FM Transmitters Tested

Got an older car but want to listen to digital tunes? An FM transmitter will relay MP3s through your stereo. We pick the best

Auto Express Car Reviews

December 2010

More and more new cars come with USB sockets and auxiliary ports, to enable owners to relay digital music from their MP3 player through their stereo. But millions of drivers running older models are still stuck with a radio and CD deck – and the easiest and most cost-effective way for them to tune in is with an FM transmitter.

These small gadgets convert digital music into an FM signal, at an empty frequency of your choice. You then tune your car’s radio to pick up that signal. Many can be linked via the dock of an Apple iPod or iPhone, while other players use the 3.5mm headphone jack. Some can charge and hold your MP3 player as you listen. We pick from 12 of the best.

The Test

We divided our samples into those that simply transmit your sounds and those which also provide power to your player. Apple continues to dominate the MP3 market, so our winners had to work with all iPods, including a Classic, and an iPhone. We also looked for 3.5mm cables to be supplied, to allow the products to operate with non-Apple players. Transmitters with station presets and simple interfaces scored points, and we wanted to see easy frequency scanning and strong resistance to interference from other stations. All products were tested on the same frequency over an identical route, where we knew other broadcasts would interfere with the signal.

Those transmitters which could charge the player were tested in two cars with different 12V sockets. Cost was also a factor, but prices vary significantly online and in store.

Verdict

If all you want to do is transmit your music, the Sainsbury’s-sourced InTune is great. It’s simple to use, has loads of presets and works with iPods, iPhones and generic players. For Apple fans, the dedicated Logic3 iPod connector is hard to fault at £20.

Our Best Buy for charging your player is the Belkin TuneBase FM. It’s worth the price premium – as it’s a secure holder, can revive another device via USB and works with every player. Griffin’s Apple-only RoadTrip takes our charging runner-up spot.

Top 3

InTune FM Transmitter
InTune FM Transmitter
Logic3

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2 Comments

Missed the best one!

After buying a new car in 2010 i found i missed having music so easy at hand playing through my usb stick into my car audio.

I found the WIKI Car MP3 Player - Taking power from the cigar socket, either 12v (or 24v for all you truckers), you can either connect your MP3 player via a line in lead from the headphone socket, or insert a SD/MMC memory card or USB flash drive with MP3 formatted tracks. The WiKi Car MP3 then transmits the music via low power FM to your car stereo, simply ensure that the transmitter and the radio are on the same frequency and listen to your tunes on the move and while you drive.

And at just £9.99 it would be the cheapest out of your selection and the main selling point for me is the fact you can use USB flash drives and SD/MMC memory cards with it! AND it has a cool little remote.

BY FAR THE BETTER OPTION!

By ice_a1 on 6 January, 2011, 10:00am

3x Failed

Have used the Belkin TuneCast, Logic 3 and Griffin Roadtrip. I travel from Reading to Lichfield and back again every night and each of these have had to be re-tuned at least twice each way on the journey. I eventually bought a Digidock iPod FM transmitter and haven't had to retune it once. It maybe iPod only but is dual voltage 12/24v charges up the iPod and seems to have a stronger transmitter than any of the others I've tried.

By StevieGee on 7 July, 2011, 8:22am

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