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Our collection of the best iPhone FM Transmitters can help fill the awkward silence in any car, old or new. Streaming music from your phone via Bluetooth is a fairly common feature in modern cars, but it wasn't always that way. Thankfully, any car, used or new comes equipped with an AM/FM radio enabling it to pick up signals broadcast on specific frequencies. This is effectively what makes any FM radio transmitter tick, letting you select an unused frequency on the FM band to use for audio transmission via a Bluetooth or wired connection. Set your FM radio to your selected frequency and you're ready to rock.
Beyond just providing you with a seamless way to stream music in your car, many of our top picks like the Nulaxy or Aphaca Transmitters at Amazon provide you with additional USB charging ports to keep your various devices topped off. If you're looking for more ways to round out your car's audio, our guide to automotive audio basics can point you in the right direction before investing in one of the best iPhone FM transmitters.
The Nuxlay works with virtually any Bluetooth-enabled device, from your tablet to your smartphone. The device goes the extra mile with its included 5V-2.1A charging port, auxiliary port and even built-in microphone so you can take incoming calls with a breeze.
Users love the overall power and setup of the Nuxaly, with the most complaints coming from the rare occurrence of a pairing issue.
This car FM transmitter delivers crystal clear sound to deliver high quality audio when connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth. CVC technology delivers a duplex sound with noise cancellation technology to produce the most faithful reproduction of sound possible when accounting for radio interference.
In addition to stellar sound quality, this Bluetooth transmitter wirelessly transmits calls from mobile to the stereo system and can switch to handsfree mode from music whenever someone calls you. With Bluetooth 4.2 it picks up new devices easier than ever before. It also has a sleek elegant design with blue LED lettering. Finally, you can play music from 206 stereo channels or even from a MicroSD card.
Want a functional Bluetooth FM Transmitter that comes with two USB charging inputs? LIHAN makes a no-nonsense device that gets straight to the point.
The Hands Free Bluetooth Transmitter by LIHAN features a 3.1A and 1A input offering both 12v and 24v charging for both you and a passenger. This means that your mobile devices can be charged in a jiffy all while listening to your favorite music. Its wireless Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity also offers low power consumption with a 5 percent loss of battery to your device each hour. Like many transmitters on the list, it includes a microphone for hands-free calling.
This product has been praised for its ease of use and adaptability. More critical reviews noted that the connectivity could sometimes be an issue.
FM transmitters have come a really long way. With Bluetooth capabilities popping up on most cars, manufacturers of old-school-style FM transmitters have to do a lot to differentiate. One of the big issues is the placement of the transmitter itself; so many cars have the cigarette lighter buried under the console or point off at an angle. The Sumind Bluetooth FM Transmitter gives you the versatility to change the angle of the screen with a sturdy, 270-degree gooseneck that will hold tight in the orientation you set. But that’s not where the features end.
There are two USB output ports for charging phones, including a 2.0 smart port and a 3.0 Quick Charge port. There’s a super-bright 1.7-inch LCD screen that shows song and phone info but will also display the car battery level. There are three means of connecting audio here, too: your phone’s Bluetooth connection, a standard aux cable, and even the capability to read a microSD card. Unlike some of the lower end transmitters, it supports more lossless audio than MP3 including FLAC, and with support for A2DP and headset protocol, it’s the perfect phone accessory for cars that are lacking some modern AV.
Considering most iPhone FM transmitters hover around the same price range, the main thing that differentiates them is feature controls. The Otium FM transmitter bests all others when it comes to that category. With near universal compatibility, the transmitter works with all devices that have a 3.5mm headphone jack. (Sorry, newer iPhone owners.) It has a built-in microphone that enables hands-free calls and music streaming via Bluetooth, plus a USB port to let you charge up your other devices, even tablets. Its high-contrast 1.44-inch LED display shows information such as voltage of storage battery, song info, caller ID and more. Its controls are also highly intuitive and feels solidly built.
When it comes to FM transmitters, there’s not a huge price difference between the top-of-the-line and the budget. In fact, it might only come down to a few dollars. But the JETech Wireless transmitter will save you a few bucks while still getting its job done. To use it, simply connect your device via its 3.5mm headphone jack, set it to a random FM channel and tune your radio to that channel. (Remember that it won’t work with an iPhone 7, which ditches the headphone jack.)
The transmitter has an easy-to-read display with intuitive buttons for adjusting frequency. It also comes with an extra USB port, so you can charge devices while driving. For best performance, we recommend using lower channels in the 80s and 90s.
Looking for a unique style and design on par with Apple’s products? The LDesign comes in a variety of colors and is shaped like an L. It's only 4.9 x 1.5 x 3.8 inches, so it's small enough to fit in your front pocket. It comes with HI-FI stereo sound quality with echo cancellation and noise suppressing (CVC) technology. This means you can take in a call with its built in microphone and enjoy your music at a lowered volume without any overlapping sound interferences.
Besides its wireless capabilities, the device offers a TFcard and auxiliary input, so you can play music in your preferred method. It also comes with a 5V 2.5A USB port for quick charging. Buyers praise it for its design and ease of setup, while more critical reviewers state it’s prone to sound interference if your phone isn’t positioned in close proximity.
This minimalist FM transmitter from Criacr provides a quick and simple way to link your phone to your car's audio system. Besides allowing you to pair with a variety of devices via Bluetooth, this transmitter also features the ability to play music from a 32GB flash drive or MicroSD card.
The Criacr FM transmitter also features a pair of USB charging ports to keep all your devices topped off, as well as a trio of multi-function buttons for hands-free calling and music controls. Perhaps the coolest feature, however, is the built-in LED lighting strip that can bet set to 6 available colors or cycle through them to provide some necessary flair to your car.
Without a doubt, our top pick for the best FM transmitter you can buy is the Nulaxy Wireless In-Car Bluetooth FM Transmitter Radio. A full-screen LED display, quickly turns your car into something reminiscent of The Jetsons. A quartet of multi-function buttons allow for quick and easy control, and the articulating armature ensures that the Nulaxy is always within arms reach. But for a more compact version, the LDesign Wireless Bluetooth FM Transmitter is a solid alternative.
Display - The most basic transmitters don’t have displays, but units with screens are easier to set up and use. Some even have caller ID or can show other important information when connected to your iPhone.
Connectivity - FM transmitters use audio jacks, USB, and Bluetooth to connect to phones. If you have a newer iPhone that doesn’t have an audio jack, make sure to get a transmitter that has a USB port or Bluetooth that’s compatible with your phone.
Hands-free calling - If you go with a Bluetooth transmitter that has a hands-free mode, you’ll be able to make and receive calls without taking your hands off the wheel. Transmitters with this feature are also capable of muting or pausing your music during a call and starting it back up again when you’re done.