Our expert guide helps you choose the best DAB radio or internet radio, so you can enjoy listening to all your favourite stations.
By Oliver Trebilcock
A digital radio can be a great way to catch up with the news, listen to music or find out the latest drama in your favourite radio soap. But it’s imperative to make sure that any new purchase is not only easy to use, but also sounds great, too. The best DAB radios we’ve tested offer crystal-clear speech, easy-to-read displays and simple buttons and menus. The worst radios sound dull, tinny and lifeless, with muffled speech. We’ve handpicked some of our Best Buy radios below, along with providing expert advice on how to choose the best one for you.
Types of DAB radio
Tabletop radios
Best for: Use in the kitchen, living room or study Tabletop radios tend to be larger and heavier than other types, meaning they can often sound better.
Pros: Better sound quality on average
Cons: Often take up more space, awkward to carry
Alarm clock radios
Best for: Bedside use Alarm clock radios are optimised for use on a bedside table. They usually have easy-to-read screens and large buttons on the top, which are easy to hit when you’re lying in bed.
Pros: The easiest design to use when you’re sleepy, often have large screens which are ideal if you have poorer eyesight
Cons: Usually have worse sound quality than tabletop radios
Portable radios
Best for: Moving from place to place, such as in the garden or on holiday Portable radios can run off batteries, making it easier to move them around and away from power sockets.
Pros: Easier to carry around and place anywhere, usually take up less space
Cons: Usually have worse sound quality than tabletop radios
Personal radios
Pros Ideal for personal use without disturbing others often include a built in rechargeable battery
Cons Solo use only reception can vary as you move about headphones they come with are usually poor quality You can greatly improve the sound of a personal radio by switching out the headphones they come with for a pair of our best wired headphones such as the Sony MDR XB50AP Apple Earpods or Sennheiser CX 100
Just note that if the replacement pair has button controls for making volume and other adjustments these controls are unlikely to work with the personal radio so youll need to use the controls on the personal radio itself
How much do DAB radios cost
DAB digital radios range in price from a surprisingly cheap £15 to well over £500 but our expert lab tests prove that paying more is no guarantee of quality Weve found Best Buys available for as little as £70 and disastrous models costing well over £100 that would be an expensive mistake to buy Expect to pay £70 100 for a quality DAB and FM radio and considerably more £100 200 for a good internet radio
Make sure you8217re not influenced by cost style or brand alone when deciding on a radio as you could easily end up with one you8217ll regret buying Some budget fashion or nostalgia focused radios in particular may look great but can have tinny sound and awkward menus and buttons that are a frustrating pain to use Weve also found a surprising number of disappointing radios from the biggest brands
Best DAB radio features to look for DAB radios are more than just broadcast devices To get the most out of yours consider models with the following useful features
Alarms
Some might think that all radios have alarm functions but its not always the case Youd expect to find them on non budget radios including models that arent dedicated alarm clock radios
The best will allow you to get out of bed in the nicest possible way the alarm will gradually rise in volume rather than waking you up with a start youll be able to select which days to set the alarm for so you can have a lie in at the weekend and youll be able to choose how the alarm will sound be it a buzzer or a radio station
If you and your partner need to get up at different times look for a model with dual independent alarms an increasingly common feature
Snooze button
Dedicated alarm clock radios are bound to have this but if youd prefer to use a tabletop design radio by your bedside for example for improved sound quality be sure to look for one with a prominent snooze button This way you can easily buy yourself 10 more minutes in bed when needed No one wants the frustration of groggily battling with a poorly designed radio when theyve just woken up
Battery power
Even if you intend to use your radio at home battery power can be a useful feature Whether its to listen to The Archers in the garden or catch up with the news on a camping holiday it means you dont have to stay within reach of a power socket Some radios use dedicated rechargeable batteries which will recharge when the radio is plugged into the mains even while youre listening to it We independently test the battery life of radios that come with battery packs included or run on conventional batteries to see if manufacturers claims stack up in reality For some tabletop radios you can buy a separate battery charge pack giving you the benefit of portability without the compromise on sound quality you often get with dedicated portable radios
Bluetooth NFC and aux in
Bluetooth is the secret to making a standard DAB radio smarter without having to pay more for an internet radio It allows you to stream internet radio and any other audio on your smartphone to your DAB radio so you can listen to everything from podcasts and audiobooks to your personal music collection
NFC near field communication is simply an easier way of connecting via Bluetooth instead of finding the radio in the Bluetooth menu on your smartphone or tablet you can simply touch your device on the N symbol on the radio If you prefer a wired connection or have an older MP3 player or other device look for a model with an aux in socket although these are becoming rarer
USB charging
Many DAB radios particularly alarm clock models have one or more USB sockets for charging portable devices including your smartphone or tablet This is particularly handy if you want to save plug sockets when using your radio by your bedside
Remote control or app
Some radios have a dedicated remote control or an accompanying smartphone app that can act as a remote control These can be very handy if youre choosing a radio for a living room or dining room so you won8217t have to get up every time you want to adjust the volume or switch stations
Theyre also particularly useful for radios with lots of functionality such as internet radios where performing a long series of button presses can get clunky
However not all remote controls are equally good look for one with large well labelled buttons where the most used buttons fall naturally under the thumb Some radios are compatible with the UNDOK app which can act as a remote control even if the manufacturer doesnt supply its own app for the radio
DAB+
Most non budget DAB radios are also compatible with DAB Plus although the UK is well behind the continent in taking up this technology For radio stations that support it DAB+ offers improved sound quality
Unfortunately there are currently no plans to transition most BBC and commercial radio stations to DAB+ with both consumers and the industry generally happy with the audio quality of DAB stations You do also get a greater number of radio stations with DAB+ but they tend to be niche offerings
However DAB+ is widely used in other countries across Europe so the main benefit is if you go on holiday DAB+ support means youll be able to continue using your radio when travelling abroad Do consider carefully which features you actually need youll save money by avoiding those youre unlikely to use
Which brand Roberts radio or Pure radio
Roberts and Pure are the two best-known British radio brands. However, our testing shows that their radios are not always the best, and that they even make some real duds. Those two aren’t your only options – a third British radio brand, VQ, has been growing rapidly in recent years and is now seen as a serious challenger to Roberts and Pure.
There are many other brands to consider as well, including Bush, Goodmans, JBL, John Lewis, JVC, Kitsound, Logik, Majority, Panasonic, Revo, Ruark Audio, Sainsbury’s, Sandstrom, Sony and Tesco – with many of our Best Buys coming from some of these alternative brands.
‘Portable’ radio charge packs: watch out for hidden charges
Be especially careful here for hidden charges. Manufacturers can be very misleading with what they call a ‘portable radio’ – often you have to buy the manufacturer’s custom battery pack, which is sold separately – an extra charge you probably didn’t expect.
Check the tech specs tab of our DAB radio reviews to see what batteries the radio takes, and if it requires a rechargeable battery pack that’s not included in the box. Then you can add the price of the battery pack on to the price of radio, to find out what the full cost of buying the radio really is compared with other models.
When a radio is described as ‘portable’, it could be powered in one of three ways: Using conventional batteries, such as AAs. Choose one of our best rechargeable batteries to save money and help the environment. Most portable Roberts radios are powered this way.
The Pure Elan E3 (pictured above) is an anomaly in the Pure portable radio family since it takes conventional batteries. Via a battery pack that’s sold separately. Most Pure and VQ portable radios are powered this way, as well as the odd high-end Roberts radio.
VQ charge packs cost around £20, but Pure ones can be very expensive, at £35 or more – sometimes more than half the cost of the entire radio. Roberts battery packs can cost up to a whopping £45 alone. For more information, see our radio charge packs news story exposing this.
Using a supplied battery pack. These are rarer, and you’ll usually only get a supplied battery pack when the built-in battery can’t be easily removed, such as with small pocket-sized radios like many in the Pure Move range.
At Which? we don’t accept that you’re buying a ‘portable radio’ unless the battery pack is included in the box, or it works with conventional batteries you’re likely to have at home – rather than being forced to buy a manufacturer’s bespoke charge pack.
For this reason, if a radio is advertised as ‘portable’ but requires you to buy a separate battery pack, we consider it to be a ‘tabletop’ model instead, as it’s not what we call ‘portable-ready’ out of the box. Look for the term ‘portable-ready radios’ in the tech specs tab of our reviews to be sure you don’t get caught out with hidden charges.
For radios with sold-separately charge packs, the charge pack model you need is listed there as well. There are great radios with separate charge packs – so don’t be put off buying them.
By considering radios with sold-separately charge packs as tabletop models, it also means they go through our tougher scoring system for home-use radios – for more on this, see our how we test DAB radios guide.
What is the difference between DAB and FM radio?
DAB radios are easier to use because you simply choose the name of your preferred station, rather than having to tune it in manually like you do with FM. The sound quality of DAB radio tends to be better because there’s no natural static. DAB radio generally has good coverage across the UK, but in remote areas you might still struggle to get a good signal and have to use FM or internet radio instead.
DAB radio benefits:
Wider choice of channels compared with FM.
Automatic tuning – simply choose a channel by name.
No natural static, as it picks up a digital signal.
The screen can display track title and artist name as you listen, if your radio has an EPG (electronic programme guide).
you don’t miss out – all models we review also receive FM radio.
DAB radio disadvantages:
Dependent on good coverage in your area. Miss some features of internet radios, such as internet-only radio stations, podcasts, audiobooks, and music-streaming services including Spotify and Apple Music (may require subscriptions). However, if you get a DAB radio with Bluetooth, you can stream all these features to your radio from your smartphone or tablet.
My DAB radio has poor reception, signal or missing radio stations – what can I do?
First check the DAB signal in your area – simply pop your postcode into Digital Radio UK’s coverage checker. If you’re unlucky enough to live in a poor-signal area, we’d recommend getting one of these recommended best internet radios with a wi-fi connection that streams radio over your home broadband instead. However, most radio reception issues aren’t due to coverage, but local issues.
If you live in a valley between steep hills, or in an urban area surrounded by tall buildings, it will be harder for the radio signal to reach you.
Our lab experts rigorously test the reception of radios so you can find out which have the best signal – look at the test results tab in our reviews to see how sensitive each model is to picking up radio stations.
Tips for getting better radio reception
Try putting the radio in a higher location, for example on a shelf or by a window. Angle the aerial higher and towards the window. You’ll usually get better reception with a long, rigid, telescopic aerial than from a wire aerial, so it’s worth trying a model with one of these.
If you’re still having trouble, buying an internet radio may be the answer – this will work in range of your home wi-fi signal, and most models have DAB and FM radio as well in case signal improves in your area in the future.
Does DAB radio sound better than FM radio?
Since DAB isn’t affected by natural static that can add crackles or fuzz to the sound of FM radio, it generally sounds better than FM. It depends on how clear a signal you can get in your area, where you position your radio, and how good its aerial is.
However, if you’re lucky enough to get a strong, clear FM signal, it’s possible to get better sound quality than with DAB, as most DAB stations transmit with limited bandwidth. DAB+ also offers greatly improved sound quality over DAB, but unfortunately most popular stations (including BBC national stations) don’t have plans to use it yet.
It’s an academic argument, though: all DAB radios we review also give you FM radio too, so you don’t lose out. You can easily switch between the two to get the best sound quality wherever you are.
Also it’s important to note your radio’s speakers have a far greater impact on the quality of sound than choosing between DAB and FM broadcasts – it’s more important to choose a DAB radio we recommend. Theoretically, internet radios have the potential to have the best sound quality.
In practice, we’ve found many excellent-sounding DAB radios and some dreadful-sounding internet radios, too, so for the best sound quality it’s more important to check our reviews than worry about the particular technology.
Avoid FM-only radios
The UK government plans to switch off FM broadcasts for national radio stations such as BBC Radio 4 – see our DAB radio switchover guide for more information. While no definite date has yet been confirmed (and it’s been pushed back several times), it would nevertheless be very unwise to buy an FM-only radio at this point, as you may find it’s missing your favourite radio stations in a few years.
FM-only radios often look temptingly cheap and are usually found in less digitally focused high street shops such as supermarkets and DIY stores.
Fortunately, it’s easy to avoid them – we don’t review FM-only radios, so if you pick one of our recommendations (or, indeed, any model from our radio reviews) you won’t have to even consider this issue. Many cars are unfortunately still sold with FM-only radios. If you’re buying a new car, we’d strongly recommend choosing a trim level with DAB radio, or get it fitted as an option.
You can also easily add DAB radio to your existing car – see our handy guide on how to get DAB radio in your car. Should I buy an int
Should I buy an internet radio?
Internet-connected radios have wi-fi, usually in addition to DAB and FM radio. They generally now have Bluetooth, too, to stream audio from your smartphone or tablet.
This means you get a wide choice of ways to listen. The best internet radios tend to be sold at a premium as a result, and there aren’t that many internet radios on the market to choose from in the first place. They’re usually either tabletop or portable radios.
Pros of internet radios:
Widest possible choice – listen to web-based radio stations from all over the world. Ability to listen to podcasts, audiobooks and music-streaming services such as Spotify (may require subscriptions) without a connected smartphone or tablet. You don’t miss out – all internet radios we review also receive DAB and FM radio.
Potential for the very best sound quality thanks to streaming from the internet. No reception issues as long as the radio’s in range of your home wi-fi (some also have ethernet sockets for a wired connection).
Cons of internet radios:
Very restricted choice – there aren’t many internet radios on the market. Tend to cost £100-200. Complex functionality makes them more difficult to set up and use.
If you have a smartphone, you can stream everything internet radios offer to a Bluetooth DAB radio instead, which will cost less. You’ll need a stable broadband connection and a sufficient data plan.
It’s worth considering carefully whether you actually need an internet radio. If you have a smartphone or tablet, you can access internet features on that by streaming it through a standard DAB radio that supports Bluetooth.
This allows you to access internet radio and podcasts from apps such as BBC Sounds, TuneIn Radio and others, without needing a dedicated internet radio. You can also access audiobook and music-streaming services including Spotify, Amazon Music Unlimited and Audible in this way (may require subscriptions).
People often find that it’s easier to access these internet features via your smartphone’s touchscreen anyway, as it can be fiddly to navigate them using the buttons on a radio. Some internet radios have an accompanying app to solve this issue. For many, a Bluetooth radio is therefore a better choice, as you have a far wider choice of radios, and you save money as well.
Choose an internet radio if you don’t want to use a smartphone or tablet, or listen to internet-only radio for long periods on a daily basis – you won’t have to use two devices, or keep your smartphone in Bluetooth range of your radio, and you won’t have to worry about the Bluetooth connection excessively draining your phone’s battery life if you use it for hours at a time.
See our best internet radios guide for our top tested models and buying advice. You should also consider getting a smart speaker instead of an internet radio. These are also connected via wi-fi, and you control them with voice commands rather that with buttons.
You can use a smart speaker as an internet radio by asking for your favourite radios stations, and it will play them through services such as TuneIn Radio.
This gives you more choice of models, starting at lower prices – the only disadvantage is that smart speakers don’t also have DAB and FM radio like internet radios typically do. On average, sound quality is often better on smart speakers, too.
DAB radios reviews
Roberts Revival RD70 review
Test scoreShow Context
82%
Key features
- Portable-ready
- Bluetooth
Which? verdict: Stylish, and sounds great
This radio has plenty of features, is easy to use, and it sounds good, too. Speech is clear and pop sounds punchy – so it thoroughly deserves our Best Buy logo.
Pros
- Good sound quality
- Easy to use
- Versatile
- Durable and well built
- Bluetooth
Cons
- No major flaws
- But it’s not ideal when used as an alarm clock
Pure Siesta S6 review
Test scoreShow Context
81%
Key features
- Alarm Clock
- Bluetooth
Which? verdict: A pleasure to use
The Pure Siesta S6 is an excellent radio. Surprisingly, it sounds OK rather than fantastic, but being so easy to use makes up for it in this case. We love the large, clear screen and the solid build quality, and that’s enough to make this radio a Best Buy.
Pros
- Excellent screen
- Easy to use
Cons
- Slightly disappointing sound
- Wire aerial
John Lewis Spectrum Duo II review
£69.00Typical price
Test scoreShow Context
79%
Key features
- Portable-ready
- Bluetooth
Which? verdict: Versatile
This rugged-looking radio delivers smooth, clear vocals and quality sound. It lasts for well over 24 hours on a new set of batteries as well, so it’d be a great choice for a day in the park.
Pros
- Good sound quality
- Easy to use
- Versatile
- Batteries last well
- Supports Bluetooth and NFC
Cons
- No major flaws
- But the handle isn’t comfortable to hold and the radio can’t be used as an alarm clock
Panasonic RF-D30BTEB-K review
Test scoreShow Context
74%
Key features
- Portable-ready
- Bluetooth
Which? verdict: Excellent portable radio
This is an excellent DAB/FM radio, with good sound quality and some useful features. It should be on your shortlist if you’re looking for a compact portable model.
Pros
- Good sound
- Great reception
- Portable
- Excellent battery life
- Easy to use
Cons
- The aerial gets in the way when using the carrying handle
- Screen is a bit too bright for a dark bedroom
Sony XDR-S61D review
Test scoreShow Context
74%
Key features
- Portable-ready
Which? verdict: Superb sound for such a thin radio
If you’re looking for a DAB radio with a traditional portable design, this is one of the best models on the market. It delivers where it matters most, with excellent sound quality for talk radio and classical music.
It’s not perfect; the screen has limited viewing angles, the alarm lacks a snooze function, and the bass can’t handle bass-heavy tracks – a compromise you should expect if choosing such a thin radio. But it more than makes up for it with the conveniences of an exceptionally strong battery life, five dedicated preset buttons and a no-nonsense design. It’s a Best Buy well deserved.
Pros
- Great sound for music genres without too much bass
- Long battery life
- Classic portable design
Cons
- Thin design can’t handle heavy basslines
- Poor-quality screen
- Alarm functions are limited
- Sensitive to interference
- Solidly built but looks a touch plasticky
John Lewis Aria II review
£99.00Typical price
Test scoreShow Context
73%
Key features
- Home
- Bluetooth
Which? verdict: John Lewis impresses
The John Lewis Aria II excels. It’s one of the best-sounding radios on the market, with sensational sound. John Lewis has done it again with the Aria II – it’s a star performer and one of the best radios you can buy.
Pros
- Solid and well-built
- Excellent sound quality
Cons
- Presets list could be more intuitive
- Snooze time can’t be changed from 5 minutes
- Volume drops when using line in
Sony XDR-V1BTD review
Test scoreShow Context
72%
Key features
- Portable-ready
- Bluetooth
Which? verdict: Impressive sound and highly convenient
Sony might not be the obvious choice for a DAB radio, but there’s no doubt its radios are often worth considering. This is an exceptionally well-designed, attractive radio with no serious shortcomings. It’s easy to set up, with a good display and easy-to-use controls, plus a good battery life as well.
The only downside is simply one of perspective – with a very compact design like this, the sound quality won’t match the best bigger, heavier DAB radios on the market. However, it more than makes up for it in its style and how convenient it is to use – it’s a well-deserved Best Buy.
Pros
- Superbly clear sound
- Bluetooth
- Well built
- Sleek design
- Nice-sized screen
- Good battery life
Cons
- Alarm functions are limited
- Central dial to select stations can be a bit difficult to grip
Pure Evoke C-D4 review
Test scoreShow Context
69%
Key features
- Tabletop
- Bluetooth
- CD player
Which? verdict: A sophisticated, punchy radio
This Pure radio is stylish and sleek, and our testing found that it’s delightfully easy to use as well. If you’re looking for a modern DAB radio with CD support and Bluetooth, the Pure Evoke C-D4 is ideal, if a little pricey. It only just misses out on being a Best Buy.
Pros
- Stylish
- Well made
- Bluetooth
Cons
- Doesn’t take batteries
- Expensive
- Small clock
Revo SuperSignal review
Test scoreShow Context
69%
Key features
- Tabletop
Which? verdict: A great sounding whopper
The SuperSignal doesn’t quite make it as a Best Buy, but it only misses by the narrowest of margins. The audio quality is top notch, and it’s simple enough to use. It’s something of a brick though, so maybe too big if your space is limited.
Pros
- Superb sound
- Large buttons
Cons
- Bulky
- Might not suit those with limited dexterity
VQ Lark review
£99.00Typical price
Test scoreShow Context
68%
Key features
- Alarm Clock
- Bluetooth
Which? verdict: A good choice
This is a reasonable first effort for an alarm clock radio from VQ, and it’s nice to see a good competitor for Pure in this space. The screen is lovely, and if you don’t like the hard plastic and metal of Pure’s Siesta radios range, the fabric surround and wood-effect back panel of the VQ Lark could be more to your taste. Plus it comes at a good price too. It’s very nearly a Best Buy.
Pros
- Large clear screen
- Good sound quality
- Bluetooth
- Two USB charging ports
- 60 presets
- Fabric finish
Cons
- No independent setting for backlight on standby
- Sensitive wire aerial (place carefully)
Pure Evoke H4 review
£170.00Typical price
Test scoreShow Context
67%
Key features
- Tabletop
- Bluetooth
Which? verdict: A sophisticated, above-average radio
This radio is remarkably easy to set up, but it produces average sound and you may notice that bass levels can be slightly overpowering at times. It’s undoubtedly expensive but the price you pay gives you a radio that is easily hooked up to other devices and is very simple to use.
Pros
- Stylish
- Easy to use
- High-quality colour screen
- Bluetooth-enabled
Cons
- Bass is sometimes overpowering
- Rechargeable battery sold separately
Roberts Revival Mini review
£125.00Typical price
Test scoreShow Context
65%
Key features
- Portable
Which? verdict: A decent choice
It’s not quite a Best Buy, but this radio is still a decent choice. It’s simple to use, with handy controls that are easy to access. While its audio quality won’t knock your socks off, it’s pleasant enough to listen to.
Pros
- Solidly constructed
- Easy to use
Cons
- No alarms
- Sound quality just average
Logik LHDR15 review
Test scoreShow Context
64%
Key features
- Tabletop
Which? verdict: Good value for money
This Logik radio produces some good sound and is easy to listen to inside or outside thanks to various powering options and a headphone jack. It’s certainly good value for money.
Pros
- Good value
- Portable
- Has a headphone jack
Cons
- Lacks bass
- Fake wood design
- Small screen
John Lewis Octave review
£149.00Typical price
Test scoreShow Context
64%
Key features
- Tabletop
- Internet radio
- Bluetooth
Compare
Which? verdict: Feature-packed, but sound could be better
If you’re looking for an internet radio this model offers a lot, we just wish more focus had been put on the all-important sound quality. If you’re just looking for a great alarm clock-style DAB radio, there are much better-sounding alternatives.
Those looking for a wi-fi enabled internet radio have few options, so it might be worth considering if you’re not too much of a stickler on sound quality.
Pros
- Solid and well-built
- Lots of features and functionalities
- Useful remote control
- Internet radio
- USB playback
Cons
- Buttons look a touch cheap
- Underwhelming sound
Pure Evoke F3 review
Test scoreShow Context
63%
Key features
- Tabletop
- Internet radio
- Bluetooth
Compare
Which? verdict: Impressive internet features, but average sound
The Pure Evoke F3 is a good option for casual music fans, but it doesn’t provide results that’ll satisfy audiophiles. If you pick up the Pure Evoke F3 you’ll be settling for good albeit not standout sound quality, but the good selection of online features mean we feel many will love this radio.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Stylish design
- Bluetooth
- Spotify support
- Remote control
Cons
- Not portable
- Average sound
Pure Evoke H3 review
Test scoreShow Context
63%
Key features
- Tabletop
- Bluetooth
Compare
Which? verdict: A stylish radio with a good sound
The Pure Evoke H3 looks stylish and the sound quality should be good enough if you’re not a dedicated audiophile looking for perfection. Although our audio experts mentioned that things can sound a little dull at times, the overall quality is solid.
Pros
- Stylish
- Easy to use
- High-quality screen
- Bluetooth
Cons
- Slightly dull audio at times
- Rechargeable battery sold separately
Pure Evoke H6 review
Test scoreShow Context
63%
Key features
- Tabletop
- Bluetooth
Compare
Which? verdict: Sleek-looking and well connected
We had absolutely no trouble setting up this radio for the first time, and the overall sound quality isn’t bad at all. This is a stylish, modern table top radio that’s sometimes let down by heavy bass, but not to the point that the user experience is ruined. It’s a great all-round performer at a slightly high price.
Pros
- Stylish
- Easy to use
- Clear speech
- High-quality screen
Cons
- Expensive
- Occasionally dull-sounding
- Rechargeable battery sold separately
Pure Elan Connect review
Test scoreShow Context
63%
Key features
- Portable-ready
- Internet radio
- Bluetooth
Compare
Which? verdict: Great affordable choice for an internet radio
Internet radios can be very expensive, but this model punches above its weight. It’s versatile, portable and the sound quality is reasonable considering the price – just the ticket for those looking for an internet radio on a budget. It’s not quite as good as our Best Buy radios, but it’s a decent choice overall.
Pros
- Wi-fi to access internet radio stations
- Easy to use menus
- Good display
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Battery or mains powered
- Compact
Cons
- Sound quality could be better
- Some buttons are a bit small and awkward to press
Roberts Ortus 2 review
Test scoreShow Context
62%
Key features
- Alarm Clock
Compare
Which? verdict: A dream to use, let down by sound
The Roberts Ortus 2 is a good alarm clock, but not the best radio. The large screen is easy to read, and it’s simple to use this DAB radio, but music simply won’t sound that exciting, and speech won’t be very clear. It’s not bad, but we think you can do better.
Pros
- Clear display
- Easy to use
Cons
- Disappointing sound
Roberts Play 10 review
Test scoreShow Context
62%
Key features
- Portable
Compare
Which? verdict: Straightforward portable radio from a popular brand
Nothing about this Roberts radio will astound you, but it’s a capable radio. It may have a lack of bass, as is common with small radios, but otherwise the sound quality is decent. If you’re looking for a small radio at a budget price, then this may be the one for you, but you can get much better-sounding small radios than this. We’d recommend checking out our Best Buy radios before settling on this model.
Pros
- Straightforward
- Decent build quality
Cons
- Decent but not exceptional sound quality
