DAB radios remain a popular way of listening to audio for millions of people every day. If you’re looking for a new radio, we have several to catch your eye
Whether it’s a DAB radio to put on your bedside table, one that you can take with outside the home, or if you want a radio that can stream Internet content and music streaming services, we’ve got several picks to help you find what you want.
Like every other product that we test, we assess DAB radios’ sound quality against its peers to judge whether they merit a good review.
We test to see how easy they are to operate, assess the build quality, see how good their reception is (although this factor will depend on your location), test their various features to see if they work as intended, as well as testing at different volumes to hear how they perform.
We’re currently in the midst of reviewing new models from Groov-e and Roberts, so we’ll update this list if those models score well. Until then, if you’re still on the fence about whether to get a DAB radio, you can always check out our round-ups for the best Bluetooth speakers, and the best smart speakers as alternatives.
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Learn more about 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.
Pros
- Enjoyable sound across multiple sources
- Lovely aesthetics
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support
- Nice to use
Cons
- Lacks a few streaming options
- Expensive for a ‘radio’
- Only SBC Bluetooth
Pros
- Cute looks
- Smooth but lively sound
- Built-in alarm
- Compact size
- Long battery life
Cons
- Arguably expensive for its feature set
- Lacks bass output
Pros
- Big, detailed, and spacious sound
- Consistent performance across its sources
- Plenty of connectivity options
- Looks great
Cons
- Expensive for a ‘radio’
- Uneven bass output
Pros
- Rich and confident sound
- Fashionable design that’s tough to beat
- Also doubles as a portable speaker
Cons
- Questionable price against the competition
- No voice assistant
- The screen is a bit dim at certain angles
Pros
- Rich, entertaining audio
- Good looks
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support
Cons
- Not the most detailed sound
- No Internet Radio support
Pros
- Rich but also crisp delivery
- Rugged build quality
- Radio tuner
- Good Bluetooth performance
Cons
- Slightly confusing preset options
- A little too crisp at higher volumes
- Tiny, not too well positioned screen
Pros
- Stylish, compact looks
- USB charging
- Crisp, clear audio
- Sleep Sounds a useful feature
Cons
- Expensive
- Average Bluetooth performance
- Interface can be unresponsive
Pros
- Fun, engaging performance
- Straightforward to use
- Stylish looks
- Affordable
Cons
- Not the most detailed sound
- Rubbish LCD screen
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Enjoyable sound across multiple sources -
Lovely aesthetics -
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support -
Nice to use
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Lacks a few streaming options -
Expensive for a ‘radio’ -
Only SBC Bluetooth
Very few companies can make a radio quite as stylish as Ruark, and that run continues in the outstanding Ruark R2 Mk4.
With its front-facing wooden panelling and sleek black top, the R2 Mk4 looks great and elevates any environment it’s in.
The Ruark R2 Mk4 lets you save up to eight presets for quick selection. We find that number a little low for the money, but the Ruark does offer more functionality than other models on this list.
You’ve got dual-alarm functionality so you can set up two alarms for those important events in your life (such as waking up), while with the Octiv app, there’s the potential to stream from music streaming apps such as Tidal and Qobuz.
As the Ruark R2 Mk4 operates over Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth, you can stream from Spotify, play podcasts as well as listen to Internet Radio stations, the latter isn’t always a certainty with even the best DAB radios.
Most important of all of course is the sound quality the R2 Mk4 can produce. This radio can pump out a weighty bass performance, though there is a limit to how deep this radio can go with the low frequencies. Vocals are clear and soundstage is spacious and detailed.
At its best, the Ruark is a loud, confident performer, regardless of whether you’re using the radio over a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection. If you’ve got the money, this is one of the best radios you can get.
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Cute looks -
Smooth but lively sound -
Built-in alarm -
Compact size -
Long battery life
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Arguably expensive for its feature set -
Lacks bass output
The Roberts Revival Petite 2 is a compact and attractive radio that’s easy to carry from room-to-room or take on your travels.
The Revival Petite 2 shares the same retro 50s aesthetic as the Revival Petite with small adjustments made that include a new telescopic antenna on the rear for a more stable reception, and USB-C charging instead of micro-USB.
There’s still no IP rating if you’re using the radio outside but there is a pouch you can buy to keep it safe from the elements.
The radio is controlled by a clicky rotary dial surrounded by power, volume and mode buttons. The latter is for switching between DAB+, FM and Bluetooth modes and we found operating the radio an easy experience. There’s a small OLED screen that features ten levels of brightness and displays the mode, battery life, time and track, among other things.
The Revival Petite 2 supports DAB, DAB+ and FM radio, with 10 DAB presets and 10 FM ones. Like with other radios, you can scan for stations, prune them and adjust the DRC (Dynamic Range Compression).
You can also stream directly from a mobile device using Bluetooth, and although Roberts has dropped the aux mode this time around, you can still listen via a pair of headphones. There’s a new alarm mode with the ability to set the time and mode – either FM radio or a buzzer.
The Revival Petite 2 sounds similar to the original Revival Petite, with the new model sounding slightly smoother. The Revival Petite 2 also reveals more detail and sharpness at higher frequencies and better clarity in vocals.
There’s not much depth and power to the bass though, but the radio does sound lively and energetic at high volumes. Voices are also smooth with no sibilance or harshness, which is important for a radio.
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Big, detailed, and spacious sound -
Consistent performance across its sources -
Plenty of connectivity options -
Looks great
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Expensive for a ‘radio’ -
Uneven bass output
A stereo upgrade over the original SuperConnect, the Stereo version is priced high price for a radio at £489 / $599. We’d consider the Revo to be both a radio and hi-fi system rolled into one, which makes more sense once you look at it…
…as the SuperConnect Stereo is a big unit at 370mm wide. It’s also a lovely looking system with its wood panel and black anodised finish of the sample we received.
Plonked in the middle is a highly visible OLED screen that can be read from a distance, and there’s a volume dial on the side to up or lower volume. The front side is littered with buttons that cover playback, menu, and alarm settings; but you can also operate it with the packaged slim remote.
The SuperConnect Stereo supports Wi-Fi and features compatibility with the Undok app. You can stream Spotify Connect, as well as Amazon Music and Deezer in the app itself. The app allows for customisation (which you can also do on through the onboard controls) of audio EQ and a bigger provision of presets, though this is one area we found confusing as the allocation of presets is different depending on what control method you use.
There are six presets on the remote, seven on the radio and 10 in the app. Like the BoomBocs Studio, when we used up the full allotment in the app we weren’t able to access some of the stations on the remote or on the unit.
Less muddled is the Revo’s sound, which is a big, spacious, and detailed performance. We found it outputted an energetic, if not necessarily dynamic sound, that had plenty of thrust and punch to it, especially to the low frequencies.
How it handles bass, however, is not always the most consistent. Bass tends to hog the limelight when listening to radio stations, but there’s an improved balance to be found when streaming music, which offers better control over low frequencies.
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Rich and confident sound -
Fashionable design that’s tough to beat -
Also doubles as a portable speaker
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Questionable price against the competition -
No voice assistant -
The screen is a bit dim at certain angles
With competition from smart speakers from the likes of Apple and Amazon, modern DAB radios have diversified their feature set to compete and one of those very radios is Ruark R1S. Though at £299 it’s not the most affordable radio.
Like Ruark’s previous radios and wireless speakers, the R1S is a fashionable looking effort. It makes use of wooden panelling across its front to give it a natural look, with a 2.5-inch OLED screen that’s large enough to display information.
It’s now available in three finishes (mid grey / light cream / satin charcoal) making the R1S easily one of the most stylish radios around.
Despite its fairly compact form factor, our reviewer found the radio pumped out impressively loud and confident sound that highlights vocal channels well so that we always heard what was said.
For those who prefer more bass in their tracks or more attention afforded to the treble, the R1S’ sound can be adjusted via equaliser settings. Plus, with a separate battery pack, the R1S can be used as a portable speaker, although the price adds more to the cost.
The price puts a cap on the Ruark’s appeal. Nevertheless, the Ruark R1S is first and foremost a radio, and if you have the money to spend for a DAB radio that looks and sounds great, you’ll enjoy Ruark’s work here.
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Rich, entertaining audio -
Good looks -
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support
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Not the most detailed sound -
No Internet Radio support
If you’re after an all-in-one system that mainlines as a radio but also works as a more premium-priced speaker, the you may well be interested in the Roberts Stream 95i.
It’s a heavy unit but it comes with a handle, which makes it easier to carry from room to room. While most radios put the display on the front, Roberts has elected to put it on the top, which means you have to be standing over it to see it. Not the most sensible placement.
Underneath the radio there’s a compartment that allows for a rechargeable battery, though this battery is available separately and doesn’t come with the radio itself (£39.99). Go in that direction, though, and it brings another 8 additional hours of playback.
That means you could use the Roberts outside, but be warned, it doesn’t come with an IP rating, so it can be affected by weather.
With Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support, it’s similar to the Ruark R2 Mk4 with the ability to stream from music apps (such as Spotify Connect, Tidal and Qobuz through the Roberts app), and Google Cast streaming. It doesn’t support Internet Radio, which is a mild annoyance, but it goes one further than the Ruark with Alexa smart functionality. Want a radio that can also function as a smart assistant? The Roberts can perform that function and comes with a privacy switch in case you don’t want Alexa snooping in on your conversations.
The sound isn’t as good as Ruark’s models on this list, but the Roberts gives it a good college try. It’s a rich, entertaining performance with warm bass and bright highs. It’s clear with voices though not the most detailed performer overall.
It’s a fun, wholly enjoyable radio that offers plenty of versatility in terms of its feature set. It’s well worth a closer look if you want a radio that can function as a sort of hi-fi system without having to pay a premium price like you would for the Ruark models and Revo SuperConnect that also feature on this list.
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Rich but also crisp delivery -
Rugged build quality -
Radio tuner -
Good Bluetooth performance
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Slightly confusing preset options -
A little too crisp at higher volumes -
Tiny, not too well positioned screen
A radio that’s a wireless speaker or a wireless speaker that supports radio? Whatever the case maybe, the Pure Woodland is very good at what it does.
It’s built like an outdoor speaker with a water resistance rating of IP67, which makes 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 isn’t intended to the type of outdoor speaker you get from JBL or Ultimate Ears. The screen is not our favourite though: small and not easily seen unless you’re hovering over it.
The radio can tune into FM and DAB+ stations, and with Bluetooth 5.1 you can stream music from a mobile device.
There are six presets to save your favourite stations, though the way they’re integrated can cause some confusion. There are three presets for DAB+ and three presets for FM, and one of each is assigned to a button.
The sound quality is better than we expected for a radio/outdoor speaker. At lower volumes the Pure Woodland has a warm, rich tone that works for indoor listening, and when we raised the volume we found that it sounded crisper and more energetic, which we found suited outdoor listening more.
The midrange is clear, the treble is sharp, and the bass is punchy. It can sound too crisp and energetic at times, but the Woodland is both one of the better-sounding radios and better-sounding outdoor speakers we’ve heard at its price.
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Stylish, compact looks -
USB charging -
Crisp, clear audio -
Sleep Sounds a useful feature
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Expensive -
Average Bluetooth performance -
Interface can be unresponsive
The Roberts Zen Plus is a compact bedside radio that comes with “wellness” features to help you fall asleep. Considering its size, the audio performance is better than some bigger radios.
It’s a stylish effort with a neat textured fabric covering that wraps around the top half of its body, and its compact size ensures it takes up less space on a bedside table. Available in three colours we found the Zen Plus to be a simple, modern-looking radio.
The LCD clock screen takes up the entirety of the speaker’s front and our reviewer found it easy to read even from a distance. After a few minutes the screen can auto dim, but if you prefer to change the brightness manually, that can be done through the menus.
The interface of Zen Plus works fine for the most part, but it can be slightly unresponsive to touches, leaving us prodding the screen on occasion. Presets number 20 in total with 10 for DAB and 10 for DAB, which is less than the Groov-e Zeus but twenty seems enough for us.
Two alarms can be set and there’s a fair degree of customisation as to when they can go off, but the most interesting feature is the Sleep Sounds wellness feature. There are 13 sounds to choose from including Ocean Waves and Pink Noise which are designed to help you get to sleep with minimum fuss, though we did find the Kitten Purring sound off-putting.
For a speaker of its size the Roberts Zen Plus sounds better than expected. It’s clearer and more detailed than the bigger Groov-e Zeus, striking a more natural tone across DAB and FM stations. It’s clear and crisp with the spoken word, inviting no sibilance and sounding balanced across the frequency range.
There’s not much bass but what’s provided is enough for a decent sense of punch. We were less impressed with its performance as a Bluetooth speaker. Bass simply isn’t as good as a Bluetooth speaker and midrange clarity disappoints. Best to use it as just a radio rather than as a music speaker.
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Fun, engaging performance -
Straightforward to use -
Stylish looks -
Affordable
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Not the most detailed sound -
Rubbish LCD screen
Like the Zeus, the Groov-e Boston is a radio pitched to affordable buyers. It doesn’t boast as many convenient features as the Zeus, but the Boston is a more stylish and portable unit for moving around the house.
We very much liked its looks with its wood cabinet and silver fascia giving the radio both a slightly retro styled but also modern appearance. It has a handle for carrying it around, and although it weighs 871g, we didn’t find it to be too heavy.
If you like your stylish radios and find the Ruark R1S too expensive, the Boston is a much more affordable alternative.
It has a battery compartment that accepts four C-sized batteries (not included), a telescopic antenna for a better radio signal, and a range of buttons and dials on its front that we found made operating the Boston an easy process.
A downside is the LCD screen which we found to be a) too small, b) hard to read from across a room and c) the light spill from backlit screen distracts at night.
There are 20 presets for FM stations and another 20 for DAB. Other features include Bluetooth connectivity and Dynamic Range Control that controls the loudness of the highs and lows. This is a feature we reckon you can live without enabling as it doesn’t make much of a difference.
The sound quality from the Boston is not the most detailed and the clearest, but we did enjoy its smoothness. There’s a fun sense of energy about the Boston’s delivery that gets our head bopping to songs like The Foo Fighters’ Walk. Vocals are delivered in a clear manner wherever it’s a presenters’ voice or that of a singer.
Bass is modestly described, and we do wish that the stereo effect of left and right channels was more pronounced, but on the whole, for casual listeners, the Boston is a simple unit at an affordable price.
FAQs
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.
Full Specs
| Ruark R2 Mk4 Review | Roberts Revival Petite 2 Review | Revo SuperConnect Stereo Review | Ruark R1S Review | Roberts Stream 95i Review | Pure Woodland Review | Roberts Zen Plus Review | Groov-e Boston Review | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK RRP | £479 | £99.99 | £489.99 | £299 | £249.99 | £139.99 | £99.99 | £39.99 |
| USA RRP | – | – | $599 | – | – | – | – | Unavailable |
| EU RRP | – | – | €549 | – | – | – | – | Unavailable |
| CA RRP | – | – | CA$799 | – | – | – | – | Unavailable |
| AUD RRP | – | – | AU$899 | – | – | – | – | Unavailable |
| Manufacturer | Ruark Audio | Roberts | – | Ruark Audio | Roberts | Pure | Roberts | Groov-e |
| Battery | – | – | – | – | – | 4000 mAh | – | – |
| Size (Dimensions) | 340 x 135 x 175 MM | 124 x 85 x 73 MM | 370 x 150 x 190 MM | 130 x 135 x 175 MM | 271 x 119 x 184 MM | 174 x 106 x 130 MM | 110 x 108 x 100 MM | 24.7 x 10.5 x 16 CM |
| Weight | 2.9 KG | 430 G | – | 1.6 KG | 2.4 KG | 700 G | 412 G | 891 G |
| ASIN | B0BMQWH5MQ | B0CNWHGR68 | B0BM4L22XL | B0C668FWHB | B0D5V8G7ZB | B0CB1Q4RJX | B0BCY293VP | B0BTTHVGD3 |
| Release Date | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 |
| First Reviewed Date | – | – | – | 19/05/2023 | – | – | – | – |
| Model Number | – | REVPETITE2BLK | 641151 | R1S Smart Radio | – | WOODLAND L | ZENPLUSDE | GV-DR08-WD |
| Ports | – | – | Aux input, headphone out, digital optical out, RCA input | AUX, USB-C | – | – | USB-C | – |
| Audio (Power output) | – | – | 30 W | – | – | 10 W | – | – |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, Deezer, Amazon Music | Bluetooth | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, Spotify Connect | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C, Bluetooth 5.1 | DAB+, DAB, FM, Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth |
| Colours | Espresso lacquer with Walnut Grille, Light Cream lacquer with Ash Grille, Sea Mist with Ash Grille | duck egg, pink, blue, orange, cream, yellow, and black | Walnut/black, Walnut/silver | Mid Grey and Walnut, Midnight Blue | – | Green | White, Black, Duck Egg | Wood |
| Display Technology | – | OLED | – | – | LED | LCD | – | – |
| Frequency Range | – Hz | – Hz | – Hz | – Hz | – Hz | – Hz | – Hz | – Hz |
| Power Consumption | – | – | 36 W | – | – | – | – | – |
| Presets | – | 20 | 10 | – | 10 | 6 | 20 | 40 |
| Tuner | DAB, DAB+, FM, Internet Radio | DAB, DAB+, FM | DAB, DAB+, FM | DAB, DAB+, FM, Internet Radio | DAB, DAB+, FM | DAB+, FM | DAB+, DAB, FM | DAB, DAB+, FM |
| Inputs | 3.5mm headphone jack, 3.5mm stereo, USB-C | USB-C, Aux | – | Analogue, USB-C | Auxillary, USB | – | – | – |
| Outputs | – | – | – | Headphone | Headphone | – | – | – |
| Platform support | Octiv app | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Alarm | – | Yes | – | – | Yes | – | – | – |
