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A Bluetooth FM transmitter will let you stream music wirelessly from your phone through your car’s FM stereo. You could use it to listen to MP3 files, podcasts, internet radio or streaming services like Spotify.
You can also use a Bluetooth FM transmitter to take hands-free calls or use Google Maps as a sat-nav.
Most Bluetooth FM transmitters plug into your car’s cigarette lighter.
You tune both your car radio and the FM transmitter to an unused FM frequency (see this article for advice on which frequency to use).
The Bluetooth FM transmitter essentially acts like a mini radio station that just broadcasts from the device to your car’s stereo.
Getting a Bluetooth FM transmitter is a cheap and easy alternative to replacing your old car stereo if it doesn’t have Bluetooth.
Here’s a roundup of 5 of the best Bluetooth FM transmitters available. All of the products reviewed here offer both hands-free calls and wireless audio streaming.
Best Bluetooth FM Transmitters for the Car
1. VicTsing Bluetooth FM Transmitter
The VicTsing Bluetooth FM Transmitter (model number H-VT-0805) can be used for streaming music from your phone or an MP3 player or taking hands-free calls using Bluetooth.
This transmitter offers an easy and cheap way to upgrade an old car stereo that doesn’t have Bluetooth. You could also use it for listening to online radio via your phone.
Features
- Plays music files in WAV, MP3 and WMA format from a USB drive or MP3 player
- CVC noise cancellation for hands-free calls
- Adjustable neck for changing the viewing angle
- Auto-connects with the last paired phone
- Dual 5V/2.1A USB charging port for quickly charging your phone
- TF card reader
- USB charging port
Dimensions: 12 x 6.5 x 5.7 cm
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Bright and clear LCD display
- Hardly any radio interference
- Good value for money
Cons
- A loud voice says “waiting for pairing” and “paired” when you connect it
- Not completely hands-free (you have to turn the radio down while taking a call)
Summary
The VicTsing Bluetooth FM Transmitter is an impressive product that is very easy to use and generally sounds clear with no interference. It’s reasonably priced and highly rated by users.
2. Nulaxy KM29 Bluetooth FM Transmitter
Unlike most Bluetooth FM transmitters, the Nulaxy KM29 has a landscape colour screen that shows additional information such as the voltage of your car battery.
It’s easy to install this device just by plugging it into the cigarette lighter and tuning both it and the radio to the same free FM frequency.
Features
- Screen shows battery voltage
- 3 USB ports for charging devices and playing MP3s
- Can play MP3s from a USB stick or TF Card
- 5 EQ modes
- Option to connect to your car stereo via aux
- Microphone for hands-free calls
Pros
- Display shows lots of information
- Easy to install
- Generally good sound quality without interference
Cons
- Can be hard to get volume on hands-free calls rights
Summary
There isn’t much to complain about with this transmitter. It’s easy to install and usually offers good, interference-free sound quality. The landscape screen shows plenty of information.
3. FirstE Bluetooth FM Transmitter
This compact Bluetooth FM transmitter from FirstE plugs into the cigarette lighter socket allowing you to stream audio from your Android smartphone or iPhone.
It has some useful extra features including USB ports for charging devices and a voltage detector that lets you know when it’s time to replace your car battery.
Features
- 2 USB ports for charging devices in the car
- Microphone with noise suppression technology for hands-free calls
- TF card and Micro SD card reader
- Compatible with Android and Apple phones
- Car battery voltage detection—tells you when you need to replace your car battery
Pros
- Easy to set up and use
- Good sound quality for phone calls
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Occasional static & interference
Summary
This is a very useful device for older cars that don’t have Bluetooth. It’s cheap and easy to set up and use. However, sometimes there is static and background noise when listening to music.
4. CHGeek Wireless Bluetooth FM Transmitter
The CHGeek CH05 Wireless Bluetooth FM Transmitter plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter and tunes to a frequency between 87.5 MHz and 108.0 MHz.
It has some useful features such as two USB charging points, one of which you can also use to play MP3 files from a USB drive.
Features
- Single button is used for main features
- 2 USB charging points
- Can play MP3s from a USB stick
- Built-in microphone for hands-free calling
Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 3.7 cm
Pros
- Single button makes it safer to use while driving
- Plays music from USB sticks
- Good value for money
Cons
- Sometimes has interference, though this depends on the frequency you use
Summary
The CHGeek CH05 Wireless Bluetooth FM Transmitter has a simple and convenient design with just one button, making it easy to use while driving. It’s also attractively priced and offers great value for money.
5. Nulaxy KM19 Wireless In-Car Bluetooth FM Transmitter
The Nulaxy KM19 Wireless In-Car Bluetooth FM Transmitter plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter socket and offers lots of useful features including two USB ports, and SD and TF card readers. You can also connect devices to the transmitter using an aux cable.
Features
- 2 USB ports for playing MP3s and charging devices
- Can play MP3s and WMA files from an SD card
- TF card reader (up to 32 GB)
- Aux input
- Hands-free calls
Dimensions: 11.8 x 6.8 x 5.6 cm
Pros
- Small and unobtrusive
- Easy to set up and use
- Bluetooth works well
Cons
- Can pick up interference from phones
- Button for skipping tracks is small
Summary
Most people find that the Nulaxy KM19 is easy to use and works very well. It offers quite a lot of functionality for the price, and is an easy way to add Bluetooth to your car stereo.
6. TeckNet Bluetooth FM Transmitter
The TeckNet Bluetooth FM Transmitter (model number 78924), is a popular transmitter with Bluetooth 4.0 technology and two USB ports. It’s easy to control while you’re driving simply by rotating and pressing the device.
This transmitter plugs into your cigarette lighter and uses an empty frequency on your FM radio. You can read our full review of this Bluetooth FM transmitter here.
Features
- Comes with a warranty card, manual and 3.5 mm aux cable
- FM frequency from 87.5 to 108.0MHz
- Two USB sockets: one for charging a phone or other device, and one for connecting an MP3 player or flash drive.
Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.5 x 3.3 cm
Pros
- Connects quickly and automatically to an iPhone
- No interference or background noise
- 2-year warranty available from Tecknet
- Works well for hands-free calls
Cons
- Prevents other FM channels at a higher frequency from working when it’s plugged in (this isn’t a problem if you set the frequency to 108).
- Can only be switched off by unplugging it
Summary
The TeckNet Bluetooth FM Transmitter is small and easy to use. Like the VicTsing Bluetooth FM Transmitter rev