An FM transmitter or modulator is necessary in cases where the owner has an old car without the ability to listen to music through a radio tape recorder or discs. Listening is carried out using a flash memory and an FM radio receiver.

In order not to clutter up an already overloaded instrument panel, FM transmitters are created in the form of compact devices that connect to a standard car cigarette lighter socket. Power is supplied via a 12-volt DC line. It is worth noting that large-sized cars with diesel engines have 24 volts of the network, when connected to which the transmitters can easily burn out.

The role of the drive is played by a USB flash card or a classic SD card. The main thing is that any FM channel free of broadcasting is tuned. Communication can be carried out via bluetooth or wi-fi, depending on the selected model. The user is obliged to independently select a playlist, adjust its sequence and other necessary parameters.

It is worth mentioning the additional functionality. Some models have controls for other devices, for example, a button to accept a call from a smartphone is becoming commonplace.

We've handpicked 10 of the best in-car FM transmitters for you, from sophisticated to simple models.

Top 10 Best FM Transmitters for Car

10 Simr Wireless Radio Adapter

One of the smallest FM transmitters for a car in our top. From the outside, it resembles a miniature lamp and has an adjustment angle of 270 degrees. Compatible with brands such as: Apple, Samsung, Huawei Xiaomi, Oppo, Sony, etc. Calls can be answered with one touch of the hand. Separately, we emphasize the presence of a voltmeter to monitor the stability of the car battery voltage.

Intelligent charging system ensures stable current transfer even during gameplay, allowing your kids to play while traveling. The optimal voltage range for the device is considered to be from 12.8 to 12.2 volts. If your value is outside the recommended range, you need to take care of replacing the battery. Signal frequency information is displayed on the top of the transmitter in a minimalist digital form.

9 GOgroove FlexSMART X2

The Germans, as always, are at their best and FlexSMART X2 is an excellent confirmation of this. And despite the fact that this model has only one color, its exterior is mesmerizing. It is made in a futuristic style with contrasting colors. For example, bright blue buttons are combined with a red display, which is beautiful on the one hand, and eyes strain on the other. You can connect 2 devices to it at the same time, taking calls from one and transferring files to another smartphone or tablet.

A high-quality built-in microphone can outperform many microphones on mobile phones. What really let us down was the narrow operating frequency range from 88.1 to 107.9 MHz. But the Germans issue a three-year warranty and quality support for any breakdowns. A serious drawback is the lack of ports for memory cards and flash drives, which means that you can only work with a smartphone. Otherwise, this is a stable and high-quality car device that will serve you for many years.

8 Frienda Bluetooth FM Transmitter

This vehicle transmitter can be considered one of the best in terms of control. The oval-shaped body fits nicely in the hand. On the front side there is a display with a screen diagonal of 1.4 inches and 8 convenient buttons, which are easy to hit even with a thumb. This approach is due to the manufacturer's concern for the driver, so that while driving, he is not distracted from the road and concentrates more on driving. I was pleased with the presence of two ports with 1A and 2.4A current.

The 6 upper buttons are needed directly to control the audio side by side. The screen displays information about the frequency and communication channel (Bluetooth 4.2). The two bottom buttons are required to receive and end a call from a smartphone.The transmitter is equipped with a stand with a 350 degree swivel angle. Customers note fast delivery, good packaging and excellent compatibility with many mobile devices. When using, we recommend turning off the interior light, otherwise the surface of the device will glare.

7 Sumind Wireless Radio Adapter Hands-free Car Kit with 1.7 Inch Display

For those looking for a stylish yet simple device without a lot of bells and whistles, we recommend the Sumind FM Transmitter. The 1.7-inch display with good color rendition and palette provides all the necessary information about the state of the radio signal. The smart charging system operates on 12-24V inputs. There are 2 USB ports that quickly identify the devices you are connecting. The volume is adjusted using the rotary button below the screen.

When receiving a call, the display shows not only the channel frequency, but also the number of the caller and the battery indicator. The screen can be rotated 270 degrees. Compatibility with mobile devices is great, be it an Android or iOS smartphone. There is support for memory cards up to 32 GB. It is also noteworthy that the modern and intelligent noise cancellation system allows you to use the built-in microphone without distortion. The increased data transfer rate provides a more stable connection. The button trim material is weak and starts to loose over time.

6 LDesign Wireless in-Car FM Radio Adapter Car Kit with Handsfree Call

Compact FM transmitter for cars, data transmission through which passes through 4 channels:

• by Bluetooth;
• on a USB flash drive;
• on a memory card with a capacity of not more than 32 GB of TF format;
• 3.5mm audio cable.

The most advanced version of Bluetooth version 5.0 is responsible for data transfer. This gave not only excellent compatibility, but also excellent protection against interference, especially when moving around areas with a lot of electronics. It is also good that the manufacturer has not forgotten about the appearance of the transmitter, having given a choice of 7 different colors at once. Among them there are both unisex colors like white or black, but also pink, blue and even golden. There is only one screen and it is digital. In addition to the frequency of the channel, you will not find anything else on it. There is one call reception / rejection button. The "L" -shaped shape has a positive effect on the grip of the module, so that it can be easily pulled out of the cigarette lighter network. Operates in the range from 87.5 to 108 MHz.

5 CHGeek Bluetooth FM Transmitter for car

Surprisingly, such a small device allows you to listen to music both via Bluetooth and Micro SD card or USB drive. Noise and wind are not recognized by the device in any way due to the perfect system of suppression of third-party sounds. There is also a Smart Car Locator with a wide range of additional functions. The communication channel is somewhat outdated - although Bluetooth version 4.2 is stable, I would like to see the fifth version here. Lovers of stereo sound will surely be delighted with A2DP technology, which allows listening to this very stereo sound.

The control roller tunes the FM frequency in just one second. Three communication protocols A2DP / AVRCP / HF are available for playback. The noise canceling microphone ensures crystal clear calls, and on the other hand, when receiving, the other user can easily hear your voice. 2 charging ports allow you to charge your phone or other device at the same time. There is no need to worry about a shortage of electricity, as the module distributes it evenly to both connected gadgets.

4 Ainope Wireless FM Transmitter Radio Adapter

Recharging the FM transmitter quickly is an important function as it is boring to drive in complete silence. The Quick Charge 3.0 port, coupled with the standard 2.4A, quickly identifies connected devices for optimization and the fastest possible current transfer, which is 4 times faster than conventional devices. Supported formats are A2DP and MP3 / WMA / FLAC / AAC / WAV. Ainope Bluetooth FM Transmitter is a must-have for cars without AUX port and Bluetooth capabilities.

With CVC noise cancellation technology, the Bluetooth transmitter creates full duplex sound while eliminating ambient noise to ensure a seamless hands-free call.Built-in microphone and GPS voice navigation help you keep an eye on the road at all times. Switch between rock, pop and classical music via TF card or U disk. Bluetooth V4.2 and EDR with advanced anti-interference capabilities ensure stable transmission with less power consumption. The 1.4-inch LCD screen displays all the information you need without unnecessary parameters. The manufacturer is backed by a 12-month warranty and reliable customer service.

3 Hestya Bluetooth FM Transmitter

Meet the Car Transmitter with the Most Modified Bluetooth FM Transmitter. Buyers in their reviews also note the important fact that the installation of this device is outrageously simple. These improvements have resulted in the device delivering superior HI-FI stereo sound. This adapter is designed with the noise and wind suppressed by CVC technology in mind to create full-duplex MP3 / WMA / WAV / FLAC audio quality with anti-static design, allowing you to enjoy lossless music in your car.

3 music playback and hands-free modes are supported by this car transmitter via Bluetooth, TF card and USB disk. A very sensitive button will allow you to easily dial and drop numbers without being distracted from the road. There are 2 ports for USB charging.

2 VicTsing 1.8 ″ Color Display Bluetooth FM Transmitter

The best model in our top for spatial orientation. This car module can be rotated 360 degrees in all axes. The display is large - 1.8 inches, offering a wide view of all data when playing music. Immediately 5 equalizer modes will help you choose the style of music that you like the most. Streaming stereo sound is played using 5 different formats MP3 / WMA / FLAC / AAC and of course A2DP.

Special attention is paid to energy saving. To turn off the power, just use the function buttons. There are 3 USB ports at once, one of which is used to connect a disk via USB, and the rest for charging other gadgets. The amount of supported disks is impressive - 32 GB.

1 VicTsing QC 3.0 Car Bluetooth Transmitter

The best car FM transmitter in our opinion, and a set of characteristics. A unique feature of this model is the automatic search for unused radio stations. 3 USB ports with QC 3.0 charge all connected devices without any tedious waiting. The 1.8-inch screen is one of the largest on the market, in addition, it is colorful and very clear. The built-in microphone is very loud and manifests itself on the positive side when driving in the city or on the highway.

Easily connects and syncs with all available devices in the world. The upper part of the screen shows brief information about frequency, volume, bluetooth activation mode and operating mode. At the bottom, the voltage and ladders of the audio track are displayed. There are 4 control buttons in total. The phone call can be controlled with the joystick. It is worth noting that deliveries of this module to Russia are associated with some problems and most likely you will have to look for an intermediary to send it.

Attention! The above information is not a buying guide. For any advice, you should contact the specialists!