The Best iPhone FM Transmitters for Cars in 2024

Look for connectivity, charging ports, and more

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FM transmitters allow you to play songs, podcasts, and other media from your phone using your car's radio. They convert your smartphone's audio into radio signals. Not only can your radio pick it up, but other vehicles can as well. Plug it into your vehicle's cigarette lighter adapter, tune it, and listen to all your favorite hits.

Our top pick for the best iPhone FM transmitter available is the Nulaxy NX-12. This highly compact FM transmitter features booming bass sound, three ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and intuitive controls to adjust the volume and change channels. Plus, it's very compact and convenient if you have other peripherals running.

Best Overall

Nulaxy Bluetooth 5.0 FM Transmitter for Car (NX-12)

Nulaxy Bluetooth 5.0 FM Transmitter for Car.

Amazon

Pros
  • Fast Charging & 3 USB ports

  • Supports MP3/WMA/WAV

  • Noise Suppression for hands-free calling

Cons
  • Awkward viewing angle

  • Less accessible ports

  • Sound quality degrades when charging devices

The Nulaxy NX-12 is one of the best iPhone FM transmitters on the market.

It features a user-friendly LED display and delivers excellent audio playback. Additionally, it comes equipped with a standard USB port, Quick Charge 3.0, and a Type C PD 18W port. It offers compatibility with a wide range of devices, much faster charging than traditional chargers, and an extra boost for any USB Power Delivery-supported device.

Setting up the NX-12 is easy as well. Plug it in, pair your device, and find an FM station by toggling the 'channel" button and adjusting the frequency. The only drawback we found with this unit is that the placement of the USB charging port is less than ideal, as it's located on the other side of the transmitter and not easily accessible.

In short, the NX-12 is an excellent choice for audio enthusiasts seeking a perfect blend of compactness and high audio quality.

Best Budget

Lencent FM Transmitter (2022)

 Lencent FM Transmitter.

Amazon

Pros
  • Three USB charging ports

  • Can activate Siri/Google Assistant

  • Responsive LED ambient light

Cons
  • Somewhat iffy volume controls

  • Average audio quality

  • Slightly whistling noise when driving fast

The Lencent FM transmitter is an excellent budget option for your car.

Although not a mainstream brand, the Lencent FM transmitter is formidable in its own right, offering dual USB smart charging, hands-free calling, and self-adjusting navigation volume when listening to your favorite songs. It also comes with a voltmeter to ensure safe car battery operating levels.

While the Lencent FM transmitter's voltmeter is not a critical feature, it's an excellent addition.

Another benefit of the Lencent FM transmitter is its sharp audio quality. It utilizes Noise Suppression (CVC) technology to help cancel any background noise, providing clear calls. All in all, its smart charging capabilities and decent audio quality make it our budget pick.

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What to Look For in an FM Transmitter

With several dozen iPhone FM transmitters on the market today, the best ones have an easy-to-read display, multiple ports, intuitive controls, and above-average sound quality. We rated each iPhone FM transmitter using the following factors.

Interface

A user-friendly interface on an FM transmitter implies an easy-to-read display, available backlighting for nighttime use, and an intuitive button layout to find FM channels without the need for automatic frequency scanning.

Ports

Some advanced FM transmitters, like the Nulaxy NX-12, offer ports beyond your standard USB port, including Quick Charge 3.0 and a Type C PD 18W port. These ports charge a wide range of devices faster than standard USB ports. Plus, if you regularly carry more than one passenger, everyone can charge their devices simultaneously.

Audio Quality

The primary purpose of an FM transmitter is to transmit audio. Our selection process prioritizes models with high-fidelity sound and noise reduction technology to minimize static and other interference.

FAQ
  • Does the iPhone have an FM transmitter?

    The iPhone does not have an FM transmitter; most phones tend not to have this feature built-in, and none of the iPhone models have ever had an FM receiver. That said, there are internet radio apps that you can use, but you will need to use one of the transmitters on this roundup to be able to listen to actual live radio station broadcasts.

  • How to connect the FM transmitter to your iPhone?

    An FM transmitter for the iPhone works by transmitting audio from FM frequencies to your phone. Most FM transmitters are Bluetooth-enabled. All you need to do is plug the transmitter into your car socket, pair your device, and you can start listening to the radio wherever you are. With many phones removing the 3.5mm headphone jack, you're less likely to find wired FM transmitter solutions.

  • Is there an FM transmitter app for iPhones?

    There are FM transmitter apps for the iPhone, like ClearFM. It lets you listen to the radio over your iPhone or iPod, giving you a list of music stations that are the clearest for your FM transmitter. You will still need an FM transmitter since more than the app alone will be required.

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