It is common for us to pick up our phones while driving for various reasons, most likely to answer a call or check a notification. However, doing so causes distractions that might cause you to take your eyes off the road and lead to accidents.
Fortunately, with the help of Apple CarPlay, which is a system that allows you to access some of your iPhone features like calling, messages, media, and Siri through your car’s infotainment system so as to have a bright and safe driving experience.
So for those looking for Apple CarPlay wireless adapters to create wireless CarPlay support in their cars, this article will discuss the best products you can use.
Why Do You Need Apple CarPlay Wireless Adapter?
While most older automobiles allow the use of wired connections to connect your iPhone with your car’s infotainment system in order to use CarPlay, there is a trend toward wireless connections. This is due to the fact that using wireless connectivity spares you from having to constantly plug and unplug cords.
Now the question is: how can wireless CarPlay be used in a vehicle that only supports wired connections? CarPlay wireless adapters fill this need by adding wireless connectivity support to your car’s infotainment system. It cannot be easy to choose which CarPlay wireless adapter to buy because there are so many of them available.
Thus, we’ll look into the best Apple CarPlay wireless adapters available for purchase and optimal use, but before that, we will talk about what you need to use a CarPlay wireless adapter.
What Do I Need To Use Wireless CarPlay Adapters?
If you want to use CarPlay wirelessly in your car but are not certain of what you need to use a wireless CarPlay adapter to link your iPhone with your car’s head unit, we will go through them below:
- Presence of CarPlay system in your car’s infotainment system.
- An iPhone 5 or newer running iOS 7.1 or later version.
- A wireless CarPlay adapter since your car does not natively support using CarPlay wirelessly
- A stable WiFi connection between your iPhone and the CarPlay wireless adapter
- The latest firmware installed on your car’s infotainment system
Best Apple CarPlay Wireless Adapter
Here are the best wireless CarPlay adapters you may use to establish a seamless wireless CarPlay connection between your iPhone and your car’s infotainment system:
- OTTOCAST U2-X Pro Wireless CarPlay Adapter
- Hieha Wireless CarPlay Adapter
- CarlinKit 3.0 U2W Wireless CarPlay Adapter
- Cplay2air Wireless Adapter
- OTTOCAST U2-Air
- AutoSky Wireless CarPlay Adapter
Best Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Wireless Adapter – OTTOCAST U2-X Pro Wireless CarPlay Adapter
The OTTOCAST U2-X Pro Wireless CarPlay Adapter is the latest model from OTTOCAST and is the ideal CarPlay wireless adapter for you if you use both an Android and an iPhone and want to wirelessly connect to Android Auto and CarPlay on the infotainment system in your car.
Since it is a plug-and-play device that doesn’t need to be installed before usage, you should have a simple setup process that normally takes less than 5 minutes for the initial setup. After the first setup, OTTOCAST U2-X Pro connects automatically when you are close to your car, doing away with the need to pair devices repeatedly.
Besides, it makes use of 5GHz + 2.4GHz dual-band Wi-Fi and the dual-core ARM Cortex A7 to reduce latency and provide a seamless CarPlay experience. The powerful CarPlay wireless adapter comes with a smart button that allows you to disconnect your phone from CarPlay or Android Auto, and when it is pressed and held for three seconds, it enters the online update mode.
The OTTOCAST U2-X Pro wireless CarPlay adapter is compatible with a wide range of phone and vehicle models, and its high price is more than justified by its features. You might choose this wireless CarPlay adapter if the price is reasonable for you and the features we have outlined are what you need.
Pros:
- Works with both CarPlay and Android Auto
- Compatible with several car models
- Fast connection speed and stable connection
Cons:
- Pricey
Best Value Apple CarPlay Wireless Dongle – Hieha Wireless CarPlay Adapter 2
Hieha is a well-known brand recognized for its wireless CarPlay adapter, which removes the need for a cable to link the CarPlay system in your vehicle with an iPhone. The Hieha Wireless CarPlay Adapter 2, one of their products, has garnered positive reviews from numerous users as it creates a seamless wireless connection for CarPlay.
This adapter is both portable and powerful, featuring a USB port that connects to your car’s USB port. The other end of the adapter is plugged into the CarPlay wireless dongle, enabling the setup of CarPlay between your car’s infotainment system and your iPhone. The connection process of this dongle is usually fast, and it includes an auto-connection feature for faster and easier connection.
The Hieha Wireless CarPlay Adapter 2 uses an integrated 5G chip and 5.8GHz WiFi, which work together to provide an exceptional CarPlay experience. This technology combination results in incredibly fast response times and a seamless display of maps, media, and other outputs, surpassing the performance of many other dongles which use 5.5GHz WiFi support.
While the pricing is a bit too high, you can often find the Hieha CarPlay wireless dongle on sale.
Pros
- High processing speed and stable connection
- Compatible with more than 600 car models
- Supports voice control
Cons
- Some users report it doesn’t work with some old car models
Best User-friendly Wireless Apple CarPlay Adapter – CarlinKit 3.0 Wireless CarPlay Adapter
If you are an iPhone-using car owner, another Apple CarPlay wireless adapter you can use is the CarlinKit 3.0 Wireless CarPlay Adapter.
This device allows any car to enjoy wireless CarPlay and has a simple connection process that takes only about 20 seconds. After the first connection, the dongle will connect CarPlay automatically the subsequent time you are near your car as long as Bluetooth and WiFi are on.
This dongle gives access to functions such as Siri voice control, phone call, navigation, media, and all from your iPhone on your car’s head unit, allowing you to enjoy your car to the fullest.
The CarPlay 3.0 wireless CarPlay adapter supports multiple device connections, meaning you can pair several devices with it and use any of them at any time. It is also built with a 5G chip for fast processing speed and 5.8GHz Wi-Fi for maximum compatibility.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Fast connection speed due to chip it is built with
Cons
- A bit expensive
Most Powerful Wireless Apple CarPlay Adapter – Cplay2air Wireless Adapter
The Cplay2air Wireless Adapter is another powerful dongle that converts wired CarPlay to wireless. The dongle is built in such a way that its connector can’t be detached, making it more portable, and it may not be convenient to be placed far from your car’s head unit because the USB cable is too short. But that can be remedied by getting a USB extender.
The manufacturer boasts that its CarPlay wireless dongle is compatible with all factory-wired CarPlay vehicles and that it can be used with iPhone 6 and newer models that are running iOS 10 or later. However, we recommend you go for this CarPlay wireless adapter if your car is built with the Apple CarPlay program from 2018 or newer for a seamless connection.
It is also Plug and Play, like the other CarPlay wireless adapters covered in this article. As a result, all you need to do to get started is pair your phone with CarPlay, which often takes less than 30 seconds. Its pricing is also reasonable, so you may consider going for it if it fits what you are looking for.
Pros
- Plug-and-play compatibility
- Portable
Cons
- Reportedly not to be stable with car models older than 2018
- The dongle may not conveniently fit to be placed in some cars
Fastest Apple CarPlay Wireless Adapter – OTTOCAST U2-Air
OTTOCAST is renowned for its great products when it comes to CarPlay and Android Auto wireless adapters, and this OTTOCAST U2-Air is yet another CarPlay wireless dongle you will find quite useful. It is designed to behave similarly to its sibling product, described in this article, with the primary distinction being that this one is CarPlay-specific.
It takes only a few seconds to set up and makes use of a 5GHz Wi-Fi module for a quick connection, even with the phone in your pocket. The elegant and small body design of the OTTOCAST U2-Air makes it a good fit for your vehicle. The CarPlay wireless adaptor is also compatible with the majority of car models, but you should check the compatibility before purchasing.
Pros
- It can be set up within a few seconds
- It has an elegant and compact body
Cons
- Some users have reported connectivity issue for some cars
Best Small Portable Apple CarPlay Wireless Dongle – AutoSky Wireless CarPlay Adapter
The AutoSky Wireless CarPlay Adapter is one of the wireless CarPlay dongles we like the most on this list since it fits your car exactly how you want it to and works like magic.
The CarPlay wireless adapter’s USB-C connector is wire-free as it attaches to the dongle directly. On the other hand, if you don’t want to plug the dongle directly into your car’s USB-C port, the dongle box comes with USB-A and USB-C extenders.
AutoSky Wireless CarPlay Adapter is said to be compatible with more than 600 car models and allows you to access all CarPlay functions.
It is one of the CarPlay wireless adapters you won’t regret acquiring, and its price is affordable, but some of its users have made reports that you need to upgrade its firmware in order to enjoy it to the fullest.
Pros
- It works flawlessly
- Very sleek and compact
- It comes with both USB-C and USB-A
Cons
- It has a short USB cord
What to consider while choosing the best Apple wireless CarPlay adapter?
Here are a few factors you can take into account when determining the ideal Apple CarPlay wireless adapter to choose in order to arrive at the optimal decision:
Compatibility: One common mistake individuals make when acquiring a CarPlay wireless adapter is neglecting to choose a compatible one for their devices. It is of utmost importance to verify that the wireless adapter you plan to purchase is not only compatible with your iPhone but also with your vehicle
Connectivity: When selecting a CarPlay wireless dongle, it is crucial to take into account the connectivity options it offers. This ensures that the dongle aligns with the connectivity supported by your car, preventing any compatibility issues. It is recommended to opt for a dongle that supports both Bluetooth and at least WiFi 5.0GHz for optimal connectivity.
Size: CarPlay wireless adapters are built in different sizes, so you should look into the product sizes before choosing one to get.
Price: CarPlay wireless dongles are available in a price range of approximately $170 down to less than $80. Therefore, it is advisable to make a decision based on your pocket.
USB Types: In our reviews of the top CarPlay wireless adapters, it has been highlighted that certain adapters are equipped with USB-C, some feature USB-A, and others come with both options. Therefore, it is important to take this into account before making a purchase to ensure compatibility between the adapter and your car’s USB port, thus avoiding the acquisition of an incompatible dongle.
Ease of installation: Lastly, it is crucial to review the ease of use of a CarPlay wireless adapter before making a decision. However, the adapters we have recommended above have been specifically chosen to provide a seamless user experience, minimizing any potential issues.
How to Set Up a Wireless Apple CarPlay Adapter
To set up a wireless Apple CarPlay adapter in your car and connect your iPhone to the Carplay system:
- Plug in your Apple CarPlay wireless dongle
Plug the CarPlay wireless adapter into your CarPlay port, and plug the USB-C end into the adapter if the cord and the Carplay wireless adapter come separately.
- Start your car and head unit
Start your car and turn on the infotainment system.
- Pair your iPhone with your car stereo
Ensure your iPhone Wi-Fi is on and pair your iPhone with the car’s infotainment system using Bluetooth.
- Start using Apple CarPlay
Then click Use CarPlay when prompted on your iPhone to show the CarPlay home screen on your car’s head unit.
The pairing process is usually simple and takes less than 3 minutes, all things being equal. However, if you experience any delay while setting up the wireless CarPlay adapter, you can check the adapter’s manual for help.
Best Apple CarPlay WIreless Dongles: Final Words
This article covers the best Apple CarPlay wireless adapters that you can use to transform your wired CarPlay system into a wireless one. We also discuss how to choose the best wireless CarPlay dongle and provide a guide for setting it up. For a wallet-friendly way to connect your phone to your car, check out the IMDEN C57 Bluetooth wireless FM transmitter.
Frequently Asked Questions
The OTTOCAST Wireless CarPlay Adapters boast the quickest boot-up time of all wireless Apple CarPlay dongles, taking only about 12 seconds. In terms of latency and other factors, this device provides the best CarPlay experience. So it is one of the Apple CarPlay wireless adapters you won’t regret getting.
The answer to this question depends on your point of view. There is often a lag while using wireless Apple CarPlay, thus, wired Apple CarPlay is preferable in terms of latency between the output on the Car’s infotainment system and your iPhone.
So when watching media, a wired connection is best because wireless connections can sometimes be unstable.
However, if we are considering which one is easier to use or which one provides you with the flexibility to use your iPhone or keep it wherever CarPlay is connected to it, wireless Apple CarPlay is preferable.
Yes, if your car’s head unit was designed with wired CarPlay, you can use a CarPlay wireless adapter to make it wireless. The best Apple CarPlay wireless adapter to use in this case has been discussed in this article.
Android Auto and CarPlay perform the same work of integrating some of your phone’s functions into an in-car infotainment system. However, even while Android Auto has a more customized UI and enables more third-party apps in its integration, both of these systems do their jobs well.
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