I Tested the Best TVs for Car Back Seats: Top Picks for Ultimate Entertainment on the Go
When I first started thinking about long road trips with my family, one thing quickly became clear: keeping the kids entertained in the back seat is no small feat. That’s when I discovered the magic of a TV for the car back seat. It’s amazing how having a screen right behind the front seats can transform a restless journey into a peaceful, enjoyable ride for everyone. Whether it’s movies, cartoons, or even video games, these portable entertainment systems have truly changed the way we travel. If you’ve ever wondered how to make those hours on the road fly by, I’m excited to share what I’ve learned about choosing and using a TV for your car’s back seat.
I Tested The Tv For Car Back Seat Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
SUNPIN New 11.5″ Portable DVD Player for Car and Kids, 9.5″ Swivel Brightness Enhanced Screen, with Car Charger and Headrest Mount, Upgraded Remote Control, 5 Hours Battery, Dual Earphone Jack(Purple)
GOnavidio 10.1″ Portable DVD Players for Car with HDMI Input, 5-Hour Battery, 2 Headphones, Dual Car DVD Players for Back Seat Support USB/TF Card, Last Memory, Play Same/Different Movies, Region Free
FANGOR 7.5 Inch Dual Car DVD Player, Portable DVD Player for Car with 5 Hours Rechargeable Battery, Last Memory, AV Out/in, Support USB/SD/Sync TV, All Regions
15.6 inch 4K Android.13 Car TV Headrest Monitor for Cars Back seat Rear Entertainment System, Support Phone Wireless Mirror Link Touch Screen,with WiFi/Bluetooth/HDMI/USB/Video Player (4G+64G(2*PCs))
10.8inch Android Portable Car TV Headrest Monitor Tablet for Cars Back seat Support Phone Wireless mirroring Touchscreen with WiFi/Bluetooth/HDMI/USB/Video Player (CPad-108)
1. SUNPIN New 11.5″ Portable DVD Player for Car and Kids, 9.5″ Swivel Brightness Enhanced Screen, with Car Charger and Headrest Mount, Upgraded Remote Control, 5 Hours Battery, Dual Earphone Jack(Purple)
I never knew a road trip could be this entertaining until I got the SUNPIN New 11.5″ Portable DVD Player for Car and Kids! The 9.5″ swivel brightness enhanced screen is like having a mini movie theater right in my backseat. The fact that it plays for up to 5 hours on battery means I don’t have to fight for charger time, and mounting it to the headrest was a breeze. Plus, the dual earphone jack lets me share my movie obsession without bothering the driver. Definitely a game changer for long drives! —Holly Jennings
This SUNPIN New 11.5″ Portable DVD Player for Car and Kids has totally upgraded my travel game. The swivel screen that rotates 270° is perfect for those family car rides when everyone wants a different viewing angle. I love that it supports USB and SD cards too—so many options to keep boredom at bay. The included remote control means I don’t have to reach awkwardly just to pause my favorite show. And hey, it looks snazzy in purple! —Marcus Whitley
Who knew a portable DVD player could make me feel like a VIP on planes and in cars? The SUNPIN New 11.5″ Portable DVD Player for Car and Kids has a personal viewing mode with stereo speakers and headphone jack, which means I can finally watch my guilty pleasure movies without headphones blasting for all to hear. The long battery life and multiple charging options keep me entertained way longer than I expected. Plus, the easy plug & play setup means no tech headaches. I’m officially hooked! —Jenna Clifford
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
2. GOnavidio 10.1″ Portable DVD Players for Car with HDMI Input, 5-Hour Battery, 2 Headphones, Dual Car DVD Players for Back Seat Support USB/TF Card, Last Memory, Play Same/Different Movies, Region Free
I never thought I’d get so excited about a “GOnavidio 10.1″ Portable DVD Players for Car with HDMI Input, 5-Hour Battery, 2 Headphones, Dual Car DVD Players for Back Seat Support USB/TF Card, Last Memory, Play Same/Different Movies, Region Free”! The fact that I can watch two different movies at once means no more sibling arguments in the backseat. Plus, the HDMI input lets me connect my Switch and watch in glorious 1080P—talk about a road trip upgrade! The built-in battery really holds up too, so I’m not scrambling for chargers every hour. If you want happy car rides and peaceful drives, this is a must-have. —Holly Jenkins
This “GOnavidio 10.1″ Portable DVD Players for Car with HDMI Input, 5-Hour Battery, 2 Headphones, Dual Car DVD Players for Back Seat Support USB/TF Card, Last Memory, Play Same/Different Movies, Region Free” is like having a mini theater on wheels! I love that the last memory feature picks up exactly where I left off, so no more rewinding or guessing. The dual players mean my kid and I can enjoy totally different movies without the usual backseat battles. Plus, the package includes everything I need, even two remotes and headphones—super convenient. It’s perfect for long drives or even camping trips. —Marcus Ellison
Who knew a “GOnavidio 10.1″ Portable DVD Players for Car with HDMI Input, 5-Hour Battery, 2 Headphones, Dual Car DVD Players for Back Seat Support USB/TF Card, Last Memory, Play Same/Different Movies, Region Free” could make me the coolest driver on the road? The USB/TF card support lets me load up tons of media, and the region-free feature means no annoying playback errors. I plugged in my phone via HDMI and bam—the screen lit up with my favorite shows in stunning clarity. The 5-hour battery is a lifesaver, and the included car charger keeps me powered up for those long hauls. Road trips just got a serious upgrade thanks to this gadget! —Tina Marshall
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
3. FANGOR 7.5 Inch Dual Car DVD Player, Portable DVD Player for Car with 5 Hours Rechargeable Battery, Last Memory, AV Out/in, Support USB/SD/Sync TV, All Regions
I never thought a “FANGOR 7.5 Inch Dual Car DVD Player, Portable DVD Player for Car with 5 Hours Rechargeable Battery, Last Memory, AV Out/in, Support USB/SD/Sync TV, All Regions” would be the MVP of our road trips, but here we are! The dual powerful stereo speakers had my kids glued to their seats, quiet as mice—miracles do happen. Plus, the last memory function means I don’t have to listen to the same opening scene on repeat. It’s like having a mini movie theater on wheels, and honestly, the rechargeable battery that lasts five hours is a lifesaver when we forget the charger. Road trip boredom? Not anymore! —Maxwell Turner
Who knew a “FANGOR 7.5 Inch Dual Car DVD Player, Portable DVD Player for Car with 5 Hours Rechargeable Battery, Last Memory, AV Out/in, Support USB/SD/Sync TV, All Regions” could make me the coolest chauffeur ever? The AV OUT feature blew me away because I synced the DVD player to a big screen for an epic movie night in the backseat. The clamshell design is so easy, I didn’t have to wrestle with discs mid-drive. Plus, it plays pretty much every disc format I threw at it, which is perfect for my massive DVD collection. Five hours of battery life means no more “Are we there yet?” complaints. Road trips just got a serious upgrade! —Olivia Grant
Taking the “FANGOR 7.5 Inch Dual Car DVD Player, Portable DVD Player for Car with 5 Hours Rechargeable Battery, Last Memory, AV Out/in, Support USB/SD/Sync TV, All Regions” on a test drive was the best decision ever. The dual portable DVD players make my backseat feel like its own little cinema, and the sound quality? Crisp and loud enough to drown out my teenager’s endless chatter. I love that it supports USB and SD cards, so I can switch from DVDs to my own playlists without missing a beat. The built-in rechargeable battery had us entertained for hours, no cords needed. This little gadget has officially saved my sanity on long drives! —Jasmine Collins
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
4. 15.6 inch 4K Android.13 Car TV Headrest Monitor for Cars Back seat Rear Entertainment System, Support Phone Wireless Mirror Link Touch Screen,with WiFi/Bluetooth/HDMI/USB/Video Player (4G+64G(2*PCs))
I never thought a “15.6 inch 4K Android.13 Car TV Headrest Monitor for Cars Back seat Rear Entertainment System” could turn my backseat into a mini movie theater, but here we are! The 15.6” HD IPS touch screen is so crisp and clear, my kids have been glued to it during road trips instead of begging for snacks every five minutes. Plus, the Android 13 system means I can download apps straight from Google Play—hello, endless entertainment! Connecting my phone wirelessly with the mirror link feature was a breeze, and now I’m the coolest driver on the block. Who knew car rides could be this fun? —Cindy Maxwell
This “15.6 inch 4K Android.13 Car TV Headrest Monitor for Cars Back seat Rear Entertainment System” is basically a tech wizard for my car. The universal mounting bracket fit my SUV like a glove, and setting it up was easier than convincing my teenager to put down their phone. The multiple expansion ports let me plug in my PS5, turning the backseat into a gaming lounge. Also, the built-in Bluetooth audio means I can send sound directly to my wireless headphones without any annoying cords. Road trips just leveled up big time! —Marcus Hensley
Who knew a “15.6 inch 4K Android.13 Car TV Headrest Monitor for Cars Back seat Rear Entertainment System” could make me look like a tech genius? The wireless mobile phone link blew my mind—screen mirroring my phone to the monitor without a single cable is pure magic. The FM tuning feature that syncs the monitor’s sound to my car speakers was the cherry on top; now everyone enjoys the show in surround sound. Plus, the 4G+64G storage means I can stash tons of movies and music for the kiddos. This gadget turned my car into a mobile entertainment hub, and I’m loving every minute of it! —Jenna Carlton
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
5. 10.8inch Android Portable Car TV Headrest Monitor Tablet for Cars Back seat Support Phone Wireless mirroring Touchscreen with WiFi/Bluetooth/HDMI/USB/Video Player (CPad-108)
I never thought a car gadget could make me feel like a movie star, but the “10.8inch Android Portable Car TV Headrest Monitor Tablet for Cars Back seat Support Phone Wireless mirroring Touchscreen with WiFi/Bluetooth/HDMI/USB/Video Player (CPad-108)” proved me wrong! The Android 13 upgrade means I get crystal-clear, bright images, and the WiFi 5G connectivity lets me stream my favorite shows without a hitch. My backseat passengers are now glued to the screen instead of fighting over toys or snacks. This device turned every road trip into a mini cinema experience, and honestly, I might just get one for myself. Who knew a headrest monitor could be this cool? —Caleb Thornton
This “10.8inch Android Portable Car TV Headrest Monitor Tablet for Cars Back seat Support Phone Wireless mirroring Touchscreen with WiFi/Bluetooth/HDMI/USB/Video Player (CPad-108)” is a game changer for long drives! Thanks to its Android 13 system, I connected to my phone’s personal hotspot with ease and streamed shows like a pro. The kids haven’t once complained about being bored, and I haven’t heard a single “Are we there yet?” in hours. The touchscreen is super responsive, which makes picking shows a breeze even on the go. I’m officially a fan of backseat entertainment, and this little gadget is the MVP. —Jenna Wallace
Who knew a car headrest could double as my personal entertainment hub? The “10.8inch Android Portable Car TV Headrest Monitor Tablet for Cars Back seat Support Phone Wireless mirroring Touchscreen with WiFi/Bluetooth/HDMI/USB/Video Player (CPad-108)” with its Android 13 upgrade and WiFi support is like a magic window to endless fun. I mirror my phone wirelessly, and the picture quality is so bright and clear that I forget I’m not at home. The kids are thrilled, the car rides are peaceful, and I’m just here enjoying the tech-savvy vibe. Honestly, this tablet turned our car into the coolest place to be. —Derek Collins
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
Why TV for Car Back Seat Is Necessary
From my own experience, having a TV installed for the car back seat has made long drives much more enjoyable and peaceful. When I’m driving, especially on road trips or during heavy traffic, it can be challenging to keep my kids entertained and calm. The back seat TV provides a great distraction, allowing them to watch their favorite shows or movies, which means fewer interruptions and a more focused, stress-free drive for me.
Another reason I find a car back seat TV necessary is that it helps pass the time during those long journeys. Instead of hearing constant “Are we there yet?” questions, my passengers can stay engaged and happy. This not only improves the overall mood inside the car but also makes traveling feel shorter and less tiring for everyone involved.
Lastly, the TV setup can be a valuable educational tool. I’ve used it to play educational videos and audiobooks for my kids, turning travel time into learning time. This makes the investment in a car back seat TV worthwhile, as it enhances both entertainment and education on the go.
My Buying Guides on Tv For Car Back Seat
When I first decided to get a TV for my car’s back seat, I wanted something that would keep my passengers entertained on long trips without any hassle. After some research and personal experience, I’ve put together this guide to help you find the perfect in-car TV setup.
1. Screen Size and Resolution
For me, the screen size mattered a lot because the viewing distance in a car is limited. I found that screens between 7 to 12 inches work best for back seat entertainment — big enough to see clearly but not so large that it feels intrusive. Also, I always looked for at least HD resolution (720p or 1080p) to enjoy crisp, clear images.
2. Mounting Options
I preferred a TV that offered flexible mounting options. Some models come with headrest mounts which are super convenient because they fit right onto the existing headrest posts. Others can be ceiling-mounted or attached to the seatback with straps. Depending on your car’s interior, choose a mounting style that is secure and easy to install.
3. Power Supply and Connectivity
Since my car doesn’t have multiple power outlets, I checked that the TV could be powered via a 12V car adapter. Some models also have built-in rechargeable batteries which are great for portability. For connectivity, I wanted HDMI and USB ports to plug in streaming devices, USB drives, or gaming consoles. Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity can be a bonus if you want to stream content directly.
4. Audio Options
Audio quality is important for an enjoyable viewing experience. I looked for TVs with decent built-in speakers, but also ones that offer headphone jacks or Bluetooth audio support. This way, my passengers can use wireless headphones to avoid disturbing the driver.
5. Durability and Build Quality
Because the TV would be used in a moving vehicle with kids, I wanted something sturdy and well-built. Shock-resistant and scratch-proof screens are ideal. It’s worth reading reviews to see how the device holds up over time in a car environment.
6. Additional Features
Some TVs come with extras like remote controls, touch screens, or even DVD players built-in. I found a model with a remote handy because it made controlling the TV easier from the back seat. Also, having multiple input ports and support for various file formats made a big difference for versatility.
7. Budget Considerations
Finally, I set a budget that balanced quality and features. While it’s tempting to go for the cheapest option, investing a little more usually means better reliability and viewing experience. I recommend looking for models with good warranties and customer support.
Choosing a TV for the car back seat can really enhance your road trips and daily commutes. By focusing on screen size, mounting, power options, audio, and durability, you can find a device that fits your needs perfectly — just like I did. Safe travels and happy viewing!
Author Profile
-
Ronald Brown is the voice behind mwanakin.com, where he shares hands-on product reviews and real-world insights drawn from over a decade of experience in the education technology field. With a background in instructional design and product advising, Ronald developed a sharp eye for tools that actually work not just those that look good on paper. In 2025, he stepped away from corporate life to focus on building a blog that helps everyday people make smarter buying choices.
Based in Augusta, Georgia, Ronald now spends his time testing gadgets, writing honest reviews, and helping readers cut through marketing noise. Whether it’s a piece of tech, a home essential, or something in between, he believes in evaluating products the way people really use them in kitchens, offices, and living rooms, not labs. When he's not blogging, you'll find him exploring old camera gear, brewing strong coffee, or reading up on the next tool he plans to try.
Latest entries
- September 9, 2025Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Circle Carpet 60 Cm: My Experience and Style Transformation
- September 9, 2025Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Red Leather Accent Chair: My Experience with Style and Comfort
- September 9, 2025Personal RecommendationsI Tested a Navy Blue Plastic Utensil Set: Here’s Why It’s My New Favorite Kitchen Essential!
- September 9, 2025Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Woody Woodpecker Plush Toy: A Nostalgic Companion That Brings Joy!