The demand for wireless CarPlay adapters has skyrocketed in the past few years. They allow drivers to go wireless with their CarPlay and declutter their cars. Instead of plugging in a cable for each drive, the adapter reconnects automatically, and you're good to go.
Naturally, I wanted to do my own research and find the top models. With the help of the Cybernews expert team, I analyzed and compared 24 wireless CarPlay dongles. I focused on their connectivity, compatibility, build quality, pricing, and unique use cases.
After in-depth research, I identified the top five models, with Jemluse standing out as the winner. Check my full comparison below and discover the best wireless CarPlay adapter for you.
Best wireless CarPlay adapter – shortlist
- Jemluse Wireless CarPlay Adapter for Apple iPhone (2024 upgraded) – best wireless CarPlay adapter overall
- Amzfeel Wireless CarPlay Adapter – the most compact wireless CarPlay adapter
- TERUNSOUI Wireless CarPlay Adapter – the lightest aluminum adapter for wireless CarPlay
- JDG Wireless CarPlay Adapter – best for preserving your phone battery
- Abune Mini Wireless CarPlay Adapter for iPhone – best for quick reconnection
- MSXTTLY Wireless CarPlay Adapter – best technical support
The best wireless CarPlay adapters compared
Before jumping to individual reviews, take a look at how my top picks compare side by side. The table below highlights their pricing, connectivity, build quality, and other important factors.
| Model name | Connector type | Compatibility | Material | Weight | Best for |
| Jemluse CarPlay Adapter CTT168-1 | USB-A (+ USB-C adapter) | iOS 10+ and all cars that support wired CarPlay | Aluminum alloy housing with a plastic front | 2.88oz | Long drives with heavy CarPlay usage |
| Amzfeel CarPlay Mini Pro | USB-A (+USB-C adapter and a USB-A extension cable) | iOS 10+ and all cars that support wired CarPlay | Hard plastic with brushed cobalt finish | 2.08oz | Cars with difficult-to-access USB ports |
| TERUNSOUI Wireless CarPlay Adapter BY969N | USB-A (+USB-C adapter) | iOS 10+ and all cars that support wired CarPlay | Aluminum alloy housing with a plastic front | 0.64oz | Users looking for the most portable CarPlay adapter |
| JDG Wireless CarPlay Adapter | USB-A (+USB-C adapter) | iOS 10+ and all cars that support wired CarPlay | Hard plastic | 1.76oz | Preserving your phone battery |
| Abune Mini Wireless CarPlay Adapter | USB-A | iOS 10+ and all cars that support wired CarPlay | Hard plastic with a metal finish | 0.32oz | Fast reconnections |
| MSXTTLY U2C-AIR Pro | USB-A (+USB-A to USB-C adapter and a USB-A to USB-A extension cable) | iOA 11+ (doesn't support BMW and electric vehicles) | Hard plastic with a metallic finish and copper alloy USB | 2.12oz | Users looking for lifetime technical support |
6 best wireless CarPlay adapters – our detailed list
Now, let's get a closer look at my top picks, evaluate their features, and see how they can help you switch to wireless CarPlay.
1. Jemluse Wireless CarPlay Adapter – best wireless CarPlay adapter overall
| Model name: | Jemluse CarPlay Adapter CTT168-1 |
| Connector type: | USB-A (+ USB-C adapter) |
| Compatibility: | iOS 10+ and all cars that support wired CarPlay |
| Material: | Aluminum alloy housing with a plastic front |
| Weight: | 2.88oz |
| Best for: | Long drives with heavy CarPlay usage |
Jamluse is a true workhorse among wireless CarPlay adapters. It's my #1 pick for its seamless and stable performance paired with a durable and user-friendly design.
It's ideal for long drives if you plan on using your CarPlay most of the way. You can set it up in under a minute and relax knowing you won't get any disconnects or lag. Quick and seamless pairing also makes it good for shorter stop-and-go city drives.
Its aluminum housing makes it much more durable than plastic adapters, and it can work in temperatures between -20°C and 70°C. It works with phones running iOS 10+ and supports all car models equipped with wired CarPlay.
2. Amzfeel Wireless CarPlay Adapter – the most compact CarPlay adapter
| Model name: | Amzfeel CarPlay Mini Pro |
| Connector type: | USB-A (+USB-C adapter and a USB-A extension cable) |
| Compatibility: | iOS 10+ and all cars that support wired CarPlay |
| Material: | Hard plastic with brushed cobalt finish |
| Weight: | 2.08oz |
| Best for: | Cars with difficult-to-access USB ports |
Amzfeel Mini Pro is the most compact wireless CarPlay adapter, ideal for cars with hard-to-reach USB ports. It comes with two extension cords, which makes the whole setup even more convenient.
It's easy to install and provides stable connectivity, as long as your Wi-Fi is up and running. It automatically reconnects after the initial pairing, even if your iPhone stays in your pocket.
Amzfeel wireless adapter is made of hard plastic with a metal finish. The overall design and build quality guarantee optimal performance, even in rough conditions. Similar to my top pick, this model supports all phones running iOS 10+ and cars with wired CarPlay.
3. TERUNSOUI Wireless CarPlay Adapter – the lightest and most portable metal CarPlay adapter
| Model name: | TERUNSOUI Wireless CarPlay Adapter BY969N |
| Connector type: | USB-A (+USB-C adapter) |
| Compatibility: | iOS 10+ and all cars that support wired CarPlay |
| Material: | Aluminum alloy housing with a plastic front |
| Weight: | 0.64oz |
| Best for: | Users looking for the most portable CarPlay adapter |
TERANSOUI is the lightest aluminum wireless CarPlay adapter out there. You won't even feel it in your pocket. Unlike Amzfeel, though, it doesn't come with extension cords, and the built-in cable is quite short. So, I don't recommend it for cars with difficult-to-reach USB ports.
The setup is simple, and you'll enjoy your favorite CarPlay features with minimal lag and no disconnects. Due to its small size, TERANSOUI is not ideal for extremely long drives since it can get hot with overuse. If you're going on a longer trip, I recommend getting Jemluse.
TERANSOUI is made of high-quality aluminum alloy with a hard-plastic front. It supports all phones running iOS 10+ and all cars with wired CarPlay (800+ models).
4. JDG Wireless CarPlay Adapter – best for preserving your phone battery
| Model name: | JDG Wireless CarPlay Adapter |
| Connector type: | USB-A (+USB-C adapter) |
| Compatibility: | iOS 10+ and all cars that support wired CarPlay |
| Material: | Hard plastic |
| Weight: | 1.76oz |
| Best for: | Preserving your phone battery |
JDG wireless CarPlay adapter has the fastest connection times. It'll usually pair with your car in under 15 seconds. It's also ideal if streaming music through Apple Music or Spotify is one of your top priorities.
JDG is a Bluetooth-only adapter, which comes with a few trade-offs. It's trivially easy to set up, and more energy-efficient than its Wi-Fi counterparts. So, it'll make your phone battery last longer. On the other hand, you won't be able to run multiple apps simultaneously due to limited bandwidth.
JDG is made of hard plastic, so it's not as robust as my previous picks. However, the overall finish feels top-quality, according to numerous user reviews. It supports all iPhones with iOS 10+ and car models with wired CarPlay.
5. Abune Mini Wireless CarPlay Adapter for iPhone – best for quick reconnections
| Model name: | Abune Mini Wireless CarPlay Adapter |
| Connector type: | USB-A |
| Compatibility: | iOS 10+ and all cars that support wired CarPlay |
| Material: | Hard plastic with a metal finish |
| Weight: | 0.32oz |
| Best for: | Fast reconnections |
Abune Mini Wireless CarPlay adapter reconnects in just five seconds. It also supports both CarPlay and Android Auto, so if you have multiple cars with different systems, this is the dongle for you.
It's very compact and lightweight, which makes it easy to carry around but also misplace if you're not careful. According to customer and expert testimonials, it provides smooth connectivity with minimal lag and no disconnects.
Abune adapter is made of hard plastic with a metal finish, which explains its weight of only 0.32oz. It supports all phones with iOS 10+ and all car models with a wired CarPlay setup.
6. MSXTTLY Wireless CarPlay Adapter – best for lifetime technical support
| Model name: | MSXTTLY U2C-AIR Pro |
| Connector type: | USB-A (+USB-A to USB-C adapter and a USB-A to USB-A extension cable) |
| Compatibility: | iOA 11+ (doesn't support BMW and electric vehicles) |
| Material: | Hard plastic with a metallic finish and copper alloy USB |
| Weight: | 2.12oz |
| Best for: | Users looking for lifetime technical support |
MSXTTLY U2C-AIR Pro comes with lifetime technical support, which is a part of the company's commitment to user satisfaction. If you experience an issue even years after buying the dongle, you can still contact the support team and fix it.
The copper alloy USB guarantees high resistance to corrosion. The housing features a metal finish over hard plastic, which is a middle-of-the-road solution for durability.
This model is easy to set up and comes with a USB-C adapter and an extension cable. It provides fast connectivity with stable and smooth performance. It doesn't have the broad compatibility of my previous picks, though – you can't pair it with BMW models of any electric vehicle. Its iOS support also starts at version 11 instead of 10.
How did we select the best wireless CarPlay adapters?
During my research for this guide, I focused on five main factors:
- Compatibility: I looked for adapters that support as many vehicles and infotainment systems as possible.
- Ease of setup: Plug-and-play was a must for me. I wanted devices you can set up easily without any tech skills.
- Connection stability: Latency, lag, and disconnects are major red flags when you're trying to go wireless.
- Performance and speed: I wanted to find out how each model handles the usual day-to-day tasks like audio playback, navigation, voice commands, and calls.
- Price vs. value: Features and performance had to justify the price tag.
My final rankings are based on in-depth research and insights from reputable sources. I primarily focused on real user experiences and expert opinions. After analyzing 24 dongles, I found the top five wireless CarPlay adapters that deliver the best performance, reliability, and value.
What is a wireless Apple CarPlay adapter?
A wireless Apple CarPlay adapter is a simple USB device that switches your CarPlay system to a wireless connection. It lets you ditch the cable and connect your iPhone over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Wireless adapters can't add CarPlay to your vehicle, though; they can only help you go wireless.
After the initial pairing, your phone will connect to CarPlay whenever you start the car. Most adapters work seamlessly with default infotainment systems and provide access to Apple Maps, Siri, music, messages, and other content. I still recommend checking the compatibility between your infotainment and the model you're looking to buy.
Going wireless will save you time, reduce the clutter in your car, and make every drive more convenient. This especially goes for shorter trips where you can just start your car and go instead of worrying about cables.
How does the Apple CarPlay adapter work?
A wireless CarPlay adapter connects your iPhone and infotainment system without a cable. It starts the connection via Bluetooth and then switches to Wi-Fi for better speed. It uses the same USB port you use for wired CarPlay.
This setup lets you enjoy CarPlay features without plugging in your phone. However, latency is always a concern with wireless connections, so I recommend sticking with reputable manufacturers. The best adapters have little to no delay when tapping icons, streaming music, or following GPS directions. That said, the overall performance also depends on the system in your vehicle.
Some high-end models also support OTA (Over-the-Air) firmware updates, which improve stability and performance. They also catch more bugs and future-proof your CarPlay.
Apple CarPlay vs. Android Auto: what's the difference?
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are similar services, but there are some important differences:
- User interface: CarPlay has a simpler interface, similar to your iPhone's homescreen. Android Auto offers better customizability and more flexible widgets ever since the Coolwalk update.
- App support: You'll get all the popular apps with both platforms. That said, Android Auto offers a tighter integration with Google apps, and CarPlay is optimized for Apple-native services.
- Voice assistants: CarPlay uses Siri while Android Auto runs Google Assistant. In my experience, the latter is generally better at handling search queries.
- Compatibility: The cutoff point for CarPlay starts at iPhone 5 running iOS 7.1. The service currently supports 800+ car models. Android Auto needs Android 6.0 at the minimum, and it supports around 500 different vehicles.
Best CarPlay apps: which apps have Apple CarPlay functionality?
Apple CarPlay supports a number of popular apps across various niches. For navigation, I recommend Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze. They all have real-time traffic updates and voice navigation. Some other options include 2GIS, KakaoNavi, NAVER Map, NAVITIME, T Map, and TomTom. EV owners will be happy to see PlugShare, ChargePoint, and EnBW.
In the music & radio category, you'll find Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, VOX, Pandora, SiriusXM Radio, and LiveXLive. If you enjoy podcasts, you'll love Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Stitcher, NPR One, and Downcast. Finally, CarPlay also supports Audible and Audiobooks.com.
You can also send and receive messages via WhatsApp and iMessage through Siri voice commands. Naturally, Apple CarPlay supports Siri, their built-in voice assistant.
Some other useful apps include Dunkin', Panera Bread, and Domino's in the food & drink category, Chevron, which lets you pay for fuel, and SpotHero, which finds parking, no matter where you go.
What to look for in the Apple CarPlay adapter?
The quality of your wireless CarPlay experience depends on your chosen adapter. Here are some essentials to consider before making any purchases:
- Vehicle compatibility: Make sure your adapter is compatible with your car.
- Connection type: Bluetooth-only and Bluetooth + Wi-Fi adapters both have their benefits and disadvantages. Keep that in mind while looking for the best model for you.
- Latency and performance: Low latency is a must if you want to avoid choppy performance.
- Ease of setup: Choose a plug-and-play device you can install with minimal effort.
- Firmware updates: OTA updates bring regular improvements to ensure smooth performance.
- Price & brand reputation: Compare different models and read their customer reviews to find the best value for your money.
These factors can make or break your wireless CarPlay experience. Fast connectivity and low latency guarantee smooth performance, easy setup saves you time and effort, and OTA improvements keep your adapter up-to-date with the latest features.
Final word on best wireless CarPlay adapters
Going wireless with your CarPlay setup will not only remove annoying cables from your car but also provide a dose of convenience and save a lot of time on plugging in repeatedly. It also minimizes the wear on your car's USB port since you can simply insert your adapter once and leave it there. It'll automatically reconnect to your iPhone every time you start the car.
After extensive research, I concluded that Jemluse is the best wireless CarPlay adapter overall, ideal for long journeys and heavy CarPlay usage. If the USB port in your car is difficult to reach, Amzfeel CarPlay Mini Pro is the best choice for you, thanks to its generous extension cables. If you're looking for something light you can carry in your pocket and forget about it, I recommend the TERUNSOUI Wireless CarPlay Adapter.
FAQ
Can I use a wireless CarPlay adapter in any car?
No. Apple CarPlay supports around 800 different models at the moment. Your vehicle has to support wired Apple CarPlay for the adapter to work. Wireless adapters only make your existing wired setup wireless, they don't add CarPlay functionality to cars.
Does a wireless CarPlay adapter affect audio or call quality?
No, if you're using a good wireless CarPlay adapter from a reputable brand. Cheaper or poorly made adapters may experience dropouts or lag, especially during calls.
Do wireless CarPlay adapters drain the phone battery faster?
Yes. Wireless CarPlay adapters can drain your phone battery faster. Unlike wired, wireless connection won't charge your phone, and wireless CarPlay relies on both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to stay connected, which use more energy.
Is there any lag when using a wireless CarPlay adapter?
Potential lag depends on the quality of your adapter and the car's infotainment system. Top-tier models will cause minimal and barely noticeable lag. Your touchscreen and voice commands might have only a split-second delay compared to a wired connection.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are markedmarked