My friend still drives a 2005 Toyota Camry.
She loves that car like a family member.
So there’s no way she’s selling it.
Her only question was how to make it more modern.
My answer?
Bluetooth FM transmitter.
And if, like her, you’re also looking for recommendations…
I’ve got plenty.
Continue reading to find out:
- 13 best FM transmitters for every budget.
- How to easily set up an FM transmitter in your car.
- 3 amazing FM transmitters that you can buy for less than $10.
- And a lot more…
13 best FM transmitters for your car
Bluetooth FM transmitters are a blessing to old vehicles.
They’re basically an easy way to make your decades-old car a little smarter.
Just like how streaming players like Roku can make old TVs smart.
And to be more specific…
FM transmitters make it possible to do the following on older cars:
- Stream music via apps.
- Charge phones using USB cables.
- Make and receive phone calls hands-free.
And the setup is really easy.
Here’s how to do it with any FM transmitter brand:
- Plug the FM transmitter into your car’s cigarette lighter socket.
- Turn on your car’s FM radio.
- Switch the FM radio’s frequency to something no station is using.
- Select the same frequency in your FM transmitter.
And then pair your phone via Bluetooth. Or connect via USB cables.
That’s it!
Now figuring out which brand to buy can be hard.
And that’s why I came up with this list.
The first 5 are top-of-the-line FM transmitters. All of them are over $20.
The next 5 are mid-rangers. Meaning those that sell from $10 to $20.
The last 3 are budget ones. Each is under $10. And perfect for those who only want to try this device out. Without having to spend too much.
Alright. Let’s proceed with the list, shall we?
#1: Nulaxy KM30
Looking for the best FM transmitter money can buy?
Well, look no further than Nulaxy KM30.
This is, in my opinion, the best overall FM transmitter. And it’s worth every bit of its $23.99 price tag.
Where to begin?
First, its built-in microphone.
It’s strong. And it’s bigger compared to other FM transmitters.
Moreover, it picks up voices really well. Which makes it great when making phone calls while driving. So you won’t even need to yell.
It also has quality-sounding built-in speakers. With an option to switch between bass and treble mode. So you’re sure to get the best-quality audio when you stream from your phone.
In addition, the KM30 also has 2 USB ports. One of which supports quick charging via QC3.0.
And it has an excellent LCD screen. At 1.8 inches, it’s bigger than your average FM transmitter.
With this screen, you’ll be able to see the following info:
- Song title.
- FM frequency.
- Battery voltage.
- Incoming caller.
- Connected devices.
Oh, and did I mention that it works with voice assistants?
Yes, the KM30 integrates with Siri and Google Assistant.
So you can easily control this transmitter with your voice. This will allow you to focus more on the road. And drive safely.
Want to see the KM30 in action? Check out this video:
#2: Clydek BC36
The Clydek BC36 is another FM transmitter worth buying.
It’s slightly more expensive than the Nulaxy KM30.
You can buy the BC36 for $24.99.
However, the specs for both are very similar.
Like the KM30, the BC36 also has a wide 1.8-inch screen. It also displays the voltage frequency and the title of the playing audio.
The BC36 also supports fast charging with QC3.0.
And what I love about the BC36 is its 5 music modes, namely:
- Pop.
- Jazz.
- Rock.
- Regular.
- Classical music.
Just select the mode that best matches the genre you’re playing. And you’ll get an amplified and enhanced sound.
The BC36 also works with Siri and Google Assistant. Even while coming with a separate remote control.
What I find lacking is its mic performance. It isn’t as smooth or as clear as the Nulaxy KM30.
But other than that, still an overall great FM transmitter.
#3: Sumind BT70B
The Sumind BT70B is another top-tier FM transmitter.
It’s selling at $25.99. Right around the price range of Nulaxy and Clydek.
First of all, I love the design of the BT70B. It looks elegant. And comes in the following colors:
- Blue.
- Black.
- Golden.
- Rose Gold.
- Silver Grey.
The LCD screen is a tad smaller at 1.7 inches.
As far as sound quality goes, it rivals the Nulaxy.
You can also get high-quality audio from its speakers. And you’d be able to talk on the phone with its mic with little to no interference.
All thanks to Sumind’s superb noise-reduction technology.
It also supports fast charging. And has a slot for a microSD.
As a downside, the BT70B’s gooseneck hose is a bit hard to adjust.
Its aux port’s also prone to glitches. Which might be a turn-off to many.
But the BT70B’s pros certainly outweigh its cons.
#4: Syncwire
Syncwire is a Hong-Kong based tech company. It specializes in phone chargers, cables, and adapters.
Its FM transmitter, priced at $24.99, is a little more basic in design. At least compared to Nulaxy, Clydek, and Sumind.
But performance-wise, it can hang with the best of them.
Its mic has great noise-canceling technology. So you also won’t have any trouble communicating over Syncwire.
Another great thing about Syncwire is its speaker’s bass quality. Definitely one of the best I’ve heard. Makes you want to start grooving while listening to upbeat music.
Syncwire also happens to have 2 excellent charging ports.
One that supports QC3.0. And another that supports PD20W. Both are new technologies for faster charging.
So with Syncwire, you’d be able to charge 2 devices really fast. And simultaneously.
#5: Guanda RM100C
Guanda is a China-based electronics company. And its founders are former employees of tech-giant Huawei.
Now, the Guanda RM100C is the most expensive one on this list. At $34.99.
And is it worth the price?
Of course.
The RM100C’s LCD screen is actually very similar to Nulaxy KM30. Both are colorful. And both display similar information. Such as battery voltage, track title, and caller name.
Moreover, the RM100C also has 2 fast-charging USB ports. Just like the Syncwire.
And this is its main difference from Nulaxy. As the latter doesn’t have this feature.
It also has an echo-cancellation technology. So you can use its mic for phone calls without worrying about audio feedback.
And like the Nulaxy, its speaker also produces excellent sound.
Overall, it’s a fantastic FM transmitter.
I’m just not sure it’s worth the price difference compared to the first 4 on the list.
#6: Lencent T25
We’re now moving to the mid-range FM transmitters.
First up is the Lencent T25. Available at $14.99.
Its best trait is its noise-suppression technology.
The call quality with Lencent T25 is similar to other more expensive models. With the audio coming in really clear.
It has a rather simple display. But I love that it also indicates your car’s battery voltage.
It also has 2 USB ports. Neither support fast charging. But both come with smart temperature control. So you won’t have to worry about overcharging.
#7: Imden C57
The Imden C57 is another good mid-range FM transmitter. With a price of $15.29.
One of its 2 USB ports actually supports fast charging. Which is great for this price range.
Its built-in microphone also performs well enough in calls. With only minor static noises.
The speaker’s volume isn’t exactly the best.
So to get decent-quality sound, you’ll have to turn up the volume on your phone. As well as the car stereo.
#8: Octeso BH347
For an FM transmitter under $20, the Octeso BH347 sure packs a lot of features.
You can buy one for only $16.99.
Like Imden, one of its USB ports also supports QC3.0.
It’s also compatible with Siri and Google Assistant. Just like its more expensive counterparts like Nulaxy.
I also love its soft-blue LED light color. Kind of reminds me of Alexa lights.
It’s perfect for night-time driving.
Its speaker’s overall sound quality is good. But also lacks volume like Imden.
Still very much worth it at its price.
#9: Oryoha
Oryoha has one of the most unique designs of all the FM transmitters I’ve seen.
Its display is actually separate from its body. Which is great because it means there’s more flexibility in where you can place it.
Regarding its price, it’s just a shade under $20.
It’s voice-control compatible. And supports quick charging in 1 of its 2 USB ports.
It also has 7 different LED light colors. Further enhancing its overall look.
And it offers excellent audio quality for a mid-ranger.
#10: Comsoon
Comsoon is a decent mid-range FM transmitter.
Like others, it also supports 3 music play modes:
- Bluetooth.
- USB flash drive.
- microSD card up to 32GB.
It has a nice, luminous ambient light ring. Also ideal when you’re driving at night.
It doesn’t support fast charging.
But it does make up for it with good-quality audio. Better than the other mid-range FM transmitters.
So for $14.99, I’d say Comsoon’s a good buy.
#11: Ilokey
Ilokey is the first of 3 sub $10 FM transmitters on this list.
It’s available for $9.99.
I’m actually impressed that it supports QC3.0 fast charging for its price.
It also has a slot for a microSD card. Although it also doesn’t support anything with over 32GB storage capacity.
As far as its Bluetooth connection goes?
It can get a bit glitchy at times.
For example, there’d be moments when a playback would jump back and forth. Rewinding and fast-forwarding on its own.
But other than that?
Ilokey performs well enough overall.
#12: LDesign
The LDesign is very similar to Ilokey.
You can also buy this for $9.99. And it also supports fast charging.
It also has what it calls a rhythm light.
Basically, its LED light can change into 8 different colors. Depending on the music.
It’s kind of like when you sync smart lights to music. Kids will definitely love it.
But like Ilokey, Bluetooth connections can also be choppy. And its mic cuts off intermittently.
Although the speaker quality’s really good for its price.
#13: ORIA
The last entry on this list also happens to be the cheapest.
The ORIA FM transmitter. With its current price of $8.99.
Its volume isn’t the best. Which you’d pretty much expect at this price range.
And it claims to have noise-canceling technology. But many users have reported hearing plenty of static feedback.
So it would be hard talking on the phone via ORIA’s mic.
It does have 2 USB ports. Although neither supports fast charging.
And it maintains Bluetooth connections well. So you’d be able to stream from your phone continuously.
Overall good enough for an under $10 FM transmitter.