Best Radios

Our editors independently research the best products online to produce this list. We may receive commission on purchases made from the links below but this will never affect our product choices.

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Contrary to the popular Buggles song, radio isn’t dead. Indeed, listening to music and news on the airwaves is just as fashionable as ever. Hundreds of trendy radio stations allow you to sing along to your favourite artists and keep up to date with the latest world developments. Sounds good, right? If you need a new device or want to invest in a portable product, we have hand-picked the seven best options.

How We Compared Radios

To find the right radios, we considered multiple factors, including:

• Available Bands
• Presets
• Size and Weight
• Style

Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.

Radio Reviews

XHDATA D-808 (Editor’s Choice)

The alarm clock and time function of this device allow you to use it as a clock and as a daily wakeup call as well as a radio. You can easily tune in to all your favourite stations with FM, SW, MW, LW, SSB, and RDS bands.

The XHDATA D-808 Radio has a simple and compact design, weighing only 265 grams. With a wrist strap and fold-away aerial, it is a brilliant portable appliance that you could use for camping trips, holidays, and day excursions.

For convenient use, the front control panel has separate buttons for each band. Additionally, it allows you to store and select multiple presets and quickly change the volume.

Roberts Radio REV-ISTREAM3CG (Luxury Choice)

This is an excellent option if you want a product that works as a radio and a live streaming tool. It supports DAB, FM, RDS, and DAB+ bands for traditional radio stations. However, you can also connect your smartphone via Bluetooth and use services like Spotify and Deezer.

The Roberts Radio REV-ISTREAM3CG looks superb and benefits from a compact retro design. Its casing is tough but sleek and available in multiple stylish colours like black, berry red, dusky pink, charcoal grey, midnight blue, or teal blue.

For a non-stop connection to your smartphone, the radio also has a USB charging slot. As a result, you could plug in your mobile while the AA batteries continue to power the product. It can also be voice-controlled when paired with an Amazon Alexa device.

PRUNUS J-160 (Best Value)

The card slots, Bluetooth connectivity, and traditional bands make this radio incredibly versatile. For example, it can be used as an MP3 player by inserting a USB drive or Micro SD card into the slots. Alternatively, Bluetooth allows you to connect a smartphone or link the product to a smart speaker.

The PRUNUS J-160 Portable Radio not only performs well but also looks amazing. It is available in a bold red or gold exterior – both of which stand out. This is complemented by large retro dials and buttons and a snazzy speaker grille.

In terms of power, this radio takes batteries and can run for up to 3 hours on full volume or 8-10 hours on a lower setting. Additionally, the USB port allows for quick and convenient charging.

Roberts Radio Play10 (Best Easy to Operate)

The simple top control panel and large, bright backlit screen make this radio a breeze to use. You can quickly store and select presets of your favourite stations and tune them to a fine degree of accuracy using the large dial.

The Roberts Radio Play10 supports DAB, DAB+, and FM bands and has brilliant sound quality. The headphone jack allows you to also listen in private if you want a little peace and quiet and not to disturb others.

For charging and power, this radio connects to a mains socket for permanent use. Alternatively, it takes batteries too and thus is suitable for outdoor and travel purposes too. A wrist strap on one side aids its portability.

MAJORITY Little Shelford (Best for Versatility)

The AA batteries and mains power connectivity make this radio a great option for portable or in-home use. The large top handle means you can conveniently carry it to picnics and camping trips, while the four legs also make it stable for use on bedside cabinets, for example.

The MAJORITY Little Shelford Radio has a dual-tone design and is available in several colour combinations. These include black, cream, red, duck egg blue, grey, and midnight blue. The trim on the top panel, the speaker, and the aerial all look fantastic.

This radio supports FM, DAB and DAB+ bands, and you can store up to 20 station presets. This is made easy by the simple controls and the large tuning dial on the top.

VQ Retro Mini DAB (Best Small)

The compact size of this appliance, combined with its 0.95kg weight, makes it the ideal portable radio for travelling, day trips, and outdoor events. Not only that, but you can also choose a design to match your preferences as over ten different colours and patterns are available.

The VQ Retro Mini DAB Radio looks fantastic and has a large handle on the top for carrying. When using it as a portable product, you can rely on AA batteries for power. However, if it’s going to have a permanent home, it can also be charged and powered via a mains socket.

It has DAB, DAB+, and FM bands to ensure you can listen to all your favourite stations. Furthermore, it can store up to 60 station presets – more than anyone should ever need. This is facilitated by the front control panel, which includes buttons to switch between presets and change the volume as needed.

MAJORITY Girton 2 (Best Large)

With a larger design and stable rubber legs, this device is best-suited as a permanent fixture in a kitchen or conservatory, as opposed to a portable radio. The wooden casing and front speaker panel will also suit many room styles.

The MAJORITY Girton 2 supports DAB, DAB+, and FM bands and allows you to store up to 20 presets for quick station access. This is complemented by the front control panel and large volume and tuning dials.

If you want to use this radio in different locations, it can be battery-powered by 4x C batteries. Alternatively, for a fixed position, it has a mains socket connection, which is more reliable and consistent. You can also expect superior sound quality due to the enhanced digital speakers that offer a crisp, uninterrupted output.

How to Choose a Radio

As you can see, there is a fantastic range of radios available, so which one is right for you? There are several important factors to look at, and we discuss them in the buying guide below.

Available Bands

One of the most important aspects is the available radio bands. These waves operate on different frequencies: this dictates how many and which stations you can listen to. For example, some channels are only accessible on the FM wavelength. 

Typical bands include FM, SW, LW, MW, SSB, and RDS. FM is the most common, and this is where you can find popular stations. Let’s not forget DAB, too – DAB is digital radio and can produce much better audio quality and reliability than traditional wavelength channels.

Think about which stations you want to listen to, and make sure your radio can play them.

Presets

Most radios give the ability to create presets. Instead of continually turning the frequency dial each time to find your station, you simply press a preset button. This process means less hassle and lets you pick the music you want to listen to much quicker.

Look at the radio – does it have preset functions? If so, how many channels can you store as pre-defined selections? Is the feature easy to use, and can you overwrite the choices if needed?

Size and Weight

Next, consider where and how you want to use the radio. Perhaps you need a portable device to take to work or on holiday? Alternatively, you may require one with a fixed position in your house – such as in your conservatory or kitchen.

Where you intend to use it will dictate the size and weight required. Most radios are portable, but there are some larger models too, with bigger speakers.

Style

Lastly, we all want a radio that looks nice, right? These devices come in many shapes and sizes, and not all designs will appeal to everyone’s tastes. Think about where you will use yours and the decor of the room it is in. Do you want a specific style? Perhaps you like a retro look? Or maybe you prefer a contemporary exterior to complement your decor?

Summary

Our top choice is the XHDATA D-808 Radio due to its classy design, brilliant functionality, and excellent sound quality. Available bands include FM, SW, MW, LW, SSB, and RDS, which gives you coverage of a large selection of potential stations. This is complemented by the built-in speakers that provide clear and strong sound with minimum interference. Additionally, this device has multiple settings and functions, including an alarm clock, temperature setting, and time display.