car lcd touch screen reviews supplier

When you need the ultimate in real estate, look no further than the Sony XAV-AX8100. Last year, its sister model, the AX8000, made this list but since then there have been even more improvements. First off, this unit has a massive 8.95” touchscreen, yet it fits a single DIN 2” opening. The clever design allows this massive monster to fit in so many more vehicles than a traditional 2 DIN opening. It is an outstanding upgrade for older vehicles once thought to be limited on touch screen stereo upgrades.

The biggest difference to highlight between the AX8100 and its predecessor, the AX8000 is that the AX8100 now comes with an HDMI input. This allows you to simply plug in ANY multimedia device that you want and play video directly on the head unit. Xbox, Playstation, Switch, or even your iPhone with an HDMI adapter – this HDMI input is a HUGE upgrade and really opens this unit up as a super powerful multimedia head unit. Additionally, it is also preloaded with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for a seamless music experience. It has one of the lowest glare screens we have ever tested as well. Simple, easily understandable icons help drivers stay focused on the road and not on searching for features they want.

The nearly 9” touch sensitive screen appears to hover above your dash when installed. The screen can be tilted to accommodate different angles and to provide a comfortable viewing angle for the driver. The simple, matte-finish look blends in nicely with many different vehicle interiors and gives a true high-end feel to any car or truck. The AX8000 is an instant upgrade for almost any car on the road today.

A touch screen car stereo is just what you need to significantly upgrade your in-car entertainment from those generic manual car stereos. It gives you so many options for listening to your favorite music, taking calls, playing videos, opening route maps, etc. Not to forget the added advantage of a touchscreen that can give you a smartphone-like experience on the go.

As there are many touch screen radios out there, not all of them are a good buy. To help you out, we have come up with a few of the best models out there. These models were picked based on the following criteria:

Form Factor: The size of your touch-screen car radio is revealed by its form factor, which is also crucial for compatibility when it comes to installing and correctly fitting a car stereo unit inside your vehicle. Except for a few bigger double DIN-sized vehicle stereos, practically all car stereos come with the smaller single DIN size to assure optimal compatibility.

Connectivity: Checking the connectivity choices given by your car audio is crucial because you’ll be using external media playback options with it rather frequently. As a result, nearly all vehicle stereos have standard connectivity choices including Bluetooth, USB, aux, and radio, with flexible versions sometimes including even more connectivity possibilities.

Power Output: Having a strong enough vehicle stereo is crucial if you want to connect your car speakers directly to your car audio without requiring an external amplifier. A greater power rating is always preferable for heavy-duty usage when it comes to using vehicle stereos, and it may be provided as up to 100 watts, up to 150 watts, or more.

There are still a lot of things you need to think about in addition to these ideas. To let you choose the best touch screen car radios, at the end of this listicle, all of the best car stereos included here have all of their crucial characteristics and factors accurately detailed along with a thorough “Buying Guide.”

If you’re looking for a new Android Auto head unit for your car and want something reasonable and cost-effective, you can also have a look at Hikity’s choices.

As one of the least expensive solutions available, Hikity’s Android Auto head unit is among the top touch screen car radio systems in this list. It comes with a 10.1-inch display that is coupled with a respectable 1024 x 600 screen resolution.

As a bonus, this Android vehicle stereo has a backup camera. Rearview camera with 170° viewing angle, HD, and night vision. When in reverse, the screen instantly shows stereo reverse views, making parking safer and easier.

Another manufacturer of Android Auto head units that provides a variety of affordable and entry-level alternatives with useful capabilities for use in your car is Podofo.

The JOY-D006 is a 100% standard size, universal IOS interface that was specially developed for the American market. You may easily control the 1024*600 responsive 7″ touchscreen display with your fingertips, and the reaction time is swift.

Sync your iOS smartphone with a large screen to easily make calls, listen to music, send and receive messages, utilize navigation, and more. You can connect your smartphone through Carplay/Bluetooth or the AUX input. It is Mirror Link compatible as well. Additionally, there is a USB port and TF card slot that supports MP3/WMA/FLAC/WAV and ID3 Tag.

This automobile radio system has a 7-inch double din and excellent quality. For optimum results, use a fingernail or tip to touch the screen. Sharing music as well as videos on your devices with ease.

Take a phone call hands-free by using the BT connection to dial and listen to a call on the radio. BT and hands-free calling, USB, FM Radio, AUX-IN, TF Card (up to 32G), video player, music player, and remote control are all supported.

The Apple CarPlay feature is supported by this radio. You may use the original mobile phone data line to connect to IOS and use the music, map, and call features. Get instructions, send and receive information, etc. also possible with SIRI. Android phones can work with this double din vehicle audio.

To satisfy your various demands for sound quality, it contains built-in DSP sound effects and 16-band EQ, Vbass, balance, volume, and filter adjustments. The most recent version 5.0, which boasts quick transmission speed and greater stability, is used by this Carplay Car Stereo System. supports interference-free, hands-free call taking and answering.

The head unit dimension for this Android car stereo is 250x145x40mm, with a double din installation. 10-inch capacitive touch large screen. It has high resolution and 1080P super clear video capability. Its screen is made of 2.5D arc anti-scratch tempered glass.

Additionally, this gadget has twin USB connections and RCA video output/input connectors. Use the Android vehicle stereo’s 10-inch radio touchscreen. Connect to WiFi and download a variety of apps for the radio, including YouTube, TikTok, Maps, email, and more.

A high-resolution, colorful, clear, bright LCD display with support for clear movies is included with this device’s 7-inch double din vehicle entertainment system. On your devices, you may watch clear pictures and movies at any time from a variety of channels.

The 7-inch LCD Touch screen on the vehicle stereo provides you with an excellent viewing experience. The majority of cell phones can use the mirror connection function with this twin vehicle radio.

This dual vehicle radio is compatible with most smartphones’ mirror connect feature. Your car audio will display the phone navigation map when you turn on the navigation app and connect through USB.

The HD 1024*600 LCD display technology used in this car stereo gives you a comfortable user experience. On the stereo display, it offers 1920 x 1080P video and music playing. Via a USB cable connection, you may project the screen of the smartphone onto this car stereo screen.

To get the speaker listening, hands-free calling, and wireless music streaming without any interruptions, simply link this stereo unit with the smartphone. This Bluetooth-enabled dash car stereo unit comes with a front camera and backup camera input. The dual auto radio enables the driver to have HD quality footage of the rear view when reversing the vehicle.

It is also compatible with iOS Carplay and Android Auto. This improved double din vehicle stereo receiver has a built-in smart chip to speed up touch sensing, giving you a smoother experience.

Apple has created a system called Carplay that is specifically tailored for IOS devices. You may use the 7-inch stereo touch screen to control apps from your phone, including navigation, phone, music, and radio, after connecting your iPhone to the stereo using the original USB-Lighting cable.

A method for connecting cars and computers called Android Auto was developed especially by Google for Android smartphones. Connect your Android phone to the L1 stereo using the original USB data cable, and then use the 7-inch touch screen to control a variety of apps that have been specially designed for vehicle stereos.

The MINYE 1024*600 HD capacitive screen solution provides more sensitivity and accuracy than the conventional 800*480 resistive screen. Meanwhile, the complete touch solution takes center stage and the conventional physical buttons are eliminated.

You would like to enhance your driving experience with the best in-car audio system, whether you use your automobile for a daily commute between cities or big interstate trips. However, because a car touch screen stereo must be placed inside your vehicle in order for this to be feasible, we’ve already included some of the top car stereos in the list given above.

Installing your vehicle audio correctly is necessary before you even start utilizing it. Checking the car audio system’s form factor is crucial for ensuring the same. Single and double DIN car touch screen stereos fall under the standardized form factor for car stereos known as DIN.

Regarding the numerous vehicle stereos listed above, nearly all of them include double DIN connectors to enable high compatibility and bigger displays that are ideal for car stereos running Android.

You must connect a media playback device to your car radio to play any type of music via it. Therefore, it is crucial to examine your vehicle stereo’s connectivity choices to see if it’s compatible with the car’s audio device you want to use.

You should also verify the power output rating if you intend to use your car touch screen stereos’ internal amplifiers rather than the external one. This is mainly to make sure that your vehicle stereos can power your car speakers effectively and without any problems.

You can perform a lot of things with your car audio while using it, like switching tracks, or playing and pausing music, adjusting the level, navigating through different music sources, etc. This makes having an appropriate display and the controls for your car audio very crucial. As far as the controls are concerned, practically all vehicle stereos include touch screen buttons for all of your standard settings and choices.

However, if you select more expensive car stereos, one may even find models with sizable touch screens, perfect for Android car touch screen stereos that provide the user with a variety of smart functions and applications.

All of these head units feature screens, as you may already be aware, because they are rather large and need two dins for installing them in the car. Choosing the preferred display size you want to install in your car is the first chore, thus.

Even though the bulk of double din head units has displays that are about 7 inches wide. If you’re looking for a bigger one, there are a couple of good options that even have displays that are 10 to 11 inches wide. Therefore, you must decide if a 7-inch display would do for you or whether your car needs a larger one.

You want your present car audio to last long since you don’t constantly install new car stereos in cars. Checking the vehicle radio’s warranty might be a terrific alternative for ensuring the same. Almost all vehicle stereos have a one-year guarantee for your peace of mind. You may anticipate that any vehicle radio will provide an even higher lifespan and dependability if it has a longer guarantee period.

Sensors and other cutting-edge safety measures are visible on the touch screen display. More crucially, it can be connected to a backup camera equipped with proximity sensors. Some automakers go a step farther and provide a 360-degree overview of the vehicle.

Headphones with touch screens can also receive satellite radio and HD radio. With satellite and HD, audio is clearer and sharper. Satellite and HD radio offer fewer blind spots than an FM/AM stereo since they don’t rely on radio towers.

You must link your mobile device to the car stereo through Bluetooth in order to make hands-free phone calls utilizing the vehicle’s audio system. This turns on the car stereo’s microphone for the duration of the conversation.

You can still install a normal DIN-sized car radio even if your car doesn’t come with one. You may achieve this by utilizing a DIN adapter, which will modify the dashboard of your automobile so that it is compatible with stereos with the common DIN size. Since touch screen vehicle radios often have huge displays, double DIN is required.

If you’re looking for a new car audio system for your car, there are likely to be a lot of good alternatives available to you. We’ve previously listed some of the top vehicle stereos above since picking the proper one can be a bit challenging.

In reality, all of these top vehicle stereos come with a list of their important features and characteristics. A comprehensive shopping guide for the top vehicle stereos mentioned above is also available. We provide our top selections and suggestions for the top touch screen vehicle stereos while keeping all of these factors in mind:

Hikity Touch Screen Radio This is one of the best touch screen car radio or stereos on this list with its 10.1-inch screen. It is perfect if you are looking for a bigger screen size. It is easy to install and control. You can install this car stereo in your car to enjoy seamless music, FM radio and enhance your car ride experience.

Podofo Touch Screen Radio The Podofo vehicle radio, in contrast to other single DIN alternatives available, nevertheless features a touchscreen display that is 7 inches in size. You can easily make the most of this touchscreen because it also has connectivity choices including USB, Bluetooth, SD card, aux, and radio. This vehicle radio has a one-year guarantee, much like the majority of other car stereos.

To select the best touchscreen car stereos, I reviewed pricing, functionality, customer reviews, and quality ratings. I selected head units with the best reviews possible, but I also looked at ease of installation and longevity. Paying someone to install a stereo can add up to big bucks, so it’s good to have the option to install it yourself. I also selected screens that fit in the largest number of vehicles, as a big screen can be a big pain in older cars.

I also kept entertainment in mind, because that’s the primary purpose of a car stereo. I selected head units that offer the broadest possible feature set, including things like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and SiriusXM tuner compatibility. You can be confident that these touchscreen car stereos are packed with the most desirable features.

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.Learn more

The Pioneer DMH-WT7600NEX is one of the most complete and feature-rich touchscreen car stereo systems on the market today. It’s not cheap, but its nine-inch HD display, single-DIN fit, and wired or wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities make it a great choice for a wide variety of vehicles. The WT7600NEX features an 8.0-inch screen, but if you’re looking for a larger display, Pioneer sells the same unit with a 10.1-inch display.

Installing an aftermarket head unit can be annoying in older vehicles with factory tape players and other basic stereos due to the size of newer products. Pioneer addresses that issue with a single-DIN installation that easily slides into an existing stereo slot. The only downside here is that the large screen “floats” in front of the dash, and can obscure buttons or air vents if they are too close to the display.

Boss is a strong brand in the aftermarket audio space, and it offers touchscreen car stereos with great value and plenty of features. The BE950WCPA offers wired OR wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, voice controls, Bluetooth, auxiliary inputs, inputs for a backup camera, and more. With 20 watts RMS or 80 watts peak by four channels, the Boss system also has enough power to fill almost any vehicle with clean sound.

Buyers report that the Boss unit is reasonably easy to install, but many complain of poor documentation and unclear directions. Unlike some touchscreens on our list, the Boss is a full double-DIN unit, meaning you can’t install it in a smaller single-DIN space. Even though the body is larger, the screen measures just 6.75 inches, so in this case, the tradeoff for a lower price is a smaller screen and annoying directions.

Sony has decades of experience building audio equipment, and its expertise shows in the XAV-AX8100. The touchscreen car stereo system offers an 8.95-inch display that mounts on a single-DIN chassis. The display is three-way adjustable, so you can get the positioning just right, and Sony included physical buttons for fast access to functions like volume and track adjustments. The unit also comes with a 10-band EQ system to dial in your desired sound.

Although it features a large screen, some buyers state that the Sony unit is not bright enough for easy viewing in direct sunlight. Most rave about the responsiveness and value represented by the Sony unit. The physical controls make it easy to change the volume level or track, making the device less distracting to use when driving.

Many newer vehicles come with giant infotainment displays from the factory, but if you want that functionality in an older model, you can’t go wrong with the Alpine Halo11 iLX-F411. The 11-inch touchscreen car stereo system features a single-DIN chassis with the ability to install in larger spaces using an adapter. The floating screen design is adjustable and offers multiple viewing angles.

The Alpine head unit comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, along with Pandora and Spotify controls with a connected smartphone. The unit offers inputs for a rearview camera and a switcher to accommodate a two-camera system. SiriusXM requires a separate tuner, but once installed, the head unit supports traffic, weather, and sports info from the satellite radio company.

Stereo manufacturers do their best to build head units with the ability to install in a wide variety of vehicles, but sometimes the fit just isn’t there. If you have an oddball car with a dash that seems like it will never fit a new touchscreen car stereo system, the DMH-WC5700NEX could be your ticket. Pioneer designed the unit to accommodate modular installation, meaning the screen and chassis can be installed together or separately. If your dash is giving you hassle, you can mount the display and hide the chassis in the glove box or other out-of-the-way location.

The Pioneer’s 6.78-inch display isn’t the biggest on our list, but it’s bright, responsive, and easily viewable from almost any angle. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility come in wired or wireless, and Amazon Alexa capability is built in. A 13-band EQ allows fine-tuning of sound and SiriusXM is available with a separate tuner.

When you desperately want a touchscreen but don’t want to spend much cash, Kenwood’s got you covered. The DDX276BT doesn’t offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but it does have smartphone connectivity for streaming music, and you can still use it to take phone calls hands-free in the car. The 6.2-inch is bright and responsive, and the head unit includes USB inputs and can be installed to work with factory steering wheel controls.

I picked the Pioneer DMH-WT7600NEX as the best overall touchscreen car stereo system because it offers an excellent mix of screen size, features, ease of installation, and quality. I chose the Boss BE950WCPA for value because it gives up very little in the pursuit of a good price.

The most important thing to consider before buying a stereo is the size. The best touchscreen car stereo system in the world won’t do you any good if it doesn’t fit your car. It’s also good to check for overall fit, meaning the space the screen takes up on your dash. Air vents and physical buttons can be obstructed by a giant screen, which will be annoying even if you love the display. That said, it’s possible to buy adapters and brackets that allow you to install single-DIN head units in larger spaces, but that’s an added cost you’ll have to pay on top of the purchase and installation price.

You have a couple of options when it comes to choosing a touchscreen head unit. The lower-cost option is to prioritize the touchscreen and price over all other functionality. On average, expect to pay $300 or less for a budget touchscreen stereo.The second option is to prioritize features and functionality. Most touchscreen car stereo systems with robust feature sets start for around $500, but it’s possible to spend more than $1,500.

A: While it’s common to find touchscreen car stereo systems without a CD player, we’re not yet in a place where they can be phased out completely. Many people have older cars with old stereos that play CDs and many companies still make them, so we’re likely to have them around for some time to come.

A: “Best” depends on your needs and wants when it comes to car audio. If you prioritize a display and want the graphical component that they bring, a touchscreen may be best, but if you want a simpler experience, there are dozens of straightforward head units on the market.

A: The stereos in many newer cars are integrated with several vehicle functions, like climate and safety systems. Even if a replacement fits, which in many cases it won’t, you’ll lose all of the functionality benefits that a tightly wound in-vehicle ecosystem brings.

A: You can install a backup camera with a standalone display, so you’re not required to buy a new stereo to get a camera. If you want an all-in-one solution, many touchscreen car stereos offer connections for backup cameras, but it’s an extra cost.

The Kenwood DMX905S is one of five Kenwood models that feature wireless Android Auto, along with a traditional corded Apple CarPlay app. The Kenwood worked well in our testing, but small usability details separated it from our top pick. It has a capacitive display, although pinching-and-zooming didn’t work in Google Maps. The unit’s hard buttons are large enough to press easily, but they don’t have the nice tactile feel of the Pioneer models’.

Because the Kenwood and JVC brands are owned by the same company—JVCKenwood Corporation—the JVC KW-M845BW is similar to the Kenwood DMX905S, above, with wireless Android Auto and only minor design differences. Its 6.8-inch screen is resistive instead of capacitive; it has only one USB port, instead of two; and you can’t change the buttons’ illumination color. It has also only three small, hard buttons, which offer less versatility and are more difficult to use than the Kenwood’s. Most irksome for us, though, is that we had a difficult time wirelessly connecting to Android Auto with our Pixel 2 XL test phone, and switching between two Bluetooth-connected phones wasn’t as seamless as with the Pioneers.

The JVC KW-M730BT, our previous runner-up, and the newer JVC KW-M740BT are almost identical models. When plugged in with a USB cord, both CarPlay and Android Auto worked well. The Pandora and Spotify apps were also flawless when using a Bluetooth connection. Our main gripes are the three tiny hard buttons across the top, which offer less functionality and aren’t as easy to access on the fly as those on the other models we tested. Also, you can’t customize the buttons’ illumination colors.

The new Sony XAV-AX5000 is very similar to our budget pick, except that it has a larger, 7-inch, bezel-less display and smaller, hard buttons across the bottom, rather than the XAV-AX100 model’s volume knob and left-mounted buttons. We had no problems connecting to CarPlay and Android Auto through a USB cord, and the AX5000 provides dual USB ports and satellite radio capability. It could be another good budget choice, but it’s sparse on features, compared with our other picks. It doesn’t come with a GPS antenna; it uses the one in your phone. The display isn’t as customizable. You can’t vary the buttons’ colors. And you can’t connect this model to an iDatalink adapter for use with a car’s steering-wheel controls and other features.

Our former also-great pick, the Alpine iLX-107, was the first replacement car stereo to offer a wireless connection to Apple CarPlay, although it doesn’t include Android Auto. The iLX-107 model’s interface is relatively easy to use, with responsive capacitive volume buttons below the screen. Its screen can be finicky, though, and we often had to hunt and peck to find what we wanted in the menus. The iLX-107 has a 7-inch screen and a host of extra features, such as satellite radio and HD Radio, multiple color choices for the controls, and the capability to pair with up to five smartphones over Bluetooth, but it tends to be more expensive than our top pick.

The Alpine iLX-207 has the same bright, 7-inch display as its cousin, the iLX-107, along with Android Auto, which the iLX-107 lacks. However, it doesn’t have the iLX-107 model’s wireless CarPlay connectivity or its slick capacitive volume buttons. Instead, it has a thick lip across the bottom of the screen that protrudes about half an inch from the display, and houses several large plastic buttons that provide some tactile feedback. The iLX-207 worked fine overall, and includes satellite radio compatibility, HD Radio, selectable illumination colors and wallpaper, and an HDMI input and output. But as with the iLX-107, we often had to hunt and peck to find what we wanted in the menus.

The Sony XAV-AX210 is similar to our budget pick, the Sony XAV-AX100, with a 6.4-inch display and volume knob. But it adds a CD/DVD player, satellite radio capability, variable illumination, and the ability to connect to an iDatalink adapter for use with a car’s steering-wheel controls and other features. An SXM version that includes a SiriusXM tuner as part of a package is currently being sold.

The Pioneer AVIC-8201NEX is very similar to our upgrade pick, but without its wireless capability for CarPlay and Android Auto; you need to plug in with a USB cord. Like the AVIC-W8500NEX, this Pioneer comes with a built-in navigation system, capacitive touchscreen, satellite radio compatibility, HD Radio, and Pioneer’s Dual Zone Entertainment (which gives rear-seat passengers the option to enjoy different content than front-seat passengers).

The Kenwood DNX875S is essentially the same as the DMX905S digital media receiver, above, but with an integrated Garmin navigation system. You can connect to Android Auto either wirelessly or with a USB cord, and to CarPlay with only the cord. But, as with the JVC KW-M845BW, above, we had problems wirelessly connecting to Android Auto with our Pixel 2 XL test phone, and switching between two Bluetooth-paired phones wasn’t as seamless as with the Pioneers. We like the nav system; in our car GPS testing, we’ve found Garmin’s navigation system to be easy to use, with an intuitive interface, reliable and responsive routing, and helpful lane guidance at highway interchanges. As with Pioneer’s Here mapping, Garmin’s traffic data isn’t as comprehensive or accurate as that of Google Maps and Waze, though. The DNX875S is compatible with Kenwood’s DRV-N520 dash cam, and can accept two camera inputs.

Our previous upgrade pick, the Kenwood DNX694S, and the newer Kenwood DNX695S are very similar models. We had no trouble connecting to CarPlay and Android Auto through a USB cord. Both models come with built-in Garmin navigation, a CD/DVD player, HD Radio, satellite radio compatibility, variable color adjustments for customizing the controls’ backlighting, and dual video inputs for connecting multiple cameras. Unlike on the other Kenwoods we tested, the buttons are located on the left side of the screen, where they’re easier for a driver to reach, and the CD/DVD slot is visible above the 6.8-inch display. Both models can connect to the company’s DRV-N520 dash cam, and when a backup camera is connected, the stereo overlays helpful parking-guidance lines onto the camera’s image. According to Kenwood’s Seth Halstead, drivers can also connect other accessories, such as an add-on forward-collision warning system.

All of us have a tendency to treat the driver"s seat as our personal throne. That"s where we"re in our element, so we get comfortable—and complacent. Whether our fingers were last tapping on our phone screen, grasping the handle of a wrench, or carefully unwrapping a half-melted Hershey bar, we all tend to jump in, tune the radio, adjust the AC, and set a destination on the nav screen—all without first washing our hands.

And if you have a family? Other drivers use the car and its touchscreen, too. Of course, kids can"t resist touching any kind of screen, ever, and who knows where those tiny fingers have been? All parents have swiped their car"s touchscreen and felt... mystery muck. Yuck.

Touchscreens are likely one of the dirtiest, most germ-covered surfaces of any automobile. Sure, your dash gets dusty and your floorboard accumulates (a disturbing amount of) trash. However, it"s that dash-mounted screen that gets the most fingers, and therefore germs, on it.

Not necessarily. Many typical household glass cleaners contain either ammonia or alcohol. Most manufacturers recommend avoiding harsh chemicals on touchscreens, as they can affect functionality and perhaps damage the surrounding dashboard.

Sure, it"s cheaper and easier to use plain ol" Windex or Glass Plus, mainly because you"ve probably already got that stuff. Despite the temptation, though, you should avoid using household glass cleaner on your car"s touchscreen unless you"re positive the one you"re using contains neither ammonia nor alcohol. Besides, you may already own a great screen cleaner and not realize it.

Many modern automotive detailing products, including Chemical Guys Interior Cleaner and Meguiar"s Total Interior Detailer, are safe and effective to use on your car"s touchscreen. Read the label to be sure.

The fact is, there"s an even less expensive method to clean your car"s touchscreen, no products required—except a microfiber towel. (Again, you want to avoid scraping dust particles across the surface of your touchscreen to prevent scratches, so always use a clean microfiber towel.)

Many of the experts and gearheads in our Hearst Autos test garage told us they rarely use any kind of cleaner on their personal touchscreens. Up and down the line, those who saw us testing and photographing screen cleaners—we"re talking about people whose opinions we trust and whose bylines our readers know and respect—told us that whenever they get behind the wheel, they just drip a bit of water onto a clean microfiber towel, and wipe. Done.

As a parent, however, I"m left asking the question: Will a simple water wipe eliminate germs in the family SUV? Yeah, no. Sorry, but knowing my children, and the impressive but disgusting level of filth they can achieve, I"m going to use a cleaning agent on my car"s touchscreen.

To get to the bottom of whether car screen cleaners were truly necessary, we used a very scientific methodology. That is, we got our fingers and hands dirty, and touched the heck out of a screen in a test vehicle in the Hearst Autos stable. We let it dry for a while, and then cleaned it according to the product"s instructions. We did that five times.

We first made sure all the products did the job they claimed to do—and they all did. The wipes left droplets on the screen, which required a second wipe with a microfiber. But they all cleaned the chocolate and grease off the screen, leaving it clean and clear.

Word to the wise: Don"t discount a screen cleaner because it leaves streaks on your screen. Take your time and do it right. We noticed far too many people online complaining that the product they used wasn"t some sort of magical solution that cleaned perfectly with just one wipe. All screen cleaners—all glass cleaners, really—will streak unless you take the time and care to give the surface a soft buff at the end of the process.

With a combined 206 years of automotive publishing experience, Hearst Autos—Car and Driver, Road & Track, and Autoweek—knows cars better than just about anyone. The Gear Team is committed to delivering honest evaluations, hands-on tests, and product reviews driven by decades of knowledge and experience. We get our hands on almost every product, tool, and piece of gear we feature.

Post-Tesla, we got the Taycan, and a whole new style of Porsche interior. Yes, Stuttgart has been dabbling with touchscreens in 911s and Caymans already and gone a bit pixel-crazy in the 918 Spyder, but all of a sudden, buttons were verboten. Alongside a main touchscreen front and centre, you can option in a second monitor for the passenger.

The climate control switches are gone, replaced by you-guessed-it. Even the classic five-wide Porsche dial cluster is completely digital and framed by touch-sensitive buttons to stiffen up the suspension and turn on the lights. Brave new world, huh?

Digital Media Receiver featuring 10.1" HD Screen / Wireless Apple CarPlay / Wireless Android Auto / HDMI Input / 4-Cam Input / High-Resolution Audio / iDatalink Maestro Ready / Bluetooth® / 13-Band EQ

Multimedia Receiver featuring 6.8" Clear Resistive Touch Monitor / Wireless Apple CarPlay / Wireless Android Auto /4-Cam Input / High-Resolution Audio / iDatalink Maestro Ready / Bluetooth® / 13-Band EQ

Multimedia Receiver featuring 6.8" Clear Resistive Touch Monitor / Wireless Apple CarPlay / Wireless Android Auto / HDMI Input / 4-Cam Input / High-Resolution Audio / iDatalink Maestro Ready / Bluetooth® / 13-Band EQ / USB Type-C

Digital Media Receiver featuring 6.8" Clear Resistive Touch Monitor / Wireless Apple CarPlay / Wireless Android Auto / 4-Cam Input / High-Resolution Audio / iDatalink Maestro Ready / Bluetooth® / 13-Band EQ

Multimedia Receiver featuring 6.8" Clear Resistive Touch Monitor / Apple CarPlay / Android Auto / High-Resolution Audio / iDatalink Maestro Ready / Bluetooth® / 13-Band EQ

Digital Media Receiver featuring 6.8-inch Capacitive Touch Control Monitor (6.8" WVGA) / Wireless Apple CarPlay / Wireless Android Auto / USB Mirroring for Android Phones / iDatalink Maestro Ready / HDMI Input / Bluetooth® / 13-Band EQ / Short Chassis

Digital Media Receiver featuring 6.8-inch Capacitive Touch Control Monitor (6.8" WVGA) / Apple CarPlay / Android Auto / USB Mirroring for Android Phones / iDatalink Maestro Ready / HD Radio / HDMI Input / Bluetooth® / 13-Band EQ / Short Chassis

Digital Media Receiver featuring 6.8-inch Capacitive Touch Control Monitor (6.8" WVGA) / Apple CarPlay / Android Auto / USB Mirroring for Android Phones/ iDatalink Maestro Ready / HDMI Input / Bluetooth® / 13-Band EQ / Short Chassis

Digital Media Receiver featuring 6.8" Clear Resistive Touch Monitor / Apple CarPlay / Android Auto / High-Resolution Audio / iDatalink Maestro Ready / Bluetooth® / 13-Band EQ

Multimedia Receiver featuring 6.8" Capacitive Touch Monitor / Apple CarPlay / Android Auto / USB Mirroring for Android Phones / Bluetooth® / 13-Band EQ

Multimedia Receiver featuring 6.8" Capacitive Touch Monitor / Apple CarPlay / Android Auto / USB Mirroring for Android Phones / Bluetooth® / 13-Band EQ

Digital Media Receiver featuring 6.8" Capacitive Touch Monitor / Apple CarPlay / Android Auto / USB Mirroring for Android Phones / Bluetooth® / 13-Band EQ / Shallow Chassis

Digital Media Receiver featuring 6.8" Capacitive Touch Monitor / Apple CarPlay / Android Auto / USB Mirroring for Android Phones / Bluetooth® / 13-Band EQ / Shallow Chassis

Why put a large, touchscreen stereo in your dash? Fantastic looks are a great starting point, but there’s so much more you can get from a big screen stereo. You can see all the information you need at a quick glance, letting you get your eyes back on the road faster. You’ll also have expansion options like smartphone integration, navigation, and additional cameras available to you.

But, it’s all about the screen real estate and what it can show you. The large display and touchscreen controls make it easier to do anything on the stereo. Let’s talk about some ways to get the most out of a touchscreen receiver.

With a large screen acting as your receiver"s display, it"s a whole lot easier to read than the single-line displays of traditional car stereos. You can quickly see what’s playing, who’s calling, and where you’re going.

Many of these receivers offer the functionality of Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, which emulate your smartphone experience right on the receiver’s touchscreen display – great for keeping your phone out of your hand.

A rear-view or backup camera can help make your touchscreen stereo a valuable tool for staying safe while backing up and to help avoid accidents. Its wide field of view offers a whole lot more of what’s behind you than using your mirror, including areas that your vehicle"s body blocks from view. Many new stereos also offer multiple camera inputs, so you can incorporate factory cameras or add aftermarket cameras for areas like your side view – all viewable on the touchscreen display.

Are we there yet? Touchscreen stereos with built-in GPS navigation offer incredible convenience and assistance. But if you don"t want to spend the extra money for built-in navigation and future map updates, look for a touchscreen stereo that has Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Both of these options get your smartphone involved to use navigation apps, such as Waze and Google Maps. They appear beautifully on the stereo"s large display.

In addition to the music and caller info that you can see on the display, many touchscreen receivers let you customize the background and layout. So not only can you make a personal statement on the look in your dash, but you can organize the functions that you use the most.

We’ve heard comments from customers who worry that touchscreen receivers are a distracting hindrance rather than a help. And hey, we get it; we’re on the road, too. Here are some keys to using them safely (and maybe some things you didn’t know about): Adjust your screen settings before you drive. In the excitement of installing and turning on a new receiver (which we completely appreciate), some people will hit the road and try to adjust the settings on the fly. Simply put, don’t. In fact, most touchscreen stereos won"t let you access the menus while the car is moving. Before you put your vehicle in gear: Set the display the way you want it. That includes the contrast, backlighting, dimming, and variable color controls. Sure, you can reset them later if you need to…while you’re parked.

There’s usually a one or two button sequence that can disable the display completely and quickly. The audio still works, so your music will keep playing, and navigation apps can still tell you where to go. And it"ll automatically turn back on when you touch it.

Get used to the controls. Many folks have mentioned that there are no “muscle memory” buttons and knobs on touchscreen receivers that can be reached without looking, which is a great point. But many models actually do have handy knobs or easy-to-find toggle buttons for volume control or other important adjustments. Some of the knobs are multi-functional for a variety of settings, not just the volume.

JVC incorporates a feature called "Gesture Control" for simple, quick controls for less distraction. Some receiver makers provide for some simple “no-look” controls on the display itself. For example, JVC’s "Gesture Control" lets you swipe the touchscreen display to the right for track forward, left for track back, and a circular motion to adjust the volume – all with your eyes still on the road.

Example: I programmed a “Pause” on my steering wheel controls to simply stop the music without reaching for the screen. It’s great for keeping my eyes on narrow drive-thru lanes.

Take advantage of voice controls like Siri and Google Assistant. While talking to your stereo can seem a little weird at first, they really do help in finding you info on the fly without a lot of distraction. Read more about voice control in the car.

Add a compatible remote control. Many touchscreen receivers work with a trusty handheld remote control. Sometimes it"s included, sometimes it"s optional. For example, once he learned the remote button layout, my Dad loved using the remote to control his stereo without looking at or touching the stereo. This from a person who asked “Why do I need a remote control for a car stereo?”

Know the driving laws in your state. It’s a good idea to reach out to your local governments to see what the rules are governing smartphone and touchscreen display use. Read our article about phone safety in the car.

Regardless of which one you choose, the elegance of a touchscreen receiver makes them fun to use and incredibly handy. Use our handy vehicle selector tool to see which stereos will fit your vehicle. And our Advisors are available by phone or chat to help you choose the right touchscreen receiver for you.