Ever feel lost staring at a wall of car stereos, wondering which one is the “head” of your in-car entertainment? Choosing the right Car Head, or head unit, can feel like a puzzle with way too many pieces. You want great sound, easy navigation, and maybe even some cool phone connectivity, but the choices overwhelm you. Does this sound familiar?
The right Car Head can totally change your driving experience, turning boring commutes into enjoyable trips. But the wrong one can lead to frustrating setups and features you never use. It’s a big decision that affects how you listen to music, use your maps, and even take calls on the road. We get it; it can be a real headache trying to figure out what’s best for your car and your budget.
That’s why we put this guide together! We’re going to break down everything you need to know about Car Heads in a way that makes sense. You’ll learn about the key features, what to look for when comparing models, and how to find the perfect fit for your ride without getting confused. Keep reading, and you’ll be ready to pick your next Car Head with confidence!
Top Car Head Recommendations
- NECK PAIN RELIEF: Comfort your neck and shoulder while driving long time or long distance which can support your cervical spine in different directions, car seat neck pillow with 100% pure memory foam provides a great support for your cervical spine and head, help you maintain the correct posture in driving, and make your driving safer and reduce fatigue
- ELASTIC ADJUSTABLE STRAPS: High-quality buckle highly secure on your seat prevent neck pillow for car slip down or fall away from the seat, giving a fixed hold and better to support your neck, you can adjust the height of your car pillow you want
- BREATHABLE, SKIN-FRIENDLY & DURABLE: Cloth cover of car seat pillow is made of updated style knitted fabric which make it soft, skin-friendly, and suitable for all seasons; the pillow cover is removal and machine washable, and not washable foam core is durability
- ERGONOMICALLY DESIGN: Ergonomically designed by human neck curve, release neck pain and shoulder pressure, professionally designed for sedentary people, the headrest can be used in a variety of scenarios (car seat, gaming chair, office chair, etc)
- SIMPLE INSTALLATION: Easy and quick to install, it is perfect to add on your car seat, you would not want to miss it! With 2 pcs in one pack, let us know if you have any issue regarding on our product.
- 100% PURE SPACE MEMORY FOAM - Our car headrest pillow are made of high-quality space memory foam, which is soft and comfortable. Car seat neck pillow provide good support for your cervical spine and head, help you maintain a correct driving posture, make your driving safer, reduce neck pain and comfort your neck.
- BREATHABLE & REMOVABLE COVER - The car pillow cover is made of soft and breathable sports fabric. Baby-grade skin-friendly material. The pillowcase is removable for washing and also supports washing in the washing machine. Travel car neck pillow are suitable for all seasons, definitely a bonus for your car.
- ERGONOMIC DESIGN - This car neck pillow has an ergonomic, streamlined design that comfortably protects your neck and shoulders during long drives. 100% memory foam car headrest pillow provide great comfort for your cervical spine and head. It greatly reduces your chances of neck pain or numbness during long drives or while sleeping. Bring a good comfort experience to drivers and passengers.
- SUPER EASY TO INSTALL - The high quality buckle prevents the travel car neck pillow from slipping or falling off the seat. The car headrest pillow perfectly fills the gap between the car seat and the neck. It feels very comfortable and fits perfectly in both the driver and passenger seats. The travel car pillow is easy to install and can be easily installed without any tools. (Please note that our car neck pillow are also suitable for seats without metal bars. Like TESLA.)
- PACKAGE INCLUDED - This package includes 2 car pillows and 2 car sleep masks. The car pillows are designed to provide comfortable support for your neck during long drives, and the sleep eye mask can help you relax and get a good night's sleep in the car. Both products are made from high-quality materials for durability and comfort. We hope to use our products to bring the ultimate user experience to every user, and the ultimate user experience will make great products.
- 【Headache and neck-ache avoided】This car headrest can help you maintain a healthy and comfortable sleeping position, providing comfort, support and relaxation. It can avoid your headache, neck ache and shoulder ache resulting from sleeping without support point or leaning against the glass in the automobile, thus reducing pressure on the neck and body, and providing maximum comfort and safety.
- 【Comfortable, adjustable and easy to install】There are 4 adjustment methods for the travelling headrest. Its arm of force can be extended left and right, and rotated 180°. The headrest can be extended up and down by 2", and rotated 360°. Therefore, it is suitable for children and adults with different height. When not in use, the headrest can be lifted up simply to save space. It only takes 1 minute to install without tool. Clear description and video course are provided for your convenience.
- 【Safe and environment-friendly】 Adopting ABS material, the headrest is matched with refreshing, cool and comfortable viscose fabric, with thickened 45D memory cotton within, which is soft, without peculiar smell and easy to clean, providing maximum comfort and safety. The headrest can help your family and children maintain healthy sleeping position in the automobile, alleviating your worry of the head hitting the window of automobile.
- 【Applicable to most seats of automobile】 Before purchase, please confirm whether there is up-and-down-movable metal rod on your automobile seat. The automobile headrest is only applicable to seats with rod in the width from 3.1 to 6.3 inches!
- 【Wonderful gift to people】The automobile headrest and neck support can help children and adults maintain head and neck health, allowing you to fall asleep comfortably and enjoying the journey. It is a wonderful gift presented to family members, friends and colleagues.
- Only Suitable for Car Seats with Pole - Our car seat headrest plllow ONLY fits car seat with pole and the pole distance MUST between 2.5 to 5.7 inches / 6.5 cm-14.5 cm ! Not fully compatible with the vehicle Seat without 2 Poles. Before purchasing, please confirm if your car seat has 2 metal bars! Please check the pictures above to see if your car seat is the wrong type. Attention that any seat without metal bars cannot be installed and used!
- Say Goodbye to Neck Pain - Our travel headset pillow is designed to provide ultimate comfort and support for your neck during long-distance travel, collisions with car windows, and more.Please confirm that it can be installed on the car seat before purchasing.Please contact us if you have any installation problems and quality issues
- 180° Adjustable - Both side headrest pillows can be rotated 180° to adjust the height, making them suitable for adults and kids over 4 years old. When not in use, simply lift the pillows up to save space.Most rear seats are not compatible. Car seats without removable metal rods cannot be installed. Please check the seat model before purchasing.
- NOT COMPATIBLE: 2020 GMC Serria Truck third row seats, tesla seats, 2014 Toyota Rav4, 2017 suv, Volvo XC60 2013 model, Hyundai Elantra, Subaru legacy and outback, Cadillac Escalade 2016, 2004 mdx, Odyssey 2018 seats, Honda minivan, Honda minivan, middle seat of dodge durango, minivan sea, Chevy surburban, Tahoe seats, jeep grand, cherokee 2nd row bucket seat, 2017 Dodge Journey, Ford Explorer 2003, GMC Acadia, Cherokee , ford explorer, vovo s90, 2018 Honda Odyssey, Jeep Wrangler seats
- Easy Enstallation - No need for a screwdriver! Our car neck pillow can be installed in just three easy steps, and we provide clear instructions and video tutorials for your convenience. Notice:Will not fit fixed or integrated headrests; Only suitable for installation on car seats with metal barsCar seats without removable metal rods cannot be installed. Please check the seat model before purchasing.
- Headrest for Most Car Seats: Our car headrest pillow fits only seats with poles; the pole distance must be between 2''-7''; please confirm there’s a metal rod on your car seat before purchasing; see our image to check if your seat is compatible
- Adjustable Design: This road pal headrest supports 180° rotation for a variety of heights; suitable for children and adults of different heights, just lift the headrest pillows up to save space when not in use
- Safe & Long-lasting: This car seat headrest pillow has passed the authoritative security test in US and the roadpal headrest is made of premium leather and thickened memory foam; slow rebound, no odor and is easy to clean
- Easy to Install: The u shaped car headrest pillow does not require any tools; you can install it with your child in a few minutes and it will be a fun family craft activity; please watch the installation video if there's any question about installation
- Compatibility Notice: Not for fixed or integrated headrests; only fits vehicles with adjustable headrests and two rods; fits Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado, Toyota RAV4/Camry, Honda CR-V/Civic, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class; email us if unsure
- A Comfortable Sleep Anytime Anywhere: A Comfortable Safe Car Seat Sleep Pillow for Toddler, Kids, Baby - Enjoying a long, relaxing drive and let your kids' "bobbing heads" and neck have a rest, allowing you to concentrate on driving on the road
- Premium & Breathable Mesh Materials: Child car seat head support made of high quality polyester, comfortable and no sharp edges; Breathable mesh inner: The inner lining adopts a mesh surface, more breathable & heat dissipation
- Flexible & Adjustable: The Car Seat Forehead Strap has a hook & loop which can be adjusted according to user's head size; with buckle, easy to install and remove
- Multifunctions: kids car seat head strap fits for child car seat; The long webbing plus adjustable buckle also can be fixed on child car seats（Please note that this is suitable for children over the age of one year）
- Help for Children and Mother: Baby car seat headrest is your best companion and helper on the trip; The newly upgraded Grayish Pink color gives it a layered color, and the gray design inside is also more resistant to dirt, machine washable
- A Comfortable Safe Car Seat Sleep Pillow for Toddler, Kids,Baby,Infant: Allowing the child to enjoy a peaceful nap,allowing you to concentrate drive on the road
- Complete adjustability: the front piece has a hook&loop fastener attachment and comes completely off, you can place it at any angle you choose; with buckle, easy to install
- Material: high quality polyester and soft cotton, comfortable for use；Breathable mesh inner -The inner lining adopts a mesh surface, more breathable & heat dissipation
- Keep baby's head not dropping on his chest, child's head and neck are in well position, machine washable
- Multifunctions: Suitable for any child car seat（Please note that this is suitable for children over the age of one year）
- Size: Its universal, fit for most cars, sedan, SUV. Also, it can use for the chair at your home or office. and if your car is too big or too small, you can ask us before you order it
- Material: Our car headrest pillow's Outter side is the Pu Leather, Inside is Fiber
- Pain relief: When you driving long distance or long time traveling can be a real pain in the neck, our car headrest pillow can give you great support for your cervical spine and head relief. gogodog
- Breathable: Our car headrest pillows has the tiny hole on, so its breathable.
- Easy clean and Soft: Our headrest pillow good and environmental Pu Leather, so its easy clean, and feeld very soft
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Your New Car Head Unit
Choosing a new car head unit, often called a stereo or receiver, is exciting. It upgrades your driving experience with better sound and new tech. This guide helps you pick the perfect one for your car and needs.
Key Features to Look For
A great head unit offers features that match how you listen to music and use your phone. Look closely at these main features:
Connectivity Options
- Bluetooth: This is essential. It lets you make hands-free calls and stream music wirelessly from your phone.
- USB Ports: These let you charge your phone or play music directly from a flash drive.
- Auxiliary Input (AUX): A simple port for connecting older devices with a cable.
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: These features mirror key parts of your smartphone screen onto the head unit’s display. They make navigation and music control safe and easy.
Display and Size
- Screen Size: Units range from single-DIN (standard small size) to double-DIN (larger, often touchscreen). Bigger screens (7 inches or more) are great for navigation.
- Touchscreen Responsiveness: Test or read reviews about how quickly the screen reacts when you tap it. A slow screen causes frustration.
Audio Quality
- Pre-amp Outputs (RCAs): If you plan to add external amplifiers or subwoofers later, look for at least three sets of pre-amp outputs. More outputs mean better control over your sound system.
- Equalizer (EQ): A good EQ lets you fine-tune the bass, midrange, and treble. Look for a 10-band EQ or higher for detailed adjustments.
Important Materials and Build Quality
The materials used affect how long your unit lasts and how good it looks.
Screen Materials
Most modern units use glass or high-quality plastic for the screen surface. Capacitive touchscreens (like your smartphone) feel smoother and react better than resistive screens. Good glass screens resist fingerprints and scratches better.
Internal Components
Better internal components mean cleaner sound. Look for head units from reputable brands. These companies often use better wiring and sound processing chips. Cheap units sometimes cut corners here, resulting in audio distortion at high volumes.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes a head unit truly great, and what makes it poor?
Quality Boosters:
- High Voltage Pre-outs: 4-volt pre-outs give a cleaner, stronger signal to external amplifiers.
- Advanced Sound Processing: Features like “Time Alignment” help sound reach your ears at the exact same time, even if you are sitting slightly off-center.
- Built-in Amplification Power (RMS): Check the RMS wattage, not just the peak power. Higher RMS wattage (like 14-22 watts RMS per channel) provides clearer sound without straining the built-in amp.
Quality Reducers:
- Slow Boot-up Time: If the unit takes a long time to turn on after you start your car, it reduces the user experience significantly.
- Poor Radio Reception: Cheap tuners often struggle to hold onto weaker radio stations.
- Overheating Issues: Units used heavily for navigation or video can sometimes overheat, causing them to shut down unexpectedly.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you drive. This determines the best unit for you.
The Daily Commuter
If you mostly drive to work, prioritize safety and ease of use. Apple CarPlay or Android Auto are must-haves. You need fast Bluetooth pairing and clear, loud hands-free calling. A simple, uncluttered interface is best.
The Audiophile (Sound Enthusiast)
Focus on audio outputs. You need those high-voltage pre-outs and detailed EQ settings. You might choose a unit without a huge screen if it offers superior sound processing features.
The Road Tripper/Media Lover
If you watch videos or use GPS often, a large, high-resolution touchscreen (7 inches or bigger) is vital. Ensure the unit supports modern video formats if you plan to play DVDs or stream video (where legal and safe).
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Car Head Units
Q: What is the difference between single-DIN and double-DIN?
A: Single-DIN is a standard, smaller rectangular size. Double-DIN is twice as tall, usually allowing for a large touchscreen display.
Q: Do I need a wiring harness adapter?
A: Yes, almost always. This adapter plugs into your car’s factory wiring harness, allowing you to connect the new head unit without cutting any original wires.
Q: Will a new head unit work with my steering wheel controls?
A: Often, yes, but you usually need an extra interface module (like a SWC adapter). Check the head unit’s compatibility list.
Q: What is RMS power versus Peak power?
A: Peak power is the maximum short burst of power the unit can handle. RMS power is the continuous, real power it delivers. Always compare RMS power for accurate sound quality assessment.
Q: Is Apple CarPlay worth the extra cost?
A: If you own an iPhone and use navigation apps like Waze or Google Maps, yes. It makes using your phone in the car much safer and easier.
Q: Can I install a new head unit myself?
A: Basic installation is manageable for someone handy with tools. However, integrating complex systems (like steering wheel controls or backup cameras) often requires specific knowledge.
Q: How important is the built-in amplifier power?
A: It is very important if you do not plan to add external amplifiers. Higher built-in power means louder, cleaner music when playing through the car’s existing speakers.
Q: What does “MSRP” mean when looking at prices?
A: MSRP means “Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price.” You often find units selling for less than this price, so shop around.
Q: Will replacing the head unit affect my car’s warranty?
A: Replacing the head unit itself usually does not void the car’s main warranty. However, if the installation causes damage to other electrical systems, that specific damage might not be covered.
Q: Should I buy a unit with built-in navigation or use my phone?
A: Using your phone via CarPlay or Android Auto is usually better because maps update constantly. Built-in navigation is better if you frequently drive where cell service is poor.