DAB radiocommunication persist a pop fashion of listening to audio to get your daily selective information and amusement . This best DAB radios list represent the good usable .
Whether you ’re search for a DAB receiving set to put on your bedside table , one for the outdoors , or you want the secure audio , we ’ve got several picks to aid you find what you want .
Like every other product that we test , we assess DAB radio ’ sound quality against its peer to pass judgment whether they merit a good score and therefore a situation on this list . We test to see how easy they are to manoeuvre , retrospect the build quality to see if they ’re the eccentric of radio that could last for year , see how good their reception is ( although this factor will count on your location ) , as well as testing at different loudness to learn how they perform .
If you ’re still on the fencing about whether to get a DAB radio , you may always check out our bout - ups for thebest Bluetooth speakers , and thebest smart loudspeaker system .
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Learn more about how we test radios
We play a good deal of music , and we play it loud . But we do n’t just listen to the loudspeaker ; if there are special feature then we make certain we shirk with them until we ’re satisfied .
Of of course , it always come back to the euphony . Radios are try out by reviewer who have a noesis of profound quality , as well as a context of the mart . We ’ll listen to radio alongside similarly price contender , so when we commend a peculiar model , it ’s among the good you may bribe for the money .
Roberts Revival Petite 2
Pros
Cons
Revo SuperConnect Stereo
Ruark R1S
Pure Woodland
Roberts Zen Plus
Groov-e Boston
Trusted Score
TheRoberts Revival Petite 2is a succinct and attractive radio that ’s well-off to transport from room - to - room or take on your travels .
The Revival Petite 2 shares the same retro 50s esthetic as theRevival Petitewith small adjustments made that include a new telescopic antenna on the rear for a more static response , and USB - nose candy charging instead of micro - USB . There ’s still no IP rating if you ’re using the radio alfresco but there is a pouch you could buy to keep it safe .
The radio set is controlled by a clicky rotary dial surrounded by power , volume and mode push . The latter is for switching between DAB+ , FM and Bluetooth modes and we found operating the radio an easy experience . There ’s a modest OLED screen that features ten degree of brightness and display the mode , barrage life-time , time and track , among other thing .
The Revival Petite 2 supports DAB , DAB+ and FM radio receiver , with 10 DAB presets and 10 FM one . Like with other wireless , you could scan for stations , rationalize them and line up the DRC ( Dynamic Range Compression ) .
you could also stream directly from a mobile machine using Bluetooth , and although Roberts has dropped the aux mode this time around , you could still heed via a pair of pumped up headphones . There ’s a Modern alarm mode with the ability to set the metre and style – either FM radio or a bell .
The Revival Petite 2 sounds similar to the original Revival Petite , with the new model sound slightly still . The Revival Petite 2 also reveals more detail and keenness at gamey frequencies and better uncloudedness in vocals . There ’s little depth and mightiness to the sea bass though , but the radio does sound lively and energetic at high volumes . interpreter are also unruffled with no sibilance or harshness , which is important for a radio .
A stereoscopic photograph upgrade over the original SuperConnect , theStereo versionis priced high cost for a tuner at £ 489 / $ 599 . We ’d view the Revo to be both a wireless and hi - fi system roll into one , which makes more signified once you look at it …
… as the SuperConnect Stereo is a braggart unit at 370 millimetre wide . It ’s also a endearing looking system with its wood panel and black anodise conclusion of the sample we receive . Plonked in the middle is a highly visibleOLED screenthat can be read from a aloofness , and there ’s a volume dial on the side to up or lower book . The front side is litter with buttons that insure playback , menu , and alert options ; but you’re able to also operate it with the packaged svelte remote .
The SuperConnect Stereo supports Wi - Fi and feature compatibility with the Undok app . you may streamSpotify Connect , as well asAmazon MusicandDeezerin the app itself . The app allows for customisation ( which you may also do on through the onboard controls ) of audio EQ and a bigger supply of presets , though this is one area we rule confusing as the parceling of presets is different bet on what control method you use . There are six presets on the remote , seven on the radio set and 10 in the app . Like theBoomBocs Studio , when we used up the full parcelling in the app we were n’t able to get at some of the station on the remote or on the unit .
Less muddled is the Revo ’s speech sound , which is a big , roomy , and detailed performance . We found it output an energetic , if not necessarily active sound , that had plenty of thrust and punch to it , especially to the grim frequency . How it handles bass , however , is not always the most consistent . Bass tends to hog the limelight when listening to radio station , but there ’s an improved balance to be find when streaming euphony , which offer better control over low frequencies .
With competition fromsmart speakersfrom the likes ofAppleandAmazon , modern DAB radios have diversified their feature set to vie and one of those very wireless isRuark R1S. Though at £ 299 it ’s not the most low-cost radio set .
Like Ruark ’s previous radiocommunication and wireless speakers , the R1S is a fashionable look effort . It realize use of wooden pane across its front to give it a natural spirit , with a 2.5 - inchOLEDscreen that ’s heavy enough to display information . It ’s only available in one finish ( mid grey lacquer with walnut grille ) but we feel the R1S is easily one of the most stylish radios available .
Despite its fairly compact form factor , our reader found the radio pump out impressively gimcrack and sure-footed sound that highlights vocal transmission channel well so that we always heard what was tell . For those who prefer more bass voice in their track or more attending afford to the treble , the R1S ’ audio can be conform via equaliser options . Plus , with a freestanding bombardment pack , the R1S can be used as a portable speaker system , although the terms adds more to the cost .
The damage does limit the Ruark ’s appeal . For those more inclined to purchase a impertinent speaker , the deficiency of voice control or the ability to use your cyclosis service of choice as an alarm may be a deciding constituent . Nevertheless , the Ruark R1S is first and foremost a radio set , and if you have the money to drop for a DAB wireless that reckon and sound great , you ’ll enjoy Ruark ’s study here .
A radio that ’s a wireless talker or a wireless speaker that supports radio ? Whatever the type possibly , thePure Woodlandis a good example of the type of audio gadget we do n’t see too often .
It ’s build up like an outdoor speaker with a water resistance rating ofIP67 , which make the Woodland water- and dust - proof . The top and bottom are made from hard , rubberised plastic so it should survive some tumbles outdoors . Aesthetically it ’s not the most colourful , but this is n’t intended to the type of company speaker you get fromJBLorUltimate spike . The silver screen is not our favorite though : small-scale and not well seen unless you ’re hover over it .
The radio can tune into FM and DAB+ stations , and with Bluetooth 5.1 accompaniment you may pour music . There are six presets to lay aside your favored station , though the way they ’re integrated can cause some mix-up . There are three presets for DAB+ and three presets for FM , and one of each is assigned to a button .
The effectual quality is good than we expect for a tuner / outdoor speaker . At humble volumes the Pure Woodland has a warm , rich tone that works for indoor listening , and when we raised the volume we establish that it sounded crisper and more energetic , which we found suitable outdoor hear more . The midrange is clear , the treble is sharp , and the bass is punchy . It can fathom too crisp and energetic at times , but the Woodland is both one of the advantageously - sounding radiocommunication and best - sounding outdoor speakers we ’ve hear at its Leontyne Price .
TheRoberts Zen Plusis a compact bedside tuner that comes with “ wellness ” features to help you fall asleep . Considering its size of it , the audio operation is better than some big radios .
It ’s a stylish endeavor with a neat textured fabric embrace that wraps around the top half of its body , and its compendious sizing ascertain it takes up less place on a bedside mesa . Available in three coloring we feel the Zen Plus to be a dewy-eyed , modernistic - looking wireless .
The LCD clock screen takes up the entirety of the speaker ’s front and our reviewer found it easy to show even from a distance . After a few minutes the blind can auto dim , but if you prefer to deepen the smartness manually , that can be done through the menu .
The user interface of Zen Plus work fine for the most part , but it can be slightly unresponsive to touches , impart us incite the screen on occasion . Presets number 20 in totality with 10 for DAB and 10 for DAB , which is less than theGroov - e Zeusbut twenty seems enough for us .
Two alarms can be determine and there ’s a fair degree of customisation as to when they can go off , but the most interesting feature of speech is the Sleep Sounds health feature . There are 13 sounds to choose from including Ocean Waves and Pink Noise which are design to facilitate you get to catch some Z’s with minimum fuss , though we did discover the Kitten purr sound off - putt .
For a speaker of its size the Roberts Zen Plus vocalise better than anticipate . It ’s clean and more detailed than the bigger Groov - e Zeus , chance on a more natural smell across DAB and FM station . It ’s clear and crisp with the spoken Holy Writ , invite no sibilance and fathom balanced across the frequency range .
There ’s not much bass but what ’s provide is enough for a decorous gumption of punch . We were less impressed with its performance as aBluetooth speaker . Bass simply is n’t as good as a Bluetooth speaker unit such as theUltimate Ears Wonderboom 3and midrange clearness disappoints .
Like theZeus , theGroov - e Bostonis a radio pitched to affordable buyers . It does n’t boast as many convenient features as the Zeus , but the Boston is a more stylish and portable social unit for moving around the house .
We very much liked its flavour with its wood cabinet and silver facia giving the radio both a slimly retro styled but also New appearance . It has a handle for carry it around , and although it weighs 871 GB , we did n’t find it to be too heavy . If you like your fashionable radios and find theRuark R1Stoo expensive , the Boston is a more low-cost choice .
It has a battery compartment that accepts four C - sized batteries ( not included ) , a telescopic feeler for a good radio signal , and a range of release and telephone dial on its front that we find oneself made operating the Boston an easy process . A downside is the LCD screen which we found to be a ) too small , b ) hard to register from across a way and c ) the light spill from backlit filmdom distracts at night .
There are 20 presets for FM stations and another 20 for DAB . Other feature article includeBluetooth connectivityand Dynamic Range Control that controls the loudness of the highs and lows . This is a feature of speech we reckon you’re able to live without enabling as it does n’t make much of a difference .
The sound lineament from the Boston is not the most elaborated and the clear , but we did enjoy its smoothness . There ’s a fun horse sense of energy about the Boston ’s deliverance that gets our head bopping to song like The Foo Fighters ’ Walk . Vocals are present in a clear manner wherever it ’s a presenters ’ articulation or that of a singer .
Bass is modestly draw , and we do wish that the stereo consequence of left-hand and right channels was more pronounced , but on the whole , for perfunctory auditor , the Boston is a simple social unit at an affordable price .
FAQs
If you ’re enquire whether radios support the the like Alexa and Google Assistant , then no , we ’ve not review a radio that can do that . Some do have ‘ smart ’ in their Wi - Fi connectivity , such as Spotify Connect integrating .
Test Data
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