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Apple introduced CarPlay in 2014, and since then, several products have come out to connect your phone to your vehicle to stream music and make calls. While the technology is still evolving, some of these new products produce better quality than ever.
A great wireless CarPlay adapter can make the whole experience of getting your iPhone or iPad into the vehicle much more enjoyable. That’s because wireless CarPlay technology allows you to wirelessly stream your iPhone to your car’s in-dash screen using Apple’s AirPlay software, bypassing the need to sync your device with your car via an old-fashioned cable connection.
There are many wireless car-play adapters on the market, but it is important to choose the right one to make your life easier. So after a week of research, here are our top picks for the best wireless CarPlay adapter for iPhone users in 2022.
- Best Overall Wireless CarPlay Adapter: CarlinKit
- Best Budget Wireless CarPlay Adapter: Ankeway Wireless CarPlay
- Best Wireless CarPlay Adapter for Easy Setup: Cplay2Air
- Best Wireless CarPlay Adapter for Durability: BovBox Wireless CarPlay
- Best-Looking Wireless CarPlay Adapter: Ottocast U2-Air
Best Overall Wireless CarPlay Adapter: CarlinKit
- 1.This CarlinKit 3.0 product makes wireless CarPlay easy! Super convenient to convert wired CarPlay to wireless CarPlay. Connects seamlessly to your iPhone every time you get in the car, So much...
- 2.Supported Vehicles and Phones: The car has been built-in Factory CarPlay. and compatible with i Phone5 to 13 Pro Max. (That just means that it doesn't work with units that don't already have wired...
- 3. Main Function: Enjoy automatic and wireless connection to CarPlay without need of USB-cable. Check out this easy way to retrofit your existing CarPlay system to make it wireless. Wireless CarPlay...
- 4.Principle: Our adapter has WiFi and Bluetooth hardware. It connects with Bluetooth and sends the WiFi credentials to the phone, then disconnects from the Bluetooth network. It works solely on WiFi...
- 5.CarlinKit's Lifetime Technical Support: 1-year worldwide warranty, Free updates. Our tech support will also answer your questions and help you set up or update your product.
The CarlinKit is a great option for anyone who wants to add CarPlay to their existing iPhone setup. It comes with everything you need for a simple installation and includes a bunch of extra features that make it stand out from other products on the market.
It offers an easy way to connect your phone to your car and make calls on the road, all while keeping your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. It’s not just for “techy” people, either — it’s also an excellent choice for anyone with a phone that supports CarPlay (and wants to use it in their car).
With the CarlinKit adapter, you can connect your phone to your car’s infotainment system without worrying about wires or charging stations. The CarlinKit Wireless CarPlay Adapter is distinctive and essentially reliable.
It’s a clever idea that enables you to go from a wired CarPlay interface to a wireless one. The dongle uses the USB interface to link with the HUD in your automobile. Then, it establishes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections with your iPhones.
The other thing we love about this product is its design. It’s sleek and modern while still maintaining a classic look that works well with almost any vehicle. Plus, it’s easy to use and can be mounted on almost any surface inside your vehicle. It’s not cheap, but it works well and is worth every penny.
Check out CarlinKit on Amazon.
Best Budget Wireless CarPlay Adapter: Ankeway Wireless CarPlay
- 【WIRELESS CarPlay Adapter FREES Your iPhone】: SPECIAL NOTE: Be sure to download the list of compatible car models from this page to confirm that the device is compatible with your model before...
- 【Wireless CarPlay & Wireless AirPlay Video Mirrored Projection】: Retrofit and upgrade your existing wired CarPlay system with an ANKEWAY wireless CarPlay adapter(AW1008). You can get wireless...
- 【Compatibility】: Prerequisite: Your car must have a built-in factory wired CarPlay system. In addition, Your iPhone must support the CayPlay function. SPECIAL NOTE: Be sure to download the list of...
- 【Principle & Tips】PRINCIPLE: As a plug-and-play solution, AW1008 has built-in WiFi and Bluetooth hardware. It connects to the original factory wired CarPlay system via USB or Type-C, and connects...
- 【After-sale Technical Support】: ANKEWAY wireless CarPlay adapter provides a one-year global warranty and permanent technical support services. If you have any questions about installation and use,...
Ankeway Wireless CarPlay is a budget-friendly option that works well with the new iPhones and is also very easy to set up. It offers all of the functionality you’d expect from a good wireless car charger.
Plus, it has some handy features that are great for people with multiple phones or devices to charge. It’s easy to use, can connect wirelessly via Bluetooth or WiFi, and is compatible with many different models of cars from various brands.
It also provides full HD video streaming, easy installation, and stable performance. The Ankeway Wireless CarPlay Adapter is also compatible with most aftermarket and factory stereos.
Check out Ankeway Wireless CarPlay on Amazon.
Best Wireless CarPlay Adapter for Easy Setup: Cplay2Air
- 【Wireless Apple CarPlay Adapter for iPhone】: Connects easily as soon as you turn on the car without having to plug any cables into your iphone and you can use your Apple Carplay wirelessly. It can...
- 【For Latest Vehicle and IOS】: It's compatible with all the factory carplay display with " Apple Carplay " program from 2018, supports ios 10 and above, not android. (Not recommended to try models...
- 【Direct Plug-in USB Dongle】: This is a plug-and-play wireless adapter, and simple to complete all configuration in 1 minute with the autoboot feature.
- 【Fast and stable】: The equipped 5Ghz chip will quickly connect your iphone's bluetooth and send the wifi credentials to your iphone. Relying on cellular signal, so you can't use your hotspot...
- 【You Will Get 1-Year Worldwide Warranty】: If you encounter any problems with the product during use, please send us emails and we will solve the problem for you within 24 hours.
Cplay2Air is the best wireless CarPlay adapter for easy setup because it’s easy to use. It comes with a 12-inch USB-A to USB-C cable. You don’t even have to worry about syncing your phone — you plug in the Bluetooth receiver and connect it to your phone.
The Cplay2Air has a good amount of range, which is important for when you’re driving on long trips. But this is a great option if you have only one phone and no other devices that support CarPlay!
When you connect to the Cplay2Air and try to access CarPlay, the device’s UI comes on-screen instead. You select Search, then go to your phone and search for the matching name in Bluetooth to pair it; it will also establish the necessary WiFi connection.
From there, you may enter an IP address into your iPhone browser to access the dongle’s settings and, if necessary, update the software. You may modify the Bluetooth connection name and WiFi SSID, but don’t worry because the confirmation dialogue boxes are in Chinese.
Check out Cplay2Air on Amazon.
Best Wireless CarPlay Adapter for Durability: BovBox Wireless CarPlay
- 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐔𝐬𝐞: Our wireless carplay adapter makes wired to wireless CarPlay quite simple. Super convenient to convert wired CarPlay to wireless CarPlay. Wireless apple carplay...
- 𝐏𝐥𝐮𝐠 & 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲：Plug the USB-C port of the data cable into the device，Plug the USB-A port of the data cable into the car USB port of ( the USB port with wired CarPlay output...
- 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲：The wireless CarPlay adapter has a strong compatibility.It can be com.patible with 98% of Cars which have Factory Wired...
- 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲：After connecting for the first time, there is no need to take out your 1Phone anymore. The wireless carplay adapter...
- 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫-𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞：This 5.0 Wireless carplay, has a one-year global warranty and permanent technical service support. If you have any questions,...
The BovBox Wireless CarPlay Adapter has a lot of great features that make it stand out from other products on the market. It offers a high-quality audio signal, a one-year global warranty, and permanent technical service support.
It also has an easy-to-use design that makes it easy to install in your vehicle. The device appears to be fairly sturdy and rigid. It connects to your iPhones via WiFi and Bluetooth.
There are USB C and USB A input converters available to connect it to your current media system. The wireless CarPlay adaptor is highly compatible. It is compatible with 98% of vehicles that have Factory Wired CarPlay.
Regarding performance, most of the characteristics are pretty similar to their peers. There are little signal drops, and you may connect to your car in the blink of an eye. After you have set up the dongle with your iPhone, it takes about 10 seconds to connect to your car.
Check out BovBox Wireless CarPlay on Amazon.
Best-Looking Wireless CarPlay Adapter: Ottocast U2-Air
- 【 Fastest Mini Wireless CarPlay Dongle 】OTTOCAST U2-AIR Wireless Apple CarPlay Adapter is the latest official version in 2022, it can quickly convert wired CarPlay to wireless CarPlay, the fastest...
- 【 Fully Automated Driving life 】After the first installation, U2-Air will automatically start and quickly connect to your iPhone when the car engine starts. Even if your phone is in your pocket or...
- 【 Plug and Play - No Audio Delay 】Plug and play design, suitable for all motorists. The high-end configuration makes the audio basically lag-free and can be gifted to your girlfriend , boyfriend...
- 【 U2-AIR 3.0 Compatible Models 】This CarPlay Wireless Adapter Only compatible with cars have factory wired CarPlay, model year : 2016-2022 . Suitable for iPhone IOS 6 and above . As long as this...
- 【 Professional Technical Support 】OTTOCAST official flagship store has a professional technical team of more than 30 people，we have ten years of experience in the vehicle industry and are...
Looking for a wireless car play adapter that’s both stylish and functional? The Ottocast U2-Air is the best option we’ve found.
The Ottocast U2-Air is a sleek, compact device that will look great on your vehicle’s dash. It has a slim design that will look great with any car or truck, and it’s small enough to fit under the steering wheel of most cars. Additionally, it comes with an adjustable mount, so you can put it wherever you like.
The Ottocast U2-Air includes a fast 5GHz WiFi chip that ensures extremely consistent wireless access. Furthermore, the setup is relatively straightforward, and because of its plug-and-play architecture, it is not difficult to operate.
It supports all of the most recent automobile models introduced after 2016; thus, you can use it with nearly any car you choose. If you’re curious about OS compatibility, this CarPlay adaptor is designed to operate with all iPhone handsets running iOS 6 and later.
Check out Ottocast U2-Air on Amazon.
How to Pick the Best Wireless CarPlay Adapter: Step by Step
Wireless CarPlay adapters are an easy way to upgrade your car’s entertainment system without spending much money. If you’ve got an older vehicle or perhaps a newer model that doesn’t have built-in connectivity for Apple CarPlay, you can buy an adapter and add wireless streaming capabilities to your car.
There are several things that you should consider when looking for a good adapter, such as:
- Price,
- Connectivity Options,
- Platform,
- Compatibility,
- Ease of Use.
Now let’s explore each one in more detail.
Price
The cost of a wireless adapter will vary based on its features and connectivity options. If you need something that works with multiple devices, or if your car doesn’t have an in-dash screen, then you’ll pay more than if all you want is voice command capability.
Wireless car play adapters can range from $50 to $500 or more, depending on the model you choose and how many features it has. It’s crucial to select an adapter that is both affordable and reliable.
Wireless CarPlay adapters come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to ensure that you get one that will work with your dashboard and your budget.
Connectivity Options
The Wireless CarPlay adapter’s connectivity options must be your first point of call. The CarPlay adaptor still needs to be wired to your vehicle, even if you won’t need to use any connectivity ports to connect your mobile device.
In that situation, you must take into account whether the adapter has a Type-C connector or a regular Type-B USB 2.0 port. You can choose an appropriate adapter for your automobile based on the connectivity port that your vehicle’s infotainment system supports.
Platform
You must ensure that the CarPlay adapter you select for your vehicle supports the appropriate platform. For example, CarPlay adapters are primarily designed for iOS platforms.
However, a CarPlay adaptor may or may not work for you if you have an Android phone. Some adapters support CarPlay and Android Auto, making it possible to utilize them with mobile devices running either the iOS or Android operating systems.
Additionally, after confirming platform compatibility, double-check to see if the CarPlay adapter supports the OS version that is currently installed on your phone. Otherwise, it won’t function.
Warranty
When purchasing a new Wireless CarPlay adapter, it is critical to seek the right specifications. But there is one thing that most people overlook: verifying the warranty details.
When searching for the best CarPlay adapter on the market, choose brands that have received excellent ratings from previous customers and have a strong name in the industry.
Such brands are usually safe to use because they typically include a warranty with their items, which is always advantageous to the buyers.
Compatibility
As you browse the CarPlay adapter options, you will see that not all adapters are compatible with all vehicles. In that scenario, you must ensure that the CarPlay adaptor is compatible with your vehicle model.
In some circumstances, a wired installation of Apple CarPlay is required before you can utilize the CarPlay adaptor with the car’s console.
Ease of Use
Consider how easy it will be to use your new wireless CarPlay adapter with your device. Is there an intuitive user interface? Will it be easy to connect to your device?
You should also ensure the adapter comes with easy-to-install software so that installation is quick and painless. The last thing you want to do is spend hours troubleshooting why your device won’t connect or isn’t working right.
What to Know Before Buying the Best Wireless CarPlay Adapter
Choosing the best wireless CarPlay adapter is not an easy task. There are many different types of adapters on the market, from simple to advanced models. The best thing to do is ensure that your device is compatible with the adapter you plan to buy.
The first thing you should consider when buying a wireless CarPlay adapter is whether or not it supports Apple CarPlay.
This feature allows users to connect their smartphone to their car’s infotainment system through a smartphone charger and a USB cable. It also connects GPS maps and music streaming services like Spotify, Pandora Radio, iHeartRadio, etc.
Another important factor when choosing a wireless CarPlay adapter is its compatibility with your vehicle. The best wireless CarPlay adapters will support both Apple’s CarPlay platform as well as wireless Bluetooth and WiFi technology.
In addition to those two technologies, they should also offer an easy way to pair with your phone and allow mirroring your screen when in use.
Using the Best Wireless CarPlay Adapter: What It’s Like
The best wireless CarPlay adapter is a one-stop shop for all your wireless car play needs. It can connect your iPhone or another iOS device to your car’s audio system, allowing you to stream music from your phone to your car’s speakers.
The best wireless car play adapter comes with a range of features that will make driving safer and more enjoyable — and if you’re looking for a way to add some extra functionality to your smartphone while driving, this is the device for you.
