Last Updated On December 27th, 2021
Top 10 Reviews
Topping this best DAB radios list is Majority’s Little Shelford. This digital radio has a stylish, compact design without sacrificing build and sound quality for aesthetics. It also offers Bluetooth connectivity and features a dual digital alarm clock.
The Majority Little Shelford is DAB/DAB+ and FM capable. Its vintage design incorporates a leather-like finish with a convenient carry handle for easy portability. In addition, it can be mains or battery powered, for added convenience.
The Little Shelford features excellent stereo sound quality for the best listening experience. It is equipped with Bluetooth technology, a dual alarm clock with a snooze function, a headphone jack, and a small digital display featuring 20 preset stations. It even has a dimming option to prevent sleep disruption at night. This Majority DAB radio is available in six colour options with elegant gold accents.
However, based on digital radio reviews, this alarm clock radio is not the easiest to set up. Moreover, it doesn’t display the time while you’re playing or streaming music. The mains connection port’s build quality needs a bit of improvement too.
The Roberts Radio Revival iStream 3 could be the perfect choice if you are looking for stylish DAB radio that also comes with exceptional build quality. It has a retro-style design and comes equipped with extensive connectivity options.
The Revival may be the best sounding DAB radio on our list. Featuring an eye-catching classic wooden cabinet design and leather-like exteriors, this digital radio boasts a six-position equaliser and dedicated treble and base that produces a warm, rich sound quality.
This DAB/DAB+ FM and Internet radio also features a myriad of connectivity options such as Bluetooth and WiFi. This means it is also a Bluetooth speaker that you can use to stream music from Spotify, Deezer, and other platforms. It is also compatible with Alexa-enabled devices.
For added convenience, it has a USB port, headphone port, and an alarm clock with two timers. There’s also an easy-to-read 7cm full-colour digital display with dimmer control for nighttime use. The Revival also has built-in batteries and a mains adapter with a lead so you can take it anywhere. It is available in several colours.
One downside of this DAB radio is the fact that it’s Bluetooth connectivity isn’t always seamless. Thus, there will be times when you won’t be able to pair it with your Bluetooth headphones. Also, setting up the Internet radio may take some time.
The Majority Histon II could be the best digital radio for you if you are looking for a compact and stylish DAB radio. Featuring a slim, space-saving design, this digital radio also offers easy portability.
The Majority Histon II offers DAB and FM radio capabilities. It features a dual alarm clock with a snooze function, a headphone jack, and up to 20 preset radio stations using both the DAB and FM options. There is a small digital display located on the front with large block letters that are easy to read. It also produces decent sound quality for such a small radio, better than decent if you primarily listen to talk radio.
This DAB FM radio has the option to be battery or mains powered for improved portability and uses 4 AA batteries when not plugged into mains. It comes with a three year extended warranty and is available in three colours: black, white, or rose.
However, it is important to note that the Majority Histon II DAB FM radio may not be the best option for listening to music. It also features a shorter battery life and has smaller control buttons.
The Pure Elan BT3 is the best portable DAB radio on our list. It has lightweight and versatile that is highly portable and easy to use.
The Elan BT3 is DAB, FM, and Bluetooth-capable, giving it superior connectivity. It features a 2.8 Inch full-colour digital LCD screen display that shows the weather, album artwork, and more. It features an AUX input, headphone jack, dual sleep timer with a snooze button, and a timer so it can be used in the kitchen or as a bedside clock radio. It comes with a digital amplifier and an equaliser with six settings for bass and treble that enhance audio quality fairly well considering the speaker’s minimal size.
This radio can run on mains or 4 AA batteries which, in addition to its size, contributes to its extreme portability. With Elan BT3 DAB radios you also get 40 preset stations, eight colour options to choose from and a three-year warranty.
The Elan BT3 digital radio has a smaller sound due to its compact size. It does not have a dimmer function for the display, and it requires two hands to compress the buttons due to its lightweight design.
The Sony XDR-P1DBP DAB FM digital radio is our top pick for anyone seeking an ultra-lightweight radio. It is small enough to be considered pocket-sized, while still retaining the most essential DAB radio functions.
The Sony pocket-sized digital radio emits the best audio quality when used with headphones. However, considering its size it also produces decent audio from the speaker. This DAB FM radio features a small digital display with orange-coloured backlighting making it easy to use. It also comes with 20 preset stations, a headphone jack, and four sleep timer settings with 15-minute intervals.
Sony designed this DAB FM radio with a built-in rechargeable battery that is rechargeable by way of a mini USB port. It also has long-lasting battery power. You can choose from either a black or white colour.
Cons for this lightweight DAB FM radio include lower quality speaker sound, the charging cable not being included with the radio, not being able to connect to mains, and reports of the slide-style power button having lower durability.
The AZATOM Pro Sports S1 is next up on our best-of review list. It has a compact design that can go anywhere with you and is great for monitoring sports headlines. It also offers added privacy due to the earphones that come included.
Pro Sports DAB digital radios are DAB and FM capable and their design includes an easy to read black and white digital screen. The screen displays scrolling information about the music playing or news and sports headlines. The display also features an adjustable brightness level and shows the signal strength and time. This is one of the best DAB radios for station presets because it can impressively store as many as 60 at one time.
You are able to listen to music on the Pro Sports S1 using either the mini speaker or the included headphones if you prefer to listen alone. These DAB radios allow built-in charging and have an impressively long-lasting battery with up to 20 hours of life, a sleep timer, and come with a three-year warranty.
However, AZATOM DAB radios don’t always get the best reception unless the aerial is completely extended, the station presets require multiple commands to reach, and the buttons are recessed quite a bit making them less than easy to use.
The August MB225 is the next top choice for our best DAB radios review list. Engineered in the United Kingdom, this digital radio boasts high-quality craftsmanship and facilitates easy portability.
The August MB225 FM and DAB radio features a headphone jack and a dual alarm with snooze option if you choose to place it on your bedside table. It also comes with a blue coloured backlight on the digital display screen which tends to be less harsh on your eyes than the traditional white-coloured backlit screen.
This radio also allows you to easily switch between stereo or mono for a more customised sound experience, depending on whether you are listening to music or talk radio. In addition, a total of 40 presets are available. The August MB225’s battery, which is rechargeable, has an impressive lifespan that can last up to 20 hours per charge.
It’s worth noting, however, that this product may have less consistent reception without the aerial at full height. Other downsides to this digital radio include the absence of a dimmer on the display and that it may not have the loudest sound delivery.
The British-designed AZATOM Spitalfields Retro makes an excellent choice for anyone who wants to turn up the volume without losing superior sound quality.
The Spitalfields Retro DAB radio is also FM capable and the stylish design comes in either black or white, includes a leather-like outer finish, and a convenient carry handle. It features four alarms with a snooze option, a black digital screen with white letters that are dimmable, 40 station presets, an AUX connection, and an easy to use remote control.
To improve sound quality the Spitalfields Retro has a sub-woofer that enhances bass and, even though this radio isn’t the largest, its 18 watts of power means it can get pretty loud before any noise distortion occurs. In addition, there are four tone values to switch between for listening to different types of audio. It has a built-in battery that is rechargeable and can also be mains powered.
The lowest volume on the Azatom Spitafields isn’t the quietest and you may experience a longer initial setup process with this product. Also, be aware that when you turn this radio off it automatically reverts to a lower volume instead of retaining the current volume.
The Pure Highway 600 radio is a unique choice on our list because it is specifically designed to be installed in your car for more accessible music streaming while you drive. It works with your existing car radio and enables voice control while you’re driving so you can easily locate your favourite station or take phone calls hands-free.
The Highway 600 by Pure features a Bluetooth FM transmitter for easy pairing with your existing audio system as well as Spotify and voice control facilitated by the device’s microphone. It has a black backlit display with white letters that are easier to read in the sun and an AUX-in cable for the included car power adapter.
This Pure radio is easy to install in your car with the included clip that can attach to a variety of places on your dashboard. Its aerial attaches to your car’s windscreen.
The Pure Highway 600 car radio gets better reception with FM than DAB and has a lower quality power adapter, which may need replacing. Also, if you have a heated windscreen on your car be aware that you will need to attach the aerial to a side window which isn’t the most convenient.
The AZATOM Multiplex D2 is British-designed and makes a great choice for anyone seeking a stylish design with dual speakers to achieve great sound.
AZATOM’s Multiplex D2 radio features high connectivity with Bluetooth, USB, and AUX connection options. To customise the sound, it incorporates bass and treble control into the 30-watt design that easily supports loud volumes without noise distortion. The black backlit digital display has a brightness control function, 40 presets, and twin alarms.
Multiplex D2 DAB and FM radios are mains or battery powered with built-in charging not only for the device but for your phone as well. The carry handle can be removed if you prefer a more streamlined appearance to complement the six colour options that combine black and different shades of wood finish.
The Multiplex D2 does not come with a remote, the display is a bit dimmer and may be harder to read in direct sunlight, and keep in mind that the battery still consumes power when the radio is in standby mode.
You have reached the end of our portable DAB radio reviews. The following sections aim to better explain how we selected all of the products we chose to review so you can decide which one of the radios on our list is the right choice for you.
When it comes to purchasing new electronics there can be a lot of technical things to consider. Are you looking for the best DAB radio with Bluetooth connectivity? The most portable? Here, we outlined some of the most important traits to look for when shopping for a new radio.
The quality of the display is an important factor to consider in electronics like digital frames, cordless phones, and DAB radios. All of the best DAB radios on our list have digital display screens for easy accessibility. However, that doesn’t mean they are all the same. Some digital displays support colour allowing them to display graphics and, often, more information about the music you are playing.
The colour of the backlighting also varies which can affect how legible the text is, or harsh the full colour screen is on your eyes.
Lastly, many of the best DAB radios on our list also feature a dimming function for the screen which can be quite handy if you plan on keeping it on your bedside table to be used as an alarm.
When it comes to listening to music on electronic devices like a karaoke machine or a digital radio, we think the most important trait to look for is sound quality. After all, you want it to sound great, right? Some DAB radios improve sound quality by including things like equaliser options, a sub-woofer, twin speakers, or the option for stereo or mono sound. Pay attention to these traits if you’re are one of the people looking for the best quality sound in your new radio.
The ability to preset stations allows you to quickly find and switch between your favourite stations without having to search for them every time. The DAB radios on our list have presets that range anywhere from 0-80, which should be more than enough for most people. Some radios with Bluetooth even allow you to select presets using voice control which you may find pretty handy.
DAB radios vary greatly when it comes to connectivity options. Almost all DAB radios come equipped with an AUX port, or headphone jack but not all facilitate charging your phone, Bluetooth connectivity, Bluetooth voice control, Spotify connectivity, WiFi connectivity, Internet radio, a car adapter, or a microphone. If streaming music from your phone is important to you, make sure to look for Bluetooth pairing so you can connect it with your portable speakers.
Many of the best DAB radios on our list can also serve as clock radios or alarm clocks. Some DAB radios have a snooze function and as many as four alarms which can be helpful if you want a separate alarm for the weekend or if you sleep with a partner who has a different schedule.
The portability of a DAB radio largely depends on whether it has the option to be battery-powered, or only runs on mains. Most portable DAB radios feature a built-in rechargeable battery pack and charge fairly quickly to keep you streaming but keep in mind that the amount of time they last aren’t the same with all devices. Pro-tip, smaller radios tend to have a longer battery lifespan because they consume less power to run.
Are you looking for the best DAB radio for kitchen use, multi-room use, and maybe to take outside as well? If so, portability may rank high on your priority list.
Here are other thigs to consider when buying a DAB radio for the first time.
A DAB radio broadcasts digitally which is different from FM which broadcasts using analogue signals. The DAB digital signal is known for being more reliable and having less interference compared to analogue because it is sent out more than once giving your radio the opportunity to pick up and lock in on the best signal. The best DAB radios also have the capability to pick up significantly more radio station signals than their FM predecessor.
DAB+ is the new and updated version of DAB, which was first launched in the 1990s in the UK. DAB+ has a better quality signal, the ability to broadcast even more stations, and is more efficient than the original DAB radio broadcast.
Fortunately, all of the DAB radios on our best-of list are DAB, FM, and of course, DAB+ capable, giving you as many station possibilities as possible.
We know we just threw a bunch of technical terms and concepts like Bluetooth, AUX, and equaliser controls your way, all of which we think can help you choose the best radio for your needs but for many, the most important thing is often very simple, they want it to be easy to use. No one wants a complicated device that they can’t function with ease, right? While some of the best digital radios on our list may require some initial effort to get acquainted with, they should all be fairly easy to use once you get it set up the way you like.
By now you probably have more than enough information to decide which one of the products on our list would be the best DAB radio for your needs, but let’s quickly review our Editor’s Choice before you make your final decision.
The Majority Little Shelford radio tops our list because it produces high-end audio quality. It is both DAB and FM-capable and comes equipped with an AUX-out for headphones and Bluetooth connectivity for streaming. It also features a double alarm with a snooze function, and a small digital display that even has a dimming option. This product even has 20 preset stations.
Little Shelford digital radios are available in six colour options. The leather-like exterior is embellished with gold accents so we are sure it will look great wherever you choose to keep them. There’s also a carry handle for added convenience.
Which one of the DAB radios from our list will suit your needs best?
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