Looking for a Head Unit for Your Car? Here's How to Choose One

Head Units are the centerpieces of car stereos.

They take in sound signals, process them, and play music that you can hear through your car's speakers. It would be difficult to find a good head unit because there are literally thousands on the market today that all claim to deliver exceptional quality at an affordable price.

Fortunately, it is possible to get one if you know what you're looking for. This piece will guide you through the steps you should follow when selecting a head unit for your car stereo system. Remember that every step is important in order for you to get exactly what will work best with your vehicle's make and model.

What Exactly is a Car Stereo Head Unit? 

A car stereo head unit refers to both the physical hardware and all of the software that runs on it – commonly known as the "radio". When we talk about buying a car stereo head unit, we are referring to the physical hardware that you can install in your vehicle.

This is what makes up the entire system, which includes the power supply for all of your speakers, tuning capabilities for radio signals, and any extra components required by your specific model. The software aspect refers to the user interface design – how everything is laid out on screen. Every head unit for sale today comes preloaded with its own set of features designed to make driving safer and more enjoyable. It helps to check the best double DIN head units reviewed in the latest car tech review sites. You’ll know if it's also capable of playing CDs or music files via USB drive/SD card inputs, along with auxiliary options for connecting external media devices, like an MP3 player or smartphone, among other things.

Power Output

When choosing a new head unit, it's important to consider the power output of the unit. Head units are generally categorized based on their actual wattage, which includes four main classifications:

• 2-channel models that are limited to about 20 watts per channel (WPC) in total

• 4-channel models that can produce up to 40 WPC

• 5-channel models capable of 50 WPC

• 6+-channel models with an advertised maximum power output of 75 watts per channel (WPC). 

However, this is only when using the built-in internal amplifier. If you plan on powering additional speakers or components with separate amps or wiring kits, this number will drop significantly. It's important to consider all sources when looking at the average wattage of a head unit.

Size and Design

The size and design of your car stereo have to fit in with the rest of your vehicle's interior, whether it's replacing an old head unit or simply adding one for more options. This means coordinating components, so everything looks uniform when installed. However, this also makes sure everything is easily accessible while driving, especially if you plan on using touch screens or other advanced display types. Just remember that many new vehicles are no longer including cassette decks as standard equipment, so if you have a tape player, make sure any model you choose can still accommodate the use of audio tapes instead of CDs/MP3s. If not, there are plenty of great models that offer CD/DVD compatibility along with audio file capability.

Choosing an Audio Source

Source refers to what you'll plug into the head unit, typically via USB or auxiliary input. It's important to note that most new vehicles no longer include auxiliary jacks in the dashboard, which means you might not be able to use your old iPod or smartphone if it doesn't have Bluetooth connectivity. This is why choosing the right source is so important when buying a car stereo head unit.

• Both AM/FM radio and CD players are still extremely popular worldwide

• Many models also come with built-in satellite radio tuners for added convenience and variety

• Some come equipped with Bluetooth capabilities for making hands-free calls

• Many models also allow for front and rear USB inputs, which can be used with an iPod or high-capacity USB drive (SD cards are not included in this feature)

Advanced Features

When looking at advanced features for your new car stereo head unit, you should consider items like Bluetooth compatibility, GPS navigation, touch screens, DVR playback through the front dashcam/rear camera, or backup monitor connections. All of these extra capabilities will cost more than a standard model, but having these options may be well worth it, depending on your lifestyle.

Bluetooth connectivity is great if you enjoy hands-free calling while on the go. Some models even include audio controls right on the steering wheel, so you don't have to take your eyes off the road when making a call.

GPS navigation is also a great option for getting around town, especially if you're far from home but need to make it back for an appointment or meeting. Touch screen capability is very popular today, and while this could add more expense, there are plenty of options that don't cost a small fortune to accommodate even the smallest vehicle interiors.

Knowing what to look for in a head unit is the first step in finding a good fit for your vehicle. Once you've decided on a manufacturer that has a product that suits your needs, then it's time to select the features and functions you need from this type of component.