I bought both of these myself. No brand sent me either device and nobody paid me to write this. I tested them on the same routes over three weeks and these are my honest findings.
What are CarPlay AI boxes?
A CarPlay AI box plugs into the same USB port your phone uses for wired CarPlay. Your car thinks it is your phone. But instead of mirroring your iPhone screen it runs a full Android operating system, so you get Netflix, YouTube and any app from the Play Store on your factory car screen.
It works with any car that has wired CarPlay or Android Auto. Nothing is permanently changed. Unplug it and your car goes straight back to normal.
The quick verdict
Both do the same job on paper. The OTTOCAST is cheaper and comes from a well known brand but independent reviewers flag slow app load times, a closed Android system, and a device that runs warm after extended use. The NEXVU-S costs more but is built in the UK, has a more open system, and includes a wireless remote which matters if your car does not have a touchscreen. Which one is right for you depends on what you actually need.
Head to head
| Feature | OTTOCAST Play2Video Ultra | NEXVU-S |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ✓ Cheaper | ✗ Costs more |
| Reviews and rating | ✗ 600+ reviews 3.1 / 5 | ✓ 220 reviews 4.8 / 5 |
| Full Play Store access | ✗ Closed system | ✓ Full access |
| Size | ✓ Compact and discreet | ✗ Larger build |
| Stays cool | ✗ Overheats | ✓ Stays cool |
| CarPlay connection speed | ✓ Around 6 seconds | ✗ Around 9 seconds |
| Non-touchscreen cars | ✗ Not supported | ✓ Supported |
| UK based support | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Warranty | ✗ No warranty | ✓ 12 months |
The OTTOCAST Play2Video Ultra
OTTOCAST is one of the most recognised names in this category and the Play2Video Ultra is their entry level box. It is cheaper than most full Android boxes and it delivers the core promise, converting wired CarPlay to wireless with pre-installed Netflix and YouTube.
The limitations show with extended use. The Android system is closed, meaning you cannot access the full Google Play Store and are limited to apps OTTOCAST allows through their App Hub. The device also gets noticeably warm during extended streaming sessions. Independent reviewers flag slow app load times and a voice recording bug where messages come out distorted through CarPlay.
For buyers who mainly want wireless CarPlay with occasional streaming at the lowest possible price, it can work. The problems start when people expect the full unrestricted Android experience and discover the limitations after buying.
"Absolute crap. Don't buy it if you intend to use the Android features. The concept is good but it's unthinkable that Ottocast would launch such a low quality product, especially at this price point."
Amazon UK buyer"Limited performance, slow app load times, closed system, and minor bugs make it feel like an entry-level option rather than a premium solution."
TechTwo.tvThe NEXVU-S
The NEXVU-S is made by a UK company. Support and returns are handled in Britain, which is a practical difference if something goes wrong at this price.
The metal casing keeps it cool even after hours of use. The Android system gives full Play Store access rather than a curated selection. In my testing it booted consistently under 10 seconds, which matters on shorter journeys where waiting 40 seconds to load feels genuinely annoying.
A wireless remote comes in the box. If your car uses a rotary knob instead of a touchscreen this is the difference between the device working and not working. Touchscreen car owners may not use it much, but it is there.
The downside is the price. It costs meaningfully more than the OTTOCAST. If you mainly want wireless CarPlay and occasional streaming, that gap is hard to justify. If you want full unrestricted Android that works reliably every day, it is easier to make sense of.
Who should buy which
Consider the NEXVU-S if:
You want full unrestricted Android, you have a non-touchscreen car, you want UK based support, or you plan to use it daily. The reliability difference becomes more noticeable over time.
Consider the OTTOCAST if:
You mainly want wireless CarPlay with occasional streaming and the price difference matters. Go in with realistic expectations about the closed Android system and the app limitations.
After three weeks of testing this was the one I kept in my car. Here is where to get it.
My top pick — NEXVU-S →