We present the best FM transmitters on our test and comparison portal.
Listening to music is part of driving a car. However, if the radio does not have a connection for external devices such as smartphones or tablets, the simplest and cheapest solution is an FM transmitter. Important are a good sound quality for your favorite songs and the connection type.
In the case of the latter, tests often distinguish between a connection via cigarette lighter or pairing via USB. you can discover a convincing product with the right connection directly in our comparison table.
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Buyer’s guide to the FM transmitter test or. -comparison: we help you find your FM transmitter test winner!
- With an FM transmitter, you can play your own songs on the radio if the car radio does not have a line-in input for a conventional 3.5 mm jack plug and a bluetooth connection is not possible.
- First of all, you could consider which connections you will use permanently. In addition to the conventional jack plugs, a USB port for charging a navigation device or tablet could be important.
- The possibility of a connection via bluetooth or the use of a remote control can simplify the operation on top of that.
many people like to drive their cars and enhance the atmosphere by listening to music from the built-in radio. Since the music from the numerous radio stations can quickly lead to boredom, many people would like to have access your personal music preferences from your ipod, android smartphone, MP3 player or MP4 player. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to establish a connection with the smartphone, especially with car radios of the older generation, if they are not double-din radios.
In such cases you need a device for converting music files from mp3 players or iphones into radio frequencies for them to be received and played by the radio.
What to look for besides the frequency range and the power supply when buying an FM transmitter and how easy it is to play your favorite songs in your car, you can find out in this FM transmitter comparison 2022. to make your choice easier, we have also included a chapter on bluetooth with FM transmitters in our buyer’s guide.
1. How does an FM transmitter work?
A classic FM transmitter with display.
FM transmitter is also called MP3 transmitter, transmitter or mini transmitter. These transform an audio signal to an FM frequency (radio frequency).
Especially radios of the older generation can be via usb or bluetooth with devices such as the ipod, iphone, ipad, android smartphone or other players can be paired to play music.
In germany, only models with a CE marking and a maximum radiated power of 50 nanowatts are allowed.
often the transmission range is limited to a few meters, why a steady connection is often maintained only on 4 – 14 meters without interruption. With the phase locked loop (PLL) technology, it is possible to select various frequencies of FM transistors and use them within the bandwidth of 87.5 to 108 mhz. However, some inexpensive FM transmitters only have a fixed frequency setting.
Caution! switzerland allows the use of such devices only if they are used within the FM frequency range of 85.5 to 108 mhz.
A brief overview of the different frequencies you will receive a radio transmission below:
2. criteria for purchase – cigarette lighter or USB
Some transmitters have bluetooth and other features built in.
If you want to buy an FM transmitter, you usually don’t have to dig too deep into your pocket: high-quality FM transmitters are also available at low prices (starting at about 15 €). so compare carefully the different models and then decide which is the best FM transmitter for your needs.
The personal FM transmitter test winner does not necessarily have to be the number one on the market.
2.1. The power supply – connection to the cigarette lighter
Many of the devices in this FM transmitter comparison are powered by a standard 12-volt car plug. The connection is made via the cigarette lighter. Some manufacturers power their models with the help of a battery or accumulator.
Tip: inexpensive FM transmitters often do without the car plug and are charged with energy using the USB port.
2.2. Connections – bluetooth makes flexible!
Where does the name bluetooth come from?
The term "bluetooth" is derived from the name of a Danish king named harald blauzahn. Bluetooth), which originally united hostile regions from denmark and norway. in the logo the old norse runes for H and B are combined to a monogram.
Other than that, there are small but important differences in the various models of smartphone manufacturers in terms of connections. So the best FM transmitter for you does not necessarily have the most connectors, but exactly the one you need for your iphone, samsung or other cell phone. Mostly the 3.5 mm jack plug is used for this purpose, which is connected via the headphone jack of the cell phone.
2.3. The bluetooth connection
Some MP3 transmitters have a bluetooth interface. Of course, this means you do not need another bluetooth adapter to connect your device. The bluetooth function can be useful if you want to be independent of connecting different smartphones and music players.
With the following overview we would like to show you the advantages and disadvantages of bluetooth connection with FM transmitters:
- Easy setup
- Good transmission quality
- Wireless connection
- consumes more power than a wired connection
- Requires the compatible bluetooth version of receiver and transmitter
2.4. Other features – a display almost always integrated
FM transmitters usually have a display. Many models can also be used as hands-free kits, but they are not as good as professional hands-free kits or bluetooth headsets. Casual users should still be satisfied with the hands-free device. some mp3 transmitters have a remote control as an accessory, you can use them to adjust special functions such as sound settings.
3. The stiftung warentest and its FM transmitter test
A high-quality bluetooth transmitter from the belkin brand.
The stiftung warentest tested in 2006 in a separate category the FM transmitter as a way to play mp3s over the radio. In this FM transmitter test the "musicfly" was taken under the magnifying glass more closely.
The stiftung warentest attests a slightly awkward operation, which may take some getting used to at first. Furthermore, the sound seemed rather muffled to the testers.
4. FM transmitters: what else you should know
4.1. Should be set a certain frequency?
In southern germany, the frequency range gains in importance compared to the north of germany. This is due to the large number of radio stations that broadcast their programs. The frequency around 87.5 mhz should run as far as possible without interference, since radio stations do not use this frequency.
4.2. Which FM transmitter has the best sound??
setting up the transmitter is mostly plug and play: connect and start.
Sound is determined mainly by the speakers or headphonest, because the transmitter transmits only the audio signals to it. Nevertheless, various FM transmitter tests showed that high-priced products from mumbi and mpow produce significantly higher quality music in stereo than the lower-priced products.
4.3. Do I need to install an FM transmitter?
There should be no problems with the installation of any type of transmitter:
- turn on the radio station.
- then make a connection via jack plug or bluetooth to the transmitter.
- After selecting the desired frequency, the transmission should begin, provided that the transmitter and radio are on the same wave.
What scores did the individual FM transmitters receive in our comparison??
You can choose your personal FM transmitter test winner from the following list:
- First place – very good: SONRU latest FM transmitter bluetooth 5.0 from haiyin-EU – example internet price: 18 euro
- second place – very good: bluetooth 5.0 FM transmitter from SONRU – example internet price: 18 euro
- Third place – very good: bluetooth FM transmitter from clydek – sample internet price: 16 euro
- fourth place – very good: QC3.0 FM from nulaxy – sample internet price: 18 euro
- Fifth place – very good: C57 from zealife – exemplary internet price: 15 euro
- sixth place – good: bluetooth FM transmitter from nulaxy – example internet price: 25 euro
- Seventh place – good: bluetooth FM transmitter from zealife – sample internet price: 19 euro
- eighth place – good: FT1008 from SONRU – exemplary internet price: 21 euro
- Ninth place – good: bluetooth FM transmitter BT29 from clydek – sample internet price: 20 euro
- Tenth place – good: bluetooth FM transmitter for car from cocoda – sample internet price: 19 euro
The list shows: of the total of 8 different manufacturers, the FM transmitters are divided into 5 "very good" ones FM transmitter and 7 "good" FM transmitter on. The comparative winner SONRU latest FM transmitter bluetooth 5.0 from haiyin-EU received the best award in the ranking among all scores and at the same time costs only 17,84 euro .
How many different manufacturers were compared and rated by the editors in the FM transmitter comparison??
Our editors have reviewed and compared 12 different FM transmitters from 8 manufacturers to give you the best product choice. More information "
How much do the best FM transmitters cost in the FM transmitter comparison??
The best product in the FM transmitter comparison, our comparison winner SONRU latest FM transmitter bluetooth 5.0 from haiyin-EU , you get for 17,84 euro . However, if you don’t want to spend that much money on an FM transmitter, you can take a look at our price-performance winner bluetooth FM transmitter from clydek. More information "
Which of the FM transmitter is rated and described by a large number of the customers?
The FM transmitter from nulaxy is particularly well known, because over 80607 customers have given their first impressions after purchase and rated the bluetooth FM transmitter from nulaxy. More information "
Which FM transmitter has been rated particularly well by the editors?
The editors have rated it "VERY GOOD" awarded several times and in particular identified the following 5 FM transmitters: SONRU latest FM transmitter bluetooth 5.0 from haiyin-EU , bluetooth 5.0 FM transmitter from SONRU , bluetooth FM transmitter from clydek , QC3.0 FM from nulaxy and C57 from zealife . More information "
What other similar items have consumers who have added FM transmitter to their shopping cart looked at?
Before buying an FM transmitter, customers have often reviewed other FM bluetooth transmitters, bluetooth FM transmitters and transmitters. More information "