To find the best Bluetooth transmitter, we scoured the internet, taking a deep dive into what makes a transmitter fantastic, including its audio quality, transmitting range, audio connections, and power source. Newer Bluetooth transmitters can take advantage of the latest wireless audio standards, such as AptX, allowing for crisper and higher-definition audio. Depending on where you will be using your transmitter, such as in your home or car, knowing how you’ll be powering your transmitter, how it will connect, and its overall range is essential.
In our research, we quickly found the TaoTronics Portable Bluetooth Transmitter to be our top pick. Sporting AptX technology, the TaoTronics delivers a high-quality Bluetooth signal from your source device’s 3.5mm headphone jack. Reaching up to 33-feet when transmitting, this transmitter is excellent both in your home and on your next jog. The only genuinely portable option on our list, the TaoTronics, can be plugged in at all times via a micro-USB cable, or its built-in battery enables up to 8-hours of audio playback on the go. Keep reading to learn more about the best Bluetooth transmitters.
Top 4 Best Bluetooth Transmitter
#1 TaoTronics Portable Upgraded Bluetooth Transmitter – Top Pick
WHY WE LIKE IT: TaoTronics offers the best Bluetooth transmitter for travel thanks to its built-in 8-hour battery and pocketable design. Great for use both in the home and on the go, the TaoTronics transmitter doesn’t disappoint.
- Compact, portable design
- 8-hour battery life
- Easy & fast setup
- Short transmission range
TaoTronics provides a portable Bluetooth transmitter that shows you can stream audio from your device’s 3.5mm headphone jack to a Bluetooth compatible pair of headphones or speakers without sacrificing quality. Featuring a compact, portable design, you can easily slip the transmitter into your pocket for use with an older media player or stick it behind your TV to avoid clutter. If you do opt to use it on the go, you won’t be disappointed in the TaoTronics’ 8-hours of battery life and up to 140 hours of standby time. You may also want to upgrade the safety of your vehicle with the best car battery.
The setup process is straightforward and carried out by pressing only a single button – no complexity here. We would have liked to see a more extended transmission range than only 33-feet, but as long as you keep your device close at hand, we know you’ll find a winner with TaoTronics. If you have an older iPod without Bluetooth, the TaoTronics is the best Bluetooth transmitter for AirPods, so you can listen along without wires. This on the go transmitter will even let you listen to music when you’re emptying out your best car garbage can.
#2 Avantree Long Range Bluetooth Transmitter – Honorable Mention
WHY WE LIKE IT: Avantree provides the most powerful and versatile option in our list, able to both transmit and receive up to a distance of nearly 300-feet. Avantree is the prime option for any serious audio system.
- Best for TV and PC
- Impressive ~300-foot range
- Built-in voice setup assistant
- Non-portable design
- Relatively expensive
Avantree delivers a powerful Bluetooth transmitter that is perfect for high-end audio setups thanks to its support of high-resolution aptX audio and its outstanding transmitting range. Able to broadcast a signal up to 328-feet, you’ll never find yourself disconnecting in the middle of your favorite song or tv-show. The Avantree can also act as a receiver, accepting Bluetooth transmissions with a range of around 295-feet, great for adding wireless audio to older speaker systems. The Avantree’s design also makes it the best Bluetooth transmitter for PC desktops as it can plug-in and remain connected without worry.
The built-in voice setup assistant speaks to you, alerting you of the device’s status during setup, which we quite liked. The Avantree isn’t portable, so its best to find another option if you are looking for an option on-the-go, and despite its relatively higher price tag – it stands out above the rest when it comes to quality. Set this up in your car alongside the best car diffuser to make your ride luxury.
#3 VicTsing V5.0 Bluetooth FM Transmitter – Best Budget
WHY WE LIKE IT: Designed for use in your car, the VicTsing V5.0 is an excellent compact Bluetooth transmitter that adds on new abilities to your vehicle without being an eyesore; it even charges your smartphone during use.
- Best for charging in your car
- Charges devices via USB ports
- Unobtrusive design & handsfree phone calls
- Screen can be difficult to read
If you are looking for a Bluetooth transmitter for your vehicle, then the VicTsing V5.0 might be a great option. Featuring a small, unobtrusive design, the VicTsing plugs into your vehicle’s 12V accessory port, allowing you to stream music via Bluetooth from your device to your car or truck’s FM radio. Not only can you enjoy music with the VicTsing, but the built-in microphone also allows for taking hands-free phone calls with ease.
We also like that the VicTsing V5.0 features two USB ports for charging your device, such as your smartphone, during use. While the compact minimal design is great for hiding away the device, depending on where your vehicle’s accessory port is located, the screen can be challenging to read in cramped spaces – something to consider if the port is tucked away. Now, if you’re stuck on the side of the road with a flat, you can still have your phone and music while you grab your best tire pressure gauge.
#4 Nulaxy Bluetooth Car FM Transmitter – Best for Handsfree Calls
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Nulaxy is the best Bluetooth transmitter for cars and other vehicles, thanks to its design that puts the controls and screen front and center. Featuring a powerful FM transmitter – you won’t need to worry about poor audio.
- Best for the car
- Features an easy to read display
- Strong, reliable transmission
- Intrusive, large design
- Only a single USB port
The Nulaxy is the best Bluetooth transmitter for your next road trip. Featuring a large, easy to read LCD screen, you can easily select which FM frequency you wish to broadcast and the current status of your Bluetooth device. We found the transmission within the Nulaxy to be especially impressive, cutting through normal FM-static to provide you with a high-quality audio transmission.
The control pad unit is on a flexible mount, which is excellent for getting the perfect view of the screen but can be quite a large and intrusive design for those looking to keep things minimal. While the device does feature a USB charging port, the competition sports at least two-typically, limiting how many devices you can charge with the Nulaxy. On the flip side, we love that the Nulaxy supports three play sources – TF cards, Bluetooth, and an AUX cable. While you’re at it, you might want to also check out the best tire inflator.
How We Decided
Searching for Bluetooth transmitters on the web will lead you to a never-ending list of choices, so we picked through the options to find the absolute best available. All of the Bluetooth transmitters we selected were pitted against several factors, including their audio quality, transmitting range, audio connections, and power source. For each category, we set a minimum set of requirements, so that no matter which Bluetooth option you choose, you’ll have picked a solid choice.
For each Bluetooth transmitter, we took a close look at their audio quality and the factors that would affect it, such as the audio codec utilized and, in the case of a car transmitter, the strength of the FM transmission signal. All non-FM transmitters include the AptX low-latency codec that helps to ensure your audio streams in high-quality and remains in sync if you are watching a movie or playing a game. For FM transmitters, we assured that they would not have any issues with interference when broadcasting to your vehicle.
When it comes to transmitting ranges, we made sure that portable units would feature a minimum 10-meter distance and more powerful, non-portable units could send up to nearly 100-meters. With these transmission ranges, you can take your portable Bluetooth transmitter on a jog without losing signal, or grab a snack in the kitchen while staying connected to your TV thanks to a more powerful transmitter in non-portable units.
Audio connections and the utilized power source were also an important marker. We ensured that all devices supported Bluetooth as you would expect, with some devices also adding options for TF cards, AUX cables, and RCA connectors. When it comes to power, we made sure that portable units had at least 8-hours of battery life, and car units could be connected easily to already available 12V accessory ports.
Best Bluetooth Transmitter Buyer’s Guide
Features
- Audio Quality: When selecting a Bluetooth transmitter, you don’t want to sacrifice sound quality. When choosing options for high-quality music streaming or movies, be sure to select an option that includes the AptX codec; it helps to ensure high-quality audio over Bluetooth. For car devices, this standard can be overlooked as the FM signal utilized doesn’t meet AptX codec standards.
- Transmitting Range: Finding a Bluetooth transmitter with a high transmission range is essential, as the figure that is given is only for perfect conditions. Wi-Fi signals and other bits of interference can affect the range, so be sure to look for a transmitter that can reach a minimum of 10-meters. If you plan on walking to other rooms while staying connected, select an option that can reach up to at least 100-meters for an extra-powerful transmission.
- Audio Connections: Sure, you plan on connecting to your new transmitter via Bluetooth, but what will the source plug-in to? If you are connecting a transmitter to your television, you will want to make sure it offers the appropriate RCA jacks. Similarly, most smartphones and tablets will utilize a 3.5mm jack. If you are searching for the best Bluetooth transmitter for airplane use, then be sure to select an option with a 3.5mm jack, then you can use a plane headphone adapter for an easy connection on your next flight.
- Power Source: This may not be the first feature that comes to mind when you are shopping for a Bluetooth transmitter, but it is an important one to consider. If you are picking up a portable unit, be sure to note the battery life so that you don’t run out of battery on your next jog around the block or trip to the store. Non-portable units will likely run off either a USB cable, requiring a charging block, or a standard outlet connection – be sure to check before purchasing.
FAQs
- What is the best Bluetooth car transmitter?
In our roundup, we found the Nulaxy Bluetooth Car FM Transmitter to be the best option for cars and other vehicles. It puts all of its controls front and center for easy use while offering an FM transmission signal that can cut through the noise to give you excellent audio quality. The Nulaxy even offers a USB port for charging, and additional inputs for both TF cards and standard AUX cables. - What is the difference between a Bluetooth receiver and transmitter?
A Bluetooth receiver will allow a device to receive a Bluetooth signal, such as the case might be if you want to turn standard speakers into Bluetooth compatible speakers or connect your wired headphones up to make them wireless. On the other hand, a Bluetooth transmitter will send signals, great for having your TV stream to your headphones late at night or connecting an old iPod to your new Bluetooth speaker. - Is there a way to add Bluetooth to my TV?
Yes, you can do so using a Bluetooth transmitter. A transmitter will plug into the back of your TV, using its audio-out ports, such as a headphone jack or RCA connectors. Once set up, the Bluetooth transmitter will take the audio coming from your TV and send it out to compatible Bluetooth devices such as a pair of headphones or speakers. - Can you add Bluetooth to an older car?
Yes, you can use a Bluetooth FM transmitter; these devices allow you to connect to an FM transmission device via Bluetooth. Once connected, the transmitter will take audio from your smartphone or other Bluetooth device and transmit it out via a traditional FM signal. Your car can then intercept the signal and play it via your dashboard radio.
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