Best aftermarket Apple CarPlay screens

Want to add the convenience of Apple CarPlay to your older vehicle? It doesn't have to break the bank.
Best overall
APHQUA Wireless CarPlay
  • pro
    Dash and rear cam included
  • pro
    Dual Bluetooth
Best retrofit unit
ATOTO S8 Standard
  • pro
    Double DIN
  • pro
    Wired and wireless CarPlay

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It started with jealousy. Every time I got into a friend's nice, new car, I couldn't help but envy the fact that they could jump in and have their phone automatically connect and start playing their favourite artist or direct them to their destination. My 2015 Suzuki Swift could never. That is, until I discovered aftermarket CarPlay screens. I was instantly converted, and now, there's no going back.

Whether you're after a plug-and-play option like I was, or want to retrofit your car with a whole new system, we've rounded up the best CarPlay (and Android Auto!) screens for your situation and budget.



Compare the best aftermarket CarPlay screens

Product
Best for
Price
Screen size
Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
Auto brightness
Dual Bluetooth Icon Tooltip  Dark
Learn more
Best overall9.3 inch
Icon Yes  LightYes
Icon Yes  LightYes
Icon Yes  LightYes
Icon Yes  LightYes
Best budget7 inch
Icon Yes  LightYes
Icon Yes  LightYes
Icon No  LightNo
Icon No  LightNo
Best retrofit unit7 inch
Icon Yes  LightYes
Icon Yes  LightYes
Icon No  LightNo
Icon Yes  LightYes

Prices are accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

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What is Apple CarPlay?

CarPlay is Apple's iPhone mirroring system for vehicles. It allows drivers to safely access directions, music, contacts and other frequently used apps while on the road without needing to touch their phone (which is illegal in most states and territories).

1. APHQUA Wireless CarPlay: Best CarPlay screen overall

Best overall
Price is accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

The APHQUA Wireless CarPlay is a true jack of all trades. Not only does it offer CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, it also doubles (or shall we say triples?) as a dash cam and a reverse camera, both of which are included in the box.

The generous 9.3-inch widescreen shows plenty of information without covering up too much precious vertical windscreen, and I love that it automatically adjusts its brightness depending on the ambient light, meaning you won't get blinded at night or while going through tunnels.

Perhaps the best thing about the APHQUA Wireless CarPlay, however, is its dual Bluetooth. Rather than having only one Bluetooth connection (the one pairing it to your phone), this screen can simultaneously pair via Bluetooth to your car's speakers for optimum sound quality, rather than relying on FM transmission, an AUX cable or built-in speakers (though those options are still available!)

pro
Pros
pro Dash cam and reverse cam included
pro Dual Bluetooth
pro Automatic brightness adjustment
con
Cons
con Reverse cam can be tricky to set up

2. Laser Wireless CarPlay Touchscreen: Best budget CarPlay screen

Best budget
Price is accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

The Laser Wireless CarPlay Touchscreen is the best $170-ish you can spend on your car, period. My expectations were as low as the price, but this little powerhouse surprised me in the best way.

It works with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and setup is pretty easy thanks to a couple of (very sturdy) mounting options and the ability to play sound via FM transmission, AUX cable, or the screen's built-in speakers. You can also connect a reverse camera (sold separately for $29) for safer parking.

The touchscreen is the perfect size for smaller vehicles—not too big that it obscures your view and not too small that you need to squint. It's bright and colourful and comes with an attached sun visor to keep out any glare. On the downside, it can be a bit laggy from time to time, and the screen's brightness won't automatically adjust based on ambient light, though you can adjust it manually. Still, that's to be somewhat expected at this price, and I was still blown away by the value for money.

pro
Pros
pro Easy installation
pro 3 audio connection options
pro Excellent value for money
con
Cons
con Screen brightness doesn't adjust automatically
con Can be a little laggy at times

3. ATOTO S8 Standard: Best retrofit CarPlay head unit

Best retrofit unit
Price is accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

If you're after a more permanent (and wire-free) upgrade, might we suggest the ATOTO S8 Standard? The name might not be as well known as Sony or Pioneer, but this affordable retrofit head unit brand is a Reddit favourite for a reason.

As a double DIN unit, it's compatible with thousands of different car models, though you'll either need lots of know-how to install it yourself, or call in the help of a professional.

The ATOTO S8 Standard is effectively an Android tablet, so you can run all types of apps on it, and it can connect to the internet via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB tethering. It works with CarPlay and Android Auto, both wirelessly (over Bluetooth) and over a wired connection, if you so choose.

Although it doesn't offer automatic brightness adjustment, I love that it allows quick and easy two- and three-finger gestures to manually adjust brightness and other settings safely, without needing to take your eyes off the road.

pro
Pros
pro Double DIN
pro Wired and wireless CarPlay/Android Auto
pro Versatile
con
Cons
con Installation isn't for beginners
con Screen brightness doesn't adjust automatically

Final word

If you're looking for a safer (not to mention legal) way to use key smartphone features through your car stereo, an aftermarket CarPlay head unit is the best way to do it.

A retrofitted model like ATOTO S8 Standard can elevate your car and even increase its resale value, but if you're after an affordable, plug-and-play solution, we reckon it's hard to go past the APHQUA Wireless CarPlay or its budget-priced counterpart, the Laser Wireless CarPlay Touchscreen.

FAQ

Yes! All you need is a wireless CarPlay adapter, which can be purchased on Amazon for as little as $60. Simply plug it into your car's USB (Type A or Type C) port and you're ready to go.

Every iPhone from the iPhone 5 (released in 2012) and later will work with CarPlay.

Android Auto works via wired connection with any phone running Android 8.0 and later.

The following phones can use Android Auto wirelessly:

  • Any phone running Android 11 or later
  • Any Samsung phone running Android 10 or later
  • Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, or Note 8, running Android 9.0

Most new vehicles (around 2016 and after) come with CarPlay and Android Auto. You can view a full list of CarPlay-compatible cars on Apple's website and Android Auto-compatible cars on Google's website.

CarPlay is designed to give you access to apps that you might previously have used your phone for while driving.

This includes navigational apps like Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze, communication apps like Messages, Phone and WhatsApp, audio apps like Apple Music, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Audible, and other apps like Calendar and Apple News.


Disclaimer
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time of publish and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer’s website at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. SafeWise Australia utilises paid affiliate links.
Georgia Dixon
Written by
Georgia Dixon
Georgia Dixon has 10 years of experience writing about all things tech, entertainment and lifestyle. She has bylines on Reviews.org, 7NEWS, Stuff.co.nz, in TechLife magazine and more. In 2023 she won Best News Writer at the Consensus IT Awards, and in 2024 she was a finalist for Best News Journalist at the Samsung IT Journalism Awards (The Lizzies). In her spare time, you'll find her playing games and daydreaming about good food, wine, and dogs.

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