Are cheap Amazon head units actually usable?

The honest answer from specialist communities is 'sometimes.' r/CarAV and r/AskMechanics threads frequently warn about underpowered processors, cheap Bluetooth chips, and missing pre-outs, while r/HondaElement and r/CarPlay users report perfectly happy ownership of $100–$150 units. The pattern is that budget units work fine for casual CarPlay/Android Auto use but disappoint anyone planning to add an amplifier or subwoofer.