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Last updated by Daniel Barnes 8 days ago
DAB radio has now overtaken FM to become the UK's most popular format. To meet all that demand, there are countless models for consumers to choose from. But with all that choice comes one big problem: how do you know which model is right for you? Not to worry, though- liGo are here to make that choice a little easier. We’ve scoured the world of DAB radios and road-tested a huge range of products to come up with our Top 10 list. Read on, and discover which ones really made us sit up and listen.
Whenever a new DAB radio hits the market, our experts are quick to test out how it performs. We can then give you an honest opinion on whether these new DAB radios are worth your consideration, or if they aren’t quite up to our high standards. Our Best DAB radios list is updated several times throughout the year so that you can be sure all of the models on the list are the most current and up to date. So, read on to discover our best DAB radio picks!
Our Best Buy! Effortlessly stylish with incredible sound quality!
Boasting Roberts classic retro style the Revival Uno BT is one of the best DAB Radios on the market and this latest version finally comes with the addition of Bluetooth connectivity, making it the ultimate compact speaker. With Roberts' signature look, and available in a wide range of different colours, it's the perfect addition to any room, no matter how much space you have to spare. Its dual alarm modes and automatic screen dimming make it a great bedside companion, while the option of battery power from 4 AAs means it's portable, too. The Roberts Revival Uno BT has substance as well as style providing exceptional acoustics that rivals it's more expensive sibling, the RD70, which makes this incredible value for money!
Gorgeous design that lives up to its namesake
The VQ Hepburn is a super-stylish DAB radio that undoubtedly lives up to its namesake. With a plush leatherette casing and warm, elegant curves, this model is sure to impress. But the Hepburn is more than just window dressing. It also features two powerful 10W speakers for full stereo sound setting it apart from other models at this price. Further benefits include Bluetooth connectivity alongside the DAB and FM modes, Alarm with Snooze, and a USB charging port. Given its compact size and handle, this is an ideal model for moving about the home and is compatible with an optional battery pack (sold separately), allowing you to take your Hepburn with you for hours of listening on the go. Offering audio performance of speakers and radios twice the price, the VQ Hepburn is great value!
The latest in Roberts' iconic Revival range, the Petite distils everything we love about these premium-quality radios into a pocket-friendly size. Available in a colourful range of hues, its stunning design makes it one of the best-looking portable radios around. With built-in Bluetooth connectivity, you can also connect up your smartphone or tablet to stream music or listen to podcasts.
The Roberts Play 11 offers excellent value for money and is one of our top choices if you're looking for a decent Portable DAB Radio at a modest price. It’s extremely simple to use, and the speaker inside is surprisingly hefty. That gives it a nice solid sound across all volume settings. You can store up to 20 station presets for quick and easy access to your 10 favourite DAB and 10 FM stations. With a modern, understated design, it’s sure to look great in any home, too!
An advanced bedside radio with wireless smartphone charging built-in.
The Pure Siesta Charge is undoubtedly one of the most advanced bedside DAB radio alarm clocks on the market today. For one thing, it features full stereo sound that has been carefully tuned by Pure's audio experts to ensure the best performance. But it also comes loaded with a whole host of extra features, most notably a wireless charging pad on the top to power up compatible smartphones overnight. With a crystal clear display screen that's easily visible from any angle, and even Bluetooth connectivity to boot, the Siesta Charge is a fantastic bedside radio that's well worth considering.
Iconic design & expertly engineered sound - may be pricey but well worth it!
The Roberts Revival RD70 combines classic British design with the very latest in audio technology to create a truly timeless DAB radio. Hand-crafted from real wood and with a gorgeous leather casing available in a wide range of colours, this is one radio that's sure to impress. It also provides top-of-the-range sound quality for both music and speech content, meaning it sounds great all the way across the dial. With built-in Bluetooth connectivity, you can also listen to your own choice of music and podcasts. And if you like to listen on the go, the Revival RD70 can even be made portable simply by popping some AA batteries in- perfect for the garden or a picnic!
Part of Pure's brand new range of radios, the Pure Evoke Spot is a compact model that still packs in a whole host of features. As well as your standard DAB and FM modes, the Spot also includes internet connectivity. This gives you access to an enormous range of online radio stations, and also allows users to stream from Spotify directly through the radio. It's also a very stylish unit, available in cotton white or coffee black, both with a snazzy real-wool speaker cover in a complementary shade.
A premium Bluetooth speaker & radio that's great value for money
The VQ Retro Mini is a stylish, eye-catching DAB radio that's packed with vintage charm. Its impressive audio quality belies its small stature and we were blown away by the clarity even at the highest volumes. The 5W speaker driver coped surprisingly well with all types of music and spoken word so don’t worry about whether you’ll be able to hear over the noise of an extractor fan. While the VQ Retro Mini is primarily a DAB radio, it also comes with built-in Bluetooth connectivity, making it ideal for use as a Bluetooth speaker, too. Unlike VQ's other portable DAB radios, the Retro Mini does not require a special battery pack, and instead takes 4 standard AA batteries. Best of all, it's beautifully designed, with a real wood casing for the perfect premium feel.
One of Pure's more feature-rich radios, the Evoke Play combines a stylish design with so many ways to listen. DAB and FM give you access to local and national stations, while the internet radio feature allows you to tune in to stations from across the globe. It also boasts a nifty foldaway screen, so when you're not navigating the menus to find what you want to listen to, you can simply appreciate the sleek, streamlined style of the Evoke Play.
When it comes to DAB radios, customers are spoilt for choice. With hundreds of models on the market, how do you know which is the right one for you? At liGo, we test every new DAB radio to hit the market. We then narrow down all the options to present you with the very best models!
There are plenty of reasons to make the switch to digital. For one thing, DAB offers so much more choice than FM. With over double the amount of stations available, you’ll be able to tune in to a whole new world of music and talk radio. What’s more, it generally provides a more reliable reception than FM. With steady coverage for over 97% of the population, and more people tuning in than ever, the future is most certainly digital. If you’re still using an FM model, then you are also missing out on superior sound quality.
That’s not all that DAB radio has to offer, either. All of the models here come with FM as well, and almost all of them have Bluetooth connectivity. That means you can stream music direct from your smartphone or tablet. If you’ve got a bit more money to spend, then some of the more high-end models come loaded with extra features. Most notably, several entries on our list also include internet radio functionality. This allows you to tune in to tens of thousands of online stations from all over the world.
Before sourcing any product, our experts carry out in-depth tests on them. That way, we can ensure they meet our high standards. With DAB radios, we look for superb sound quality above all else. After all, what use is a radio if it doesn’t provide a great listening experience. We believe that it is this which separates the average digital radio from a truly outstanding one. We also assess build quality, to find out if each model is built to last. Lastly, we aim to provide a wide selection of different radios on our list. Whether you’re looking to spend a little or a lot, we’ve got you covered. If a radio has made our Top 10 list, then you can rest assured that it is well worth your money.
If you’re looking for a new digital radio, then you’ll naturally want to get the best value for money. To help you make the right decision, we’ve identified the 4 most important features that make an exceptional DAB Radio:
Sound quality is by far the most important thing to look for. More expensive models will often sound better than cheaper ones, but this isn’t always the case. We’ve come across some radios that cost hundreds of pounds, but whose sound leaves a lot to be desired. On the other hand, we’ve sound some excellent models for as little as £60, so it definitely pays to do some research. We invite our customers to review the DAB Radios we sell, and regularly test and review new models on our blog. You’ll find a round up of our current Best Buys in our Top 10. We pride ourselves on being specialists in DAB Radios and are only a call, email or livechat away if you need us!
The last thing you want to do is order your brand-new radio, get it out the box and set up only to find that the reception is patchy. At liGo, we test the strength of each radio’s receiver in a range of real-world tests. If a certain model isn't capable of receiving a weak signal, it won't be any good in your home- so we won’t stock it. DAB coverage has improved massively over the past decade, with a strong signal for around 97% of the population. But there are still pockets of geographical areas where you will struggle to get a consistently clear signal regardless of how good your radio. If you have concerns that you may be in one of these areas, be sure to check out our guide to DAB signal blackspots.
Consider how and where you’ll want to use your new radio. Will it sit in the same space in a particular room in your home? Or would you like the flexibility to move it around so you can enjoy DAB broadcasts in the garden? Most Portable DAB Radios come with a battery compartment so that they can be used without being connected to a power socket. If you are interested in portability, other design features include carry handles and additional battery packs. However, if you are planning to use your radio in a larger room or in a fixed location then a bigger, more premium model may be a better option. These models will generally offer better sound quality than portable DAB radios.
This is a must-have if you’d like to be able to wirelessly stream music from your mobile, tablet or laptop. Bluetooth DAB Radios essentially double up as a wireless speaker, to really open up your listening options. If you use Apple Music, Spotify or YouTube then a model with Bluetooth is a smart choice. Internet radio has become increasingly popular in recent years, with tens of thousands of stations to choose from. The great thing about internet radio is that it lets you tune in to stations from all over the world. If you’d like to explore all that the web has to offer, from authentic Jamaican reggae stations to German techno, then make sure you pick up a radio with wifi functionality built-in.
Not all DAB Radios are built equal and manufacturers are constantly looking for new ways to make their radios stand out. Here are some of the best special features to look out for that might just swing it for you:
Multi-room speaker compatibility: this feature allows you to synchronise your DAB radio with other wireless speakers in your home for a multi-room listening experience.
CD player: if you’ve got an extensive CD collection in your home, or want to consolidate multiple audio devices into one, then a smart DAB Radio with CD player is a great choice. There are some spectacular models to choose from, but they tend to be a bit more expensive than most.
Alarm: virtually all DAB radios come with an alarm alarm setting. But if you are looking for a bedside radio, then this will naturally be a more important feature to consider. It’s therefore well worth looking into this before making your decision.
Remote control: don’t assume that your radio will come with a remote. Even some high-end sets lack this feature. If you’d like to be able to adjust the volume or stations from the comfort of your seat then make sure the model you choose has one included.
USB port: a nice feature for bedside radios is an integrated USB port. This will let you can charge your phone without having to use up another plug socket by your bed.
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