Updated: May 5th, 2023
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A Bluetooth transmitter lets you play music from your devices in an older car, and usually adds USB charging, too. Photo credit: David Traver Adolphus / AutoGuide.com.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to pair a smartphone to a car via Bluetooth, you’ve come to the right place. Bluetooth FM transmitters are affordable and simple devices that let you stream audio from a phone to a car, along with the ability to make and answer phone calls. This allows you to connect a phone to a car’s stereo without running any extra wires or investing in more expensive Bluetooth kits.
Basically, a Bluetooth FM transmitter plugs into the car’s cigarette lighter and then transmits the audio from a phone to the car’s stereo by tuning to the same FM signal. The phone itself is directly connected to FM transmitter via Bluetooth, and the Bluetooth FM transmitter converts the audio from the phone to an FM signal.
Setting up a Bluetooth FM transmitter is fairly simple: find an FM signal on the car’s stereo that isn’t being used and set that signal to both the device and the car. Once a phone is paired to the device, it’ll send the audio straight to the car. This means that you should check to ensure there are open FM signals in your area before purchasing a Bluetooth FM transmitter—you can easily search online for clean FM signals in your area.
While shopping for a Bluetooth FM transmitter, you’ll likely notice that many of the products are very similar. Most will offer USB charging ports for your devices, while others will allow you to play media files straight from a memory card or USB flash drive. Choosing the right one for you may even just come down to price or style, as all the products on our list are extremely popular on Amazon and have predominantly five-star reviews.
Table of contents
1. Editor's Pick: Nulaxy KM18 Bluetooth FM Transmitter
As we mentioned before, most of the Bluetooth FM transmitters on our list are very similar. But if we had to pick one overall winner, it would be the Nulaxy KM18. With nearly 16,000 reviews on Amazon, it's an extremely popular product and is available at a very competitive price. Sporting a nice 1.44-inch screen that displays phone calls, music, and your car's battery voltage, the Nulaxy KM18 also features a 2.1A USB charging port for your device. It's also compatible with TF memory cards for playing media, or if you want to directly connect a device via AUX cable. Advanced noise reduction technology helps deliver clear audio.
The KM18 features a voltmeter that will show the condition of your car's battery. It's not exactly a feature you'd expect from a Bluetooth FM transmitter, but several of them do have it. Consider it an added bonus.
Pros | 1.44-inch screen, built-in battery monitor, noise reduction |
Cons | May dislodge from charger port on bumpy roads |
2. IMDEN Bluetooth FM Transmitter
For a simpler design, IMDEN's Bluetooth FM transmitter features a pair of USB charging ports, one of which is a Quick Charge (QC) 3.0 port. A high-performance microphone equipped with CVC noise suppression technology makes phone calls nice and clear, while a single button makes it easy to answer, redial, or end those calls. This Bluetooth FM transmitter also supports voice navigation from your phone, which means it'll stream the audio from your navigation app to your car.
For media playback, you can also insert a USB flash drive with MP3 files into one of the USB ports. This device from IMDEN also comes with an array of safety features including overcurrent protection, overvoltage protection, intelligent temperature control, and short circuit protection. It will also display your car's battery voltage on startup.
Pros | Small size, noise reduction, USB charger |
Cons | Awkwardly positioned buttons |
3. LIHAN Bluetooth FM Transmitter
This device from LIHAN is fairly basic, but it does feature a pair of USB charging ports, one 3.1A and one 1A. You can quickly answer or dismiss phone calls with a single push of a button. Compatible with Bluetooth 4.0 and below, LIHAN's transmitter also reads your car's battery voltage and is compatible with USB flash drives and TF memory cards for media playback. CVC noise suppression technology contributes to clear hands-free calling.
Pros | Dual USB charging ports, noise reduction, car battery voltage indicator |
Cons | May not fit all power ports/cigarette lighters well |
4. Sumind Bluetooth FM Transmitter
If you're looking for a more premium option, Sumind's Bluetooth FM transmitter should fit your needs. Featuring a large 1.7-inch LCD backlit screen, this device also has an adjustable 270-degree gooseneck so you can get the perfect viewing angle. It's equipped with a pair of USB charging ports, a 2.4A, and a QC3.0 compatible port. The screen displays information such as the song name, incoming phone numbers, and your car's battery voltage at startup.
Supported media playback includes devices connected via a 3.5mm audio cable, TF and microSD memory cards, and AUX output. CVC noise suppression technology and adopted advanced interference and noise cancellation help ensure your phone calls are as clear as possible. This device features Bluetooth 4.2 with EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) for faster data transmission.
Pros | Large screen, USB ports, adjustable gooseneck |
Cons | May dislodge from power port on bumpy roads |
5. Nulaxy NX09 Bluetooth FM Transmitter
Nulaxy is so popular in this segment that we had to include another one of its products, the NX09. Available in silver or black, this transmitter doesn't sport the fancy screen seen in our top pick, but it is a Bluetooth 5.0 device and has a QC3.0 USB charge port. The 7-color backlit LED display gives you a bit of customization, allowing you to choose from red, green, blue, yellowish green, purple, cyan, and silver white.
For media playback, this device supports USB flash drives and microSD cards, while Nulaxy noise-cancellation technology helps deliver crisp, clear phone calls. A built-in voltmeter also reads your car's battery voltage. Take advantage of Apple's Siri or Google Assistant with voice-activated navigation with this device.
Pros | Compact size, flash-drive compatible, customizable appearance |
Cons | A handful of users mentioned poor reception |
6. Vproof Bluetooth FM Transmitter
By no means is Vproof's transmitter a bad one just because it's at the bottom of our list. As we mentioned before, many of these Bluetooth FM transmitters are very similar, and most are priced within the same range. Vproof's device features a pair of USB charging ports (2.4A and 1A) and is equipped with Bluetooth 4.2 technology. It supports voice navigation and can play media from TF memory cards and USB flash drives.
CVC noise suppression technology helps deliver clear audio. This transmitter will also display your car's battery voltage on startup.
Product features:
- Dual USB charging ports (2.4A / 1A)
- CVC noise suppression technology
- Compatible with memory cards and USB flash drives
- Reads car's battery voltage
- Bluetooth 4.2
- Supports voice navigation
Pros | Two USB charge ports, supports flash drives and voice navigation |
Cons | Some users found their Vproof transmitter short-lived |
Recent Updates:
December 19, 2022: Updated product links; added pro/cons; removed Criacr transmitter.
October 24, 2022: Removed Zeeport, LDesign, and VicTsing transmitters; all are no longer available or out of stock.
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