IMDEN Bluetooth FM Transmitter Review

Although the easiest way to connect your phone to your car is using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, that isn’t always possible. Most modern vehicles made within the last decade or so feature at least a 3.5mm headphone jack, if not Bluetooth wireless for streaming music and hands-free calls. But some older automobiles, like the year 2000 Toyota Camry I was driving for a few years, don’t. With just a CD player, cassette deck, and AM/FM radio, I turned to an IMDEN FM transmitter. Whether you’ve got an older car lacking recent phone hookups or have a malfunctioning head unit, a wireless FM transmitter could be a great purchase. Learn more in my hands-on IMDEN Bluetooth FM transmitter review.

IMDEN Bluetooth FM Transmitter Review

The IMDEN Bluetooth 5.0 FM transmitter is a great option that lets you enjoy hands-free calling or streaming music from Spotify and Tidal on your phone over your car radio speakers. Because nearly every car on the market features an AM/FM radio, the IMDEN Bluetooth C57 FM transmitter works like a champ. I was able to connect it to my year 2000 Toyota Camry as well as my partner’s 2017 Subaru Forester–granted, the Forester’s onboard Bluetooth or 3.5mm headphone jack deemed the IMDEN FM transmitter virtually unnecessary.

Previously, my only experience with FM transmitters was an old Belkin iPod FM transmitter that just never seemed to pull in a clean signal. The Belkin FM transmitter’s struggles could have been its transmitter, the antenna on my parents’ 90s Ford Taurus station wagon, or something else entirely. Suffice it to say, I was pretty blown away by just how well the IMDEN Bluetooth FM transmitter for cars performed.

Set up is a breeze–just put the IMDEN C57 into Bluetooth pairing mode, find the C57 in your list of available Bluetooth devices, then select it in your phone’s Bluetooth settings. After that, allow your phone to pair with the C57 Bluetooth 5.0 wireless FM transmitter. Finally, tune your car stereo to an open FM channel, and set the IMEDN C57 to a matching station.

Audio comes through crisp and clear. Of course, the IMEDN’s sound quality depends on the open FM channel that you select and its strength in your local area. However, even on a several-hour road trip, I only had to change channels once or twice.

I also liked its charging capabilities. You’ll find a pair of USB ports, including one with QuickCharge 3.0 (QC 3.0). With a compatible cable, I was able to fast charge my OnePlus 10 Pro and Google Pixel 6 Pro Android phones. Although the easiest way to play music is using your phone, you can plug in a USB flash drive to the IMEDN for playing back MP3s and other music files.

There’s a built-in real-time car voltage monitor. For hands-free calling, there’s an onboard microphone with echo cancellation and noise suppression (CVC), which resulted in crystal clear calls. I also appreciated its hands-free controls, which include a button to answer calls or stop/start music playback, plus forward and back buttons. You can use these onboard buttons to set the IMDEN’s volume, answer calls, control music playback, or set an FM broadcast station.

So, on to the real question: Should you buy the IMEDN Bluetooth C57? If you’re looking for one of the strongest Bluetooth FM transmitters, then absolutely. It’s affordable, boasts strong FM transmission, features quick charge support, and excellent build quality. Although Android Audio, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, or a 3.5mm input provide better sound quality, a good Bluetooth FM transmitter like the IMDEN lets you pair your phone to your car without breaking the bank.

IMEDN Bluetooth 5.0 FM Transmitter Specs

• Bluetooth version: 5.0
• FM transmitter frequency range: 88.1-107.9Mhz
• FM transmission distance: 3 meters (3M)
• Connections: 2x USB ports, one with QuickCharge 3.0 for fast-charging devices
• Controls: Fast forward, rewind, call answer
• Features: Bluetooth wireless transmission, support for reading USB flash drives with music files, real-time car voltage monitoring
• CVC noise suppression
• Hands-free calling capabilities

How to Use the IMEDN Bluetooth FM Transmitter

If you’re wondering how to connect a Bluetooth FM transmitter, here’s how to connect the IMEDN Bluetooth FM transmitter C57:

Basic IMDEN C57 Controls

• For the IMDEN Bluetooth FM transmitter, if you’re wondering how to change the channel, just press the fast forward or rewind buttons on the C57 and set it to a desired FM station.
• To make a place/end a phone call or stop/start music playback, press the green phone button on the top of the device.
• With music playing, press the back button or forward button to skip to the previous or next track.
• To change the volume, long-press (press and hold) the back button to turn the volume down, or forward button to turn up the volume–you’ll see the volume level show up on the display on the front of the IMDEN FM transmitter.

IMDEN Bluetooth FM Transmitter Review: Final Thoughts

Overall, the IMDEN C57 is a good Bluetooth FM transmitter. While you’ll enjoy better audio quality with a wired connection like a 3.5mm AUX (auxiliary) cable or over Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, it’s a great solution for older cars. You’ll be able to upgrade your vehicle with the ability to take hands-free calls, listen to streaming music from Spotify/Tidal/YouTube Music/Amazon Prime Music/etc. on the cheap, and without the need to install a new head unit. If you’re looking for a wallet-friendly solution that lets you connect your phone to your car, the IMDEN Bluetooth FM transmitter is an excellent option with solid sound quality and fast-charging support for juicing up your handset while you drive.

IMEDN Bluetooth C57 Wireless FM Transmitter Review: FAQs