Since none of those devices are official, rather than (cheap) workarounds, I dont think you’ll find anyone here saying which is the best.
Having said that, considering the fact that they are all practically the same devices with different name, your best bet is to buy the cheapest and closest you can find in order to return it in case (when) you get into problems

 

I purchased both Carlinkit 3.0 and CPlay2Air, after I realized the CPlay2Air was coming directly from China and didn't want to wait that long. Ironically, the both arrived within a day of each other, so anyways...

I installed the Carlinkit 3.0, and it does take longer to connect than hardwiring directly, but I don't think it's terribly long. It pretty much takes the amount of time of me plugging in an address in Maps to connect, so I'm fine with it. I did notice that the play/pause and next buttons are definitely delayed, but it hasn't really bothered me yet. I may try out the CPlay2Air to see if it's any better. Then I'll probably end up selling the other one.

 

I've used CPlay2Air for the past 18 months and I've had zero problems or issues.

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My question to the group is -- what is truly the best out there, and are there any that I'm missing from my search? Has anyone found one to be more reliable than others - and without the potential reduction in audio quality?
Just a note, this is brand new 2021 Volvo XC60 - so replacing the headunit isn't an option.
Thank you!

 

I think CarLinKit and CarPlay2Air are the same thing. I have both and they're the same device.

They work fine. They're a little slow to start but not overly. The only annoyance I have is that Google Maps seems to not update unless the phone is unlocked and the Google Maps app is the front app. I don't know if this happens on wired, tbh, since I never use it so maybe that's just a CarPlay bug.

 

I have the Carlinkit 3.0 and it works 80% of the time. It's not any more buggy than Carplay. When it doesn't connect I either unplug it or just drive without it. Most of my trips are short distance so I'm going to restart the car soon anyway. My 2020 model just turned 4,000 mile over the weekend.

 

Today I saw that Carlinkit.com has launched a new AI Box for wireless Carplay and wireless Android auto, and it claims to be able to watch YouTube, Netflix in the car, etc. Has anyone used it? How is it? It is the samething as MMB?

(T-Box) Full Android AI Box - Convert Your Car Screen to Android Tablet

The Problem Nowadays, we have entered the era of mobile Internet. We are accustomed to this kind of Internet service anytime, anywhere, but many cars are still stuck in the operation interface of the last century. It would be great if some famous apps could be installed like a retrofit Android...

carlinkitcarplay.com

 

I have the Cplay2air and it worked flawlessly in my Kia and worked for a year in my 2020 XC60, and then just stopped working.

I recently bought the Carlinkit 3.0 hoping maybe there was something wrong with my Cplay unit, but alas, it doesn’t work either. The Sensus screen shows “device intialization error”. Tried two different units and get the same error (both those units work fine in the Kia.)

Wired Carplay works fine in the Volvo, so it’s odd that others are stil having success with the wireless units and I am not..

I chuckle at those taking about how long it takes to connect, as they obviously are not factoring in the time it takes to plug the phone in! (And even besides that, in my experience is that it connects as quickly as plugging in with the wire…certainly within a second or two, if not the same speed.

long story short, buy from somewhere with free returns in case you have my lack of luck getting them to work…’cause when it works, it is awesome.

 

I have the Cplay2air and it worked flawlessly in my Kia and worked for a year in my 2020 XC60, and then just stopped working.

I recently bought the Carlinkit 3.0 hoping maybe there was something wrong with my Cplay unit, but alas, it doesn’t work either. The Sensus screen shows “device intialization error”. Tried two different units and get the same error (both those units work fine in the Kia.)

Wired Carplay works fine in the Volvo, so it’s odd that others are stil having success with the wireless units and I am not..

I chuckle at those taking about how long it takes to connect, as they obviously are not factoring in the time it takes to plug the phone in! (And even besides that, in my experience is that it connects as quickly as plugging in with the wire…certainly within a second or two, if not the same speed.

long story short, buy from somewhere with free returns in case you have my lack of luck getting them to work…’cause when it works, it is awesome.

where did you buy the dongle?you may contact the seller for after-sales service

 

I have one of these fore wireless CarPlay and it works well 95% of the time to be honest, no complaints and worth the investment: carlinkit wireless adapter for factory CarPlay on carlinkiycarplay.com