Playing music from your iPod or iPhone on your car stereo doesn't have to mean a tangle of cables, hissy tape adapters, or expensive aftermarket parts. The current crop of iPhone and iPod FM Transmitters offers a number of excellent options for finding clear signals, driving safely, and sometimes even making phone calls or using the iPhone's built-in GPS. Here's how the iPod FM transmitters we tested stacked up.
1. New Potato TuneLink Auto
image copyright Tune Potato Technologies Inc.
The TuneLink Auto stands out for a few reasons. First, it uses Bluetooth for connectivity, making for a clean, cable-free connection while also allowing multiple devices to connect to it and to play music to the car's stereo. Second, its technology to diminish noise and interference is the best I've tested, making the music-listening experience excellent.
2. Belkin TuneCast Auto Live
image copyright Belkin
Belkin's TuneCast Auto Live is the cream of the crop thanks to its ability to quickly find high-quality, interference-free stations using the iPhone's built-in GPS functionality. Great features and a good price combine to make this our favorite current iPod FM transmitter.
3. Griffin iTrip Auto
image copyright Griffin Technology
The Griffin iTrip Auto is a very close second to the TuneCast Auto Live. It finds nearly as clear stations to transmit on and offers a lower price. That extra bit of interference and a too-packed remote let the TuneCast edge it out, though.
4. Belkin TuneBase FM
image copyright Belkin
While the TuneBase FM's industrial design can be a little awkward and a high-pitched whine is evident in some settings, this flexible transmitter not only works well with music, but will also help you get where you're going thanks to its GPS design features and integrated calling functionality.
5. Monster iCarPlay 800 Wireless
image copyright Monster
A decent iPod FM transmitter, but a relatively high price, interference-heavy stations, and occasional busts of static put Monster's offering at the bottom of our list for now.
