ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The AAWireless Two sometimes prices $65 and provides you wi-fi Android Auto help when plugged in.
- A brand new built-in button allows you to shortly swap between paired gadgets.
- The companion app is sort of too sturdy, however that is drawback to have.
apr / 2025
Since I purchased my first automotive three years in the past, I’ve had the worst luck with wi-fi Android Auto adapters. I initially sprung for the Motorola MA1 due to its recognition and, admittedly, Amazon’s algorithmic suggestion, but it surely was just too unreliable to make use of throughout commutes and highway journeys.
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The pairing course of wasn’t at all times the quickest; audio playback (together with navigation directions) tended to stutter, and the dongle would typically get so heat that it felt uncomfortable stashing it inside the middle console. After I took the chance on a distinct, generic model, its interpretation of “wi-fi Android Auto” meant totally changing the working system with its personal proprietary consumer interface. Boo.
A little bit of cross-shopping led me to the AAWireless adapter, which, just like the Motorola MA1, connects to your automotive through USB-A and serves as a wi-fi receiver for Android Auto. I have been testing it for greater than half a yr now, and my driving expertise has by no means been extra refreshing.
The AAWireless Two adapter prices $65, which is definitely cheaper than its predecessor and competing equipment. The way it works is pretty easy: You obtain and open the AAWireless companion app (do you have to wish to make any modifications or replace the software program), plug the adapter into your automotive through USB-A, long-press its multifunctional button to provoke pairing mode, after which hook up with it in your telephone display screen.
From this level ahead, your telephone will mechanically pair with the adapter when your automotive is turned on.
The pairing course of alone is superior to that of different wi-fi adapters, because the multifunctional button doubles as an LED indicator ring, saving you from second-guessing whether or not the adapter is on or not (or if pairing mode has been activated).
It took a while to familiarize myself with what every colour meant, however after the primary few days of testing, I obtained the dangle of issues. Simply be sure to’re staring straight on the LED ring, because the coloring is much less seen when off-axis.
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The AAWireless Two can pair and swap between a number of gadgets, which is good for many who share a automotive with another person. Organising the secondary system is identical as the primary, and swapping between the 2 is so simple as a single press of the multifunctional button.
I am a fan of the app’s means to set a precedence listing for which system to attach with. I am often the one driving between my spouse and me, so we want the adapter to pair with my telephone. As soon as it does, the Android Auto expertise typically works fluidly, reacting to my button presses with out a lot lag (if any), and enjoying Spotify with out skipping a beat.
My qualms with the AAWireless Two adapter have extra to do with the product class as a complete. For instance, switching to a wi-fi adapter means my telephone is now not plugged in and charging progressively as I drive round city.
For highway journeys or commutes into the town (which may take upwards of an hour), that trickle cost is one thing I’ve taken without any consideration. After all, I can nonetheless juice up my telephone if there is a spare USB port, outlet, or wi-fi charging dock, however I miss the comfort of utilizing a single cable to energy my telephone whereas working Android Auto.
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The AAWireless Two adapter additionally does not help Apple CarPlay. It is branded as AA (Android Auto) Wi-fi and never CPWireless, in any case, however the firm remains to be lacking out on a big consumer base. Happily, an up to date model of the adapter, which incorporates a {hardware} redesign to help CarPlay, is anticipated to be launched later this yr. That would not assist me, an Android consumer, but it surely makes the potential conversion to an iPhone much less burdensome.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
That is all to say: the AAWireless Two is one of the best wi-fi Android Auto adapter I’ve examined so far, and I’ve used fairly just a few. It is priced effectively, capabilities in addition to it appears, and, most significantly, holds a dependable connection all through my rides.
Ought to you could have any points with the adapter, I like to recommend checking the companion app first for any related diagnostic and troubleshooting instruments. There are alternatives for toggling pass-through mode (for knowledge transferring), fixing audio stutters, disabling TTS sink for routing navigation audio, and far more.
The AAWireless Two stands out from a crowded market of Android Auto adapters with its burdenless setup and software program expertise, from the app interface to considerate connectivity options that genuinely make a distinction to the way you (and others) drive your automotive. It helps that the adapter is competitively priced at $65, with manufacturing happening in Europe, a course of that issues greater than ever with the state of the financial system.
