UGREEN CM403 Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter and Receiver is now in stock at Mascom International for KSh 2,500, and it turns almost any wired audio gear into a wireless one. The CM403 runs Bluetooth 5.0 through a ceramic antenna, holds a stable link out to 10 metres, and supports AAC and SBC codecs for clean stereo sound. A 145mAh rechargeable cell gives up to 8 hours in transmit mode and 5.5 hours in receive mode, recharging over USB-C in about 1.5 hours. Every UGREEN CM403 sold here is brand new and sealed, stocked at Old Mutual Building, First Floor Room 4, Kimathi Street, Nairobi CBD.
Kenyan drivers with older car stereos, homeowners running TV sets that have no wireless audio, and office workers holding onto wired headphones all hit the same wall: working equipment that predates Bluetooth. The CM403 solves that without replacing anything. Matatu operators and long-distance drivers on the Nairobi-Mombasa road plug it into the AUX socket and stream navigation prompts, radio, and calls from a phone. University students at Kenyatta, JKUAT, and Strathmore send laptop audio to wireless earbuds during late-night study. Church sound teams and gym owners feed wired amplifiers from a phone playlist using the UGREEN CM403.
Unlike other electronics retailers in Kenya stocking unbranded Bluetooth dongles with no model number and no support path, Mascom International sells the CM403 as a documented UGREEN product carrying part number 80893, verifiable against the manufacturer's own manual. Users consistently report that the flexible TPU plug is what separates it from rigid adapters that snap off behind a wall-mounted TV. At Mascom International, we're seeing steady demand from buyers who want one KSh 2,500 accessory instead of a new car head unit costing many times more. Walk into our Kimathi Street store to test the UGREEN CM403 on your own phone.
Common Questions About the UGREEN CM403
What does the UGREEN CM403 actually do?
It works two ways, and you choose the direction with a physical slide switch. In TX mode it takes sound out of a device that has no Bluetooth a television, a gym treadmill, an aeroplane seat, a desktop computer and sends it to your wireless headphones. In RX mode it does the reverse, pulling music off your phone and pushing it into a wired speaker, amplifier, or car stereo through the 3.5mm plug. The CM403 cannot run both directions at once.
How do I switch between transmit and receive modes?
Slide the switch on the body to TX or RX before powering on, then press and hold the multifunction button for three seconds. A voice prompt confirms the mode, and the indicator flashes red and blue alternately while pairing. Changing modes while the unit is running does not work reliably, so power down first. This one detail causes most of the confusion buyers report, and it takes about ten seconds to get right the first time.
How long does the battery last on one charge?
UGREEN rates the CM403 at 8 hours in transmit mode and 5.5 hours in receive mode from its 145mAh cell. Transmit mode lasts longer because receive mode also runs the microphone circuit for calls. A full recharge over the USB-C port takes roughly 1.5 hours from a standard phone charger. Paired with an iPhone or a Xiaomi handset, the remaining charge shows in your phone's Bluetooth battery readout, so you know before a long drive.
Will it work with my car stereo here in Kenya?
Yes, provided your head unit has a 3.5mm AUX input. Set the CM403 to RX, plug it into the AUX socket, select AUX as the source on the stereo, then pair your phone to "UGREEN-80893" in your Bluetooth list. Music, Google Maps voice guidance, and phone calls all route through the car speakers. The built-in microphone handles hands-free calling, which keeps both hands on the wheel through Mombasa Road traffic.
Can I connect two devices at the same time?
Yes, in both directions. In RX mode you pair two phones, so a passenger can take over the playlist without unpairing the first handset — though only one phone plays at a time. In TX mode you pair two sets of wireless headphones, which suits couples watching a film late without waking the house. Pair the first device, double-press the button, then search for the CM403 on the second device.
Does it work with a television for late-night viewing?
It does, and this is the most common reason Nairobi buyers pick it up. Plug the CM403 into the TV's 3.5mm headphone output, set it to TX, and pair your wireless headphones or earbuds. The flexible TPU plug bends flat against the panel, so it fits behind a wall-mounted screen where a rigid adapter would foul the bracket. If your television has only optical output, this model will not connect.
Is there noticeable audio delay when watching video?
Some, yes, and honest sellers should say so. The CM403 supports AAC and SBC codecs rather than aptX Low Latency, so on video content you may notice a small gap between lips and sound. Music, podcasts, radio, and phone calls are unaffected because nothing on screen has to match. Buyers who mainly watch films through wireless headphones and want tighter sync should ask our Kimathi Street team about low-latency alternatives.
Which headphones and phones is it compatible with?
The CM403 pairs with standard Bluetooth headphones, earbuds, speakers, and car kits from Samsung, JBL, oraimo, Anker, Sony, and most other brands sold in Kenya. It works with Android and iOS handsets, Windows laptops, and MacBooks. One documented exception: UGREEN states the CM403 does not pair with AirPods Pro 2 in TX mode. Reset by holding the button for ten seconds if a previous pairing blocks a new one.
Why buy this instead of a new Bluetooth speaker or car head unit?
Cost, mainly. A replacement car head unit with Bluetooth starts around KSh 8,000 in Nairobi and needs fitting labour on top. A wireless speaker good enough to replace a working home hi-fi costs far more than KSh 2,500. The CM403 keeps the sound gear you already own and adds the one feature it lacks. It also moves between the car, the TV, and the office in a shirt pocket.
Technical Specifications
Core Function and Dual-Mode Operation
- Physical slide switch selects transmit (TX) or receive (RX) mode, preventing the accidental mode changes common on button-only adapters
- TX mode sends audio from a non-Bluetooth source such as a television, treadmill, or aeroplane seat to wireless headphones
- RX mode receives audio from a phone, tablet, or laptop and feeds it into wired speakers, amplifiers, and car stereos
- Single multifunction button handles power, pairing, playback control, and call answering, held three seconds to switch on
- The two modes cannot run at the same time, which keeps the radio stage simple and the battery drain predictable
- Ten-second button hold clears stored pairings, useful when the unit moves between a home television and a car stereo
Wireless Connectivity and Audio Codecs
- Bluetooth 5.0 with a ceramic antenna holds a stable connection to roughly 10 metres in clear line of sight
- AAC and SBC codec support covers iPhone, Android, Windows, and macOS sources without extra apps or driver installation
- Total harmonic distortion below 0.1 percent keeps music free of the fuzz cheap adapters add at higher volume
- Dual pairing in RX mode connects two phones, with playback running from one handset at a time
- Dual pairing in TX mode connects two sets of headphones, letting two people listen to the same television feed
- Automatic reconnection to the last-paired device happens within seconds of powering on, with no menu digging required
- Voice prompts confirm power, pairing, and connection status, switchable between English and Chinese in receive mode
Battery and Charging Performance
- 145mAh polymer lithium-ion cell runs up to 8 hours in transmit mode at moderate listening volume
- Receive mode runs about 5.5 hours per charge, shorter because the microphone circuit stays active for calls
- USB-C charging port refills the cell in roughly 1.5 hours from any phone charger, laptop port, or power bank
- Remaining charge appears in the Bluetooth battery readout on iPhone and Xiaomi handsets, removing guesswork before a long journey
- LED indicator signals charging status, pairing state, and low battery through red and blue colour changes
- Runtime covers a full Nairobi-Nakuru drive in RX mode, or an evening of television viewing in TX mode
Device Compatibility Range
- Any source or output with a standard 3.5mm stereo jack works, covering most televisions, car stereos, and hi-fi amplifiers
- Pairs with Bluetooth headphones, earbuds, speakers, and car kits from Samsung, JBL, Sony, oraimo, Anker, and other common brands
- Works alongside Android phones, iPhones, iPads, Windows laptops, MacBooks, and gaming consoles with an analogue headphone output
- UGREEN documents one exception: the CM403 does not pair with AirPods Pro 2 while operating in transmit mode
- Televisions offering only optical or HDMI ARC audio output need a different adapter, since this model accepts analogue input only
- Two Bluetooth transmitters cannot pair together, so a phone will not connect to the CM403 while it sits in TX mode
Build Quality and Physical Design
- Flexible TPU plug bends without snapping, fitting into tight gaps behind wall-mounted televisions, soundbars, and dashboard consoles
- Compact 92 x 19 x 11mm body slips into a shirt pocket, laptop sleeve, or car door bin between uses
- ABS and PC housing in black resists fingerprints and scuffing during daily handling in bags and gloveboxes
- Non-slip surface texture keeps the unit steady on a dashboard or armrest rather than sliding on corners
- Integrated clip allows attachment to a shirt, bag strap, or seat pocket during gym sessions and commutes
- Sealed plastic construction handles Nairobi dust and humid coastal air, though it carries no formal water resistance rating
Controls, Microphone, and Call Handling
- Built-in microphone supports hands-free calling in receive mode, routing your voice through the connected car or speaker setup
- Single-press the multifunction button to answer or end a call, or to pause and resume playback
- Double-press the button to enter pairing mode for a second device without disconnecting the first pairing entry
- Microphone pickup suits in-car calling at normal speaking volume, though heavy matatu cabin noise reduces clarity for the other party
- Call quality holds up across Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom networks, since the CM403 carries audio rather than handling the call itself
- Reset function clears all pairing history when the button is held for ten seconds with the unit powered off
Package Contents
- UGREEN CM403 Bluetooth transmitter and receiver in black
- USB-A to USB-C charging cable, 0.5 metre
- User manual and quick start guide
- Mascom International receipt and warranty card
Note:Mascom International stocks 3.5mm audio cables, USB-C wall chargers, and wireless headphones separately.
Warranty
The UGREEN CM403 carries a 6-month Mascom International warranty covering manufacturing defects under normal use, handled directly at our Nairobi CBD service desk. UGREEN's own 2-year limited warranty applies to units bought from official and authorised sellers. Keep your receipt and the retail packaging for any claim.
Buying the UGREEN CM403 in Kenya
Mascom International stocks the UGREEN CM403 in black at Old Mutual Building, First Floor Room 4, Kimathi Street, Nairobi CBD. Walk in Monday through Saturday between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM to pair it with your own phone, headphones, or car kit before you pay.
Three ways to order:
- Phone/WhatsApp: +254 708 852 521
- Email: info@mascomintl.com
- Order through www.mascomintl.com
Pay-on-arrival delivery reaches every Kenyan county. Nairobi and its environs receive the CM403 the same day. Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu, Mombasa, Kakamega, Kisii, and all other major towns receive it within 1 business day. Mandera, Wajir, Marsabit, Lamu, Tana River, and Turkana receive delivery within 2-3 business days. You inspect the sealed retail pack and pay only when it arrives.
Every unit comes with the 6-month Mascom warranty stated above. Our Nairobi CBD team walks buyers through TX and RX pairing over WhatsApp when a first setup proves stubborn. Buyers across Kenya rely on Mascom International for accurate specifications, current Kenyan pricing, and after-sales backing on every audio accessory we stock.
