Skip to main content
Tom's Guide Tom's Guide
Subscribe
RSS
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
Technology Magazines
Technology Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviews
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12.99
View
  • Best Picks
  • News
  • Reviews
  • How Tos
  • Phones
  • Streaming
  • Deals
  • More
    • Antivirus
    • Audio
    • Coupons
    • Fitness
    • Gaming
    • Home
    • Laptops
    • Mattresses
    • Personal Finance
    • Security
    • Smart Home
    • TV
    • VPNs
    • Wearables
    • What To Watch
    • All Topics
Forums
Trending
  • Apple WWDC 2023 LIVE
  • iOS 17
  • Apple Headset
  • iPhone 15
  • Pixel Fold
  • Best TVs

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  1. Home
  2. Best Picks
  3. Gadgets

12 Cheap Bluetooth Car Adapters, Ranked From Best to Worst

By Don Reisinger
published 23 April 2018

We tested several Bluetooth car adapters that bring wireless audio to your vehicle to find out which ones work best.

Comments (0)
Go Wireless While Driving

Go Wireless While Driving

Don't have a high-tech infotainment system in your car? With Bluetooth car adapters, you can enjoy hands-free audio on the cheap and make hands-free calls (in some cases). By simply plugging one of these adapters — most are under $30 — into the audio port in your vehicle, you can connect wirelessly to your phone and stream everything from music to podcasts over your car's speakers.

To find out which option is best, we tested 12 Bluetooth car adapters and evaluated them on three core features: design, wireless audio quality and ease of use. We also awarded extra points for any special features. Here are the Bluetooth car adapters on the market right now.

Credit: Anker

Page 1 of 13
Page 1 of 13
Mpow Bluetooth 4.1 Receiver 2-in-1

Mpow Bluetooth 4.1 Receiver 2-in-1

The Mpow Bluetooth 4.1 Receiver 2-in-1 is simply the best Bluetooth car adapter you can buy. The device is small and exceedingly easy to plug in and start using, and it comes in a compact design

The 2-in-1 plugs in to your car's audio port (or, if you want to use the adapter on other devices, you can plug it into a headphone jack). My phone immediately recognized the handset, and within seconds, I was wirelessly streaming audio through my car's speakers.

The Mpow 2-in-1 has a built-in microphone that allows for hands-free calling. It wasn't the best microphone I've ever used, but it gets the job done. On the device, you'll find some buttons that allow you to quickly pause and play music, end a call, increase or decrease volume, and more. All of the buttons are easy to access, well-designed and responsive.

Overall, Mpow's 2-in-1 is a winner.

Credit: Mpow

Today's best Mpow Bluetooth 4.1 Receiver 2-in-1 deals
Mpow Bluetooth 4.1...
Newegg
$64.85
View
View Similar Amazon US
Amazon
No price information
Check Amazon
See all prices (1 found)
Page 2 of 13
Page 2 of 13
TaoTronics Bluetooth Receiver

TaoTronics Bluetooth Receiver

TaoTronics makes one of the best Bluetooth car adapters on the market. And at its affordable price, it's a stellar value.

The TaoTronics Bluetooth Receiver is similar to Mpow's in that it plugs in to your car's audio port for wireless streaming. The device was easy to set up, and it connected to my phone in a flash. Several buttons on the side made it easy for me to switch between songs, pause and play audio, and pump up the volume. There's also a button on the side that helps you quickly activate voice assistants like Apple's Siri.

The TaoTronics comes with two microphones. One of them listens to your audio, while the other helps to drown out ambient noise. That resulted in outstanding call quality even when I had the window open.

Credit: TaoTronics

Today's best TaoTronics Bluetooth Receiver deals
View Similar Amazon US
Amazon
No price information
Check Amazon
TaoTronics Bluetooth Receiver
No price information
For more information visit their website
3 Amazon reviews
☆☆☆☆☆
|
See all prices (1 found)
Page 3 of 13
Page 3 of 13
Mpow Bluetooth Receiver Streambot Mini

Mpow Bluetooth Receiver Streambot Mini

The Mpow Bluetooth Receiver Streambot Mini was a treat to use. The diminutive device plugs in to the audio jack on your car speaker and runs on a long-lasting battery that can keep a connection to your phone all day. Connecting the Streambot Mini to my phone was a cinch, and I like that it comes with a longer cord to use when the shorter connector made for too tight a fit between the radio and my car.

Using the Streambot Mini was pretty simple. I connected it to my phone and could immediately wirelessly stream music to my car's speakers. The Play/Pause button is perfectly placed for easy, no-look access, and buttons on the side let you quickly increase or decrease volume.

I used the Streambot Mini for wireless calling. It worked pretty well, but the microphone quality wasn't the best.

Credit: Mpow

Today's best Mpow Bluetooth Receiver Streambot Mini deals
View Similar Amazon US
Amazon
No price information
Check Amazon
Mpow Bluetooth Receiver...
No price information
For more information visit their website
See all prices (1 found)
Page 4 of 13
Page 4 of 13
Anker SoundSync Drive

Anker SoundSync Drive

While many car Bluetooth adapters are small and plug in to your car's audio port, where they'll remain, the Anker SoundSync Drive is designed for a bit more flexibility. But there's one problem.

I don't like putting adhesive on my dashboard, but that's how the SoundSync Drive works. You take the circular unit and place it anywhere on the dash. However, because  the unit has a strong adhesive, you'll find that it won't come off your dash so easily after prolonged use.

The device itself has a nice design and worked well over a wireless connection to my phone. One of the benefits of the SoundSync Drive's design is that you can place the adapter closer to where you are, which improves call quality. However, the Drive's buttons are flush with the case, so if you want to change your volume without looking, you might find yourself fumbling to find the button or even hit the wrong buttons entirely. That was a problem for me on a few occasions.

Credit: Anker

Today's best Anker SoundSync Drive deals
View Similar Amazon US
Amazon
No price information
Check Amazon
Anker SoundSync Drive
No price information
For more information visit their website
1 Amazon reviews
☆☆☆☆☆
|
See all prices (1 found)
Page 5 of 13
Page 5 of 13
Mpow Bluetooth 4.1 Receiver with One Key

Mpow Bluetooth 4.1 Receiver with One Key

The Mpow Bluetooth 4.1 Receiver with One Key is a simple Bluetooth audio adapter that plugs in to your car's audio port and wirelessly connects to your phone. I found that the wireless connection was stable, though at times during music playback, there was some interference in the signal. I'm not sure whether this was because of the device or my phone.

Like other Mpow devices, this one is small and easy to use. And its big button on the side makes it easy to quickly play and pause audio without taking your eyes off the road. This Mpow device had solid battery life, and its call quality wasn't bad. But if you don't mind spending a few extra bucks, you should get the Mpow Bluetooth 4.1 Receiver 2-in-1, which is a better option.

Credit: Mpow

Today's best Mpow Bluetooth 4.1 Receiver with One Key deals
View Similar Amazon US
Amazon
No price information
Check Amazon
Mpow Bluetooth 4.1 Receiver...
No price information
For more information visit their website
39 Amazon reviews
☆☆☆☆☆
|
See all prices (1 found)
Page 6 of 13
Page 6 of 13
Nulaxy Bluetooth Receiver

Nulaxy Bluetooth Receiver

There's nothing to dislike about the Nulaxy Bluetooth Receiver. The device is small and simple to set up, and it plugs directly into your car's audio port for wireless connectivity. A button on the side gives you control over your music, and the device's built-in battery lasts all day on a charge.

Like some others in this roundup, the Nulaxy Bluetooth Receiver has noise-cancelling features that aim to improve call quality. And while the TaoTronics adapter offered better noise cancelling, the Nulaxy delivered solid performance.

There Nulaxy has volume controls, but I would have liked more options to activate voice assistants. Overall, the Nulaxy is a good option given its very low price.

Credit: Nulaxy

Today's best Nulaxy Bluetooth Receiver deals
View Similar Amazon US
Amazon
No price information
Check Amazon
Nulaxy Bluetooth Receiver
No price information
For more information visit their website
267 Amazon reviews
☆☆☆☆☆
|
See all prices (1 found)
Page 7 of 13
Page 7 of 13
Mpow Bluetooth Receiver for Car

Mpow Bluetooth Receiver for Car

Out of all the Mpow devices the company sells for wireless communication in the car, the Mpow Bluetooth Receiver for Car would be my last pick.

Unlike the other Mpow products we reviewed, the Mpow Bluetooth Receiver is a bulky, circular unit with an adhesive on the bottom that sticks to your dash. While that allows for better call quality, it also makes it harder to find the right buttons and controls without looking at the unit while you're driving.

The Mpow comes with one feature you might like if you want to keep your device charged on the go: a car-lighter adapter that has two USB ports on the back. Simply plug this in to your car lighter, and connect your iPhone or Android device on the other end, and you can charge your handset while you ride.

Sure, the Mpow Bluetooth Receiver has more bells and whistles than other options do, but at least in my time with it, that didn't translate to a better overall experience.

Credit: Mpow

Today's best Mpow Bluetooth Receiver for Car deals
View Similar Amazon US
Amazon
No price information
Check Amazon
Mpow Bluetooth Receiver for...
No price information
For more information visit their website
1 Amazon reviews
☆☆☆☆☆
|
See all prices (1 found)
Page 8 of 13
Page 8 of 13
Kinivo BTC450

Kinivo BTC450

Kinivo's BTC450 is a decent option if you want to improve call quality and don't mind placing sticky adhesive on your dash.

The device is powered by an attachment that plugs in to your car lighter and comes with a USB port on the back, so you can keep your phone charging while you use the wireless connector. On the other end, you'll find a circular unit that you can stick to your dash and put close to your face for better sound quality. And, at least in my experience, the Kinivo device delivered on that.

But, like other units that come with the puck-like design of the Kinivo BTC450, I found it difficult to easily locate the buttons that control my music. And because of the company's odd decision to bundle the skip buttons on the side, I would often skip ahead when I wanted to go back, and vice versa.

The wireless audio quality was solid with Kinivo's device, but the design makes the device less appealing.

Credit: Kinivo

Today's best Kinivo BTC450 deals
Kinivo BTC450 Bluetooth Car...
Amazon
$46.99
View
10 Amazon reviews
☆☆☆☆☆
|
See all prices (1 found)
Page 9 of 13
Page 9 of 13
iClever Himbox HB01

iClever Himbox HB01

The folks over at iClever offer a Bluetooth adapter called the Himbox that aims to improve call quality and make controlling your audio experience more comfortable.

The device plugs in to your car-lighter port for power and comes with two USB ports on the back, so you can power your smartphones while you're using the device. On the other end, you'll find a puck-like controlling unit that you use to control your music and perform other functions.

I dealt with the same problem in the iClever Himbox that I faced in other units that had a similar design: It's not so simple to figure out which buttons to press while driving. But at least the buttons are big and adequately spaced out.

Credit: iClever

Today's best iClever Himbox HB01 deals
View Similar Amazon US
Amazon
No price information
Check Amazon
iClever Himbox HB01
No price information
For more information visit their website
2 Amazon reviews
☆☆☆☆☆
|
See all prices (1 found)
Page 10 of 13
Page 10 of 13
Aukey Bluetooth Receiver

Aukey Bluetooth Receiver

Aukey has a cheap Bluetooth receiver that looks awfully similar to Mpow's devices and comes with many of the same features.

The receiver has a simple and small design, with a matte-black finish. On the front, you'll find a Play/Pause button, and there are two volume buttons on the side. Connecting to the device was simple, and I found that its battery lasted quite a long time.

Like with some of the other simpler devices in this roundup, however, you'll need to consult the manual to figure out how to access certain features, like answering or ending a call. With so few buttons, you'll need to remember what holding the button down for a long time does (reject a call) and what it means when you double-press the Play button (redial a number).

Credit: Aukey

Today's best Aukey Bluetooth Receiver deals
View Similar Amazon US
Amazon
No price information
Check Amazon
Aukey Bluetooth Receiver
No price information
For more information visit their website
See all prices (1 found)
Page 11 of 13
Page 11 of 13
Firik Mini Bluetooth Receiver Audio Adapter

Firik Mini Bluetooth Receiver Audio Adapter

Firik's Mini Bluetooth Receiver Audio Adapter is about as simple as these devices get. And in some respects, that's its biggest problem.

The device is the smallest adapter we tested and plugs in to your car's Aux port. Once the receiver is plugged in, you can wirelessly connect to your phone and listen to all the tracks you want. But with just 5 hours of battery life on this device, you can't expect the listening session to last long.

There's a built-in microphone in Firik's device, but the call quality was mediocre, at best. And with a general lack of buttons for controlling the audio experience, I often found myself turning to my phone.

Overall, Firik's Mini Bluetooth Receiver Audio Adapter was a disappointment.

Credit: Firik

Today's best Firik Mini Bluetooth Receiver Audio Adapter deals
View Similar Amazon US
Amazon
No price information
Check Amazon
Firik Mini Bluetooth Receiver...
No price information
For more information visit their website
See all prices (1 found)
Page 12 of 13
Page 12 of 13
Tunai FireFly

Tunai FireFly

The Tunai FireFly is simple and sleek, but it's overpriced for what you get.

On the plus side, you can pair multiple devices to the unit at the same time, so everyone can partake in the audio experience. The Firefly is also pretty versatile in that you can plug it into your car's audio port or a stereo's USB port. Its connection quality was quite good in my time with it, but it doesn't have a microphone, so if you're hoping to place calls with the unit, you're out of luck.

Unfortunately, there are no buttons on the Tunai for controlling music playback, which could prove to be a problem for many.

Credit: Tunai

Today's best Tunai FireFly deals
TUNAI Firefly LDAC Bluetooth...
Amazon
$39.99
View
3 Amazon reviews
☆☆☆☆☆
|
See all prices (1 found)
Page 13 of 13
Page 13 of 13
Comments (0)
Don Reisinger
Social Links Navigation

Don Reisinger is CEO and founder of D2 Tech Agency. A communications strategist, consultant, and copywriter, Don has also written for many leading technology and business publications including CNET, Fortune Magazine, The New York Times, Forbes, Computerworld, Digital Trends, TechCrunch and Slashgear. He has also written for Tom's Guide for many years, contributing hundreds of articles on everything from phones to games to streaming and smart home.

More about gadgets
Hubble Nursery Pal Dual Vision Review

Hubble Nursery Pal Dual Vision review

AnyCubic Kobra

I review 3D printers for a living and this is the one to get for beginners

Latest
An iPad showing several apps on a homescreen, with a finger poised to select one

iPadOS 17 — everything announced so far

See more latest ►
Topics
Car Tech
Gadgets
No comments yet Comment from the forums
Most Popular
Best fire pits in 2023: Tested and rated

By Rich WoodbridgeMarch 05, 2023

Best Samsung Galaxy S23 screen protectors in 2023

By Andy SansomMarch 03, 2023

Best golf shoes 2023

By Scott KramerMarch 02, 2023

25 best Disney+ movies to watch now (M06 2023)

By Kelly WooFebruary 23, 2023

Best Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus cases in 2023

By Philip MichaelsFebruary 20, 2023

Best OnePlus 11 cases in 2023

By Andy SansomFebruary 19, 2023

Best Peacock movies in M06 2023

By Henry T. CaseyFebruary 17, 2023

Best Samsung Galaxy S23 cases in 2023

By Andy SansomFebruary 15, 2023

Best Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra cases in 2023

By Sanjana PrakashFebruary 14, 2023

Best cheap mesh Wi-Fi systems of 2023

By Anthony SpadaforaFebruary 05, 2023

The best TV in 2023: our top picks from LG, Samsung, Sony, TCL, Vizio and more

By Nick PinoFebruary 03, 2023

Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Advertise with us
  • About us
  • Archives
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.