A powerful DAB/DAB+ tuner implemented in this model features an active antenna with a magnetic fixator. Thanks to this, the unit can receive a digital radio signal regardless of location. Moreover, the built-in memory allows saving up to 60 DAB radio stations for quick access.
The built-in microphone doesn't cancel noises particularly well.
By opting for this transmitter model, you are getting a premium package that includes a fully-fledged multimedia system that enables you to pair it with Bluetooth devices, SD card, USB Flash drive, you name it. And with this model in your car, you can stream multimedia files via your car's speakers without any frequency interferences.
Bluetooth
2 USB-ports (1 for transmitter)
Slot for microSD cards
AUX-in/out
FM-transmitter: 87.6-107.9 MHz
DAB: 174-240 MHz
2.4" LCD-display, Control panel
12-24 V car cigarette lighter port
60 presets DAB stations, Built-in microphone for hands-free calling, Suction cup mount, Antenna for DAB-radio included
Amazon's 30-day return policy
A colourful LCD screen of this transmitter is easily readable even in poor lighting or weather conditions. In addition, the multi-button control panel eases the operation of the device quite a bit, providing you with quick access to all saved radio stations.
The DAB-radio signal reception quality leaves something to be desired.
If a standard car stereo just doesn't cut it anymore, it is time to consider purchasing something more advanced. By getting this transmitter, you will be able to listen to your favourite music songs directly from your phone without any wires. The great mounting hardware, on the other hand, allows for placing the device conveniently regardless of the car size.
Bluetooth
2 USB-ports (1 for transmitter)
Slot for microSD cards
AUX-out
FM-transmitter: 87.6-107.9 MHz
DAB: 174-240 MHz
2.3" LCD-display, Control panel
12-24 V car cigarette lighter port
60 presets DAB stations, Built-in microphone for hands-free calling, Suction cup mount, Antenna for DAB-radio included
Amazon's 30-day return policy
The Smart-IC protection system of the unit minimises the risk of over-current, over-voltage, or possible short circuits. Additionally, the housing is made of heat resistant plastic, which allows utilising the transmitter for prolonged periods of time.
The USB ports located rather inconveniently.
The compact size of this plug-in transmitter makes it the best solution for vehicles with a cigarette lighter port located closely to the gearbox panel. The unobtrusive look of the device doesn't make the transmitter stick out that much of your vehicle's interior.
Bluetooth
2 USB-ports
Slot for microSD cards
87.5-108 MHz
LCD-display, Touch buttons
12-24 V car cigarette lighter port
Built-in microphone for hands-free calling, Car battery voltage monitor feature, Smart IC protection (over-current, over-voltage, short circuit)
Amazon's 30-day return policy
The battery scan function allows for monitoring the status of your car's battery as long as the transmitter is plugged in. Surprisingly enough, the transmitter acts great as a voltmeter on top of the standard radio streaming capabilities, making it a handy addition to your car tools.
The unit lacks a microSD card slot.
The design of this FM transmitter makes it easy to find, switch, and skip multimedia files in a quick and effective manner. Moreover, the hands-free kit doesn't require a lot of driver's attention to accept and decline incoming calls, which is a big advantage when it comes to road safety.
Bluetooth
2 USB-ports
87.5-108 MHz
LCD-display, Control panel
12-24 V car cigarette lighter port
Built-in microphone for hands-free calling, Car battery voltage monitor feature, Smart IC protection (over-current, over-voltage, short circuit)
Amazon's 30-day return policy
A built-in microphone can boast Echo and Noise Cancellation features, which makes this particular model a good budget-friendly kit for hands-free mobile calls. What makes it even better, your voice will be heard even if you are located 0.5 metre from the unit.
It works only with 12-Volt charging ports.
This model from Nulaxy will be a go-to pick for users that can't live without their favourite music tracks. The support of Bluetooth 5.0 makes the transition between files almost seamless, while the greater bandwidth allows for lossless audio streaming.
Bluetooth
2 USB-ports
Slot for microSD cards
87.5-108 MHz
LCD-display, Control panel
12 V car cigarette lighter port
Built-in microphone for hands-free calling, Car battery voltage monitor feature
18 months (product registration required)
An Essential Transmitter Device
When the regular automobile CD or MP3 player just doesn’t cut it anymore and radio stations are just out of touch with your musical tastes, you should think of a better multimedia solution for your vehicle. And the FirstE DAB-008 Bluetooth FM transmitter is a perfect option.
As for a start, the unit features both FM and DAB frequency support. While the FM transmitter operates in the range of 87.6 - 107.9, the DAB feature supports the 174-204 MHz frequency range.
Moving on, the internal memory of the appliance allows saving up to 60 DAB presets so that you don’t have to manually set up the frequency every time you want to use the transmitter. To help you navigate the list of channels easier, the unit is equipped with a 2.4-inch TFT display. The high-contrast screen is easily readable at any time of a day without the need for additional lighting.
When it comes to mounting the receiver to your dashboard, the kit has all the necessary equipment including suction cups and cable fixators. While the former doesn’t need further description, the cable management ties will come in handy in case you don’t want to obstruct your view with additional cables on the windscreen.
The Top Bargain
If you get bothered by transferring music files to the SD card, you will be gladly surprised to know that this FM transmitter model features Bluetooth support. Thanks to this subtle feature, you can use all your favourite mobile services and stream music via your car’s speakers. Naturally, you can also utilise the wireless mode for hands-free phone calls.
The only real issue with this hands-free kit is its noise-cancelling quality, which leaves something to be desired. So we don’t recommend making phone calls on busy streets or in case your car’s noise insulation is rather weak.
Although the system is not something we could call a Plug and Play system, it only requires you to plug in the USB charger into your car’s cigarette port and connect the cable to the transmitter itself. After that, it will be ready for use without additional wiring. Simply pick the station on your car’s stereo and synchronise it with the device. You will be ready to go.
In the end, the FirstE DAB-008 is simply the best FM transmitter when it comes to the sheer number of extra features included in the core package. Smart and easy to use, it will be a great addition to your car’s multimedia system, especially if it doesn’t support wireless signal transmission.
| Last updated price | £61.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B076P86LXH |
Smart Dab Stations for an Easy Access to Your Music
In case you are looking for something less demanding than a standard DAP receiver, the DAB-005 from FirstE might be just right up your alley.
First things first, this kit comes equipped with everything you may possibly need on the road when it comes to wireless music streaming. To be more specific, it comes supplied with a DAB antenna that is capable of catching the signal in the frequency range of 174-204 MHz. Combined with 60 preset DAB channels, the risk of frequency interference is minimal, which makes the FirstE device a real standout.
To personalise the transmitter even further, you can always adjust the preset profiles and synchronise the sound signal with your car’s stereo. This way you can enjoy any multimedia files supported by the appliance without lags or distortion.
Furthermore, thanks to the QuickScan feature the process of finding the required frequency is easy and takes only a few seconds. Alternatively, if you don’t want to fiddle with DAB frequencies, the unit supports the Bluetooth protocols allowing you to stream media using any mobile device. So, any Bluetooth-capable device including iPhones, iPads, as well as Android-based products can be connected to the transmitter so as to blast your favourite tunes through your vehicle’s speakers.
Improved to Be Better
The operation of the device is made simple for several reasons. The biggest of all is, perhaps, the need for quick access to media that can be played in your vehicle as well as the hands-free mode that makes wireless earbuds obsolete.
Contrary to other models from FirstE, the DAB-005 features a slightly smaller LCD screen that is capped at 2.3 inches, which should suffice the needs of most users out there. The high-contrast display is easy to read, making it simple to find the needed station, music track, or media file at any time of the day.
Furthermore, the unit can be mounted on the dashboard of your car with a simple yet highly-convenient suction cup. As an alternative mounting method, you can attach the transmitter to the windshield, which would come in handy if the space on your dashboard is limited.
As for the power means, the transmitter connects into your car’s lighter port via a USB cable which is long enough to suit most vehicles. Also, this particular device is optionally available as a dashboard model equipped with a conveniently designed mounting bracket.
All in all, the FirstE Dab-005 portable Bluetooth FM transmitter will be a good pick for you if you need a budget-friendly device that doesn’t require a lot of effort and time to set up.
| Last updated price | £56.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B074KY6XG1 |
Easily Configurable Wireless Music Streaming
As a rule, small FM transmitters don’t offer much when it comes to the number of features but CHGeek has something that can be an exception to the bunch of similar products that are available on the market today.
The user interface of the unit includes a high-contrast monochrome LCD screen with all the essential buttons. These include pause/play, previous and next track buttons as well as the channel selection mode that allows you to switch between the FM and DAB modes.
Even though it is a budget kit designed for vehicles that don’t feature means of hands-free control, the receiver does its job well as long as its properly configured. To perform a first-time configuration, you will need to plug in and turn the device on. After that, all you need is to follow the instruction manual that comes together with the radio connector. The manual itself is fairly straightforward even if you are not a tech-savvy person.
You can choose between multiple preset DAB frequencies in order to connect your wireless devices. To avoid frequency interference, we recommend using custom stations. This way, you will reduce the risk of other DAB devices getting through your speakers as you drive on busy roads.
Quick Charge
To make the user experience even more hassle-free, this particular transmitter model is equipped with a 3.0 Quick Charge technology. Combined with a second iteration of the Quick Charge technology, the system allows getting the device up and running even with a flat battery in just 5-7 minutes. Thanks to this highly-convenient function, you can enjoy the high-quality audio from your phone or any other mobile device anywhere, anytime.
The only negative quirk of the device is its USB port positioning, which could be a bit more convenient. But as long as you are utilizing one USB port at a time, it won’t be such a huge issue.
On the bright side, contrary to other budget-friendly DAB transmitters, this product from CHGeek has a Smart Broadcast Function that transmits sounds from your phone directly to the speakers of your car. Owing to this feature, you can make hands-free calls and use a software GPS navigator even if your phone is put in “Silent” mode.
Wrapping things up, this Bluetooth radio transmitter from CHGeek is one of the best FM transmitter models in its price range today. Reliable and highly functional, it is a go-to pick for owners of small cars that don’t want to clutter an already limited space on the dashboard.
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B07SKSV85G |
Turning Regular Car Speakers into Wireless Ones
A compact FT1007 FM receiver from CHGeek provides users with ultimate hands-free capabilities that are otherwise not available in vehicles without wireless modules. Being highly efficient in transmitting the wireless signal, it can become the next big thing for your vehicle.
First of all, let’s take a closer look at the design of the transmitter. Its compact size combined with a standard 12/24 V plug makes it simple to connect the appliance directly into your car’s lighter port. It doesn't stick out too much and saves space on your car’s dashboard.
As far as the frequency range goes, the unit operates in the 87.5-108 MHz range which is standard for most car stereos. In order to avoid possible frequency interference, the manufacturer recommends keeping the transmitter and your car’s radio frequencies as far apart as possible. Otherwise, the slight distortion in sound is possible, which can seriously affect your user experience.
Bring Your Car Stereo to the Next Level
To shorten the charging time of the unit as much as possible, the unit is equipped with a Quick Charge 3.0 system. Thanks to this neat addition, the device can be charged in a matter of minutes. Since this transmitter must be plugged directly into the lighter port, one probably wonders, how can it be used to charge mobile devices? Fortunately, the appliance can be used as a phone charger thanks to the USB 3.0 port located on the front panel.
The only thing that did bother us, though, is the unit’s lack of a MicroSD slot, which is a convenient way of listening to media files for some users. Luckily, the transmitter has a standard USB 2.0 port so that you can plug in a standard USB flash drive (up to 64 GB) to blast music directly via car speakers. That being said, you should be mindful that only one of the two USB ports is meant for multimedia streaming. Hence, we advise checking the icon beneath the port before sticking the flash drive so as to distinguish the correct port.
On top of the regular radio features that any FM car transmitter has, this model is equipped with a 4.2 Bluetooth module that can transmit data directly to your car speakers even if the connected device is in your pocket. It is backwards compatible with every Bluetooth-capable device including iPhones, iPads, and Android-based smartphones and tablets.
With this small kit, you can finally bring your old car’s multimedia system back to life. A simple configuration and adjustment make this FM transmitter one of the best picks in the budget-friendly price range.
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B07N18X4MQ |
User Interface Redefined
The Nulaxy NX11 is another plug-in model that is a great alternative to a classic transmitter.
To start off, the first thing that catches the eye is its knob-looking button that also acts as a mode switcher. Additionally, the knob can be used to adjust the volume of the media that is being played. Just turn the knob to either side so as to increase or decrease the volume - elegant and simple. To make the controls even simpler, the knob can be used to accept or decline the incoming calls when your phone is connected to the transmitter via Bluetooth.
Speaking of wireless capabilities, the unit supports Bluetooth 5.0 and is backwards-compatible with most Bluetooth-capable devices including Apple iOS as well as Android-based smartphones and tablets. Once the device is connected to the transmitter, you can enjoy hands-free calls and stream the sound of your multimedia files using your car’s stereo speakers.
The only hiccup of this model is its lack of 24 V lighter port support, which is a bit odd considering that most similar devices are natively compatible with both 12V and 24V charging sockets. To end on a more positive note, we would like to say that the unit is equipped with a voltmeter that can show you the condition and charge of your car battery.
Great for Charging And Multimedia Streaming
Design quirks out of the way, let’s take a quick look at the USB ports implemented in this transmitter model. Like any other modern digital appliance, this one is equipped with a Quick Charge 3.0 USB port that can be used only for charging other USB-powered devices. Alternatively, this model also features a combined USB 2.0 port that can be utilised for both charging and music streaming.
As a neat addition to an already great package of features, the LED lighting of the unit can be set to display one of the 7 preset colours. Even though it is not a complete game-changer, it is a nice addition allowing you to fit the colour scheme of your car’s dashboard lighting or to switch the colour according to your mood.
All things considered, this transmitter model from Nulaxy does everything that you may expect from a standard FM transmitter. But what makes it special is that it connects and operates flawlessly, which makes it one of the most cost-effective options available today. Affordable and easy to use, the Nulaxy transmitter makes all the difference when it comes to streaming music from your phone directly to car's speakers.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B07TWRMP9T |
What Is an FM Transmitter?
A lot of drivers spend a lot of time at the wheel. Most car radios broadcast only FM stations with scores of ads and cannot be connected to external data storage devices for music playback. Buying a new high-tech car radio is not a cheap way to solve the problem, and that is where an FM transmitter comes in useful. A personal FM transmitter is a device powered from a car cigarette lighter and transmits audio signals from portable digital devices to a car radio via an FM frequency. It can significantly expand the capabilities of your car's sound system and we would like to help you choose it correctly.
For drivers who need to be in touch with their family or business partners no matter what, we’d recommend using dedicated Bluetooth car kits that feature microphones of better quality and have superb noise-cancellation capabilities compared to regular transmitters. Alternatively, if you want to upgrade your vehicle even further we also advise getting a parking system, which will come in handy in case your car initially came without one.
What Features to Compare
Functionality
First of all, pay attention to the functions when buying an FM transmitter.
The FM transmitter’s compatibility with different devices is of great importance. For example, it is nice to have an SD card slot for playing music or audiobooks from SD memory cards; a USB port will allow a no-trouble hookup of flash drives and music playback in MP3 and WMA formats. A Bluetooth connection allows wireless streaming of music from portable devices, for example, from a smartphone. In addition, Bluetooth enables hands-free communication through car speakers without distraction from driving.
Control
FM transmitter controls should be convenient and easy for a driver as the safety on the road is the priority. Most FM and DAB transmitters on the market are touch-controlled, therefore, it's important to pay attention to the size of the buttons, their arrangement and whether they're backlit to use the device in the dark. Some transmitters offer control with a remote which can be a convenient option for families who often travel with kids or want to let their back passengers switch the playlist, change frequency, etc. themselves.
Design
Having decided on the above-mentioned features, you should also consider the design of the unit, for it's got to fit your car interior and not block the access to other appliances or gadgets being plugged into a cigarette lighter. The number and the arrangement of ports on a transmitter are also essential and hence, should be considered too.
Sources:
1. Sam Costello How to Find the Best FM Frequencies For Your Car Transmitter, About. October 20, 2015.
2. FM Transmitter (Personal Device), Wikipedia. July 15, 2016.
3. The Influence of Music on Mood and Performance While Driving, NCBI.
4. Milton Kazmeyer How Do FM Transmitters Work? eHow.