If you have a car radio that doesn’t have Bluetooth built-in, there is an easy, low-cost way to quickly make it Bluetooth-ready.
It is an easily fixable problem with a Wireless Bluetooth FM Transmitter.
FM transmitters allow for hands-free calling and playing music from Bluetooth devices such as a smartphone.
Most all will plug into the cigarette lighter socket and come with extra ports to plug in your phone.
FM transmitters are universally compatible with almost any FM radio.
The setup is easy by placing both the transmitter and radio to the same empty FM station. After both are set to the same radio station, a smartphone is Paired to the device via Bluetooth, and any sound will come from a vehicle’s speakers.
A wireless FM transmitter will easily pair with a smartphone via Bluetooth and play music or make and answer phone calls.
So What is the Best Bluetooth FM Transmitter?
This is definitely a personal choice with the many units to choose from and different layouts and styles.
One person may need more USB power ports, while another likes the unit’s button configuration.
With that in mind, here are our picks for Bluetooth FM transmitter units.
There are many units available, with some of our favorite picks below.
As always, be sure to read the reviews on Amazon or elsewhere to be sure a unit is a good fit for you.
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Our Picks for the Best Car Bluetooth FM Transmitters Kits
- Criacr CP24
- IMDEN
- Sumind
- Besign
- GOgroove FlexSMART X2
- UGREEN
Criacr makes the CP24 which is a popular wireless Bluetooth FM transmitter.
It pairs easily with a smartphone and can make hands-free calls or play music.
It is a stubby unit so be sure the cigarette lighter is not deep in a console and able to fit in place.
The setup is easy to do by setting the unit and a car stereo to the same empty FM station.
A smartphone is then paired to the unit, which will transmit over a vehicle’s speakers.
A built-in Mic allows any words spoken to be heard during calls.
This nice unit from IMDEN has a small display which is nice to use while night driving.
The buttons are well laid out and big, which makes them easy to use.
It is compatible with almost any smartphone available android and iPhone.
Like most FM transmitters, it is a low-cost device that will make a non-Bluetooth radio, Bluetooth ready quickly and easily.
The Sumind is an excellent low-cost unit that works very well.
It has a 1.7-inch display, built-in microphone, SD-card slots, 3 USB ports, and a 3.5mm audio line-in for any non-Bluetooth device.
The hands-free calling works nicely along with playing music from a smartphone or from an SD-Card.
It is a low-cost unit that is a good buy for those on a budget and looking to upgrade a car stereo.
Besign makes this small unit that is compatible with Android or iPhone.
It has a long cord that allows it to be located in the best spot for the user.
A 2 port USB charger comes with the unit to get the power, leaving one port open to charge other devices.
It is a good unit for those with the cigarette lighter located in an out-of-the-way spot such as a center console.
The Besign is a good unit and comes with all the necessary things to have Bluetooth wireless in your car.
It has a cord, so it is very movable and can be located much easier than other units.
The GOgroove FlexSMART X2 is a sleek model with everything you would expect from a wireless FM transmitter.
The buttons are nicely laid out with call/end call buttons for answering the phone, and of course, volume, play, pause, next song buttons.
The LED lights up nicely at night, making it easy to use.
For those who have an Aux audio line-in on a car radio, Ugreen gives a nice Bluetooth solution.
Unlike other units that transmit with FM, the Ugreen plugs straight into a 3.5mm audio jack and then pairs with a smartphone.
This is a good option when there are many radio stations in an area which sometimes can cause interference.
Interference happens more for those who are traveling, and a radio station comes on over the open one set to an FM unit.
A new empty frequency can easily be found, but the Ugreen stops this by plugging straight into a 3.5mm Aux audio line-in.
Not all radios have a 3.5mm line-in, so be sure yours does, or one of the standard options above would be better.
It has a built-in mic for hands-free calling and a built-in battery that lasts 4 hours. A micro USB charger can be left plugged in if longer playtime is needed.
Summary
If your car stereo needs a Bluetooth upgrade, there are many low-cost kits to make it ready.
Having a car radio able to answer calls and play music from your smart devices is a nice option to have.
When looking for a unit, be sure to note where the cigarette lighter is located in your vehicle to get a good fit for the unit.
Some cigarette lighter locations can be located in a way that some will not plug incorrectly or be hard to get to.
Units with a long cable to plug in and then be placed in a good spot would be better for such vehicles.
Can these Bluetooth transmitters be used in a with 15-18 yr OEM radio with no Bluetooth capability (only AM, FM, CD & Cassette Tape). I recognize music transfer would be via unused FM channel and in my case, a USB flash drive? Is music quality good using this approach (don’t have smartphone)?