We Tested the Car and Driver Smart FM TransmitterSheilah Villari - Hearst Owned"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."The Car and Driver Smart FM Transmitter Bluetooth Cup Holder is an easy way to add Bluetooth audio to an older car without replacing the entire stereo setup. I tested it in a 2004 Lexus RX330, exactly the kind of vehicle that can benefit from an inexpensive upgrade like this. The transmitter plugged into the auxiliary power outlet and paired with my phone instantly. I found an unused FM frequency and tuned to that station. From there, anything we played from my phone came through beautifully, including (shout out to my patient boyfriend) Harry Styles's new setlist. Of the FM transmitters we have tested this year, this one is my favorite.Car and Driver Smart FM Transmitter Bluetooth Cup Holder$30 at amazon.comWe got nearly four hours of listening time (podcasts included) during a drive to his rugby match, which gave us plenty of opportunity to see how it performed beyond a quick trip around town. The biggest surprise was the sound quality. He previously used a cheap transmitter that sat loosely in the Lexus's power outlet, sounded tinny, and became noticeably worse when we turned up the volume. This transmitter, however, fit securely in the outlet and gave us none of those problems. Once we found a clear frequency, music sounded full and robust through the stereo, and we could turn it up without the thin, unpleasant sound we'd been living with before.The plug fits securely into the auxiliary power outlet better than most on the market.Sheilah Villari - Hearst OwnedThe cupholder control unit is another reason this model works well for everyday driving. Instead of putting tiny buttons down near the power outlet, it places the controls within easy reach. That makes changing tracks or making adjustments much easier while you're behind the wheel. It also feels more substantial than the small plug-in transmitters we've used, although the obvious trade-off is giving up one of your cupholders (luckily, the Lexus has two).The sound is clear, whether playing music, a podcast, or an audiobook.Sheilah Villari - Hearst OwnedFM transmitters aren't going to match the audio quality of a modern, factory Bluetooth connection or a new head unit, and performance can depend on how crowded the FM dial is in your area. But that's not really the point. If you have an older car like our Lexus and want a reliable way to stream music, podcasts, audiobooks, and everything else, this does the job remarkably well. After a weekend of uninterrupted listening, a secure connection, and sound quality that easily beats the cheap alternative, this FM transmitter proved to be a simple upgrade we're happily still using.You Might Also LikeIf You Can Only Own One Car, Make It One of TheseThese Are the Most Popular Cars by State
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