CarlinKit continues to push the limits of compact wireless adapters with the release of their new Mini Ultra 3 Wireless 2-in-1 Adapter ($49.99 Amazon) ($35 Direct). Designed for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Mini Ultra 3 shrinks the footprint even further while improving heat management and maintaining high performance.
The unboxing experience is minimal, with the adapter itself, a USB-A to USB-C converter, and a short instruction manual. The first thing you’ll notice is just how small this device is — roughly the size of a coat button at just 25mm in diameter and 10mm thick. It’s one of the tiniest CarPlay adapters, designed to sit flush in your car’s USB port for a discreet installation.
Unlike the previous Ultra model, the Mini Ultra 3 features a 90-degree angled USB plug. So depending on your car’s port layout, this could block a neighbouring port, so be mindful if your car has closely spaced USB sockets and their orientation.
CarPlay Performance & Heat
In performance, the Mini Ultra 3 builds on CarlinKit’s excellent track record. Plugged into my Cupra Born, it booted quickly into its main menu screen in 10 seconds, and connected seamlessly to both iPhone and Android devices in 6.98 seconds and 11.06 seconds respectiveally. Wireless Apple CarPlay performed very well, with smooth video performance, GPS pass-through, and clear call quality using the car’s built-in microphone. Music playback, wheel controls, and Siri commands all performed flawlessly.
A major improvement over the original Ultra1 is heat output. The Mini Ultra 3 runs at less than half the temperature of its predecessor. This could be thanks to its thicker shell and improved thermal design. Despite no visible cooling vents, it remained cool to the touch even after extended use alongside the Ultra1, which was already hot!
IP Config & Android Auto
Diving into its built-in IP Config menu, you can adjust features like media delay, background mode, and a new setting for CarlinKit adapters that helps improve Bluetooth connectivity on car BT systems that fight for a BT connection — this is a new addition exclusive to the Mini Ultra 3 hardware, that the Ultra1 doesn’t seem to have a similar firmware update version number.
Moving onto Android Auto, this was also fast to pair – 11 seconds and boot into Android Auto at 18 seconds. This was a little slower than the Ultra1, with a boot of 15 seconds, with excellent screen responsiveness, navigation pass through via Google Maps and Waze, and full support for steering wheel controls and Google Assistant voice commands. Audio streaming quality remained crisp and well-synced with very little delay, 0.11 seconds than the more common 0.23ish seconds.
Small But Mighty
Retailing at $49.99 (with a current $10 off coupon) from Amazon ($35 Direct), the CarlinKit Mini Ultra 3 offers great value considering its compact form factor, dual-platform compatibility, reliable performance, and configurable IP Config menu.
If you desire a minimal look in your car’s interior, or you car has a tight space around your CarPlay/Android Auto USB ports and you want the smallest, coolest, and most efficient Carlinkit adapter available, the Mini Ultra 3 remains a solid choice for both Apple and Android users.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 – Introduction to the Mini Ultra 3
0:25 – Unboxing and what’s inside the box
0:35 – Design overview and new compact shape
1:45 – Size comparison with the original Ultra
2:44 – Heat performance and cooling improvements
3:24 – Testing in the Cupra Born
4:06 – Wireless Apple CarPlay test
6:29 – Config settings and new features
7:50 – Multi-user & Wireless Android Auto test
10:13 – Price, pros, cons, and final verdict
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