Best DAB radio 2021: which digital radio should you buy?

Date:
Fri, 27 Aug 2021 16:22:24 +0000

Description:
DAB radios don't have the best sound quality around, but they make for perfect, pragmatic presents here are our top picks.

FULL STORY ======================================================================

Smart speakers may be taking over homes, but theres still more than enough room in your digital life for a DAB radio.

Able to fill your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom or office with great-sounding music, news and chat, a DAB radio is an essential companion for many. No wonder then, that they make excellent gifts, with affordable prices and features galore. Youll now find portable, pocket-sized DAB radios for taking out of the hour and maybe to the cricket as well as retro 1950s designs, mono and stereo arrays, added internet radio stations and even wireless Bluetooth streaming, which means some can double up as a portable speaker .

In fact, the sheer variety of digital radios available on the market right
now can make finding the one that's right for you a real challenge. To save you the trouble, we've taken the best DAB radios in the country that we've
had the opportunity to test ourselves and rounded them up into a single, unified list.

So whether you're looking for a decent-sounding DAB radio for the kitchen, an alarm clock radio for your bedside table or a portable radio you can take on your travels, weve got the best option for you whatever your budget. Here are the best DAB radios available in the UK today: Our top picks (Image credit: Ruark Audio) 1. Ruark R1 MK4

A classic gets a stylish makeover Radio: DAB, DAB+, FM | Display: OLED | Charging method: AC adaptor | Dimensions: 130 x 175 x 135mm (W x H x D) | Output: 9W | Connectivity: Bluetooth, 3.5mm AUX input, 3.5mm line-in, USB Slick design Clear sound Easy controls No Spotify Connect

The Ruark R1 M4 is an evolution of one of the company's most popular DAB radios, the R1 and it's slick Scandi-style aesthetics and easy controls make it easy to recommend if you're looking for the best DAB radio for listening
in style.

An auto-dimming OLED display and rotodial controls make it easy to use, while support for Bluetooth and USB sources make it pretty flexible when it comes
to music playback.

It comes with DAB, DAB+, and FM radio support, and sounds clear and expansive in spite of its small size. (Image credit: Sony) 2. Sony XDR-P1

A phone-sized DAB radio for the home, garden and travel Radio: DAB, DAB+, FM
| Display: Amber LCD | Charging method: Built-in Li-Ion battery | Dimensions: 115 x 57 x 24.5 mm (W x H x D) | Audio: 1.5W mono | Connectivity: Headphone jack, micro USB Pocket-sized Headphones slot Very small buttons Mono speaker

If youre looking for a small and highly portable DAB/DAB+/FM radio ideal for taking to sports events as well as using at home and in the garden, stop looking. Pocket-sized and lasting for about 15 hours on one charge of its internal battery, the Sony XDR-P1 is easy to use and will fit in your top pocket.

Available in black and white, its got a headphones slot and a small 1.5W mono speaker thats perfect for voice radio, though not so good for music. Its also a design win, with a stylishly different orange backlight and a subtle fold-out flip-stand to keep it stable on surfaces.

Maybe its small buttons will trouble some users, but for fans of talk radio the Sony XDR-P1 is hard to beat on clarity and volume.

Read more: Sony XDR-P1 review (Image credit: Pure) 3. Pure Siesta Charge

Wireless charging makes this a forward-looking DAB radio Radio: DAB, DAB+, FM | Display: LED | Charging method: AC adaptor | Dimensions: 155 x 145 x 80mm
(W x H x D) | Audio: 20W stereo | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Apple Lightning, 3.5mm AUX IN / AUX OUT, USB Sleek, compact design QI wireless charging Light on bass Do you need wireless charging?

What makes the Pure Siesta Charge stand out is you guessed it its charging capabilities. If your smartphone or phablet is compatible with Qi wireless charging, youll be able to leave it on top of this DAB radio as it fills up your battery.

It has a lovely sound, with simple customization options and presets, while all the practical alarm, timer and radio functions of Pure's popular Siesta range position it as a hugely practical bedside gadget. Not to mention an auto-dimming LED display and dashing glass screen.

Not everyone will make use of the wireless charging feature: but either way you're getting a sleek, well-designed DAB radio and speaker that's well worth a look.

Read more: Pure Siesta Charge Review (Image credit: Roberts) 4. Roberts Rambler BT Stereo

A pricey retro-styled DAB radio that adds boom and Bluetooth Radio: DAB,
DAB+, FM | Display: Colour LCD | Charging method: AC adaptor or 4x AA batteries | Dimensions: 94 x 235 x 142mm (W x H x D) | Audio: Stereo | Connectivity: Bluetooth, headphones jack, 3.5mm AUX in 1970s retro design
Good audio quality No EQ settings Portability requires AA batteries

An exceptional build quality, convincing retro design and good all-round
sound quality rule on this excellent, if expensive DAB radio that also deals in decent Bluetooth streaming. Available in cream, green and blue, the
Roberts Rambler BT Stereo features a faux leather (vinyl)-covered carry
handle and panels that stretch right across its back, with clean oak panels either side of a chrome and black speaker grille. Its based upon the original Rambler of the 1970s.

Its primarily designed to look great in a kitchen or bedroom and have wide appeal; it sounds absolutely fine for both voice and music, but there are no EQ settings. Were also slightly disappointed that a built-in battery is replaced by the need to insert four AA batteries, but theres no doubting the quality of this DAB radios aesthetics and audio.

Read more: Roberts Rambler BT Stereo review (Image credit: Pure) 5. Pure
Elan Connect+

This good value all-in-one adds internet radio but lacks audio prowess Radio: DAB, DAB+, FM, and internet radio | Display: 2.4-inch colour LCD | Charging method: Micro USB or 4x AA batteries | Dimensions: 115 x 82 x 247mm (W x H x D) | Audio: 3W stereo | Connectivity: Bluetooth, headphones jack, micro USB Internet radio and podcasts Great-sounding Bluetooth streaming Plastic look Uses micro USB

Digital radio is great, but dont underestimate internet radio. Accessing international web-based radio stations, but crucially also their catalogues
of podcasts , the utilitarian stone grey or charcoal Pure Elan Connect+ gets on your home's Wi-Fi and also offers DAB/DAB+/FM and Bluetooth streaming from a phone.

It does look somewhat plasticky and audio-wise its best suited to voice radio and background music, but its easy to use and has a large colour display. Its also just 82mm deep so can slide onto any kitchen worksop or bookshelf
without looking too dominating. Its slimness is also helped by its being charged not by a big power pack, but by a micro USB cable. Either way, the Pure Elan Connect+ is a great value all-in-one for kitchens, bathrooms and patios.

Read more: Pure Elan Connect+ review (Image credit: Tivoli Audio) 6. Tivoli Audio PAL+ BT

A DAB+ radio you can take with you come rain or shine Radio: DAB, DAB+, FM,
AM | Display: 70 x 30mm LCD display | Charging method: AC adaptor | Dimensions: 157 x 92 x 93mm (W x H x D) | Connectivity: Bluetooth, 3.5mm AUX IN Long battery life Splash-proof Expensive for what you get Difficult built in controls

Taking your music on the go? Few digital radios have built-in batteries and splash-proof, portable designs, so the PAL+ BT is a bit of a one-off. Its 16-hour battery is simply superb, and makes it a great though expensive alternative to a Bluetooth speaker that you might take out into the garden or on a longer jaunt to the beach.

Its headline slot and AUX-in are handy, while the sound quality is thoroughly decent. But Bluetooth isn't exactly an expensive technology and the sound quality isn't perfect enough for Tivoli to be charging the kind of money it's asking for the PAL+ BT.

The design has, however, smartly improved over the past few years, shrinking the remote and ditching the oversized analogue knob for a more capable LCD screen. The Tivoli's PAL+ BT isn't the most cost-effective way of getting a DAB+ radio, but it is still one of the best out there.

In the end, this is a compact, versatile DAB radio that can be taken around the home (and anywhere else) quite easily thanks to a 16-hour battery while the PAL+BT's inclusion of Bluetooth and a bass-heavy sound goes some way to justifying its high price. Perfect for occasional forays into the bathroom.

Read more: Tivoli Audio PAL+ BT review (Image credit: Pure) 7. Pure Elan Connect

A capable all-in-one that streams from the web and a phone Radio: DAB, DAB+, FM, internet radio | Display: 2.4-inch colour LCD | Charging method: Micro
USB or 4x AA batteries | Dimensions: 109 x 85 x 187mm (W x H x D) | Audio: 3W mono | Connectivity: Bluetooth, headphones jack, micro USB Colour screen Easy to use Plasticky look Bluetooth streaming lacks quality

A quick one-box solution for a kitchen or bathroom, this DAB/DAB+/FM unit
adds internet radio and podcasts and streams from a smartphone . Its large 2.4-inch colour LCD display makes it a standout, though just as useful is its portability.

Sadly theres a need to use four AA batteries (a built-in lithium-ion would have been better). Slimmer than most of its competitors and using a micro USB cable to charge, its well-suited to kitchen sides and bookshelves. If you
want stereo theres a 3.5mm headphone jack on the rear. Its mono speaker delivers sonics good enough for clear spoken word radio and background music, though it never gets close to audiophile-quality.

Read more: Pure Elan Connect review (Image credit: Roberts) 8. Roberts Revival RD70

A 1950s-styled wireless for your kitchen that doubles as a Bluetooth speaker Radio: DAB, DAB+, FM | Display: 2.7-inch colour LCD | Charging method: AC adaptor | Dimensions: 106 x 250 x 160mm (W x H x D) | Audio: Mono | Connectivity: Bluetooth, headphones jack, 3.5mm AUX in / out Retro styling Warm and detailed sound Bulky size Bluetooth streaming lacks volume

There are few better sounding or looking DAB radios for a kitchen than the RD70. A retro-styled DAB/FM radio with a museum-like 1950s look, it brings
the wireless bang up to date by adding a large colour LCD display and Bluetooth streaming from smartphones.

Its bulky size is a little too much for the average bedside table and the colour LCD display is positioned on the top of the cabinet so it makes for a less than perfect clock radio. However, its faux leather-covered wooden speaker cabinet produces easily enough mid-range and bass for warm-sounding sonics ideal for a kitchen or bookshelf. In fact, the only downsides are its bulky size, lack of internal rechargeable battery (its portable only if you feed it four AA batteries) and underwhelming Bluetooth streaming.

Read more: Roberts Revival RD70 review (Image credit: Pure) 9. Pure Evoke CF-6

A brilliant home stereo all-in-1 system Radio: DAB, DAB+, FM | Display: 2.8-inch TFT color display | Charging method: AC adaptor | Dimensions: 380 x 145 x 223 mm (W x H x D) | Audio: 20W stereo | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, 3.5mm AUX IN Incredible playback options Spotify Connect support No Google Cast support App timeout sometimes annoys

The Pure Evoke C-F6 marries modern connectivity options with old-school CD playback, and is one of the best combined DAB radio and stereo systems you
can buy today.

Easy to set up, a delight to listen to, and featuring just about every bell and whistle you could need from a single-room audio device, this is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a one-stop audio box. With 3-inch stereo speakers and a 20W output, too, it can crank up to party levels while maintaining a rich, balanced sound.

It is expensive, but you are getting a lot for your money.

Read more: Pure Evoke C-F6 review Best Bluetooth speakers 2021 : take your music portable DAB Radio deals



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/audio/hi-fi-radio/best-dab-radio-which-one-shou ld-you-buy-901928/


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)