A Bluetooth adapter adds wireless to something that never had it: a TV that should feed your headphones at night, an airplane seat screen, a car with only an AUX jack, or a twenty-year-old stereo that deserves Spotify. Most of them work in both directions, transmitting from a 3.5mm or optical source to headphones or receiving from a phone into speakers, and the differences are latency, range, battery and whether two people can listen at once. We ranked the Bluetooth transmitters and receivers in our audio catalog by codec support and latency, inputs and outputs, dual-headphone pairing, battery life and charging, and what thousands of owners report.
We have not flown with every adapter ourselves; the verdicts rest on the spec sheets and the owner review history. Prices are not printed because they change daily; every button opens the live Amazon page. If you are adding Bluetooth to passive speakers rather than a stereo, our stereo amplifiers guide covers amps with Bluetooth built in, and for the headphones on the other end see wireless headphones for everyday use.
How we picked
- Both directions where it matters. Six picks transmit and receive; the two Avantree units are transmitters only and say so.
- Low latency. aptX Low Latency or Adaptive on most picks, so video and lips stay in sync.
- Two headphones at once on every travel pick.
- A real battery. 13 to 25 hours on the portable units; the 1Mii runs from power for home use.
- Owner ratings of 4.1 stars or better; every pick has more than 900 reviews.
The picks
Avantree Relay - Airplane Bluetooth Adapter for 2 AirPods or Headphones
The Avantree Relay is the adapter that lives in a travel bag. Plug it into a seat-back screen with the included dual-prong adapter, pair two sets of headphones or earbuds, and both passengers watch the same film wirelessly. Qualcomm aptX Adaptive and aptX HD keep the delay small with headphones that support them, the battery runs about 25 hours, and volume buttons and a battery light sit on the unit. Avantree is clear about the limits: it only transmits, it has no microphone, and it is not for TVs without a headphone output, calls or instruments. Owners rate it 4.3 stars across 6,755 reviews and most bought it specifically for AirPods on planes. For that job it is the one to pack.
- 6,755 owner reviews at 4.3 stars, the most-reviewed travel adapter here
- aptX Adaptive for low latency with compatible headphones
- Two listeners from one seat screen
- 25-hour battery covers a long-haul flight and more
- Transmitter only; cannot receive into speakers or a car
- No microphone, so no calls
- Latency depends on the headphones supporting aptX
1Mii B03 Bluetooth 5.3 Transmitter Receiver for TV Home Stereo
The 1Mii B03 is the adapter for the living room. Unlike the pocket transmitters, it has optical and RCA connections as well as 3.5mm, so it plugs into a TV with no headphone jack or a stereo with only line-level outputs. In transmit mode it sends TV audio to two pairs of headphones with aptX Low Latency, and a bypass mode keeps the wired soundbar playing for everyone else while one person listens on headphones, the classic late-night TV problem. Flip it to receive and it adds Bluetooth 5.3 to an old amplifier. Range is up to 164 feet outdoors and 82 indoors. Owners rate it 4.1 stars across 5,737 reviews, with the mixed ones citing setup fiddliness around TV audio output settings. Once configured, it is the most capable unit here.
- Optical and RCA, not just 3.5mm, so it suits any TV or stereo
- aptX Low Latency keeps lip sync
- Bypass mode feeds headphones and the soundbar at the same time
- 164 ft range; 5,737 owners
- 4.1 stars, the lowest here; some owners report pairing fiddliness
- Mains powered, not a pocket device
- aptX benefits need aptX headphones
SOOMFON Airplane Bluetooth 5.3 Transmitter Receiver for TV to 2 Headphones
The SOOMFON is the cheapest way here to get a transmitter and receiver in one, and its LCD screen is the reason to choose it over blinking-LED rivals: it shows the mode, the pairing state and the names of connected devices, which makes the first pairing on a dim plane far less frustrating. It runs Bluetooth 5.3, pairs two headphones at once, and charges in an hour and a half for about 13 hours of transmitting. It uses standard codecs rather than aptX, so there is a small delay with video, and it has no microphone. Owners rate it 4.2 stars across 4,125 reviews and the display is the feature they mention most. For an occasional traveller who also wants to add Bluetooth to a car, it is the value pick.
- LCD display takes the guesswork out of pairing
- Transmits and receives at a budget price
- Two headphones at once
- 4,125 owners at 4.2 stars
- 13-hour battery is the shortest here
- No aptX; standard codecs only
- No microphone; no individual volume for two headphones
Twelve South AirFly Pro 2, Bluetooth Adapter, Pair 2 AirPods, White
The AirFly Pro 2 from Twelve South is the polished version of the travel adapter. It transmits from any headphone jack to two sets of headphones with a dedicated pairing button for each, supports aptX HD Adaptive over Bluetooth 5.3, and flips to receive mode so your phone plays through a car or boat AUX port. Twelve South skipped a screen to stretch the battery past 25 hours, and the quick-access buttons adjust sound or mute. It is the most expensive travel pick here and status is shown by LEDs rather than a display. Owners rate it 4.3 stars across 1,310 reviews and the comments are about reliability and finish rather than features. For frequent flyers who want one adapter that lasts for years, it is the upgrade.
- Dedicated buttons for each headphone pairing
- Receive mode plays your phone through a car or boat AUX
- Over 25 hours without a battery-draining display
- Twelve South build quality; 4.3 stars
- Costs more than the other travel adapters
- No display, so status is by LED
- 1,310 reviews, fewer than the Avantree
2-in-1 Bluetooth Transmitter Receiver, Bluetooth Adapter for Airplane and TV
This 2-in-1 adapter is the budget pick for people who care about lip sync. It uses a Qualcomm chip with aptX Low Latency, which the maker rates at under 40 milliseconds, so dialogue matches mouths and game audio matches the action, provided your headphones also support aptX LL. It transmits to two headphones from a plane screen, TV or gym machine, receives into a car stereo, and runs about 25 hours on a charge, with the dual-prong airplane adapter in the box. The listing is unusually clear about what it does and does not do, which owners appreciate; they rate it 4.3 stars across 2,047 reviews. It has no display and no microphone, and the brand is generic. For gaming on a TV through headphones, it is the cheapest sensible answer.
- Qualcomm chip with aptX Low Latency under 40 ms
- 25-hour battery, matching the Avantree
- Two headphones at once and a dual-prong adapter included
- 2,047 owners at 4.3 stars
- Low latency needs aptX LL headphones to work
- Generic brand without a long track record
- No display or microphone
Ultra Pro Bluetooth Transmitter Receiver, Wireless Adapter for Airplane/TV
The Ultra Pro is the smallest adapter here, about the size of a lipstick, and it is the one to buy if the latest Bluetooth matters: version 5.4, which the maker says improves stability and cuts latency compared with older chips, alongside aptX Low Latency under 40 milliseconds. Two headphones pair with numbered LED indicators, so you know which is which, and the dual-prong adapter covers older aircraft. It charges over USB-C in two hours for about 20 hours of use, and receive mode handles car and home speakers. Range is a modest 33 feet. Owners rate it 4.3 stars across 958 reviews, a shorter record than the Avantree but the same score. For a carry-on with no spare room, it is the pick.
- Bluetooth 5.4 and aptX Low Latency in a lipstick-sized body
- Numbered LEDs confirm which headphone is paired
- USB-C fast charging, 20 hours
- 4.3 stars
- 958 reviews so far
- 33 ft range is modest
- Low-latency mode depends on headphone support
Avantree SoundJet R1 - Airplane Bluetooth Adapter for AirPods, 25H
The Avantree SoundJet R1 is the Relay’s sibling with one addition that long-haul flyers will value: USB-C pass-through charging, so it keeps transmitting while plugged into the seat power or a battery pack. It uses the same Qualcomm chipset with aptX Adaptive and aptX HD, pairs two headphones with separate connection indicators, and runs 25 hours on its own battery. Like the Relay it is transmit only and Avantree says so plainly: not for calls, instruments or TVs without a headphone output. Owners rate it 4.3 stars across 920 reviews, matching the Relay. Choose it over the Relay if you want to charge and listen at the same time, and the Relay if you want the longer track record.
- Keeps playing while charging over USB-C
- Separate indicators for each paired headphone
- Avantree Qualcomm chipset with aptX Adaptive
- 4.3 stars from 920 owners
- Transmitter only; cannot receive
- Not for TVs without a 3.5mm output
- Newer than the Relay with fewer reviews
Bluetooth 5.4 AUX Adapter for Car, 2 in 1 Bluetooth Transmitter Receiver for TV Headphones Home Stereo Speaker, Hands-Free Calls, 3.5mm Wireless Audio Adapter
This Bluetooth 5.4 AUX adapter is the one to leave in the car. Plug it into the AUX jack, and it receives music, calls and navigation from your phone; the built-in microphone and a multifunction button answer, reject, redial and end calls, which none of the travel adapters can do. It auto-reconnects to the last phone when the car starts and flips to transmit mode for a TV or gym machine when needed. There is no aptX, no dual pairing and the maker does not state a battery figure, so treat it as a car accessory that happens to travel. Owners rate it 4.1 stars across 2,502 reviews, with praise for the price and the hands-free calling and complaints about sound quality next to pricier units. For an older car it is the cheapest upgrade going.
- The only pick with a microphone, so calls and navigation work in the car
- Auto-reconnect when you start the car
- Bluetooth 5.4 at the lowest price on the page
- 2,502 owners
- 4.1 stars; sound quality is basic next to the aptX units
- No dual-headphone pairing
- Battery life is not specified
Compare the picks
| Product | Mode | Codec | Two headphones | Battery | Owner rating | Our score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avantree RelayAvantree | Transmit only | aptX Adaptive, HD | Yes | 25 h | 4.3 (6,755+) | 8.6 | See price |
| 1Mii B031Mii | Transmit and receive | aptX LL, HD, Adaptive | Yes | Mains powered | 4.1 (5,737+) | 8.2 | See price |
| SOOMFON 5.3SOOMFON | Transmit and receive | Standard | Yes | 13 h | 4.2 (4,125+) | 8.4 | See price |
| Twelve South AirFly Pro 2Twelve South | Transmit and receive | aptX HD Adaptive | Yes | 25+ h | 4.3 (1,310+) | 8.6 | See price |
| Qualcomm aptX LL 2-in-1Beeitzie | Transmit and receive | aptX Low Latency | Yes | 25 h | 4.3 (2,047+) | 8.6 | See price |
| Ultra Pro 5.4LAICOMEIN | Transmit and receive | aptX Low Latency | Yes | 20 h | 4.3 (958+) | 8.6 | See price |
| Avantree SoundJet R1Avantree | Transmit only | aptX Adaptive, HD | Yes | 25 h, pass-through | 4.3 (920+) | 8.6 | See price |
| Car AUX adapter 5.4JXTZ | Transmit and receive | Standard, microphone | No | Not stated | 4.1 (2,502+) | 8.2 | See price |
Transmitter, receiver or both?
A transmitter takes audio from a 3.5mm or optical source and sends it to Bluetooth headphones; a receiver takes Bluetooth from your phone and feeds a wired speaker, stereo or car. The two Avantree units transmit only, which is fine for planes and TVs with headphone jacks. Everything else switches between modes, and the car adapter is mainly used as a receiver. The 1Mii B03 is the only unit with optical and RCA, which matters because most modern TVs have no 3.5mm output; for those, the 1Mii or a TV with Bluetooth built in are the options. Check your TV’s ports before buying a pocket transmitter.
Latency and codecs
Standard Bluetooth adds 100 to 200 milliseconds of delay, enough to notice on dialogue. aptX Low Latency cuts that to around 40 milliseconds, and aptX Adaptive adjusts between quality and delay, but both only work when the headphones support the same codec; AirPods do not, and most budget headphones do not either. The 1Mii, Qualcomm 2-in-1 and Ultra Pro offer aptX LL, the Avantree and AirFly units offer aptX Adaptive and HD, and the SOOMFON and car adapter use standard codecs. For video with AirPods, every adapter here performs about the same; for gaming with aptX headphones, pick an aptX LL unit.
Flights, cars and the living room
For flights, the Avantree Relay or SoundJet R1 and the AirFly Pro 2 are purpose-built, with dual-prong adapters for older seats and 25-hour batteries; the Ultra Pro is the smallest. For the car, the Bluetooth 5.4 AUX adapter is the only one with a microphone for calls and it auto-reconnects on start-up. For the living room, the 1Mii B03 plugs into optical and keeps the soundbar playing while someone wears headphones. If you want the headphones for the other end, our sleep headphones and earbuds guide covers quiet late-night listening.
Will these adapters work with AirPods?
Yes. Every pick pairs with AirPods and other Bluetooth headphones. AirPods do not support aptX, so the low-latency codecs will not engage, but normal video watching works with a small delay.
Can I connect two pairs of headphones?
Every travel adapter here pairs two headphones at once: the Avantree Relay and SoundJet R1, 1Mii B03, SOOMFON, AirFly Pro 2, Qualcomm 2-in-1 and Ultra Pro. The car AUX adapter pairs one device.
Which adapter works with a TV that has no headphone jack?
The 1Mii B03, which has optical and RCA inputs. Set the TV audio output to optical or PCM. The pocket transmitters need a 3.5mm output.
Do Bluetooth adapters cause lip-sync delay?
Some. Standard codecs add noticeable delay; aptX Low Latency on the 1Mii, Qualcomm 2-in-1 and Ultra Pro brings it under 40 ms with compatible headphones. Avantree and AirFly use aptX Adaptive, which also reduces delay with supporting headphones.
Can I take phone calls through these?
Only with the car AUX adapter, which has a microphone and call buttons. The Avantree units, SOOMFON and the other transmitters have no microphone and are for listening only.
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