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
- Best radio under £200: Roberts Stream 94i – check price
- Best portable radio: Roberts Revival Petite – check price
How we test
How we test radios
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
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- Loud and powerful for a DAB radio
- Much-improved visual design
- Wide set of wireless features
- Sound is slightly too treble-focused
- Battery add-on is a little clunky-looking
Roberts Revival Petite
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- Colourful, retro design
- Big sound for its size
- Long battery life
- Pouch sold separately
- It isn’t waterproof
- No fast/wireless charging
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
We also considered…
Groov-e Venice
A radio for the home and outside
We’ve reviewed
FAQs
Do radios support voice assistants?
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.
Which Roberts radio is the best?
The Roberts Stream 94i is the best Roberts radio you’ll find under £200.
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Comparison specs
‹
UK RRP
EU RRP
Manufacturer
Size (Dimensions)
Weight
ASIN
Release Date
Model Number
Ports
Connectivity
Colours
Frequency Range
Remote Control
Presets
Tuner
Text Display
Roberts Stream 94i
£199
–
Roberts
250 x 130 x 166 MM
1.66 KG
B075Y2HSXP
2021
Stream94i
Aux, Headphone, USB
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Black, Natural wood
– Hz
Yes
5
DAB, DAB, FM
No
Roberts Revival Petite
£99.99
€149
Roberts
12.4 x 7.6 x 7.3 CM
436 G
–
2021
–
Antenna, aux in, Micro USB
Bluetooth
Duck Egg, Dusky Pink, Midnight Blue, Pop Orange, Sunburst Yellow, Black
– Hz
–
20
–
–
›
FAQs
Which is the best DAB radio to buy? ›
- 1/6. Best overall DAB radio: Roberts Rambler BT Stereo. Radio: DAB, DAB+, FM. ...
- 2/6. Best premium DAB radio: Ruark R1 MK4. Radio: DAB, DAB+, FM. ...
- 3/6. Best internet DAB radio: Pure Elan Connect+ Radio: DAB, DAB+, FM, and internet radio. ...
- 4/6. Best bedside DAB radio: Pure Siesta Charge.
- Sangean LB-100 Ultra Rugged Compact AM FM Radio.
- Sangean WR-11 Wood Cabinet AM/FM Table Top Analog Radio.
- Sony ICF-P26.
- Panasonic RF-2400D.
- PowerBear Portable Radio.
- Roberts Revival RD70 DAB/FM Radio with Bluetooth in Leaf. ...
- Roberts Revival Petite Portable DAB/FM Radio and Bluetooth Speaker in Midnight Blue. ...
- Roberts Revival Uno BT DAB/DAB+/FM radio with Bluetooth in Teal Blue.
Choose a DAB radio with a carry handle, and ideally a rechargeable battery – although the ability to use replaceable D or AA batteries is handy if you're away from a power source. Other features to look for include Bluetooth connectivity so you can play music from a smartphone using the portable DAB radio as a speaker.
What is the difference between a DAB radio and a DAB plus radio? ›What is the difference between DAB and DAB+? DAB+ is an upgraded version of DAB digital radio that gives you access to even more stations. To receive DAB+ stations you must have a DAB+ enabled radio. If you recently bought a new DAB radio, then the chances are you already have DAB+.
What radio do Navy Seals use? ›The AN/PRC-148 Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio (MBITR) is the most widely fielded handheld multiband, tactical software-defined radio, used by NATO forces around the world. The radio is built by Thales Communications, a subsidiary of the France-based Thales Group.
What is the highest quality audio available? ›Both WAV files and AIFF files represent the highest quality possible in the audio world – they are the files of choice for any mixing or mastering engineer looking to retain the highest quality possible.
What radio frequency had much better sound quality? ›"FM, which stands for Frequency Modulation, has better sound quality due to higher bandwidth. Also, the way the audio is encoded for FM makes it less sensitive to interference from electrical activity from storms or electrical devices than AM.
What carrier has the best reception? ›Verizon has the best 4G LTE coverage that spans across 70% of the United States. That's 2% more than AT&T and 8% more than T-Mobile. It covers 327 million people over 2.68 million square miles. Depending on your location, you may be covered by Verizon's 5G.
What type of radio has the longest range? ›- Midland 50 Channel Waterproof GMRS Two-Way Radio. ...
- Uniden SX507-2CKHS Up to 50 Mile Range Two-Way Radio. ...
- Cobra RX680 2 Watt Rugged Walkie Talkies. ...
- Topsung K-10 Portable NOAA Walkie Talkies. ...
- Midland T295VP4 X-TALKER GMRS Camo Long Range Walkie Talkie.
Which carrier has best signal? ›
Verizon has the best cell phone coverage overall, spanning 70% of the country with its 4G LTE service. AT&T comes in second with 68%, and T-Mobile slides in at third with 62%.
What radios do the FBI use? ›The FBI moved to APCO P25 digital mode. The FBI can also access state police radio and regional mutual Aid systems in many states.
What are the top 5 radio stations? ›- 101.1 The Beat - BigR.
- 104.3 Jamz - Bates FM.
- 108.1 JAMZ - BigR.
- 100.7 The Mix - BigR.
- 100.9 Star Country! - BigR.
- 100.8 The Hawk!! - BigR.
- 100.5 Classic Rock - BigR.
The Roberts Radio Revival Petite offers high quality audio without the need for external speakers and unsightly wiring. It also has a bass radiator which means it offers remarkable bass and clarity for such a small piece of equipment.
Is it better to have a big or small DAB rig? ›When it comes to dabbing, smaller rigs are always better than larger ones. They're more efficient, easier to use, and less expensive in the long run. They also make your concentrates last longer, produce bigger clouds of vapor you can inhale, and are much safer to use than larger rigs.
How many watts should I use a DAB tank on? ›Those that offer variable wattage options seem to operate best at 5 watts, and no more than 7. Many users report that going above 7 watts burns the flavor while ruining the compounds.
How can you tell quality of DAB? ›Hold your sample up to the light; if you see anything in it, don't smoke it. The sample can be light or dark in color, but if light doesn't pass through it, you certainly don't want to smoke it. Good dabs can go bad if they aren't properly stored. Dabs tend to have a shelf life, and they change over time.
Can I upgrade my DAB radio to DAB Plus? ›The authoritative transmission standard is DAB+. But old receivers that do not support the digital standard don't have to be thrown away – you can upgrade them to support the format.
Is DAB radio better than Internet? ›More station choice: Internet radio gives listeners more variety. DAB+ has also increased the number of stations available to listeners. On-screen information: Listeners can get song information when they tune-in to their favorite radio stations.
What radio do US Army use? ›Currently, the US and other allied forces use the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) radio. L3Harris is a supplier of SINCGARS systems and has delivered more than 300,000 units to the US Department of Defense (DoD) since the 1980s.
What radio do soldiers use? ›
Hundreds of radio models and types are used by the military, however, largely, one of the most popular radio systems is the previously mentioned P25. For mission critical operations, the industry leader – Motorola, often provides the model of choice, the APX P25.
What is the most advanced military radio? ›Variants of ARC-210 are the most widely fielded airborne military V/UHF radio in the world, with more than 50,000 delivered units operating on more than 200 platforms in over 50 countries. The ARC-210 Gen6 is now available through Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to authorized countries.
Which is the No 1 sound system? ›#1 Best Speaker in the World 2020: KEF LS50 Wireless Powered Speaker System. The KEF LS50 are high-fidelity speakers designed to deliver an incredible amount of detail and bass.
Where can I get high quality sounds? ›- Free SFX.
- Freesound.
- Sounds Crate.
- Partners In Rhyme.
- 99sounds.
- FindSounds.
- Zapsplat.
- Orange Free Sounds.
How does High-Res Audio Compare to CDs and MP3s? When comparing bitrate, or the amount of data transferred per second, High-Resolution Audio's bitrate (9,216 kbps) is nearly seven times higher than that of CDs (1,411 kbps) and almost 29 times higher than that of MP3s (320 kbps).
Does higher frequency mean better sound? ›The answer to this question is clearly no. You might suspect, that the higher the frequency, the louder we perceive a noise, but frequency does not tell us how loud a sound is. Intensity or loudness is the amount of energy of a vibration and is measured in decibels (dB).
What is the most popular radio frequency? ›2400MHz (2.4Ghz) is the most broadly accepted frequency around the world.
What frequency do we hear best? ›While 20 to 20,000Hz forms the absolute borders of the human hearing range, our hearing is most sensitive in the 2000 - 5000 Hz frequency range.
Which cell phone has the best reception in areas with a weak signal? ›Over 100 phones were tested. The phones that emitted the lowest amount of mobile radiation and subsequently had the best-functioning antennas were the Samsung Galaxy 11 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra.
Which cell phone has the best reception in areas with a weak signal 2022? ›According to another PCMag study, the Android with the best reception is the Samsung Galaxy S22 series. When tested, the S22 devices outperformed its predecessors and Google's latest Pixel. PCMag dubbed the S22 a low-signal beast.
How do I find the strongest cell signal in my area? ›
Stand outside your home and run four signal strength and/or speed tests, one on each side of the house. The side with the best results is likely to be facing the direction of the strongest tower. Once you've purchased a cell signal booster, you can start your eight-point test by pointing your antenna in that direction.
What radios do police use? ›- Ritron Radios. VHF Mobile Radios. POC Mobile Radios (Push-to-Talk Over Cellular) Push-to-Talk Over Cellular.
- Radio Accessories. Kenwood Two Way Radio Antennas. Ritron Two Way Radio Antennas. Motorola RDU2020 Antennas. Motorola RDV2020 Antennas. Motorola RDU2080D Antennas. Motorola RDV2080D Antennas. Motorola CP110 Antennas.
BaoFeng BF-F8HP. The BaoFeng BF-F8HP is by far the most capable and fully featured radios in our test, but it requires a ham radio operator license to use legally in the US. If you are licensed to use it, this might become your favorite portable two-way radio.
How far can a 100 watt radio transmit? ›If an ERP of 100 Watt is used, it is very likely that 20 kilometers of range will be reached because a 100 Watt ERP is able to propagate a strong signal as far as 20 kilometers.
What is the strongest cell signal? ›Signal strengths can range from approximately -30 dBm to -110 dBm. The closer that number is to 0, the stronger the cell signal. In general, anything better than -85 decibels is considered a usable signal.
Who is the number 1 wireless carrier? ›AT&T is the largest telecommunications company in the world by most measures. AT&T generates more revenue than any of its counterparts worldwide, bringing in a whopping 161.5 billion euros in 2020, ahead of nearest-rival Verizon's 117.5 billion euros.
Which carrier has the fastest network? ›In 2022, T-Mobile isn't just America's fastest network, it's also the best. For this year's nationwide mobile network tests, we've changed everything.
What is the best brand of dabs? ›Binoid THC-P Dabs are the most potent dabs in the world of cannabis concentrates. Made with the highest quality ingredients, these dabs offer a fantastic taste and unparalleled potency.
Is DAB radio worth having? ›Not only is a DAB radio a worthy upgrade, it gives you access to countless more radio stations. Getting one for the house, or to take one on-the-go, can be a great way to enjoy even more of your favourite listening. We've rounded up the best DAB radios out there, each with varying features and advantages.
Is DAB better quality than FM? ›DAB may be more reliable for listening on the road than FM because it doesn't suffer from interference. DAB will only keep going until the signal becomes too weak to provide a quality sound, so you don't need to worry about that annoying fizz and crackle you can get when the signal fails on FM.
Are all DAB radios the same? ›
Apart from that, there are no differences. DAB+ and DAB use the same transmitters, same multiplexing equipment, and so on, and DAB and DAB+ signals can happily live on the same DAB multiplex. A DAB+ radio will also happily decode DAB signals as well (although a DAB radio won't decode DAB+).
What are the most popular dabs? ›Some of the most popular options include the hard and glass-like shatter or wax extracts. If you're looking for something a bit softer, turn to budder, crumble or cannabis oil. Some concentrates such as terp sauce have a mix of cannabinoid crystal formations and liquid terpene sauce.
What concentrate gets you the most high? ›While wax and shatter most commonly range between 40%-70% THC, distillate can be as high as 99% THC, making it by far the most effective way to consume THC in terms of pure potency.
How can you tell if a dab is good quality? ›Hold your sample up to the light; if you see anything in it, don't smoke it. The sample can be light or dark in color, but if light doesn't pass through it, you certainly don't want to smoke it. Good dabs can go bad if they aren't properly stored. Dabs tend to have a shelf life, and they change over time.
Can you use a DAB radio without internet? ›Do you need WiFi for DAB radio? Nope. Although some newer DAB radios, including some of the radios on this list can be connected to the internet to allow you to stream music from Spotify or online radio services like BBC iPlayer.
Do DAB radios pick up all stations? ›If a station in your area is FM-only, though, you should still be able to tune in with one of our DAB radios. They all offer the option to switch between digital and analogue, so you can still enjoy all your favourite stations, whatever the broadcast format.
Will FM radio be phased out? ›Other recommendations include that there should be no mandated switch-off of analogue radio until at least 2030 - meaning that FM radio broadcasts can continue for at least another decade so the elderly, vulnerable and people in remote communities can access essential news and entertainment.
Do DAB radios use a lot of electricity? ›FM uses 40% more energy per hour than DAB
When looking at energy consumption levels per device per hour, the research indicated that DAB radio services have the lowest energy consumption compared to other platforms, at 9-Watt hours (Wh).
The highest quality MP3 has a bitrate of 320kbps, whereas a 24-bit/192kHz file has a data rate of 9216kbps. Music CDs are 1411kbps. The hi-res 24-bit/96kHz or 24-bit/192kHz files should, therefore, more closely replicate the sound quality the musicians and engineers were working with in the studio.
Do digital radios have better reception? ›Digital radio reception is more resistant to interference and eliminates many imperfections of analog radio transmission and reception. However, there may be some interference to digital radio signals in areas that are far away from a station's transmitter.
Why do DAB radios stop working? ›
If the sound begins to burble or cut out altogether or you have lost a radio station, it could be due to one of the following: There's a transmitter fault. You are in a poor signal coverage area. Radio positioning and/or telescopic aerial needs adjusting.
Can you upgrade a DAB radio? ›You can retrofit DAB+ to car radios, home audio systems or smartphones via an external receiver module. Depending on the solution, AUX, USB or Bluetooth are used as interfaces.