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Tune in for more of your favourite stations and higher quality sound
While streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music dominate the headlines, radio isn’t going anywhere. 89% of us tune in at least once a week, according to UK radio measurement body Rajar. While FM radio is still around, DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) now accounts for the majority of listening.
The benefits? You don’t need to tune, so DAB isn’t as fiddly and you’ll pick up clearer sound quality. Some of the best DAB radios also have extra features, whether that’s Bluetooth connectivity, connectors to charge your phone, or the ability to add more of your favourite stations as presets.
If you’re convinced, here are our picks for the best DAB radios in 2022:
We test DAB radios the way you would use them at home. We look at how easy they are to set up and use, and how intuitive it is to set alarms, switch off and snooze. We test out how the sound quality (both for music and spoken word content) and check how you can access your favourite stations. This roundup features the best DAB radios from our tests along with top-rated options chosen by our editors.
Roberts has been around since 1932 and makes many of the radios featured on this list. This top-of-the-line one 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.
• Speaker output: Not given • Connectivity: DAB+, Bluetooth, 3.5mm audio in, wifi, ethernet, USB • Power: Mains or optional battery • Dimensions: 26 x 17 x 13.2 cm • Weight: 1.7kg • Features: 120 preset stations and five preset buttons, Internet radio, Spotify Connect, smartphone app controls, alarms, optional battery pack
Read the full Roberts Stream 94i review
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 the wifi features of the model 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.
• Speaker output: Not given • Connectivity: DAB+, Bluetooth, 3.5mm audio, USB • Power: Mains or AA batteries (not included) • Dimensions: 16 x 25.2 x 10.4 cm • Weight: 1.65kg • Features: 20 preset stations, digital radio slideshow, alarms, sleep timer, battery
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.
• Speaker output: Not given • Connectivity: DAB+, Bluetooth, 3.5mm audio • Power: Mains or rechargeable via Micro USB (cable included) • Dimensions: 7.3 x 7.6 x 12.4 cm • Weight: 436g • Features: 20 preset stations
After the retro look of the Roberts Revival without the high cost? The Little Shelford from 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 below, but it has a handy carry handle if you want to take it from one room to another.
• Speaker output: Not given • Connections: Bluetooth, DAB+, FM, 3.5mm audio • Power: Mains or AA batteries • Dimensions: 10 x 13 x 17 cm • Weight: 760g • Features: 20 preset stations, alarms, sleep timer, snooze
If you're looking for a lightweight and affordable radio, this compact own-brand John Lewis model is worth considering. It’s available in yellow, pink, teal and grey, and it can run off mains power or four AA batteries (making it as good for the kitchen as it is for the garden). It won’t get quite as loud as some in our roundup, but we like how you can jump right to your favourite stations with the five preset buttons on the front.
• Speaker output: 3W • Connections: DAB+, FM, 3.5mm audio • Power: Mains or AA batteries (not included) • Dimensions: 16.8 x 9.5 x 10.4 cm • Weight: 350g • Features: Six preset station buttons
With its big display and USB phone charging, this is best suited for use as a bedside radio alarm clock. This model is more affordable than the other Roberts devices on this list and we like how you can dim the clock screen with a button on the top of the radio. We found the sound crisp when playing all genres of music and spoken word. It's only mains-powered though, so you can’t use it on the go.
• Speaker output: 1W • Connectivity: DAB+, FM, 3.5mm audio • Power: Mains • Dimensions: 11.8 x 19.9 x 6.4 cm • Weight: 1kg • Features: 20 preset stations, USB phone charging, alarms, nighttime display
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.
• Speaker output: 2W • Connectivity: DAB+, FM, Bluetooth, 3.5mm audio • Power: Mains • Dimensions: 7 x 14.7 x 14 cm • Weight: 305g • Features: 40 preset stations, alarms, USB phone charging
This DAB radio can simulate sunrise to wake you up in a gentle way. You can choose one of the 31 sleep/wake sounds or set it to your preferred radio station to go with its gradual brightening light. We like that it'll fade any audio input as you drift off, and how you can set different alarm times for weekdays and weekends. It works as a Bluetooth speaker too and also has a USB port to charge your phone overnight.
• Speaker output: Not given • Connectivity: DAB+, Bluetooth • Power: Mains • Dimensions: 20 x 23 x 13 cm • Weight: 1.10kg • Features: Five preset stations, alarms, USB phone charging
If you like to listen to the radio, audiobooks or podcasts in the kitchen, this larger radio is a great option. You won’t want to move it around, but it has a powerful sound that fills the whole room. With its wifi connectivity, it works as a home speaker too, so you can listen to internet radio stations and Spotify playlists. The big and bright screen is easy to read from a distance, and you can also use it to check the weather forecast.
• Speaker output: Not given • Connections: Bluetooth, DAB+, FM, 3.5mm audio, wifi • Power: Mains • Dimensions: 18.5 x 35.4 x 14.5 cm • Weight: 3.16kg • Features: 60 preset stations, alarms, timers, snooze, Spotify Connect, dimmer function, internet radio, remote control
We love how this Pure model doubles up as a smartphone charger. If your handset supports Qi-certified wireless charging, you can just place it on top of the radio to refuel your device. The sound quality is clear and detailed, but it lacks some punch in the bass. We love how simple it is to use and that the large screen is easy to read. The aerial is wired, though, which means the signal was sometimes a little weak.
• Speaker output: 4W • Connectivity: DAB+, FM, Bluetooth, USB, 3.5mm audio • Power: Mains • Dimensions: 14.5 x 15.5 x 8 cm • Weight: 825g • Features: 40 preset stations, alarms, timers, USB phone charging, wireless phone charging
If you like adjusting your music levels, this stylish model has a customisable equaliser that makes the audio sound rich and warm even when turned up to full volume. It doesn’t have wifi connectivity, so you can’t stream internet music stations, but you can play your own music, using Bluetooth or the 3.5mm audio input.
• Speaker output: 9W • Connectivity: DAB+, FM, Bluetooth, 3.5mm audio in, USB • Power: Mains or optional battery • Dimensions: 17.5 x 13 x 13.5 cm • Weight: 1.5kg • Features: Four preset stations, alarms, auto-dimming display, power saving mode, customisable EQ settings
If the size is your main priority, you won’t find radios much smaller than this little Goodmans one. It has a rechargeable battery that promises up to 13 hours of playback and it can get surprisingly loud for such a tiny device. The telescopic aerial is very short (10cm), though, and it may not pick up as many stations as a larger DAB radio will.
• Speaker output: Not given • Connections: DAB+, FM, 3.5mm audio jack • Power: Rechargeable battery • Dimensions: 1.7 x 5.2 x 8.9 cm • Weight: 20g • Features: 40 preset stations, Key lock keeps buttons from being accidentally pressed
DAB picks up the best signal, so you’ll get a more reliable listening experience. And you won’t spend ages twiddling with a dial to find the clearest reception – you only need to click a button or turn a control wheel to skip between stations. You can listen to a lot more stations too – digital radios can potentially pick up 60 or more, while some FM ones can only receive around 15.
This may seem a little complex, but the main thing you need to know is that DAB+ is an improved version of the regular DAB digital radio standard that first arrived in the ‘90s. DAB+ is more efficient, delivers better sound quality and broadcasts more stations. Not every British station has caught on and made the switch to broadcasting on DAB+ quite yet though. Our recommendation? Get a radio that does both. Most, but not all, models launched in recent years will receive DAB+ transmissions. To help you find the best DAB radio for your needs, we’ve made sure all the ones in our roundup pick up this upgraded standard.
Like with FM, these models use a wire or a telescopic aerial (the typical metal aerial you imagine) to pick up signals. Wires are more discreet but tend to provide weaker transmissions than their telescopic counterparts.
These radios often allow you to listen to both DAB and FM. Some models have built-in wifi to access your favourite internet stations and music from your smartphone and streaming services. Most newer devices will have Bluetooth connectivity as well. Other things to consider include:
Sound quality: As we’ve said, DAB audio quality can far exceed that of FM. Sometimes radios also offer ways to control the music through dials or an equaliser menu (so you can tweak the bass and treble).
Wattage: The higher the wattage, the louder the volume can be without suffering from distortion. Wattage can range from 1W to over 20W. Want your radio to double up as a wireless speaker? Go for a higher wattage. If you’re not playing at high volume, you can get away with less. Not all brands provide this information because it can easily be confused with sound quality.
Preset stations: You should be able to set a certain number of your favourite radio stations for quick and easy access. Some have dedicated buttons for this.
Alarms: Most radios will have a built-in alarm, either offering a selection of tones or letting you wake up to your favourite station.
Phone charging: Some models have ports so you can connect a cable and charge your smartphone. One on our list has a built-in wireless charging pad too.
Battery power: Most DAB radios are mains-powered and need to stay plugged in, but some can fit batteries or have optional battery packs that make them portable.
Internet radio and wifi: Some will connect to your home wifi network and play internet radio stations. Because it’s online, internet radio allows you to listen to thousands of shows from all over the world. Some internet-connected radios will also support streaming services like Spotify, Tidal and Deezer. You can also find Amazon Alexa-enabled options too.
Dimming displays: You don’t want the clock shining too brightly at bedtime, so look for a radio with a nighttime display.This button will brighten the clock briefly before it fades out. You can usually change the brightness manually, too.