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With multiple sensors and semiconductors, a modern-day car is no less than a computer — it just has wheels. While technology is being integrated into cars to make rides safer and more inclusive, it has also taken one of the basic things — entertainment — to the next level. Gone are the days when you had to insert CDs or cassettes to play your favorite song or rely on the radio. Thanks to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, your car’s infotainment system is no less than a smartphone. You can run apps, use navigation, give voice commands, listen to podcasts or audiobooks, play games, and make or receive calls and messages.

Apple CarPlay ensures that you stay connected to your phone while driving directly from your car’s dashboard. CarPlay is supported on over 800 models, but not all of them support wireless CarPlay. Unlike a wired connection, wireless CarPlay uses Bluetooth to pair and then sends and receives data via Wi-Fi. It also keeps your iPhone free from cable constraints, providing a cleaner and more convenient experience. Since not all cars support wireless CarPlay, you have to rely on third-party wireless adapters that provide the same functionality.

But there are some trade-offs compared to dedicated head units with built-in wireless CarPlay. Wireless adapters may suffer from occasional lag, dropped connections, audio sync issues, lack of charging, or slightly lower audio quality. However, replacing the head unit can be costly and may require professional installation. To keep things hassle-free, we’ve compiled a list of five wireless CarPlay adapters available on Amazon for under $50.

One of the top picks is a highly rated wireless CarPlay adapter from Heyincar+. This adapter has a small form factor that doesn’t interfere with your car’s aesthetics. The Heyincar+ adapter plugs straight into the car’s USB port and instantly connects to a paired iPhone within seconds of ignition. It’s powered by 5.8 GHz Wi-Fi, which ensures that signal transmission remains uninterrupted and smooth. This also helps provide a lag-free experience, especially when using navigation apps.

The pairing process is simple. Just plug the Heyincar+ adapter into your car’s USB port, pair it with your iPhone via Bluetooth, and follow the on-screen steps. It works with a wide range of vehicles and supports iPhones running iOS 10 or later. However, it works only on cars that support wired Apple CarPlay. You can use touchscreen, steering-mounted controls, the voice assistant, and make or receive calls — basically all CarPlay apps and features without the wire.

The Heyincar+ adapter has mostly positive reviews, with users praising its connectivity, performance, and compact size. It’s usually priced at $49.99 on Amazon but is currently available for $42.99 at the time of writing.

This adapter from Shrandi stands out for one thing — its compact design. Once connected to the USB port, you’ll barely notice it. The Shrandi adapter pairs with an iPhone almost instantly, and based on user reviews, it works quite smoothly. Similar to others on this list, once paired, it connects automatically when the car is turned on. According to the product description, it uses 5 GHz Wi-Fi for connectivity. Some users have reported occasional disconnections or lag, but overall, the feedback is positive.

You can access all your favorite apps on your car’s dashboard, including navigation and music apps like Spotify and Apple Music, and make or receive calls and messages, or use Siri. The brand claims that it’s built to last through over 10,000 plug-and-unplug cycles. Users can operate Apple CarPlay through their car’s steering-mounted controls or dashboard knobs to adjust volume, just as they would with a factory-fitted wired CarPlay connection.

The device supports more than 800 car models, so it will most likely work with your car. The Shrandi wireless CarPlay adapter is available for $32.99 on Amazon and is one of the highest-rated wireless CarPlay adapters on the platform.

Another popular wireless CarPlay adapter that has received positive reviews on Amazon is the one from Jemluse. Although it isn’t as compact as some of the other adapters mentioned in this article, there’s a reason for that. The Jemluse wireless CarPlay adapter comes with a powerful 8-core processor that ensures a higher transmission rate. The company claims it offers up to 10x faster navigation, media, and messaging performance compared to other adapters. It also features 5.8 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless connectivity and a smooth user experience.

The adapter has a premium metal casing that has been tested to withstand over 50,000 plug-and-unplug cycles, lasting three times longer than regular plastic dongles. There’s a small wired USB cable attached to the dongle that doesn’t affect performance even in extreme temperatures (-20°C to 70°C). Users have shared positive feedback about its stable connection and lag-free performance. For those looking for a compact option, one user noted that the adapter is roughly the size of a deck of cards.

One advantage of the Jemluse wireless CarPlay adapter is that it comes in multiple color options — gray, all silver, silver, and all black. The gray version is the one that fits our criteria and is currently priced at $49.99 on Amazon at the time of writing.

Another popular CarPlay adapter that can help reduce cable clutter and connect your iPhone wirelessly is the Abune mini wireless CarPlay adapter. Though compact, it comes with some decent specs. First, it features 5.8 GHz Wi-Fi for smooth navigation, calls, music streaming, and messaging — perfect if you rely on some of the CarPlay apps you should be using daily. Additionally, all CarPlay apps run with fewer hiccups. With Bluetooth 5.3, the connection remains stable. It also includes a 5-second auto-connection feature, meaning your iPhone pairs automatically within seconds of starting the car.

One of its standout traits is its small footprint — it doesn’t take up extra space. Like other adapters on this list, the Abune Mini supports iPhones running iOS 10 or later. You can control your car’s infotainment system using voice commands, touchscreen, control knob, or steering-mounted buttons. The description notes that the Abune Mini is compatible with car models released in 2016 and later that support wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

While the dongle itself features a USB-A connector, you also get a USB-C adapter and an extension cable in the box, making it more versatile. Based on customer reviews, setup is easy, the instant-connect feature works well, and connection drops are rare. You can purchase the Abune mini wireless CarPlay adapter for $32.99 on Amazon.

Interestingly, the wireless CarPlay adapter from Junboer on Amazon is rated 5 stars. This adapter supports over 1,200 car models released from 2016 onward. While other adapters on this list feature 5- or 10-second reconnection times, this one can reconnect in just 3 seconds. The company claims the device is powered by a custom A9 chip and supports Bluetooth 5.3, which enables fast, stable pairing. It also includes dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz Wi-Fi for smooth navigation, seamless music playback, and zero stutter.

It comes with a metal casing and a compact design that prevents the device from overheating. The description also lists bold claims, such as 4,000+ heat and cold tests, over 10,000 plug-and-unplug cycles, and enhanced signal stability. Users have praised its instant reconnection capability, though some mentioned a small delay when switching songs.

The Junboer mini wireless CarPlay adapter is currently priced at $39.98 on Amazon, 25% off its usual pricing of $52.98. And based on its features and reviews, it appears well priced and well received by users. There’s also an all-black version of the adapter available for $44.99.