Best DAB radio 2024
1. BEST DAB RADIO FOR FEATURES
Roberts Stream 94L
PROS
- Great sound
- Easy to set up
- Internet radio, streaming and Bluetooth
CONS
- Expensive
- Remote control a little fiddly
Roberts has been around since 1932 and makes many of the radios featured on this list. This top-of-the-line model lets you listen to DAB as well as use the wifi to get internet radio and play music from other devices.
It’s stylish and great value for money. The sound is also clear and detailed, and we like that it comes with a remote control too, making it easy to play, pause and skip tracks.
2. BEST PORTABLE DAB RADIO
Roberts Revival RD70
PROS
- Retro design
- Great sound
- Convenient carry handle
CONS
- Quite pricey
- No internet radio
We like how this one can take batteries or run on mains power, which also makes it great for taking around with you. Roberts didn’t skimp on the quality here and while it doesn’t have wifi features of the Roberts 94i or 94L above, it sounds just as good.
We like the retro-inspired design too, and the addition of a colour screen, which can show album artwork to go with songs.
3. BEST DAB RADIO UNDER £40
Sharp Tokyo Portable
PROS
- Affordable
- Compact and lightweight
- Bluetooth
CONS
- Not the best for sound
- Less impressive at higher volume
This little radio does all the basics well, at a low cost. We like how it’s super compact and lightweight, yet still doubles up as a Bluetooth speaker and has enough room for 40 preset radio stations.
We found it quick to set up, and like that it’s powered via USB or four AA batteries, making it a convenient option to sit on the kitchen countertop, keep in the car, or use out in the garden. The sound quality is decent for news broadcasts and talk radio, but we were a bit disappointed with the distorted audio for music at higher volumes. If that’s a priority, we’d consider other options.
4. BEST DAB RADIO FOR ALARMS
Pure Siesta S6
PROS
- Great for beside and alarms
- USB phone charging
- Bluetooth
CONS
- Others are better for sound
- Could be better value
This Pure model is another one that makes for an ideal bedside radio. Where this one works best is for its alarms. You can set four alarms (either to a DAB station or a tone) and have different times for weekdays and weekends.
That’s ideal if you like a lie-in (who doesn’t?). It has a large bright screen, so it’s simple to see the time, date or station you’re listening to, and it can also double up as a Bluetooth speaker too.
5. BEST DAB RADIO UNDER £100
Roberts Revival Petite
PROS
- Compact retro style
- Bluetooth
- Built-in rechargeable battery
CONS
- Outdated Micro USB for charging
- Fairly pricey for its size
The most compact and affordable model in the retro-inspired Roberts Revival range, this one’s even tinier than the Revival Mini. It fits in the palm of your hand, making it an ideal portable option, especially as it has a built-in rechargeable battery.
This neat radio sounds excellent, but can’t get as loud as other Roberts models, which is unsurprising given its size. It lacks alarms but can store a lot of presets, and we like that it doubles up as a Bluetooth speaker.
6. BEST DAB RADIO FOR RETRO STYLE:
Roberts Rambler BT Stereo
PROS
- 1970s style
- Bluetooth
- Can be portable with batteries
CONS
- Heavy
- Not that affordable
The Roberts Rambler BT Stereo radio offers a nostalgic charm with its 1970s design. Priced at £149.99, it’s a bit steep compared to some radios on this list but affordable for a Roberts model. Its compact and lightweight build, along with the convenience of AA battery portability and a carry handle, make it a great on-the-go companion.
The device doubles as a Bluetooth speaker, providing playback versatility too. While the audio quality is satisfactory, it doesn’t rival the power of larger competitors and it lacks internet radio functionality. We like the range of colours, with green, pink, pale blue, and navy available, that you can match to your decor.
7. BEST COMPACT DAB RADIO FOR THE HOME
Pure Evoke Spot
PROS
- All-in-one capabilities
- Flip-up screen
- Great sound
CONS
- More expensive than rivals
- Bigger Evoke Play is needed for portability
We love the refreshed Pure Evoke lineup, where every model features a discreet flip-up screen for when you want to see a bit more information about the radio station you’re playing. Positioned as an “all-in-one” music system, the Evoke Spot also comes with built-in internet radio and Spotify Connect, making it ideal for streaming music over wifi.
Want more power and versatility? We also recommend the larger Pure Evoke Home, which delivers a big 100W of power and adds a CD player (along with a much higher price) and the portable version, the Evoke Play, compatible with an optional battery available from Pure directly.
8. BEST BASIC DAB RADIO
Groove-e Roma
PROS
- Big clock display
- Great value for the price
- Clear sound
CONS
- Only one preset button
If you’re after a great value option, the Groove-e Roma DAB radio is a stylish and compact device with clear controls and a large display. It has excellent reception and automatically sets the date and time.
On test, we found tuning and channel-saving to be easy. It delivers clear sound for both spoken word content like radio interviews and music, and it has a classy look works well on a bedside table.
9. BEST DAB RADIO FOR THE OUTDOORS
Pure Woodland
PROS
- Lightweight rugged design
- Works as a Bluetooth speaker
- Useful carry handle
CONS
- Battery life isn’t the longest
- Only comes in one colour
After a portable speaker that can go with you on a barbecue, picnic or while working from the back garden? You’ll want one that’s built to deal with outdoor weather, and that’s what Pure’s Woodland is designed for. This model has a reinforced casing, along with dust and water resistance to get it through a downpour or a drop down the stairs.
We like that it doubles up as a Bluetooth speaker with a decent 14 hours of battery life (which is long enough, but not as long as some rivals). We tested it as a portable speaker and tried its DAB+ capabilities, and both impressed us. Its sound is rich and the vocals are clear, although we did have a dodgy reception with certain radio stations. We like how lightweight this is, and think it’s a versatile and reliable option for indoor and outdoor listening.
10. BEST DAB RADIO UNDER £50
Majority Little Shelford
PROS
- Battery power
- Bluetooth
- Lots of colours
CONS
- Outdated Micro USB plug
- Just one preset button
After the retro look of the Roberts Revival without the high cost? The Little Shelford from the British brand Majority offers great value for money. It has dual alarm clocks, and Bluetooth connectivity, and can be powered by either the mains or four AA batteries.
It’s a bit heavier than the John Lewis Spectrum, but it has a handy carry handle if you want to take it from one room to another.
