Best FM Transmitter Reviews 2018

The amount of technology used in creating an FM transmitter is the primary factor that affects pricing. An FM transmitter with all the bells and whistles can cost around $40, while an alternative with fewer features might go for less than $15. The cheap FM transmitters are the types you don’t even want to think about, let alone buy them. We haven’t bothered with them either, as we believe only top-quality products should make it to our page.

FM transmitters are affordable and easy ways to listen to your favorite music and audio in your vehicle. They also perform other practical functions you will get valuable benefits from. The following are features you should look out for if you plan on getting one:

• Type
• Range
• Spectrum
• Compatibility
• Connectivity
• Usage

The following sections will further enlighten you on how these features affect the performance of FM transmitters.

Auto FM transmitters are a great add-on to any vehicle. They can be wired or wireless, but nowadays, the wireless versions are almost the only types you will find. The popularity of Bluetooth technology is largely responsible for this, and it is the connection protocol mostly adopted in these auto devices. However, many FM transmitters can also connect to the car stereo via AUX cable.

The quality of the transmission you get is largely dependent on the range of your transmitter. Since you’ll be using it in your car, the range of the transmitter you get should be sufficient. Most transmitters have a range of between 10 and 30 feet, which is more than enough for good reception for your devices within your car.

You might want to choose an FM transmitter with a wide spectrum. This is because you need to tune to an unused frequency to stream audio from your device; the wider the spectrum, the higher your chances of finding an unused frequency. If you’re tuned to a used frequency or a free one that is close to an occupied one, you will have signal interference and noise. So, to get a clear audio signal, you should use a free frequency. Preferably, get an FM transmitter with the whole frequency spectrum.

Most FM transmitters are wireless – kudos to Bluetooth technology for saving us from those ugly wires. Bluetooth technology does not only make it convenient to connect; it also facilitates superior audio quality. Since Bluetooth is the most common type of connectivity for FM transmitters, they are equipped with the Advanced Audio Distributed Profile (A2DP), which lets them produce stereo-sound quality. As long as the transmitter is Bluetooth enabled, you are assured it is fitted with A2DP.

The FM transmitters available nowadays are compatible with most devices across most brands. Most of them are fully compatible as long as your device is Bluetooth compliant. They are all designed to fit into your vehicle’s 12V cigarette lighter port, where it gets power from. Pairing your devices with the FM transmitter will allow you to enjoy the benefits the transmitter has to offer.

How you use these audio devices and what they are capable of varies from one brand to another. Once you’re done setting it up by pairing, you can answer calls hands-free, using the built-in mic on the device, and you hear feedback through your car speakers. You can also follow your favorite radio stations by tuning into them with these transmitters – that’s where they got their name from in the first place. You can play music from your phones and MP3 players, and some transmitters support playing from TF cards and flash drives.

One awesome feature some FM transmitters have is the ability to charge your devices via a built-in USB charging port (and some even come with more than one port). Talk about juicing up your devices on the go! Some audio kits have back-lit displays that show information about songs or the station you’re tuned to, just like the Radio Data System fitted with your vehicle’s stereo. It is even common to find some with sound equalizer functionality. Great audio quality is imperative for audio devices, so most FM transmitters have noise filters that maximize sound quality.

This information is aimed at letting you know how these features affect the performance of FM transmitters. This will, in turn, guide your decision on which features are critical to you, depending on how you want to use it.