The Best Bluetooth Adapters
Although most modern vehicles come equipped with Bluetooth, if you're driving an older car, it might not be Bluetooth-enabled. This is a shame, since life with Bluetooth is a lot easier and safer, especially if you commute for work or often drive long distances. A Bluetooth-enabled car lets you make hands-free calls, see incoming notifications, and stream all your favorite music and podcasts. So, what do you do if your car doesn't have Bluetooth? That's easy. Get a good-quality Bluetooth adapter. An adapter can be added to your existing stereo system, so you don't have to make any big changes to your vehicle. Plus, the installation process is quick and easy. Best of all, you don't have to waste time researching which products are the best, because we've already done the work for you. Here are the five best Bluetooth adapters available.
What to Look For
In our research, we found that the best Bluetooth adapters are user-friendly, priced right, and offer a clear connection. For example, IMDEN’s Bluetooth adapter offers an innovative design with two charging ports and a crystal-clear microphone for hands-free calling. If money is no object, consider Harman Kardon’s Bluetooth adapter. It features their patented TrueStream connectivity for unparalleled audio quality. Keep reading to learn why these adapters are the best of the best.
IMDEN Bluetooth Adapter
Wireless perfection
Offering awesome, near-unparalleled sound quality and great phone usability, the IMDEN Bluetooth Adapter is an easy pick for the best overall. Conveniently, this adapter can support two charging devices simultaneously, allowing you to wirelessly transmit your phone calls to your car’s stereo system with ease. When you receive a call, it also automatically switches from playing music to hands-free mode. And, unlike many other adapters out there, the built-in microphone boasts a crisp, high-caliber sound quality thanks to its specialized noise suppression technology. All that, and this adapter comes with over-voltage protection and intelligent temperature control, so it doesn’t overheat or short-circuit.
Pros:
- You can support two charging devices at once
- Charger efficiency is more than 80 percent
- Has a high-performance microphone with noise-suppression technology
- Wide compatibility with all Bluetooth-enabled devices
- Multi-safety protection
Cons:
- The phone volume and adapter volume don’t match up (so you have to turn your phone volume all the way up first)
Beeitzie Bluetooth Adapter
The Beeitzie Bluetooth Adapter is everything you want in an aux-in adapter—from crystal clear-sounding audio to easily accessible hands-free assistance to a sleek, user-friendly interface. This adapter comes with Bluetooth 5.0 technology and a CSR chip, which work together to maintain an instant, strong connection up to over 33 feet. Use this device to bring up Google Assistant or Siri if you need to get directions or safely send a text while driving. Plus, the powerful battery lasts for up to 16 hours.
Pros:
- Equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 technology and a CSR chip to ensure instant pairing and strong connectivity
- The rechargeable battery is longer-lasting than most
- Simple, sleek button interface
- Just takes a single click to answer calls, hang up, or redial (which makes for a safer, more convenient drive)
Cons:
- There’s a bit of distortion with high-pitched sounds
Anker Bluetooth Adapter
For all the technophiles
The Anker Bluetooth Adapter is chock-full of all the features you need to make your Bluetooth connectivity fantasy a reality. Easily one of the most reliable ways to add Bluetooth to your car, this adapter establishes a secure connection with your phone, producing excellent sound (16K high-definition audio, to be exact) so that you can take calls and enjoy your favorite podcasts during your commute. Handily, this adapter also delivers high-speed charging to virtually any mobile device. Best of all, the noise- and static-cancellation technology successfully filters out background interference for clearer-sounding calls. Who doesn’t like to be heard?
Pros:
- Offer a very secure connection between your phone and T2
- You can charge any mobile device
- T2 automatically searches for and connects to unoccupied FM frequencies
- Employs noise-cancellation technology
- The high-performance microphone filters out noise
- One-button calling
Cons:
- The USB cord isn’t included
Techkey Bluetooth Adapter
Computer-friendly device
For the best PC Bluetooth adapter, look no further than the Techkey Bluetooth Adapter. This sleek, pocket-sized mini-adapter can work with a whopping seven devices all at once, so you can feasibly use it to connect to your printer, mouse, headphones, and laptop speakers simultaneously. Since it’s so compact in size, you can easily leave it connected to your laptop or PC without blocking any other USB ports. And the anti-interference ability is simply impeccable.
Pros:
- Applies the latest Bluetooth 5.0+EDR adapter
- Extremely compact, the sleek size allows you to leave it on your laptop or PC
- Anti-interference ability is excellent
- Supports all Bluetooth devices
- Can work with seven devices at once
Cons:
- It’s a little tricky at first to figure out how to sync everything with this adapter
Harman Kardon Bluetooth Adapter
Unparalleled quality
With Harman True Stream technology, you can rest assured that you get the best possible listening experience while streaming audio from your mobile devices. The Harman Kardon Adapter can memorize up to eight different Bluetooth-enabled devices, and it’s a total breeze to connect and auto-air with your Apple, Android, and Windows smartphones or tablets. This adapter even has an LED light to show you when it’s searching for a device and when it’s connected. Plus, it comes with connection cables, so you don’t have to worry about buying other accessories.
Pros:
- Truly high-quality connection, no matter the application or source device
- Effectively memorizes up to eight different Bluetooth devices
- Really easy to connect and auto-air with all smartphones and tablets
- The sleek size fits virtually anywhere
- LED indicator light delivers connection feedback
Cons:
- Definitely one of the priciest adapters available
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add Bluetooth to my (really) old car?
Yes. Although every car differs, you can usually add Bluetooth to old cars using a Bluetooth adapter. Depending on the vehicle and whether you have an auxiliary-audio input or not, you may need to get an FM transmitter versus a Bluetooth kit that plugs into a car’s aux-in port.
What are the benefits of using Bluetooth in the car?
Bluetooth allows for a much safer and more enjoyable experience while driving. Enabling Bluetooth functionality in your vehicle makes it easier to keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. And once it’s set up, you can use voice commands to make calls and shoot out texts. Plus, you can listen to all your favorite podcasts and Spotify playlists by transmitting the audio from your phone to your car radio. Remember, distracted driving is dangerous, and a Bluetooth-enabling device doesn’t give you a free pass to take your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road.
About the Author
Why Trust Us
With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.