No one likes to drive in silence. Everyone likes to listen to the radio or at least some audio. However, not all cars have audio systems, stereos, or radios installed in them. And that is exactly where FM transmitters come in.
How can you actually use this?
It is simple.
You only have to connect your smartphone to the FM transmitter via Bluetooth or wire, and it will play the radio or your preferred audio on the car’s speakers.
The best part?
These come at a fraction of the cost of audio systems.
Hence, you should hurry and find yourself the best FM transmitter for cars. We have also shortlisted some top offerings in the market as follows.
Contents
Best FM Transmitters For Cars Comparison Table
| Products | Bluetooth | Audio Compatibility | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Bluetooth 5.0 | Audio Compatibility Limited |  (5 / 5) |
|
Also Great Tecboss Bluetooth FM Transmitter  View Price | Bluetooth 5.0 | Audio Compatibility All Audio Formats |  (4.5 / 5) |
Bluetooth 4.2 | Audio Compatibility Limited |  (4.2 / 5) |
|
Also Great Doosl Bluetooth FM Transmitter  View Price | Bluetooth 4.1 | Audio Compatibility All Audio Formats | (4.2 / 5) |
Bluetooth No | Audio Compatibility Limited |  (4.4 / 5) |
Top 5 Best FM Transmitters For Cars To Buy In 2023 Reviews
1 Anker Roav Bluetooth Car Adapter and Car Charger
(5 / 5)Pros
- Stable Bluetooth 5.0 connection.
- Very easy to use.
- It can automatically FM tune itself.
- The charging speed is great.
- Has a GPS tracking system – Car Finder.
- It comes with USB ports for charging.
- Automatically pairs to the last paired device.
Cons
- It cannot be used with a flash drive or TF card.
- GPS system isn’t 100% accurate.
The Roav FM Transmitter uses Bluetooth 5.0 technology to offer a stable connection for streaming audio over FM frequency and making hands-free calls. You won’t have to worry about the device getting disconnected or lagging while you enjoy your audio.
It comes with two USB ports. They are multi-purpose. You can play music through a USB by connecting it to one of the USB ports while you charge your phone using the second USB port.
A unique feature of this model is the Car Finder, which records your car’s location once the Bluetooth connection is lost. You need to download the Roav Charger app so that you can get a pin of your vehicle’s location. The Roav Charger app also monitors your car’s battery.
However, you should know beforehand that it may end your phone calls unexpectedly or take over your phone call if you are within the range since it automatically connects to the last paired devices. Also, the GPS may be inaccurate by about a few miles.
2 Tecboss Bluetooth FM Transmitter
(4.5 / 5)Pros
- Stable Bluetooth 5.0 connection.
- Two USB charging ports.
- Features Tecboss noise cancellation technology.
- Compatible with all kinds of audio.
- It can be connected to your phone to give voice commands.
Cons
- No GPS tracking system.
- Doesn’t have a digital display.
There are certain transmitters that keep getting disconnected while you are driving. They are annoying, but more than that, they are dangerous because they take your focus away from the road while you try to reconnect them. Tecboss took this danger seriously and came up with this product.
It provides you with one of the most stable connections in the market. You won’t ever have to worry about your transmitter getting disconnected again. You can also use this transmitter to provide yourself with an amazing hands-free calling experience.
This product also features Tecboss noise-cancellation technology. It effectively dampens the extra noise coming from outside the car. This further provides you with clear and crisp audio that enhances your overall experience.
A very big win for this product is that it is compatible with most audio options. You can connect it to your phone, use a USB, or insert a flash drive to listen to anything you want. You can also charge your phone using the two USB ports that you will find in this FM transmitter.
Lastly, one of the most distinctive features of this FM transmitter is the voice service. You can connect it to Google Assistant or Siri to give instructions to the phone, like making calls or sending texts. In this way, you can put all your focus on the road and drive safely.
3 WPWPOO Bluetooth FM Transmitter for Car
(4.2 / 5)Pros
- Innovative design.
- 2 USB charging ports.
- Simple to use.
- Has a nice display screen.
Cons
- Radiofrequency adjustment buttons are not easily accessible.
WPWPOO really has come up with an innovative design with this FM transmitter. It is a high-quality transmitter with usual features; however, by looking at it, there seems to be something that happens when you move the top section.
What happens when you turn the top section towards the right is that you will find two USB ports that put out 2.4 amps at 5 volts each. You can hide the ports when they are not in use. All you must do is rotate the top a little.
On the front, there’s a clear circular display showing you the frequency of your choice. Just a little bit further down, there’s a microphone that allows you to take calls while being connected via Bluetooth. Moreover, there’s a very clear button that lets you take and hang-up a call. This easy-to-use interface makes it super easy to use this transmitter.
Lastly, there’s a section where you can switch frequencies. This part is located on the side and may be tricky to press if you have big fingers. But on the bright side, it stays hidden and out of sight since most of us wouldn’t change radio frequencies often once we found one that works.
4 Doosl Bluetooth FM Transmitter
(4.2 / 5)Pros
- Very easy to use.
- Looks elegant and classy.
- Plays smooth audio.
- Portable and durable.
- Great battery life.
Cons
- A little expensive.
- No GPS tracking.
- You cannot charge your phones.
Doosl Bluetooth FM transmitter is very easy to use. All you must do is turn on the FM transmitter, and connect it with the radio at any frequency you want and then pair your phone/audio player with the modulator via Bluetooth. This convenience that it provides makes it very popular among most users.
Furthermore, it has a very classy and elegant look. It features Bluetooth 4.1 technology that ensures smooth audio without any interference. The FM transmitter can be connected to any device with Bluetooth such as iPhone, iPad, iPod, tablet, and android smartphones.
It also has a long battery life thanks to its built-in 700mAh rechargeable battery that supports up to 10 hours of continuous playing. You can enjoy your favorite audio during trips or vacations without any worries. It is portable, and you can easily charge it using the charger it comes with.
Also, it memorizes the last FM transmitting frequency, which means that you can set it up once and then enjoy the same channel every time you turn on the radio.
5 JETech Wireless FM Transmitter Radio Car Kit
(4.4 / 5)Pros
- Features a large LCD display.
- Has GPS tracking.
- Comes with a lifetime warranty.
- Has a USB port for charging.
Cons
- No Bluetooth connectivity.
This transmitter is a basic model that is connected to your phone using a headphone jack. Hence, it can’t be connected to phones without a headphone jack. However, it is still a well-built, no-nonsense transmitter that can transform an old MP3 player into an audio streaming device.
This is a small device. Hence, the LCD screen doesn’t display anything except the FM frequency. There are buttons on either side of the screen, and that’s all. The power plug fits any standard 12V socket, and there’s a hidden USB socket for charging your device.
Despite not being a Bluetooth transmitter, it still supports hands-free calling in full-duplex mode via the integrated microphone. You just need to answer or initiate the call on your phone instead of on the transmitter itself.
It also has GPS tracking, and hence you will never have to worry about forgetting the parking spot anymore. One last thing to consider about this device is that it comes with a lifetime warranty, so this really is a safe bet.
Best FM Transmitters for Cars Buying Guide
Choosing among so many options can be tough. However, don’t worry. You just need to look for the following features in whichever car FM transmitter you are considering for purchase, and you will be able to buy yourself the best FM transmitter for cars.
- Audio Quality and Experience
One of the most important things to consider is obviously the audio experience that you can get. A lot of this experience will be defined by the quality of the speakers you have in your vehicle. However, when it comes to an FM transmitter, it is essential to consider the interference that you might get.
For starters, your FM transmitter must be able to maintain a reliable connection with your car’s speakers. If it fails to do so, then the audio will stop and start to fade in and out, which can be frustrating.
- Screen
Traditionally, FM transmitters are quite simple in that they rely on your phone to do all the hard work. You can control all the functions using your phone, including the volume or playing or pausing audio, etc.
However, these days, many latest models have built-in display screens. Even though they are usually no bigger than an inch or two, they allow you to skip between tracks and adjust volume with ease. Hence, it is an added benefit to consider the screen in your preferred product.
- Compatibility with your Car
There is no point in buying an FM transmitter that isn’t right for your current phone and car, so make sure that the product that you are buying is compatible with both your phone and your car. You should be certain that your car and its speakers can function with the FM transmitter.
- Ease of Use
You don’t want complicated instructions for using your FM transmitter, and a few minor adjustments should be all it takes to enhance the audio quality. Also, a lot of products make it easy for you to get the frequency right, so look for such products.
While driving, if you need to change the settings a little, then it is important that the adjustments can be made easily without having to transfer much attention to the FM transmitter. Make sure that the buttons are easy to press, and the screen is visible in all brightness levels.
- Features
Some FM transmitters are simple devices that get the job done with little fuss, while others can give you some extra features. These features can come in the form of a USB charging port, hands-free calling option, etc. As a result, you get to keep your phone charged and listen to calls without having to disconnect the FM transmitter.
Another impressive feature is GPS tracking. It enables you to locate your car using an app. This comes in handy if you ever forget where you parked your car, or in the worst-case scenario, it will help you locate your car in case of a theft.
Why Buy a Bluetooth FM Transmitter?
An FM transmitter isn’t just a fancy accessory. It has many benefits that make it a worthy investment. If you buy it, then it will add value to your overall driving experience in the following ways.
- Hands-free Calls
You should never pick up your phone and take a call at the wheel; it’s against the law and downright dangerous. To keep yourself and everyone else on the road safe, you should either not take calls while driving or use a hands-free.
A good FM transmitter can enable you to do that. A lot of them have built-in microphones and will make it easy for you to know when a call is incoming by cutting the audio. By playing through your speakers, you can hear the caller, and you don’t have to miss a call or find a place to pull over while driving ever again.
- Charge Your Phone
Some of the transmitters have a built-in USB charging port that allows you to charge your phone in the car with ease through the 12-volt cigarette lighter outlet. It will be very helpful during long trips and vacations when you don’t have much time to charge your phone.
- Compatible with All Kinds of Audios
The same radio stations can get boring, and not to mention restrictive. When you want to listen to a certain playlist, you can just switch settings of your FM transmitter, and it will play the audio you want through the speakers. Podcasts, audiobooks, and audio streaming apps can all be used to make your commute a lot more enjoyable and fun.
- Highly Affordable
It can cost hundreds of dollars to upgrade the sound system in your car. However, thanks to FM transmitters, it is an avoidable expense. You can play all kinds of audios in your car with a simple, affordable device that will cost a fraction of a brand new sound system for your car.
Types of Bluetooth FM Transmitters
There are two main types of FM transmitters available for cars. You should understand the difference between both so you can make an informed decision about which kind of FM transmitter will fit your needs better.
- Basic Transmitters
The most basic kind of an FM radio transmitter is nothing more than a 12-volt plug with a built-in Bluetooth chip that is attached to the cigarette lighter outlet.
This configuration allows it to connect to a smart device and pipe audio out via an FM frequency. There is also a simple LCD screen on some basic models, so you can monitor the FM frequency and verify compatibility with the smart unit, i.e., your phone.
- Multifunctional Devices
More advanced FM transmitters combine a lot of functionality in one design. In addition to streaming music, these are the transmitters that make it easy to enjoy hands-free calling, check the information of the audio being played, and charge your phones on the go.
These transmitters usually come with larger screens and controls to adjust settings on the fly. They are much easier and convenient to use. Some come as standalone items, while others are part of a bigger package for vehicles.
Top Brands
There are several brands in the market. However, you cannot trust all of them. There are some top brands that you can trust and buy from to ensure that you get the highest quality products.
- Anker Roav
Anker Roav is a Chinese company that is owned by Anker Innovations. It was founded in 2011. It is known for producing high-quality cars, computers, and mobile peripherals.
The company has subsidiaries in China, Japan, the UK, U.S., and Germany. These are all the hubs for scientific development, and Anker Roav believes in bringing the best technology to its customers. Anker Roav is focused on developing products that bring smart, connected services to any vehicle.
- Tecboss
Tecboss is a new company that was founded in 2017. It specializes in 3D painting, toys, small electronics, and home entertainment equipment. Tecboss believes in utilizing technology to bring happiness and convenience to people’s lives. Quality and user experience are the primary focus of the company.
Despite being young, Tecboss managed to expand in over 32 countries and regions thanks to the high quality of its products. It is loved by all its customers, and they place their trust in Tecboss because of the quality standards used by the company.
Bluetooth FM Transmitter Pricing
A huge advantage of having an FM transmitter is that you don’t have to invest in an expensive sound system for your car. FM transmitters come at a fraction of the cost and hence are highly affordable.
They offer you various kinds of features depending on the type of transmitter you buy. These features and the overall quality define the price of a certain variant. You can refer to the comparison below for a better understanding of price ranges.
- $5 and below
The cheapest FM transmitters are simple products that do only one job that is transmitting audio to the radio. These tend to be user-friendly in nature, but they are not very interactive since they don’t have any screens.
- $5-$15
A combination of basic single-use solutions and multifunctional designs is present in midrange FM transmitters. Such transmitters provide higher-end displays and controls for easy use while driving along with the various connectivity options to all kinds of audios.
However, they don’t have USB connectivity, so you can’t use them to charge your phone.
- $15 and above
A lot of versatility is bundled into one design in the form of higher-end FM transmitters. These have all the basic and additional features of the best quality. They include an easy-to-use bright display screen. In addition, they are easier to connect, and you can receive calls on them conveniently.
Furthermore, they have additional hardware features, such as USB charging ports so you can charge your phone on the go. Also, they have GPS tracking systems to further facilitate you.
Conclusion
FM transmitters are a very affordable and effective alternative for expensive audio systems. Hence, people prefer buying them over other alternatives. You can also choose the best FM transmitter for cars from the options given above and refer to the buying guide to understand why it’s the best one.
From our expertise, however, we believe that Anker Roav Bluetooth Car Adapter and Car Charger is the best FM transmitter for cars.
It offers a stable Bluetooth 5.0 connection and is very easy to use. Once you set a preferred channel, it can automatically FM tune itself. Its charging speed is also great, and you can charge your phone through the USB ports on its sides. Furthermore, it has a GPS tracking system.