Welcome to our great FM transmitter test 2022. Here we present you all the FM transmitters we have tested in detail. We have compiled detailed background information for you and also added a summary of customer reviews on the web.
We would like to make your purchase decision easier and help you find the best FM transmitter for you.
You can also find answers to frequently asked questions in our guidebook. If available, we also offer you interesting test videos. Furthermore, on this page you will find some information that you should pay attention to before buying an FM transmitter.
The most important in a nutshell
- FM transmitter allows you, if you have a car radio, to listen to your favorite music in your car.
- Your smartphone connects to the FM transmitter, which in turn connects to the car radio and makes it possible to listen to your songs through the speakers.
- The FM transmitters differ in their ability to connect to your cell phone and in the way they can be used.
FM transmitter test: editors’ favorites
The best FM transmitter adapter for car
The FM transmitter of the company aishces is bluetooth capable and has two USB ports. A hands-free kit is also a part of this FM transmitter, thanks to the bluetooth 4.2 connection. Microsd cards can also be used with this transmitter.
This transmitter is characterized by its numerous functions and at the same time is very inexpensive. Bluetooth 4.2 is an advanced bluetooth connection and allows you to transfer data faster. You can connect two devices with the QC3.0 fast charge at the same time.
The best FM transmitter with handsfree
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The DAB+ transmitter of the company esuper has a large color display and a hands-free kit. One USB port is free for charging another device, in addition AUX, microsd and bluetooth connections are possible to the device.
According to the manufacturer, the esuper transmitter can store up to 60 radio stations. Due to the digital reception and the own antenna, you can notice a significant difference in quality to the car radio. As a radio lover, you are exactly right with this device.
The best FM transmitter with integrated USB charger
The doosl FM transmitter is portable and has a battery with a runtime up to eight hours (continuous operation). you can pair the transmitter with your cell phone via bluetooth.
FM transmitters are mainly used in a car, which makes sense. This type of FM transmitter, you can connect to any radio, because you are location-independent. With this model, you can use the cigarette lighter otherwise.
Also interesting
Guide: questions you should ask yourself before buying an FM transmitter
For whom is a FM transmitter suitable?
Especially in older cars, which have a CD or cassette drive, it is difficult to play music from other media. That’s where the transmitter comes in, acting as a middle man.
How an FM transmitter works?
You could say that an FM transmitter acts like a private radio station that broadcasts only within your range.
you need a device that has the music you want stored in it, such as.B. A smartphone, tablet, MP3 player or even a memory card.
There are various ways in which you can pair your smartphone with the transmitter:
- Bluetooth
- USB connection
- AUX connection
Are FM transmitters suitable for any vehicle?
Of course, the device also needs power! Either the transmitter is connected directly to the car with a 5-12 volt plug, or it has a rechargeable battery.
What frequency do I need for an FM transmitter?
The total FM bandwidth starts at 87,5 megahertz and ends at 108 megahertz. Somewhere in between, everyone must find a free space for themselves.
When you have found a free frequency in the car radio, you have to set the same frequency on the FM transmitter. So the connection is made.
DAB/DAB+ or FM radio reception with the FM transmitter?
DAB/DAB+ for the FM transmitter
When an FM transmitter has the function of receiving DAB/DAB+, it is called a DAB transmitter or even a DAB car radio adapter.
the abbreviation means "digital audio broadcasting", which means digital radio. DAB& DAB+ are the technical successor of FM reception.
To receive digital radio, you must install the supplied antenna in the car. Receive DAB/DAB with this antenna+.
DAB/DAB+ brings you the following advantages:
- Larger radio program selection
- Better sound quality
- >97% network coverage in germany
FM transmitter with FM reception
Every FM transmitter works on the same basis, it sends the FM frequency to the car radio. It uses the same functionality as a radio transmitter, but has a very limited range.
For this type of application, no new antenna is needed, the conventional antenna of the car remains the same.
How much does an FM transmitter cost?
| FM transmitter | 10€ – 30€ |
| DAB/DAB+ transmitter | 30€ – 130€ |
| FM transmitter with battery | 10€ – 30€ |
As long as the FM transmitter can not receive digital radio, it is very inexpensive. The models differ in the connectors and the number of connectors they have.
Where can I buy an FM transmitter?
| amazon.De | real |
| ebay.De | saturn |
| conrad.De | mediamarkt |
Established electronics stores like mediamarkt and saturn have FM transmitter in their assortment. There you can get a personal consultation before buying.
Amazon and ebay as online giants, have of course an extremely large selection of FM transmitter. There you can easily compare prices and functionalities.
What are the alternatives to a FM transmitter?
AUX cable
Listening to music via the AUX connection is very popular among car drivers. Connect both ends of the cable, one to the car and one to the cell phone. Set the radio to AUX and immediately you can enjoy your music.
The price is also next to the operation, the biggest plus point. Between two and five euro costs an AUX cable. The sound quality can be very changeable, of course, the speakers of the respective vehicle also play a role.
Towards the end of 2016, the first smartphone manufacturer abandoned a 3.5mm jack on the device! For this, an adapter was given to make the connection to the smartphone compatible.
If you don’t have an AUX cable connection in your car and you have a cassette drive, a cassette adapter can help you. This adapter is simply a cassette to which a cable is attached. The cable acts as an AUX connector.
Listen to/burn songs on CD
A very old method to listen to your music in the car. The prerequisite is a car radio with a CD drive.
CD changers are a great addition here. Several cds can be in the different drives at the same time. The choice becomes bigger and you don’t have to change the CD all the time.
Nowadays cds are still available without problems, be it blanks or already finished albums of the artists. To better suit your taste in music, burning on blanks is the better and much cheaper option.
Download music to the car’s hard drive
It is also possible, through a USB port, to download your songs to the hard drive of your car. In this video you can see how this works on a BMW.
This way, you have your chosen music on board every time you drive. Of course, you can also delete old songs or albums to make room for new music.
Install a new radio
This alternative requires your manual skills. If you have time and want to replace your old radio with a new one, then this alternative to the FM transmitter is the right one for you.
With a new radio, depending on the model, you can get many new features:
- Bluetooth
- AUX connection
- USB connection
- Memory card connection
- Large retractable screen with touch screen
Decision: what types of FM transmitters are there and which is the right one for you?
What are the features of an FM transmitter and what are the advantages and disadvantages??
The typical FM transmitter is the one that plugs into the car’s cigarette lighter. It has no battery and only works when plugged in.
- Retrofitted handsfree system
- Also works as a charger
- Unlimited usage
- Cigarette lighter required
- Station search not automatic
The special feature of this type of FM transmitter is that it not only connects the cell phone with the radio, but also offers several other functions.
One FM transmitter can charge up to two devices at the same time. So it replaces the charger that would also be plugged into the cigarette lighter. A fast charging function is also given and the price is only a little more expensive.
A built-in microphone allows a useful use of the hands-free function. The answering and hanging up of calls is done with a simple push of a button on the FM transmitter.
What is a DAB/DAB+ transmitter and what are the advantages and disadvantages??
The successor of the FM reception is the digital radio reception, which has many advantages. So if you like to listen to the radio while driving, then DAB/DAB+ is a big upgrade for you.
- Digital music quality
- Huge radio station selection
- Very good station reception
- Expensive
- Extra antenna
- Needs space
Listening to the car radio is great until the range of the radio station is exhausted. It is simply no longer possible to continue listening to the radio station. That’s where the DAB/DAB+ transmitter comes into play, with which you can listen to bayern3, gong96.3 and many more stations coming in all over germany.
The digital radio reception makes it possible to receive the same radio station continuously, without noise and interruptions. In addition, the music quality is much better than the car radio.
The bluetooth connection to the smartphone is also given so you can play your own music. The DAB/DAB+ transmitter is larger than the other FM transmitters. You should think about where you want to mount it before you buy it, otherwise it can easily interfere with you.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a FM transmitter with battery??
A battery in an FM transmitter, makes it portable and brings new possibilities for use.
- Transportable
- Can be used with any radio
- Does not interfere with the interior
- Limited battery life
- Poor music quality
- Only bluetooth connection
You can connect any radio with FM reception to this FM transmitter. Be it at work, in your kitchen or your car, as long as the battery is charged, you can connect to these radios.
So if you have a lot of radios around you, you can always pull out your portable FM transmitter and play your music. Bluetooth is the only way you can connect your phone to the transmitter.
Buying criteria: use these factors to compare and evaluate FM transmitters
In the following we will show you which aspects you can use to decide between the many possible FM transmitters.
The criteria you can use to compare FM transmitters include:
- Bluetooth
- Handsfree
- USB connection, SD& microsd card reader
- Display
In the following paragraphs, we will explain what is important in each of the criteria.
Bluetooth
bluetooth has been around for a long time, no one does without it anymore. Not every FM transmitter comes with this useful feature. That’s why it’s important to check if the device is bluetooth enabled before you buy it.
Handsfree
Through a bluetooth connection, a hands-free function is also possible. How to answer calls through the FM transmitter.
Any use of a smartphone while driving is prohibited! consequences such as points in flensburg are the consequence of the violation, which can lead to a loss of driving license if accumulated.
You can continue to follow the traffic without sacrificing an arm to hold the phone to your ear. You can hear the person, as well as the music, through the car’s speakers.
Handsfree kits are not only safer for you and other road users, but can also save you from hefty fines.
USB port, SD& microsd card reader
the usb connection is probably almost as popular as the bluetooth connection. Depending on the model of your smartphone, you can use the appropriate USB cable.
An FM transmitter can have one or two USB ports. You can connect your phone to the transmitter and charge it at the same time.
SD& microsd card connectors are also included with certain FM transmitters. You can store the music on such a card and then connect it to the FM transmitter.
Display
Each FM transmitter has a display to show at least the current frequency. The display of some models can do more than that, it can show the current song that is playing at that moment.
Trivia: interesting facts about FM transmitters
How to connect a FM transmitter correctly?
- Plug the FM transmitter into the cigarette lighter socket
- Turn on the radio and search for a free FM frequency
- Set the same frequency on the FM transmitter
- Connect smartphone to FM transmitter via bluetooth/USB cable
- Select music on the smartphone and enjoy
What are the possible problems with an FM transmitter?
Loose contact
As with any loose contact, there is contact that breaks again at will. So if the FM transmitter has a loose contact, it can be either the cigarette lighter or the FM transmitter.
Of course, the device may be defective, but before you send it back, you should test it thoroughly.
Try another cigarette lighter in the car, if it has more than one lighter. You can also test the FM transmitter in a friend’s car.
The test will tell you whether it was your car or the transmitter itself that caused the problem.
Noise reduction
If you perceive a hissing or similar noise while driving, then this is interference noise. Due to the limited width of the FM reception, the frequencies of the radio stations almost overlap.
You have to be careful when choosing the frequency to find a big gap between two radio stations!
As already mentioned, there is unfortunately not the one free frequency. During longer trips, the distribution of radio stations and their transmitting positions will change. To get rid of the noise, you need to find a new and better frequency than before.
FM transmitter drains the battery of the vehicle?
Yes and no, it all depends on the car. When building a car, the manufacturer has already made the basic settings of the car. This also includes whether the power supply in the car remains intact even if the car is locked and the key is no longer inserted.
If you want to be sure that your battery will not discharge, simply disconnect all devices that draw power from your car before leaving it.
If devices like the FM transmitter remain plugged in and continue to draw power from the car battery, sooner or later the battery may give up the ghost.
At the same time, there are vehicles that close their power supply to the sockets. This protects the car battery from being sucked dry undesirably.
If you’re not sure whether your devices will continue to draw power in a locked car, you can test this. If you can charge your cell phone in the car without at least activating the ignition, then the car sockets are in constant use.