Listening to your current favorite song in the car and singing along: especially in an older vehicle, this is often not so easy. A bluetooth-FM-transmitter can help here. We show you how!
Connecting the smartphone to any car radio – no problem with a bluetooth FM transmitter! photo: petko ninov / istock
What is a bluetooth FM transmitter??
Even if a car is only a few years old and in good shape: at the latest, the hi-fi system shows its true age. For the entertainment technology in vehicles designed for many years of use has a hard time keeping up with the rapid developments in the multimedia field.
After the phases of the cassette adapter with AUX connection and the retrofitted, colorfully illuminated USB radios, one model has proven itself in recent years: the bluetooth FM transmitter. This device is the ideal interface between your current smartphone and your aging car radio.
Depending on the model, the transmitter picks up the audio signal played on the smartphone via bluetooth, jack plug or usB interface and transmits it like a kind of mini radio transmitter üover a free FM frequency to your car radio. So you can relax and enjoy your favorite playlists or podcasts while you drive!
Comparison: FM transmitters at a glance
Most common FM transmitters with bluetooth capability connect to the cigarette lighter connected. This guarantees not only a stable hold, but also a secure power supply.
The transmitters do not differ fundamentally in their main function, but there are still some things to consider. Besides the question of how many other connection options there are, the main thing to decide is whether you want a transmitter in the form of a one-piece plug or with a separate control unit chooses.
Simple bluetooth FM transmitter
Good and inexpensive: the most common FM transmitters with bluetooth are just this big like a check card. On this small surface, however, they already bundle lots of features:
- Connectivity with your smartphone via bluetooth 5.0
- Connection for USB storage medium
- Slot for microsd or TF card (depending on model)
- USB port with fast charging function (depending on model)
- AUX input (depending on model)
- Hands-free function
- Display with frequency indication
Important: with these simple models you must note that there is no separate switch off function. To prevent the transmitter from transmitting and consuming power, you must unplug it from the cigarette lighter after each trip.
Cocoda bluetooth FM transmitter
the bluetooth fm transmitter from cocoda is one of the absolute bestsellers. For a reasonable price, it offers two USB ports (one suitable for recognizing storage media), a microsd or TF card slot (depending on the model). TF card slot and a hands-free kit with a handy button.
Zealife C57
The zealife C57 FM transmitter also enjoys great popularity. Like the bovon T25, it offers a hands-free function with an answering button and two USB ports, one of which is suitable for connecting a storage medium. The other also has a quick-charging function for current smartphones. Not on board are card slot or AUX connector.
NULAXY bluetooth FM transmitter
The NULAXY bluetooth FM transmitter combines the best of bovon T25 and zealife C57: the transmitter has two USB ports, one of which is for fast charging. Reading data from a USB stick or microsd or TF card also works, as does the hands-free function. In addition, voice control via siri and google assistant is also supported. A LED light with seven colors is also on board.
Zealife bluetooth FM transmitter
The new zealife bluetooth-FM-transmitter actually has extensive features that are virtually identical to the model from NULAXY. fast charging function, reading of data from USB-stick or microsd- resp.-TF-card, handsfree and voice control are on board and even a seven-color LED illumination.
Bluetooth FM transmitter with separate control unit
Somewhat more expensive FM transmitters usually offer a separate control unit and a plus functions – such as an AUX connection. We show you three highly recommended models!
Sonru bluetooth 5.0 FM transmitter
The bluetooth FM transmitter from sonru consists of a simple plug for the cigarette lighter and a control panel, which can be connected to the car with a ca. 1.1m long cable connected to. the panel can be clicked to the air vents or by the supplied stand can be fixed on the dashboard. So you have the transmitter constantly in view!
In addition to music playback and hands-free function via bluetooth can also USB port, card slot and AUX input serve as a source. One of the two USB ports has a fast charging function.
Clydek FM transmitter
Like the sonru model, the clydek FM transmitter has a control unit that can be mounted either on the air vents or on the dashboard. Hands-free, card slot and AUX input are also available, as well as USB ports for reading data and with fast charging function.
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Particularly outstanding about the transmitter from clydek is the large display with playback indicator, on which it is also possible to set different sound modes. In addition, the device can be operated not only by siri and google assistant, but also using the supplied remote control.
How does an FM transmitter work??
Depending on the model, an FM transmitter can be used as an adapter to record and transmit songs, podcasts or audio books played on the smartphone either via bluetooth, AUX input or USB interface üover a free FM frequency to the radio.
You don’t have to worry about annoying other drivers: your mini radio station transmits at most on a range of 30 meters, but rarely makes it beyond the body at all.
Especially outside urban areas, this technology works very reliably. In urban areas, where many radio stations vie for the listener’s attention on a variety of frequencies, it can be difficult to hear the radio Üoverlays come. therefore, it is best to choose frequencies at the lower or upper edge of the frequency range- these are mostly free!
Are the devices legal?
The use of FM transmitters has been allowed by law since 2006. condition: the product used must be CE-marked and must not exceed the 50 watt transmitting power mark.
Are all devices suitable for any car?
The advantage of this type of bluetooth FM transmitter is that it has can be used in almost any car. AUX connection, USB interface, cassette deck all these connections and accesses are not required for this purpose. All that is required is the cigarette lighter, which serves as the power source- and of course a FM car radio.
Which features to choose for the FM transmitter?
Any bluetooth FM transmitter that is connected to the cigarette lighter fulfills the most important purpose: it connects your smartphone via bluetooth and FM signal with the car radio. ÜBer useful USB charging functions and hands-free devices almost all models also have.
Whether you need additional functions is a matter of taste. If you mainly use streaming services, you won’t need a card and USB slot to play stored music. A AUX connection can be handy if your smartphone tends to have a shaky bluetooth connection.
Conclusion: when is it worth buying an FM transmitter??
Buying a car FM transmitter is worthwhile for anyone who wants to listen to the latest songs and podcasts while driving, whose car radio, however, does not have bluetooth or AUX connectivity.
A bluetooth FM transmitter bridges the gap for just a few euros and does its job extremely reliable. The inexpensive and simple models, in particular, usually fit inconspicuously into the center console and avoid additional cable tangle.