations, with Bluetooth connectivity for phone calls and media streaming and no CD or DVD playback. The display is dull and workmanlike, so don’t expect people to compliment the stereo or probably even notice it.

However, if you want a good-quality model that just quietly goes about its business answering phone calls and playing the radio (which is at least HD, that’s a big plus) this is a very good car stereo that’s just a tad boring.