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The Best Bluetooth Handsfree Car Kit 2021

Bluetooth Car Speakerphone

Driving whilst using your phone is frowned upon and illegal in the majority of countries around the world. However, by installing a Bluetooth handsfree car kit, it helps you overcome this issue and ensures you can keep your eyes safely on the road. They are also available in several types to best suit your requirements.

If you require a quick answer, the best Bluetooth handsfree car kit is the Jabra Freeway Speakerphone, which uses 3 speakers and dual microphone technology for crystal clear calls. However, if you are on a tight budget, the Avantree CK11 is the best alternative that uses a built-in 3W speaker.

To rate the Bluetooth handsfree car kits, we based our recommendations upon testing, research and multiple factors. The factors we considered included their type, quality of the call, additional features, warranty and value.

Table of Contents

Bluetooth Handsfree Car Kit Comparison

Bluetooth HandsfreeTypeStereo Output
Jabra FreewaySpeakerphoneOptional
Motorola Roadster 2SpeakerphoneOptional
Avantree CK11SpeakerphoneOptional
Nulaxy BR05SpeakerphoneOptional
SuperTooth BuddySpeakerphoneNo
Plantronics Voyager 5200HeadsetNo
Parrot CK3100Hard WiredYes

Bluetooth handsfree devices have become invaluable and are an essential gadget for many drivers. Although they can be found in most modern cars, there are many aftermarket devices that can be installed in seconds and are suitable for all types of cars. Whether you want a wired or wireless device, there is plenty to choose from.

Below is a list of the best Bluetooth handsfree car kits that are compatible with a range of devices and provide clear communication.

The Best Bluetooth Handsfree Car Kit


1. Jabra Freeway Bluetooth Handsfree Speakerphone

Jabra Freeway Bluetooth Handsfree Speakerphone
The best and most simple solution for receiving calls over Bluetooth whilst driving is a speakerphone. The Jabra Freeway is a premium example that’s packed full of functionality and is designed for the best possible call quality out of all the speakerphones on the market.

Some of the features of the Jabra Freeway include:

  • 3 speakers that produce 7 watts
  • Voice control
  • Built-in FM transmitter
  • Dual microphone technology
  • 2 hours to fully recharge
  • 14 hour battery life
  • 40 days battery life in standby mode

Although this Bluetooth speakerphone is a premium option, its performance is highly impressive. The three speakers and the clever system that announces the name of the incoming caller makes it the perfect device for pretty much all scenarios.

Overall, the Jabra Freeway is the best Bluetooth handsfree car kit that offers impressive functionality and an intuitive design, which makes transporting it between cars much easier.

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2. Motorola Roadster Bluetooth Handsfree For Car

Motorola Roadster Bluetooth Handsfree SpeakerphoneIf you are willing to lose slight performance in order to stick to the big brands, the Motorola Bluetooth handsfree car kit is a great alternative. It’s known as the Roadster and it’s packed full of the latest technology for improved usability.

When compared against the Jabra Freeway, it does lack the additional speakers and power but it does make up for it with clever functionality such as the automatic switch on and off.

Other features of the Motorola Roadster include:

  • Simple mounting to the sun visor
  • Automatically switches on as you enter the car
  • Powerful 2 watt speaker
  • Ability to output audio via FM transmitter
  • Crystal Talk technology and dual microphones
  • 20 hours battery life
  • 500 hours battery life in standby mode

If you are an Android user, there is even an added bonus of the “MotoSpeak” technology. This is a patented feature by Motorola that allows you to listen and dictate text messages.

The Motorola Roadster is a stylish handsfree Bluetooth speakerphone that’s developed by a reputable brand for complete peace of mind. The only drawback is that it’s fairly expensive and requires your phone’s software to be up to date in order to use all the functionality.

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3. Avantree CK11 Hands Free Bluetooth Car Kit

Avantree CK11 Hands Free Bluetooth Car Kit
Another popular Bluetooth car kit is the Avantree CK11 speakerphone, which is the best affordable alternative to the Jabra Freeway. It’s a compact device that uses a built-in 2W speaker and noise reduction technology for crystal clear calls. A unique feature of this particular Bluetooth hands free car kit is the rotary knob, which makes adjusting the volume much easier.

Other features of the Avantree CK11 Speakerphone include:

  • Available with a black or titanium finish
  • Motion sensor enabled
  • 600 hours standby time and 22 hours talk time
  • Fully recharges in less than 3 hours
  • Supports Siri and Google Assistant
  • Connects two phones simultaneously

The Avantree CK11 is an excellent all-round Bluetooth handsfree car kit that won’t disappoint. It has a long battery life, compact design, crystal clear audio and generally ticks all the boxes.

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4. Nulaxy BR05 Handsfree Bluetooth Car Kit

Nulaxy BR05 Handsfree Bluetooth Car Kit
Nulaxy are well-known for their Bluetooth FM transmitters but they also produce an array of other gadgets such as this speakerphone. It’s an easy to use clip-on speakerphone that supports up to two devices and provides crystal clear audio via the built-in 2W speaker.

In order to improve the usability of the device, it features a range of automated functionality. This include auto connection, auto standby and auto power on, which allows you to start driving without any delays.

Other features of the Nulaxy BR05 Bluetooth Handsfree include:

  • Built-in 2W speaker for crystal clear sound quality
  • Multi-device supported
  • Compatible with Siri and Google Assistant
  • Up to 18.5 hours of talk time and 45 days on standby
  • Integrated motion sensor for automated features
  • Comes with a USB car charger
  • Easy to use and large buttons

Compared to similar priced alternatives, the Nulaxy BR05 offer far superior quality and is built to last. It’s also much smaller than the majority of speakerphones yet retains crystal clear audio via the 2W speaker.

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5. SuperTooth Bluetooth Buddy Handsfree Kit

SuperTooth Bluetooth Buddy Handsfree KitThe SuperTooth Buddy Kit focuses on high quality call audio and it does so by using a powerful speaker and DSP technology. Compared to similar priced devices, it’s slightly bulkier but it does offer a longer battery life.

Other features of the SuperTooth Bluetooth Buddy include:

  • 20 hours talk time via 3 hours charge
  • Lithium-ion battery
  • Pair two phones simultaneously
  • Last for 1,000 hours on standby mode
  • Large hot key buttons
  • Easy mounting to sun visor

The SuperTooth Buddy is a cheap Bluetooth handsfree car kit that can be setup in a matter of seconds. It’s also highly portable and can be taken from car to car with ease.

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6. Plantronics Voyager 5200 Bluetooth Headset

Plantronics Voyager 5200 Bluetooth HeadsetOne alternative that works even when your not in the car is of course the Bluetooth headset. You can switch off the car and simply walk out whilst continuing your phone call. Although it’s not a proper handsfree car kit, it’s a great alternative and used by many people on a daily basis.

Other features of the Plantronics Voyager 5200 include:

  • 4 microphones for max call quality
  • Noise and wind cancellation
  • Ability to pair multiple phones
  • Superior comfort
  • 7 hours talk time between charges
  • 9 days charge whilst in standby mode

The Plantronics brand have improved the Voyager model over the years and this model is their flagship headset. In terms of comfort, call quality and design, you won’t find a better Bluetooth handsfree headset for your car.

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How We Rated The Bluetooth Handsfree Car Kits

As well as using a number of handsfree car kits over the years, we also based our recommendations within this article upon plenty of research and multiple factors. The factors that we considered included their type, quality of the call, additional features, warranty and value for the money.

Bluetooth Handsfree Car Kit Buying Guide

According to statistics provided by Statista, 3.1 million drivers used their phones during 90% of their car journeys. This figure is as expected but the more worrying statistic is that on average, there are 70,000 crashes caused by drivers being distracted by their phones.

It’s illegal to use your phone whilst driving in the majority of countries. However, if you must make calls, the safest and best solution is to use a Bluetooth handsfree car kit.

There are various options to choose from that include hard wired devices, speakerphones, FM transmitters and even headsets. Many of the devices can also be used for playing music via the FM transmitter as an added bonus.

To help you make an informed buying decision, we have produced the below guide regarding Bluetooth handsfree car kits.

in-car bluetooth kit handsfree

Bluetooth Connectivity

Unless you are using a phone that’s over 15 years old, the majority will have the ability to connect to handsfree car kits using Bluetooth. This means, all of our recommended handsfree kits are compatible with your phone.

Bluetooth has been upgraded over the years with 3.0 to 5.0 being the most popular with the latest smartphones. If you use multiple phones, you want to ensure you choose a device that allows for multiple devices to connect otherwise it can become frustrating reconnecting them each and every time.

As you probably already know, connecting your Bluetooth device to your phone can be a real pain and not something that takes seconds. Therefore, it’s worth spending the extra for a handsfree car kit that allows you to pair multiple phones.

Type of Handsfree Devices

Within this article, we have discussed four main different types of Bluetooth handsfree devices, which include:

  • Hard wired devices
  • Speakerphones
  • FM transmitters
  • Headsets

Many people have a personal preference when it comes to choosing which best suits their requirements. For example, hard wired devices require a more involved installation and aren’t portable. Therefore, if you use multiple company cars, this option isn’t viable.

With regards to Bluetooth speakerphones and headsets, they both require charging. This can be easily forgotten when in a rush and leave you without a device. FM transmitters are another type that’s cost effective but you may find the call quality isn’t up to your expectations.

Bluetooth Handsfree Car Kit

Call Quality

There is nothing worse than poor quality communication from both sides (speaking and hearing the other person). When it comes to speaking to the other person, the placement of the microphone is crucial. With hard wired devices, you are able to place the microphone virtually anywhere you want.

The best place for the microphone is close to your mouth of course and this is why most Bluetooth speakerphones come with a mount for the sun visor. The FM transmitter on the other hand connects via the cigarette lighter, which means you may need to shout for the other person to hear you.

When it comes to hearing the other person on the call, you can turn the volume up on your stereo. However, for Bluetooth handsfree speakerphones, you may already have it on full volume and some perform better than the others. For example, the Jabra Freeway has a 7 watt 3 speaker setup as opposed to the single 3 watt speaker of the Motorola alternative.

However, if you feel the speakerphone isn’t loud enough, some have the option to tune into your stereo via the built-in FM transmitter. This means you can turn the volume up if you are struggling to hear the other caller.

Conclusion

All of the recommendations within this article fit each category for handsfree calling. Of course, if you own a modern car, many come with handsfree functionality via the head unit. However, if not, any of the Bluetooth handsfree car kits can be installed inside of your car within minutes.

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Written By Dan

About the Author

Dan is an automotive journalist and owner of over 10 cars ranging from supercars, tuned cars, classics and your good old beater cars. He always likes to get his hands dirty with nut and bolt restorations or detailing sessions using the best products on the market.

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