The 9 Best Flip Out Car Stereo Reviews of 2023

There is no denying that classic cars have a certain charm to them– many people love having them as their primary vehicle. But you also cannot deny that modern cars come with their own advantages that you will miss out on in an older car.

One such feature is the radio. The built-in on-screen car stereo is something very useful but not present in older or even new low-spec cars.

What should you do then? Get the best flip out car stereo, of course! With one of these accompanying you in your car, you can enjoy the on-display navigation and upgraded audio system regardless of the model of your car!

In this article, we are going to review 9 such items for you. Stay tuned!

9 Best Flip Out Car Stereos – Quick Summary

Before you get to the detailed reviews, here are the summaries of the features of our top picks.

Flip Out Car Stereo Comparison Chart

Top 9 Best Flip Out Car Stereo Reviews

Finding the top 9 was not an easy job because the market has a lot of variations (both double and single flip out stereo types). However, after hours of research on flip-up head units, we have made the list of our top picks based on customer feedback, usability, compatibility, and overall quality. Hope to find the best flip out radio unit that would reach up to your requirements. Let’s see the detailed reviews of these 9 quality products.

1. Power Acoustik PTID-8920B Flip Out Car Stereo

We are starting the list off with a jack of all trades. The Power Acoustik PTID-8920B can do everything you would want from a car stereo and more. As the cherry on top, it will not break the bank. What more would you need?

Firstly, let’s talk about the Bluetooth mic. You know how serious it is to be on your phone when you are driving, right? Something like this can very easily make accidents happen, so you should never partake in it.

But what if you have important phone calls to attend? This is where the Bluetooth mic comes in. You can be on call hands-free with it. Moreover, you’ll find the mic quite sensitive, so your voice will be heard loud and clear, despite the road noises present.

On the looks department, this device is a 10/10. You would love to have it in your car. It can play DVDs, CDs, SD cards, the whole ordeal. So, you can get tuning from any source of your choice.

Moving on to the screen, it works pretty well. In the daytime, it is bright enough to see, but that can be an issue during the night because there are no auto-brightness reducers at night. Also, sunlight glares sometimes make it hard to see the screen.

The main reason you would want one of these is the radio. Well, this unit picks up both AM and PM signals pretty well, so it makes perfect radio.

2. Pyle PLTS78DUB In-Dash Car Stereo

The next unit from Pyle looks very similar to many other stereos out there, but do not mistake it for an average one because it will surprise you!

Many affordable car stereos do not come with the best display. It is an annoyance– having to tap twice or more for a display to finally respond. Well, that will not be an issue with this one, as its display is pretty responsive.

Also, installation of this one is a breeze. This flip up car stereo is by far one of the easiest units to install. That is a huge plus for those who usually struggle with installing something.

A common problem with car stereos is that they often only support a specific USB type. This means you have limited connectivity options. Well, worry not because this unit can allow various types of connections, including a 3.5mm audio jack and RCA Input.

And if that is not enough, you can also use Bluetooth to connect. So, rest assured, you won’t have problems connecting anything to the stereo. And when you do, you will love listening to the beats, thanks to the 320 wattages.

Also, it has a backup camera that will make parking cars easy! People who are not the most adept at driving would definitely love this added help. As a bonus, you also get a remote to control the device. All in all, this is a great investment to make!

3. BOSS Audio Systems BV9976B Car DVD Player

Much like any other piece of tech, car audio devices can get very costly too, particularly if you are looking for the best features. But not everyone has the budget to splurge out a few hundred bucks, and that’s okay.

The BOSS BV9976B is one that provides good features at a great price. This flip up radio can power up your playlists and make them sound even better than normal, thanks to the equalizer it has. You can customize the equalizer to match the type of song you are playing. How great is that?
Rest assured- you will feel the beats because this unit sports 85 watts of power!

Besides the basic FM radio support, it also has auxiliary input. So, you can hook up your phone and put your favorite Spotify playlist on shuffle if you wish. Don’t have an aux cable? Then you could just use the Bluetooth option instead.

Let us talk about the coolest feature of this product. It has customizable multi-color illumination options. A major complaint with devices like this is the sunlight glare making the screen tough to read. Perhaps this problem is not entirely solvable, but it can be reduced by changing the brightness.

For that, the display has over 16 million different illumination options for you to customize the backlight. Sure, you do not need that many, but having the option is still nice, wouldn’t you say?

4. Pioneer AVH-3500NEX Stereo Receiver

It is tough to find good car stereo flip out screen units that support smartphones and single dins at the same time. This is precisely why this Pioneer line is very popular and regarded as one of the best single din flip out car stereos.

Android Auto or Apple Carplay – we all have a side in this never-ending debate, and it gets quite annoying when a device does not support both of them.

Both of these operating systems are pretty prevalent, so it often ends up being a problem if a device does not support them. Well, this unit by Pioneer does, so there is nothing for you to worry about!

With Android auto integration & iOS CarPlay platforms, you can now have a great smartphone experience in this product. That is a godsend when you consider the fact that single-din car stereos like this are hard to come by.

What makes it even better is that with these platforms, you can use a lot of smartphone apps such as Spotify, Pandora, Google Maps, Apple Music, Siri Eyes, Google Now TuneIn, Stitcher, messaging apps, music apps, and more. This makes the ride much more fun as well as convenient.

The display menu is pretty easy to get the hang of, and you are given quick access to what you want. Since the screen is not that big, there are not many buttons available. But the ones that are come in very handy.

5. Pyle PLT85BTCM Stereo Receiver

At 5th, we have yet another great budget pick for you to try. This is another single din flip-out unit that has a great hands-free application as well as a backup camera.

The display is 7-inch, and it has an aspect ratio of 16: 9. It sports a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels, which is great for the size. So, you will get high-definition performance from the display.

Much like any other similar product, this too has Bluetooth connectivity that works flawlessly. You can connect almost any device you wish for hands-free calling and playing your favorite playlists.

One quite strange con is that the unit lacks a navigation system, which is quite odd because navigation is one of the main reasons people get these. However, it makes up for that with a very good quality backup camera.

From the backup camera, you can get good quality video and audio output in case you needed to check for an emergency. Another benefit of this is that parking and backing up in a closed space will now be very easy.

Further, this camera has a marine-grade make and IP67 weatherproof rating, so it will not break on you because of bad outside conditions. Also, it has a wide-angle 170-degree view. What more can you ask for?

6. Soundstream VIR-7830B Single-Din Car Stereo

Up next, we have a very popular and well-loved single din flip out head unit from Soundstream.
The best thing about this stereo is that you can keep upgrading it if you wish, and the base item is pretty affordable. So, if you are tight on money but want a good quality stereo system, you can get this and slowly upgrade when possible. Amazing, right?

You will get 3 sets of preamp 2V outputs for the rear, front, and subwoofers. And the subwoofer output is 80 Hertz. For overhead and backseat entertainment, you get Dual Zone. As a cherry on top, you can also connect a flash drive up to 32 GB to the unit.

A major complaint about affordable radios is that the manufacturers cut corners when it comes to the quality of the components. Most often, the Bluetooth system and accompanying mic are the first ones to work badly.

Luckily, the call clarity via Bluetooth and the built-in mic of this unit is great. I have no complaints whatsoever in this department. It is durable as well, so it won’t break apart within a few months of use. Did I mention that it also has a great build?

One minor downside is that if you put your phone to charge while it is streaming audio via Bluetooth, the audio gets disconnected automatically. So, it would be best if you charged your phone before connecting to the stereo.

7. Hikity 7-Inch 1 Din Flip Out Radio Receiver

Till now, you may have noticed that all car stereos more or less have the same few functions, each excelling in one particular area to varying degrees. Well, this next one is a change of scenery.

Flip-out head units are somewhat easy to steal because of their portability. To combat that issue, this unit comes with a security password function.

You can set up a password through the settings, which will deter theft and unauthorized use. Don’t you hate it when that obnoxious uncle forcefully plays their weird tune?

Jokes aside, it can also prevent kids from using the unit without your permission. Great disciplinary unit, Must say.

Another useful function is that it supports WiFi connections. So, you can create a hotspot from your smartphone and connect to it, which will allow you to use the internet. That way, you can view online maps, online music streaming, and download apps & files.

We are not out of useful features yet! You will also get night vision on the backup camera, which will help you park in the dead of night safely. And, the camera is waterproof.

The Bluetooth connection is more advanced in this unit. It has Bluetooth 4.0, which will let you import your phonebook to the headpiece. This facilitates hands-free calling by a lot. That’s why many consider it as the best flip screen car stereo out there.

Now the last bonus feature is that the stereo unit can support the steering wheel buttons of your car. It increases convenience and safety because you can control those buttons with the flip head unit when driving. Pretty neat, right?

8. Planet Audio P9759B Single Din Car Stereo

While the last one we reviewed was rich in functionality, we understand that not everyone wants that. Some people just want a solid unit that will do the basic job well at a good price. Well, if you are one of those people, then you are in luck.

This unit is pretty simple and basic. In fact, the manufacturers overestimated how simple it is and didn’t feel the need to include an instructions manual. So, if you get this, prepare to awaken those LEGO-building skills from your childhood!

Jokes aside, there are plenty of video instructions available online, so you do not have to worry about that. All of the regular connectivity options are available in this unit. You can connect using USB, auxiliary cable, SD card, and Bluetooth. Aside from these, you can play songs on the DVD/CD player.

The RDS tinder and built-in preset EQ will automatically enhance any song you are playing, adding to the simplicity.

But the sound output itself is not very loud. So, you might need to install amps if you want louder sounds. 

The Bluetooth functions work fine, too. It is not extraordinary, but it is not bad either. You can definitely work with it.

9. EinCar Android 10 Single Din Flip Out Stereo

Last but not least, we have another high-quality Android flip out head unit. Much like the previous one, this too is made to make the most of Android devices. So, if you are an android smartphone owner, I highly recommend this for you.

Thanks to the latest Android 10.0 system, it will work perfectly with your smart Android devices and provide a smooth and fast operation.

There is no reason to settle for poor-quality screens and playbacks when devices like this are available in the market. The display is crystal clear, with 1024 x 600 pixels resolution. So, watching media would be pleasurable too. Thanks to the quad-core processor, no lagging will occur when you play something.

Because this is an Android auto compatible device, you can use Play Music with this device. Also, it comes with a built-in GPS module, map software, and voice assistance. So, navigating your way through the city will become very easy. It also supports online & offline maps. As a cherry on top, you can also navigate 3D maps!

What if you wanted to show everyone in the car a funny video you have found? With the mirror link option, you can do that easily with your stereo! Also, this device supports multiple languages. 

Also Check:

• Top 12 Backup Camera Featured Car Stereo Units

• Top 7 10.1 Inch Screen Car Stereos

• Top 10 Car Stereo Units Priced Under $200

• Top 10 Car Stereo Units Priced Under $100

How To Choose The Best Flip Out Head Unit

The units we have reviewed are all great. So, how do you choose the best flip out head unit? That is precisely what this section is for. There are a few factors you should consider when making purchases of flip-out stereos.

Power Output

The performance, as well as the functionality of a car stereo, depends a lot on its power rating. You may come across something called the ‘maximum power,’ which refers to the volume of watts the stereo can generate within a small period. The RMS power is the power it generates constantly.

While maximum power is important, you should not let it fool you. The RMS is actually more important and more telling of a stereo’s sound quality than the maximum wattage.

Display

By nature, flip up head units tend to have limited screen sizes. The display is actually limited by the overall small make of the unit. When it comes to smaller displays, the main things you should focus on are readability, user-friendliness, and brightness.

Auto brightness adjustment is something not many units have, which can be an annoyance. This is because you do not need the same level of brightness during the day and the night. Check if the model you’re considering has auto-adjusting brightness.

Expandability

Versatility is also something very important that you should look out for. A versatile car stereo will allow multiple different types of connections, both wired and wireless, to give you the flexibility to use almost any device with it.

You should also be able to connect flash drives, SD cards, CDs, and DVDs to the unit.

Audio, video, camera, and built-in microphone inputs & outputs should also be present for the best functionality.

Resolution

The resolution of the display will play the biggest role in how crisp, clean, and nice the picture quality will look when you are watching videos or pictures on your car stereo.

Screen resolution is measured in pixels. The higher the pixel count, the crisper the photos will look. So, if you want really good picture quality, go for devices with higher pixels.

Connections

You may have noticed that all flip out stereos support Bluetooth connectivity. But this does not mean that it should not have auxiliary or USB connectivity. Some units also support audio and video output so that the rear seat people in your car can connect their screens or audio players.

If you plan on using external amplifiers or subwoofers, or both, make sure the device supports these too. Another thing of utmost importance is shock protection. You do not want your newly purchased device to fry, do you?

Touchscreen

Having a touchscreen greatly increases the convenience of using a flip-out car stereo. Pressing hard buttons and rotating knobs are certainly tougher than simply touching the screen to get something done.

Particularly when you are busy driving, a touchscreen can get things done in a jiffy without needing much attention. So, look for a unit that comes with a touchscreen.

Design

A flip-out unit will essentially become a part of your car. So, you have to consider its design and aesthetics. Your chosen device should complement your car’s interior, not stand put in a bad way.

The more expensive ones come with advanced LED displays and customizable lighting. But that does not mean the affordable ones will look bad. The most important thing is the UI (user interface).

If the device is not user-friendly, you will hate using it. And if it is easy, you will gradually grow very fond of your flip out car stereo.

Ease of Installation

A common complaint we had throughout the reviews is that some of the units did not have clear installation instructions and were tricky to install. Make sure the device comes with clear-cut instructions with pictures and can fit easily in the car model you have.

Also, the device should come with all the appropriate hardware as well as harnesses required for installation.

GPS Navigation

Take advantage of the larger screen of your flip-out stereo by purchasing one with built-in GPS navigation to clearly see your route.

Additional Features

Features like backup camera, night vision camera, steering wheel control, equalizers, etc., will help to improve your overall experience with flip-out car stereos. So, do not forget to keep an eye out for them!

Why buy a Flip-out Car Stereo?

A flip-out car stereo is a great idea for folks who want to enjoy the convenience and luxury of a touch-screen stereo but don’t have room for one in their car.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the advantages of getting a single din flip-out car stereo?

Ans: If the device is flip out, you can enjoy most features the double din counterparts have, such as touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Google Play Music, DVD drive & CD player, etc.

Q. What is generally the screen size of flip-out stereos?

Ans: Usually, these devices have screens ranging from 5 to 7 inches.

Q. Should I be on the lookout for anything when installing a motorized screen?

Ans: Yes. Motorized screens can accidentally block out other functions your car has. So, carefully check your car dash before you install one.

Q. What is Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Ans: These are programs that allow the stereo system of your car to connect to your smartphone. Using these enables you to call, navigate, listen to tunes, and more from the stereo screen. Between these two programs, CarPlay is simpler and easier to get used to.

Q. What little things should I look for when picking a flip-out car stereo?

Ans: Aside from the more obvious features, look for equalizers, steering wheel controls, color-changing faceplates, and brightness adjustment for the best possible experience.

Q. Do all flip out head units support Bluetooth?

Ans: Most of the case, Yes! But if you find any model doesn’t feature Bluetooth, You must avoid such unit.

Final Words

Getting the best flip out car stereo can surely be a challenge. Hopefully, our reviews and buying guide have been of help to you. May you get the perfect match for your car and bust out sick tunes!

That’s all for today. Happy shopping!