Best Double DIN Head Unit With Navigation

Double DIN stereos with GPS are great for road warriors. They’re versatile and packed with nice useful features. They’re designed to put you in command of a variety of information, entertainment, and communication sources through one device. You also get the added luxury of smartphone friendliness.

Additionally, the receiver’s built-in GPS navigation will prevent you from getting lost (or help you find your way if you do). It’s often much more accurate and reliable than smartphone mapping apps, especially if you’re traveling through areas with spotty cell coverage.

If you travel a lot and you’re looking for the best double DIN head unit with GPS navigation that doesn’t rely upon your smartphone, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together this resource – a one-stop-shop, all-inclusive guide to help you make an informed buying decision and choose the best in dash navigation system for your needs.

Best In Dash Navigation System Reviews

1. Pioneer AVIC-W8500NEX

Pioneer AVIC-W8500NEX

• DVD/CD receiver with 6.94 inch capacitive touchscreen and AM/FM tuner
• Android Auto™ Wireless and Android Auto compatible
• Apple CarPlay^® compatible using either wireless or wired connection
• WebLink^® Compatible
• Built-in, highly detailed turn-by-turn navigation with real-time traffic
• Selectable Parking Assist Guidelines

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The AVIC-W8500NEX is one of the best double DIN head units with navigation that Pioneer has to offer. All things considered. This unit is very well-designed and it’s packed with a ton of features. However, if you’d like to get your hands on this in dash navigation system, you’ll have to shell out some serious dough.

This flagship navigation receiver offers both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility for simplified integration of common smartphone functions through the receiver’s 6.95″ capacitive touchscreen display. It’s designed to allow you switch between Apple CarPlay and Android Auto pretty easily without the need to go through complicated menu screens to change settings.

This multimedia marvel is featured with a multi-touch 6.94″ capacitive touchscreen that’s bright and easy to read. It’s meant to give you control of the onscreen action with multi-touch gestures like pinch-to-zoom, plus simple swipe, scrolling and other simple finger movements – similar to your smartphone’s touchscreen interface. And the motorized display lets you find the optimum angle for interaction from your driving position. This unit also comes with a remote control which lets you take charge without interacting with the display.

Pioneer AVIC-W8500NEX offers maps of United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, plus nearly 12.4 million points of interest so you can easily find a nearby stopping point. And if you’re worried about traffic delays, this headunit delivers free traffic real-time updates for over 90 major cities in North America, including US and Canada to keep you ahead of congestion. It can also deliver speed limit warnings to keep you alert of sudden changes and potentially unsafe situations.

With a combination of enhanced junction views and realistic street signs, this double DIN headunit offers added assurance when it’s time for the next maneuver. Additionally, its text-to-speech voice prompts say actual street names at turns, and you can choose a “natural voice” to guide you.

Besides handling navigation, this headunit sports a wide array of stereo features including built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling and audio streaming, built-in HD Radio tuner, and an optional satellite radio tuner. It can play CD, DVDs, and USB drives. It features a ton of expandability options including HDMI input, dual rear USB inputs, SD Card slot, 2 rear A/V inputs, dual camera inputs, and 6-channel preamp outputs.

As far as audio shaping controls are concerned, this headunit sports 13-band graphic EQ with Easy EQ preset equalizer, digital time alignment, bass boost, as well as an advanced sound retriever.

2. Jensen VX7020N

Jensen VX7020N

• DVD/CD receiver with 6.2 inch touchscreen and AM/FM tuner
• Built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling and audio streaming
• SiriusXM satellite radio ready
• iGO primo navigation
• Lane guidance and junction view

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If you’re on a tight-budget and looking for the best budget-friendly in dash navigation system, then Jensen VX7020 is a good choice to consider.

Jensen’s VX7020N navigation receiver is a great bang for the buck, sporting an impressive 6.2″ touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling and audio streaming, built-in iPod, iPhone, and iPad control, a few audio tuning controls and a ton of expandability options to further build your car audio system.

The Jensen VX7020N offers maps of United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, plus millions of points of interest for travelers to discover and find restaurants, gas stations, scenic points, attractions, hotels and more.

With its lane guidance and junction view, this headunit will keep you on the right path till you arrive to your destination, and you’ll be able to see realistic depictions of many complex intersections that make them easier to navigate.

The VX7020N’s powered by iGO primo navigation software, which is quite fast, accurate and easy to use. This headunit is compatible with NaviExtras, which means you can download maps of other countries including points of interest, through their website.

This unit will play all your CDs and DVDs. It’s satellite radio ready. Simply hook up a satellite radio tuner to this receiver and access the wide variety of entertainment, sports, news, and commercial-free music wherever you go.

Additionally, this unit has a front USB input, front (minijack) and rear (RCA) A/V inputs. You can also connect a rear-view camera for easy parking. And If you’re looking to add subs and amps, you can take advantage of its front, rear, and subwoofer preamp outputs.

The downside to this headunit is the lack of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Siri Eyes Free. Plus, it only has 10-band parametric EQ with 8 preset tone curves. Nevertheless, we couldn’t be too mad since this headunit was so affordable.

3. Kenwood DNX995S

Kenwood DNX995S

• 6.75 inch High Definition Display with Capacitive Touch Panel
• Wireless Android Auto
• Built-in HD Radio
• Bluetooth & WiFi Built-in
• Equipped with 2 USB Ports
• 2 RCA Video Inputs for Rear View Camera(Parking Guide Line) & Front View Camera

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When it comes to car stereos, Kenwood is probably one of the most legendary. Kenwood has been in business for over seven decades and has mastered the art of making top-notch products. Kenwood DNX995S is no exception. It’s one of the best touch screen car stereos with navigation that Kenwood has to offer.

First of all, it’s worth mentioning that Kenwood eXcelon components represent the brand’s most advanced series of products built to deliver the kind of uncompromising sonic fidelity that audiophiles demand.

The headunit at hand sits atop the Kenwood product line, thanks to the impressive and wide variety of features it offers including wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, high-definition 6.75 inch touchscreen display, high-voltage preamp outputs, and audiophile-quality audio components.

Kenwood DNX995S comes with built-in Garmin navigation system with maps of multiple countries including U.S, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, plus 6 million points of interest. It also offers lane assistance with junction view, as well as text-to-speech voice prompts which announces actual road names at turns.

As with all new aftermarket headunits, this double din radio comes with Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calls and wireless audio streaming. Thanks to the Dual Phone Connection feature, you can pair up to two Bluetooth-enabled phones to this receiver and easily switch between them

Additionally, this headunit will play all your CDs and DVDs. It also comes with built-in HD Radio tuner, and it’s satellite radio ready.

Sound sculpting wise, this receiver is equipped with 13-band graphic equalizer, bass boost and loudness controls, DSP with digital time alignment, and Kenwood’s Drive EQ+ technology which boosts certain frequencies that are easily masked by road noise.

In terms of expandability options, this receiver sports two rear-mounted USB inputs, SD card slot, rear analog A/V input (mini-jack), front and rear camera inputs. It also has 6-channel preamp outputs for further expanding your system.

4. Jensen VX7014

Jensen VX7014

• DVD/CD receiver with motorized 7 inch fold-out touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay compatible
• Pandora and Spotify control
• iGO Primo Next Gen navigation
• Lane guidance and junction view
• Realistic depictions of select interchanges and buildings
• Speed limit warnings
• Compatible with SiriusXM satellite radio tuner

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If you want to add a double din stereo with navigation to your car’s dash, but your factory car radio is single din and there isn’t enough space to accommodate a standard double DIN touch screen head unit, then Jensen VX7014 is for you.

The headunit at hand is featured with a motorized 7 inch fold-out touchscreen designed to slide out of the dash and flip up to be viewed with a single push of a button.

In addition to DVDs/CDs, AM/FM tuner, and Bluetooth connectivity, this headunit is compatible with Apple CarPlay for enhanced functionality.

The VX7014 comes with built-in maps of the U.S., along with Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, plus millions of points of interest. It also offers Lane guidance to keep you on the right path for your next maneuver. To prevent you from getting a speed ticket, you’ll hear audible alerts when you’re exceeding the posted speed limit on your route.

When it comes to expandability options, this headunit comes with a front USB input, HDMI input, rear-view camera input, microSD card slot and front (minijack) and rear (RCA) A/V inputs. It’s also compatible with SiriusXM satellite radio tuner.

Furthermore, you can take advantage of 6-volt front, rear, and subwoofer preamp outputs to further expand your car audio system adding subs and amps.

As far as sound tailoring is concerned, this unit sports 10-band equalizer, and subwoofer controls

On the debit side, the only downside to this receiver that we can reasonably think of is the lack of Android Auto.

5. Kenwood DNX996XR

Kenwood DNX996XR

• Motorized 6.75 inch HD capacitive touchscreen
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible (wired or wireless)
• Customizable Multi Widget Screen
• Built-in Garmin navigation system
• 3 Camera Inputs
• Built-in Bluetooth, HD Radio & WiFi
• 3 Preouts 5V

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The eXcelon DNX996XR is another great in dash navigation system from Kenwood. It’s one of the best touch screen car stereo with navigation that you can buy, all things considered.

This unit comes packed with a ton of features including Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ technology, Bluetooth connectivity, a gorgeous 6.75″ capacitive touchscreen, a wealth of connections, and various sound shaping controls, not to mention built-in GPS guidance from Garmin.

Kenwood eXcelon DNX996XR sports a wide 6.75″ touchscreen which offers plenty of dynamic contrast and stunning color. Its easy to navigate menu and larger graphics offer an excellent, at-a-glance visibility, and let you clearly see info with a quick glance. Further, Its motorized screen offers plenty of tilting options (including downward) to give you the optimum angle and the best possible view.

With its maps of the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, 6 million points of interest, and its built-in GPS guidance from Garmin, this in dash navigation receiver will lead you to your destination accurately. You’ll also get reliable routing with spoken street names at turns, lane assistance, and realistic views of complicated instersections.

Additionally, you’ll get a free 2-year subscription to INRIX traffic service, which provides quick updates on congestion along your route.

Along with Bluetooth connectivity, the DNX996XR also features Siri Eyes Free, an HD Radio tuner, and will play all your CDs and DVDs. It also has dual rear USB ports, SD card slot, HDMI input so you can connect most compatible Android smartphones and view video content from your phone on the headunit’s display while parked.

This receiver is also SiriusXM satellite radio ready and allows you to connect up to two cameras. It also has 6-channel preamp outputs for expanding your car audio system down the road.

As far as audio tuning controls are concerned, this headunit sports 13-band EQ, Drive EQ+ boosts low end and other frequencies to overcome road noise and a bunch of other sound shaping controls including digital time alignment, space enhancer, sound realizer, sound elevation, bass boost, and loudness.

6. Clarion NX706

Clarion NX706

• DVD/CD receiver with 7 inch touchscreen
• Compatible with SiriusXM satellite radio tuner
• Built-in GPS navigation
• Built-in Bluetooth
• 6-channel preamp outputs
• MicroSD card slot for map updates

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If you’re looking for a mid-range double DIN radio with navigation that’s packed with great features, then Clarion NX706 might be a good option to consider.

This unit starts things off on the right foot with a bright 7″ touchscreen with a few buttons along the bottom. Its motorized display lets you choose the best viewing angle from your driving position. Additionally, Its variable color key illumination offers a wide range of colors to choose from, so you’re sure to find something to complement your car’s interior lighting.

This receiver’s built-in navigation software from iGo Primo is fast and accurate. It provides you with maps of U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, plus over 11 million points of interest, along with 3D representations of select buildings, landmarks, and terrain.

In addition to its built-in Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling and wireless music streaming, this receiver supports direct iPod® and iPhone audio control, plus Siri® Eyes Free with a simple USB connection or via Bluetooth.

If you’re looking for radio stations that won’t fade away as you hit the road, you’ll be happy to know that this receiver is compatible with SiriusXM satellite radio tuner. Furthermore, If you enjoy Internet radio on your iPhone or Android, you’ll really dig playing music from Pandora on this great-sounding receiver.

This in-dash navigation system can play your CDs, DVDs, USB drives and SD cards. It’s featured with HDMI input, dual rear USB inputs, rear RCA A/V inputs as well as a rear view camera input with an accompanying audio input.

What should I look for in an in-dash navigation system?

In order to choose the best double DIN head unit with navigation, there are various things you need to take into consideration before you click that “buy” button.

A great in dash navigation system should be accurate first and foremost, but also easy to use, intuitively designed with a wide, high resolution touchscreen that offers an excellent, at-a-glance visibility.

Accuracy, speed, and ease of use

Accuracy, speed, and ease of use are among of the most important things you need to take into account when looking for a good in-dash navigation system. These are crucial to your overall enjoyment, and to the system’s utility.

Screen size and resolution

Having a bright, wide touchscreen in your car’s dash will not only add a nice touch to the dashboard, but It’ll also make your life a lot easier when you’re driving. So, the bigger the screen, the better. Touch screen car stereo with navigation usually range from just over 6″ measured diagonally to up to 9″ in size, but most range between 6.1″ and 7″.

Along with the size of the screen, the display resolution is also of high importance; the higher the resolution, the sharper the picture, and thereby the easier the map information is to see.

Points of interest

Points of interest (also known as POI) are some of the most useful features in any navigation system. The more points of interests an in dash navigation system has, the more options you’ll have when you’re on the road.

Real-time traffic data

Some high-end navigation system models are compatible with real-time traffic services. The units with this feature are designed to receive real-time traffic information such as traffic jams, construction, and traffic speed along the programmed routes you’re traveling. This can be quite useful for cross-country travelers and for people with long commutes to and from work. Depending on your navigation system, this service might require a monthly subscription fee.

Smartphone integration

Most in-dash navigation receivers in the market are smartphone friendly. They feature Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling and wireless music streaming, Android & iPhone support, app mode which allows some degree of control over some apps through the receiver’s display …etc.

Some high-end in dash navigation systems also feature Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ which cast your smartphone interface to your receiver’s display, allowing you to control some apps and your device either with said touchscreen, knobs, buttons or even your voice. The receivers can even read your incoming texts and allow you to dictate a reply using just your voice.