Best Car Headrest Monitor Video & DVD Player Reviews 2020

1. Best Overall Pick: NAVISKAUTO 10.1″ Car DVD Player with Wireless Headphones

Key Features

• 10.1″ HD 1024×600 TFT LCD Touch Screen
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Color system: PAL/NTSC
• Built-in 2.0 USB port/SD/MMC card slot
• Build-in IR/FM/Speaker
• Built in HDMI Input Port
• Earphone jack/DC 12V input

NAVISKAUTO 10.1″ Headrest DVD Player Quick Review

NAVISKAUTO has been one of the leading manufacturers of automotive DVD players for many years. The newest 10.1” portable player shows why the company has earned so many fans. The player itself is a sleek, compact package that is easy to install. Because of the portable nature, no wiring is required. The DVD player includes a 12 volt accessory cord, an AC adapter for recharging at home, or the system can be hardwired to your car using the included instructions.

The player has a resolution of 1080P and supports every file format you can think of, except Blu Ray. The DVD player has ports for AV in and out, HDMI input, a USB port, and an SD Card slot. All these options give the NAVISKAuto advanced connectivity that many players at this price point do not include.

To sweeten the deal, NAVISKAuto included wireless headphones that work using infrared wireless technology. The headphones can also be plugged directly into the DVD player.

The player is mounted to your headrest arms using an included bracket. The mounting allows the player to be swiveled and tilted, while remaining sturdy. This design eliminates the problems with built-in headrest DVD players that often are too loose, causing the screen to move when the driver uses the headrest.

A one-year warranty and some of the best customer service on the planet round this package out as the overall best pick.

2. Tview T921PL

Key Features

• High Resolution: 630 X 234/1440 X 234
• Built in IR Stereo Transmitter (2.3/2.8/3.2/3.8Mhz)
• Wide Screen: 16:9
• Color System: PAL/NTSC Compatible
• Two Audio & Video Input
• Available in Black, Grey & Tan

Tview T921PL Quick Review

This pair of headrests from Tview includes dual LCD TFT monitors but is not a DVD player. These are designed to be installed with video playback from an alternative source, such as a head unit that can play video. The 16:9 aspect ratio and true 9” screen make the Tview headrests among the very best on the market.

Connectivity options for the Tview headrests are DIY, but are simple and straightforward. The units have dual audio and video inputs and can be wired together to play the same video on both screens, or different videos on each. Infrared technology allows wireless headphone connections, so the driver does not get distracted.

The headrests themselves are well-made. Users did not report problems with flimsy, wobbly posts. The headrests are adjustable for rod thickness and separation. The rods can be set between 5.3” and 7.3” to fit almost any car or truck. The post diameter can be adjusted from .40” up to .56”.

3. Power Acoustik HDVD-91CC

Key Features

• 9″ Forward/Backwards Tilting Headrest monitor
• 800 x 480 16:9 Widescreen Resolution
• 3 Changeable Color Skins Included (Grey, Beige, Black)
• Playback from DVDR/RW, SD Card, USB of MP4
• Dual Channel Wireless IR Transmitter
• FM Stereo Transmitte
• AUX & RCA A/V Input s
• 3/8” Locking Pole w/ 1/2” & 9/16” Adapters
• 75” ~ 8.25” Pole Width Adjustment

Power Acoustik HDVD-91CC Quick Review

The Power Acoustik 9” DVD headrest is a great, factory-correct looking option for rear-seat entertainment. A slightly lower 800×480 screen resolution than the top-ranked headrests should not put you off from checking out this affordable and feature-rich headrest DVD player. Power Acoustik incorporated a tilt and adjust function to make viewing easy for tall or short passengers, as well as for rear-seat passengers when the front seats cannot be adjusted just right.

These headrests do not include speakers, so buyers will need to have headphones for passengers, or will need to connect the speaker output to the car speakers. The headrests use infrared technology for wireless headphone use and also have a 3.5mm AUX jack for wired headphones. An FM Transmitter allows the headrest DVD to play audio through your car speakers.

4. Best Budget Pick: Rockville RDP931

Key Features

• 9” Black Car Headrest Monitors
• 800 x 480 Screen Resolution
• 16:9 or 4:3 Switchable Aspect Ratios
• HDMI input
• DVD, DVDR/RW, CDR/RW, VCD Playback
• 500:1 Contrast Ratio
• Multimedia SD/MS/MMC Card Reader
• USB Media Input (MP3, MP4, WMA)
• Built-in FM transmitter

Rockville RDP931 Quick Review

When it comes to budget deals, it is hard to pass Rockville up. The latest headrest DVD player from Rockville includes dual monitors and headrests at a price that will only get you one from most manufacturing companies. The tech specs are impressive, too.

Rockville advertises a screen resolution of 800×480 and  switchable resolution between widescreen 16:9 and letterbox 4:3, along with a screen contrast of 500:1. These headrests are intended to be installed as a pair, and as such, only one monitor has a DVD player or connections. The other monitor simply plays whatever is on the main screen.

Rockville preloads these headrests with a suite of video games that are displayed in 32 bit and use an included controller. Additional controllers can be purchased individually. Wireless headphones can be connected using the infrared technology connection, or headphones can be plugged in to the dedicated 3.5mm AUX jack.

5. Low Cost Pick: Soundstream VH-70CC

Key Features

• 7″ LCD 800 x 480 16:9 Widescreen
• Forward/Backwards Tilting Headrest
• 3 Changeable Color Skins Included (grey, beige, black)
• Dual Channel Wireless IR Transmitter
• FM Stereo Transmitter
• AUX A/V Input
• 2 RCA A/V Inputs

Soundstream VH-70CC Quick Review

You probably don’t think you can get a very good headrest monitor for under $80, but you would be wrong. Soundstream has produced some of the nicest budget-friendly headrest monitors on the market in recent years. The VH-70CC follows in that tradition with the features you need at a terrific price.

The screen resolution is listed at 800×480 on a fixed 16:9 aspect ratio. While that is certainly lower than the top-rated headrest DVD players on this list, it is perfectly acceptable for the average movie watcher, and is the same resolution as many higher priced options on this list.

This is a fairly basic design that is intended to be connected to a separate DVD player. Connections are basic, A/V plugs, 3.5mm AUX jack, and an FM and IR transmitter for sound. The headrests are universal fit and can be adjusted from 4.75” to 8.25” and can accommodate up to a 9/16” posts.

The headrests and monitors are well-reviewed, and most users had little trouble installing them. Long-term testing has shown these monitors to be among the more durable, a definite plus at the price point.

6. Rockville RHP7-BK

Key Features

• Universal Headrest Monitor
• 7.5″ 480 x 234 Screen
• IR Transmitter

Rockville RHP7-BK Quick Review

Rockville is a brand unfamiliar to many, but it is fast making a name for itself for being an affordable option compatible with most car DVD players and packed with features that make a lot of sense. For instance, it is sold as a universal pair of 7-inch monitors and comes with an easy-to-follow installation guide that has impressed over 60% of those who have bought it. You will need to provide your own external source for your video or audio like a DVD player, an adapter for the cigarette lighter power source, and headphones to go with the monitors.

The features that make the RHP7-BK an incredible find include:

• IR Transmitter
• Switchable and adjustable aspect ratio and contrast ration of 300:1
• Backlit display
• Internal stereo speakers with RCA A/V output
• Adjustable poles
• Capable of tilting forward and backward
• Multiple language menu
• Two remote controls
• USB port

Upon testing the RHP7, we instantly realized exactly how convenient having a pair of detachable and adjustable monitors with a step-by-step simple installation manual can be. Hands down, you can install these monitors on your own regardless if you’ve never done it before. The RHP7 comes with metal poles that can adjust sideways from 4.3 inches in width to 7.5 inches which means they can easily be integrated into all types of vehicles.  We run the monitors for 24 hours to test its performance and picture quality – and we were not disappointment with it at all! The picture stays clean and clear. The high-quality leatherette headrests are plush and comfortable, and you get the option of using wireless headphones, internal speakers, and running the audio through your car stereo system.

Clearly, the RHP7 has been carefully designed and thought-out to bring maximum function and enjoyment at a pretty attractive price.

7. Best Mounted / Attached Pick: Audiovox AVX10USB

Key Features

• Universal Mounted Headrest DVD Player
• 10.1″ 1024 x 600 Screen
• 2 Channel Wireless IR Transmitter

Audiovox AVX10USB Quick Review

While some headrest DVD players replace the factory headrests other are more like tablets that attach to the vertical headrest posts. This is the case with the Audiovox AVX10USB. A DVD player is built-in or you can stream content from a microSD card, USB port or HD or RCA inputs. It's possible to set up two monitors as a master and satellite so that both show the same movie or show.

The screen measures 10.1″ diagonally and has a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. There are four options for getting sound from the monitor: a dual channel IR Transmitter for wireless headphones, which are not included, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a built-in FM transmitter. That last one lets you play the sound through the vehicle's speakers, (which might be a bit frustrating for anyone who can't see the screen!)

A remote is included along with a 12V power cable, an AV cable and two extension cables, but the monitor can also be controlled by the capacitive touch buttons. Also included is a wiring kit for making a permanent electrical connection to the vehicle's 12V supply.

Pros: Big screen, option to hardwire the power supply.
Cons: Price