Does your car radio not have the features that you need, let alone want? If so, then it’s time for an upgrade.
Replacing your stock radio with something that’s more in line with your preferences is easy. However, choosing the exact model is where the challenge begins. This is why we’ve decided to keep things simple by sticking to one of the more premier brands on the market – Pioneer. They’re easily one of the best car audio manufacturers out there, and their car stereo head units are top of the line!
How to Reset a Pioneer Car Radio
Resetting your car radio is a possible fix for issues that you might be having. However, it’s recommended that you try and resort only to this if you’ve tried other options, and the next step is to try and take it to its manufacturer for a warranty.
Luckily, resetting a pioneer car radio isn’t hard.
All you need to do is to disconnect your battery’s negative terminal, wait for at least a minute before placing the negative terminal back. This does because it resets the computer of your car and wipes the memory chip of your car stereo. This results in your pioneer car radio being restored to its factory settings, erasing all of your stored content and clock settings.
The Best Pioneer Head Units For Your Car
Pioneer MVH-S620BS Double-Din Digital Media Receiver
The Pioneer MVH-S620BS Double-Din Digital Media Receiver is a minimalist head unit from Pioneer that’s rich in features but with an affordable price tag.
Because Pioneer knows that most people no longer use CDs these days, they decided to do away with the CD slot entirely. Instead, the 2-din unit uses a huge illuminating display that gives it that unique look of being modern without completely forgetting its traditional car stereo roots.
Speaking of being modern, while this head unit doesn’t have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, there is an app that you can use to control the head unit using your smartphone. It also supports Bluetooth, so you can still make calls and/or stream music wirelessly. You may also connect your device directly via the USB cable.
In addition to supporting the usual .MP3 and. WAV files, this head unit also supports other audio files.FLAC.
Outside of a screen that can display videos or your backup or rearview camera, as well as support for the latest smartphone apps, this head unit has it all, including a fairly low asking price.
Pros:
- Android compatibility
- Works with Pandora Spotify
- Siriusxm-ready
- Perfect for a budget build
- Dual Zone color illumination
Cons:
- The speaker wires are extremly thin
- Phone does not connect as it should -Does not switch seamlessly on Bluetooth between phones
- Pioneer SMART sync app
- Android compatibility
- Compatibility
- Works with Pandora Spotify
- Siriusxm-ready
Pioneer MVH-S310BT Single DIN Digital Media Receiver
Are you looking to modernize your classic car’s stereo unit without necessarily making it look too modern? Well, say no more!
The Pioneer MVH-S310BT Single-DIN Digital Media Receiver may look like a head unit that came from the 90s, but it’s got a lot of useful features in it, even for the most modern and youngest of users. This includes, among others, compatibility with both iOS and Android devices, as well as support for Pandora internet radio and even Spotify.
All you need to do is to connect a supported device to this Pioneer head unit, and that’s it.
You can play and stream music wirelessly, and your passengers will be surprised by how modern your “stock” head unit is.
In addition to wireless audio streaming, you can also take advantage of the built-in Bluetooth functionality to make hands-free calls. But, that’s not all. Pioneer takes things to a whole other level by automatically pairing registered Bluetooth devices whenever it comes in close contact with the receiver.
You can even take advantage of the Pioneer Smart Sync app to read out messages, play music, and even help you navigate, all in a single-DIN unit that, again, looks like it can’t do much.
Granted, this head unit is not cheap, but it’s got plenty of useful features and none of the clutter that the more expensive head units on the market have. Plus, the look on a passenger’s face after you stream Spotify or Pandora internet radio from your phone straight to your old-school head unit is priceless.
Pros:
- Pioneer Smart Sync
- MIXTRAX
- iOS and Android compatibility
Cons:
- Aesthetics is not for everybody
- Android compatibility
- Works with Pandora and Spotify
- Compatibility
- Built-in Bluetooth
- Usb auto switch feature
Pioneer AVH-X2800BS In-Dash DVD Receiver
Pioneer AVH-X2800BS In-Dash DVD Receiver isn’t the cheapest Pioneer head unit on our list. But, if you’re willing to shell out some serious money to upgrade your car’s dash and head unit, then you won’t find anywhere else to better spend your money on.
The AVH-X2800BS is very convenient to use as it has built-in Bluetooth support for up to three devices simultaneously. It also has a SiriusXM Sxv300 satellite radio tuner, with support for the weather now, traffic, new tune mix, and even sports flash features so you’ll never miss a minute of your favorite game even while you’re on the road.
Thanks to its Siri Eyes Free compatibility (on select devices), you’re as safe as can be while driving on the road. It also has a DVD/CD receiver, as well as optional adapters to help you control either your iPhone, iPod, or iPad, especially when you want to display content onto the 6.2-inch screen.
With installation very convenient and a clear, responsive screen, as well as a customizable interface and support for a rearview camera, your money is well spent on this premium Pioneer head unit.
Pros:
- DIY-friendly installation process
- Easy to use
- Convenient control options
Cons:
- Spotty Bluetooth connection unless the device is very close
- PIONEER 6.2" D.DIN W/BT A/V RECEIVER SAT. RADIO RDY
- 12VOLT MULTIMEDIA
- PIONEER 6.2" D.DIN W/BT A/V RECEIVER SAT. RADIO RDY
- PIONEER AVHX2800BS
Pioneer AVH-W4400NEX In-Dash Multimedia Receiver
The Pioneer AVH-W440NEX isn’t for everybody in that it’s definitely not something that anyone can afford easily.
One of the pricier recommendations on our list, the AVH-W4400NEX, makes up for its high asking price by pretty much being the best Pioneer head unit for your car. It not only has Bluetooth functionality, it even has Wi-Fi connectivity, complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a 7-inch WVGA touchscreen display.
For sound quality, the 13-band graphic equalizer is hard to beat. You can even make minute audio adjustments, and it supports dual-zone audio. This means that front passengers can listen to different music as the rear seat passengers.
What makes this head unit even more unique is that it still comes with tactile volume buttons despite sporting a large display that makes it even more convenient to use on top of the on-screen controls.
It even supports miracast and has an HDMI input and a screen that folds down that reveals both an SD card slot and a DVD drive.
Literally, this Pioneer head unit has it all. Well, except for a low asking price.
Pros:
- Quick and responsive 7-inch display
- Hidden DVD drive and SD card slot
- Built-in WiFi connectivity
Cons:
- Hard to install
Pioneer DMH-WT8600NEX Multimedia Car Stereo Receiver
Speaking of upgrades, the Pioneer DMH-WT8600NEX Multimedia Car Stereo Receiver is the upgrade of all upgrades.
Equipped with a 10.1-inch screen (yes, you read that right), this is already akin to having a tablet on your car ready to help you navigate, play music for you, and even make calls or read messages for you at all times. But, the best part here is that this tablet won’t be running out of battery anytime soon.
While it does ditch optical discs entirely, it does give you a lot of functionality in return. This includes support for lossless audio formats, Bluetooth functionality, HD radio support, wireless Android Auto, and even Apple CarPlay.
Pros:
- Versatile 1-inch floating display configuration
- Built-in Amazon Alexa support
- Support for multiple camera displays
Cons:
- Very high asking price
Conclusion
By narrowing down our choices to just a handful of units from a particular brand, we’re able to come up with a list of recommendations that caters to people of all sorts of budgets, needs, and preferences.
Regardless of which ones you end up buying, we recommend getting professional help if you have no previous experience. This way, you can enjoy having a Pioneer head unit that looks like it was installed the same day it was manufactured and not lose any functionality that your car has. We hope you enjoy that new Pioneer Head Unit for your Car!
