In a time with plenty of wireless, portable and Bluetooth speakers in all shapes and sizes, there are still lots of high-quality DAB radios to get excited about.
There’s no denying that in 2023, dedicated DAB radios aren’t as popular as they once were given how easy it is to listen to radio stations on your laptop, smartphone or even a random smart speaker tucked away by your bedside. Still, much like the sustained appreciation for vinyl records, DAB radios still have a fan base and they’ve managed to adapt with the times.
What this means is that on top of their basic function of being able to tune into your favourite radio stations, many DABs come with additional and more modernised features including Bluetooth connectivity, app compatibility and in some cases, support for AI assistants like Alexa.
That’s before you even get into the typically impressive sound quality that you can find amongst the best DAB radios on the market, which can really upgrade your listening experience if you’re moving on from a speaker that’s starting to show its age.
As an added bonus, DAB radios tend to have more going for them in the style department, so if you want to avoid the monolithic design that usually goes hand in hand with most smart speakers, then you’ll appreciate the colourful flair that these radios carry with them.
If you’re still on the fence about whether to opt for a DAB radio or some other device then you can always check out our roundups for the best Bluetooth speakers, best smart speakers, best headphones and even the best turntables.
Best DAB radios at a glance
How we test
We play a lot of music, and we play it loud. But we don’t just listen to the speakers; if there are special features then we make sure we fiddle with them until we’re satisfied.
Of course, it always comes back to the music. Radios are tested by reviewers who have a knowledge of sound quality, as well as a context of the market. We’ll listen to radios alongside similarly priced rivals, so when we recommend a particular model, it’s among the best you can buy for the money.
Roberts Stream 94i
Best radio under £200
Pros
- Loud and powerful for a DAB radio
- Much-improved visual design
- Wide set of wireless features
Cons
- Sound is slightly too treble-focused
- Battery add-on is a little clunky-looking
The Roberts Stream 94i is the best radio we’ve reviewed for under £200, with our reviewer crowning it as the ultimate kitchen radio. The design isn’t as bright or aesthetically pleasing as Roberts’ wonderfully retro Revival range, from which we’ve tested the Revival RD-60, the Revival RD-70 and the Revival Petite in the past. However, if you’re looking for a more unassuming appearance, the 94i’s wood, plastic and faux leather construction may appeal more.
Along with DAB/FM radio, there’s Wi-Fi for Internet radio along with Bluetooth for those looking to stream music from another device. You can set alarms and kitchen timers, There are five presets that double as playback controls when listening to music via Bluetooth with a further 40 station shortcuts available through the Preset button.
The Stream 94i also supports the Undok app, which can be used to stream audio over a home network or used on conjunction with a USB stick to access files. We found this particularly useful with Internet radio, with so many stations to browse it’s much easier to do so on a smartphone. Spotify Connect is present for subscribers of that music service.
There is the option to make this radio portable with a battery pack that offers 6-10 hours of playtime. We did find it rather rather clunky-looking and an additional £40-45 needs to be budgeted as it doesn’t come with the radio itself.
The radio’s speaker set-up features two small drivers on the front and a larger one on the back to act as a subwoofer. We found this offered a good treble clarity for spoken-word stations and solid power for bass when listening to music. However, it is quite treble-forward and compared to the (now unavailable) Pure Siesta Home, it’s mid-range performance isn’t quite as rounded or as natural.
Reviewer: Andrew Williams
Full Review: Roberts Stream 94i
Roberts Revival Petite
Best portable radio
Pros
- Colourful, retro design
- Big sound for its size
- Long battery life
Cons
- Pouch sold separately
- It isn’t waterproof
- No fast/wireless charging
If you’re looking for a compact radio, we’d suggest having a look at the Roberts Revival Petite. It’s a smaller design than the Stream 94i above, and is nearly half the size and weight of the similarly portable Revival Mini, small enough to carry in one hand.
If you like your radios to make a visual statement then the Petite six vibrant colours with a faux leather finish and bronze details, the red finish of our review sample looked beautiful. We also liked the placement of the display and controls on the front of the radio, which allowed us to see what was playing at a quick glance.
Along with its DAB/FM support, there’s Bluetooth for streaming audio and an auxiliary port for wired playback. There isn’t the same level of features on bigger, more expensive radios with no Wi-Fi and therefore no streaming services such as Spotify Connect. To stream from services such as Spotify, it’d need to be done through the Bluetooth connection. The built-in battery offers up to 20 hours of playtime, though we were impressed to find it ran closer to 28 hours.
When it comes to the Petite’s audio performance, we found it packed a surprising amount of punch for its size and it comes equipped with a bass radiator to provide additional power. Music is crisp and dynamic, but the radio is limited in volume. Its compact size makes it perfect for listening around the house or taking on a day out to the park.
That said, it doesn’t feature an IP rating so we’d suggest steering clear of pools and beaches. If you’re in need of a more rugged wireless speaker for the outdoors, the the Wonderboom 2 would be a better choice.
Reviewer: Hannah Davies
Full Review: Roberts Revival Petite
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FAQs
If you’re wondering whether radios support the likes Alexa and Google Assistant, then no, we’ve not reviewed a radio that can do that. Some do have ‘smarts’ in their Wi-Fi connectivity, such as Spotify Connect integration.
The Roberts Stream 94i is the best Roberts radio you’ll find under £200.