This cheap Android Auto adapter was the best thing I ever bought for my car

I’ve long believed that wired is superior to wireless in almost every instance, and it mostly is. You’ll get the best speeds when physically tethered to the wall while charging a phone. Ethernet is generally more reliable than Wi-Fi will ever be, while wired headphones remain the best option for those who value audio quality. However, going wireless has its benefits in some cases. This was made very clear to me when I bought a cheap wireless Android Auto dongle.

When I got my car, I knew I’d have to use a USB cable for Android Auto. This wasn’t a problem initially, but I soon encountered a few practical issues. For one, I didn’t like the idea of my device sitting on a hot dashboard while charging, slowly sucking the potential from the battery. Over time, this would probably force me to upgrade to a new device earlier than expected, and when that phone offers seven years of software support, I’d like the hardware to last at least as long.

Then there were the security implications of leaving my phone in plain sight. In my country, it’s generally a good idea to keep valuables out of view and immediate reach; that includes cables and absolutely includes phones. I’d usually stow my phone in the glovebox to mitigate this risk, but that meant crimping the cable and enjoying the incessant rattling of a Samsung. This wasn’t a solution.

And of course, there was the annoying daily process of finding the USB cable, unwinding it, plugging my phone in, and waiting for Android Auto to kick into life. Sure, this process only took ten seconds out of my life each time, but it distracted me from my immediate environment.

I needed a better solution, so I turned to wireless Android Auto dongles. For once, I craved wireless over wired.

Wireless Android Auto dongles are a relatively new invention, but there are plenty of options on the market. I wanted to snag an AAWireless TWO, an adapter we’ve reviewed and loved for its seamless functionality. It isn’t available in my country. I could import it, but the global financial environment isn’t conducive to specific tech imports. It certainly makes no sense to drop hundreds of dollars on something that could be done by something more affordable. So, I lowered my expectations a few notches and resorted to a cheap Android Auto adapter instead.

This, as it turns out, was a brilliant gamble. I’m usually quite cautious before smashing the checkout button, ensuring I research what I plan to buy from head to toe. This product didn’t allow that, though. The adapter I purchased has no brand name, which would usually put me off right away. However, it was a fat chunk more affordable than the next adapter. I took a chance and snagged it from a local retailer for $29.

Initially, buyer’s remorse washed over me as I struggled to get it to detect my S24 FE. I blamed the white-label hardware, mainly due to my misconceptions and misunderstandings about cable-less Android Auto. Google’s wireless mirroring service relies on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to serve content to the screen, so I had to manually pair my phone with the adapter’s Bluetooth name and Wi-Fi Direct network. After realizing this, it connected almost instantly. It also continues to require about as much time to reconnect as I take to organize the cabin.

All functionality is available, too. Spotify works flawlessly. Google Maps offers no hitches or jumps. Its performance is indistinguishable from cabled Android Auto. Of all the little bits and bobs I’ve gifted my car over the few months I’ve owned it, the little budget Android Auto adapter offers the most daily value.

While I can recommend you give that cheap Android Auto adapter you’ve been eyeing a try, I can’t quite recommend the one I bought. However, I’ve found one remarkably similar to mine, down to the model number. The MASAYA Android Auto wireless adapter shares the design with my dongle. It offers a small, stubby cable that lets owners stick the unit to the dashboard and a USB-C adapter if required. It’s also on sale for the same amount I paid for my adapter.

If you’re not willing to take a risk, plenty of other wireless Android Auto dongles are out there. As I’ve already mentioned, our choice is the AAWireless TWO. It includes a companion app, a compact design, and swathes of support documents from the company or its many users. It’s pricey, but you’re paying that price knowing it’ll almost certainly work with your vehicle.

Do you own an Android Auto dongle? If so, which model? Let the community know in the comments section below.