Best Headrest DVD Players for 2019

by Brandon D January 1, 2019

Your family vacation drive is coming up and you're searching for the best headrest DVD players to entertain your backseat passengers. We get it. At OnFair we've been focused on providing the best headrest DVD players for busy families just like yours since 2006. Vacations are to be enjoyed and remembered. Enjoy the drive!

Over the past couple of years the market has become flooded with headrest monitors, each with their own brand name and features. Once you dive deeper, you'll notice many of the "sellers" are from China with simply a different name on the description while selling the same headrest monitor as the next guy. Don't fall for it. There is a difference and we're happy you found us at OnFair where we build unique car headrest DVD player packages that include everything you need to install and enjoy right out of the box.

Best Car Headrest DVD Players / Monitors

Rank	Model	Brand	Resolution	Price
1	Autotain 9" DREAM Headrest DVD Player	Autotain	800 x 480	$
2	Autotain 10.1" EDGE Headrest DVD Player	Autotain	1024 x 600	$$
3	Naviskauto 10.1" CH1001B Headrest DVD Player	Naviskauto	1024 x 600	$$
4	Rockville 7" RDP711 Headrest DVD Player	Rockville	800 x 480	$
5	Autotain MEGA 12" Headrest DVD Player	Autotain	1920 x 1080	$$$
6	Philips PD9012 9" Portable DVD Player	Philips	800 x 480	$
7	Pyle 7" Headrest DVD Player	Pyle	800 x 480	$
8	Xtrons HD106 10.1" Headrest DVD Player	Xtrons	1024 x 600	$$

What to look for when buying a headrest DVD player

The top 3 things when searching for the best headrest DVD player for your vehicle are: fit, compatibility and color.

Headrest DVD Player Fit - To measure for fit, measure the distance between the 2 headrest posts to see if the headrest DVD player will adjust to fit your distance. Most headrest DVD players will fit posts between 4" and 7.5" apart. Check out our headrest DVD player fit guide for more details.
Headrest DVD Player Compatibility - The key for compatibility is mostly to see if your vehicle has "Active Headrest Technology" or not. If it does, you'll want to get the clamp on style headrest DVD players so you may keep your existing headrests installed and keep the active headrest technology, well....active.
Headrest DVD Player Colors - While there are a million color variations for vehicle interiors, for headrest DVD players there are only a few color options available. The key is to get a free headrest color sample in advance and find the color that best matches your vehicle interior before ordering.

Key terminology for headrest DVD players

In-pillow headrest DVD players are built into the headrest pillow to allow for that factory install look as well as possibly hide the monitors from outside view or possible theft.
Clamp-on headrest DVD players do just as described. They clamp onto the metal posts of your existing headrest pillows to allow for an easy install and to not disrupt the "Active Headrest Technology" that may be included as a safety feature in your vehicle.
Active Headrest Technology is a technology where the headrest pillows will move during the event of an accident to help reduce the possibility of neck or head injury.
Pass-through AV technology is the ability to pass-through the audio/video signal from one unit to the next unit. For example the Autotain DREAM units have pass-through technology where you can watch your in-dash unit on DREAM headrest 1 and it will pass-through to DREAM headrest 2 so you can watch the in-dash on both headrest units.
Headrest screen resolution is much the same as for TV screens. The resolution is measured by the number of pixels across and down the screen. The more pixels, the higher the resolution and the better quality the image.

How to install the headrest DVD player

Headrest DVD player installation can be considered "Very easy" for some people while "Very difficult" for others. This will mostly depend on the skills and comfort level of the person doing the installation and the vehicle the headrest monitors are being installed in. The key factors in determining the degree of difficulty are:

Will you be running cables through the car seats and if so, do the car seat backs come off for easier access? Sometimes simply removing the back of the car seat can be the most difficult part of the entire install. In most cases there will be tabs, clips or velco near the bottom of the seat as a starting point at removing the back cover.
Powering the headrests to the fuse box may become the second hardest step of the install. If the fuse box is far away, we highly recommend running a single 14 gauge wire from the fuse box back to both headrests rather than running 2 or more wires to the fuse box. Power both red wires to the fuse and ground both black wires to an unpainted bolt on the metal frame of the car. If powering at the fuse box seems too difficult, most packages come with the cigarette plug power option if powering to the fuse box is too difficult.
Connecting the wires is next. Connect both the RCA yellow, red and white wires together and also the wire assembly to the headrest cable that ran down through the seat.

TIP: be sure to tape these connections before hiding the wires under the seats or under the carpet to avoid any cables coming disconnected later.

TIP: Test the power cable connections with either the fuse box or the cigarette power plugs before installing to make sure you have a good connection and all cables and units are working as they should. This will save time in case something needs to be fixed or exchanged.

#1 Best Car Headrest DVD Player - AUTOTAIN DREAM

Autotain is a USA based headrest DVD player brand located in Lincoln, Nebraska that's focused on quality and value. Starting in 2006 and one of the leading headrest DVD player brands in North America. A family run business that understands your needs and only sells products they use themselves.

#1 Best Headrest DVD Player - AUTOTAIN DREAM

The Autotain DREAM was the top selling headrest model last year and we’ve even made it better for 2019 with the newest Autotain software on the market.
WE'VE MADE THE BUILT-IN SPEAKERS EVEN LOUDER!!!
The removable zipper cover offers the best of both world for concealment, that factory install look and easy access when in use.
The audio video pass-through feature offers unlimited connectivity between headrests and in-dash units. Yes, connect your in-dash to 1, 2, 3 or even 4 headrests without any additional wires or splitters.
The touch-screen navigation makes it easy and simple for little fingers to learn and play their DVD, watch the a/v input or select files on the SD/USB drive.
Quickly install with the INCLUDED cigarette lighter power cables or go for the full factory install look powering to the fuse box with all the wires hidden.

#2 Best Car Headrest DVD Player - AUTOTAIN EDGE

The Autotain EDGE is one of the most advanced active headrest DVD players on the planet!
SMART HDMI connectivity on the road to your smart phone, iPad, iPhone and other Android devices.
Enjoy in the car and in the home with the included 3 power options: cigarette plug, fuse box and home.
The audio video pass-through feature offers unlimited connectivity between headrests and in-dash units. Yes, connect your in-dash to 1, 2, 3 or even 4 headrests without any additional wires or splitters.
Many video options at your fingertips. DVD, CD, MP3 files, SD card, USB and two RCA a/v inputs.

#3 Best Car Headrest DVD Player - Naviskauto CH1001B

Naviskauto is a Chinese company focused on offer the cheapest headrest DVD players possible. This can be a good thing for the price focused customer not wanting all the bells and whistles. Take a look at China based Naviskauto.

10.1" 1024*600 TFT LCD Screen (Hitachi lens) with touch keys (Not touchscreen).
Display Mode: 16:9 wide view angle
Design with innovation: removable design for both in-car &home use and two mounting brackets provided to compatible with more car modes. Rounded design: protect children from being hit by the edges and corners of the DVD player when the car suddenly brakes
Built-in 2.0 USB port/SD/MMC card slot/IR/FM/Speaker/HDMI input port, and built-in 32 bits wireless games function, with game disc
HDMI function: enable the headrest DVD synchronized playing video and audio with your computer, mobile phone, raspberry pie, kindle fire, etc

#4 Best Car Headrest DVD Player - Rockville RDP711

Rockville is a USA based brand that sells a ton of different car audio equipment doing a great job at providing low priced products and high volume sales.

Rockville RDP711-BK 7” Black dvd/USB/SD car headrest monitors with ir transmitter and HDMI input
7” high resolution monitors
One Front Loading dvd Player, RDP711-BK Rdp71 + One a/V unit RDP711-BK Rhp7
800 x 480 screen resolution
16:9 (wide screen) or 4:3 (letterbox) switchable Aspect ratio

#5 Best Car Headrest DVD Player - AUTOTAIN MEGA

[PAIR] MEGA SIZE 12" HD LCD (Wide Angle) 1080P High Resolution 1920 x 1080 Slot-In DVD Players with 18 LED Backlights for the Brightest and Clearest Picture from All Angles.
BONUS: 2x Autotain Cloud Dual Channel IR Headphones. BONUS: How to Install and How to Use DVD from OnFair. BONUS: Home + Cigarette + Fuse Box Power Cables Included.
HDMI Input for MHL Cable or WiFi Dongles. Easily Stream Your Smartphone or Tablet onto the Autotain MEGA Size Screens. USB and SD slots for 32GB or Smaller Thumb Drive or Card to Watch Your Digital Movies in HD Format.
EASIEST INSTALL EVER!!! Using the Autotain High Compression Bracket and Pipe Clamps. FITS POSTS 4" TO 7" APART!!! Unit Size is 11.5" x 8" x 1.5".
Latest Autotain Software Offering the Easiest Navigation, the Loudest Speakers, and the Highest Compatibility with DVD Technology. From Our Family to Your Family…ENJOY THE DRIVE!!

#6 Best Car Headrest DVD Player - Philips PD9012

Built-in stereo speakers
Car adapter and mounting strap included
DVD, DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW, (S)VCD, CD compatible
MP3-CD, CD and CD-RW playback
Stereo headphone jack for better personal music enjoyment

#7 Best Car Headrest DVD Player - Pyle 7" PL73DBK

Pyle is a USA based brand focused on high volume low price sales. A brand that's been around for a long time and familiar to most.

7" LCD Digital Wide Screen Display - Built-in DVD Player - 16:9 Aspect Ratio - Resolution: 1440 x 234
Headrest Zipper Cover - USB Flash & SD Card Readers - AV Inputs/Output - Includes Remote
Built-in IR Transmitter for Wireless IR Headphone Use - Built-in FM Transmitter - Auto Switching
Compatibility: DVD, VCD, MP3, JPG, MP4, CD-R, CD-RW - PAL/NTSC - Contrast Ratio: 300:1
Brightness: 350 cd/m2 - Power Supply DC12V - Dimensions: 10.6"W X 7.9"H X 6.3"D

#8 Best Car Headrest DVD Player - Xtrons HD106

Xtrons is a Chinese company focused on offer the cheapest headrest DVD players possible. This can be a good thing for the price focused customer not wanting all the bells and whistles. Take a look at China based Xtrons.

Unique Speakers Design: Avoid the Distraction of the Driver's Attention, One pair of headphones Included
Region Free DVD Player,USB SD Player
Touch Button Design,10.1" 1024*600 HD Resolution
Flip into Discs Design,Built-in HDMI Port
Removable Design for Both In-car & Home Use, Easy and Safe to Install

Don't Forget to ADD Wireless IR Headphones to Your Headrest DVD Players.

#1 most comfortable IR infrared wireless headphone

IR infrared wireless headphones are the perfect companion for your headrest DVD players. Allow your children to listen and enjoy their back seat entertainment without the front seat passengers needing to hear it.

Also, if you select DUAL CHANNEL IR headphones, 2 kids can listen to 2 different movies at the same time without audio overlap, for twice the benefit!!

There are many wireless IR headphones on the market. Don't buy your children uncomfortable IR headphones. They're ears will hurt in less than an hour and the remaining 7 hours of your drive will be less enjoyable. We've purchased all the top selling headphones on the market and tested them for comfort, sound quality and durability. Check out our VIDEO on the best wireless IR infrared headphones results with the link below.

About OnFair

OnFair is the most passionate retailer for headrest DVD players. A family business from Lincoln, NE.

OnFair is the leading online provider and most passionate about offering only the best headrest DVD players on the market. They work directly with factory engineers to design and develop the most advanced features and capabilities available and then offer them to you in their exclusive AUTOTAIN branded headrest monitor packages.

Because they've been doing this for over 11 years as a family business from Lincoln, Nebraska, some would argue they've earned their PHD in headrest DVD players as it'll be nearly impossible to find anyone more passionate and more experience with the product.

Want to know more about the OnFair story, check it out here.