Top Aftermarket Car Radio Brands You'll Love for an Audio Upgrade

The world of car audio can be overwhelming, with countless options available for those seeking to upgrade their vehicle's sound system. Among the myriad choices, several brands consistently stand out for their quality and innovation in aftermarket radio systems. These brands offer a variety of features, ensuring that audiophiles and casual listeners alike can find the perfect match for their needs and preferences. To help you navigate this dynamic market, we've compiled a list of the best brands in aftermarket car radios below.

Illustration of aftermarket radio

Best brands of aftermarket radio in 2025

Pioneer

Pioneer, a leading brand in aftermarket car radios, offers a wide array of head units, including single and double DIN options, with features like DAB+ Digital Radio, Bluetooth, and smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Holding a significant market share alongside Sony and JVC Kenwood at over 25% in 2024, the in-car audio system market is projected to reach $25.62 billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 11%. Pioneer provides versatile, high-grade receivers that cater to various needs and car models with features like touchscreens, voice control, and advanced sound tuning. Explore their products.

Kenwood

Kenwood, a leading brand in aftermarket car audio since the 1960s, holds a significant market share, estimated around 25% in 2013, and is renowned for its user-friendly interfaces, exceptional sound quality, and durable products. Their offerings range from head units with smartphone integration like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to high-performance amplifiers and speakers. Additionally, they provide a range of products for motorsports, focusing on both the OEM and aftermarket sectors. Kenwood continuously engineers high-quality and reliable products for a safer and more enjoyable in-car driving experience. For more details, explore their extensive line of car audio products.

Alpine

Alpine, established in 1967, is a leading manufacturer of premium aftermarket car audio systems, renowned for high-quality sound and innovative features like graphic equalizers introduced in 1982, offering a wide range of products including head units, speakers, and amplifiers; while they had 76% of their revenue from OEM sales in 2006, they are still considered a favorite among audiophiles due to their focus on sound purity and advanced technology, making them a top choice for in-car entertainment with their dedication to quality and innovation.

Sony

Sony, a prominent brand in aftermarket car audio, held a 16% market share in 2020 and continues to innovate with high-resolution audio and smartphone integration like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, offering premium sound experiences and advanced features in their head units. They are a preferred choice for many seeking quality aftermarket solutions, evidenced by their presence in numerous vehicles and their continued development of cutting-edge car audio technology. The company is committed to energy-efficient and eco-friendly design, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers, and they leverage partnerships with automotive OEMs to ensure a strong market presence. The Sony XAV-AX8500 is a favored model for its premium sound and large, high-resolution screen. For more details on their car audio solutions, visit Sony's in-car receivers page.

JVC

JVC, a Japanese multinational electronics company established in 1927, has solidified its reputation as a top aftermarket car radio producer, offering a wide range of high-quality, feature-rich, and affordable audio solutions, with a focus on integrating smartphone connectivity and multimedia functions. They are a major player holding a significant market share of the car audio market, around 25% combined with Sony and Pioneer in 2024. JVC's car stereos are known for their excellent sound quality, user-friendly interface, and advanced features, catering to a broad consumer base. Some of their popular models include the KW-Z1000W with a 10.1-inch floating touchscreen and the KW-M780BT with a 6.8-inch screen, further emphasizing their dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction. For more information, visit their official website.

Clarion

Clarion, established in 1940, is a Japanese brand that has been a leading innovator in car audio since producing Japan's first car radio in 1951. Despite not always having its name on the systems, Clarion remains at the heart of many infotainment systems globally. The brand focuses on in-vehicle equipment and systems with a commitment to sound excellence, offering a wide range of products from digital audio systems to multimedia units. Clarion is considered one of the top brands in aftermarket car audio, with the global car aftermarket audio system market expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.5% from 2024 to 2031. You can find their products on their official website.

Boss Audio

Boss Audio, established in 1987, is a well-known brand in the aftermarket car audio industry, offering a variety of head units, speakers, and amplifiers, with many models featuring touchscreens and smartphone integration like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite some mixed reviews regarding long-term reliability, Boss Audio provides a budget-friendly option for those seeking to upgrade their car's sound system with a wide range of features. You can find more information about their products on the official website.

Jensen

Jensen, a brand with a history stretching back to 1915 when they created the moving-coil loudspeaker, continues to be a significant player in the aftermarket car radio industry, offering a wide range of products from basic single-DIN receivers to advanced double-DIN multimedia systems, some featuring large touchscreens, wireless connectivity like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto; while some user reviews indicate that there can be issues with reliability and performance, Jensen generally provides a budget-friendly option for car audio upgrades, and they were purchased by Namsung Corporation in 2015, combining their audio expertise with Namsung's resources. You can explore their product range at Jensen's product range.

JBL

JBL, a brand with nearly 70 years of audio expertise, stands out as a top aftermarket radio producer, offering a wide range of products from speakers to amplifiers, with a significant market presence, and is known for providing high-quality audio experiences, and for its innovation in car audio technology; their recent product launch, the JBL Legend 700 in January 2024, demonstrates their commitment to integrating advanced tech.

Rockford Fosgate

Rockford Fosgate, founded in 1980 by Jim Fosgate, who is often called the inventor of the car audio amplifier, has established itself as a leading brand in the aftermarket car audio industry, known for its high-performance audio solutions, including amplifiers, speakers, and subwoofers. The company has been manufacturing car audio products since the 1970s, and while the brand doesn't disclose exact market share, it is a recognized brand in the car audio market. Rockford Fosgate has been leading the pack for over 35 years, catering to enthusiasts with its "Car Audio for Fanatics" slogan.