In this review, I look at the Stage Sound Stage LinkFree Wireless CarPlay Adapter. You can buy this wireless CarPlay dongle currently for £39.99 on Black Friday from Amazon UK – https://amzn.to/4i98AbZ, and on Black Friday sale for €47.99 from Amazon DE – https://amzn.to/4fLPK9q.
TLDR: The Stage LinkFree Wireless CarPlay Adapter is a budget-friendly solution for cutting the cord and enjoying wireless CarPlay. Compact and easy to set up, it delivers smooth performance with minimal lag, making it a convenient option for most drivers. While it lacks premium features like GPS passthrough and has some call latency vs high competition, its affordability, wide compatibility, and reliable functionality make it an excellent choice for those seeking an entry-level wireless CarPlay experience.
The Sound Stage – Stage LinkFree Wireless CarPlay adapter aims to deliver freedom from cables at a price point that’s hard to resist. Promising convenience, compatibility, and a seamless experience, it enters a competitive market. After spending some time with the Stage LinkFree adapter, I’ve discovered where it shines and where it leaves room for improvement. For budget-conscious drivers, it might just be the wireless CarPlay solution you’ve been waiting for.
First Impressions: What’s in the Box?
The LinkFree adapter comes neatly packaged in a slim box that’s minimal yet functional. Inside, you’ll find the adapter itself, a USB-A to USB-C extension cable, and a compact paper user guide. The inclusion of the USB-C adapter is pretty standard these days, but it is a must-have for those with modern vehicles featuring USB-C ports. The user guide covers the majority of functions on this adapter, from connection to adjusting its custom LED and removing devices from its pairing list. With an auto-connect toggle, there is some room here for multiple connections to different devices, but it is very lightweight to say the least.
Design and Features
Compact and unassuming, the Stage LinkFree is about the size of a USB thumb drive, making it easy to tuck away in any car. Its grey metallic finish, though made of plastic, gives it a sleek and modern appearance, so if your CarPlay USB port is on show, this look won’t look too bad in a car’s interior.
On one side of the adapter is a small LED light that changes colour to indicate the connection status, and while you can customise its colour and pulsating effects, the light itself is so tiny that it’s barely a noticeable feature worthy of your attention. Making the spaces in between the side grills of the adapter transparent would have made better use of this feature.
Designed for versatility, the adapter supports both USB-A and USB-C CarPlay ports, making it compatible with a wide range of vehicles. It pairs with iPhones running iOS 10 or later, starting from the iPhone 6, and works with most wired CarPlay-enabled vehicles from 2016 onward. The manufacturer claims compatibility with over 800 car models, which covers the vast majority of car brands on the road today.
The LinkFree uses both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for connectivity. This dual-connection approach enables the same features as wired CarPlay, including features like voice control, touchscreen input, steering wheel buttons, or knob controls.
Setup: Quick and Effortless
Setting up the Stage LinkFree adapter couldn’t be simpler. Plug the device into your car’s CarPlay USB port, make sure both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on your iPhone are activated, and pair it with the adapter. Once first paired, the adapter then remembers your device and connects automatically every time you start your car. From unboxing to full functionality, the entire process took less than a minute—perfect for drivers who want hassle-free tech.
Performance: Solid, with a Few Trade-offs
When it comes to performance, the LinkFree holds its own, particularly given its price. It boots up in about 9 seconds and establishes a power-up to wireless CarPlay connection in roughly 16 seconds. While not the fastest I’ve seen, this is respectable for an adapter at this price point.
Once connected, the experience is fast and smooth. Touch input is responsive, navigation works flawlessly, and music playback shows no noticeable lag. However, the adapter’s Wi-Fi capabilities aren’t cutting-edge (Wi-Fi4, 150mbps max rate, and quite a low SNR value of 26), so with long-term use you may experience occasional bandwidth-related issues, but for me, I didn’t experience any in my short review time with the adapter.
The call quality is decent, though there’s a very slight call return delay than the fastest-performing adapters. For those who rely heavily on hands-free calling, this may be a minor annoyance, but it didn’t disrupt my day-to-day use personally.
One disappointment is the confirmed absence of functional GPS passthrough support, despite its appearance as an option in the configuration menu. While not uncommon among budget-friendly adapters, it’s worth noting for those who rely on precise location data from their car’s GPS system.
Overall Experience and Verdict
What makes the LinkFree stand out is its affordability and practicality. At just £39.99, it’s an easy entry point into the world of wireless CarPlay. Its compact size and universal compatibility ensure it works with most vehicles and iPhones, while the plug-and-play design makes it accessible even to those less tech-savvy.
However, the adapter’s shortcomings, such as limited Wi-Fi bandwidth, lack of GPS passthrough, and slight call delay, are compromises inherent to its price range. While these flaws won’t bother everyone, they’re worth considering if you value speed and advanced functionality.
The Stage LinkFree offers great value for its price and performs admirably as a budget wireless CarPlay adapter. It’s perfect for casual users who prioritize affordability and ease of use over premium features. If you’ve been looking for an affordable way to experience wireless CarPlay, this adapter is a reliable choice that gets the basics right.
For those willing to spend more, there are faster and more feature-rich options available. But at its price point, the LinkFree is hard to beat.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 – Brief overview
0:33 – Unboxing
0:44 – Features & design
1:56 – Boot-up & main menu
3:13 – BT Pairing
3:30 – Wireless CarPlay
4:07 – Microphone & calling
4:48 – IP Config menu
5:54 – My Impressions
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