Kenwood DDX26BT Double DIN Car Stereo Receiver

Name: Kenwood DDX26BT Double DIN Car Stereo Receiver
Price: 229 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 6.8 (68 reviews)

Curated from 68 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: December 18, 2024

Kenwood DDX26BT Double DIN Car Stereo Receiver

Brand: Kenwood

Price: $229

Snoop Score:

6.8

Sentiment

6.4

Popularity

7.1

Technical

6.2

Buy on Amazon for $229 See All In Dash DVD & Video Receivers Reviews

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Snoop's Take

The Kenwood DDX26BT is a double DIN in-dash car stereo receiver that features a 6.2" touchscreen and offers capabilities for DVD/CD playback, AM/FM radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. Designed for modern driving, it supports hands-free calling and audio streaming, alongside compatibility with rearview cameras for added safety. Consumer feedback highlights strong satisfaction with Kenwood products, with users stating, "I just had a Kenwood installed and am very happy with it." Many appreciate the volume knob and effective steering wheel controls, emphasizing an overall positive experience with the brand. However, some users have reported issues with volume controls malfunctioning and steering wheel button reliability, indicating that while the product is generally well-received, there are a few areas for improvement. Overall, the Kenwood DDX26BT is recommended for those seeking a reliable and user-friendly car stereo solution, especially for fans of the Kenwood brand who appreciate its quality and performance in the car audio category.

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I have used my HDMI port to play movies while in motion with my Kenwood deck and fixed parking brake wire.
Positive Feedback

Basically the built in cable so so long it can actually cause it not to detect and if you go with a wireless adapter a lot of those don’t work due to Sonys mirror link feature.
Negative Feedback

6.8

Kenwood DDX26BT Double DIN Car Stereo Receiver

Buy on Amazon for $229

Family Road Trips

7 / 10

Daily Commuting

9 / 10

Smartphone Control

7 / 10

Nighttime or Low-Light Driving

9 / 10

See how this compares to all In Dash DVD & Video Receivers

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.

HDMI functionality for video playback

“I have used my HDMI port to play movies while in motion with my Kenwood deck and fixed parking brake wire.”➕

User satisfaction with Kenwood products

“I just had a kenwood installed and am very happy with it.”➕

Kenwood is regarded as a good brand

“What are good brands of stereo and which should i stay from? hi im new to the av community and im slowly getting into it.”➕

“Good - Kenwood, JVC, pioneer, alpine, Sony”➕

“Good brands of stereo are just good for their build quality throughout their entire price range.”➕

Steering wheel controls are effective

“holding the volume down button for a second or two will instantly mute it.”➕

“I’ve never had issues using steering wheel controls.”➕

Volume knob is appreciated

“the kenwood have the volume voice knob , 2inputs for the kenwood 720p hdr cameras.”➕

Kenwood offers a compatible dash cam option

“Kenwood does.”➕

Overall great experience with Kenwood

“I'm looking at upgrading my stereo to something with wireless Android auto and it looks like only Pioneer and Kenwood/JVC are making them.”➕

“Overall great experience with Kenwood.”➕

No failures with recent Kenwood head units

“no failures as of yet.”➕

Effective first boot setup and simple parking brake interface

“No radio is perfect. Pioneer and Kenwood both have quirks, and faults.”➕

Bluetooth functionality allows for streaming and hands-free calls

“I installed a 502 about a year ago and couldn’t be happier with it.”➕

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.

Issues reported with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility in competitors

“Basically the built in cable so so long it can actually cause it not to detect and if you go with a wireless adapter a lot of those don’t work due to Sonys mirror link feature.”➕

Steering wheel buttons can be unreliable

“they have a lot of throw and their mushy. Don’t register half the time”➕

Volume controls malfunctioning

“The screen switches to a “No Video Signal” and I can hear static from the speakers, even though the car is off.”➕

“Ever find a solution? mine does this every few months. My only solution is disconnecting the battery and reconnecting.”➕

“I never figured it out but it hasn’t happened in a year. The battery disconnect always worked.”➕

“I've had the head unit for a year and a half and it has happened 3 times, but I have no idea why still.”➕

Multiple failures reported with Kenwood head units

“I've had two Kenwood head units fail. I've never had another brand do so.”➕

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Product Name	Price	Score	See Details	Buy Now
Pioneer AVH-3500NEX 7" Touchscreen Multimedia Receiver	$689	7.8	Details	Buy
Pyle Single DIN Head Unit Receiver	$99	7.5	Details	Buy
Kenwood DDX26BT Double DIN Car Stereo Receiver	$229	6.8	Details	Buy
Kenwood DDX25BT 6.2" 2-Din DVD Monitor	$249	6.4	Details	Buy
Pyle PLTS78DUB Single DIN Car Stereo Receiver	$161	5.9	Details	Buy
BLAUPUNKT 6.2" in-Dash Touch Screen DVD Receiver MEMPHIS440BT	$72	5.9	Details	Buy
Pioneer AVH-W4400NEX Multimedia Receiver	$449	5.7	Details	Buy
Kenwood DDX376BT In-Dash Car DVD Monitor	$175	5.0	Details	Buy
Soundstream VR-1032XB Car Stereo Receiver	$189	5.0	Details	Buy
Pioneer AVH-2500NEX In-Dash Stereo Receiver	$449	4.0	Details	Buy
Power Acoustik PD‐651B 6.5" In-Dash DVD Receiver	$68	3.9	Details	Buy
Soundstream VR-624B Car Stereo Receiver	$74	3.3	Details	Buy
Soundstream VR-65B Double-DIN Bluetooth Car Stereo	$97	1.5	Details	Buy

Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.

Discussion on sustainability of large head units

“The '10-20' head unit modernization' is being seen as unsustainable, do not jump on that bandwagon.”➕

General discussion about HDMI ports in head units

“My Dmh-wt7600nex has hdmi. From what I understand may be able to mirror the phone?”➕

General discussion about good and bad brands

“Most people will say pioneer, alpine, Sony are good and that boss, dual are bad.”➕

“Don't buy a $50 no-name head unit off Amazon that does everything, unless you want your car to catch fire.”➕

“I would go new on the head unit.”➕

General discussion comparing head units

“Pioneer vs Sony vs Kenwood Hi All, I need help in choosing between the right head unit between the ”➕

“I was surprised at the Improvement especially as I’m still running factory Bose speakers,sorry it’s not really specific to your question but pioneer always sound great”➕

“Thanks for letting me know about your experience with Pioneer. I think I might go for it! The only downside with Pioneer for me is that it has no physical buttons & the capacitive buttons are on the left (Im in right hand drive region)”➕

“Overall, I’ve been happy with it (BTW, not ruining an amp, using Morrel component speakers and a small Infinity self-powered sun)”➕

General discussion about the features of CarPlay units

“I don't own one so I can't say whether it's good.”➕

Discussion about features of head units with camera inputs

“Lots of aftermarket touchscreen stereos these days have the ability to display video from a backup camera, but are there any that can accept *two* wired remote camera inputs (e.g. one mounted to each of the front/rear bumpers) and that can record?”➕

“I don’t think you’ll find a head unit that records video input.”➕

“I'm guessing with the convertible, you’re looking for a clean install without the option of running wires under the ceiling trim.”➕

Discussion about preferences for features in head units

“There is not 50$ headunit that passes as a 900$ headunit.”➕

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.

Discussion about using apps in Android Auto

“Best Applications for Android Auto 2024 Best Applications for Android Auto”➕

“I use Plex and VLC in my home network but have no interest in using it in my car for video or music.”➕

“I have used it playing my music library and it worked fine, but don't bother with it now”➕

Discussion about the future of double din head units

“Almost every single new car can handle larger than a double din sized head unit now.”➕

“I think line out converters and DSPs will become more popular as those are the easiest ways to integrate an aftermarket amplifier into those cars.”➕

“I hate the "tacked on ipad" look found in current high end vehicles.”➕

“Upgrading the stereo alone was a HUGEEE upgrade.”➕

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’

Consideration of alternative products over Kenwood

“I don't really fancy the expense and hassle of tearing out half my dash to install a proper unit”➕

“it’s great! Easy to set up, works perfectly, and no need to mess with your dash.”➕

“This looks pretty cool. Also considering it now”➕

Discussion comparing Kenwood with Sony head units

“Need to get a new radio, was looking between the Kenwood 4707, Kenwood 7709 or Sony 3250.”➕

“The Sony has hard buttons on the bottom, very important if you don't have steering wheel buttons.”➕

“Kenwood is my go to in just about all situations.”➕

Discussion about grounding the brake wire

“what does the brake wire do? No text content”➕

“Just ground it out. Blocks out stuff unless the car is in park. Ground it out and you can watch movies while you drive :D(please dont be that dumb tho)”➕

“How can I ground it? Do I connect it to a grounding wire or can I connect it to the metal frame of t”➕

“The one I had I connected it to the radios ground wire. Worked fine for me”➕

Discussion about resetting the radio

“Try resetting the radio. Sounds like a radio issue”➕

Discussion about CarPlay limitations with YouTube

“Any ways to watch youtube in carplay ? JUST CURIOUS !!”➕

“I have been playing YT videos through carplay since 2022 until today it stopped all of a sudden.”➕

Discussion about preference for wireless vs wired Apple CarPlay

“Best head unit for Apple CarPlay.”➕

“I just got the Pioneer W4660Nex last week and love it. It’s a wireless CarPlay unit, which I wasn’t convinced I would care about, but my wife really wanted it.”➕

“For me, the system has been very fluid, no lags, no stutters. And looking at that model, it at least”➕

Consideration of different brands for CarPlay experience

“Thank you very much for your help. Certainly considering pioneer now.”➕

“And normal OS operations is fluid and smooth right?”➕

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.

Discussion about the challenges of using Android Auto

“I think it's a good tool, and some of the price difference goes to the quality of the display.”➕

Discussion about FM transmitter options for sound quality

“What's the best bluetooth FM transmitter for high sound quality? Hello everyone”➕

“Better than any short-range FM transmitter, you can get a hardwired Bluetooth FM modulator that plugs directly into the antenna port in the back of the radio head unit, then your stock antenna cable plugs into the modulator.”➕

“They're all pretty much the same. It's still fm quality.”➕

Comment on the general quality of Bluetooth FM transmitters

“Thanks for the tips. That seems really interesting I'll look into it”➕

Kenwood DDX26BT Double DIN Car Stereo Receiver

Curated from 68 real Reddit conversations

Kenwood DDX26BT Double DIN Car Stereo Receiver

Snoop's Take

Kenwood DDX26BT Double DIN Car Stereo Receiver

Family Road Trips

Daily Commuting

Smartphone Control

Nighttime or Low-Light Driving

What it does well!

Where it needs some work!

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Core Power Plays

Hidden Hero Hacks

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

Cautionary Callouts

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