We have a 2014 car with 2014 car tech and the Bluetooth connection almost always craps out and drops every single time. Can anyone recommend a good Bluetooth receiver? The car has connections for DC power, aux, RCA and USB in the center console under the armrest.

So here's what I'm looking for in the receiver:
*Always connected
*Automatically powers back on without having to physically turn it on
*Aux or RCA connection
*Don't need handsfree capability

Anything you'd recommend that meets the above criteria?

Thank you!

iPhone 7s and earlier still had the headphone jack. Hook that into the AUX.

If it had a tape deck, I would pair the iPhone with a cassette to headphone jack adapter. Should be able to get on ebay.

For the serious answer, USB should do the trick. Else, CarPlay (or android) compatible head unit for $500 will drastically improve your experience.

USB is your quick fix.

Depending on what phone you have, USB-C/Lightning to 3.5mm audio adapter to plug straight into the aux. Cut out the bluetooth altogether.

Actually the car doesn't have an Aux input in the center handrest console only RCA. We're trying to avoid plugging directly into a phone as we want to use Bluetooth wirelessly.

It's looking like I'll need to get one with an RCA out that we can power through a cigarette lighter style DC plug. I guess they sell those?

Is the RCA red, white and yellow? Do you have rear seat entertainment?

The Bluetooth may be dropping due to an SW update on the phone vs old SW on the car head unit (the radio). It may be possible to update the firmware on the car radio.

You may be able to make use of something like the below, to plug into USB and your phone connects to this.

But you would have to look into compatibility. For $7.99 it may be worth a try.

USB to Bluetooth Car Kit - Wireless Audio Adapter for Home & Car Stereo, Supports Handsfree Talking & Music Streaming https://a.co/d/0361CzVd

Thanks for the suggestion. Selfishly I want the USB dataport freed up for a thumb drive loaded with .mp3s. I've also tried the Bluetooth transmitter version where you tune to the radio and the quality was not great (popping etc).

I think I'll try the RCA option (white, yellow and red inputs). Yes, we do have rear seat entertainment but the center console has the RCA plug as well and would allow me to hide everything.

https://gromaudio.com/

Not the cheapest, but very reliable and usually integrates with steering wheel controls. Enter your make / model / year and see if they have anything.

Are you wanting the ability to run phone calls, or just music? If just music, I used this adapter in a 2009 Accord for quite a few years and it worked great: https://www.bestbuy.com/product/rocketfish-bluetooth-audio-receiver-black/J2FPJKL65Z/sku/6357221

If you want calls as well, something like this would be an option (I had a similar adapter for the aforementioned Accord but it has been discontinued): https://www.amazon.com/BESIGN-BK01-Bluetooth-Reciever-Ground/dp/B0DZBC22KG/?th=1

Both of these can be powered off of a USB cigarette lighter adapter, and the audio can be routed through either a 3.5mm or RCA connection (with appropriate adapters as needed)

Got a new head unit for my 2006 F-150 for Christmas. The Sony XAV-AX6000. Boots up and connects to my iPhone in a matter of seconds. Love it. I wish I had upgraded years sooner. Also got a Sirius/XM tuner for it so everything is integrated. No more separate Sirius/XM tuner mounted separately.

I got one of these mostly so I don't have to plug in my phone all the time while driving and still have waze running. Only complaint is that it takes 5ish minutes to stop trying to connect after leaving the vehicle. First world problems.

https://a.co/d/0iwxRrBm

Amazon delivered the Esinkin RCA Bluetooth receiver today and it works great! Appreciate all the responses!