Under $25 Scores: UGreen’s $20 Bluetooth transmitter is a must-have for travelers
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The best wireless headphones and best true wireless earbuds let us enjoy audio content without being tethered to our laptop, smartphone or tablet. But as convenient and packed with features as they are, they’re practically useless when it comes to specific devices. They won’t work with most in-flight entertainment systems, an old “dumb TV” or even the iPod Classic. The UGreen Bluetooh 5.0 Transmitter & Receiver solves that conundrum by making our wireless headphones compatible with such outdated technologies.
This travel-friendly dongle plugs into any AV device with a headphone jack and wirelessly transmits audio to headphones. We’ve seen a handful of these hit the market over the years, the Twelve South AirFly Duo being the most popular for its lengthy battery life and seamless pairing. While a great pickup for any seasoned traveler who also doesn’t mind sharing audio with company, the UGreen Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter & Receiver is an under $25 score that performs similarly at half the cost.
Here’s why you’ll want to keep this tiny adapter in your carry-on bag.
UGreen Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter & Receiver
Inexpensive and reliable, UGreen’s Bluetooth transmitter does a commendable job of bridging audio output between your favorite wireless cans and older aux-compatible gizmos.
How I found the UGreen Bluetooth Transmitter
After losing my headphone splitter, I looked at other options for sharing audio with my wife on a plane. Bluetooth transmitters seemed like the better option, and UGreen’s offering caught my attention based on price and specs. I reached out to the company for a sample and was sent a unit that’s already sitting in my Sony WH-1000XM5 carrying case.
Why it’s is a score
This kind of Bluetooth transmitter is the cheapest solution to transform car stereos, in-flight entertainment systems, MP3 players and traditional home audio setups (e.g., amplifiers, speakers) into Bluetooth-enabled devices. Not to mention it’s a fun way to share listening experiences without wires.
The UGreen Bluetooth Transmitter’s design is flexible and is the size of most keychains. Its connector bends in multiple directions, which is suitable for narrow spaces like the back of your smart TV. Connecting it to a smartphone won’t weigh you down either.
Two modes are programmed into the transmitter: TX (Transmitter) and RX (Receiver). You can switch by sliding the toggle to your preferred transmission. TX streams audio to Bluetooth devices and RX streams audio from portable devices (e.g., phone, laptop) to non-Bluetooth devices. The instruction manual breaks down each connection mode and explains other functions.
UGreen makes pairing your wireless headphones to the transmitter incredibly easy. You hold down the pairing button for 3 seconds until it flashes blue and red, then put your headphones in pairing mode and wait for both devices to connect. This takes about 2 seconds. Pairing a second headset is just as simple. What I like most about the product is its Auto-Reconnect feature, which instantly recognizes your last paired device to consume audio right away.
Sound quality is satisfying. Instruments and vocals are crisp and transparent. There are noticeable dips in bass and volume. Playback on iOS/macOS (AAC) and Android devices (SBC) runs smoothly when streaming content from top music streaming services like Apple Music, Spotify, and Tidal. Lip synchronization is slightly off on YouTube videos, but it is not off-putting.
Audio sharing operates surprisingly well. There’s only a half-second difference in output when connected to two headphones. The feature doesn’t compromise sound performance either.
This transmitter doesn’t hold a charge as long as the AirFly Duo (20 hours). Instead, it offers up to 5.5 hours in RX mode and 8 hours in TX mode, which is sufficient for two short trips and one bicoastal trip. Battery life also holds up well when sharing audio; I estimate playtimes at about 5 hours. It takes 1.5 hours to fully charge the transmitter.
Range could be better for a Bluetooth 5.0 device. Audio stutters terribly when walking into different rooms. The transmitter works better in open spaces and can get you 25 feet of wireless listening before dropout occurs. This is ideal for flights or just resting in your living room.
Are there more advanced Bluetooth transmitters out there at attainable prices? Yes. However, UGreen’s version is nearly as good, and a better value. It handles multi-connectivity and sound transmission extremely well. That’s all you really need for $20.
Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
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